BIO: Henry WHITELEATHER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB 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. _____________________________________________________________________ HENRY WHITELEATHER, who is engaged in general farming in Marion township, Centre county, is a gentleman whose well-known devotion to all the duties of public and private life has made him a valued citizen of the community. He has been prominently connected with the political and agricultural interests, and his upright career has won for him the unqualified regard of many friends. Mr. Whiteleather was born in Gregg township, Centre county, February 19, 1842, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Frazier) White-leather, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Centre county. The grandfather, Andrew Whiteleather, lived in Maryland until after the death of his wife, and in 1830 he accompanied his son Jacob to Pennsylvania. The latter established a home in Marion township, on the farm where our subject now resides, and continued to make it his place of abode until 1879. He died in February, 1885, at the age of seventy- six years; his wife passed away in December, 1873, at the age of seventy-three years. They were members of the Reformed Church, and in politics he was a Democrat. Their children were: Elizabeth, who married Elias Mosier, and after his death wedded Levi Long, who is now living retired in Centre county; Julian Nicholas, a grading gardener and farmer of Centre county; David, deceased; Amos, of Williamsburg, Blair Co., Penn.; and Henry, of this review. Henry Whiteleather was reared to farm life, and worked for his father until twenty-four years of age. He was then married in Centre county, COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 331 April 3, 1866, to Miss Catherine E. Dorman, who was born in Union county, Penn., in January, 1848. Her parents, Louis and Catherine (Dennis) Dorman, were natives of Union county, and came to Centre county in 1856, since which time they have been residents of Penn's Valley. Their children are: John, a farmer of Nittany Valley.; Sarah, wife of John Orendorf, a farmer of Centre county; Peter, who is living retired in Illinois; Rebecca, widow of George Geiswhite, of Centre county; Mary, wife of Henry Snavely, a resident farmer of Centre county; Lavina, wife of John Geiswhite, an agriculturist and shoemaker of the same county; Lida, wife of John Confer, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Millheim; Vietta, wife of Newton Hess, a farmer of Centre county; Catherine E. (Mrs. Whiteleather) and David; who is living on the old homestead in Penn's Valley. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Whiteleather are as follows: Emma J. (at home), John F. (a lumberman of Centre county), Sarah L. (at home), Jacob (who is also engaged in the lumber business), William H., Catharine E., Clara R., Mary A. and Rosie B. Upon his marriage, Mr. Whiteleather rented a farm in Gregg township, where he remained for five years. After he left his home his parents broke up housekeeping and went to live with him. On his removal from Gregg township, he located in Brush Valley, Centre county, where he remained for eight years, and on the expiration of that period he rented of his father, his present home. Seven years later, in connection with his brother Amos, who now resides in Williamsburg, Penn., he purchased the old homestead, which they have since operated. He is a progressive, enterprising' agriculturist, and his capable management of affairs has brought to him success. He gives his political support to the Democracy, and on that ticket has been elected to the office of supervisor two terms, and to the office of tax collector. He has also served as school director, and is deeply interested in education and all movements calculated to prove of public benefit. He belongs to the Reformed Church, and is a highly respected citizen, whose upright career commends him to the confidence of all.