Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 41

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 41

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ASHER GURNEY GORMAN GLENN, an enterprising citizen of Burnside township, where he is engaged in agriculture, was born on the old Gorman homestead in this town- ship, June 13, 1872. His father, Daniel Gor- man, who was born at Elderton, Armstrong county, Pa., settled at an early date at New Washington, Clearfield county. Later he bought land and established the Gorman homestead near Mt. Joy church. He was en- gaged during his life in lumbering. farming and rafting. His father, the grandfather of our subject, was a tax collector in Indiana county, who, while traveling his rounds during a severe winter storm, lost his way and was subsequently found frozen to death. Daniel Gorman died in October. 1885. when he was 60 years old. He was three times married ; his first wife being Nancy Maria Neff, a daughter of J. B. and Catherine (Barnhart) Neff, and a granddaughter of John Neff, a former resident of Howardville, Center county, Pa. She was a sister of Gideon D. Neff, a prominent farmer of Burnside town- ship. Of this union were born three children : William Gorman, who resides in Kansas: James L. ; and Maria, who is the wife of Wil- liam Zimmerman. After the death of the mother of these children, Daniel Gorman mar- ried Nancy King, a daughter of John and Nancy ( McCreary) King. Of this marriage there were six children, of whom four are now living-John K., Horace S., Rachel and Asher Gurney. Daniel Gorman was a third time married, his third wife being Elizabeth McGarvey, who is still living. She was the mother of three children-A. M., residing at LaJose, Pa .; David and Daniel Gorman of Connecticut.

Asher G. Gorman was about twenty months

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old when he was deprived of his mother by field county, in October, 1862, and is a son of death and he was then adopted by Daniel and Henry B. and Elizabeth (Sloppy ) Shugart. Sarah (King) Glenn of Indiana county, Mrs. Henry B. Shugart was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., a son of Henry Shugart. He followed farming all his life and was a suc- cessful business man. In his political views he was a Democrat. He married Elizabeth Sloppy, who was born in Franklin county, a daughter of Christian Sloppy. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and reared their children in the same religious faith. These were: John: Daniel W. and Martin, twins; George B .; G. L .; Mary C., wife of Finley Reiter : J. Frank; Jennie, wife of Frank Watkins: David Milton; and Mar- tha Annetta, wife of Hiram Straw. Glenn being an aunt of his by marriage, or in other words a sister of his father's second wife, Nancy King Gorman. On his adoption by them he took the name of Glenn, which he has since retained. In his youth he attended school for the usual period, and is also a grad- uate of Clark's Commercial College of Erie, Pa. He was early initiated into habits of in- dustry, following both agriculture and hum- bering. In 1887 he took up in addition the agricultural implement business, becoming a salesman. In 1907 he bought the old Gorman home, the residence being one of the largest and most mansion-like in Burnside township and possessing one of the largest fruit orch- ards. He is also engaged in the breeding of thoroughbred live stock, having shipped to thirteen different States. He is a member of the Grange and has served on the township school board. Politically he has been a Pro- hibitionist for many years.

Mr. Glenn was married in 1894 to Lulu Ste- phens, a daughter of David and Bella ( Dick- son) Stephens, and of this union have been born six children, namely: Sarah M., now aged thirteen years: Daniel aged eleven: An- nabelle, eight: Alice, six; David, three; and Ethel, one year.

GEORGE B. SHUGART, who owns two valuable farms in Boggs township, Clearfield county, Pa., residing on one which contains seventy-six acres, adjoining the second one, of 107 acres, is one of the leading inen of this section, a justice of the peace, township super- visor and treasurer of the school board. Mr. Shugart was born in Knox township, Clear-

George B. Shugart attended the common schools only but in all the practical things of life is a well informed and broad-minded man. Prior to purchasing the farm on which he lives, from William D. Bigler, and the second farm from E. C. Crumrine, he was engaged in lumbering and mining. He now carries on a general agricultural line and raises stock for his own use. He has been a very active and progressive citizen of his section and his many qualifications that fit him well for office, have been generally recognized. In addition to the offices already mentioned, Mr. Shugart is fire warden of his district, appointed by Warden Robert S. Conklin, and he has served accepta- bly as township clerk and auditor.

