BIO: Michael STEVER, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, page 254. __________________________________________________________________ MICHAEL STEVER, Latta Grove, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Cass township, April 5, 1832, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Bomgardner) Stever. His grandfather, George Stever, was a native of Berks county, of German extraction. Coming to Huntingdon county, he settled near Cassville, where he owned a considerable tract of land, on which he made various improvements, including the building of a dwelling house and barn. He married Miss Mathias, of Maryland. Their children were: Adam; Philip; Joseph; David; John; Sarah; Catherine; Elizabeth; and Mary. George Stever belonged to the Whig party. He was a member of the Lutheran church. Both he and his wife died on the homestead. Their son, Joseph Stever, spent his life in Cass township, where he owned over 115 acres of land, on which he erected the necessary farm buildings, and a residence, and made other improvements. He raised stock, besides tilling the ground. He was a Republican. His wife, Rebecca Bomgardner, was born in Cass township. Their children are: Abraham and Isaac, twins, deceased; Jacob, deceased; Philip, of Fairfield, Ia.; Michael; George W., of Cass township; Israel, deceased, resided in Iowa; Matilda (Mrs. Isaac Dill); Levina (Mrs. John White), of Mifflin county; Henry, resides on the homestead; Sarah, housekeeper for her brother Michael John, deceased, resided in Iowa; and two children who died at an early age. The parents both died at the homestead, the mother in 1866, the father in 1879. He was a member of the Lutheran church. Michael Stever attended the common schools of Cass township, and began his life work with farm labor, at which he was occupied when the war of the Rebellion broke out. He enlisted at Mount Union, June 26, 1863, in Company A, Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry, Capt. John D. Fee, and served for six months; was discharged in February, 1864, and went home, but re-enlisted August 27, of the same year, in the Third Heavy Artillery, Company F, under Colonel Roberts and Capt. J. A. Blake. Mr. Stever was at Camp Hamilton. After serving nine months he was discharged June 13, 1865. Returning home he continued to be occupied with farm work until 1891, when he began keeping a grocery store at Latta Grove. In May, 1891, he was appointed postmaster, the first to keep the Latta Grove P. O., which he still manages. He has built himself a fine residence, a store, a barn, etc., his improvements costing about $1,500. Mr. Stever has been supervisor, school director, judge of elections, and juryman. He is a Republican. He is connected with the G. A. R., the I. O. O. F., and the P. O. S. of A. He also belongs to the Grange. Mr. Stever is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has taught in its Sunday-school.