Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 59

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 59

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

When Lieutenant Snyder put aside all per- sonal considerations in order to devote himself to the service of his country, he was already a man of forty-four years and the act was one of pure patriotism. In October, 1861, he or- ganized a picked body of men which became Co. F, 2nd Pa. Cav., which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and he was commis- sioned its first lieutenant. He passed through several battles safely but in a skirmish at Ac- quan Creek, Virginia, he received a mortal wound. Through the fraternal act of a brother Free Mason, no less a person than Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee, the wounded officer was car- ried to a dwelling and every effort was made to ease his suffering and prolong his life, but without avail and within forty-eight hours he expired, a soldier to the last. His aged father succumbed under the shock. The ashes of both him and his son rest in the old cemetery belonging to the Swedenborgian church in Philadelphia County, David Snyder having been the founder of the Swedenborgian Society in that county.

berg, the former of whom was a prosperous merchant for many years. To Thomas G. Snyder and wife ten children were born, five of whom survived childhood: Horatio, Mary .A., Lucy, Annie E. and T. Lansing. Horatio left college at the age of eighteen years in order to enter his father's company, in 1861, sur- vived the hazards of war and after returning to peaceful pursuits, entered the employ of the Berwind-White Bituminous Coal Company, with which he has been identified ever since. Mary A. is the wife of E. C. Brenner. Lucy became the wife of John C. Hicklen. Annie E. married Lewis M. Garrett. T. Lansing is one of Clearfield's prominent citizens.

E. SCHNARS, general farmer and dairy- man, having twenty-seven milch cows and own- ing 121 acres of land in Lawrence Township. Clearfield County, Pa., was born in Karthaus Township, March 3, 1847, and is a son of John and Susan (Solt) Schnars, farming people and old residents of that section.

E. Schnars attended the Tinker School not far distant from his boyhood home and then went out to Kansas, where he lived for ten years and during this time had many thrilling adventures. He remembers one season in which he assisted in killing 500 buffalo. After marriage he came to Clearfield County and bought a water right at Logan's Dam where he built a saw mill which was carried away by the Johnstown flood. He next located at Cur- wensville where he bought a store of John Ir- vin, which he conducted for eight years and then traded the store for Sheriff Smith's farm at Hyde City and subsequently sold the farm to the steel company. After this he operated a butcher shop for a time and then purchased

On November 26, 1840, Thomas G. Snyder was married to Miss Martha E. Litzenberg. who survived him. She was of German ances- ery and was born near Philadelphia, a daughter of John and Christiana (Stanley) Litzen- his present property which was known as the

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MR. AND MRS. E. SCHNARS AND FAMILY

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Boyington farm. After getting his farm in- business through life was farming together dustries well started, in 1904, Mr. Schnars started his dairy, having appropriate buildings already on the place and he has greatly pros- pered in this line. He handles 280 quarts of milk daily which he delivers in Clearfield. Mr. Schnars carries on his business according to modern ideas, has sanitary quarters and run- ning water, and his milk is in great demand and there is more call for cream than he can supply.

Mr. Schnars was married to Miss Belle Turner of Garden City, Kans., and they have eight children: Minnie, who is the wife of William Hoover; Florence, who is the wife of Orvis Ardary; and John Arthur, Glenn, Clara, Mabel, Jane and Charles. Mr. Schnars and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church of Lawrence Township, the building being on one corner of the home farm. He is a Republican in politics and is a member of the Grange at Clearfield. For a number of years he owned 160 acres of land in Kansas and sub- sequently sold his claim for $15,000, which he proposes to invest in Clearfield County. He is an intelligent, shrewd business man and there is every indication that this fund will be care- fully and sensibly invested.

JAMES K. TURNER, Esq., a prosper- ous business man of Wallaceton, Pa., where he is owner and proprietor of a meat mar- ket, owns forty-three acres of valuable farming land in Boggs Township, in which he was born January 8, 1847. His parents were James H. and Elizabeth (Smeal) Turner.

James H. Turner was born November 10, 1810, at Philipsburg, Pa., a son of Sam- uel and Lavina (Simler) Turner. His

with lumbering. He was a man of sterling character and occupied positions of trust at different times. For some ten years he served as constable and for thirteen years he was a justice of the peace. With his wife he was active and interested in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church and was liberal in the support he gave. He married Elizabeth Smeal, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Wisor) Smeal, old county families. To them were born the following children: Henry D., M. V., Sarah, Benjamin, James K., Jemima, La- vina Jane, Samuel, George, Ella, Emma and Eliza Matilda. Sarah, who is now de- ceased, was the wife of Alexander France. Jemima, who is also deceased, was the wife of David Quigley. Ella is the wife of Al- bert Klare, and Emma is the wife of Grant Ross.

