Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 65

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 65

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Hiram M. Hoyt was the youngest of his parents' children and was thirteen years old when his father came to Huston township. He was reared here and became a man of local importance and a large land owner, his 160 acres of pine timber being a fortune in itself. His death occurred in 1903, when

seventy-three years of age. His widow survived until 1909, passing away at the age of seventy-eight years. Six children were born to them, namely: William Alex- ander, who is deceased; Elizabeth, who is the wife of William Bundy; Isaac; Charles E., who is a representative citizen and farmer of Huston township: Ida, who is the wife of Renaldo Bundy ; and Ellen, who is the wife of C. C. Dodd.

Isaac Hoyt attended the district schools and assisted his father on the home farm until his marriage, since when he has fol- lowed general farming and dairying on his present place. He has erected first class buildings, maintains a silo and in every way shows that he is a man of progressive ideas concerning agriculture. The products, es- pecially butter, from Hickory Lane Farm, command a high price in the market. In March, 1882, Mr. Hoyt was married to Miss Emma Miller, a daughter of the late Charles Miller, and they have three chil- dren: Elva M., Ira D. and Blake. He is not very active politically but is identified with the Republican party.

C. A. HILE, owner and proprietor of the Lumber City Supply Company, at Lumber City, Pa., is a leading merchant and one of the representative business men of this place. He was born at Lumber City, Clear- field county, Pa .. September 20, 1879, and is a son of Allen W. and a grandson of Lo- renzo D. Hile. an old settler.

Allen W. Hile was born also at Lumber City, and spent his life in Clearfield county. He was a plasterer by trade and became a contractor in this line and during his active years he did a large business in this section.

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He was a very prominent Odd Fellow and for twenty-five years rented quarters to the fraternity at Lumber City. In politics he was a Republican and at times he filled lo- cal offices. He married Ida V. Straw, a daughter of George Straw, of Ferguson township, and six children were born to them, namely: C. A .; Katherine, who is the wife of William Hipwell ; George, who is a resident of Lumber City : Elizabeth, who is a teacher at Lumber City; Alice, who is the wife of Joseph Galbraith of Iowa; and Allen, who lives in Franklin county, Pa. The father of the above family died at Lum- ber City at the early age of thirty-five years but the mother survives.

C. A. Hile was afforded educational op- portunities and attended the public schools of Lumber City and the summer sessions of Normal School at Lumber City and Kerr- more, after which he learned the plastering trade and worked at the same for about eight years. He then entered the employ of the Harbison-Walker Company as a clerk and in 1908 came to Lumber City as mana- ger of the Lumber City Supply Company and subsequently bought the entire busi- ness and has continued the same under the old name. He draws trade from miles around Lumber City and, in addition to a full stock in other lines of merchandise, carries a full line of ladies' and gents' fur- nishings.

In June, 1902, Mr. Hile was married to Miss Lola Kirk, who was born at Lumber City, a daughter of Samuel Kirk, and died here June 1, 1907, survived by three chil- dren: Allen Kirk, Lola M. and Charles Herbert. Mr. Hile is a member of the Odd

Fellows at Lumber City and of the Moose at Curwensville.

CHARLES L. CORNELY, postmaster of Madera from June 21, 1901, to April 1, 19II, and proprietor of a general store at Madera, Pa., was born at Madera in 1875, and is a son of James and Christina (Bow- ers) Cornely. The father, who died in De- cember, 1898, was of Irish descent. He was a blacksmith by trade and later a merchant. He married Christina Bowers, of German extraction, and she survives.

Charles L. Cornely obtained his educa- tion in the Madera schools and afterward assisted his father for several years in his store and has continued the business. In politics he is a Republican and for six years served as auditor of Bigler township. In 1900 Mr. Cornely was married to Miss Rose Stitt, a daughter of James Stitt, of Madera, Clearfield county, and they have four chil- dren : Vivian, Evelyn, Christian and James. Mr. and Mrs. Cornely attend the Presbyterian church. He is identified fra- ternally with the Masons at Osceola Mills, and the I. O. R. M. at Madera.

JOHN EARL FAWCETT, manager of the Tyler Mercantile Company, at Tyler, Pa., and one of the enterprising citizens of the place, is a native of England, born at New Castle, May 4, 1874, and is a son of William and Anna ( Bolam) Fawcett.

