BIO: Hon. Leonard RHONE, Centre County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ _______________________________________________ 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. _______________________________________________ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 113-115 HON. LEONARD RHONE. "Life," says a well-known writer, "is meaningless unless it is universal and coherent." It is in a helpful relation to our time, a sympathetic union with the surrounding current of thought, feeling and purpose, that we can realize the worth of our own identity. To consciously ally one's self with any of the mighty movements that are shaping the future, is to invest life with new dignity and power. The present is a time of combinations for varied aims, for man sees more and more clearly his weakness, as an individual as compared with his strength in union with others. One of the most significant and hopeful signs of the times is the awakening in that large body of hitherto isolated workers, the agriculturists, of this desire for united effort for their mutual good. The organization known as the Patrons of Husbandry is already a power in the nation, and if its force is wisely directed and energetically applied the results must be momentous. In the subject of this biography, who has been for seventeen years the master of the Pennsylvania State Grange, the farmers of this State have found a progressive, yet cautious, leader. He is prominent also in the National Grange, in which he is chairman of the executive committee, and he has attended every annual meeting since 1880. His work in originating the Grange picnic and exhibition at Centre Hall, which meets annually in September, and lasts one week, has produced great and lasting benefit to the order. Every year sees an increase in attendance and exhibitions, and the opportunity for conference among the farmers is prized more and more. Mr. Rhone was born at the Rhone homestead near Centre Hall, July 1, 1838, and was mainly educated at the old Fairfield school in that vicinity. In 1857-58, he attended Kishacoquillas Seminary one year, but it is to his own observation and private reading that his wide range of information is due. In the winter of 1858-59 he taught the Tusseyville school. Reared as a farmer boy, and later engaging in agriculture as an occupation, he has always been in complete sympathy with the tillers of the soil, and his attention was early attracted to the need of union among them for mutual instruction and information, and definite work for desired ends. From the organization of the Patrons of Husbandry he has always been an active member. His first official position was connected with the State society, but he was elected master of Pomona Grange of Centre county in 1875, re-elected five times, and in 1877 was chosen master of Centre Hall Grange. In April, 1874, he was appointed first deputy of the county by the then master of the State Grange, and this position he held until 1878, when he was elected overseer of the State Grange, and two years later was elected to his present post. In the latter year he was elected trustee of State College, and nominated by the Greenbackers to the Legislature, but the latter honor was declined, as was a similar nomination in 1882. In that year he served as a delegate to the National Convention of Agriculture under appointment by Gov. Hoyt, and later he was named by Gov. Hastings as a member of the State Board of Agriculture. In 1885 the Democrats nominated him for the Legislature, and the special issues of that time overcoming his disinclination for political life, he accepted, was elected, and in 1887 became his own successor. Mr. Rhone owns 215 acres of excellent land, and its fine condition shows that he is as strong in practice as in theory. In 1864 he was married to Miss Mary Margaret Sankey, daughter of the late James Sankey, Esq., of Potters Mills, and their union has been blessed with two clever and attractive daughters: Miss Mae V., a graduate of the seminary at Lutherville, Md., is now chief clerk in the Department of Zoology of Pennsylvania at Harrisburg. Miss Florence S. was graduated from Lewis Academy at Wichita, Kans., in 1893, with first honors, and at present assists her father as his private secretary. The family is prominent socially, and Mr. Rhone is identified with the Masonic lodge at Centre Hall. He belongs to the Lutheran Church at Tusseyville, but his wife is a devout Methodist in faith. Mr. Rhone comes of our best pioneer stock, as is shown by the fact that his beautiful farm near Centre Hall has now been owned and occupied by the Rhone family for more than a century. The first of the name to leave the ancestral home in Hamburg, Germany, was John Rhone, or Rahn, our subject's great- grandfather, who was born in that city in 1698, during a winter so severe as to be referred to in the history of the Fatherland as "the cold winter." There is now no record of his ancestry, and nothing is known of his immediate relatives