Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 102

Author: Swoope, Roland D. (Roland Davis), 1885-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Richmond-Arnold publishing co
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens > Part 102

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In 1884 Mr. Smail was married to Miss Jessie Parish, who was born in Luzerne county. Pa., a daughter of Isaac Parish. She died in 1886 and was buried at Wyoming, Pa., being survived by one son, Thomas Freder- ick, who lives at Altoona, Pa. In 1893 Mr. Smail was married a second time, to Miss Mollie Tate, who was born in Snowshoe township, Center county, a daughter of Wil- liam Tate. Mr. and Mrs. Smail have two children : Carl W., a young man of seventeen years who is his father's chief helper in his business; and Chressa, who is a student in the Curwensville High School. Mr. Smail and family are members of the German Reformed church. He is identified with the Odd Fellows at Snowshoe. In politics he is a Republican, but as a citizen and member of the council, he devotes his attention, irrespective of party, to those measures that will promote the general welfare. Mr. Smail is an example of a self- made man and is one of the borough's most respected men.

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WILLIAM E. TOBIAS, superintendent of the public schools of Clearfield county, Pa .. is a man especially well qualified for this im- portant office and is widely known in the edu- cational field. He was born in Clearfield county, Pa., November 8, 1866, and is a son of Samuel and Eliza (Erhard) Tobias. Sam- uel Tobias was also a native of Clearfield county and was well known. He followed the carpenter's trade in this section and was con- cerned in the erection of many substantial buildings. His death occurred in 1909. He married Eliza Erhard and nine children were born to them.

William E. Tobias attended the common and high schools near his father's residence and later entered the Central Normal School at Lock Haven, where he was graduated in 1889. Later he entered Allegheny College, from which he graduated with honors in 1897. Shortly afterward he entered upon what has since been his life work, beginning to teach in his earlier years as a matter of expediency and continuing from the love of it and be- cause of his marked success as an educator. He is well known in various educational or- ganizations in the state and in him Clearfield county evidently has a superintendent whose ideals of scholastic perfection are very high. He is always loyal to his profession. his main interest being the upbuilding of the county schools, of which he has had charge since 1905. He has been re-elected for the third time, being the only man who has ever served more than two terms as county superintendent of Clearfield county, up to this time. Mr. To- bias is identified fraternally with the Masons and the Odd Fellows.

ALFRED D. McCULLY,* general farmer and a representative citizen of Chest town-

ship, who has resided on his present place for the past twenty-five years, was born on the old McCully homestead in Chest township, June 26. 1850, and is a son of George R. and Ma- linda (Wolf) McCully.

George R. McCully was born in 1820, at what was then called Wheatland, a small vil- lage in Clearfield county. He was twelve years old when his parents moved to Jordan township, and there he worked through boy- hood and until his marriage at digging iron ore and burning charcoal. He then bought the old McCully homestead and after that fol- lowed farming and lumbering until 1867. when, on account of his father's need of him on the home farm, he moved back to Jordan town- ship and lived there for seven years, giving his aged father filial care during his last days. After the death of his parents he returned to his own farm in Chest township, where his death occurred in 1899. He was a man of sterling character, honest and upright in all his business dealings and was respected by every one with whom he was associated in life. For twelve years he served acceptably on the town- ship school board. He reared his family in the faith of the Baptist church. He married Malinda Wolf, who was born in 1825 and was a daughter of Solomon and Martha (Foutz) Wolf. Her people were of German extrac- tion, while the McCullys are of Irish descent. Joseph McCully, the grandfather of Alfred D. McCully, was born in Ireland and was eight- een years of age when he came to America. In 1837 he bought his farm in Jordan town- ship and lived there until his death at the age of seventy-six years. He married Eliza Ed- mundson. The surviving children of George R. McCully and wife are: Alfred D., the oldest one of the family to be born on the homestead: John, a resident of Irvona, Pa .;

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George W., a farmer in Chest township; and Levi, a miner, in Jordan township.

Alfred D. McCully obtained his education up to fourteen years, in an old log schoolhouse near the McGarvey farm. Afterward he worked in the woods until he was twenty-one years of age, was married when about twenty- five years old, and since then has been mainly engaged in farming. He has made many im- provements on his land and has substantial buildings, finely cultivated fields and each year grows some excellent stock. He is numbered with the substantial and successful men of this section.

