BIO: Daniel F. POORMAN, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2009. 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. _____________________________________________________________________ DANIEL F. POORMAN, residing on Wallace run, is one of the enterprising, industrious farmers of Boggs township, Centre county, where he also owns and operates a stone quarry. He was born on Marsh creek, in the same township, January 12, 1848, and his parents, John and Catherine (Fetzer) Poorman, spent their entire lives in Centre county. His paternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth B. (Harper) Poorman, were also natives of that county, born at Brush Valley, while his maternal grandparents, Michael and Mary (Homler) Fetzer, were natives of Germany and New Jersey, respectively, coming to the county at an early day. During his younger years the father of our subject engaged in lumbering, later turned his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits, becoming an extensive farmer. In politics he supported the Democracy, and religiously was a member of Messiah Church. He died November 25, 1893, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife passed away in 1884, at the age of seventy. Nine children graced their union, as follows: Maria is the deceased wife of Jacob Yarnal, a farmer of Boggs township; Jane is the wife of Morgan M. Lucas, a farmer of the same township; Mary is the wife of Stanley Watson, also a farmer of Boggs township; William is an agriculturist of Central City, Centre county; Daniel F. is the subject of this sketch; Edward is a merchant of Boggs township; Arminta is the wife of Joseph Williams, and engineer of Williamsport, Penn.; Alice is the wife of William Fetzer, of Marsh Creek, Boggs township; and Fleming is a farmer of the same township. Until 1881, Daniel F. Poorman remained under the parental roof, from the time of his marriage operating the old homestead farm on shares, and then purchasing his present farm. Upon his place he has a valuable stone quarry, which he began to operate in 1888. He is a wide-awake, progressive business man, straight-forward and honorable in all dealings, and gained the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. In manner he is pleasant and genial, easily winning friends, and has the happy faculty of retaining them. He is a stalwart Democrat in politics, but cares nothing for the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests, in which he is meeting with good success. He is a public-spirited citizen, and all worthy enterprises find in him a friend and supporter. On January 21, 1872, he married Miss Nettie Walker, and to them have been born five children: Willis N., a farmer of Boggs township; Eva M., at home; Toner, who was scalded to death at the age of two years; Claude, at home; and one who died in infancy. Jacob and Margerie (Lucas) Walker, the parents of Mrs. Poorman, were natives of Mifflin and Centre counties, Penn., respectively. They were married in the latter county, where the father died September 8, 1884, at the age of seventy-five years; the mother, who was born March 4, 1818, still resides on the old homestead in Boggs township. Both were earnest members of the United Brethren Church, and in pol- 420 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. itics he was a Republican. Throughout life he followed general farming. Nine children were born of their union, namely: Matilda, wife of Philip Resides, a farmer of Boggs township; William and David, who both laid down their lives on the altar of their country during the Civil war; Maria, deceased wife of David Snider, of Northumberland county, Penn.; Jane, deceased wife of William Confer; Milligan, who is residing on the family homestead in Boggs township; Rankin, deceased; Nettie, the honored wife of our subject; and Mary B., wife of Cyrus Lucas, of Boggs township. William and David Taylor enlisted in Company A, 149th Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the spring of 1861, and William was corporal of the company. In the spring of 1862 he was shot while on picket duty, being the first man that was killed from Centre county. His remains were sent home and buried in the cemetery at Milesburg. David fought in all the battles except the last one, being taken sick and sent to Lincoln Hospital, where he died, and he was buried at the same place. William Lucas, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Poorman, died at Snow Shoe, Centre county. The grandmother's name was Maryan Johnson.