BIO: Joseph B. ARD, Centre County, PA

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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.
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  J. B. ARD. One of the prominent representatives of the commercial and 
industrial interests of Centre county is the gentleman whose name 
introduces this brief notice, the well-known merchant miller of Pine 
Grove Mills. He belongs to one of the leading and influential families 
of Central Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather, Dr. Joseph B. Ard, 
was for many years an eminent physician of Mifflin county, making his 
home in Lewistown, but finally retired from active life, and spent his 
remaining days in Philadelphia, where his death occurred February 27, 
1861. He was born September 18, 1784, and was of Scotch extraction, his 
ancestors coming to this country prior to the Revolutionary war.
  George Ard, the father of our subject, was born in Lewistown, Penn., 
May 14, 1814, and on attaining to man's estate was united in marriage 
with Miss Emeline Harvey, a daughter of Nathan Harvey, of Mill Hall, 
Clinton Co., Penn. She died when our subject was but six years of age, 
but her husband long survived her, passing away in 1892. He was laid to 
rest in the cemetery at Lewistown. In their family were four children, 
namely: (1) Eliza R. married Francis Shoemaker, of Philadelphia, where 
they made their home for about thirty-five years. There she died some 
twenty years ago, leaving three children - Ellen A., wife of Duncan L. 
Buzly, an attorney at law of Philadelphia; George A., who died in 1883, 
at the age of twenty-two years; and Francis, an importer of drugs. (2) 
J. B., subject of this sketch, is next in order of birth. (3) Dr. 
Wilson P., a practicing physician of Woodward, Centre county, married 
Amanda Body, of Berks county, Penn., and has four children. (4) Ellen 
R., twin sister of the Doctor, became the wife of Robert A. Lovett, and 
died in 1878, in Florida, whither she had gone for her health, being 
troubled with pulmonary disease. Her remains were interred at 
Lewistown. For a number of years she and her husband had lived in 
Paris, France, where he was engaged in the banking business. When last 
heard from he was in the West.
  Being left without a mother's tender care, at an early age, J. B. Ard 
and his brother, Wilson P. were placed by their father in school at 
McVeytown, on the Juniata river, near Lewistown, Penn., where they 
remained some five years, and were subsequently students in the Pine 
Grove Mills Academy for the same length of time, there completing their 
literary educations. On leaving the school room our subject entered a 
store as clerk, where he was employed for two years, and then held a 
similar position in the dry-goods establishment of Cooper & Conard, of 
Philadelphia. In 1864 he took a course in Pollock's Mercantile College. 
Returning to Pine Grove Mills, Mr. Ard, in 1868, established himself in 
mercantile business, which he successfully carried on until 1871, when 
he disposed of his business, and has since given his attention to 
merchant milling.
  In 1885, Mr. Ard was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Lytle, of 
Ferguson township, Centre county. Two children were born to them, one 
of who died in infancy; the other, a bright little boy, was born August 
16, 1893. In politics, Mr. Ard is a stalwart Democrat, and in religious 

404  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  

belief in inclined toward the Presbyterian doctrine, to which his wife 
adheres. They occupy a most elegant home, tastefully and luxuriantly 
furnished, and here their many friends are sure to receive a hearty 
welcome.

1900 Ferguson Township, Centre County census -
Joseph Ard, 57  
Mary Ard, 48  
Wilson Ard, 6