The parents of Mr. Fawcett were born, reared and married in England. They came to America and first lived at McIn- tire, Pa., then at Morris Run and later at Arnet. They returned to England on a

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IHISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

visit and while there their second son, John Earl, was born. They returned while he was only an infant, and in 1883 settled at DuBois, a small place at that time. Six children were born to them, namely: David B., residing at Washington, D. C .; John Earl; Robert M., and Edward, both living at DuBois; Harriet, also a resident of Du- Bois ; and Ralph, a sailor in the U. S. Navy.

John Earl Fawcett attended school until he was eleven years of age and then began doing small jobs around the mines, his re- sponsibilities increasing as he grew older, and for six years he was in the employ of the firm of Bell, Lewis & Yates. He then entered the store owned by the same firm. learned to cut meat under J. E. Merris, and was then sent by the same company to Hel- vetia as a butcher and continued for four years there. Afterward he located at Anita, in Jefferson county, where at first he was meat cutter for the Eureka Supply Com- pany, and later clerk in the company store, then becoming assistant manager at Hora- tio, Jefferson county, for B. T. Atwell. From there he went to Onondago, Jeffer- son county, as manager for the Keystone Store Company ; then was with G. W. Im- hof, at New Bethlehem, in Clarion county, serving a few months as assistant manager. On January 23, 1911, he came to Tyler, suc- ceeding J. B. Council as manager of the Tyler Mercantile Company, and has made many friends here.

Mr. Fawcett was married to Miss Sarah M. Dick, a daughter of Walter Dick, of Anita, Pa., and they have two children, Mary Elizabeth and Clyde William. They attend the Presbyterian church. Mr. Faw-

cett is a Republican in his political views. lle is identified fraternally with the Elks at Punxatawney and the Odd Fellows at .Anita, Pa.

JOHN LEE, a well known and respected citizen of Burnside township, was born on the Lee homestead in this township, No- cember 5. 1836, a son of Isaac and Hannah (Fulton) Lee. His paternal grandfather was Jacob Lee, a resident of Center county, who fought for American independence in the Revolutionary war. The early pro- genitors of the Lee family came to this country from Ireland. Jacob Lee because of his Revolutionary services received a land grant in Clearfield county, where he settled at an early day, at the locality called Lee Hollow, where he cleared land and car- ried on farming to the best of his ability. he being a cripple. He died in 1847 at the age of 60 years. His wife's given name was Margaret.

Isaac Lee was born in Center county and accompanied his parents to Clearfield county when young. He was engaged in farming and lumbering during his indus- trial period. He was twice married, first to Hannah Fulton, a daughter of David and Mary Fulton, and of this marriage there were ten children, of which there are but two now living -- John, the subject of this sketch; and Jacob, who resides at Glenn Campbell, Pa. Mrs. Mary Lee died in 1845 and Isaac Lee subsequently married Mar- garet (Young) Westover, widow of Abner Westover, who bore him three sons ; Isaac, who resides at Lee Hollow: James, living on the homestead, and Henry, a farmer.

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Isaac Lee died in 1880, at the age of 86 years. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant church.

John Lee, with whom we are more di- rectly concerned, as a boy helped his father on the farm and in clearing off the timber, attending school not more than about three months each winter. Until his marriage lie lived with his parents on a part of the home farm. The house was destroyed by fire, and his father then gave him 50 acres of land to erect the present residence. He subsequently purchased the home farm, in- cluding the present productive coal field. He commenced digging coal in 1870 at Lee Hollow, the coal at that time being free to any one who would take the trouble to dig for it. The first mine in the vicinity was opened by Henry Rose and David Plattner. Our subject operated his coal field until 1890, when he sold his interests to the com- pany now operating it, and has since con- fined his activities to the lumber industry. He has had a successful business career and is now one of the substantial citizens of Burnside township.

Mr. Lee married Elizabeth White, who was born in Huntingdon county, Novem- ber 22, 1831, a daughter of William and Catherine ( Holman) White. Her father, a wagon maker by trade, resided during his latter years with our subject. This mar- riage, which took place in 1860, resulted in the following offspring: Isaac Newton, a farmer residing in Burnside township, mar- ried Anna Bonsell, and has five children (and one grandchild through the marriage of a daughter to John Kelly) ; John W., un- married, residing at Bethlehem, Pa .; Aslı Bennett (twin of John), who married a

Miss Hutton and has children; William Wallace, residing at home ; James Hamil- ton, who married Emma Lee, and has five children; Edwin Hutton, a farmer, who married Anna Stevens and has seven chil- dren; Jesse Hull, living at home ; Samuel White, who married Elsie Pennington, and resides at Bethlehem, Pa .; and Eva Jane, wife of D. Johnson, a farmer, who has eight children. The last mentioned, Eva J., is a twin sister of Samuel. Mrs. Elizabeth Lee, the mother of the above mentioned family, died August 28, 1899. Mr. Lee is a Democrat politically and at one time per- formed much active service for his party. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church.

