Clearfield County PA Archives - Photos: Tyler, David Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Ellis Michaels, , Oct 2008 Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ ________________________________________________ http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/photos/tyler-david.txt Photo may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/photos/tyler-david.jpg David Tyler, leading citizen of Clearfield County photo scanned from Roland D. Swoopes "Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, PA and Representative Citizens", published 1911, page 659 DAVID TYLER, deceased, for years was one of the leading men of Huston Township, Clearfield County, being identified with its important interests, many of which he founded and encouraged through his progressiveness and public spirit. The prosperous town of Tyler, named in his honor, stands on a part of his 600-acre farm. He was born in Oneida County, N. Y., March 19, 1809, and was a son of Martin and Elizabeth (Alfoot) Tyler. The parents were natives of Connecticut and came to Pennsylvania and settled in Bradford County. David Tyler was one of a family of ten children and his boyhood was spent in Oneida County, where he later taught school, and he continued to teach after coming to Lycoming County, Pa. At the time of the building of the West Branch Canal, he went to Northumberland County and worked on its construction for a time. After his marriage, in 1830 he engaged in the lumber business with Dr. Reed at Trout Run, in Lycoming County and became a man of public importance there. He was first appointed to the office of justice of the peace by Governor Shultz; second by Governor Ritner, and was elected to his third term. In 1848 he moved to Clearfield County and came to Huston Township, which was then so much of a wilderness that the road had to be cleared in order that his wagons could penetrate the forest, and deer and other wild animals were numerous. The first home was only a log shanty but a substantial frame house soon took its place and later, after he had burned the bricks on his farm, Mr. Tyler built the present 16-room brick mansion that continues to be the family homestead. When Mr. Tyler came first to Huston Township it was in the interest of John DuBois, the great lumberman of this district, and he was connected with him until he began operating timber tracts for himself. It was while he was yet with Mr. DuBois that he took the first load of coal from this section down the creek, in a flat-boat, in order to have it tested. Mr. Tyler was a far-seeing, sensible man and his ideas along all lines were far in advance of his fellow citizens. It was he who first saw the wisdom of introducing farm machinery and owned the first threshing machine and other farm implements that before his time had been entirely unknown to even the best informed farmers of the county. He also was the first purchaser of a sewing machine. He and Mahlon Fisher invented the first log slide. His house was the place of hospitable entertainment for all strangers, there being no inn of any kind in this section at the time, and his kindness, cordiality and good feeling entitled him to the high regard in which he was universally held. He organized the first general store in Huston Township, hauling his goods from Tyrone, Pa. He was the first postmaster at Tyler and remained in office for many years and was succeeded by his daughter, Miss Phebe Tyler, who held the office for thirteen years. He was a generous supporter of schools and churches and not only brought the first M. E. minister to this section but supported him until the church membership provided a fund. In partnership with Dr. Hills of Clearfield, he operated the stage coach, carrying the mails between Clearfield and Ridgway, in Elk County. He was one of the earliest members of the order of Odd Fellows in this section and until his death was active in that organization. His long, useful and every way worthy life closed in November, 1882. On January 30, 1830, Mr. Tyler was married to Miss Isabella Mahaffey, who was born in Lycoming County, Pa. An interesting incident in connection with this marriage was that the bride insisted that she be married in her native county, although the appropriate room, the parlor of the house, stood just across the line in Northumberland County. There was nothing left to do except to have the ceremony performed in the kitchen, which stood in Lycoming county. She was a granddaughter of John Clendenen, who served as one of General Washington's bodyguards, during the Revolutionary War, and was a witness of the execution of Major Andre, as a spy. She lived into extreme old age, passing away in 1902 at the age of ninety-two years. Ten children were born to David Tyler and his wife, namely: Mary, who resides at Lock Haven, Pa., is the widow of Robert C. Packer, a cousin of former Governor Asa T. Packer, of Pennsylvania; John C. and Roxanna, both of whom are deceased; Margaret, now deceased, who was the wife of William Schryver; Martin V. and Martha, twins, the former of whom lives in Huston Township, the latter dying young; James A. and Phebe, who, with Martin V., occupy the old homestead; Emma, now deceased, who was the wife of Charles Coryell, also deceased; and David, who is also deceased. The children were all born at Trout Run, Lycoming County. They were reared in the Presbyterian church.