Mr. Shugart was married June 12, ISS1, to Miss Ida Wisor, a daughter of Henry and Mary Ann (Odell) Wisor. The father was a native of Clearfield county and the mother of Franklin county. They had the following children: Ella, who is the wife of David Flegal; Ida, who is the wife of Mr. Shugart; Catherine Agnes, who is the wife of Frank

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

Eberts; Cordelia, who is the wife of P. H. Flegel; and Fred B. Mr. and Mrs. Shugart have nine children, namely : Frank L., Alma A., Foster H., Jacob D., Theresa D., G. Fred, Blake B., Emma E. and Ellen. Alma I. is the wife of Thomas Wilsoncroft, and Theresa D. is the wife of A. H. Good. Mr. Shugart and family attend the United Brethren church. He is identified fraternally with the K. G. E. and the 1. O. U. A. M., both at Clearfield.

N. F. K. AKE, M. D., physician and sur- geon, at Curwensville, Pa., where he has been established in practice since the summer of 1897, is a member of an old Pennsylvania family of high standing. He was born August 11, 1873, at Reynoldsville, Jefferson county, Pa., and is the only child of his parents, Sam- uel V. and Frances P. (Kelly) Ake. His father was a general merchant at Houtzdale, Pa., for a number of years. His great-grand- father once owned the land for many miles surrounding the present town of Williams- burg, Blair county, which was then called Akestown, in his honor.

N. F. K. Ake was afforded excellent edu- cational advantages and is a graduate of Houtzdałe High School and later from the Medico-Chirurgical College at Philadelphia in 1897. On August 3, 1897, he established him- self in medical practice at Curwensville, where he has met with more than usual success. He is a member of a number of the leading med- ical societies and has served as medical exam- iner for numerous insurance organizations. Politically he is a Democrat.

Dr. Ake was married October 21, 1896, to Miss Bertha Biddle Carter, a daughter of William V. and Hannah E. ( Biddle ) Carter, of Philadelphia, and they have three children,

Kenneth Whittier, Frances Lenore and Han- nah Dorothy. Dr. Ake is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

HON. FRANK G. HARRIS, formerly a member of the Pennsylvania House of Repre- sentatives, state treasurer during a period of national financial stringency, and a representa- tive citizen in business and social life in Clear- field county as well as prominent in public affairs, was born in Karthaus township, Clear- field county, Pa., November 6, 1845. His par- ents were John and Eleanor (Graham) Har- ris, and his maternal great-grandfather was Judge James Boggs, once a prominent jurist in Center county.

When four years old, Frank G. Harris was left motherless and was taken to the home of his uncle and aunt, Clark and Hetty (Gra- ham) Patchin, and he remained with them until he was old enough to begin to provide for himself. He was about twelve years of age when he started to work in the lumber regions and he continued lumbering, and rafting on the river, until he was twenty-five years of age. This is sturdy man's work and Mr. Har- ris enjoyed its physical difficulties, but he pos- sessed an ambition also that prompted him to prepare for a career in which his intellect would be called into play. Thus, while follow- ing lumbering during the regular season, he employed himself during the other months of the year in study and made excellent progress, so that in 1873 he was graduated from Dick- inson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pa., and in 1876, from Lafayette College, at Easton, Pa.

Mr. Harris followed teaching for the next five years, residing during this time at Clear- field, and put in all his spare time studying law, and in 1879 he was admitted to the bar

ROLL B. THOMPSON

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of Clearfield county. With the broadening term, was born in Curwensville, this county, and training of his mind came an interest in June 30, 1872. His parents are Alexander I. public affairs and his identification with the T. and Catherine (Lytle) Thompson, the former of whom was born in Clearfield county in 1834. He was formerly interested in the lumber business but is now living retired at the age of seventy-seven years. Republican party and for many years he has been an important factor in politics in his state. From 1881 to 1883 he served as chair- man of the Republican County Committee and served seven years as a member of the Clear- field borough council. In 1896 he was first elected a member of the House of Representa- tives and was re-elected in 1898 and again in 1901. In the latter year he was elected state treasurer and served two years in that posi- tion. In all these and in other public capaci- ties he served with circumspection, honesty and marked ability. Since partially retiring from public life, Mr. Harris has given attention to his law practice, has traveled extensively and has also been interested in real estate and bank- ing.

Mr. Harris was married April 15, 1879, at Lock Haven, Pa., to Miss Elizabeth F. Baird, of one of the old families of Clinton County, and three children were born to them, all of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Harris died in Philadelphia, May 1, 1904. Mr. Harris later married Miss Glenora Gearhart, of Clearfield, Pa. They are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church at Clearfield, of which he is an official. He is a director in the Clearfield Trust Company and of the Clearfield Hospital. In his fraternal relations he is an Odd Fellow and a Mason of high degree, being identified with the advanced branches of the order and is a Shriner.