James K. Turner attended school near his father's farm until he was old enough to handle tools, when he learned the car- penter trade and for some years worked in saw mills, subsequently starting to work in brick plants, with which he was connected for twenty-six years, during the last six be- ing foreman. In 1909 he embarked in his present business at Wallaceton, where he owns a residence. He has been a very prominent and public spirited citizen of this borough, serving as its burgess for one year, for fifteen years as a member of its school board and also as a member of the council. For the past sixteen years he has also served continuously in the office of jus- tice of the peace.

On February 15, 1870, Mr. Turner was married to Miss Henrietta Tomlinson, a

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

daughter of Rev. Stephen and Maggie ( Hoffman) Tomlinson The parents of Mrs. Turner were residents of Lycoming County and her father was a Methodist minister. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson had the following children : Philip, who is deceased ; John, William and Frank; Maggie, who is the wife of William Buck ; Mercy, who mar- ried William Sanders; and Henrietta, who is the wife of Mr. Turner.

To Mr. and Mrs. Turner three children were born, namely: Benjamin Franklin, who was born November 14. 1870, died at the age of thirty-eight years ; Maggie, who is the wife of Samuel Roan ; and Mary, who is the wife of Charles I. Wolfe. Mr. Turner and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Democrat.

JOHN EUGENE MERRIS, one of the or- ganizers and proprietors of The Merris Beef Company, one of the important business com- binations of Clearfield County, Pa., is well known in the great meat industry in this section and is identified with other large interests. He has been a valued resident of DuBois, Pa., for twenty-nine years but is a native of New York, born on his father's farm, April 14, 1855. His parents were John E. and Caroline ( Becker) Merris.

John E. Merris was both former and mer- chant and enjoyed a prosperous business career for many years. His death occurred at the home of his son, John Eugene, at DuBois, Pa., in 1905, at the age of seventy-two years. He married Caroline Becker, who died in 1897, aged seventy-one years. They had three sons : John Eugene: Howard I .; and Anson E., of Buffalo, N. Y.

John Eugene Merris spent his boyhood on

the farm and in his father's store. After at- tending the district schools he took a course at Griffith Institute, at Springville, N. Y., go- ing from there to Aurora Academy, at Aurora, N. Y. Beginning when seventeen years of age, he taught school through several winters and then entered the employ of Hon. Frank Hig- gins, who conducted a store at Stanton, Mich., and later was with O. T. Higgins in the same business at Belfast and at Olean, N. Y. In 1881 Mr. Merris came to DuBois, with the Bell, Lewis & Yates Mining Company and took entire charge of their stores until 1893. At that time he became associated with Armour & Company, at Chicago, Ill. In partnership with Hon. I. E. Long, M. W. Wise and H. I. Mer- ris, he organized the Merris Beef Company, consignees for Armour & Company. Later. L. B. Long took over the interests of I. E. Long and M. W. Wise, and since then the membership of the firm has been increased by the admission as partners W. H. Cawthra, R. W. Criss and A. L. Crumpston, all of whom were old employes. The refrigerators are lo- cated at DuBois, Ridgway and Punxsutawney, Pa. Additional business interests are indi- cated by his being a director in the Union Bank- ing and Trust Company, at DuBois, also in the Electric and Traction Company and in the Du- Bois Land Company. Mr. Merris is recog- nized as one of the able business men of Clear- field County, not only possessing the gift of good judgment which has led him to make wise investments, but also the capacity for hard work that, in these days of competition, is a necessary adjunct to success.

On October 8, 1883, Mr. Merris was mar- ried to Miss Ida B. Grantier, of Canton, Pa., and they have three children: Howard A., who is cashier for Armour & Co., in their Col-

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orado Springs office, married Virginia Maca- Thomas C. Kyler; H. M .; Laura A., wife doo; Helen E., who is a student in the seminary of E. J. Lumadue; and Ardelia, wife of Smith A. McNeal. at Birmingham; and J. Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Merris attend the Presbyterian church. They enjoy the comforts of a beautiful home, their residence standing on the corner of Main Street and Long Avenue, DuBois. Mr. Mer- ris votes with the Republican party and is an earnest and useful citizen but has never per- mitted the use of his name for any political of- fice. He is prominent in Masonry in Pennsyl- vania and is past master of Garfield Lodge, F. & A. M., at DuBois, belongs to the Chapter at Ridgway, to Bethany Commandery at Du- Bois and to the Zem Zem Shrine at Erie, Pa.

