Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 81

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 81

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Mr. McGarvey married Miss Martha Ann Robison, who was born in Chest Township, a daughter of John and Mary Ann (Chamber- lain) Robison. Mr. and Mrs. McGarvey have seven children, namely: Thomas, who married Susanne Harrison and they have three children ; Mary, who married B. Frailey, and they have four children : Nellie, who lives at home ; Rob- ert, who married Blanche MeMasters, is a

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farmer in Chest Township, and they have three years of age became a driller, working as such children; Elizabeth, who married Hugh Gal- laher, of Chest Township, and they have three children; Bradley, who married Elizabeth Mc- Masters, resides at Berwinsdale, Pa., and they have one child; and Martha, who still resides with her parents.

Mr. McGarvey has always been identified with the Democratic party. His standing as a reliable and representative citizen has been fre- quently recognized by the people with whom he has spent his life, and they have elected him to responsible offices. For six years he has been a member of the township school board and for sixteen years served in the office of township auditor. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and is identified with the lodge at Clearfield.

FRANK R. DIETZ, owner and proprietor of one of the leading hostelries of DuBois, Pa., the St. James Hotel, a fine structure situated at Nos. 136-138-140 W. Long Avenue, has had much experience in the hotel business; has a wide acquaintance and is popular as a host. He was born at Freyburg, Clarion County, Pa., and is a son of Jacob and a grandson of John Dietz. The latter came from Berks to Clarion County as a pioneer in 1816 and hauled mer- chandise all through this section of Pennsyl- vania before the railroads were built. Jacob Dietz was born in Berks County and accompa- nied his father to Venango County, where he later became a farmer and passed the remainder of his life.

Frank R. Dietz was born June 3, 1847, the second eldest in a family of five children. He remained at home until he was fourteen years old, attending school in an old log structure not far from his father's farm. He then started out for himself, going to the oil fields in Ve- nango County and by the time he was sixteen

for four years, and for twenty years continued to be connected with the oil business, the last fifteen years being an operator and was a con- tractor and producer in Venango, Mckean and Clarion Counties. For two years he then en- gaged in the hotel business in the latter county, for two more years was in the livery business at Kane, Pa., and then operated a hotel there for several years. This he subsequently sold and for three years afterward was in the hard- ware business at Kane. From there Mr. Dietz went to Punxsutawney, where he conducted the National Hotel for six years, afterward moving to Reynoldsville, where he conducted the Hotel Belmont, now the City Hotel, for three years. In 1902 he came to DuBois and purchased his present place of business from B. K. Fisher. It is a fine property, well located for all purposes and has forty bed-chambers, together with other rooms, including lobby, office and restau- rant, provided for the comfort and accommo- dation of guests. For all the advantages here offered, Mr. Dietz makes a moderate charge, his rates being $1.50 and $2 per day. He owns other valuable real estate in the borough.

Mr. Dietz was married in 1883, to Miss Eleanora Hartle, of Clarion, Pa., and they have seven children, as follows: Clair, Charles, Helen, Austin, Henry, Walter and Gertrude. Mr. Dietz is a member of the Roman Catholic church. In politics he is a Republican.

HENRY J. DIEM, farmer and ex-county commissioner, is one of the representative men of Bell Township, where his farm and lumber interests have been important for many years. He was born May 7, 1856, in Brady Township, Clearfield County, and is a son of Henry and Louisa (Stegner) Diem.

Henry Diem was born January 15, 1815, in

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany. In 1846, with ents when five years old and was reared at Pine his own family and two older sisters, he came Grove. His death occurred in 1907, at the age to Pennsylvania and located on wild land in of seventy-two years. He married Elizabeth Brady Township, Clearfield County. He C. Owens, a daughter of John and Margery cleared and developed his land and resided on (Caldwell) Owens. Mrs. Long died January 27, 1875. Mrs. Diem has two sisters : Nevada F., who is the wife of William A. Miller, of Glen Richey, Pa., and Sarah Alice, who is the wife of A. Snaars, of DuBois, Pa. the same until 1878, when he moved to the farm his son Henry J. Diem had purchased, in Bell Township, where his death occurred July 24, 1885. In every relation of life he was an hon- est, upright and worthy man. In Germany he married Louisa Stegner, who was born Sep- tember 22, 1813, and died March 28, 1875. Of their seven children there are three sur- vivors: Henry J .; Louisa, who is the wife of J. M. Le Barr, a machinist, residing at Clear- field : and David D., who is a farmer residing in Bell Township.