except that two brothers came to America some time after his emigration, one locating in the East, and the other in the South. John Rhone was a youth when he first came to America, and after spending a few years in Pennsylvania he returned to his native land, where he married, his bride accompanying him on his second voyage to the New World. At that time emigrants were forbidden to carry money out of the country, on account of some movement political, commercial or military, and in order to evade the edict our pioneer invested 114 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. his patrimony in Bibles and merchandise, which he brought with him. A few copies of these Bibles still remain and are cherished in the family as priceless heirlooms. On his return to Pennsylvania, John Rhone located in Tulpehocken township, Berks county, near the Norskill Lutheran Church, where he followed the blacksmith's trade for many years. At the close of the Revolutionary war he moved to Franklin county and engaged in farming. While there his first wife died, but he afterward re-married. He was a temperate man, a consistent Christian, and a strict Lutheran in faith. He died in March, 1823, at the extraordinary age of 125 years - extending over portions of three centuries. To the last he retained his strength of mind and body, and when 105 years old he paid a visit to his native land. His remains were interred at Pleasant Hall, Franklin county, with those of his wives. He had eighteen children, most of whom lived to maturity, and some attained great age, one daughter dying in Cumberland, Md., when 103 years old. But little is known of the others. The founder of the Centre county branch of the family was Michael Rhone, one of the elder sons of this modern patriarch. He was born in Berks county, Penn., June 8, 1759, and received a liberal education for the time in the parochial school of the German Evangelical Church near his home. The Revolution was in progress during his early manhood, and his father being engaged in furnishing supplies to the army, he assisted in this business, often undergoing great danger and suffering in conveying provisions to camp, especially during the memorable winter at Valley Forge. He was of temperate habits, and possessed unusual strength and endurance, his well-proportioned frame with its powerful sinews seeming capable of any task. When peace was restored, he traveled for several years in what was then the "wild west," most of the time being spent in Pennsylvania and New York. In 1792 Michael Rhone removed from Berks county to Haines township, Centre county, then a part of Northumberland county, where he purchased a tract of land and began to clear it for a farm. For some reason he sold the place two years later, and went to the present homestead, which he purchased from Jacob Straub, September 15, 1794. This place was a part of the first survey in that Valley, the Manor of Nottingham survey, made September 23 and 24, 1766, and the land had previously been deeded to Straub on June 24, 1794, by John Penn, the younger, and John Penn, the elder, by their attorney, Anthony Butler, of Philadelphia, as shown by documents in the recorder's office in Lewistown, Penn. The deed to Michael Rhone was recorded at Bellefonte. Before leaving Berks county, Michael Rhone married Miss Catherine Elizabeth Wagner, who was born October 24, 1769. She seems to have been amply endowed with physical strength and a spirit capable of overcoming all hardships, while her foresight is revealed by the fact that she carried in her pocket a package of seeds of various kinds, from which came, a few years later, extensive orchards of apple, pear, peach, plum and cherry trees, covering about twenty acres. Many of these trees are still standing. When the pioneers settled at their new home it was in its primitive state, except for a small log cabin covered with clapboards, an insignificant stable and a few acres ready for tilling. The location was beautiful, however, and an excellent spring added to the attraction of the place as a residence, modern methods of obtaining a bountiful supply of water being then unknown. It was known as the Indian spring, and bands of Red men frequently camped there, a "trail" running past it from Logan's Gap to Tussey mountain. This ancient path was visible for many years after the aborigines left the region, and arrowheads and other relics were often found near by. The land proved fertile, and Michael Rhone and his good wife found themselves, in later years, the owners of one of the best farms in all that section. In 1805 a better house was erected, 30 x 40 feet in size, with a stone foundation, and having its logs deftly notched at the corners. It was two stories high, with an immense fireplace on each floor, and a high stone chimney stood outside at either end. A barn was built in 1810, and about 1820 the present substantial and commodious barn was erected. Intelligent, progressive and upright, Michael Rhone was universally esteemed, and