H. M. SHIMEL, who belongs to one of the old and respected families of Clearfield County, one that has been identified for years with the agricultural and lumbering interests of Boggs Township, is the owner of 200 acres of land in Boggs Township. He was born in this township, September 20, 1854, and is a son of George W. and Mary Jane (Bush) Shimel.

George W. Shimel was born in Clearfield County, a son of Henry and Sarah Shimel, of German descent. He engaged in lum- bering and farming, gave political support to the Democratic party, and was liberal in advancing the interests of the United Brethren church, to which both he and wife belonged. He married Mary Jane Bush, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Bush. Mrs. Bush still survives, being now in her ninety-eighth year and is probably the most venerable resident of Boggs Township. To George W. Shimel and wife the following children were born : Sarah E., wife of

On account of being the only son of his parents, H. M. Shimel had many responsi- bilities placed on him very early, his father having need of his assistance. He has followed farming and lumbering as did his father and grandfather. After his father died he bought the homestead from the other heirs. All the buildings were in good condition so that Mr. Shimel had but little improving to do. In September, 1883, he was married to Miss Clara C. Batts, a daughter of William and Hannah ( Wisor) Batts, the former of whom was born in Montgomery County and the latter in Clearfield County. Mr. and Mrs. Batts had the following children : Henry H., Clara C., Hallie, Hiram, Ella, and Furman, the last named being the wife of Barnard Yasey. Clara married H. M. Shimel; Hallie mar- ried John C. Cowder, and Ella, now de- ceased, was the wife of George Stine.

Mr. and Mrs. Shimel have eight children, namely: N. E .; May, who is the wife of John Rothrock; Roxie O., who is the wife of Joseph Fleck ; Nellie ; Thomas ; Hannah ; Morris; and Cecil C. Mr. Shimel and fam- ily attend the United Brethren church. He is a Democrat in politics and has served in numerous township offices. He belongs to the Grange and to the O. U. A. M.

JOHN R. ARDARY, general farmer and dairyman, in Pike Township, where he owns 131 acres of valuable land, situated three miles south of Curwensville, Pa., was born in Lawrence Township, Clearfield

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County, Pa., December 11, 1873. His par- ents are James M. and Martha ( Price) Ardary.

James M. Ardary was born in Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, March 12, 1844, a son of Elisha Ardary, who was born in Center County and came to Clearfield County with his parents, who were James and Eleanor (Coulter) Ardary. Elisha Ardary attended school near Clover Hill, on Big Clearfield Creek, in Lawrence Town- ship, and remained at home until he was married to Elizabeth Thompson, who died in 1847. To this marriage the following children were born: Eneas, who was a sol- dier in the Civil War, and being captured by the enemy, died in Andersonville Prison; Samuel, who lives at Clearfield; James M., who resides on Irwin Hill, Cur- wensville : John, a carpenter, who resides at Curwensville (married Alice Caldwell) ; and Zenas, a lumberman, who lives at Hawk Run and married a daughter of Henry Hurd. Elisha Ardary was married secondly to Mary (Holly) Lanhead and three children were born to that marriage: Love and George, both of whom live on the old farm in Lawrence Township; and Eliza- beth, who is the wife of William Gates, of Curwensville. After his second marriage, Elisha Ardary moved to Curwensville and lived there at the time of his death.

Frank, who lives at Pittsburg; Clark, who is a mine foreman, in California; Emma, who is a trained nurse, at Cleveland, O .; Mame, who is a musician, living at Akron, O. ; William P., who died at the age of four- teen years ; and Stanley, who lived but one year. For nine years after his marriage, James M. Ardary lived in Lawrence Town- ship as a farmer and then moved to Cur- wensville and from there to Kerrmoor, then to Pike Township, buying a farm near Bloomington, and from there came to Irwin Hill, Curwensville.

John R. Ardary attended school in Lawrence Township and at Kerrmoor, after which he spent some years as a farmer and for seven years was employed in a dairy at Kerrmoor, after which he bought his present farm from his father. In March, 1909, he started his dairy and now operates a house to house morning delivery, through Curwensville, disposing of from twenty- three to twenty-five gallons of milk daily. His cows are of mixed breed but are good producers and his business is in a prosper- ous condition. He keeps hired help and has all his land under cultivation that he can spare from pasturage,

In March, 1900, Mr. Ardary was married to Miss Jennie Smith, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Haag) Smith, and they have two children (twins), Martin Watts and Marian Watts, who are bright students in the public school. In politics, Mr. Ardary is a Republican.