Mr. McCully was married in 1875 to Miss Adelia Barrett, who was born June 20, 1854. in Jordan township, Clearfield county, a daughter of Hiram and Susan (Myers) Bar- rett, who came from Center county. Mr. and Mrs. McCully's family consists of the follow- ing children: Minnie Johns, whom they reared from the age of ten years, and who married Wiley Queen, who is in the railroad service and lives at Irvona (they have three children) ; Katherine, who is a popular teacher in the public schools of Glen Hope; and John T., who assists his father. Mr. Mc- Cully and family are members of the Baptist church at Fairview, in which he has been a deacon for twenty years. In politics he is a Democrat and is very active in campaign work. In 1905 he was elected township tax collector and has continued to serve in this office until the present.

H. O. KING, M. D., the leading physician and surgeon at Curwensville, Pa., a member of the borough board of health, also district medical state inspector of Pike and Bloomfield townships, and physician for the poor, has a

private practice that covers many miles in Clearfield county. He was born in Clarion county, Pa., April 8, 1868, and has been a res- ident of Curwensville, since September, 1893.

Dr. King attended excellent schools in his youth and after leaving the seminary at West Farmington, O., studied medicine and entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia. After graduating he located at Curwensville, where he has continued to reside and here has become vitally connected with the best inter- ests of town and people. He is a member of the Clearfield county, Pennsylvania state and the American Medical Associations and has been president of the county body. In politics he is a Republican but holds his offices through personal worth rather than political patronage.

In September, 1889, Dr. King was married to Miss Gertrude Carriar, a daughter of Stew- art D. Carriar, of Jefferson county, Pa., and they have three children: Olive, Orville and Elizabeth. Dr. and Mrs. King attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum and the Royal Order of Moose. In addition to his other duties, Dr. King officiates as medical examiner for the following life insurance companies: Hart- ford, Conn., Life and Provident Trust Com- pany ; the Travelers; the Equitable; the Penn Mutual; Meridian; Mutual Benefit of New Jersey; Manhattan, and the Aetna, of Hart- ford, Conn.

ALEXANDER H. IRWIN AUTOMATIC MACHINERY CURWENSVILLE, P.A.

FREDERICK CAMPMAN, a highly re- spected and well known resident of Boggs township, Clearfield county, Pa., where he

II. O. KING. M. D.

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owns a farm of 100 acres, in addition to a comfortable residence at Wallaceton, has lived retired since 1905, having been very actively engaged in general farming for a number of years previously. He was born in January. 1832, in Germany, and was twelve years old when he accompanied his parents, Anthony Campman and wife, to America.

Anthony Campman brought his family to the United States in 1844 and settled first in Maryland, moving from there to Pennsyl- vania, and while living in Mercer county his death occurred. His wife had died before leaving Maryland. They had the following children: Frederick; Henry, who is de- ceased ; David; Timothy, who died while serving as a soldier in the Civil war; and Car- oline, who was married first to a Mr. Mull, and secondly to a Mr. Kelly.

Frederick Campman attended school before he left Germany and after reaching the United States was variously engaged, being of a very industrious turn. In 1864 he enlisted for ser- vice in the Civil war, becoming a member of Co. F, 88th Pa. Vol. Inf., 3rd Div., 3rd Brig., Fifth Corps, and was in the army about nine months, fortunately escaping all serious in- jury. In 1870 he came to his present farm in Boggs township and followed agricultural pursuits continuously until he retired.

In 1853 Mr. Campman was married first to Miss Esther Mange, who died in 1870, the mother of four children, Henry, David, Mary Ellen and Elizabeth. In 1871 Mr. Campman was married secondly to Miss Mary E. Wil- liams. Mr. and Mrs. Campman are members of the Roman Catholic church. In politics he is a Democrat and has served as tax collector and also as borough treasurer. He is a val- ued member of the G. A. R. Post No. 90 at

Philipsburg, Pa. Mr. Campman had his own way to make in the world and acquired prop- erty and gained the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens through his own efforts. He has contributed of his means to schools and churches and when chosen for public office has performed the duties of the same with care and honesty.

FRANK A. HOWE, hotel proprietor at Winburne, Pa., has been a resident of Clear- field county all his life, his family being among the early settlers. He was born at Clearfield, September 2, 1875, and is a son of John W. and Maria ( Dolan) Howe.

