Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 65

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 65

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reared in the doctrines of the M. E. Church. Politically he is a Democrat.

On Nov. 26, 1884, Mr. Reed was married at DuBois to Amanda Craft, of near Big Run, daughter of the late Joseph Craft, a pioneer of Jefferson county, whose wife's maiden name was Smouse. Of the five children born to this marriage, Clarence E., who lives at home, is married to Nora Entres, of St. Marys, Pa .; William R. is at home; Minnie E. is the wife of George Drayton, of Hawthorn; Annie M. is the wife of Glen H. Hamilton, of Falls Creek, where he is now postmaster; Wilda is at home.

DELBERT G. HEASLEY, of the firm of Heasley & Reitz, of Brookville, has but re- cently embarked on his independent business career, which he entered with the good wishes of the many he had served in his long connec- tion with Means Brothers. He had the bene- fit of a comprehensive experience in the clothing business in all its details, gained in the discharge of responsible duties, to equip him thoroughly before he started on his own account, and he is now conducting a store which does credit to the town as well as him- self and partner. Their establishment is drawing a good patronage, and they are endea- voring to merit the confidence and custom of their townsmen.

Mr. Heasley belongs to a family of German extraction which was established in western Pennsylvania by his great-grandfather, who came hither from Germany in the hope of finding independence and a home in the grow- ing but primitive and forest covered section west of the Alleghenies. His name was Henry Heasley, and his son Henry was the grand- father of Delbert G. Heasley. The latter mar- ried Mary Rickerd, and they made their home in Armstrong county, Pa. Their son, Peter Heasley, was a well known man in this part of the State in his time, especially among the traveling public. After following lumbering, at one time the principal industry here, for some years he became stage driver and mail carrier between Clarington and Ridgway, Pa., being so occupied for a considerable period. His death occurred at Clarington, Forest county, when he was sixty-seven years okl. He is still survived by his wife, Lavina ( Shakely ), who now makes her home with her son Delbert in Brookville. She is a daughter of George Shakely, of Clarion county, Pa., and her grandfather, also named George Shakely, came to the United States with his wife from Germany : he married a Miss Sink. Fifteen

children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Heasley, but only five of this family are alive at the present writing : Mary, who is the widow of James Boyd; Jane, the wife of T. B. Osborne; Elimer and Frank, both of whom reside at Clarington, Pa. ; and Delbert G.

Delbert G. Heasley was born July 24. 1876, in Forest county, Pa., where he was reared, during his boyhood attending public school at Clarington, which is along the Clarion river. When thirteen years old he went to work as a clerk for Shields Brothers at Clarington, continuing with that firm during the next twelve years, in which time he acquired close familiarity with mercantile methods. In the fall of 1902 he came to Brookville, Pa., where he has since been located, and where he was in the employ of Means Brothers, the leading clothiers, for fourteen years, until he reached the position where he could set up in business on his own account. He formed his present association with Rufus G. Reitz, and they opened their present store in Brookville Feb. 1, 1915, having up-to-date quarters and a well selected stock of men's and boys' suits and other clothing, as well as furnishings. They are well prepared to please a large vari- ety of tastes, and offer courteous service as well as excellent goods to their patrons, who appreciate the first-class facilities for shopping afforded. Mr. Heasley has charge of the store, and gives practically all his time to its man- agement. Two miles out of Brookville, in Rose township, he owns a farm of forty-one acres, a valuable property in whose develop- ment he is much interested.

Mr. Heasley married Bessie M. McManigle, daughter of S. J. McManigle, of Brookville, Pa., and they have two sons, Merle and Paul. They attend the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Heasley is a valued member. at present holding the office of financial secre- tary. Socially he is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, in the latter connection holding membership in Hobah Lodge. No. 276, F. & A. M., and Jefferson Chapter, No. 225, R. A. M., both of Brookville.

DANIEL K. BARNETT, of Knox town- ship, belongs to an old family of this part of Pennsylvania whose earlier representatives were established in Clarion county. Mr. Bar- nett is one of four brothers who settled in Jef- ferson county. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Knisely) Barnett and grandson of Henry and Catherine ( Hetrick) Barnett.