James M. Ardary was educated in Law- rence Township and in Iowa. After he re- turned to Curwensville, he was married, in September, 1870, to Martha Price, a daugh- ter of William and Hannah Price, and nine ROBERT WALLACE, father of the late ex-United States senator, William A. Wallace, of Clearfield, Pa., was born March 13, 1792, children were born to them, namely : Howard, living in the West: Bertha, who died when aged eight years; John R .; in the barony of Omagh, county Tyrone, Ire-

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land. He emigrated to America in 1819 and, having been with the railroad company over having received a liberal education, engaged in 30 years. teaching school in Mifflin county, Pa. He sub- Robert J. Wallace, born in Clearfield, Pa., June 22, 1835, was an attorney. He died at Clearfield, Pa., December 23, 1866. sequently studied law with Hon. Ephraim Banks at Lewistown, Pa., and was there ad- mitted to practice in 1824. He then removed Thomas L. Wallace, born at Clearfield, Pa., September 8, 1837, resides at Harrisburg, Pa .; was general freight agent for the Pennsyl- vania Railroad at Harrisburg until he reached the age limit, and then retired. having served with the railroad company in that capacity over 30 years. He is now on the retired list. to Huntingdon county, Pa., but remained there only a short time, coming to Clearfield county in 1825 and remaining here until the following year. Returning again to Huntingdon county, he was there married to Miss Jane Hemphill of Huntingdon. He practiced law in Hunt- ingdon, was district attorney of the county, Francis J. and Mary A. Wallace died at Clearfield, Pa., in infancy. Rebecca A. Wal- lace, born at Clearfield, Pa., December 21, 1843, resides at Harrisburg. On December 21, 1871, she married S. J. M. McCarrell of Claysville, Washington county, Pa. Judge McCarrell is one of the present judges of the Dauphin coun- ty courts. Jane S. Wallace, born at Clearfield, August 15, 1846; married C. G. Cadwallader, of Philadelphia, Pa., November 9, 1870. Mr. Cadwallader died April 7, 1909, in Philadel- phia ; he was general ticket agent of the Penn- sylvania Railroad at the time of his death. and for a portion of the time edited a newspa- per there until 1836. He then removed with his family to Clearfield, where he was engaged in the active practice of the law from 1836 to 1847, when he removed to Hollidaysburg, Blair county. He remained there until 1854, at which time he returned to Clearfield county, and he resided in this county subsequently until his deatlı, which took place at Wallaceton, Pa., (a town named after him), January 2, 1875. He was buried in Clearfield, Pa. He and his wife were the parents of nine children-Wil- liam A., Sarah M., Samuel H., Robert J., Thomas L., Francis J., Mary A., Rebecca A., and Jane S .- of whom the following is a partial record :

William A. Wallace, born at Huntingdon, Pa., November 28, 1827; lived in Clearfield, Pa. : died May 22, 1896.

Sarah M., born April 14, 1829, married George W. Saunders, who is now deceased. Mrs. Saunders died December 12, 1910.

Samuel Hemphill Wallace, born October 4, 1830, resides in Philadelphia. He was gen- eral ticket agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad at Philadelphia until he reached the age limit, when he retired, and is now on the retired list,

SIMON KEPHART, who is a member of one of the old families of Decatur Town- ship, Clearfield County, Pa., and a veteran of the Civil War, was born August 26, 1840, in Decatur Township, one mile from Osceola, and has always lived here with the exception of his four years of service in the Civil War and one year's residence in Kansas. He is a son of George and Mary Ann (Amy) Kephart, and a grandson of Henry Kephart and a great-grandson of Nicholas Kephart.

Nicholas Kephart was born in Switzer- land, one of six brothers, and they all came

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

to America in 1750 and settled in Eastern Pennsylvania. They were sturdy men and their excellent qualities were perpetuated through large and vigorous families and the name is not an unusual one in Pennsyl- vania. Nicholas Kephart married Mary Frye, who was of Pennsylvania Dutch ex- traction and possibly was born in Berks County.

Henry Kephart, son of Nicholas and Mary Kephart, was probably born in Penn's Valley. He often referred to that section and it is known that he came from there in 1804 and settled two miles west of Osceola Mills, where he took up an im- proved claim, on which he lived until he was seventy-one years of age. He was a man of sterling character and of such kind and winning personality that he was much beloved by those who were his neighbors. On this account his mysterious death or disappearance, caused wide spread interest and regret. At that time wild animals still infested the mountains, but he had spent so many years in these regions that he was well prepared for any attack that could have been made on him by either bears or panthers; but, with his friendly disposition he might not have been equally secure from a murderous assault made by a fellow creature. In 1857 he started alone over the mountains to visit two daughters who lived in Bald Eagle Valley, walking to Sandy Ridge, where he met the stage and was taken to his destination. His visit over, some two weeks later he was a pas- senger with one Andy Green, to Sandy Ridge, where they stopped at a hotel for dinner and Mr. Green endeavored to have the aged gentleman continue on the stage

