BIO: John W. CONLEY, Centre County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich

Copyright 2008.  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.
_____________________________________________________________________ 

  JOHN W. CONLEY, an influential and popular agriculturist of Potter 
township, Centre county, was born April 3, 1836, in Armagh township, 
Mifflin Co., Penn.  His father, Richard Conley, was a native of the 
same county, born September 2, 1809, just six weeks after his parents, 
John Conley and wife, had come to the United States from the North of 
Ireland.  In their family were eleven children, two sons (Richard and 
Joseph H.) and nine daughters, of whom only one is now living: 
Catharine, wife of P. W. McDowell of Mackeyville, Clinton Co., Penn.  
The grandfather died in Mifflin county, where he had followed his trade 
of coopering.
  Richard Conley was early thrown upon his own resources for a 
livelihood, and when a boy learned the blacksmith's trade, but did not 
follow the same.  In the county of his nativity he married Mrs. Hannah 
L. Bryson, who was born 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  220

in Chester county, Penn., April 16, 1800, a daughter of William Cottle, 
who was a member of the Society of Friends.  By her first marriage she 
had two children, who died in infancy; and three children were born of 
the second union:  Bethsheba M., who married Robert Holmes and died in 
Benner township, Centre county; John W., of this sketch; and Mary J., 
wife of John Holmes of Jacksonville, Pennsylvania.
  After his marriage, Richard Conley rented a farm in Mifflin county 
for four years, after which he removed to Earlystown, Penn., where for 
the next decade he made his home, and then located on a farm on the 
Brush Valley road in Gregg township, Centre county, near the Potter 
township line, which he operated until the spring of 1863. Upon that 
place the mother of our subject died in August, 1860, and was buried in 
the Stone Church cemetery in Mifflin county.  After coming to Centre 
county she had united with the Presbyterian Church, although by 
birthright she was a Quaker, and was ever afterward a consistent member 
of that denomination.
  In the spring of 1863, the father sold his stock, and farm tools, and 
enlisted in the Emergency Regiment, of which he was appointed 
quartermaster.  It was stationed in Somerset and Bedford counties, this 
State, to resist the Confederate invasion, and later was sent to 
Gettysburg, but arrived too late to participate in that battle.  After 
doing guard duty at Harrisburg, the regiment was disbanded.  In the 
fall of 1863, Mr. Conley was elected sheriff of Centre county, assuming 
the duties of the office on the fourth Monday in November, and 
acceptably served for three years, during which time he made his home 
in Bellefonte.  There he wedded Miss Mary A. Irvin, by whom he had one 
child, Edith, who died in infancy.  The wife and mother died in 
September 1895.  On his retirement from office, Mr. Conley removed to a 
farm in Benner township, Centre county, which he hired a man to 
operate, and there made his home until called to his final rest 
September 2, 1881.  His remains were interred in the cemetery of 
Jacksonville.  He was a Mason, and for years was an elder in the 
Presbyterian Church.  He was a fine specimen of physical manhood, being 
six feet, one inch in height, and weighing 215 pounds.  Although in 
youth his school training was limited, he acquired a good practical 
knowledge by reading and observation in later years.
  When four years of age, John W. Conley accompanied his parents to 
Earlystown and can distinctly remember the journey.  There he began his 
education, which was all obtained in the district schools until he was 
twenty years of age, after which he attended the Boalsburg Academy 
(then taught by Rev. Austin) for two years.  Being the only son, he 
rendered much assistance to this father in the labors of the farm, and 
thus early became familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the 
agriculturist.
  In February 1, 1861, in Potter township, Mr. Conley was married to 
Miss Catherine Keller, who was born in that township, May 11, 1840, a 
daughter of John H. and Rachel (Alexander) Keller.  Three children 
graced their union: William J., born in Gregg township, October 14, 
1861, is a resident of Bellefonte, and by his marriage has one 
daughter, Nellie; Richard N., born January 8, 1864, died at the age of 
fifteen months; and James K., born January 1, 1868, is living in 
Freeport, Ill.  Mr. Conley engaged in farming in Gregg township until 
1879, when he removed to Centre Hall, and became connected with the 
foundry of that place, selling machinery in Virginia and Maryland.  On 
July 9, 1872, he removed to his present place, a portion of the old 
Keller farm, and all of the improvements found thereon stand as 
monuments to his thrift and industry.  His home being destroyed by fire 
in 1878, he erected his present commodious brick residence.
  Although not strictly partisan, Mr. Conley by his ballot generally 
supports the Democratic party at State and national elections, but at 
other times votes for the man whom he considers best qualified to fill 
the office.  A jovial, genial gentleman, he has made hosts of warm 
friends throughout the county, and he and his estimable wife hold an 
enviable position in social circles.  Reared in the Presbyterian 
Church, he has always adhered to that faith while she is a consistent 
member of the Reformed Church.