BIO: Jacob WAGNER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by MFS 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. _____________________________________________________________________ JACOB WAGNER. Among the reliable and energetic and successful agriculturists of Potter township, Centre county, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was born in the same township, April 30, 1837, a son of Jabob [sic] Wagner, Sr., whose birth occurred near Sunbury, Penn., August 17, 1803. On coming to Centre county the family first located in Penn township, where its members operated rented land, as they were in rather limited circumstances, but by perseverance and diligence they became quite well-to-do. For some time the grandfather, John Wagner, and his son Jacob engaged in farming together in Potter township, but later the former removed to Harris township, where he died at an advanced age. There also occurred the death of his wife, who bore the maiden name of Catharine Kunsman, and both were buried at Boalsburg. They were faithful members of the Reformed Church, and in politics the grandfather was a stalwart Democrat. In their family were four children; Henry, a minister of the Reformed Church, who died in Lebanon county, Penn.; Jacob; Elizabeth, who married Frederick Krumrine, and died in Ferguson township, Centre county; and John, of Bellefonte. The early advantages of Jacob Wagner, Sr., were very meagre, and his education was of a practical kind and almost wholly self-acquired. On accompanying his parents to Centre county, he was still single, and in Penn's Valley he was married, January 23, 1834, to Miss Anna Hosterman, who was born in Haines township, Centre county, June 17, 1808, a daughter of John Hosterman, a farmer by occupation. They had five children, namely: Mary E., born December 29, 1834, died February 23, 1835; John H., born December 31, 1835, died July 10, 1890, was a farmer of Potter township, where his family still reside; Jacob is next in order of birth; Catharine A., born February 18, 1840, married Samuel Slack, and died in Potter township, September 20, 1865; and Sarah C., born January 14, 1843, is the wife of David Geiss, of Centre Hall, Centre county. Soon after his marriage (about 1835 or 1836) the father came to Potter township, where he engaged in farming with his father for some time, and then purchased the entire farm, to which he subsequently added the James Love farm of seventy-five acres, making in all a valuable tract of over 260 acres. Although he went heavily in debt for the amount, he was a very industrious, energetic man, and soon had his farm cleared from all incumbrance. Upon that place he continued to reside until 1859, when he removed to the farm now owned and operated by our subject, and repaired and remodeled all the buildings. There his wife died October 5, 1866, and was buried in Tusseyville. He afterward married Mrs. Henry Bittner, whose maiden name was Rachel Bingerman, and who died February 29, 1888, and was also buried in Tusseyville. In the same house where our subject now resides the father died very suddenly May 31, 1886. He was an upright, honorable man, free from all ostentation or hypocrisy, and held the office of deacon in the Reformed Church, to which both parents belonged. His political support was COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 379 ever given the Democratic party, and at one time he efficiently served as supervisor of his township. As a boy, Mr. Wagner, the subject proper of this review, attended the Tusseysink school, and obtained only a district-school education, but he made the most of his opportunities, and has become a well-informed man. He early began to assist in the work of the farm; and continued to give his father the benefit of his labors until his marriage, November 18, 1858, to Miss Susan K. Geiss, who was born in Berks county, Penn., June 20, 1841, a daughter of David B. and Sarah (Kerlin) Geiss, farming people of Potter township. Four children blessed their union: David G., born December 17, 1859, is a farmer of Will county, Ill.; Ida J., born July 11, 1861, is the wife of A. E. Kerlin, of Centre Hall, Penn.; William J., born March 16, 1864, is a minister of the Lutheran Church, residing in Cambria county, Penn.; and Mary C., born April 4, 1866, is living in Illinois. After his marriage Mr. Wagner located on the old homestead, which his father had vacated shortly before, and lived there until the spring of 1867, when the property was divided, and he took the northern end of the place. His wife died there November 2, 1868, and was buried in the Tusseyville cemetery. He then sold his farming implements and household goods, and spent one summer in Will county, Ill., after which he returned to Pennsylvania. Mr. Wagner was again married, August 4, 1870, this time to Miss Catharine A. Spangler, who was born in Potter township, Centre county, October 20, 1841, a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Wagner) Spangler. Her first teacher was Jane Taylor, who conducted the Pine Grove school, where much of her education was obtained. To Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were born five children, namely: James B., born February 27, 1872, is engaged as a telegraph operator at Linden Hall, Penn.; John K., born March 3, 1874, died August 6, 1890; Susan B., born June 4, 1876, died August 13, 1890; E. Clayton, born November 21, 1879, and Samuel S., born January 31, 1885, are both at home. During the winter following his second marriage Mr. Wagner lived in the old stone house on the old homestead farm, and then removed to the place where his first wife had died. There he continued to reside until the spring of 1891, when he removed to his present farm in Potter township, which he is now successfully managing. His landed possessions aggregate 270 acres, divided into three farms. They are well-improved and under a high state of cultivation, being in keeping with the enterprise and progressive spirit of the owner, who justly ranks among the best farmers of the community. For years he has been an elder and active worker in the Reformed Church, while his wife holds membership with the United Evangelical Church. Their hospitable home is ever open for the entertainment of their many friends, and they receive the respect and esteem of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. Socially Mr. Wagner is a member of the Grange, while politically he is a Democrat, and has been elected school director in his township.