Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 83

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 83

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On July 25, 1878, Mr. Stewart was married to Tillie Ferguson, of Beaver township, daughter of Ebenezer and Mary Ann Fergu- son, farming people. Socially Mr. Stewart be- longs to the Knights of Pythias, in which organization he has held membership for the last twenty-five years. His religious connec- tion is with the Methodist Church.

AMOS A. GOSS, whose home is in Winslow township. adjoining the borough of Falls Creek, has been a successful farmer and coal operator for many years. The fine property he has developed is one of the most attractive farms in that locality, and in addition to gen- eral farming he has been a florist for a num- ber of years, having several well built green- houses which have added to the value of the improvements and productive capacity very materially.

Mr. Goss is a native of Knox township, born Jan. 3, 1853, at Bells Mills, son of William L. Goss. The family is of Scotch origin and has long been established in New England, Mr. Goss's great-grandfather having been the first to come to this country. His grandparents, John and Dorothy ( Grant ) Goss, were born in New Hampshire, where they lived and died, and reared a family of thirteen children. Six of the sons were stonemasons and one a ma- chinist: the father followed farming and blacksmithing.

William L. Goss was born Nov. 1, 1828, in New Hampshire, where he grew to manhood and learned the trade of stonemason. In 1846 he came to Jefferson county, settling at Brook- ville, where he engaged in lumbering, being for twenty-five years associated as foreman with the late T. K. Litch. Later he purchased a farm in Winslow township upon which he lived for some years. in 1889 returning to New Hampshire. and locating in the neighborhood of Pembroke, eight miles from the city of Concord, where he engaged extensively in farming and dairying. He was a Republican and an influential man in his community, com- manding the respect of all his acquaintances. In 1850 he married Rosina Bartlett, the cere- mony being performed by Rev. Charles Cumins, a Presbyterian minister of Brookville, and of the three children born to them Salina is the wife of Wiley McClain, of Brookville, formerly engaged in the harness business ; Amos A. is next in the order of birth ; Mary Luella is the widow of R. N. Hutchinson, after whose death she resided with her father-in-

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law in New Hampshire. Mrs. Goss was born July 10, 1820, in Jefferson county, daughter of Israel and Nancy ( Mason) Bartlett, the former a native of Connecticut, the latter of Pennsylvania. She was but four years old when her father died, leaving three children, and her mother subsequently married William Long, the noted hunter of this region, by whom she had four sons. Mr. and Mrs. William 1. Goss died in New Hampshire, he at the age of seventy-eight years, she at the age of eighty- six, and are buried at Pembroke.

Amos A. Goss remained with his parents up to the age of eighteen years, in his boyhood attending school as much as possible, and when sixteen years old beginning an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade with Coleman O'Loughlin, a contractor. The agreement read that the youth was to receive three hundred dollars for three years' service, but having a difference with his employer young Goss left three months before the expiration of that period, so he was given only half the amount. He followed carpentry and bridge building for fourteen years, until he established himself upon his farm in Winslow township, ad- joining Falls Creek, having purchased this property in May, 1886, from Samuel Yohe, of Big Run. It is a valuable tract of 145 acres, watered by Sandy Lick and crossed by the Allegheny Valley and Rochester & Falls Creek railroads, the location being highly desirable. Under Mr. Goss's ownership the work of clear- ing was completed and all the buildings con- structed, including a fine house and barn and five greenhouses. The first greenhouse was erected in 1903, and their dimensions are 30 by 200 feet, 20 by 200, 20 by 40, 14 by 60 and 16 by 180, respectively. By their use Mr. Goss has been able to increase and vary the products of his land greatly, finding a steady demand for everything he grows in the hothouses, gar- den truck as well as flowers. The entire prop- erty is in up-to-date condition and a most creditable evidence of his industry and interest.

For the last thirty years Mr. Goss has been mining, having first worked in the mines under Frank Morrison for four years, and being now in charge of the F. G. St. Clair mines in the Beechiwoods, on the James Dennison farm.

