BIO: Uriah James IFERT, Clearfield County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Sally Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/swoope/swoope.htm _____________________________________________________________ From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr., Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 599 & 600. _____________________________________________________________ URIAH JAMES IFERT, merchant and justice of the peace at McGees Mills, Bell township, was born in Armstrong county, Pa., March 23, 1856. His father, Conrad Ifert, who was born in Germany, was a manufacturer of organs. Coming to America, he settled at Kittanning and followed his trade there all his subsequent life. He built the first organ ever manufactured at that place. He died at the early age of 24 years in 1856. His wife, who is maidenhood was Mary Remaley, a daughter of John and Christiana (Helfrich) Remaley, married for her second husband James McDonald of Armstrong county and she is still living at the age of 73 years. Her children by this second union were: Harry, who is engaged in farming in New York state; Milton, an engineer residing in Cambria county; and Agnes, wife of Charles Gress, a farmer of Benton county. Uriah J. Ifert was the only child by his mother's first marriage. After attending school, he went to work for his maternal grandfather, who reared him and with whom he remained until coming of age. He then came to Clearfield county, finding employment in the saw-mill of J. W. McGee, with whom he remained four years or until about 1881. Subsequently he bought some land in the vicinity, to which he removed, but two years later entered into partnership with his former employer, Mr. McGee, in the saw-mill business, they manufacturing lumber, shingles, etc. After being thus occupied for five years he sold out his interest and engaged in agriculture, in which occupation he continued for six years. In September, 1897, he opened a general store in the village of McGee, which he has since conducted, being also engaged in agriculture. He is one of the successful men of his township and is recognized as a good, reliable citizen, an earnest advocate of all measures calculated to improve the moral and material welfare of the community. He is a member of the local Grange, also of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Big Run, No. 924, to which he has belonged for the past 20 years, and he also belongs to the Red Men's lodge at Mahaffey. In politics he is a Democrat and an active worker for his party. He has been delegate to party conventions, and is now serving his fourth term as justice of the peace. He was for three years a member of the township school board and served one term as constable. Mr. Ifert married Adella P. Miller, who was born October 14, 1861, a daughter of E. L. and Louisa (Beaty) Miller. Her parents were early settlers in Indiana county, subsequently removing to Clearfield county. Mrs. Ifert's father is now deceased, but her mother is still living at the age of 85 years. Mr. and Mrs. Ifert have been the parents of children as follows: Edith, now aged 31 years, is a school teacher, residing at home. Mary, aged 29, is the wife of W. B. Hall, agent for the Pennsylvania Co. at McGee and has two children. Horace, aged 29, married Nettie Myrtle, and resides in Jefferson county, Pa. Erwin, now 25 years old, married Bertha Pennington and lives in Punxatawney, Pa. He has two children. Mildred is the wife of F. Guthrie, of Cresson, Pa. William, aged 13, resides at home. Three other children are now deceased. Mr. Ifert is a member of the International Bible Students' Association.