BIO: Michael WOODRING, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2010. 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. _____________________________________________________________________ MICHAEL WOODRING, who after the labors of a long and busy life, is spending the evening of life in ease and retirement on his farm on the Philipsburg pike, in Worth township, Centre county, is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurring in Berks county, August 14, 1820. There his parents, Abraham and Saloma (Snider) Woodring, were also born, reared, and married, later removed to Huntingdon county, and in 1857 came to Centre county, locating in Worth township, where the mother died May 1, 1872, aged seventy-four years, nine months and twenty-seven days. Subsequently the father went to Cambria county, Penn., where his death occurred in 1886, at the advanced age of ninety years. He buried his family record in the casket with his wife. He was an extensive horse dealer and farmer, and in early life he was a member of the Lutheran Church, but later he became a devout Roman Catholic. His parents, Samuel and Maria (Yorick) Woodring, were natives of Berks county, where their marriage was celebrated, but in 1823 they became residents of Worth township, Centre county. The former was of German extraction, and a farmer and miller by occupation. Our subject is second in order of birth of the children, the others being as follows: John, who died in Tyrone, Penn.; Samuel, born October 15, 1823, died December 6, 1886, in Philipsburg; Polly, deceased wife of Rank Seek, also deceased; Betsey, wife of Anthony Gill, a farmer of Coalport, Penn.; Catherine, who died unmarried; and Beckie, deceased wife of Joseph Gill. Until he had attained his majority, Michael Woodring remained upon the home farm, and then started out empty-handed to make his own way in the world. After working by the month for two years, he and his brother John rented a farm at Huntingdon Furnace, Huntingdon Co., Penn., which they operated for fifteen years, and then dissolved partnership. For one year our subject then engaged in hauling ore, and in 1860 came to Centre county and located upon his present farm, which was still in its primitive condition, covered with a heavy growth of timber, in which deer and other wild animals abounded. To the cultivation and improvement of the place he at once devoted his time and attention, and continued his labors until he now has one of the most desirable farms in the locality. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, and maintains his principles in this regard with the same steadfastness which has characterized him in all the relations of life. He is a valued and honored citizen of the community, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all who know him. On September 30, 1845, Mr. Woodring was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Halderman, who was born in Centre county, in 1824, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Wise) Halderman, who spent their entire lives upon a farm in Centre county. They were members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics her father was a Democrat. Mrs. Woodring was one of their family of eleven children, namely: Catherine, deceased wife of John Stover, of Bellefonte, Penn.; Jane, widow of John Woodring; Elizabeth, deceased; Lavina, deceased wife of James Bailey, also deceased; Margaret, wife of Aaron Woodring, a farmer of Centre county; George, 490 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. who is a cabinet maker in Ohio; Jacob, who died in the army; Susan, who married Samuel Turner, and after his death wedded Samuel Stine, a farmer of Centre county; and Fannie, who married Samuel Woodring, but both are now deceased. To Michael Woodring and his estimable wife were born the following children: William, a farmer residing near Port Matilda, Centre county; George W., a lumberman of Virginia; Abraham, a lumberman of Port Matilda; General J., proprietor of a hotel at that place; John Q., who was killed in 1892 on the railroad while working at Altoona, Penn.; Mary and Ella, deceased; Harry E., and Matilda, wife of W. W. Thomas, a farmer of Blair county, Pennsylvania. Harry E. Woodring, of this family, is one of the energetic and progressive young farmers of Worth township, and is engaged in operating the old home farm with good success. There his birth occurred October 2, 1867, and in the usual manner of farmer boys he was reared to habits of industry. He married Miss Sadie Frantz, a native of Centre county, and they have a daughter, Ruth L., born June 4, 1894. Abel and Nancy E. (Williams) Frantz, parents of Mrs. Harry Woodring, were natives of Centre and Blair counties, Penn., respectively. Their children were: Emeline; Mary E., wife of Lawrence Gill, a farmer of Cambria county, Penn.; Sarah (or Sadie) is next in order of birth; Ephraim is farming in Worth township for his uncle, John Frantz; Jennie lives in Port Matilda; and Bradie is a resident of Coalport, Clearfield county. The father of these, who was a farmer and huxter, was born March 10, 1851, and died August 14, 1884. He was a son of Reuben and Katie (Woodring) Frantz, who spent their entire lives in Centre county, following farming. The mother of Mrs. Harry Woodring was born in 1851, a daughter of Caleb and Peggie (Edmonson) Williams, farming people of Blair county. After the death of her first husband she married James Payscole, and they now reside in Taylor township, Centre county. Two children have been born to them, namely: Pearl and Rhoda, both at home.