Henry Barnett. the grandfather, was born in 1807 at Doylestown, Bucks Co., Pa., where

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he lived until after his marriage. In 1830 he removed to Clarion county, where he devel- oped a farm two miles west of Tylersburg. He had purchased 105 acres of wild land, and erecting a log house at once commenced the . in Washington township, Clarion county, and work of clearing and improving, also working meanwhile at his trade, blacksmithing. He died in 1846. his wife surviving him many years, until 1881. They were the parents of eleven children, four born before their removal from Bucks county, viz. : Betsy mar- ried Daniel Smith, of Beaver township, Cla- rion county. Seneca lived in Jefferson county, until killed at a coal bank ; he married Sarah McDonald, and left a large family. Daniel (a lumberman of Knox township. Clearfield Co., Pa., who married a daughter of John Chase. a pioneer lumberman of that town- ship), Anna M. (who married Russel Van Horn, of Armstrong county, and died leaving a large family ). Elijah (a farmer of Porter township, Jefferson county, who married Mag- gie Kelsey and had several children ). Thomas (a farmer in Jefferson county, who married Margaret Neil, of Porter township, and had ' ten children ). Catherine ( who married Alex- ander Welshont, of Jefferson county, and moved to Luthersburg, Pa. ), Maggie ( who married Daniel Kelsey, of the State of Wash- ington ). John. Marcella, George and Emma. Henry was the father of Daniel K. Barnett. John died in childhood. Joseph married Liz- zie Bennett, of Farmington township, and died leaving four children, Daniel, Jane, Joseph and Lizzie. Aaron married Louisa Lukehart, of Clarion county, and they died leaving two children, David and Susanna. Margaret died unmarried. Catherine, deceased, was the wife of Gottlieb Brecht, of Clarion county. Wil- liam married Maggie Wild, of Beaver town- ship. Clarion county, and they removed to Ohio, where she died. Andrew died unmar- ried. Samuel S .. born in August, 1832. be- came a farmer in Farmington township: he married Sarah Knisely, and they became the parents of eleven children.

Henry Barnett, father of Daniel K. Barnett. passed his early life in Clarion county. His latter years were spent in Knox township. Jef- ferson county, near his son Daniel, and his death occurred at Sheffield Junction, Forest county, in his ninetieth year. Feb. 27. 1908. He married Elizabeth Knisely, of Washing- ton, Clarion county, and they had a family of seven children, four of their sons settling in Jefferson county, namely : John H., who lived at Brookville until about four years ago, and is now in New York; George W., who died

on his farm in Knox township in November, 1913: Nathan Robert, who lives near his brother Daniel ; and Daniel K.

Daniel K. Barnett was born Sept. 16, 1852, remained at home until he was fifteen years old. Ile had ordinary educational advantages, and unlimited opportunities for practical train- ing in agriculture and lumbering. " He began to work in the woods at an early age, driving teams hauling logs and timber, and by the time of his marriage, though he was only twenty years old. had managed to save a little money. which he applied toward the purchase of a tract of twenty-five acres near Knox Dale, for which he paid ten dollars an acre. Building a little frame house, 16 by 24 feet in dimensions. he settled there and commenced to work the place, cutting most of the timber and selling it as lumber to local customers, and disposing of square timber material in the woods. In this way he marketed his pine and the best of the hemlock, and as the land became cleared sowed it to wheat. Meantime he also worked for others as much as possible, lumbering and clearing, and some winters mining coal. But with all his hard work the tract was not half cleared during the four years he remained upon it, and at the end of that time he inade a trade, securing more land, a partly cleared area of forty-four acres upon which the vil- lage of Ramsaytown is now located. He fin- ished clearing this body of land and bought another forty-four acres near by, lumbering from the latter until he had it pretty well cleared and a good part of the stumps re- moved. Upon this place he continued to live and work for a number of years, having con- verted it into a paying farm through diligent toil. Eventually he sold it to the Shawmut Coal Company, who soon began to mine there and started the village of Ramsaytown. In February, 1904. Mr. Barnett bought his pres- ent farm, a tract of 133 acres four miles south of Brookville, on Hunter run. It was orig- inally the Samuel Yount place, later owned by Samuel A. Hunter and from him passing to Perry Hunter. The property was in a run- down condition when Mr. Barnett acquired it, but in his judgment it had great possibilities, and he paid forty-five hundred dollars for it. All the buildings had been erected previously. Mr. Yount having built a barn, and Samuel A. Hunter a large barn and a commodious house. The place is pleasantly situated and has be- come a most desirable farm under Mr. Bar- nett's well-directed efforts. He has one hundred acres under cultivation, in grain, hay.