Mr. and Mrs. Diem have had five children born to them, namely: Stella, who was born July 23, 1880, resides at home ; Newton L., who was born January 18, 1882, is now manager of the West Branch Store at Barnesboro, Pa., mar- ried Cornie E. Haag, and they have one son, Albert E .; Vada A., who was born .August 12, 1883. married J. L. Fryer, residing at Jersey Shore, Pa., and they have two children-Alvin L. and Alfred D .; Nona S., who was born Feb- ruary II, 1886, is a widow and lives at Jersey Shore and has a son, Theodore M .; and Harry M., who was born July 15, 1894, who resides at home. Mrs. Diem is a member of the Evan- gelical church and is interested in mission work, being a member of the Ladies Aid Society. Both Mr. and Mrs. Diem are members of the Grange, and he belongs also to Minkel Lodge, No. 753, Odd Fellows, at Troutville.

Henry J. Diem had but indifferent school ad- vantages but he made the most of his oppor- tunities and is a well informed man of excellent judgment, and has served acceptably in nu- merous important public offices, including those of township assessor, auditor, school director and supervisor and in 1900 was elected county commissioner. He is the only ex-county offi- cial residing in this section. In politics he is a Democrat. In his youth, until he was eigh- teen years of age, he worked for his father as- sisting him in the clearing of the farm, and when about twenty-one years old he purchased his present farm and subsequently cleared it. He has a valuable and well improved property. More or less he has devoted his entire mature life to farming and himbering.

CARL EUGENE PATCHIN, one of the substantial business men of Burnside, Pa., and a member of one the old families of this section, was born November 1. 1882, at Patchinsville, Clearfield County, Pa., and is a son of Aaron Wright and Elizabeth ( Barrett) Patchin.

Mr. Diem was married on October 9, 1879, to Miss Keturah M. Long, who was born Jan- Carl E. Patchin was educated in the local schools and at Lewisburg, where, for three years he had academic advantages. After he returned home he engaged in the lumber busi- uary 29, 1863, in Pike Township, Clearfield County, Pa., a daughter of Philip A. and Eliz- abeth C. (Owens) Long. The father of Mrs. Diem came to Clearfield County with his par- ness and at the present time is associated in the

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same with J. Stauffer, at Burnside. He is also interested in extensive farm property ; is one of the directors of the Laurel Oil & Gas Company, of Oklahoma; owns property at Camden, N. J., and is a director in the First National Bank at Glen Campbell, Pa.

Mr. Patchin was married on January 31, 1906, to Miss Mayme McKeage, who was born near Cherry Tree, Indiana County, Pa., No- vember 25, 1883. This was the historic spot on which the famous Penn Treaty was signed with the Indians. The parents of Mrs. Patchin are George and Anabelle (Ake) McKeage, the former of whom is a merchant at Burnside. Mrs. Patchin has one brother, John A., who lives at home. She spent two years in the In- diana County Normal School and prior to her marriage, assisted her father in his store. Mr. Patchin is a member of the Evangelical church at Patchinsville. In politics he is a Repub- lican but has never desired public office. Mr. and Mrs. Patchin take part in the pleasant social life of the town and have a very hospit- able home and a wide circle of friends.

M. V. MAPES, one of Lawrence Town- ship's substantial, successful and enterprising business men, whose valuable farm of 120 acres is devoted to general agriculture and the pro- ducing of cream, being the only man in the township making a specialty of cream and keep- ing Jersey and Guernsey cows for this pur- pose, was born August 3, 1855, in Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, Pa. His par- ents were William and Albina (Irwin) Mapes.

William Mapes was born in New Jersey and accompanied his parents from there to Clearfield County. He married Albina Irwin, who was a daughter of Joseph Irwin and was

born on the farm on which M. V. Mapes now resides. To this marriage seven children were born, four of whom survive. William Mapes was a Democrat but he never accepted office, devoting his time to the accumulation of land. At one time he owned 580 acres, 280 of which lay in Lawrence Township, and 300 acres of timber was situated in Goshen Township. He lived to be eighty-six years of age and his wife to the age of eighty-four years. They were charter members and helped to build up the West Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church.

