BIO: George P. REARICK, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB 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. _____________________________________________________________________ GEORGE P. REARICK (deceased), who in his lifetime was one of the systematic, progressive and intelligent farmers of Gregg township, spent his entire life in Centre county, and was prominently identified with its agricultural interests. He was born in Potter township, near Potters Mills, March 8, 1830, and is a son of Philip Rearick, a native of Pennsylvania, whose father was born in Germany. Philip Rearick came to Centre county, and for some years was employed as a teamster by Mr. Potter, at Potters Mills. He married Miss Jane Feath, daughter of James Feath, a native of Ireland, and a tailor by trade. Mrs. Rearick also worked at the tailor's trade, and after her marriage made the clothing for her family. Mr. Rearick died when our subject was only eight years of age, and was buried at Centre Hill. During the later years of his life he followed COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 275 farming, and he left his family in comfortable circumstances. While teaming he hauled goods and grain to Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburg, two weeks often being required in making the trip. In the family were five children: Mary, wife of David Hoover, who resides near Bellefonte; George P.; William F., of Gregg township; O. P., of Webster county, Mo.; and Margaret, who was born after the father's death, and is now the widow of Jonathan Royer, of Bellefonte. For a few years the family lived in Gregg township, and then removed to The Loop in Potter township. For some years the mother resided with our subject, but died at the home of her youngest daughter, at the age of seventy-seven years, and was buried at Centre Hill. George P. Rearick began his education in Colyer, and his advantages were only such as the common schools afforded. He was the eldest son of a widowed mother, and much of the support of the family devolved upon him. During his early boyhood he began working for his board and clothing, and when he was first given money for his services he received only $2 per month. When working for $3 per month he gave his earnings to help his mother buy a cow. Until he had attained his majority his wages went toward the support of the family, and most of the time he received $10 per month. He began farming on his own account in Gregg township, in what was known as the George Woods farm, and his live stock consisted of a few head of cattle, about fifteen sheep and two horses. He had gone in debt for these; but his economy and industry enabled him soon to pay off all indebtedness. In this humble manner he got his start in life. After a year he rented the Peter Wilson farm, which he operated nine years, and in 1864 purchased a farm in George's Valley, thus becoming owner of 205 acres, for which he paid $10,000. He lived there until the spring of 1888, and during that time made many excellent improvements, erecting good buildings and transforming the land into richly cultivated fields. In the spring of 1888 he removed to his late home, whereon he built an excellent house and barns. Mr. Rearick was married December 5, 1861, in Potter township, to Miss Mary Heney, who was born April 24, 1841, a daughter of David and Mary A. (Rishel) Heney. The paternal grandfather was Adam Heney, and the maternal grandfather was George Rishel. Mrs. Rearick was the sixth child and fourth daughter in a family of seven children. Her educational privileges were limited in early life, but she made the most of her opportunities, pursued her studies in Aaronsburg, and when about eighteen years of age entered school in New Berlin, Penn. Subsequently she engaged in teaching for one term. Mrs. Rearick has had seven children: William O. born September 27, 1862, is engaged in dealing in agricultural implements in Centre Hall, Centre county; Ida V., born December 12, 1863, is the wife of Isaac Y. Moyer, of Cleveland, Ohio; Ora Jane, born October 4, 1865, died March 12, 1889, in Cleveland, Ohio, where she had been attending school, after a few days' illness from fever and heart trouble, and was buried in Centre county; David H., born October 14, 1867, is living in Farmers Mills, Penn.; Mollie, born December 1, 1869, died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Isaac Moyer, in Cleveland, Ohio, June 20, 1895, after a brief illness from cerebrospinal menengitis, and was buried in Centre Hill cemetery (a tribute of respect, and condolence for her untimely removal from the field of her labors was passed by local members of the Foreign Missionary Society of the Sinking Creek Presbyterian Church); Calvin A., born December 10, 1871, died at the age of thirteen years; Maggie R., born January 21, 1874, died at the age of six years; John E., born August 21, 1876, Jesse P., born October 14, 1878, George Leroy, born March 16, 1881, and Savilla B., born April 24, 1884, are at home. Mrs. Rearick is a member of the Sinking Creek Presbyterian Church, and is highly esteemed in the community. Mr. Rearick died at his residence on the farm February 19, 1897, at the age of sixty-six years, eleven months and eleven days. His illness was of about four months' duration, and the cause of his death was an ulceration or catarrh of the stomach, and he suffered much, but bore it all bravely. He was able to be about, and it was only about ten or twelve days before his death that he was compelled to take to his bed. Consciousness did not desert him until near the end, and his death was calm and peaceful. He was buried in the cemetery at Centre Hill. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, having united with that body some forty years ago. For about fifteen years he was an elder in the Church, and always contributed liberally to its maintenance. Resolutions of respect and condolence were unanimously adopted by the Session of the Sinking Creek Presbyterian Church, of which he was senior member. In politics Mr. Rearick was a stanch Republican, but steadily refused to become a candidate for office, though frequently urged to do so. He was a warm friend of education and all interests which tend to uplift mankind and advance the 276 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. welfare of the community. His success in farming was the result of his own well-directed efforts, and he may truly be called a self-made man.