BIO: William H. STOVER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. 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. _____________________________________________________________________ WILLIAM H. STOVER, a prominent citizen of Aaronsburg, Centre county, now retired from active business cares, is one of the men who make old age seem the better portion of life. His fine presence and dignified manners would attract attention anywhere, while to those who have the pleasure of his personal acquaintance, his well-stored mind and conversational powers are a source of perpetual pleasure. Mr. Stover is a native of Aaronsburg, having been born January 1, 1825, in the house in which the grater part of his life was spent. His father, Jacob E. Stover, was born in Williamsport, Md., on the Potomac river and losing his parents while yet a boy, began his business career at a great disadvantage. He learned the tanner's trade in Maryland, and as a young man settled in Haines township, Centre county, where numerous relatives had already located. There he built a tannery which he conducted for many years, and being an excellent workman enjoyed a large trade. He was industrious, but a lack of the distinctive qualities of the financier prevented him from acquiring more than a moderate 200 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. competence. Politically he was a Whig, steadfast in principle and a regular voter, and in religion he was a Lutheran. Jacob E. Stover was married in Aaronsburg to Catherine, daughter of Jacob Hubler, one of the first settlers in the township. Mr. Stover died at the age of sixty-seven, but his wife lived to be nearly eighty years old before she, too, passed away. The remains of both were interred at Aaronsburg. Their children were seven in number, and three sons did active service in the Civil war. Samuel H. died at Boalsburg, Penn. Isaac died in Aaronsburg. Catherine married Christian Kaup, and died in Milesburg. George H., who was quartermaster of the 179th P.V. I., was a resident of Morgan county, Mo., and died in 1897. William H. is mentioned more fully below. Michael, who held the rank of lieutenant in the 179th Regiment, and served gallantly through the war as its colonel. When the struggle was ended he moved to Morgan county, Mo., where he died. At one time he represented that district in Congress. Although the subject of this sketch displayed from an early age a particularly retentive memory, and would have profited by a good education, his opportunities were limited to those of the usual district school privileges. As his father owned a farm as well as a tannery, there was always work in one place or the other to keep his boys from mischief. Mr. Stover remained at home, until he attained his majority, and shortly after was married in Aaronsburg to Miss Sarah S. Ettinger, a native of Haines township, Centre county, and a daughter of Emmanuel and Elizabeth (Bike) Ettinger. The young couple went to housekeeping in the house where Mr. Stover was born. Four children were born of this union: Edward W. died at the age of six years; Emma married Cyrus G. Bright of Aaronsburg; Luther E. is a tanner at Aaronsburg; and Charles H., is a baker at Mifflintown, Penn. Mr. Stover engaged in business as a tanner, purchasing his father's old establishment, which had been sold to George Royer. After following the business successfully from 1847 to 1876, he retired, leaving the management to his son, Luther E., who has proven an able successor. With a comfortable home and with leisure for reading and other intellectual pursuits, Mr. Stover has passed a quiet life since giving up business. The family circle was invaded by the hand of death July 15, 1892, when the beloved wife and mother passed to the unseen life and her mortal remains now rest in the Aaronsburg cemetery. Taking keen interest in all forms of progress, Mr. Stover has been an active member of the Lutheran Church for many years, holding numerous offices, including those of deacon and elder, and at different periods, amounting in all to thirty-five years, he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has strong convictions and the courage to express them, neither money nor friendship having power to make him acquiesce in anything which he does not approve. In early life he was a Whig, and later he became a Republican, but although his support could always be relied upon, he has not cared to run for office. In fact he declined various offers of a place on the party ticket, even as a candidate for the legislature.