Mr. Goss's activity has extended to the pub- lic affairs of his locality, whose proper admin- istration he thinks should keep pace with the material advancement of the neighborhood, and he has been public-spirited in aiding pro- gress in every direction. For fourteen years he has been a member of the school board, and

in 1915 was a candidate for county treasurer, receiving excellent support from his fellow citizens generally, only meeting defeat by a very small majority. His political association has always been with the Republican party. Mr. Goss is well known in fraternal organiza- tions, belonging to Garfield Lodge, No. 557, F. & A. M., of DuBois; Jefferson Chapter, No. 225, R. A. M. ; the I. O. O. F .; and the Red Men. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

On Sept. 24, 1883, Mr. Goss was married to Martha Jane Hutchison, Rev. William Phil- son, a Presbyterian minister, performing the ceremony. She was born in Winslow town- ship April 28, 1858, daughter of Thomas Hutchison, a prominent resident of that town- ship, fully mentioned elsewhere in this work. Thirteen children have been born to this union : William T., who is in the coal business at Nealy, Butler county ; Mary M., wife of James A. Giddens, of Falls Creek; Harry L., a ma- chinist, of DuBois; Rosina R., wife of Lester Christman, of Ridgway, Pa .; Frederick, who is now farming on the home place ; Charles O., who is associated with his father in the mine work; Luella, wife of Walter Samford, of Winslow township ; Dorothy, who attended the Falls Creek high school and Pennsylvania State College, and is now teaching the Pancoast school in Winslow township; Anna, at home ; Martha, twin of Anna, who died when three months old; Norman, who is at school; John, working in a DuBois machine shop ; and Frank, who was killed when three years and five months old.

JESSE C. LONG, of Punxsutawney, is tak- ing his place at the Jefferson county bar as an able lawyer, with prospects of eminent use- fulness in the community by reason of a com- bination of admirable personal characteristics with professional ability revealed in his public service. For several years, in addition to at- tending to the demands of a growing private practice, he has been carrying the responsi- bilities of district attorney, which office he is now filling for the second term. Its duties have given him an insight into local conditions which would be valuable to any man of active intellect and public spirit, but especially to one whose daily round brings him into contact with the law and its workings. He has endeavored to give back to the people in efficient service the benefit of his observations and experience in this respect, with results very satisfactory to a large body of constituents.

The Long family is one of very old standing

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in Jefferson county, its first representative at Punxsutawney coming as early as 1824. This was Mr. Long's great-grandfather, Joseph Andrew Long or Lang, as the name was orig- inally written. He was a native of Germany, and came to this country when a youth of nineteen years, settling in Center county, Pa., where he made his home for many years, en- gaged at his trade, tailoring. During the war of 1812 he served in the American army and then returned to Center county. In 1824 he came to Jefferson county, locating in Punxsu- tawney Feb. 24th of that year, and passed the remainder of his life there; his death occurred in the latter part of November, 1832. He was an invalid when he came here, and unable to do much work from that time. As a pio- neer of the town he built one of the first houses there, well known for many years as the Long building ; it stood until a few years ago. Joseph Andrew Long was twice married, and by his first wife, whose maiden name was Dunmoyer, had three children, namely: Teeny, Caroline and John. His second marriage was to Mar- garet Kuntz, a native of Dauphin county, Pa., who moved to Center county when young, and died in 1884 in Young township, Jefferson county, at the great age of ninety-four years. She was the mother of William, the grand- father of Jesse C. Long ; Joseph W., who mar- ried Rebecca Carr and had children, Margaret (Mrs. Augustus Best ), Mary ( Mrs. Frederick Heimer), Charles and Elizabeth ( Mrs. Charles E. Ratz) ; Philip, who died when twenty-two years old ; George; Bessie. the wife of Samuel H. Hennigh ; Peggy, who married John Bur- ley; and Annie, who married Michael Brown. All of this family are now deceased.