John W. Howe, who has been engaged in a mercantile business at Morrisdale, Pa .. for the past eighteen years, was born in Clearfield county in 1849, a son of Sirene Howe, who once was sheriff of Clearfield county. Mr. Howe resided at Clearfield for some years and moved from there into Girard township and from there to Morrisdale. He married Maria Dolan, who was born in county Down, Ire- land, in 1852, and was brought to America and to Clearfield county by her parents. Five sons and three daughters have been born to them, namely: Frank A .; Edward C. and Harry C., who are in the hotel business to- gether at Morrisdale: Paul, who is associated with his father; Fred, who is a successful phy- sician at Wilkesbarre, Pa .: Maggie, who lives at home ; Lucy, who is a graduate of the Phil- adelphia High School; and Annie, who is a student in the Morrisdale High School.

Frank A. Howe obtained his education in the public schools of Girard township and a Catholic school at Frenchville and later in the Pelton school at Morrisdale. Afterward he worked for his father first as a clerk and later

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at teaming at Shaft No. 2, for four years Mr. Howe then embarked in the hotel busi- ness, first at Blue Ball, in Boggs township, where he conducted the Enterprise Hotel for twenty months. He then sold his interest and went to Morrisdale. where he followed team- ing for two years. In 1905 he came to Win- burne and erected the Winburne Hotel making the plans and laying it out him- self. It is a handsome three-story building. containing forty-six rooms and with probably the finest bar and other equipments of any public house in Clearfield county. It is mod- ern in all its appointments and caters to the best trade, offering every comfort and conven- ience desired by the traveling public. Al- though Mr. Howe was obliged to borrow the capital with which to build his house, he had provided for every emergency with business foresight and has made his undertaking a great success.

Mr. Howe was married. September 28. 1898, by Rev. Father Whyner, at St. Agnes Roman Catholic church at Morrisdale, to Miss Marguerite Stephenson, a daughter of Peter Stephenson, and they have five children : John W., Jr., Thomas. Gerome, Cecelia and Irene. Mr. Howe and family are members of the Catholic church. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Howe is a popular citizen, a man of pleasant, genial manner and takes a hearty interest in all that concerns the general welfare of this place.

busiest trading centers. Mr. Fargo was born in Berkshire, Mass., August 29, 1863, and is a son of Ezekiel R. and Hannah ( Daughen- baugh) Fargo.

Ezekiel R. Fargo was of New England par- entage and was born in Massachusetts. In early manhood he removed from there to Cen- ter county, Pa., where he married and lived until 1869, moving then to Clearfield, Pa., where he followed the carpenter's trade and was active until near the close of his life. He died in July, 1895, aged sixty-seven years, his wife having previously passed away. They had four children: Elizabeth, who became the wife of. Joseph Harris: Waldo R .; John W .; and Alice, who is the widow of Edward Stanton.

. Waldo R. Fargo was one year old when the family returned to Center county from Massachusetts, and in a short time came to Clearfield so that practically all his life has been spent in this county. He went to school until he was about twelve years old and then started out independently, relying on his own efforts to provide for his necessities. His first employer was Adam Kephart, of Osceola Mills, for whom he did farm work in the summers and had a chance to attend school in winter, receiving no wages except board and clothes, but having a comfortable home for three years. He went then to D. C. Burkett, a merchant at Clearfield, and remained with him for three years, receiving his board and ten dollars a month in wages. Finding that a more active life would be better for his health and that he could secure excellent wages by going into the woods, he worked along the river and on the mountains chopping down trees until he was twenty-two years old. Mr.

WALDO R. FARGO,* dealing in meats and market supplies, is one of the prosperous and enterprising business men of Clearfield and maintains shops on Nichol street, on the West Side, and on the corner of Third and Market streets, both locations being in the Fargo then worked in a tannery at Clearfield

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for three years and in 1889 he opened up a later engaged in farming, and after moving to meat market at Woodland, Pa., buying a half Gulich township, Clearfield county, carried on agricultural operations during the rest of his active life. He and his wife Susan had chil- dren as follows: Wilhelmina, now deceased, who was the wife of John Henderson; Mar- garet, who is the widow of Edward Fulker- son, who was killed in the Civil war; Eliza- beth, who married Boaz Alexander; Sarah, who became the wife of Capt. John McKer- nan, who served in the Mexican and Civil wars; Lucinda, wife of George Curtis, a vet- eran of the Civil war; Shadrach; Rebecca, who became the wife of Jordan Fox; Dini- cious A .; and George M., the subject of this sketch. interest in the business of Welcher & Miller, the firm then becoming Miller & Fargo. Three years later he sold his interest and in the fol- lowing year purchased his Nichol street shop from August Brinn. Finding himself well qualified for this line of business, Mr. Fargo invested more capital, in July, 1909, buying the business of J. I. Heller, on the corner of Third and Market streets. He has his two sons as assistants in his business and has a very capable meat man in charge of his Mar- ket street shop and runs a wagon from the same, having in the meantime acquired some of the best trade in the city. He has be- come a man with large interests but these have George M. Stanley has been interested in farming during the larger part of his life and is numbered among the successful agricultur- ists of his neighborhood. For the past seven years his farm has been leased for its coal de- posits. not been gained through any fortunate com- bination of circumstances but have been ac- quired through personal effort and testify to his steadiness as boy and man, to his industry and natural good judgment.