W. H. MILLER, owner of two fine farms, one of 65 acres and one of 120 acres in Lawrence township, and justice of the peace of Glen Richey, was born April 12. 1853, in Lawrence township, Clearfield county, Pa., and is a son of W. H. and Mary ( Bell) Miller.

WV. H. Miller, father of subject, was born in Center county, Pa., and after his mar- riage resided near Clearfield Bridge until 1871, when he moved to the Ridge in Law- rence township, where he died aged 65 years. He was married in Clarion county. Pa., to Mary Bell, a daughter of Alexander Bell, and of their union were born six sons. all of whom but one are living. His wife died in her fifty-second year, her death re- sulting from a broken spine. She fell from a wagon shed loft, and lived several days after receiving the fall. Mr. Miller built a large number of the wooden bridges, which were erected during his lifetime in Clear-

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

field county. He and his estimable wife Jordan township and his life has been were members of the Bloomington M. E. church.

W .H. Miller was reared in Lawrence township, and with his brother attended the Pine Grove and Clover IIill schools. About the time he attained his majority Mr. Mil- ler began learning the carpenter trade, and was employed ten consecutive years by the l'eale, Peacock & Kerr Coal Company, and was later employed by the O'Shanter Com-

pany of Glen Richey. He resided in Glen Richey since his marriage in 1876 until November 18, 1910, when he moved to his present home. Mr. Miller is politically a stanch Democrat, and served as tax collec- tor of Lawrence township three years ( 1894 until 1896) and has been justice of the peace for two years.

Mr. Miller was married July 4, 1876, to Nevada F. Long, a daughter of Philip Long, and they have the following children: Ida ; Oscar; Ethel; Herman; Stella; May; Or- tha; Norman; Meade; Ruth: Clara; and John. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Primitive M. E. church.

G. B. CURRY, one of the representative business men of Madera, Pa., and a mem- ber of one of the old pioneer families of Clearfield county, was born in Jordan town- ship April 17, 1865. and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Carson) Curry. The par- ents of Mr. Curry were born in Center county. The father became a substantial farmer in Clearfield county. His family consisted of one daughter and two sons, namely: Mary H., who is the wife of G. W. Lamborn ; James F., and G. B.

G. B. Curry was reared and educated in

mainly spent at Madera. He was one of the organizers and is a stockholder in the Madera Trading Company, of which he is also manager. This is one of the large business enterprises of Clearfield county. one that is amply financiered and ably man- aged. In politics Mr. Curry is a Democrat and for four years he was postmaster at Madera.

HENRY LIXFIELD, general farmer, who is associated with his brother, Fred Lixfield, in operating the two Lixfield farms, one of fifty acres and an adjoining one of 100 acres, situated in Huston town- ship, Clearfield county, Pa., belongs to a well known and highly respected family of this section. He was born on his father's farm in Huston township, March 4, 1864, and is a son of Henry and Dorothy (Chaunce) Lixfield.

Henry Lixfield, the father, was born in Germany, and in early manhood accom- panied his brother, Frederick Lixfield, to America. Frederick was a blacksmith by trade, and Henry understood the saw-mill business. They worked first in Lehigh county, Pa., and then came to Clearfield county, and Henry Lixfield was for some time in the employ of Hiram Woodward, the pioneer lumberman of Penfield. Later the two brothers purchased adjoining farms in Huston township, cleared their land and put up buildings. Here Henry Lixfield died. His widow (formerly Dorothy Chaunce) and five children survive him, namely: Anna: Eliza, wife of C. HI. Ham- mond : Henry and Fred (twins) and John.

Henry Lixfield of the above family went

JAMES L. SMITH

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to school in boyhood but as his father died when he was quite young, responsibilities early rested on his and his brother's shoul- ders. He and his twin brother operate in partnership and make their home with their mother and sister. They are both members of the Grange and of the Odd Fellows at Penfield. They are independent voters neither having any ambition to hold office. They are well known and much respected, both being quiet, industrious, practical men, good farmers and excellent citizens.

J. S. SNEDDON, general manager of the Glen Richey Trading Store of Glen Richey, has been postmaster of the borough of O'Shanter since August, 1907, and was born November 16, 1871, in Scotland, a son of William and Hannah (Smiley) Sned- don. At the age of fourteen months our subject came to the United States with his parents, who settled in Arnot, Tioga county, Pa., where they resided eighteen years. The father retired from business ac- tivities in 1908 and is now a resident of O'Shanter. He is now 67 years of age, and his wife is 61 years old. They are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is polit- ically a Republican.