ROLL. B. THOMPSON, who holds the office of prothonotary of Clearfield county, Pa., in which he is now serving his second

Roll B. Thompson was educated in the pub- lic schools of Curwensville and at the Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield, Me., being graduated from the latter institution in 1891. From early manhood Mr. Thompson has been an active Republican, and prior to his first term as prothonotary had excellent training in a county office, serving as first deputy under his brother, Grant H. Thompson. On No- vember 8, 1904, he was elected to his present office, being re-elected in November, 1907. The business of this office is carried on care- fully and systematically, and those having business with the courteous officials have gen- erous praise for the present incumbent. Mr. Thompson is a thirty-second degree Mason of the Williamsport Consistory, belonging to Clearfield Lodge and Chapter and to the Knights Templar Commandery at Philips- burg.

On June 9, 1910, Mr. Thompson was mar- ried to Miss Alma E. Dickinson, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Bayard T. Dickinson, of Steelton, Pa. His residence is at 725 South Second street, Clearfield.

DAVID P. LOUGHHEAD, one of the sub- stantial citizens of Bigler Township, Clearfield County, Pa., who is the owner of a fine resi- dence at Beulah, Pa., and owner and proprie- tor of a bakery at this place, has other valu- able property including coal lands in different

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

parts of the county. He was born April 17, the Methodist Episcopal church. He is iden- 1856, in Bradford County, Pa., and is a son of Jefferson and Esther ( Palner) Loughhead.

Jefferson Loughhead was of Scotch ancestry but was born in New York. In his earlier years he was a shoemaker but later studied med- icine and became a practitioner of the Homeo- pathic system. He married Esther Palmer, who was a native of Bradford County, Pa., and they had the following children: David P., Charles, John, Clara J., and Frederick J.

David P. Louglihead had only common school advantages in his youth and is, more or less, a self educated and self made man. He was variously engaged for a number of years and came to Bigler Township in 1879. In 1900 he was appointed constable and subse- quently was elected to the office in which he served until 1907. He was elected assessor of Bigler Township, on the Republican ticket, in 1909 and is serving in this office and also is deputy game warden of the State. In August. 1910, Mr. Loughhead in association with his son, started the Beulah Baking Company, at Beulah, Pa., and the enterprise has been very successful. The younger partner, David P. Loughhead, Jr., is a practical baker, having learned the trade at Cresson, Pa. They have one assistant and run a daily wagon to the sur- rounding towns, the output being 300 loaves of bread a day together with other bakery goods.

In 1887, Mr. Loughhead was married to Miss Mary J. Miller, a daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth (Shepley) Miller, who had other children, namely: Jacob, Caroline, Cyrus, George, Peter, Henry and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Loughhead have but the one son. David P .. Jr., who is a very enterprising young busi- ness man. Mr. Loughhead and family attend

tified with Lodge No. 669, Odd Fellows, at Glen Hope, Pa.

WILLIAM F. TOZER, proprietor of the City Hotel at Blain City, Clearfield County, Pa., one of the leading and well patronized hos- telries of Beccaria Township, formerly was in- terested to a considerable extent in farming and lumbering He was born August 28, 1858, at Newburg, l'a., and is a son of Gilbert S. and Margaret (Weaver) Tozer.

Gilbert S. Tozer was born in New York State and came from there to Clearfield Coun- ty in the thirties, and became a well known lumberman and raftsman. He met with an accidental death while driving a raft down the Susquehannah River, at Wood Rock, in 1878. when he was aged sixty-eight years. He mar- ried in Clearfield County and bought land in Chest Township and built the first house in what was then called Tozertown, now New- burg. He married Margaret Weaver, who was born in Indiana County, Pa., one of seven sis- ters. Her father was Captain Weaver, who moved subsequently to Clearfield County. In her girlhood, Mrs. Tozer assisted her father in his agricultural operations, as there were no sons, and occasionally she would help to cut the grain, using the old fashioned scythe. Mrs. Tozer still survives and is now in her eightieth year, although her appearance would indicate that not more than fifty years had passed over her head. She is an active member of the Presbyterian church. To Gilbert S. Tozer and wife the following children were born: Wil- liam F .; Isabella, deceased, who was the wife of Alonzo Hurd; Mary, who is the wife of Jeffer- son Trosttle, of New Washington, Pa .; Sarah, who is the wife of Daniel Curry, of Mahaffey,

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Pa .: Jacob S., who carries on farming on the old homestead in Ferguson Township (mar- ried Prudence Jackson, a daughter of Andrew Jackson) ; Ashley, who was accidentally killed by a street car, July 4, 1906 (was an employe of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and had married a daughter of M. Reed, of Ferguson Township) ; and Hugh, who resides at Ty- rone (has been car inspector of piece work in the yards of the Pennsylvania Railroad Compa- ny, at Bellwood, for years, married Blanche Hadden).

