BIO: John 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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  JOHN A. CONFER, undertaker and furniture dealer, is one of the 
leading and successful business men of Milesburg, Centre county. He is 
a native of Pennsylvania, having been born September 30, 1859, in 
Porter township, Clinton county, and is a son of Solomon Confer, who 
was born in Snidertown, Centre county, in November, 1838. The father is 
also an undertaker, 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  515

and engaged in that business for twelve years at Unionville, Penn., but 
since 1883 has made his home in Milesburg. At Aaronsburg, Centre 
county, Solomon Confer was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. 
Shields, a native of Clinton county, Penn., who died March 17, 1889, at 
the age of sixty-one years. Six children were born of this union, but 
with the exception of our subject all died in infancy. The parents were 
both consistent member of the Evangelical Church, and in politics the 
father is a Republican.
  Mr. Confer, of this review, remained at home with his parents until 
his marriage, but began his business career at the age of fourteen, 
working for the first four years at the carpenter's trade with his 
father. He then engaged in clerking for the Washington Iron Co., of 
Clinton county, for two years, and subsequently helped to rebuild a 
tannery at Lock Haven, Penn., where he remained one year. He then 
returned to Lamar, Clinton county, but a few months later removed to 
Millheim, Centre county, where he engaged in farming for one year. 
During the winter he clerked in a store, and the following spring went 
to Hublersburg, Penn., where he worked in the mines for six months, at 
the end of which time he came to Milesburg, doing the carpenter work 
for the McCoy & Linn Iron Foundry for one year. In 1885 he embarked in 
the furniture business at Milesburg, in connection with his father, who 
was the undertaker, but on September 11, 1894, he purchased the 
latter's interest, and has since been alone. He began business on a 
small scale, but as his patronage steadily increased, he enlarged his 
facilities, and is now at the head of an extensive trade. In 1895 he 
removed from his old stand to a handsome new store building.
  On March 18, 1879, Mr. Confer was joined in wedlock with Miss Eva E. 
Clark, a daughter of Josiah and Naomi (Mann) Clark, and to them were 
born five children, all yet at home, namely: Mary J., Sarah E., 
Solomon, Clark and Marian. The mother of these died April 30, 1892, at 
the age of thirty-six years. Mr. Confer was again married, March 21, 
1893, the lady of his choice being Miss Ida M. Loveland, by whom he has 
one son, Wilbur F. Mrs. Confer was born July 11, 1861, in Clinton 
county, Penn., and is the only child of Wilbur F. and Hannah (Watson) 
Loveland, also natives of Clinton county, where the father is now 
living retired. In early life he engaged in the axe business. The 
mother died in 1865, at the age of thirty-six years, and he later 
married Josephine Custard, who bore him two sons, Harry and Reuben. 
Both parents of Mrs. Confer were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church.
  Politically, our subject adheres to the principles of the Republican 
party, takes an active part in its work, and for the past eight years 
has served as chairman of the central committee. For four terms he has 
filled the office of overseer of the poor, and has also been auditor 
and school director in his township. Fraternally, he is connected with 
the Odd Fellows Society of Milesburg, No. 410. He is a straightforward, 
reliable business man, and in his work is ably assisted by his wife, 
who is also a practical embalmer, having attended the Oriental School 
of Embalming, and becoming quite proficient in that art. Both are well 
known throughout the community, and have many warm friends.