M. V. Mapes attended the Wolf Run school when he was a boy and as soon as he was old enough to take upon himself such responsi- bilities, he went into the livestock insurance business and also carried fire risks, and for four years traveled in this line through Ohio and Kentucky. After his return and marriage, he settled on his present farm, his maternal grandfather's old property, and among the im- provements is the present handsome residence. About 100 acres of the farm are tillable. Mr. Mapes is one of the wide-awake, thinking men of the country and in making the specialty of producing cream for butter purposes, he is fol- lowing out a theory which has proved of prac- tical value. He has been more or less inter- ested in the local creamery for some time and formerly was secretary of the organization and at present is a director. He keeps thor- oughly informed concerning the modern dis- coveries in agricultural possibilities and is a valued member of the Grange at Mt. Joy.

Mr. Mapes married Miss Maud L. Sheffler, a daughter of John R. Sheffler, and they have seven children: Clair F., who is teaching school at Pine Grove; and Charles, Ruth, Gus- sie, Frances, John E. and Dean M. Mr. Mapes

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Clearfield. In politics he is a Den- ocrat.

WILSON JONES SMATHERS, M. D., has been identified with DuBois, Pa., from the time when the present hustling city with its 1910 complement of business houses, schools, churches, cultured homes and thriving industries, was but a little lumber settlement in the green woods, with a population of but twenty-six families. On June 20, 1873, the young physician threw in his lot with the other pioneers and during the long and useful life he has since led here, has never regretted his choice of home. Dr. Smathers was born March 28. 1851, on a farm in Limestone township, Clarion county, Pa., and was just a child when his parents moved to Jefferson county, Pa., where he was reared. He is a son of John and Ann (Jones) Smathers.

John Smathers, father of Dr. Smathers, was born in Clarion county, Pa., January 4, 1828. The Smathers or Smithers family ( the latter orthography formerly prevailing) has been in Pennsylvania since 1740, in which year two brothers, Jacob and Robert Smithers, emi- grated from England, Robert locating in Del- aware, while Jacob selected Luzerne county, Pa., where he subsequently married, and they lived and died in that county.

Monroe township. It was wild land at the time but Mr. Smathers cleared it and devel- oped a productive farm and they lived there until death. They had eight children.

Christian Smathers (2d), son of Christian, was born in Luzerne county, in 1793, and was two years old when the family moved to Clar- jon county, where he grew to manhood. He became a farmer and also was somewhat noted as a hunter, having a record of no less than fourteen bears killed in one season. He mar- ried Susanna Hariger, who died in Clarion county, after which he moved to Jefferson county, Pa., where he was married again, to a widow, Mrs. Catherine Rodes. They spent the rest of their lives in Jefferson county. Christian Smathers had ten children, all born to his first marriage.

John Smathers was the second son of Chris- tian and Susanna (Hariger) Smathers. Like his father and grandfather, he became a farmer. He was married in Beaver township, Jefferson county, Pa., to Ann Jones, who was born in Jefferson county, March 9, 1829, and still survives, a venerable lady remarkably well preserved, having reasonable physical health and an unclouded mind that permits her recalling many of the interesting events of early times in Jefferson county. After mar- riage, John Smathers and wife moved to Jef- ferson county and in 1853 they settled on a farm in Oliver township, which they sold in 1864, buying one in Ringold township, which remains the family homestead. Here the aged mother of Dr. Smathers still resides, his father having died here on August 25, 1895. A large family of children were born to John and Ann Smathers, many of whom died in infancy. Five reached mature years, as fol-

Christian Smathers, one of the sons of Ja- cob Smathers, lived in Luzerne county until after his marriage and in 1795 moved from there to Butler county, Pa., locating at the vil- lage now bearing the suggestive name of Bruin, his wife's people, the Dobinspecks, be- ing very prominent there then as now. One year later, Christian Smathers and wife moved to Clarion county and settled on a farm in lows: Wilson Jones; Millard Fillmore, who

Of mathe MA

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lives in Jefferson county ; Winfield Scott, who is sheriff of Clarion county ; John Curtis, who is a resident of Indiana, Pa .; and Charles Emerson, who lives on the old homestead in Ringold township, Jefferson county, and takes care of the venerable mother.