William F. Tozer was the fourth born in the above family. In 1871 he accompanied his parents to Ferguson Township, Clearfield County and afterward attended the public schools there for a short time. For a number of years he was connected in some way with the lumber industry, being identified at differ- ent times with the Clearfield Lumber Company, the Belsena Lumber Company (six years with the former and three with the latter), then four years with the Irvona Lumber Company, and for two more years was in the lumber business at Bellwood. Then he came to Coalport to ed- ucate his children. Prior to coming to Blain City he purchased the James Rea farm in Fer- guson Township. Mr. Tozer has been in the hotel business at Blain City for some years and holds his fifth license. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat and has served in the offices of super- visor and constable. He has been a very ac- tive citizen in a public spirited way since mak- ing Blain City his home and has been partic- ularly interested and useful in advancing the ed- ucational interests of the place. He took an active part in the erection of the new school building here, contributing time, money and lumber, his activity not ending here, as through his efforts a high standard has been established

and a course of four years of thorough train- ing accorded students.

Mr. Tozer was married in 1883 to Miss Mag- gie B. Johnston, a daughter of James W. and Mary Jane Johnston, of Jordan township, Clearfield County, and they have had seven children, namely: Roy V., Ory, Alice, Wil- son, Sadie, Ira L., and Bessie, the last named being now deceased. Four of the above fam- ily hold teacher's certificates and all are unus- ally intellectual. The eldest son, Roy V., was principal of the Irvona schools for two years, taught two years at La Jose and four terms in his native township. He is a student of law at Valparaiso, Ind., and will be admitted to the bar in June, 1911. Alice has been a teacher in the public schools of Beccaria Township for four years and has four rooms of the Rosebud public school. The two younger children are yet in school. Mr. Tozer and his older sons are identified with several fraternal organiza- tions, he being a member of Lodge No. 540, Elks, at Clearfield ; the eldest son being a men- ber of the Red Men at Mahaffey, the second son of the Eagles at Bellwood, and the third son, of the Moose at Coalport. The family belongs to the Presbyterian church and several of them teach classes in the Sunday-school. Mr. Tozer placed a beautiful memorial window in this church in memory of his daughter who died in early womanhood.

MITCHELL NEWCOMB, who is one of Girard Township's best known and substantial and trustworthy men, lives on the farm of 35 acres in Girard Township, Clearfield County, Pa., on which he was born in 1859, and owns also 235 acres of valuable farm and coal land here. He is a son of John and Rebecca (Jury) Newcomb.

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

John Newcomb was born in Ireland. He old town hall, which stood on the site of George came to Clearfield County on July 4. 1847 and being pleased with the country made up his mind to settle permanently in Girard Town- ship, where he was married in 1851. to Re- becca Jury, who still survives, being now in her seventy-eighth year. She is a daughter of Abraham Jury, who was one of the early settlers who died a Catholic in this section. John Newcomb was a farmer and died on the farm on which he had lived for half a century, December 14, 1903, aged 89 years, 11 months, Il days.

Mitchell Newcomb obtained his education in the country schools and at Odessa. He has always devoted himself to farming and stock- raising and has carried on these industries very successfully. His land is very valuable, as a large part is underlaid with coal, which he has never sold. Mr. Newcomb has never married. With his venerable mother he belongs to St. Mary's Catholic Church at Frenchville.

GEORGE M. FULFORD, a representative member of the Clearfield bar, who is also inter- ested in both fire and life insurance here, was born at Clearfield. Pa., January 2, 1870, and is a son of John H. and Nannie E. (Smith) Ful- ford.

