BIO: William H. STIVER, 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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  W. H. STIVER, a thorough, energetic and prosperous farmer of Potter 
township, Centre county, is a native of the county, his birth occurring 
in Boalsburg, July 18, 1840.  His great-grandfather, Michael Stiver, 
who was a Revolutionary hero, was the founder of the family in the 
county, and on his death was laid to rest in the Tusseyville cemetery.  
Among his children was Samuel Stiver, who was born July 3, 1769, and 
became a farmer by occupation, at one time owning the farm where our 
subject now resides.
  On June 18, 1801, Samuel Stiver was married to Margaret Shimp, of 
Mifflin county, Penn., who was born March 15, 1784, and they became 
parents of the following children:  Margaret, born January 15, 1802, 
married Henry Selick, and died in Ferguson valley, Mifflin County; 
Thomas, J., born October 10, 1802, was a farmer and died in Potter 
township; John S., born October 31, 1803, died when a young man in 
Mifflin county; Mary, born March 5, 1805, wedded John Farner and died 
in Potter township; Elizabeth, born December 22, 1806, married Daniel 
Shirk and died in Potter township; Jane, born August 9, 1808, married 
Frederick Leathers, and died in Bald Eagle Valley, November 11, 1892; 
Samuel was born November 15, 1809; Michael, the father of our subject, 
is next in order of birth; David, born January 18, 1813, died in 
Bedford Springs, Penn.; Charlotte, born June 17, 1815, died when young; 
Catherine, born September 7, 1817, died unmarried; George W., born 
January 2, 1819, died in Potter township; Martha P., born July 20, 
1820, married Henry Mower, and died in Bedford, Penn.; James P., born 
September 3, 1824, is single and lives near Pittsburg, Penn.; and Sarah 
A., born February 10, 1826, died when young.  The father of these 
children died August 13, 1846, the mother August 13, 1863, and they 
both lie buried in a private cemetery on the farm of our subject.  She 
was a consistent member of the Methodist Church.
  On the home farm in Potter township, Michael Stiver was born, July 
26, 1811, and was there reared until old enough to learn a trade.  As 
the family was very large, and his parents in limited circumstances, he 
was a young man before he became the possessor of his first pair of 
boots.  The little farm not only had to supply the family with food, 
but from its products which were sold they obtained the other 
necessaries of life.  Under John Stauffer, Michael Stiver learned the 
carpenter's trade at which he worked in Boalsburg until the fall of 
1852, when he came to Potter township.  His brother George owned the 
homestead farm, but being a loser by the failure of the Potters to help 
him, the father of our subject took the place.  He owned property in 
Harris township, and also a farm in "The Barrens," but to assist his 
brother sold these and purchased the old home, where he continued to 
reside throughout the remainder of his life.  After coming to Potter 
township, he gradually abandoned his trade, despite the protest of his 
former patrons, as he was a thorough workman, and his work always  
satisfactory performed. He improved the buildings on the farm, but took 
no very active part in the cultivation of the land.
  On September 27, 1838, by Rev. Daniel Moser, a Lutheran minister, at 
Spruce Creek, Michael Stiver was married to Mary A. Henneich, whose 
birth occurred in Aaronsburg, Centre county, September 4, 1816.  They 
began housekeeping in Boalsburg, where he owned a home and four 
children came to brighten the household, of whom our subject is the 
eldest.  Mary E., born February 1, 1844, is the wife of Samuel Barr, of 
Tyrone, Penn.  Martha M., born January 14, 1848, is the wife of 
Sylvanus Lane, a Methodist Episcopal minister.  Abner D., born November 
4, 1856, died on the 19th of the same month.  The father's death 
occurred December 1, 1888, and his remains were interred at Centre 
Hall. He held membership with the reformed Church of Boalsburg and 
Tusseyville; and was first a Whig in politics, voting for William Henry 
Harrison, and as a Republican supported Benjamin Harrison for the 
Presidency.  He took quite an active interest in the success of his 
party, was well posted on political issues, and although the township 
is strongly Democratic, was elected supervisor, a fact which indicates 
his popularity.  He was a man of ordinary build, strong and robust, and 
by hard work and good management, secured a comfortable competence, 
though he lost some money by going security for 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  223

friends.  Of the strictest integrity and honor, he commanded the 
respect and confidence of all who knew him.  The mother, who is also a 
faithful member of the Reformed Church, finds a pleasant home with our 
subject and is surrounded by many warm friends and acquaintances.
  Mrs. Stiver is the second in order of birth in the family of six 
children born to William and Margaret (Shreffler) Henneich; the others 
being Sarah and another daughter who died in infancy; Philip, a 
resident of Missouri; Charles, who died in Penn Hall, Penn.; and 
William, a prominent railroad man, who died in Illinois.  The father of 
these children died at an early age of thirty years, and was buried at 
Aaronsburg, but the mother, who afterward married again, lies in the 
cemetery at Millheim.  By some of the family the name was been changed 
from Henneich to Hennich and Haney.  Mrs. Stiver was only nine years of 
age at the time of her father's death, and as the children became 
scattered she made her home with her uncle, David Dale, who lived near 
Lemont, and there remained until her marriage.  Her education was 
obtained in the district schools near Lemont.  The last two years of 
her school life were under Prof. William Waring at Oak Hall.
  Mr. Stiver, whose name introduces this sketch, began his literary 
training in the schools of Boalsburg, George Livingston being his first 
teacher, and after his removal to Potter township, at the age of eleven 
years, he attended the district schools.  Later he was a student in the 
academy at Potter's Mills, then conducted by Prof. Davidson.  
  Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Stiver wished to join 
the Union forces but as he was an only son and his services were needed 
at home, he did not enlist until August, 1864, when he became a private 
of Company G, 210th P.V.I.  He participated in all the engagements in 
which his regiment took part, including the Weldon raid and the first 
and second battles of Hatcher's Run, where the regiment lost heavily.  
On March 31, 1865 at Gravelly Run, he was struck by a bullet which 
passed through the right forearm, shattering the bone, and he was sent 
to City Point hospital, but a few days later was transferred to a 
hospital in Washington, D.C.  After a short time there he was sent to a 
hospital in West Philadelphia, where he was honorably discharged June 
27, 1865.  Mr. Stiver's arm has never fully recovered, and for two 
years after his return home he was unable to work, while later he only 
assisted in the lighter labors of the farm.  At one time, he made all 
arrangements to go West, but as his parents objected he never left the 
parental roof.  Previous to his father's death, he bought the farm 
tools and engaged in the operation of the land on his own account.  He 
is a systematic, progressive farmer, one who ably manages his affairs, 
but hires most of his work done.
  Mr. Stiver was married in Hublersburg, Centre county, in November, 
1886, to Miss Anna Carner of that place, a daughter of John and Barbara 
Carner, who are farming people.  Our subject is well informed on the 
leading questions and issues of the day as he is an extensive reader, 
and gives his political support to the Republican party.  Originally he 
held membership with Gregg Post No. 95, G.A.R. of Bellefonte, but now 
belongs to the order in Centre Hall.  Since 1858 he has been a 
consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and has served as a  
teacher in the Sabbath-school.  He holds a prominent position among the 
leading representative citizens of Potter township, is genial and 
hospitable, and a friend to the poor and needy, who are never turned 
away empty-handed from his door.

1900 Potter Township, Centre County census -
Wm. H. Stiver, 59  
Anna R. Stiver, 48