J. S. Sneddon received his educational training in the schools at Arnot, Tioga county, Pa. In about 1891 he came to Clearfield county and resided for about six years at Glen Richey, where he clerked and delivered for the Peacock & Kerr Mining Company, who operated a general store in that borough. He later became general manager and removed to Devlin, where he was located until the mine gave out and the company removed to Glen Richey, where he' a member. He married Elizabeth Haag, who

has since been manager of the Glen Richey trading store. He has also served as post- master at O'Shanter since August, 1907, and is assisted in his duties as such by his wife.

Mr. Sneddon is identified with the Re- publican party in politics, and is fraternally a member of the Red Men, the Knights of Pythias, of which he has been master of finance for ten years, and is also a member of the Moose lodge of Curwensville.

Mr. Snedden was joined in marriage with Jennie Mitchell, a daughter of James Mitchell, of Glen Richey, and of their union have been born the following children : Margaret, Hannah, Esther, Myra, and Les- lie, who died in February, 1909. The fam- ily holds membership with the Congrega- tional church.

JAMES L. SMITH, furniture dealer and undertaker, whose place of business is on Meadow Street, Curwensville, Pa., was born in Pike Township, Clearfield County, Pa., April 22, 1873. His parents were Adam and Elizabeth (Haag) Smith.

Adam Smith was born in Germany and was eighteen years of age when he came to Jeffer- son County, Pa. He had learned the black- smith trade in his native land and easily se- cured work at the same, at Whitesville, in Jef- ferson County. Later he moved to Clearfield County and worked at his trade in Pike Town- ship, near Bloomington, and at Curwensville. He was an industrious and highly respected man. His death occurred at the age of sixty- nine years. His burial was in the cemetery be- longing to the Methodist Episcopal church at Curwensville, of which religious body he was

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

was also born in Germany and now resides in the Odd Fellows, the Order of the Moose and Pike Township. Six of their children survive, three sons and three daughters.

James L. Smith was given excellent school advantages, attending the public schools at Bloomington and Curwensville and the State Normal School at Lock Haven. He began his business career as a clerk, first at Olanta and then at DuBois, Pa., and then learned the un- dertaking business, securing a diploma from the Pittsburg School of Embalming. In 1891, Mr. Smith started into business for himself at Curwensville, first purchasing a half inter- est in a furniture store with Garlock Robinson and later buying the other half interest. Mr. Smith carries a large stock of furniture and also stoves and does a prosperous business in that line. He also is well equipped for fu- neral directing and undertaking, owning one black and one silver gray hearse and also an automobile truck. It is easily within his power to satisfactorily conduct funerals ten or twelve miles distant and his patronage often comes from such points, his reputation for prompt- ness and efficiency having been established. He carries all necessary equipments and prob- ably has as large and complete a stock of ap- propriate and necessary goods as any under- taker in Clearfield County. He has one assist- ant but. being a graduated embalmer, looks after the larger part of the work himself.

the Red Men. He is one of the most reliable business men of Curwensville and commands the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.

CHARLES BOONE, owner and proprie- tor of the Hileman House. at Madera, Pa., is the very popular host of one of the best con- ducted public houses of Clearfield county. He was born December 1, 1876, at Coalport, Pa .. and is a son of William and Amanda ( Davis) Boone.

William Boone, who is a veteran of the Civil war, resides at Coalport, which has been the family home for many years. He mar- ried Amanda Davis, who died there and was buried at Utahville. She was a woman of many virtues and left a wide circle of friends and the following children: Anna, Alice. Mattie, Zillah, William, Charles, Harry and Odis. She was a member of the United Brethren church, to which religious body her husband also belongs.

Charles Boone obtained his education in the public schools of Coalport. . Afterward he em- barked in a livery business there in which he continued until September 1, 1908, when he purchased the Hileman House from Clark Hileman and has conducted it ever since, en- joying a liberal amount of patronage. Mr. Boone was married July II. 1904, to Miss Sadie Anthony, a daughter of Miles Anthony, a resident of Coalport. Mrs. Boone has an older sister and brother, Cora and John. In politics Mr. Boone is a Republican. He is a member of the L. O. O. M. at Houtzdale, Pa.

