BIO: Luther GUISWITE, 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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  LUTHER GUISWITE, one of the most progressive and public-spirited 
citizens of Coburn, Centre county, has done much to promote the welfare 
and upbuilding of the community, giving his support to all worthy 
enterprises calculated in any way to advance its interests. A native 
son of the county, he was born in Haines township April 22, 1857, a son 
of John and Susan (Wolfe) Guiswite, who spent their entire lives in 
that township. In their family were four children: George, Rebecca, 
Elvina and Luther. Of these, the first named is now deceased; Rebecca 
is the wife of Nathaniel Buchtel, of Union county, Penn.; and Elvina is 
the wife of Daniel Brumgard, of Loganton, Penn. Reared to agricultural 
pursuits, the father followed farming throughout life in connection 
with the lumber business, and succeeded in accumulating considerable 
capital; but misfortune overtook him, and he lost heavily.
  Upon the home farm in Haines township, Luther Guiswite grew to 
manhood, and in the district schools of the neighborhood he obtained 
his education. In 1880 he began lumbering, which business, in 
connection with the operation of a sawmill, he followed until 1893. 
During his career as a lumberman he was an extensive operator, often 
making considerable money, while at other times he lost large amounts. 
In 1893 he embarked in the grain and produce business, buying out M. G. 
Decker, of Coburn, and in connection with this he has also dealt in 
lumber and bark. On December 17, 1895, a disastrous fire destroyed his 
entire plant, but with characteristic energy he soon overcame his loss, 
and is now at the head of a profitable business. His newly erected 
elevator is by far the most commodious in Penn's Valley, and also has 
one of the best 

452  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  

equipped creameries in Centre county. In buying grain, bark, lumber, 
produce and also milk for his creamery, he disperses thousands of 
dollars among the farmers of the entire eastern portion of Centre 
county, and thus materially promotes the interests of that section. The 
volume of business done by Mr. Guiswite is probably without an equal in 
a village of the size of Coburn in central Pennsylvania, and he 
certainly deserves a prominent, place among the leading and 
representative citizens of the county.
  In 1885, Mr. Guiswite married Miss Mary Gramley, of Miles township, 
Centre county, a daughter of Reuben Gramley, a farmer by occupation. 
One child has been born of their union, named Grace E. Mr. and Mrs. 
Guiswite are consistent members of the Lutheran Church, and their 
circle of friends is only limited by their circle of acquaintances. An 
ardent Republican in politics, he takes a deep and commendable interest 
in the success of his party, but cares nothing for public office, 
preferring to give his entire time and attention to his extensive 
business interests.