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and general crops, keeps good horses and Jer- sey cattle, and has systematized the work so thoroughly that the land yields an excellent income and is increasing yearly in value. Mr. Barnett's labors have been most commendable, inasmuch as they have benefited the locality directly through the development of a piece of its typical farm land. He has given all his energies to his work, taking no direct part in public affairs, though he is interested in the success of the Democratic party.

Mr. Barnett married Rachel Shaffer, then eighteen years old, who was born near Shan- nondale, Clarion Co., Pa., daughter of John S. Shaffer. Ten children have been born to this marriage: John Henry is now in Pinecreek township; Lottie Elizabeth is the wife of Dan. Brewster, of Oil City, Pa .; Charles Waldo was educated in the Indiana (Pa.) State Nor- mal School and in the theological seminary at Gettysburg, and is now a minister of the Lutheran Church at Chicora, Pa .; Mary Agnes is married to Verne Kaylor, a farmer in Ring- gold township; Marvin Oscar is a farmer in Pinecreek township: Jennie Priscilla is the wife of Charles T. Morrison, of Knox town- ship; Dessie Ellen is married to Clyde Chites- ter. a farmer of Pinecreek township; Elva Phiana is the wife of Cash Swineford, of Belgium town; Perry Albert, who helps with the operation of his father's farm, married Katie Alshouse and has one child. Daniel Har- vey ; Ralph Gilmer is at home.

JOHN S. SHAFFER, a venerable citizen of Knox township who passed away Nov. 26, 1916, was in this region for some sixty years. and the record of his life contains so much of interest as typical of what the early settlers had to contend with that it deserves place in this work. He was one of those who toiled successfully against the hindrances found in a primitive region, encountering hardships and unfavorable conditions only to overcome them by thrift and perseverance. Mr. Shaffer was born Aug. 12, 1834, at Shannondale in Red- bank township. Clarion Co., Pa., three miles west of Summerville. The old home of his grandparents. John and Margaret Shaffer, was near Mayport. Clarion county, where they set- tled upon their removal from Schuylkill county. They and their youngest son. Adam, all died of typhoid fever, within thirteen days. when their grandson John S. Shaffer was but four years old.

Simon Shaffer, son of John and Margaret, was born in Schuylkill county, and was two years old when brought by his parents to Clar-

ion county. At the age of twenty-one years he married Margaret Himes, and they made their home on the farm where their son John was born. The land was covered principally with hardwood timber, and Mr. Shaffer suc- ceeded in placing about eighty acres under cultivation. In his day he was quite a hunter. He lived to the age of sixty-nine years. and survived his wife, who died of typhoid fever when fifty-six years old. They were the par- ents of ten children, of whom two survive at this writing. 1916: Elizabeth, widow of Benue! Stallman, living in Warsaw township; and Jacob, of Knox township. The father was a member of the Lutheran Church at Shannon- dale.

John S. Shaffer remained at home until he was twenty-one years old, spending his youth and the first year of his married life on his father's farm, and moving to his late home in 1856. It is ten miles east of the place where he was born and reared, and consists of one hundred acres in Knox township, on the Five- mile run, for which he paid $5.75 an acre. When it came into his possession it was cov- ered with chestnut, oak and some pine, never- theless he managed to make a living from the land from the very beginning. He built a log house 18 by 22 feet in dimensions, had a yoke of cattle and two cows, and was fairly well supplied with household furniture, so that on the whole he was comfortable at the start, but incessant hard work was necessary to keep things going. The first year he sowed three acres to wheat and had a good crop, had a fine garden and raised plenty of potatoes. The next winter he worked by the day, and the following season cleared four more acres, burning some fine timber because there was no other way then of disposing of it. The deer were then so numerous that he had to put up fences to keep them out of his fields, and the third year of his stay here he killed a num- ber, as he found they were eating his crops. In all he killed thirty deer, and he helped to kill a number of wildcats. He saw some bears, but never killed any, and found but one rat- tlesnake during his long residence here. Dur- ing the second winter Mr. Shaffer got out a raft of square pine timber, which had to be hauled six miles to Brookville to be formed into the raft; the next winter he got out two rafts of square timber. selling both at Brook- ville : later he sold considerable hardwood square timber. He was an expert with the broadax. in the use of which he had no supe- rior. All his time was devoted to the clearing and improvement of his land, which became