Wilson J. Smathers recalls the first school- house he ever attended and describes it as a primitive log cabin. Later he enjoyed better advantages and spent a short season in an academy at Dayton, Pa. He studied hard and prepared himself for teaching and taught the district school near his home, in the winter of 1870-I, and about this time began the study of medicine, with Dr. R. B. Brown, an old practitioner at Summerville, Pa. Later in 1871, he entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, for a course of lectures and then continued his studies with Dr. Brown, subsequently returning to college and was there graduated on March 12, 1873. In look- ing about for a promising field for practice he decided upon DuBois, where John DuBois was developing his large lumber interests, and four months later the young physician opened an office, being not only one of the first profes- sional men in the place but the very first phy- sician.

When Dr. Smathers came to the hamlet, which was really a lumber camp only, no or- ganization having as yet been effected, it be- ing in fact but a partially cleared portion of Brady township, there had been no need for any town officials, and as the people were in- dustrious and law abiding, no justice of the peace was required. There was one store do- ing business, mainly in groceries, its site being on the present northeast corner of Main and Long streets, and it was owned and conducted by Thomas P. Montgomery. The nearest 42

polling place was at Luthersburg and the post- office was at Jefferson Line, four miles dis- tant.

However, no matter how independent a community can be in relation to its luxuries, there are necessities which must be obtainable and among the greatest of these is a physi- cian. Dr. Smathers found immediate need of his professional services and found that he could very easily qualify for other positions in the neighborhood than physician. He being the owner of a horse, was frequently the mail carrier for the entire neighborhood. Thomas Jones, an uncle of Dr. Smathers, was one of the first settlers and owned the land on which stand the physician's house and office, the same in which he located when he came here, rent- ing the property from his uncle until 1875, when he purchased it. He filled the entire professional field for the first year but in the next year another physician came, but the lat- ter remained for only two years and still an- other year passed before Dr. Smathers had the assistance of a co-worker. In the de- structive fire of 1888 which swept through the town, Dr. Smathers suffered severely, losing his office and residence. A new office imme- diately took the place of the burned one and a new residence followed, one which has sub- sequently been remodeled and modernized. These buildings are situated respectively at No. 6 and No. 8 S. Main street, DuBois.

On July 22, 1875, Dr. Smathers was mar- ried to Miss Maggie C. Fulton, a daughter of S. T. and Frances Fulton, of Smicksburg, In- diana county, Pa., and a granddaughter of Dr. W. N. Simms, who was a pioneer physi- cian there. Five children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Smathers, namely: Francis, who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Big

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

Run, Pa., graduated from the Jefferson Med- ical College, Philadelphia, in 1905, married Bessie Kearney and they have one child, Ma- rion Elisabeth; Margaretta; John Marion, who is a student in the dental department of the University of Baltimore, Md., in the class of 1913: Bessie Fulton, who is a student in the DuBois High School, a member of the class of 1911: and Dorothy Ruth, who will com- plete the grammar school course at DuBois, in 1911. Dr. Smathers and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and he was in- strumental in the building of the first church edifice at this place. In his political views, Dr. Smathers is a Republican. He has not ac- cepted many public offices, having found his time and strength needed in attending to the claims of his profession, but he served on the school board for a season and since the organ- ization of the DuBois Board of Health, in 1893. has been almost a continuous member and at present is its secretary. He is identi- fied with the DuBois Medical Association and belongs to the Heptasophs and the order rep- resented by the R. P. P. A.

WILLIAM FENNELL, who, for nine- teen years has been proprietor of the New Cen- tral Hotel, at Ramey, Pa., of which borough he is a representative citizen, was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., August 17, 1863, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Morgan) Fennell.

Michael Fennell was born in England and followed coal mining after coming to Pennsyl- vania, where he subsequently died. He was married in Schuylkill County and his widow now lives in Illinois. Six sons were born to them but only one, William, now survives.

William Fennell attended school where his

parents happened to be living in his boyhood, Illinois and in Huntingdon and Clearfield Counties, Pa. Afterward for about sixteen years he worked in the coal mines and then purchased his hotel which he has conducted with great success for almost twenty years. As a host he is widely and favorably known and he has retained the patronage of the same traveling guests for many years. His house is centrally located and he caters to a first class trade.

In 1885 Mr. Fennell was married to Miss Anna Westover, a daughter of David and Hannah (Rolley) Westover, the former of whom was born in Canada and the latter in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Fennell has the following brothers and sisters: Elizabeth, wife of Sam- uel Tovey; Cecelia, now deceased: Aaron : Dessie, wife of Simon Miller; Joseph ; Sadie, wife of Duncan May; and Josephine, wife of H. E. Wagner.

