Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 83

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 83

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Captain Norris was married March 1, 1864, to Miss Hannah Cecelia McCleary, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Johnston) McCleary, of Lancaster County, Pa., and they have had four children, namely: William, who resides at Grampian, Clearfield County, married Ada

Thurston, and they have one daughter, Myrtle; Aletha, who is a professional nurse at Atlantic City; Nannie, who is a clerk in a store at Al- bany, N. Y .; and Franklin, who died when aged six years and seven months and was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. Captain Norris is a steward in the Methodist Episcopal church at Curwensville. He belongs to the order of Odd Fellows at Curwensville and has served for two years as commander of the G. A. R. Post mentioned above. He was elected a mem- ber of the lower house in the State Legislature at Harrisburg on the Democratic ticket on which ticket his father was once elected a count- ty commissioner of Clearfield County.

GEORGE J. BAUMMER, superintendent of the Cascade Coal and Coke Company, and manager of the Tyler Mercantile Company at Tyler, Pa., who has some timber interests ad- ditionally, has been a resident of this place since 1897. He was born September 27, 1872, at Baltimore, Md., and is a son of Sigmund and Geraldine Antoinette (Siebertz) Baummer.

Sigmund Baummer was born in Bavaria, Germany, and his wife in Maryland. By trade Mr. Baummer was a cooper and also learned whiskey compounding. He accompanied his parents, Christopher Baummer and wife, from Germany to America and was reared at Bal- timore, Md., where he spent the remainder of his life, from eight years, his death occurring in 1878, at the age of forty-two years. His widow still lives in the city of Baltimore. They had four children, namely: Elizabeth, who is the wife of F. G. Michel, lives at Baltimore; John C., who also makes his home in that city; Catherine, who is the wife of H. B. Schutte, also resides at Baltimore; and George John, of the present record.

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

George John Baummer secured his educa-

179, G. A. R., at Clearfield. Mr. Barnett was tion in the parochial schools of Baltimore, born in Jefferson county, Pa., and is a son of after which he began his business career as a Seneca and Hannah (Snyder) Barnett. They were lifelong residents of Jefferson county and the father was accidentally killed in a coal bank there. clerk in a grain and feed store, being then thir- teen years of age. He proved a reliable, in- dustrious youth and remained with the same firm for seven years. He then assisted to con- pile the Baltimore City Directory while still a resident there. In 1897 he came to Tyler and accepted a clerkship with the Keystone Store Company and became its manager, succeeding Geo. W. Imhof in 1905, Mr. Baummer being retained with the new firm. In 1910 he was made superintendent of the Cascade Coal and Coke Company, succeeding W. H. Laverack. This is an important enterprise of this section, doing a large amount of business all over the country. Mr. Baummer is interested in large tracts of timber lands in Elk and Clearfield counties which supply this company, and also has a foreign exchange.

On February 18, 1901, Mr. Baummer was married to Miss Elizabeth K. Bauer, a daugh- ter of Leonard Bauer, of DuBois, Pa., and they have six children: Sigismunda G., Ju- lian L., Theophila M., Virginia I., George J., Jr., and Elizabeth K. Mr. Baummer and fam- ily belong to St. Anislans Roman Catholic church. In politics he is a Democrat. He is identified with the Knights of Columbus at DuBois. He is one of the representative citi- zens and prosperous business men of Huston township.

D. H. Barnett attended the country schools in his boyhood and remained in Jefferson county until 1860, when he came to Clearfield county, but returned to Jefferson in the fol- lowing year and enlisted for service in the Civil war. He became a member of Co. B, 78th Pa. Vol. Inf., and continued in the army for thirty-nine months, taking part in many battles and performing his full duty as a sol- dier. When he was honorably discharged, on the day of the second election of President Lincoln, it was with the rank of corporal. In the fall of 1865 he came back to Clearfield county and engaged in lumbering within three miles of his present farm, on which he settled after his marriage, in November, 1866. He now owns 125 acres, as stated above, and has 105 acres cleared, having cleared eighty-five of them by his own industry. He carries on general farming and raises some excellent stock. In politics he is a Republican but holds no township office. He has preserved his memories of the Civil war through his associa- tion with his military comrades, and not only has taken a very active part in Grand Army affairs but belongs also to the order of Patri- otic Sons of America.

