BIO: J. Austin GRAMLY, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ 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. _____________________________________________________________________ J. AUSTIN GRAMLY, the popular proprietor of the "Rebersburg Hotel" at Rebersburg, and a veterinary surgeon, is one of Brush Valley's well- known and highly respected citizens, and belongs to a family that have long been prominently identified with the interests of Centre county. His grandfather, John Gramly, was born December 22, 1783, a son of Francis and Barbara (Spangler) Gramly, and on reaching manhood married Catharine Royer, by whom he had ten children - eight sons and two daughters. The grandmother was a native of Snyder county, Penn., where their marriage was celebrated. Joseph Gramly, the father of our subject, was born July 22, 1811, on the old homestead near Rebersburg, where he was reared, and was educated in the schools of the neighborhood. On February 20, 1834, he married Miss Esther Schmeltzer, who was born in Kelley township, Union Co., Penn., July 21, 1815, the eldest of the eight children - four sons and four daughters - of George and Catharine (Beckley) Gramly. Her paternal grandparents, Conrad and Hannah (Ginter) Gramly, natives of Germany, pair their passage across the water by work after their arrival 474 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. in the United States, it being customary at that time to hire out to the vessel owners, who would sell their services to the farmers of to any others that would buy them. Her grandfather passed the later years of his life in Brush Valley, near Madisonburg. He became quite wealthy, his money being in gold and silver, which he kept in the cellar in a barrel supposed to have contained vinegar. Calling his children together, five in number, he divided his capital among them. There were two sons, George and Jacob. The former, who was a farmer by occupation, lived to be over seventy years of age, and was twice married, but all of his children were of the first wife. After his marriage, Joseph Gramly took his bride to the Gramly home, west of Rebersburg, where he engaged in farming for several years. They became the parents of the following children: Margaret H., born April 5, 1835, married David Kahl, and died in Freeport, Ill., August 24, 1872; Benjamin F., born November 14, 1836, lives in Kane county, Ill.; Catharine A., born July 7, 1838, died in infancy; Sylvester, born October 8, 1839, died in Miles township, Centre county, June 17, 1868; Mary L., born June 12, 1841, is the wife of Reuben Samuel, living near Rebersburg; James J., born January 23, 1843, is an ex-treasurer of Centre county, and makes his home in Rebersburg; Geste A., born March 14, 1845, married Simon Smull, and after his death wedded Jesse Wirt, of Aaronsburg, Centre county; George S., born April 10, 1846, is a farmer of Nittany Valley; Charles H., born September 20, 1847, is a Methodist minister of Kansas; J. Austin is next in order of birth; Andrew J., born May 24, 1851, is an Evangelical minister of Inland, Ohio; John C., born February 8, 1853, died in July 18, 1855; the next son died in infancy; William Byron, born March 12, 1855, died October 25, 1857; Emma J., born October 23, 1857, died April 20, 1877; and a son, born February 4, 1861, died in infancy. After the removal of the parents to Rebersburg in May, 1875, the father lived retired until his death, March 9, 1884, and was buried at that place. His widow still lives in the comfortable home left her. For over fifty years they had traveled life's journey together, sharing its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity, and had the esteem and confidence of all who knew them. In politics, Mr. Gramly was a Democrat, and held a number of local offices to the satisfaction of all concerned. He was well posted on the Scriptures, being a constant reader of the Bible, had the strictest regard for truth and honor, was temperate in all things, and was an active member of the Evangelical Church, with which he was officially connected. J. A. Gramly, our subject, whose name introduces this review, was born in Miles township, Centre county, May 10, 1848, and in the schools of the neighborhood began his education, his first teacher being Samuel Gramly. He completed his literary course in the Rebersburg Academy. Upon the home farm he remained until thirteen years of age, when he started to learn the blacksmith's trade with Simon Smull, of Madisonburg, receiving only his board in compensation for his services, but after one year he gave this up and later worked at the wagon- maker's trade with Joseph Weber, of Rebersburg. At the age of twenty he rented his father's farm, and after operating it for two years, he sold off his stock and obtained employment as a carpenter. A natural mechanic, he has been able to work at almost any trade, including those of a stone mason and saddler. Before he had attained his majority, Mr. Gramly wedded Miss Abbie Weber, a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Heckman) Weber, and by this union a family of ten children were born, namely: William, who at present is employed in a mill at Spring Mills, Centre county; Vernie, wife of Floyd Bowersox, of Spring Mills; Charles, at home; Edward, a teacher of Rebersburg; Esther, at home; Herbert, who died at the age of two years; Oliver, Pines and Emma, all at home; and a son, who died in infancy. The wife and mother, who was a consistent member of the Evangelical Church, departed this life in December, 1887, and was buried at Rebersburg. Later Mr. Gramly married Miss Annie Blint, a native of Loganton, Penn., and a daughter of Jacob Blint. The first land which our subject owned was seventy-five acres known as the old Kleckner farm, which he improved and subsequently sold, but never lived thereon. Later he purchased fifty acres of the old home farm, and erected all the buildings thereon. There he resided until the fall of 1895 when he came to Rebersburg to take charge of the "Rebersburg Hotel," which he has since successfully conducted. When a boy he became interested in the stock belonging to his father, and under Dr. Hilbish, who recognized his talent for veterinary surgery, he began the study of that science. During the twenty-five years he has practiced that profession, he has been very successful in his treatment of stock, and his practice covers a radius of twenty-five miles. Of a most generous, kindly native, he often makes no charges when he knows that his patron is in limited circumstances. COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 475 Politically, Mr. Gramly has always been identified with the Democratic party, and has creditably served as school director of District No. 4, six years, assessor, three years, and is at present overseer of the poor, which office was entirely unsolicited by him. He is a charter member of Rebersburg Lodge No. 1031, I.O.O.F. His strict integrity and his honorable, upright life, have gained him hosts of warm friends, as well as the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact, and at one time was called upon to act as guardian for fourteen children.