Mr. and Mrs. Fennell have had two chil- dren, Marie and Clay, the latter of whom died when aged nine years. Miss Marie Fennell is a teacher of the piano, at Philadelphia, having graduated in music at Combs Conservatory of Music in that city. She is a very talented lady. Mr. Fennell is a Republican in his political views and has been an active and useful cit- izen of Ramey, serving with capacity on the school board for three years and also in the borough council, of which he was president for three years. He is a member of the Odd Fel- lows, Knights of Pythias, Red Men, L. O. O. M. and F. O. E.

ADAM S. HUTCHINSON, one of Law- rence Township's best known citizens is pro- prietor of the O'Shanter Hotel, at O'Shanter, Pa. He was born at Blossburg. Tioga County,

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Pa., September 29, 1866, and is a son of James and Annie (Sampson) Hutchinson, both of whom are deceased.

Adam S. Hutchinson attended the public schools of Arnot, in Tioga County, and then went to work in the mines at Houtzdale, in Clearfield County, and continued to reside at Houtzdale for six years following his mar- riage, during this time being general manager in a business house of the place. He then came to O'Shanter and for three years rented the O'Shanter Hotel, which was then operated by John Kramer. He then bought the property and has been sole owner for eleven years. It is a well arranged public house, with twenty- one rooms and seventeen of these are comfort- able bed-rooms. He has a county license and lias the reputation of keeping one of the most orderly and well regulated hotels in this sec- tion. His charges are exceedingly moderate, not exceeding $1.40 per day. In connection with his hotel he also conducts a livery stable, having six horses and also an automobile. Travelers who have once enjoyed the comforts afforded by the O'Shanter Hotel under its present management, are very apt to so arrange their connections that they can make a second visit.

In 1889, Mr. Hutchinson was married at Reynoldsville, Pa., to Miss Nettie Patterson, a daughter of James and Jennetta Patterson, of that place, and twelve children have been born to them, namely: James, Anna, Jessie, Florence, Edith, Gordon, Nettie, Mary, Mar- garet, Ethel, Laura and Adam Jr. The only deaths in the family were those of the eldest son, who died at the age of seventeen years, and Ethel, who died in infancy. Mr. Hutchinson is identified with a number of fraternal organi- zations and among these are the following :

Knights of Pythias, at Houtzdale; Golden Ea- gles at Glen Richey ; Red Men, of Curwens- ville ; and P. O. S. of A., and Royal Order of Moose, at Clearfield. In politics he is a Re- publican and formerly was a very active party man in his section and served several times as chairman of the Republican township com- mittee.

REV. SAMUEL LEE, who owns two ex- cellent farms in Huston Township, Clearfield County, Pa., comprising forty acres, resides on Cherry Bluff Farm, which lies two and one- half miles north of Penfield. He was born July 27, 1846, on his father's farm in Albany Township, Bradford County, Pa., and is a son of Joseph and Hannalı (Brewster ) Lee.

Joseph Lee was born in Bradford County, Pa., and was a son of William Lee, who was a pioneer there from New York. William Lee cleared up a large farm and was something of a horticulturist, and his orchard was widely known as the best in Bradford County. The children of William Lee were named: Polly, Marilla, James, Joseph, William and Betsey, all of whom are deceased. Joseph Lee of the above family, became a farmer and also dealt in livestock. He lived a long and quietly use- ful life and died in Bradford County. He mar- ried Hannah Brewster, who was a descendant in direct line from Colonel Brewster, who came to New England on the Mayflower. Her fa- ther was Daniel Brewster, who came from Massachusetts to Bradford County and settled at Lime Hill. She died in Bradford County. She was an admirable woman in every relation of life and was the mother of eleven children, as follows: William and Orris, both of whom died in infancy; Solon, who was a member of the 107th Pa. Vol. Inf., during the Civil War

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

and was killed at the second battle of Bull Run; Rachel, who is now deceased, was the wife of H. B. Taylor, also deceased; Elizabeth, who is deceased, was the wife of Moses M. Carr, a veteran of the Civil War, also deceased: Adrial, who is deceased, served in the Civil War as a member of the I4Ist Pa. Vol. Inf .; Pamelia, who is the widow of Jacob Schoonover; Edwin, who is deceased, served in the Civil War as a member of Co. A., 141st Pa. Vol. Inf., and was wounded five times ; Weston, who died at the age of eighteen years ; Samuel; and James W., who is deceased.

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Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 81

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