In the fall of 1866, Mr. Barnett was mar- ried to Miss Cornelia Chase, a daughter of John M. Chase, and the following children were born to them: Jennie, who is the wife of Clark Fox, of Knox township; John M., who was accidentally killed by a horse, on

D. H. BARNETT, general farmer and well known and highly respected citizen of Knox township, Clearfield county, Pa., where he owns 125 acres of valuable land, is also a survivor of the great Civil war and for five years has served as commander of Post No. Lick Run, at the age of twenty-seven years,

D. II. BARNETT

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and was survived by a widow, formerly Miss Mary Dunlap; Maggie, who is the wife of Grant Haines, of Knox township; William A., who was accidentally killed at the Faunce clay mine, July 25, 1901, and was survived by a widow, formerly Miss Susie Rowles; Han- nah, who is the wife of D. W. Bowman, of Echo, Ore .; Jesse, who residing in Knox township, who married Jane, a daughter of Jefferson Baughman, of Woodward township; Hattie, who lives at home: Benjamin D., who is a popular and successful county school teacher, now engaged at the Boardman school : Clark, who gives his father assistance at home; Esther C., who is teaching her second term at Stoneville; and Ralph C., who at- tends school in Knox township. Mr. Barnett has given his children all educational oppor- tunities within his power and they have devel- oped into intelligent, well informed and earn- est young people reflecting credit upon their parents and community. Mr. Barnett and family are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church.

G. O. GOSS, farmer and dairyman, who resides on his valuable farm of 100 acres of land situated three miles north of Curwens- ville, in Pike township, was born in Center county, Pa., September 5, 1862, and is a son of Adam and Harriet (Keys) Goss.

Adam Goss was a general farmer in Half Moon township, Center county, where he died in 1870. His widow survived until 1876. They had four sons: G. O., James F., Joseph H. and William F., all of whom reside in Cen- ter county except the eldest. Adam Goss and wife were members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. He never cared for political of-

fice but was a good citizen of his community and a member of the Republican party.

G. O. Goss was reared and educated in Cen- ter county. After his marriage he moved to Blair county, where he engaged in farming for two years and in 1890 came to his present farm, where he has continued ever since. All his land has been cleared with the exception of ten acres. He engages in general farming and also delivers about thirty quarts of milk daily to the Curwensville milk depot. Mr. Goss has done considerable improving since he settled on this farm, including the building of his comfortable residence. He is a practical, hard working man, one who takes a deep interest in his business and keeps himself thoroughly posted along agricultural lines through his membership in the local Grange, and the county agricultural society.

Mr. Goss was married in March, 1888, to Miss Alice Neeper, a daughter of Robert R. and Jane Neeper, and they have one son, Lloyd, who resides at home. Mr. Goss is a Republican in politics and has held various township office. He is one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Pike town- ship.

WILLIAM TUTTLE MAHAFFEY, a retired banker and lumberman of Cherry Tree, Pa., is one of the best known citizens of this part of Clearfield county, and a man highly thought of wherever known. He was born at Locust Villa, the old Mahaffey home- stead one mile below Cherry Tree, June 25, 1848, son of John and Ella ( Byers) Mahaffey. Both the Mahaffey and Byers families are well known and respected ones in Clearfield county. A sister of our subject. Margaret B., is the

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HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY

wife of Porter Kinports, of Cherry Tree. W. Light Company, and founder and a director T. and Margaret B. are the only surviving members of John Mahaffey's family that are living at this time in Cherry Tree.

William T. Mahaffey, after completing his school studies about 1864, took an active part in the war, being drum major of Co. D. 78th Regiment, P. V. He was only thirteen years old at the beginning of the war. After the war, in 1869, he engaged in teaching school, which occupation he followed for some seven years, making a great success along this line of work. AAbout the time of his marriage in 1876 he entered into the mercantile business, conducting a store for two years at Cherry Tree and during this time was also associated with his father in the lumber business. He then engaged in the manufacture of farm, lum- ber and saw-mill machinery. This business which he purchased was the first one of its kind established in northern Pennsylvania, the factory having been built in 1844, and after buying it he continued to operate the concern for twenty-one years. He then sold out and was engaged in the lumber business for six years subsequently being one of a company and a director of the confpany called the St. Law- rence Broom & Manufacturing Company, of West Virginia, owning and operating one of the largest and heaviest timber tracts in the state of West Virginia, consisting of 86,000 acres. The company called St. Lawrence Broom & Manufacturing Company consisted of eight partners, Mr. Mahaffey being one of the directors. He still owns considerable tim- ber land, besides other real estate. In 1902 Mr. Mahaffey was also one of the founders of the First National Bank of Cherry Tree, of which he is still a director. He was a foun- der and president of the Cherry Tree Electric

