BIO: Thomas STOVER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2006. 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. _________________________________________________________________________ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 147 THOMAS STOVER, a venerable resident of Miles township, Centre county, universally esteemed among his acquaintances for his kindliness of heart and unwavering integrity, is at more than four-score years still hale and hearty. He is a native of Centre county, having been born near Aaronsburg, September 15, 1815, and his ances- 148 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. tors were among the pioneer settlers of Penn's Valley. Adam Stover, his great-grandfather, came from Berks county at an early period with four sons, all well grown, named John, Jacob, Frederick and Adam. John Stover, the grandfather of our subject, was a buckskin dresser, and was exempt from service in the Revolutionary war on the ground that his labor was essential for the production of clothing and other articles of necessity. He was married in Penn's Valley to a Miss Wolfe, by whom he had the following children, all of whom died in Haines township, Centre county: George had two sons, John and Jacob; John reared a large family; Henry is mentioned more fully below; Thomas had one son and three daughters; Jacob left a family; Eve married a Mr. Bright, and Catherine married Adam Harper. Henry Stover, our subject's father, was born and reared in Haines township, Centre county, and was married there to Margaret Guiswite, a lady of more than ordinary ability and culture, and a successful teacher. Her father, Henry Guiswite, was a pioneer educator. Henry Stover settled upon a farm near Aaronsburg, obtained from his father, and passed his life there. He was of medium height and slight build. His education was but limited, as his father never permitted his children to attend any but the German schools, and even left a provision in his will disinheriting any child who should break this rule. Henry Stover made a comfortable living for his family, but never accumulated much, his death at the early age of forty- seven years cutting off the chance to reap the full reward of his previous toil. He was a Whig in politics, a Lutheran in religion, and was respected by all who knew him. His wife, who attained the age of eighty-eight years, adhered to the Reformed Church. They had nine children: Charlotte (Mrs. Adam Stover) died in Brush Valley Narrows; James died in Rebersburg; Carolina (Mrs. Jacob Dinges) died in Ohio; Thomas was the fourth in order of birth; Leah (Mrs. William Shaffer) died at Madisonburg; Malinda (Mrs. Absolom Confair) died at Aaronsburg; Sebilla (Mrs. William Surd) and Levi also died at Aaronsburg; Elias is now a resident of Rebersburg; Jacob only lived to the age of three and one-half years. As a boy Mr. Stover attended a German school at what has always been known as "Wolfe's School;" but work was considered more important than study, and he could not even profit fully by the limited advantages offered by his German teacher. His mother, however, came to his rescue with home instruction, and as he possessed an excellent memory the foundation of a practical education was laid. Considering the good use which he made of his meagre opportunities one must regret that such a bright mind could not have enjoyed better facilities in youth. He chose the plasterer's trade as an occupation, and served an apprenticeship under William Shaffer, and so great was his mechanical skill that later he "picked up" for himself the trades of brick laying and stone masonry. Until 1840 he remained in his native township, and then he went west, via Pittsburg, traveling on the Ohio from that point to Cairo, and then by the Mississippi river to northern, Illinois, his destination being Stephenson county. At that time there were but few houses in Freeport, the county seat. Mr. Stover remained in Illinois about thirty years, working as a brick layer, plasterer, and stone mason, and engaged also in agriculture. He owned an excellent farm in Lancaster township, Stephenson county; and much other valuable real estate. In October, 1848, he was married near Freeport to Miss Susan Newcomer, a native of Northumberland county, Penn., born March 30, 1828. Her parents, Philip and Elizabeth (Lantz) Newcomer, went to Illinois, in 1844, and later moved to Iowa, where they passed their remaining years. Mr. Stover found his health declining after a time, and being threatened with consumption he returned to Pennsylvania in 1868, locating in the eastern end of Bush Valley. There he conducted a shingle and saw mill for many years, cutting excellent white pine, and he is now known as a pioneer of that industry in the locality. His present home at or in Livonia has been cleared by him from its primitive burden of trees and stone piles, and its comfortable and commodious buildings were all built by him. He has a goodly competence despite the fact that his dislike of contention has at times made him the victim of unscrupulous people. Free from guile himself, he has never found it easy to believe evil of others, while he has such a contempt for wrangling that he has more than once submitted to imposition rather than undertake to do battle for his rights. It is said that some of the most valuable land in Freeport, Ill., rightfully belongs to him, but he has practically been robbed of it. In early years Mr. Stover was a Whig, and later he became a stanch Republican. His first vote was cast for Gov. Ritner as governor of Pennsylvania. Not being disposed to be active in politics, he has held few offices, but his interest in better education has led him to serve at times as school director. His estimable wife is COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 149 one of the leading members of the Reformed Church, but he is not formally identified with any denomination, although he contributes liberally to religious work as occasion arises. He helped to organize the first Sunday- school at Livonia P.O., and can always be relied upon to give effective aid to any progressive movement. Mr. and Mrs. Stover have one daughter, Asenath, born February 16, 1859, in Lancaster township, Stephenson county, Ill. She was married June 19, 1881, to J. H. DeLong, and has had four children, as follows: Thomas S., born April 28, 1882, died when two years and ten months old from bleeding at the nose; Aubrey C., born November 19, 1883; and Arctura, born July 6, 1886, are at home; and Susan L., born December 1, 1888, died March 23, 1890. John H. DeLong is the third son of John and Lucretia (Jayne) DeLong, who were among the first settlers in Livonia. He is a teacher by profession. Although not a graduate, he has taken several terms at Cornell University, and Shippensburg State Normal School. He holds a State teachers' certificate, and has taught in all (at this writing) twenty-four terms in Centre, Clinton and Lycoming counties, fourteen being at his home in Livonia, where he is also postmaster, having held the position since the establishment of the office.