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more valuable yearly, and in 1862 he built a substantial house. Nineteen years ago he gave up active work, and the farm has since been cultivated by others, but Mr. Shaffer continued to make his home there, having built a small house on the place for himself and his wife. He always led a quiet life, taking no part in public affairs and having no aspirations for office. However, he voted regularly for sixty years, having cast his first presidential vote for Buchanan, and stood faithfully by the Democratic party ever after. For sixty- one years he held membership in the Lutheran Church, and was principally instrumental in starting St. Matthias' Church near Ramsay- town. He is buried in the St. Matthias ceme- tery.

About the time he attained his majority Mr. Shaffer married Charlotte Stahlman, who was born Oct. 15. 1835, in Schuylkill county, and was two years old when her parents, Gabriel and Elizabeth (Paul) Stahlman, brought their family to Clarion county, making a home in Limestone township. They became the par- ents of ten children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being: Rachel, wife of Daniel K. Barnett ; Sarah Jane, wife of Joseph Allshouse, who now operates Mr. Shaffer's farm: Margaret Elizabeth, who married Jef- ferson Jones, of Knox Dale, and died when about thirty years old ; Caroline, wife of Dan. Kaylor, of Ringgold township; Mary E., wife of William Weaver, of Oliver township : Cath- erine, wife of Philip Spare, of Oliver town- ship: Charlotte, deceased, who was the wife of John Karr, of Indiana, Pa .; Irvin, who is located on a farm adjoining his father's ; and Albert, who is established in Union township. near Corsica. Occasionally the family hold reunions, which have been highly enjoyable affairs.

FREDERICK E. KNAPP. who conducts at Brookville a handsomely appointed photo- graphic studio, has the distinction of being a scion of an old and honored family of Jefferson county, within whose borders his great- grandfather. Moses Knapp, first made his ap- pearance about three years prior to the opening of the nineteenth century, so that the family name has been identified with the history of this now opulent section of the Keystone State for nearly one hundred and twenty years. See Chapter V and also biography of Moses Knapp.

Joshua Knapp, grandfather of Frederick E., was born on the old homestead in Pinecreek township, and as a farmer and lumberman con-

tinued his activities for many years, the while he fully upheld the prestige of the name he bore, doing well his part in furthering social and material progress. He continued his reși- dence on the old homestead until his death, as did also his wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Kidd.

William D. Knapp. son of Joshua, was born on the old farmstead just mentioned and like his father and grandsire identified himself with agricultural pursuits and lumbering, in which he was prosperous at the outbreak of the Civil war. He then subordinated all private inter- ests to the call of patriotism and tendered his aid in defense of the Union, enlisting in Com- pany K, IIth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he went to the front. He took part in numerous engagements, was finally captured by the enemy and languished for some time in the stockade at Andersonville. After the close of the war Mr. Knapp returned to his farm and continued to be known and honored as one of the subtsantial citizens of his native county until the close of his long, upright and useful life, dying on the IIth of March, 1913. His remains rest in the Bethel cemetery in Pinecreek township.

As a young man William D. Knapp wedded Mary C. Nulf, who was born in Clarion county, and when quite young came to Jef- ferson county with her parents. The family name is spelled Nulph by some of its repre- sentatives. Mrs. Knapp died April 24, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp became the parents of seven children, Lottie, Frederick E., Mae, Les- ter, Harry J., Myrtle and Charles.

Frederick E. Knapp has reason to be proud of his ancestral record and its long connection with the annals of Jefferson county. He was born on the old homestead in Pinecreek town- ship, on the 11th of September, 1869, and prof- ited fully by the advantages afforded in the public schools. He continued the work of the home farm until 1890, and thereafter worked at stone masonry for a time. His next employ- ment was in the studio of E. C. Hall, at Brookville, and after devoting himself to photographic art there for a period of eight- een months he went to the city of Pittsburgh, where he was employed for varying intervals in different studios and gain experience that perfected him in his chosen profession.