of the Cherry Tree Water Company. He has also valuable coal interests in this vicinity. As will be seen Mr. Mahaffey has been a man of wide and strenuous activities, though now re- tired from active business life. In 1876 he united with the Methodist Protestant church of Cherry Tree but afterward united with the Presbyterian church, and has for many years been active in Sabbath school work, serving now as president of District No. 2, of Indiana county. Mr. Mahaffey was formerly a Re- publican in politics, but has joined what is known as the Keystone party. In 1909 he made a special trip to visit the old home of the Mahaffey family at Dublin, Ireland. On this occasion he gathered valuable data in regard to the ancestral history of the Mahaffey's, a subject in which he is much interested, as dur- ing a year or more he has been engaged in com- piling a history of the family that will be of much interest and value when completed. He is president of an organized society that holds annual reunions of the Mahaffey clan each year. They meet this year, 1911, in the city of Williamsport, the home of Thomas Mahaffey, who came from Donegal county, Ireland, and settled here in 1723.

Mr. Mahaffey married Julia Jane, eldest daughter of Col. Clark and Hettie (Graham) Patchin, and he and his wife have been the parents of children as follows: John C., born September 18. 1877, is cashier in the Cherry Tree Bank. He married Mary Beyer, daugh- ter of Dr. Beyer of Punxatawney, Pa. Leroy, born October 10, 1879, is a dentist following his profession in Pittsburg. Graham Gar- field, born July 28, 1881, is deceased. Hettie Ellen, born November 2, 1883, is unmarried and resides at home. Boyd Tuttle, born April

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20, 1886, is superintendent for the Pennsyl- vania Coal Co., at Amsbry, Cambria county, Pa. Crissie C., born January 27, 1888, is re- siding at home.

Mrs. Julia J. Mahaffey, the mother of the above mentioned children, died October 3. 1894. She was an earnest Christian woman, and an active member of the Methodist church, which she joined at the age of 14 years. Mr. Mahaffey was again married, De- cember 18, 1902, to Sarah Edmonson, of Glassport, Pa., and she resides with her his- band in Cherry Tree. She is a lady highly es- teemed, and is a very earnest church and Sab- bath school worker.

JAMES MAHAFFEY, proprietor of the Hotel Windsor, situated on the corner of Market and Third streets, Clearfield, Pa., is a representative citizen of Clearfield county, of which he formerly was sheriff. He belongs to one of the old settled county families and was born November 4, 1843. at the village of Mahaffey, which was named in honor of his father, in Clearfield county, Pa. His parents were Robert and Mary ( McGee) Mahaffey.

Robert Mahaffey was born in Lycoming county, Pa., and was a young man when he accompanied his father, William Mahaffey, to Clearfield county. The latter was a pioneer of the best class, energetic and enterprising, and made the earliest improvements at what is now Burnside, Clearfield county. He was a farmer and lumberman during his active years and lived to be an octogenarian. His eight children, bearing the following names, are all deceased: William, Robert, James, John, Thomas, Moses, Hannah and Jane. Robert Mahaffey equaled his father in enterprise. He engaged also in lumbering and later cleared up

a large farm in Bell township and also con- ducted a general store and in addition, oper- ated a mill. His various enterprises prospered and each one assisted in the developing of the other and ere long many settlers had been at- tracted to his neighborhood, a village resulted and in his honor was named for the man of energy and progress, who had had the fore- sight to select this certain section of the wil- derness as his place of investment. Robert Mahaffey continued to live at Mahaffey until the close of a long and busy life, his death oc- curring in 1900, at the age of eighty-six years.

Robert Mahaffey was married first to Mary McGee, who was survived by three children : William; James; and Mary, who became the wife of John Byers. Robert Mahaffey was married a second time, to Catherine Johnston. who resides at Mahaffey. Seven children were born to the later marriage, namely: Rob- ert F. Emery, who is deceased; Elizabeth, who is the widow of George M. Ferguson, who formerly was register and recorder in Clear- field county ; Nancy Jane, who is the wife of George W. Jose, of La Jose, Clearfield county ; Alice, who is the wife of Frank K. Patterson, of Pittsburgh; Elsie, who is the wife of Bert Galatley, of Pittsburg; and Harry B., who re- sides with his mother on the old home place. The old homestead at the present time is owned by Robert F. Mahaffey and Harry B. Mahaffey. It was one of the first farms in Clearfield county cleared from the forest and is situated at the mouth of Chest Creek, on the Susquehanna river, the town site of Mahaffey. Valuable veins of coal and fire clay underlay the homestead and the surrounding property, all of which is very valuable.