William Long, son of Joseph Andrew Long, was born Sept. 14, 1816, near Cooks Mills, Center Co .. Pa., and lived to the age of eighty- three years, dying in Young township, Jeffer- son county. He followed farming and lumber- ing successfully throughout his active years, spending the latter part of his life in honorable retirement, and was ever regarded as one of the estimable and valuable citizens of the neigh- borhood, where his influence for good was rec- ognized and appreciated. He raised a com- pany in Jefferson and Indiana counties known as the "Jefferson Rangers," for the 3d Bat- talion of Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, and received a captain's commission from Gover- nor Porter. The regiment offered its services to the government during the Mexican war, but was a couple of days too late for accept- ance. Mr. Long was a Republican in politics, and in religious matters held to the doctrines

of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In 1842 he married Susanna Miller, born in Tyrone township, Huntingdon Co., Pa., Sept. 18, 1819, daughter of John M. Miller, who afterwards moved to near Trade City, in Indi- ana county. Mrs. Long passed away April 19. 1895, at the age of 76 years. 8 months. Eight children came of this marriage: Annie E. married Evan L. Jones and (second) John Carg, whom she also survived, her death occurring in 1908, at Punxsutawney ; James K. is mentioned below; Mary M. married Elijah Kely and (second) Harry L. Armstrong, of Clayville, and died in Punxsutawney ; Samuel 11. resides at Lincoln Center, Kans. ; Kate MI., wife of John B. Johnston, resides in Young township; David B., now of Middleton, Idaho, was married at Lincoln, Kans., to Olive B. Askey, a native of Bellefonte, Center Co., Pa., and they have several children (he formerly conducted the old home place in the southern part of Young township for his father, and at the same time was a contractor and collector for the Johnston Harvester Company, of Batavia, N. Y.) ; Martha is the wife of John A. Snyder, of Indiana county ; William C. was the father of Jesse C. Long.

James K. Long was born in Young township Nov. 26, 1844, and there attended school and received his early training. He helped with the work at home during his boyhood, and later learned carpentry, in which he is well and fa- vorably known all over Jefferson county. He has been a contractor and builder at Punxsu- tawney for the last forty-seven years, many of the best structures in the borough and vicinity being of his construction. Now he is carry- ing on business in association with one of his sons, the firm being known as James K. Long & Son. He has been prominent in local public affairs, having served several years as a mem- ber of the borough council of Lindsey, before that town was incorporated with Punxsutaw ney. During the Civil war he showed his patriotism by enlisting for the Union in Com- pany B. 74th Pennsylvania Regiment. Mr. Long married Mary E. Bath, daughter of John Bath, and they have had the following chil- dren: Maude married George Glenn, of Punxsutawney ; Alice is the widow of George Murray and is residing with her father ; Annie is married to Del. Lockard and they reside at Cleveland, Ohio : Charles died in 1914; William B., in partnership with his father, married Grace Meek ; Edna J. is at home ; Clarence is a shoe merchant at Marion, Ohio. The fam- ily are Presbyterians.

William C. Long, father of Jesse C. Long,

WET YORK PUR L LICHARY

W.h. Janker.

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spent his life in Young township, in farming and lumbering. He died there Aug. 19, 1887, and is buried in the old cemetery at Punxsu- tawney. Mr. Long married Martha M. Graf- fius, daughter of Israel Graffius, member of an old family of Jefferson county, and of the two children born to this union the daughter, Tharra B., was a public school teacher at Punxsutawney, now married to C. H. Con- dron.

Jesse C. Long, son of William C. and Martha M. ( Graffius) Long, was born in Young town- ship Dec. 11. 1882, and began his education in the public schools there. He prepared for his profession at Dickinson Law School, Car- lisle, Pa., from which institution he was gradu- ated in June, 1905, immediately afterwards opening offices at Punxsutawney, where he has since been established. In 1909 he was elected district attorney and was honored with reelec- tion in 1913, a mark of approval which he well deserved. He has acquired valuable real es- tate interests in and around the town, and is possessed of an energetic temperament which enables him to keep in touch with local mat- ters at many points. His office is in the Farmers' & Miners' Trust Company building. Socially he holds membership in several orga- nizations.

Mr. Long married Florence Shadle, daugh- ter of D. R. Shadle, of Brookville, Pa., and to them has been born one son, Jesse.

VANLEER. The Vanleer family, now represented in, Brookville by John R. and William N. Vanleer, brothers, has been favor- ably known in that section of Jefferson county ever since their father, William Vanleer, settled there in 1830. They have been iden- tified with the live business forces of the town for the last forty years, the firm of Vanleer Brothers being one of the most important at Brookville, and the other enterprises with which they have allied themselves have also been valuable factors in the industrial economy ' of the place. It is to men of their stamp that the borough and county are indebted for real gains in development, the advancement which is a basis for further progress. Every for- ward step made in the last generation has had their valued support. Their own business has been so conducted as to set a pace for others in this section, yet they have favored change and initiated commercial revolutions without departing from the conservative policy which insures solidity, holding in mind the future welfare.

