BIO: Jesse D. 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. _____________________________________________________________________ JESSE D. REARICK (deceased) in his life-time was a representative agriculturist of Centre county, his farm being finely located in Union township, where he maintained his place among the progressive and intelligent citizens around him. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Rearick was born in Union county, August 5, 1830, a son of George and Mary C. (Sterne) Rearick, who were also natives of that county, the former born in July, 1796, and the latter on October 13, 1805. In 1840 the family removed to Clinton county, Penn., but two years later came to Centre county, where the mother passed away February 7, 1869, and the father on April 15, 1876. He was a shoemaker by trade, but also engaged in farming. His political support was given the Republican party, and both himself and wife were consistent members of the Reformed Church. The paternal grandparents of our subject, John and Maria Rearick, were natives of Germany, and on coming to Atherica first located in New Jersey, but later removed to Union county, Penn., where the grandfather engaged in blacksmithing until his death; there his wife also departed this life. The maternal grandparents, David and Catharine Sterne, both died in Clinton county, where the grandfather had followed the tailor's trade for many years. Jesse D. Rearick was the third in order of 274 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. birth in the family of six children, the others being: William B., born September 20, 1824, died in September, 1891. David, born January 25, 1826, died in October, 1867. Mary, born January 6, 1833, wedded John Sheckler, now of Boggs township, Centre county, and died January 9, 1874. Rachel, born September 29, 1843, died in April, 1844. Hannah, born November 22, 1844, married Daniel B. Malone, of Beach Creek, Penn., and died March 9, 1895. When our subject was about sixteen years of age lightning struck the team which his father was driving and so injured him that he was unable to perform any manual labor, while for seven years before his death he was totally disabled. Jesse D. therefore remained at home, taking care of his parents and managing the home farm until he was twenty-eight years of age. He was indebted to the common schools for his educational privileges. On January 30, 1858, Mr. Rearick was married to Miss Leah Hassenplug, and they became the parents of five children: George, born October 24, 1858, is at home; Mary C., born February 10, 1861, is also at home; Hannah M., born January 11, 1863, is the wife of Calvin Lucas, a farmer of Centre county; John A. C., born January 12, 1865, is also a farmer of Centre county; and Ella B., born August 2, 1867, died December 26, 1871. Mrs. Rearick was born September 23, 1828, in Union county, where her parents, Henry and Catherine (Stem) Hassenplug, spent their entire lives. The father was a saddler by trade, but spent his later life in farming. He died in 1861, at the age of sixty-two years, and her mother passed away in 1831, at the age of thirty; they were members of the Lutheran Church. In their family were the following children: Amelia, deceased wife of Reuben Spotts; Charles, a farmer of Ohio; Mary, who died at the age of eighteen years; Susanna, wife of Edward Hendricks, of Union county, Penn.; Israel, a miller and farmer of the same county; Leah, wife of our subject; and Zacharius, deceased. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Hassenplug wedded Miss Mollie Frock, by whom he had five children: Matilda, wife of John Cline, of Mifflin county, Penn.; Henry E., a farmer of Indiana; Sarah J., deceased; Samuel F., of Tyrone, Penn.; and Jane, wife of Isaac Shirk, a tanner of Tyrone. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Rearick, John and Rebecca Hassenplug, were natives of Germany, and after coming to the United States spent the remainder of their lives in Union county, Pennsylvania. For several years after his marriage, Mr. Rearick engaged in teaming, and then rented afarm near Milesburg, in Boggs township, Centre county for two years. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Union service, becoming a member of the 200th P. V. I., which was organized at Harrisburg, September 1, 1864. He served under Capt. Franklin K. Hoffman, First Lieut. Thomas C. Crawford, and Second Lieut. Joseph Miles, and participated in the battles of Fort Steadman and Petersburg, as well as in various skirmishes. He was several times slightly wounded during the nine months he was in the service, and while on the Warrenton raid in North Carolina was wounded in the head, which caused the loss of his left eye. He was then honorably discharged and returned home. Subsequently for five years he was engaged in the manufacture of galvanized iron at the Milesburg Iron Works, and then purchased his late farm, a valuable tract of 187 acres, which he brought under a high state of cultivation, and well improved. Mr. Rearick passed from earth March 12, 1897. He was an ardent Republican in politics, a member of the Lutheran Church, and of the Grand Army Post No. 262, of Milesburg. In his home he was ever an indulgent father, kind and devoted husband, and his genuine worth and many manly virtues were and still are widely recognized. His wife, who is noted for her excellent cooking, proved a most faithful helpmeet to him, and with him shared in the respect and esteem of all who knew them. He valiantly went forth in the defense of his country during her hour of peril, and in times of peace manifested the same loyalty that characterized his army career. For the injury sustained in the service he received a pension.