The late John H. Fulford was born in Bed- ford County, Pa., February 11, 1838. He studied law at Bedford and later at Clearfield and after being admitted to the bar, formed a law partnership with his former preceptor, Jo- seph B. Menally, which continued until the latter was elevated to the county bench. Mr. Fulford continued in the practice of law during the remainder of his life, his death occurring on June 27, 1877. At one time he was prin- cipal of the school which held its sessions in an

M. Fulford's residence. In politics, John H. Fulford was a Republican and during many campaigns worked effectively for his party, be- ing in great demand as an orator. He mar- ried Nannie E. Smith, who was born at Bing- hampton, N. Y., and is a daughter of Henry Bordman Smith, who came with his family to Clearfield County in her girlhood. Henry B. Smith was a man of fine business perceptions and for a number of years was largely inter- ested in lumbering, acquiring vast tracts of valuable timber land. Mrs. Fulford is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is regent of the local body. She claims her membership through her great-grandfather, Ichabod Buck, who was a captain in the Revo- lutionary War, in the Massachusetts line and who lived to the unusual age of 93 years.

George M. Fulford was the second born in his parents' family of three children, an elder brother, Henry Bordman, being a resident also of Clearfield, and a younger, John H., of Du- Bois, Pa. After completing the common and high school course at Clearfield, he made prep- arations to enter college but subsequently de- cided to immediately become a law student in the office of Menally & McCurdy, at Clearfield, although then but nineteen years of age. For a short time prior to this he had served with the engineering force employed in the con- struction of the Beach Creek Railroad. Mr. Fulford was admitted to the bar in May, 1891, and after an initial practice of nine months, became a member of the law firm of Orvis & Snyder, continuing this connection until the death of Judge Orvis, since when he has prac- ticed alone. In June, 1904, Mr. Fulford, in partnership with his older brother, bought out the insurance business of Ward & Smith. Evi-

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dences of vigor in the new firm were soon shown and the business has continued to ex- pand until this firm carries fire, life, accident, plate glass, and other risks, having the agency of many old and standard companies. The offices of the firm are located on the third floor of the Trust Building, where Mr. Fulford also maintains his law office.

In politics Mr. Fulford is a Republican but has never tested the sincerity of his friends by permitting the use of his name for office. He was reared in the Presbyterian church and is active in Sunday-school work, being the beloved teacher of a bright class of youths. With his son, John H. Fulford, he resides at No. 211 Pine Street, Clearfield.

JAMES GATEHOUSE, coal-operator, and for the past six years supervisor of Bigler Township, Clearfield County, Pa., was born in South Wales, March 9, 1843, and is a son of John and Mary (Morgan) Gatehouse, both of whom died in Wales. The father was man- ager of a large farm in Wales belonging to a land company. Both he and wife were mem- bers of the Baptist church. They had six chil- dren but four died in infancy, James and Thomas being the only survivors. The grand- parents, James Gatehouse and John Morgan were both natives of Wales.

James Gatehouse remained in his own land until he reached manhood. In 1865 he came to the United States and located at Beaver Mead- ows, in Carbon County, Pa., but in the next year moved to Center County and from there went to Maryland, and in 1883 came to Clear- field County, where he has lived ever since. For twenty-five years he has been engaged in mining and shipping coal. For six years he

was superintendent for a coal mining company at Chesterfield, Pa., in 1908 opening his pres- ent mine, under the name of Port No. 1, 011 the New York Central Railroad, and shipped his first coal in 1910. He gives employment to some 65 men and his output is 200 tons daily.

On July 31, 1862, Mr. Gatehouse was mar- ried to Miss Diana Williams, a daughter of Thomas and Anna ( Davis) Williams, who also came from Wales. Of their family there are but two surviving daughters: Mrs. Gatehouse and Mary, who is the widow of Thomas Park- er and lives in Australia. Mr. and Mrs. Gate- house have had the following children: Mary, who is the wife of John H. Steckman; Louisa, who is the wife of Samuel Markley; Thomas WV .; John, who is deceased; Diana, who is the wife of Frank Havely; Edith, who is de- ceased ; James C .; Gomer ; and Anna, who was the oldest of the family and died when a beau- tiful young woman in her eighteenth year. Not connected formally with any political party, Mr. Gatehouse casts his vote as his judg- - ment dictates. He is a Knight Templar Ma- son, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Coalport, the Chapter at Clearfield, and the Commandery at Phillipsburg. He belongs also to the Knights of the Golden Eagles at Brisbin, being a charter member of the lodge there, and also to the B. of A., at Chesterfield. With his fam- ily he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Gatehouse stands high in the re- gard of his fellow citizens who recognize in him a man of honesty of purpose, good inten- tions and strict integrity. He has always been a hard worker and has made his own way in the world, through industry and perseverance gaining long since a sturdy and self respecting independence.

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Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 41

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