BIO: Peter CORL, 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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  PETER CORL, one of the active and energetic farmers of Ferguson 
township, Centre county, is the subject of this personal narrative. 
Believing that "from labor, health, from health, contentment springs," 
he has bent every energy toward perfecting his agricultural projects, 
and has proved himself eminently one of the best citizens of the 
community.
  A native of Centre county, Mr. Corl was born 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  469

February 16, 1839, in Haines township, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth 
(Vonada) Corl. The father was born in Chester county, Penn., whence he 
removed to Union county, and later came to Centre county, where the 
mother was born. By trade he was a blacksmith, which occupation he 
followed for the first twenty years of his business career, and then he 
turned his attention to farming. The family was founded in America 
during Colonial days, and ancestors of our subject served in the 
Revolution under Gen. Washington. To Benjamin Corl and his wife were 
born eight children, namely: Catharine is the wife of Jacob L. Roup, a 
farmer of Ferguson township, by whom she has five children. Samuel, an 
agriculturist, wedded Maria Strouse, and has eight children. Benjamin 
first wedded Mary Neidigh, by whom he had five children, and after her 
death he married Catharine Roush. Israel, also a farmer by occupation, 
married Harriet McBath, and had ten children. Anna is the wife of Henry 
Bloom, of Ferguson township, by whom she has eight children. Peter is 
next in order of birth. Mary E. is the wife of Daniel Houser, living 
near Centre Hall, Centre county, and they have two children. William 
died in 1853, at the age of twenty-one years.
  The educational privileges of Peter Corl were such as the free 
schools of Pine Hall afforded. He was married May 28, 1863, to Miss 
Barbara Reish, daughter of Jacob Reish, of Union county, Penn. Ten 
children-seven sons and three daughters-have been born to them, as 
follows: W. K., a farmer by occupation, who married Ettie Garner; Jacob 
C., of Centre county, who married Elsie Kreps; Samuel I. and Peter M., 
at home; Maria, who married a Mr. Kreps, by whom she has one child; 
Daniel O.; Elizabeth E.; Alvin K.; Cora M., and James M.
  During the Civil war Mr. Corl manifested his loyalty by enlisting in 
the Union service; but as his parents objected he remained at home. He 
belongs to a good old Democratic family, and the principles of that 
party he also supports. He is an earnest Christian, holding membership 
with the Reformed Church, and is a charter member of the Grange in 
Centre county. He takes a genuine interest in the enterprises set on 
foot for the progress and welfare of his adopted county, and does all 
in his power to secure their advancement.