BIO: Robert BEERLY, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  313

  ROBERT BEERLY.  In past ages the history of a country was the record 
of wars and conquests; to-day it is the record of commercial activity, 
and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in 
business circles.  Our subject is unquestionably one of the strongest 
and most influential business men of Centre county - the proprietor of 
a large wagon factory at Central City - and the place which he occupies 
in business circles is in the front rank.
  Mr. Beerly was born December 21, 1837, in Clinton county, Penn., and 
traces his ancestry to Nicholas Beerly, a German astrologer.  The 
latter's son, Nicholas, was born in Pennsylvania, and wedded Lucy A. 
Buchtel, also a native of this State.  Both died at Rebersburg.  Their 
son Peter, the father of our subject, was born in Centre county.  He 
married Sarah Karstetter, a native of Clinton county, and a daughter of 
Rudolph Karstetter, who died in that county.  To this worthy couple 
were born children as follows: Robert, subject of this sketch; Rebecca, 
widow of David Watson, of Boggs township; Masulam, who died in the army 
in 1863; Nathaniel, a merchant and justice of the peace of Central 
City; Tartonlius, deceased; Agnes, wife of Byron Taylor, of Boggs 
township; Lemuel, of Boggs township; and Newton, who died in childhood.  
The death of both parents occurred in Boggs township, the father dying 
in 1868, at the age of fifty-four years; the mother in 1889, at the age 
of seventy-three years.  He was a wagon manufacturer by trade, working 
at the same in Clinton county until 1847, when he located in Centre 
county, and in 1860 became a resident of Boggs township, where he 
carried on wagon making and repairing until his death.  His political 
support was given the Republican party.
  As a life work Mr. Beerly chose the occupation of wagon-making, which 
trade he learned under his father's able directions, and in the 
district schools he obtained his literary education, which was somewhat 
meagre, he being the oldest son, and obliged to assist in the support 
of the family.  He continued with his father until his marriage, when 
he removed to Milesburg, where, for five years, he worked for Jonathan 
Bullock, and then returned to Boggs township, and here, for twenty-one 
years, carried on operations at his father's old plant.  In 1890, 
however, he erected his present steam factory, which he has since 
successfully operated with the assistance of his two sons, Albert and 
Ellis, and enjoys a large and lucrative patronage.  He has the most 
complete wagon factory in the county, and for the past nineteen years 
has also engaged in the manufacture of cider.  Tireless energy, keen 
perception, honesty of purpose, genius for devising and executing the 
right thing at the right time, joined to every-day common sense, guided 
by resistless will power, are the chief characteristics of the man, and 
have been the important factors in his success.
  In 1861, Mr. Beerly was united in marriage with Miss Hannah J. Worts, 
and to them were born three sons and two daughters, as follows: Roland, 
who died in childhood; Laura, who died at the age of thirty years; 
Albert, associated with his father in business; Cora, who died when 
young; and Ellis, also with his father.  Mrs. Beerly was born in Centre 
county, July 20, 1835, and is one of the thirteen children of Jacob and 
Annie (Hanser) Worts, also natives of Centre county.  In order of birth 
the children are as follows: Barbara married J. Moore, and both are now 
deceased; John is also deceased; Eliza is the wife of J. McGonigle; 
Jacob is deceased; Samuel lives in Houserville, Centre county; Mattie; 
George; Joe; Philip, also of Houserville; Catherine is deceased; Mary 
is the wife of William Gross, of Centre county; Abraham is a farmer of 
Perry county, Penn.; and Hannah J. is the wife of our subject.  The 
father was a prominent farmer of Centre county, and a stalwart 
Republican in politics.
  Since 1864, Mr. Beerly has lived at his present home, and has been 
elected to several township offices, but has declined to accept the 
same, as political distinction has no attraction for him.  Until the 
past nine years he was a Republican, but he now affiliates with the 
Prohibition party.  His religious views are those of the Presbyterian 
Church, but at present he is connected with no Church organization.  A 
man of fine musical talent, he has won several prizes at musical 
contests, and is a prominent member of a band and an excellent 
orchestra.  He is one of the representative citizens of the community, 
held in the highest regard by all who know him