BIO: Simon KEPHART, 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 541 - 544. _____________________________________________________________ SIMON KEPHART, who is a member of one of the old families of Decatur Township, Clearfield County, Pa., and a veteran of the Civil War, was born August 26, 1840, in Decatur Township, one mile from Osceola, and has always lived here with the exception of his four years of service in the Civil War and one year's residence in Kansas. He is a son of George and Mary Ann (Amy) Kephart, and a grandson of Henry Kephart and a great-grandson of Nicholas Kephart. Nicholas Kephart was born in Switzerland, one of six brothers, and they all came to America in 1750 and settled in Eastern Pennsylvania. They were sturdy men and their excellent qualities were perpetuated through large and vigorous families and the name is not an unusual one in Pennsylvania. Nicholas Kephart married Mary Frye, who was of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction and possibly was born in Berks County. Henry Kephart, son of Nicholas and Mary Kephart, was probably born in Penn's Valley. He often referred to that section and it is known that he came from there in 1804 and settled two miles west of Osceola Mills, where he took up an improved claim, on which he lived until he was seventy-one years of age. He was a man of sterling character and of such kind and winning personality that he was much beloved by those who were his neighbors. On this account his mysterious death or disappearance, caused wide spread interest and regret. At that time wild animals still infested the mountains, but he had spent so many years in these regions that he was well prepared for any attack that could have been made on him by either bears or panthers; but, with his friendly disposition he might not have been equally secure from a murderous assault made by a fellow creature. In 1857 he started alone over the mountains to visit two daughters who lived in Bald Eagle Valley, walking to Sandy Ridge, where he met the stage and was taken to his destination. His visit over, some two weeks later he was a passenger with one Andy Green, to Sandy Ridge, where they stopped at a hotel for dinner and Mr. Green endeavored to have the aged gentleman continue on the stage as far as Philipsburg, from which place to his home would have been a less tiresome and shorter walk. Mr. Kephart, however, was too old and seasoned a mountain traveler to consider this proposition, and left his companion, saying: "I'll walk over the old mountain road." That was the last ever seen of this old pioneer of Decatur Township, although searchers traced him to a place half way between Sandy Ridge and the old toll gate. He was so well known all through this section and so highly esteemed that the whole country was aroused and hundreds left their farms and ordinary occupations in order to join in the search. Suspicious circumstances finally caused a certain man to be suspected of having waylaid Mr. Kephart, possibly for robbery on the supposition that he was carrying money, and that the body may have been placed in the fill that was then being made in the construction of the railroad. There were many tragedies in those early days in some sections of the country but none in Decatur Township that ever so disturbed the whole people as the complete disappearance of this kindly, warm-hearted old gentleman. Henry Kephart was married to Catherine Smith, who came also from the Penn's Valley region, and they had twelve children, all of whom have passed off the scene of life. David spent his life just beyond Osceola Mills. Henry was the father of the eminent Bishop E. B. Kephart, of the United Brethren church. Andrew lived on the farm now occupied by his son, G. W. Kephart. George resided on a part of the old homestead. William lived in what is now New Castle, later moved to Iowa and died in Republic County, Kans. Stephen's widow lives at Osceola Mills. Mary married Andrew Nearhoof and they lived in Bald Eagle Valley. Barbara married Simon Nearhoof, and they also lived in Bald Eagle Valley. Charlotte was the wife of John Crain, of Decatur Township. Ellen married Daniel Kephart, a second cousin. Nancy was the wife of Richard Hughes. Peggy married William Harner and died at Freedom Furnace. The mother of the above family died in 1856 and at that time had eleven living children, ninety- six grandchildren and sixty-three great-grandchildren. George Kephart, son of Henry and father of Simon Kephart, was born on the old home place in 1814. His life was an agricultural one and was spent in Decatur Township where he had seventy acres of the old homestead. His death was an accidental one, caused by a falling tree, on March 25, 1865. He had married Mary Ann Amy, who was born in Bald Eagle Valley and survived until 1882. Eleven children were born to them, as follows: Catherine, who was the wife of John M. Test, of Philipsburg, Pa.; Simon; Perry C., who lives at Hampton Roads, Va.; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Waldron Elliott, of Decatur Township; Alice, who is the wife of John Keller, of Decatur Township; Tamer, deceased, who was the wife of J. O. Richards; Rebecca, who married Nicholas Debuque (they live at Escanaba, Mich.); William H., who died in 1910, in Decatur Township; Esther, who is the wife of Allen Britton, of Decatur Township; Mary Ann, who is the widow of Frederick Starline, of Osceola Mills; and Jennie, who is the wife of William Campman, of Tioga County. Simon Kephart grew to manhood on the home farm. On September 19, 1861, he enlisted for service in the Union Army for the Civil War, at Camp Crossman, in Huntingdon County, entering Co. K, 110th Pa. Vol. Inf. After participating in the battle of Fredericksburg, Co. K was consolidated with Co. A, and with this organization he remained through all the great events, battles, marches and campaigns until he received his honorable discharge on June 28, 1865. Considering the many battles in which Mr. Kephart participated it is remarkable that he escaped without injuries, although on many occasions bullets penetrated his clothing. To name the great battles in which this veteran served as a brave, cheerful and obedient soldier, will recall to all lovers of their country the days when its liberties were in the hands of men who daily faced death in its most terrible aspects. He was at Winchester, Va., March 23, 1862; at Fort Republic, June 9, 1862; Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862; Fredericksburg, with the Army of the Potomac, December 13, 1862; Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863; Mine Run Heights, November, 1863; Wilderness, under Gen. Grant, May 3-5, 1864; Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 2, 1864; Deep Bottom, Va., July 27, 1864, and Petersburg, and was in all the skirmishing that immediately preceded the surrender of Gen. Lee at Appomattox. At Deep Bottom, Va., out of 11 non-commissioned officers and privates that went into the fight, two came out, Mr. Kephart and George Traxal. After the close of his military service Mr. Kephart returned home and remained with his mother until his marriage. In 1870 he came to Osceola and after the town was burned he lived at Moshannon colliery until 1879. He then spent one year in Kansas and then came back to Osceola where he has resided ever since. He is a valued member of the Grand Army Post at this place. On June 25, 1868, Mr. Kephart was married to Miss Amanda G. Peary, who was born in Clarion County but was reared in Center County. She is a daughter of John C. and Adaline (Lamborn) Peary, the former of whom died in the Union Army during the Civil War, a member of Co. E, 45th Pa. Vol. Inf., and his burial was at Fortress Monroe. Mrs. Kephart was the second born in a family of seven children. To Mr. and Mrs. Kephart, six children were born, as follows: Glencora, who is the wife of Thomas Hobba, and they live at Scalp Level, Cambria County, Pa.; Maud, who is the wife of Harry Taylor, of Osceola Mills: Annabel, who is the wife of James Ashworth, of Osceola Mills; Walter Forest, who died when aged three years and 11 months; George C., who lives at home; and Bessie L., who is the wife of Barney Press, of Ashtola, Somerset County, Pa. Mr. Kephart and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Republican in his political views.