Mr. Smith was married in .August, 1906, to Miss Eva McCloskey, a daughter of Howard McCloskey, and they have two children: Ce- celia J. and Katharine. Mr. Smith and fam- ily are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is superintendent of the Sunday- school. In politics he is a Democrat and he GEORGE E. TOWNS, who is a represen- tative business man of Penfield, Pa., dealing served one term as auditor of Curwensville. He is identified fraternally with the Masons, in hardware, tinware, farm machinery, etc.,

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established his hardware business here in 1896 and moved to his present location in the fol- lowing year. He was born May II, 1864, at Home Camp, Pa., and is a son of Henry P. and Mary (Sarson) Towns.

Henry P. Towns was born in Maine and reared there and was married to Mary Sarson in New England and they came to Clearfield county in 1860, locating first at Home Camp. where a relative by the name of Philip Blanch- ard was operating a timber tract. From Home Camp Mr. Towns moved his family to Curwensville, where he followed his trade of shoemaking. Subsequently he spent six months at Sabula, Clearfield county, and moved from there to Penfield, where his death occurred July 30, 1896. His widow survived until December 3. 1903. They had three chil- dren: Ada, who is the wife of Coston Bar- tron: George E. and Annie, who is the wife of E. F. Mills.

George E. Towns was quite young when the family moved to Penfield and he was yet a boy when he began working in the lumber mill. In 1881 he entered the store of Ro- backer & Gray, as a clerk and later worked for other firms and then bought his present busi- ness from George R. Campbell and has suc- cessfully conducted it ever since.

In February, 1896, Mr. Towns was mar- ried to Miss Frances M. Scudder, a daughter of the late William Scudder, and they have two children, Henry F. and Coston G. Mr. Towns is a member of Penfield Lodge No. 567, Odd Fellows. Politically he is a Repub- lican. Both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

URIAH JAMES IFERT, merchant and justice of the peace at McGees Mills, Bell

township, was born in Armstrong county, Pa., March 23, 1856. His father, Conrad Ifert, who was born in Germany, was a manufac- turer of organs. Coming to America, he set- tled at Kittanning and followed his trade there all his subsequent life. He built the first organ ever manufactured at that place. He died at the early age of 24 years in 1856. His wife, who in maidenhood was Mary Remaley, a daughter of John and Christiana (Helfrich) Remaley, married for her second husband James McDonald of Armstrong county and she is still living at the age of 73 years. Her children by this second union were: Harry, who is engaged in farming in New York state; Milton, an engineer residing in Cam- bria county; and Agnes, wife of Charles Gress, a farmer of Benton county. .

Uriah J. Ifert was the only child by his mother's first marriage. After attending school, he went to work for his maternal grandfather, who reared him and with whom he remained until coming of age. He then came to Clearfield county, finding employment in the saw-mill of J. W. McGee, with whom he remained four years or until about 1881. Subsequently he bought some land in the vi- cinity, to which he removed, but two years later entered into partnership with his former employer, Mr. McGee, in the saw-mill busi- ness, they manufacturing lumber, shingles, etc. After being thus occupied for five years he sold out his interest and engaged in agriculture, in which occupation he continued for six years. In September, 1897, he opened a general store in the village of McGee, which he has since conducted, being also engaged in agriculture. He is one of the successful men of his town- ship and is recognized as a good, reliable citi- zen, an earnest advocate of all measures calcu-

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

lated to improve the moral and material wel- fare of the community. He is a member of the local Grange, also of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Big Run, No. 924, to which he has belonged for the past 20 years, and he also belongs to the Red Men's lodge at Mahaffey. In poli- tics he is a Democrat and an active worker for his party. He has been delegate to party con- ventions, and is now serving his fourth term as justice of the peace. Ile was for three years a member of the township school board and served one term as constable.

Mr. Ifert married \della P. Miller, who was born October 14, 1861, a daughter of E. L. and Louisa (Beaty) Miller. Her parents were early settlers in Indiana county, subse- quently removing to Clearfield county. Mrs. Ifert's father is now deceased, but her mother is still living at the age of 85 years. Mr. and Mrs. Ifert have been the parents of children as follows: Edith, now aged 31 years, is a school teacher, residing at home. Mary, aged 29, is the wife of W. B. Hall, agent for the Pennsylvania Co. at McGee and has two chil- dren. Horace, aged 29, married Nettie Myr- tle, and resides in Jefferson county, Pa. Er- win, now 25 years old, married Bertha Pen- nington and lives in Punxatawney, Pa. He has two children. Mildred is the wife of F. Guthrie, of Cresson, Pa. William, aged 13, resides at home. Three other children are now deceased. Mr. Ifert is a member of the International Bible Students' Association.

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Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 65

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