James Mahaffey attended the public schools of Mahaffey and in 1864 became a student in

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the Iron City College, Pittsburg, where he re- mained one year. When he turned his atten- tion to business he found it practicable and profitable for him to engage in lumbering and he continued in this industry until 1905. For many years he also owned a valuable farm in Bell township, which he improved with hand- some buildings, but later disposed of it. In 1879 he was elected sheriff of Clearfield county, on the Democratic ticket and served with marked efficiency until 1883, retiring from office with the good will of all his fellow citizens with the exception of those who, in his official capacity, he had been forced to treat as law-breakers. He had many experiences in the line of public duty but discharged his often troublesome obligations with fidelity and with- out any flavor of sensationalism. In 1884, Sheriff Mahaffey built the Windsor Hotel, a brick structure containing forty-five sleeping apartments and equipped throughout with all modern conveniences. He is a model host and his friends and patrons are in every part of the county. His table is supplied directly from his own truck farm, lying on the edge of Clear- field, and the traveling public is very apprecia- tive of these luxuries. Mr. Mahaffey owns considerable real estate in the east end of Clearfield, which he has greatly improved, and also owns realty at Mahaffey and at Chicago, Ill., and at Long Island, N. Y.

Mr. Mahaffey was married in 1872, to Miss Jane Thompson, who died July 3, 1898. Seven children survived, namely: James Guy, who married Agnes Hunter; Robert Paul: Mal- colm A., who married Lorilla Gaylor : Eugene, who married Bertha Flood; Charles, who married Goldie Reed; Daisy, who is the wife of Chester Heller ; and Huston P. Albert and Walter died young. Mr. Mahaffey is a Thir-

ty-second degree Mason and belongs also to the Odd Fellows, the Elks and the Moose.

C. P. ROWLES, one of Clearfield county's representative and substantial citizens, who resides on his farm of 166 acres, sit- uated in Pike township, two miles from Cur- wensville, owns also a farm of 200 acres which lies in Lawrence township. He was born in Lawrence township, Clearfield county, Pa., September 19, 1846, and is a son of Titus Harry Rowles and a grandson of John Rowles, the latter of whom was one of the pio- neers in Lawrence township, where all of his children were born.

Titus Harry Rowles had but little schooling but nevertheless developed into a shrewd busi- ness man and a sensible and useful citizen. He engaged in farming and owned fifty acres of land, which his son, C. P., now owns, and spent his life in its cultivation. He was a Democrat in politics and at different times was elected to township offices in which he served honestly and efficiently. He was a leading member of the Baptist church in Lawrence township. His death occurred April 15. 1865, and his burial was in the Bloomington ceme- tery. He married Susanna Arthur, a daugh- ter of John Arthur, of Jefferson county, Pa. She died April 20, 1885, and her burial was by the side of her husband. They had the fol- lowing children: Joanna, who is the widow of James Norris; Lucinda, who is deceased, was the wife of Reese Trude: Samuel, who resides in Lawrence township; Eliza, who is the wife of Jonathan Bowman, of Pike township: Rob- ert, who lives in Pike township; C. P .: Lewis, who is deceased, who married Anna Cathcart; John, who married Lydia Curry, and lives in Lawrence township: and George W., who

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married Mary Harbaugh, and lives in Knox Grace and Harvey. Cynthia Rowles was born township.

C. P. Rowles was nine years old before he had an opportunity to go to school and then received his first instruction at Crooked Run, where a small building was utilized, one that may be compared to the structure in which he at present houses his winter coal. After that he attended the Montcalm school and then the pupils were expected to be on hand six days in the week. Afterward he began to work at lumbering and continued it as a side line, until 1902, although farming has been his main bus- iness. Following his marriage he rented the David Brown farm, near the homestead, and lived on it until he purchased his present home farm from Lewis I. Bloom, who erected the buildings on the place.