his home was the center of a generous hospitality, which has been continued by its later occupants. In August, 1836, his faithful wife, who had shared his early labors and his well-earned reward, passed away at the age of sixty-seven, and he followed her on September 16, 1844, in his eighty-sixth year, both being interred at Tusseyville, Centre county, in the cemetery of Emanuel's Church (Lutheran), of which they had long been members. They had two sons - John and Jacob - and seven daughters, two of whom did not live to maturity. Anna Maria married John Sholder, and moved to Ohio, where they and their only child died. Jane married Joseph Crotzer, of Potter township, Centre county, and had a large COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 115 family. Katherine married Jacob Grossman, and moved to Lena, Ill., where several children survive them. Nancy married David Harshberger, near Zion, and left a numerous family. Elizabeth married John Rishel, of Gregg township, Centre county. John Rhone, who was born in 1800, married Miss Bottorf, of Pine Grove Mills, and settled in Clinton county, engaging in lumbering and other occupations. Some of his descendants still reside in that county. Jacob Rhone, our subject's father, was born in September, 1807, and spent his entire life on the homestead. Although the local schools furnished his only educational advantages, he secured an excellent fund of knowledge by individual effort, being a constant reader of the best literature. He was a leading worker in local affairs, always favoring beneficial enterprises, and was especially prominent in religious matters as a member of the Lutheran Church, serving as an elder for a number of years. An ardent Democrat, he possessed much influence in political affairs, and was often a delegate to county conventions. In 1846 Jacob Rhone purchased the homestead from the other heirs, but on March 19, 1853, he was suddenly called from earth, a violent attack of typhoid pneumonia baffling the skill of his physician. He had just been elected justice of the peace, but his commission had not yet been signed by the governor. His wife, formerly Miss Sarah Karstetter, survives him, and in taking up the management of the estate at a critical time, and successfully carrying forward the plans for the new residence then in process of erection, showed remarkable sagacity and executive ability In rearing their numerous family to take honorable and useful places in society she won yet more notable distinction. She was born in 1811, the daughter of Leonard Karstetter, who resided at the confluence of Penn and Pine creeks, in what is now Penn township, Centre county. Her twin sister is still living, and they are probably the oldest pair of twins to be found in the county, if not in the State. Mrs. Rhone conducted the farm until April 1, 1869, when it was taken in charge by our subject, who afterward bought out the other heirs. Nine children were born to Jacob and Sarah Rhone: (1) John W., born in 1832, died May 15, 1894; he graduated in 1863 from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, and became the leading dentist at Bellefonte; in 1856 he married Miss Caroline E. Keller, of Boalsburg, who survives him with one son and one daughter. (2) Leonard is the second in order of birth. (3) Mary Magdalene, born in 1834, is the wife of William J. Dale, of Pleasant Gap, Penn. (4) Sarah Ann, born in 1836, married John Hess, of Pine Grove Mills, Penn. (5) Elizabeth Emily, born in 1841, married H. P. Sankey, a farmer near Potters Mills. (6) Margaret J., born in 1845, is the wife of Lewis F. Mason, of Grinnell, Iowa. (7) Lydia A., born in 1845, died in infancy. (8) Alice, born in 1849, married John W. Hixon, of Newton, Iowa. (9) Franklin died at the homestead at the age of nineteen. On June 13, 1894, the family held a centennial celebration at the old home, and a throng of relatives, neighbors and friends met to rejoice with them. An elaborate program preceded a bountiful dinner, which was spread under an immense tent in the handsome grounds. Some well-trained singers rendered appropriate selections, and a number of speeches were made, Mr. Rhone welcoming the guests in a felicitous manner. H. H. Harshberger responded, and Col. J. F. Weaver, of Milesburg, delivered an interesting historical address, which was followed by an anniversary poem by Miss Emma Brewer, superintendent of public schools of Crum Lynne, Penn. At the dinner table a number of witty speeches were made, and the remainder of the day was given to social diversions and impromptu musical selections, Grandmother Sarah Rhone, despite her eighty-four years, sang in a strong sweet voice two stanzas of a German song. One of the happiest features of this delightful reunion was the presence among her descendants of this honored lady, who conversed among the guests all day without apparent fatigue, and all joined in the wish that she might live long to enjoy the prosperity to which her own wisdom and energy so largely contributed.