In September, 1888, Mr. Fargo was mar- ried to Miss Wilhelmine Dale, a daughter of the late William Dale, and nine children were born to them: Helen, Frank, Blair, Louis, Mary, Martha, Glenn, Genevieve and Isabella. Of these, Mary and Martha (twins) are de- ceased. Frank and Blair assist Mr. Fargo in his markets. He is identified with the Odd Fellows, the Eagles and the Order of the Moose.

G. M. STANLEY, whose excellent farm of sixty acres is situated in Gulich township. was born one mile from Tyrone, in Blair county, Pa., March II, 1835, and is a son of Simon and Susan (Ginter) Stanley.

Simon Stanley was a forgeman by trade and worked as such during his earlier years, but

Mr. Stanley was married August 21, 1860, to Miss Amelia Cain, who was born in Center county, Pa., a daughter of John and Catherine (Oris) Cain. The other members of her par- ents' family were : Mary, who married George Breon; Caroline, who married David Young; Agnes, who was twice married, first to Cor- nelius Davis, and secondly to James Ginter, both being now deceased; Jacob, John and Cal- vin, who were all three killed in the Civil war; William H., a surviving veteran of the Civil war: Ellen, wife of Ihon Miller, a veteran of the Civil war; and Sarah J., wife of James Kenley, a veteran of the Civil war.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley have had children as follows: May, who was the wife of David Sprankle, now deceased; John Oris; Shad- rach; Urelia, who is the wife of Scott Aile;

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Susan, who is the wife of M. P. Frederick : Calvin; William A., a physician and veteran of the Spanish-American war; Curtis, also a veteran of the Spanish-American war; Charles; and Clarence E. Mr. Stanley and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and are among the most highly esteemed residents of Gulich township. He and his sons vote the Republican ticket.

J. T. DAVIS,* owner and proprietor of the Grampian Electric Light plant at Grampian, Pa., where he is also interested in other busi- ness enterprises, was born July 12. 1863, in Penn township, Clearfield county, Pa., and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Wall) Davis.

J. T. Davis is a member of one of the old and representative Penn township families. He was educated in this township and at Pennville and the Curwensville Normal School, afterward teaching one term in Bloom township and one term in Penn township. His family is largely an agricultural one but his talents and inclinations led him in another di- rection. He built the first planing mill at Grampian, Pa., which he operated for three years and then turned his attention more par- ticularly to lumbering and with a portable saw mill. cut over a large tract of timber near Curwensville. He then bought a farm of 140 acres in Penn township, but disposed of it and returned to Grampian, where he erected the first electric light plant and still operates it, supplying Grampian with all its electric power. Mr. Davis also started the first five- cent theater in the place and still owns this property. Mr. Davis is recognized as an en- terprising and forceful business man. He takes no very active part in politics, casting his vote independent of any party affiliations.

On December 13, 1888, Mr. Davis was married to Miss Jennie E. Kester, who was born in Penn township. September 23, 1871, a daughter of S. Lewis and Alice (Wall) Kes- ter. They have six children, namely: Alice Elizabeth, who teaches music at Verona, Pa .; Joseph L., who is a graduate of the electric department of the Scranton Correspondence School; and Beulah Zelma. Dorsey, Harold and Wilford. Mr. Davis and family are mem- bers of the Society of Friends.

JAMES A. REA,* who is interested in the lumber business in Jordan township, and is the efficient manager of a general store at Gaz- zam, which is owned by A. F. Kelley, was born September 24. 1867, in Jordan township, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Ames) Rea. Both parents were natives also of Jordan township. They had two children: Isabel, who is the wife of S. M. Bloom; and James A. They were members of the Presbyterian church.