The Vanleers are an old family established

in America by three brothers who came to this side of the Atlantic from Holland, and all of whom served on the American side during the Revolutionary war. The name of one is not known, but the other two were David and Willian, the former the grandfather of JohnR. and William N. Vanleer. David Vanlear (as the name was originally spelled) settled in the Ligonier Valley in Westmoreland county, Pa., during the pioneer period, cleared land in that region, and followed farming there the re- mainder of his active life. He is buried at Beaver Run, in Beaver township, Jefferson county. but his wife is buried at Hawthorn, Clarion Co., Pa. They had a large family, viz. : Mrs. Fuller, Mrs. Hier, Mrs. Peggy Smith, Mrs. Rachel Keck, Mrs. Winekoop, Mrs. Jane Allshouse, Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Wine- koop, Mrs. Heims, William and John. The last named lived and died at Marion Center, Indiana Co., Pennsylvania.

William Vanleer; son of David, was born in the Ligonier Valley in Westmoreland county, where he spent his early life, follow- ing farming there until his removal to Jef- ferson county, in the year 1830. He settled in Rose township, where he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits and lumbering to the end of his days, his death occurring there Aug. 26, 1896. He is buried in St. John's ceme- tery in Rose township. Mr. Vanleer married Esther Heims, daughter of Peter Heims, who was a native of eastern Pennsylvania and later settled in the western end of the State. Mrs. Vanleer died long before her husband, passing away in 1879. Eight children were born to this marriage: John R., Sarah M. ( Mrs. James Brakley), William N .. A. M. (deceased), Jane (Mrs. Eli Johns), Elizabeth ( Mrs. Thomas Brosius), Ida (Mrs. McCul- lough), and one son that died in infancy.

JOIN R. VANLEER was born in 1849 in Jefferson county, and grew up on the farm, where he helped with the work from an early age. His educational advantages were only such as the home district afforded, but he made the most of them, and the wholesome discipline of practical experience made him capable and self-reliant. He remained at home until twenty years old, when he went to learn the carpenter's trade, continuing to follow it until 1876. That year he started on his own account, acquiring an interest in a planing mill and lumber manufacturing busi- ness. One year later his brother, William N. Vanleer, became associated with him, under the name of Vanleer Brothers, and the firm has been doing business without interruption

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since, now having one of the most completely equipped plants in Jefferson county. They operate a planing mill and manufacture builders' supplies, employing regularly sixteen hands. Masterly management is evident in every department of the business, which has prospered steadily, the trade increasing year by year as their product gained in popularity among contractors who demand high-class workmanship and appreciate prompt attention to orders and their intelligent execution. In 1896 Vanleer Brothers established the hard- ware business which they have since con- ducted, and which has been found to be a val- uable adjunct to the original line, affording extra accommodations to their customers. This end of the trade is looked after by John R. Vanleer.

Mr. Vanleer has not narrowed his interests to the limits of his personal affairs, but lias taken a good citizen's part in town matters, supporting all movements designed to better the social conditions or living standards of the community. He has not sought official honors, though he has served in the town conn- cil, and was president of that body. Politically he is a Republican, and socially he holds mem- bership in several organizations, the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows (of which he is a past grand). the Knights of Pythias ( past chancellor ) and the Ancient Order of Artisans (past supreme master ). He and his wife be- long to the Lutheran Church.

In 1868 Mr. Vanleer was married to Frances Heims, of Jefferson county, and they have a family of four children: Vertie is the wife of H. W. Heasley, and has two children, Joseph and Charlotte ; the latter married George Brit- ton and has one son, George. Lottie B. is the wife of Merrille Huth and has two children, AAlonzo and Meriam. Bertha A. is the widow of David Brown and lives at Kokomo, Ind. ; she has one son, James. Orlando R. is en- ployed with his father and lives at home. All reside in Brookville except Mrs. Brown.