November 17, 1875, and married George Aughenbaugh. They have had five children : Howard, Curtis, Myrtle, Lettie and Walter. Mr. Aughenbaugh and family live at Lumber City. Alice Rowles was born August 22, 1878, married William Howell and they live at Glen Richey, Pa. They have three chil- dren: Cynthia, Oland and William. Arthur Rowles was born March 24, 1882, and lives in Lawrence township. He married Lillie Smith and they have had three children: Ethel, Myrtle and Mamie. Jesse and Myrtle Rowles, the youngest members of the family, are twins and were born September 12, 1885, and reside at home. Mr. Rowles and family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican and served as county commissioner from 1903 to 1909, and also two terms as school director. He belongs to the

Mr. Rowles was married in March, 1868, to Miss Mary Swatsworth, a daughter of Ru- dolph Swatsworth, of Lawrence township, in Grange at Curwensville. which she was born, June II, 1849. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAM M. BOYCE, county treasurer of Clearfield county, Pa., a member of one of the substantial old county families and a well known citizen, was born April 12, 1866, in Clearfield county, one of a family of ten chil- dren born to his parents, Samuel and Sarah (Mullin) Boyce. Rowles, and it is very gratifying to Mr. Rowles to know that he has enough land to enable him to give each one a farm. The fol- lowing list includes children and grandchil- dren. The eldest, Alonzo Rowles, was born July 5, 1868. He married Alice Addleman, a daughter of John Addleman, and they have William M. Boyce was reared on his fath- er's farm in Clearfield county and was educa- ted in the public schools. His father died in 1883 and he then went into the livery business which he successfully conducted for some time and to a degree was also interested in farming and lumbering. From early man- hood he has been active in politics and has served efficiently in public office, at one time being steward of the Clearfield County Home. one daughter, Stella. Philip Rowles was born October 26, 1869. He married Myrtle Mc- Kee, and they had four children: C. P., Fos- ter, Mary and Robert. Calvin Rowles was born June 24, 1872. He married Laura Bloom and they live in Knox township and have three children: Roland. Maude and Guy. Win- field S. Rowles was born April 6, 1874, mar- ried Sadie Lord and they live in Lawrence township. They have three children: Lloyd. In 1908 he was elected treasurer of Clearfield

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county, by a majority of 500 votes, and served one term three years, commanding the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens to the fullest extent.

Mr. Boyce was married to a daughter of the late Henry D. Straw, who was once an exten- sive lumberman in this section, and four chil- dren have been born to this union. Mr. Boyce and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

JOHN R. DUNLAP, who owns the old family homestead in Knox township, a valua- ble farm of 139 acres, situated one and one- quarter miles east of Olanta, was born here November 1, 1833, in a double log house which his father built when he entered this land from the Government. His parents were Isaac and Anna (Jordon) Dunlap.

Isaac Dunlap was born in Clearfield county, February 8, 1805, a son of William Dunlap, who was one of the earliest county commis- sioners. Isaac Dunlap cleared a part of this farm, with the help of his sons, and all but thirty-nine acres are now under cultivation. He married Anna Jordon, a daughter of Thomas Jordon, of Lawrence township, and they became the parents of six sons and four daughters, eight of the family still surviving. Isaac Dunlap was a representative man of his neighborhood during life and both he and wife lived so worthily that the world was better for their having been in it. They were valued members of Fruit Hill Presbyterian church and their burial was in the cemetery attached. his death occurring in July. 1868. His widow survived him many years, reaching her eighty- fourth birthday.

John R. Dunlap obtained his education in

the Pleasant Ridge district school, after which he gave his attention to farm work and in 1868, after the death of his father, purchased the homestead. For many years he carried on general farming and stockraising with satis- factory results, but has now shifted his respon- sibilities to the broad shoulders of his sons and lives in comfortable retirement.

Mr. Dunlap was married August 28, 1856, to Miss Jemima Bloom, a daughter of ex- Judge James Bloom, and a family of thirteen children was born to them, but all of them did not reach mature years. Emory Walter. the eldest son, is deceased. Nora is the wife of W. W. Cathcart. Twin sons died in infancy. Warren B. resides in Knox township. Me- lissa is the wife of William Rowles. Lewis C. married Ida Bloom. John J. lives in Knox township. Harry and James B., are both de- ceased. Mary makes her home in St. Louis. Clark married Bertha Bloom. Luther Y., the youngest of the family, manages the home farmı.

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Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 83

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