BIO: Jerome A. CONFER, 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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398  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 

  JEROME A. CONFER is engaged in general farming on the Marsh Creek 
road, in Boggs township, Centre county, and is one of that honorable 
class of self-made men who owe their success in life to their own 
efforts. His energy, perseverance and capable management have been the 
essential factors in his prosperity, and the record of his career 
furnishes an example which might profitable be followed by many others. 
A native of Centre county, he was born August 31, 1840, a son of 
Richard and Margaret T. (Packer) Confer, who were also natives of 
Centre county. The father was a miller by trade, and followed that 
pursuit throughout his entire life. His political support was given the 
Democracy. He died in 1846, at the early age of thirty-two years, and 
his wife who still survives him, is now living in Jefferson county, 
Penn., where she located in 1856. She was born November 4, 1823. They 
had four sons, namely: Jason who is living in Jefferson county; 
William, of Potter county, this State; Jerome A.; and John, of Centre 
county.
  No event of special importance marked the boyhood days of Jerome A. 
Confer, who remained with his mother until twenty years of age, when he 
was married and began working in the lumber woods. He was thus employed 
until 1875, when he turned his attention to farming and located at his 
present home. For a year he rented and then purchased his farm, which 
comprises 184 acres of good land, the greater part of it being under a 
high state of cultivation and yielding to the owner a golden tribute in 
return for the care and cultivation he bestows upon it. In the midst of 
the well-tilled fields stands a handsome residence, while good barns 
and outbuildings have been provided for the care of grain and stock.
  On September 20, 1860, Mr. Confer was united in marriage with 
Margaret Elizabeth Walker, who was born in Boggs township, on May 5, 
1844, a daughter of James and Rachel (Heaton) Walker, also natives of 
Centre county. For many years the father was engaged in the lumber 
business in Snow Shoe township, but his last years were devoted to 
farming. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics was a 
Democrat. He died January 8, 1892, at the age of seventy-seven; his 
wife, who was born February 16, 1818, is still living. They were 
parents of ten children, as follows: Mary J. is the deceased wife of P. 
Slacker, of Milesburg, Penn.; James W. is also deceased; Mrs. Confer; 
John is deceased; Isaiah, twin brother of John, is a resident of Centre 
county; Edward H. and Miles are also residents of that county; Taylor 
is in McKean county, Penn.; Eliza is the wife of Frank Strickland, of 
Jefferson county, Penn.; and Harvey is deceased. The grandparents of 
Mrs. Confer were Jacob and Margaret Walker, natives of Centre county 
and Germany, respectively; both died in this county. The maternal 
grandparents, Enoch and Eve Heaton, were for many years residents of 
Centre county.
  Mr. and Mrs. Confer have a family of twelve children: Rachel M., born 
February 10, 1862, is the wife of Irvin Butler, of Boggs township; 
Susan M., born May 9, 1863, is now deceased; Mary E., born August 8, 
1865, is the wife of Wilson Heaton, of Milesburg; Anna, born May 22, 
1867, died in infancy; Richard S., born August 19, 1868, is living in 
Milesburg, Penn.; James E., of Milesburg, was born September 5, 1870; 
Alma, born May 22, 1873, is deceased; Lydia M., born May 5, 1874, is 
also deceased; Clara M., born June 20, 1876, has also passed away; 
Nelson A. was born April 20, 1878; Ethel E. was born August 12, 1880; 
Gertrude E. was born May 20, 1885; and Fannie M. was born August 28, 
1887.
  Mr. Confer is a man of great energy, of strong determination and 
resolute purpose, and carries forward to successful completion whatever 
he undertakes. All that he possesses he has secured through his own 
efforts, and his prosperity is certainly well merited.