WILLIAM N. VANLEER was born Feb. 2. 1856, in Rose township. Jefferson county, where he was reared and educated, attending the local schools and following agricultural work there until he reached the age of twenty- one years. Since 1877 he has been in part- nership with his brother in the planing mill business, and he takes personal charge of the mill, having a thorough grasp on all the de- tails of the business. It has continued to be his principal interest, but he lias encouraged and supported other undertakings, having been one of the first to take stock in the Brook-

ville Glass & Tile Company, of which large concern he became president in 1913, still holding the office. Since then the business has prospered notably, taking rank among the in- dustries which Brookville counts as permanent assets in the general commercial situation, and his judgment is considered trustworthy by all his associates. Mr. Vanleer, in fact, has been a valued cooperator in the promotion of every proposition suggested for the betterment of Brookville, and no movement set on foot with that end in view has been denied his indorse- ment or financial aid. Indeed, his generosity is so well known that he is credited with being one of the most dependable men in the com- munity. He makes his home in Brookville, where he is very well known in his various connections. He holds membership in the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias. He is un- married.

PARKER P. HORNER, M. D., who is en- gaged in the successful practice of his profes- sion at Coolspring, Oliver township, has gained secure prestige as one of Jefferson county's representative physicians and surgeons. He was born in Clover township, this county, April 10. 1867, son of Jonathan and Mary (Ohl) Ilorner. His father, who died in 1904, in his seventy-second year, was long one of the suc- cessful farmers of Jefferson county, was widely known as a successful veterinary sur- geon, and in his earlier years was also a skilled workman at the blacksmith's trade. He was of German lineage, possessed ability and sterl- ing character, and at the time of his death was the owner of a valuable farm in Beaver township. He was a Republican in politics, was called upon to serve in various township offices, and was one of the best known residents of the county in his day. He and his wife were most earnest and devoted members of the Ohl Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was class leader and served many years as an official. He had donated the ground for the church. Mrs. Horner passed to the life eternal in 1908, in her seventy-first year. She was a daughter of Andrew Ohl, who was a well known pioneer farmer. Of the children born to Jonathan and Mary (Ohl) Horner the first two were Anise and Alice, twins, the latter dying in childhood. Anise is now the wife of D. B. Kifer, a farmer of Clarion county : Oscar is a resident of Brookville : John remains on the old homestead ; Henry is deceased : Tillie is the wife of Thomas E. Shields, a farmer in Beaver township; Parker

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P. was the next; Marvin S. is a successful lawyer and teacher at Conifer, this county.

Dr. Horner was reared on the home farm and after leaving the public schools completed a course of study in the Clarion State Normal School. For six years he gave effective serv- ice as a public school teacher in Jefferson and Clarion counties, and, following the course of his ambition, began reading medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. J. A. Haven, of Brookville. He later entered the medical de- partment of the University of Louisville, from which he was graduated in 1894. He further fortified himself by taking a post-graduate course in Jefferson Medical College, and in 1895 engaged in the practice of his profession at Coolspring, where his success has been on a parity with his recognized technical ability and unqualified personal popularity. He en- joys a large and representative general prac- tice and is conceded to be one of the able physicians and surgeons of his native county. He is an active and valued member of the Jefferson County Medical Society and holds membership also in the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party ; he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church.

On May 12, 1895, Dr. Horner was married to Laura A. Henry, who was born near Hamil- ton, Perry township, this county, Sept. 12. 1869, daughter of John A. Henry, who is one of the representative farmers of that township. She was educated in the Clarion State Normal School. Dr. and Mrs. Horner have two chil- dren : Arlene Elizabeth, born July 23, 1905: and Dorothy Claire, born March 2, 1912.

While in college the Doctor was a baseball player, and he has continued his interest in this sport. not only as a spectator of major league games but also as organizer and mana- ger of a local team which is one of the leading organizations of its kind in this part of the State.

REV. JOHN JAMIESON was born at Thorn Hill farm, Scotland, about eight miles from Glasgow, in 1747. His father was Allen Jamieson ; his mother was a Wallace, of Elderslie. One of Allen Jamieson's ancestors was land steward to Mary Queen of Scotland. This ancestor turned Protestant, left the court and returned to Thorn Hill farm. Allen Jamieson was a descendant of Robert Bruce. who was crowned King of Scotland in 1306.

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 83

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