James A. Rea obtained his education in the public schools and grew up on the home farm. He early became interested in lumbering. For the past seven years he has been manager of the above store and is one of the best known men in the township. He has been quite ac- tive in politics, is a leading Democrat of Jor- dan township, of which he is now treasurer and formerly served as auditor.

In June, 1902, Mr. Rea was married to Miss Emma Bloom, who died in September, 1907. She was a daughter of Isaac Bloom, of Jordan township, and she had two sisters and three brothers, namely: Elizabeth, now deceased, who was the wife of S. K. Ames; and Jennie. Herbert, John and W. D. Mrs. Rea is survived by five children: Christopher

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C., Belle, Herbert, Blanche and James. Mr. his boyhood, was trained to the work of the Rea and children attend the Presbyterian church.

MURRAY LYNN BOYCE,* who is suc- cessfully engaged in agriculture in Burnside township, was born in the old log house on his present homestead, situated near East Ridge, November 8, 1887, a son of Mordecai and Eliza (Troxall) Boyce. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Boyce, was an early set- tler in this locality; he married Charlotte Da- vis.

Mordecai Boyce was born near Reading, Pa., in 1836, and came to Clearfield county with his parents in 1837, when a mere babe, they settling on the location of the present homestead, which then consisted entirely of timber land. As soon as he was old enough he assisted in the work of clearing the farm, but later took up surveying, which occupation he followed all his subsequent life, his death taking place February 4th, in the present year, I9II. He was a member of the United Brethren church. He was never actively in- terested in politics, but in 1861 he was ap- pointed postmaster of what was then known as East Ridge postoffice. He married Eliza Troxall, a daughter of Jolin and Lydia ( Hes- singer ) Troxall, both natives of Union county, Pa., and she is still living, being now sixty years of age. Her paternal grandfather was George Troxall, born in 1782 at New Cale- donia, Pa., his father having come to America from Germany. He married Mary Hoffman, who was born in 1779. The children of Mor- decai Boyce and wife who are now living are Murray L., the subject of this sketch; and Ly- dia N., who resides in Eldorado, Pa.

Murray L. Boyce, after attending school in

farm. By way of securing a practical educa- tion, however, he went to Altoona, Pa., where he took a commercial course. Returning home later on account of his father's failing health, he resumed agricultural operations, which he has since continued. He also follows survey- ing to some extent, having properly qualified himself for that profession. He is regarded as one of the substantial and reliable citizens of his township and is a man who has many friends. He is a member of Redwood lodge of Harmony, P. S. of A., of Plattville, Pa. In politics he is a Republican, but so far has not served in public office. As he is still quite a young man, energetic and enterprising, the future doubtless holds much in store for him.

EDWARD WILLIAM WEBSTER, plumbing contractor, doing a large business at DuBois, Pa., with quarters at No. 14 E. Long avenue, has been a resident of this borough since 1889. He was born at Oil City, Pa., February 14, 1871, and is a son of Edward D. and Sidney J. (Shiner) Webster. Ed- ward D. Webster was born in Franklin county, Pa., and is now deceased. His parents came through this section before any railroads had been built, driving from Philadelphia to Franklin county. Edward William Webster is the eldest of his parents' family, the others being: Elizabetlı, who is the wife of Charles Irvin; Frank R .; Rose, who is the wife of Fred Engel; Chester; and Dorothea.

Edward W. Webster attended school at Oil City and there grew to manhood, in the mean- while learning his trade with well known firms. Schutter & Bryan and Robinson & Wright. He came first to DuBois in the interest of the latter firm and later was connected with the

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Hebner-Hoover Company, and in 1900 bought out the last named company. He was located on Long avenue until he put up his present building on E. Long avenue, in 1904. Mr. Webster handles many large contracts yearly and gives employment according to the season to from eighteen to thirty-five men.

Mr. Webster was married to Miss Emma Polley, a daughter of the late John Polley, of Philadelphia, and they have one daughter. Ruth. He has another daughter, Dorothea. of his first marriage, with Emma Smith. The family residence is at No. 114 E. Scribner street. In politics he is a Democrat. He is identified fraternally with the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Heptasophs.

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Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 102

Author: Swoope, Roland D. (Roland Davis), 1885- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Richmond-Arnold publishing co Number of Pages: 1040

Author: Swoope, Roland D. (Roland Davis), 1885-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Richmond-Arnold publishing co
Number of Pages: 1040