History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania, 1887



John David Siegwarth Biography

Anthony L. Siegwarth was born near Fryburg, in what is now Clarion county, Pa., January 1, 1826.

His father, John David Siegwarth, was born in Metzingen, Province of Wurtemburg, Germany, May 16, 1786. When seventeen years of age he started to America without any money. At that time emigrants who had no money to pay their passage were sold on reaching America, to the highest bidder, and in this way their passage was paid. John Siegwarth was one of those emigrants, and worked to pay his ship-fare three years in Lancaster county, Pa., for the party to whom he was bound.

This obligation being fulfilled, he married Rosanna Henlen, of Lancaster county, started West, and became one of the early settlers in the present locality of Fryburg, Clarion county, Pa., where he bought a tract of land, improved it, and endured the many hardships along with the disadvantages of early pioneer life. He had a family of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters. Mr. Siegwarth took an active interest in organizing the Fryburg Lutheran Church, and during his subsequent life was one of its earnest and liberal supporters; he also took an active part in establishing schools, and gave a helping hand to various other improvements. He died January 30, 1858, and his wife died ten years afterwards.

A.L. Siegwarth was educated in the schools of his native township. and spent his youth on the farm with his father. Soon after he set out for himself he became a partner in Licking Furnace, and kept the books of the firm. He was afterwards bookkeeper for two years at Hemlock furnace, for F. & W.M. Faber, who owned the furnace but lived in Pittsburgh.

In May, 1851, he wedded Eliza Moore, of Farmington township. They have had five sons and five daughters - Mary (Magee), Rose A., Horace G., now clerking in the store of M. Arnold, in Clarion; Elizabeth A., John M., telegraph operator in Columbus, O., Anthony J., Jacob, Loretta J., Alice C., and Lewis F. Three of the children -Jacob, Lo.retta, and Lewis were called home before they reached the age of five years.

Mr. Siegwarth was book-keeper for Judge Cook ten years; for Buzard, Ritts & Co. three years; and for C. Leeper & Co. one year. He was commissioner of Forest county for six years, being elected in 1859; was auditor of Clarion county, the first Republican elected to that office in the county; was also engaged in the lumber business.

At present he is a well-to-do merchant in Scotch Hill, and owns and superintends the cultivation of a fine farm where he lives. It is located near Scotch Hill. As a book-keeper he is neat, careful, and painstaking, and has always had the entire confidence of his employers. He has always been strictly honest and straightforward in all his dealings with his fellow-men; believed, trusted, and respected by all who know him. His courtesy and liberal hospitality also are deserving of special mention.


Source: History of Clarion County; Davis, A. J.; Syracuse, NY; D. Mason and Co., 1887.












Siegwarth Genealogy Resources



Siegwarth Ancestry Resources