In 1898 Mr. Knapp returned to Brookville and purchased the photographic studio and business of J. S. Vasbinder, and has since conducted a substantial enterprise in the pro- duction of the best type of photographic work, with a reputation of being a high-class expo-

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nent of the art. His loyalty and progres- siveness as a citizen and business man are indicated by a large circle of friends and patrons. He is a Republican, and with his wife is a zealous and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is serving as steward and president of the men's Bible class. His father was a valued member of the Grand Army and he is actively affiliated with the local camp of the Sons of Veterans.

On June 16, 1902, Mr. Knapp married Miss Sidney V. Wilson, a daughter of Edward C. Wilson, of Brookville, and they have one daughter, Ada Lucile, born Aug. 27, 1905.

CHARLES HERBERT MARSHALL. cashier of the Merchants' National Bank. Pottsville. Pa., is undoubtedly a self-made man, and his career is an example of what can be accomplished even in these modern days by energy, hard work and perseverance. Young men who complain of lack of opportu- nities for advancement should read and learn what has been done by one man who started in life without a dollar and won a position where he handles thousands of those valuable tokens of wealth.

James Henry Marshall, father of Charles H. Marshall, was born in England April 20, 1820. and came to America when a youth. He first resided in Philadelphia, being a member of the old Marshall family of that city, but remained there only a short time, coming to Jefferson county, Pa., where he bought a plat of 165 acres at Sugar Hill, near Brockwayville. He settled down to agriculture for the rest of his days. His wife, Ellen ( Robinson ), a native of England, died in Jefferson county Jan. 21. 1880, and is buried at Sugar Hill. Mr. Mar- shall died Aug. 5, 1874, and is also buried at Sugar Hill. These children were born to their union: Martha Jane Marshall, who married William W. Dougherty : Emma Marshall, wife of John Bryan: Florence Marshall, wife of William F. Burchfield; John E. Marshall, who resides on the homestead in Jefferson county ; James H. Marshall, also residing on one of the homesteadis in Jefferson county; and Charles H. Marshall.

Charles Herbert Marshall was born July 27. 1866, on the old farm at Sugar Hill, Jefferson Co., Pa. He was orphaned at the age of thirteen and had but twenty-five cents when he started out to get an education and sup- port himself during the endeavor. But he had unlimited courage, and undaunted by adver- sity took every odd job given him by the sym- pathetic but hardworking neighbors. In the

summer he worked from daylight to dark at the numerous tasks of the farm, and in the winter did chores morning and evening to pay for his board, so as to attend the local public schools, from which he was graduated in 1883. As he grew older he labored in the lumber camps during several winters, in order to get money enough to continue his education. Finally he accumulated the amount necessary to pay for a course at the Clarion Normal School, Clarion, Pa., and later one in the Iron City Business College, at Pittsburgh, and de- fray his expenses while in attendance. Having completed the course and graduated, April 14. 1887, he immediately found a position as book- keeper with Horton Brothers, of Brockport, Pa., with whom he remained for one year. He next returned to Brockwayville and took charge of the books in Bond & Cooper's hard- ware store, remaining with them until May. 1892, when he was offered the position of bookkeeper in the Brockwayville Bank. He held this position until October. 1895, when, though but twenty-nine years old, he was elected cashier. In 1900 he formed a part- nership with R. L. Buzard and W. G. Mc- Cain and bought up all the shares of the bank.

In July. 1900. Mr. Marshall promoted the First National Bank of Brockwayville, was one of the largest stockholders, and took the responsible position of cashier and director. His activities seemed to be but commenced, for in the year 1904 he assisted in the organiza- tion of the DuBois National Bank, of which he became assistant cashier. In 1907 he saw the opportunity and again assisted in the for- mation of a bank, this time at Pottsville. With a capital of $125,000 and a surplus of $25,000 the new bank was firmly established, Mr. Marshall taking the position of cashier (and also director), which he holds at the present time. The Merchants' National Bank is one of the most substantial in the State, and to the financial acumen and clear discernment of Charles H. Marshall a great part of its prosperity is due. Concerning the many indus- trial enterprises in which he is interested, it is unnecessary to go into detail. Suffice it to say he is always prepared to finance any industry of benefit to the community and takes a warm personal interest in building up his adopted town, industrially and socially.

On March 24, 1891. Mr. Marshall was mar- ried to Elizabeth Biddle, daughter of Nelson Biddle, of Mifflinburg, Union Co., Pa., and they have one child, Anna Marshall. Politi- cally Mr. Marshall is a Republican. He held several borough offices while in Brockwayville,

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 65

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