as far as Philipsburg, from which place to his home would have been a less tiresome and shorter walk. Mr. Kephart, however, was too old and seasoned a mountain trav- eler to consider this proposition, and left his companion, saying: "I'll walk over the old mountain road." That was the last ever seen of this old pioneer of Decatur Township, although searchers traced him to a place half way between Sandy Ridge and the old toll gate. He was so well known all through this section and so highly esteemed that the whole country was aroused and hundreds left their farms and ordinary occupations in order to join in the search. Suspicious circumstances finally caused a certain man to be suspected of having waylaid Mr. Kephart, possibly for robbery on the supposition that he was carrying money, and that the body may have been placed in the fill that was then being made in the construction of the rail- road. There were many tragedies in those early days in some sections of the country but none in Decatur Township that ever so disturbed the whole people as the complete disappearance of this kindly, warm-hearted old gentleman.

Henry Kephart was married to Catherine Smith, who came also from the Penn's Val- ley region, and they had twelve children, all of whom have passed off the scene of life. David spent his life just beyond Os- ceola Mills. Henry was the father of the eminent Bishop E. B. Kephart, of the United Brethren church. Andrew lived on the farm now occupied by his son, G. W. Kephart. George resided on a part of the old homestead. William lived in what is now New Castle, later moved to Iowa and

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died in Republic County, Kans. Stephen's Jennie, who is the wife of William Camp- widow lives at Osceola Mills. Mary mar- man, of Tioga County. ried Andrew Nearhoof and they lived in Bald Eagle Valley. Barbara married Si- mon Nearhoof, and they also lived in Bald Eagle Valley. Charlotte was the wife of John Crain, of Decatur Township. Ellen married Daniel Kephart, a second cousin. Nancy was the wife of Richard Hughes. Peggy married William Harner and died at Freedom Furnace. The mother of the above family died in 1856 and at that time had eleven living children, ninety-six grand- children and sixty-three great-grand- children.

George Kephart, son of Henry and father of Simon Kephart, was born on the old home place in 1814. His life was an agri- cultural one and was spent in Decatur Township where he had seventy acres of the old homestead. His deathi was an ac- cidental one, caused by a falling tree, on March 25, 1865. He had married Mary Ann Amy, who was born in Bald Eagle Valley and survived until 1882. Eleven children were born to them, as follows: Catherine, who was the wife of John M. Test, of Phillipsburg, Pa .; Simon; Perry C., who lives at Hampton Roads, Va .; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Waldron Elliott, of Decatur Township: Alice, who is the wife of John Keller, of Decatur Township; Tamer, deceased, who was the wife of J. O. Richards; Rebecca, who married Nicholas Debuque (they live at Escanaba, Mich.) ; William H., who died in 1910, in Decatur Township; Esther, who is the wife of Allen Britton, of Decatur Township; Mary Ann, who is the widow of Frederick Starline, of Osceola Mills; and

Simon Kephart grew to manhood on the home farm. On September 19, 1861, he en- listed for service in the Union Army for the Civil War, at Camp Crossman, in Hunting- don County, entering Co. K, 110th Pa. Vol. Inf. After participating in the battle of Fredericksburg, Co. K was consolidated with Co. A, and with this organization he remained through all the great events, battles, marches and campaigns until he received his honorable discharge on June 28, 1865. Considering the many battles in which Mr. Kephart participated it is re- markable that he escaped without injuries, although on many occasions bullets pene- trated his clothing. To name the great bat- tles in which this veteran served as a brave, cheerful and obedient soldier, will recall to all lovers of their country the days when its liberties were in the hands of men who daily faced death in its most terrible as- pects. He was at Winchester, Va., March 23, 1862; at Fort Republic, June 9, 1862; Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862: Frede- ricksburg, with the Army of the Potomac, December 13, 1862; Chancellorsville, May 3. 1863; Gettysburg, July 1-3. 1863; Mine Run Heights, November, 1863; Wilder- ness, under Gen. Grant, May 3-5, 1864; Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 2, 1864: Deep Bottom, Va., July 27, 1864, and Petersburg, and was in all the skirmishing that immediately preceded the surrender of Gen. Lee at Ap- pomattox. At Deep Bottom, Va., out of II non-commissioned officers and privates that went into the fight, two came out, Mr. Kephart and George Traxal.

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Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 59

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