BIO: Reuben D. BIERLY, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ 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. _____________________________________________________________________ R. D. BIERLY, a leading contractor and builder of Brush Valley, Centre county, is a member of a family that has been so prominent in this section from the pioneer days as to need no introduction to our readers. Mr. Bierly is a great-grandson of Anthony Bierly, the famous old pioneer, and a grandson of Nicholas Bierly, who was born in 1775, and came to Brush Valley with his father. As the latter's health became impaired, the support of a numerous family devolved upon the two elder sons, Nicholas and John, the former naturally taking the lead. He married Lucy Buchtel, who was born in 1778, the daughter of John Buchtel, an early settler of Brush Valley. For many years this worthy couple lived in Rebersburg, where both died, he on July 25, 1848, and she on March 26, 1851, their remains being interred in the Lutheran and Reformed cemetery at Rebersburg. They had ten children, whose names with dates of birth are as follows: Nicholas, Jr., February 12, 1799, died in Sugar Valley, in 1877; Hannah, May 26, 1800, married Henry Keyer, and died in Miles township; Michael, September 25, 1801, and John, September 25, 1803, died in Miles township after reaching adult age; David, December 8, 1805, lives in Montgomery township, Wood county, Ohio; Anthony, August 26,1807, is mentioned more fully below; Reuben, March 8, 1809, removed to Missouri; Peter, April 13, 1814, died near Milesburg, Centre county; Simeon, March 25, 1817, is also deceased; and George, July 17, 1819, resides in Montgomery township, Wood Co., Ohio. Anthony Bierly, the father of our subject, was born August 26, 1807, at the old Bierly homestead, near Rebersburg, and after attending for a time the local schools, such as they were, he learned the cooper's trade, completing his apprenticeship under Robert Smith, of Penn's Valley. He was married in Miles township, Centre county, to Miss Rachel Ruhl, a native of York county, Penn., born in February, 1811. Her father died when she was a child, and an uncle, John Ruhl, who died in Lock Haven, brought her to Brush Valley, where she grew to womanhood. Neither of the young couple had any assistance from home to give them a start in life, but Anthony Bierly made a comfortable living at his trade, which he followed during his active life. As his boys became old enough for work, he kept them busy upon a farm which he owned, but he did not devote his own time to it, farther than to direct their labors. On retiring from business Anthony Bierly removed to Kreamerville to a comfortable residence built by our subject, who traded it as part payment on the home farm, agreeing as a further consideration to support his parents as long as they should live. The mother died October 21, 1886, and the father on July 2, 1890, both devout members of the Lutheran Church. He never acquired more than a fair competence, and was disinclined to contend for his rights, preferring to lose an account rather than sue any one. This peaceable disposition, together with his unshaken integrity, won him friends among all classes, and he was highly esteemed throughout the community. He was a Democrat in politics, and in early life voted regularly, but, as old age came on, his feeble health prevented him at times from getting to the polls. He had nine children, namely: Catherine, who married (first) John W. Barker, and (second) Elijah Sharp, who died at Kreamerville; Hannah, now the widow of Michael Krape, of Clintondale, Penn.; Lydia (now Mrs. Samuel Loose), of Rebersburg; Abigail, who married Frederick Hartman, and died in Clinton county, Penn.; Cornelius, a farmer and plasterer of Bradner, Ohio; Margaret, the widow of Gideon Kreamer, of Brush Valley; R. D., our subject; Paulina (now Mrs. Jacob Wolheiser), of Kreamerville; and Fauette (now Mrs. David Meyer), of Miles township. R. D. Bierly's birth occurred February 3, 270 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1844, in Miles township, Centre county, and he was educated in the common schools of that locality, improving his opportunities so well that before he was twenty-one he taught successfully at the Gramley school. He was reared to farm work, but, as he possessed unusual mechanical skill, he decided to learn the carpenter's trade, and after one summer at the work was as competent as most apprentices after a full term. For one year he was employed as a skilled workman, and then went into business on his own account, his reputation increasing with the progress of time until he holds to-day a foremost place among the workers in that line in his section. As a contractor he is noted for his honesty and fair dealing, and he has built many of the best residences in Centre county, including some of the most elegant homes in Millheim and Rebersburg. Other buildings which stand as evidences of his skill are the Lutheran churches at Millheim and Rebersburg, and the school houses there and in Coburn. Financially, he has prospered, and he owns two houses in Rebersburg, as well as 115 acres of timber land and forty acres of cleared land. His home in Rebersburg, built in 1897, is a model of tasteful architecture. In 1867 Mr. Bierly was married to Miss Pauline Frank, only daughter of Samuel and Saloma (Brungart) Frank. After his marriage, Mr. Bierly made his home in Kreamerville for some time before removing to Rebersburg. Seven children have blessed his marriage: Sally, the wife of Thomas Auman, of Rebersburg; Willis F., residing at Rebersburg; Charles C., a carpenter at Rebersburg; Melvin C., who died June 10, 1882, at the age of four years; and Curtis M., Samuel A. and Raymond S., who are at home. As a citizen, Mr. Bierly's influence is felt in every progressive movement as a helpful force. He and his wife are leading members of the Lutheran Church, in which he has held the office of deacon for many years; he is also identified with the Grange, being master for several years of Miles Grange. Politically he is a Democrat, but he is not at all bigoted, and when occasion seems to demand it he votes independently. He has never sought office, his attention being confined to other matters. 1880 Frankville, Centre County census - Reuben D. Bierly, 35 Paulina Bierly, 33 Sallie Jane Bierly, 11 Willis F. Bierly, 6 Charles C. Bierly, 5 Melvin C. Bierly, 2 James K. Bierly, 1/12