BIO: John B. REAM, 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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  J. B. REAM, one of the most intelligent and highly esteemed citizens 
of Penn's Cave, was born in Gregg township, November 28, 1829.  His 
father, Michael Ream, was a native of Penn township, and a son of 
Abraham Ream, who came to Centre county at a very early day, and made 
one of the first settlements in Haines township.  There in the midst of 
the forest he developed a farm, but subsequently removed to Penn 
township, where he opened up another farm, upon which his last days 
were spent.  He was twice married, and had quite a large family of 
children.  By the second union there were three sons: George, David and 
Michael.
  The last named learned the weaver's trade, which he followed for some 
time.  Afterward he purchased a farm on the Brush Valley road in Gregg 
township, and gave his attention to agricultural pursuits.  He passed 
away in November, 1884, at the age of eighty years, and was buried in 
Green Grove cemetery.  His first wife was Lydia Musser, daughter of 
Philip Musser, and their children were: George; John Bangaman; Rebecca, 
wife of Daniel Homan, of Penn's Cave; Lydia, wife of Jacob Henn, of Des 
Moines, Iowa; Hannah, wife of A. P. Lose, of Centre Hall; and George 
Philip, married to Lucy Houts, and living at Green Grove.  The mother 
of these died about 1843, and was buried in Union cemetery.  The father 
afterward married Catharine Mark, and their children were: Susan, wife 
of Samuel

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  303

Long, of Penn's Cave; Samuel, married to Sarah Musser, and living at 
Madisonburg, Penn.; and Michael, married to Canses Weaver, and living 
at Millheim, Penn.  The father was a successful farmer, and left his 
family in comfortable circumstances.  He not only cultivated his land, 
but during the winter season also engaged in weaving.  In politics he 
was a Democrat.  In his early life he adhered to the faith of the 
Reformed Church, but afterward became a member of the Evangelical 
Church, and took a very active part in its work, also served in many 
official positions connected therein.
  J. B. Ream began his education in a school that stood on the site of 
Union cemetery, in Gregg township, and his first teacher was George 
Consort.  His school privileges were somewhat limited, but practical 
experience, observation and extensive reading in later years have made 
him a well-informed man, and he is not only familiar with current 
events but also has quite a wide knowledge of classical literature.  
During his boyhood he spent considerable time at the home of his 
grandfather Musser in Penn Hall.  His time was largely devoted to farm 
work, and he had little leisure for enjoyment.
  When twenty-one years of age, Mr. Ream married Miss Susan Rishel, who 
was born in November, 1829, on the farm where our subject now resides, 
a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Phone) Rishel.  They began their 
domestic life in George's Valley, Gregg township, where the lady's 
father owned a farm and there lived until 1851, when they removed to a 
farm owned by Mr. Ream's father in Gregg township.  In 1856 he 
purchased the farm which he yet owns in Brush Valley, and there 
continued to reside until 1883, when he took up his residence in Penn's 
Cave.  He now owns 175 acres of valuable land upon which are two sets 
of substantial farm buildings.  His life has been a busy and useful 
one.  A heavy indebtedness rested upon him after the purchase of his 
farm, but he worked early and late, and in course of time this was not 
only paid off but a comfortable competence was secured to keep him and 
his family through his declining years.
  Mr. and Mrs. Ream had ten children, as follows: (1) Lucetta, born 
September 12, 1850, married William Losie, January 9, 1873, and they 
had three daughters; but in March, 1892, the husband and father and the 
three children all died of diphtheria within the space of sixteen days. 
(2) Susan Alice, born August 14, 1853, married Emanuel White, of 
Axemann, Centre county, August 24, 1871, and they have three sons and 
two daughters. (3) George W., of Penn's Cave, born April 24, 1855, 
married Anna Shrackangost, August 24, 1879, and they have three sons 
and one daughter. (4) Sarah Emma, born February 25, 1857, died May 6, 
1857. (5) Mary L., born May 22, 1858, married Isaiah Prossman, of 
Penn's Cave, August 19, 1869, and they had four sons and two daughters. 
(6) John Benjamin, born September 17, 1860, died January 26, 1866. (7) 
Magdalene Catherine, born April 4, 1863, married Israel Spade, of 
Madison-burg, Centre county, May 19, 1889, and they have one son and 
one daughter. (8) Noah, of Penn's Cave, born October 4, 1865, married 
Maggie Weaver, October 27, 1885, and they have three daughters. (9) 
Julia Caroline, born November 18, 1867, married Samuel Frederick, of 
Farmers Mills, May 24, 1885, and they have one son and one daughter. 
(10) Hannah Martha, born April 1, 1870, died March 14, 1892; she also 
was a victim of that terrible diphtheria, having caught the disease 
while attending the sick ones at her sister's (Mrs. Losie) home, and 
dying in about one week from the time she was attacked.
  In his political adherency, Mr. Ream is a Democrat, and he has served 
as overseer, supervisor and school director, in all of which offices he 
has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has won 
him high commendation.  He holds membership in the Reformed Church, and 
his wife belongs to the Lutheran denomination.  He is now serving as 
elder in Union Church, and is one of its most active and influential 
workers.  Socially, he belongs to the Grange.  His high personal 
character, his probity and his fidelity to duty have won him the 
unqualified regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

1880 Gregg Township, Centre County census -
John B. Ream, 50  
Susan Ream, 50  
Laah Ream, 17  
Noah Ream, 15  
Caroline Ream, 12  
Leinah Ream, 10