History of Clearfield County Pennsylvania United States of America

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Biographies:

Philip Paul Bliss, musician, was born in Clearfield county, Pa., July 9, 1838. In 1856 he taught school at Hartsville, N.Y. Being possessed of remarkable vocal powers, he decided to pursue a musical career. In 1860 he attended a musical academy in Genesee, N.Y., and composed songs which acquired a local popularity. He became popular as a music teacher in the west, and prominent in the musical conventions conducted by Bradbury, Root and others, afterwards becoming a successful conductor of such gatherings. He devoted his time to that branch of labor, until he made the acquaintance of Mr. Moody, and became engaged in evangelistic work. Meantime he bad become widely known as a writer of hymns and melodies, some of which attained remarkable popularity, notably, "I am so glad that Jesus loves me," "Almost Persuaded," and "Hold the Fort." He was killed in a railway accident at Ashtabula, Ohio, Dec. 29, 1876.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Cyrus Jeffries Kephart, educator, was born in Clearfield county, Pa., Feb. 23, 1852; son of the Rev. Henry and Sarah (Goss) Kephart; grandson of Henry and Catharine (Smith) Kephart, and of Abraham and Elizabeth (Elmerheizer) Goss, and great grandson of Nicholas Kephart, who came from Switzerland to America in 1656. Abraham Goss, a native of Germany, enlisted with his father in Washington's army, and his mother served in the hospital as a nurse. Cyrus J. Kephart was graduated from Western college, Iowa, in 1874, and from Union Biblical seminary, Dayton, Ohio, in 1878. He was president of Avalon college, Avalon, Mo., 1878-85; professor of mathematics in Western college, 1885-87; minister of the United Brethren church, Des Moines, Iowa, 1887-89; president of Lebanon Valley college, Pa., 1889-90; pastor of Trinity U.B. church, Lebanon, Pa., 1890-94; general secretary of the Pennsylvania State Sabbath-School association, 1894-97; president of Avalon college, Trenton, Mo., 1897-99, and became pastor of the Summit U.B. church, Des Moines, Iowa, in 1899. He received the degree of D.D. in 1895 from Lebanon Valley college, Pa., of which institution he was a trustee, 1894-97. He was also elected a trustee of Western college, Iowa. He became editor of the Iowa Outlook, and is the author of: The Public Life of Christ (1892); Jesus the Nazarene (1894); The Life of Jesus for Children (1894).

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Ezekiel Boring Kephart, bishop, was born in Decatur township, Clearfield county, Pa., Nov. 6, 1834; son of the Rev. Henry and Sarah (Goss) Kephart. He was brought up on a farm, and later cut and floated lumber and found employment as a pilot on the Susquehanna river, thus earning the money with which to go to college. He was licensed to preach by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, in 1857, and entered the ministry in 1859. He attended Dickinson seminary and Mt. Pleasant college, Pa., and was graduated from Otterbein university, Ohio, A.B., 1865, A.M., 1868. He was principal of the Michigan Collegiate institute at Leonti, Mich., 1865-56; pastor of the United Brethren church, Mt. Nebo, Pa., 1866-68; president of Western college, Iowa, 1868-81, and state senator, 1872-76. He was consecrated bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ in 1881. He was elected a trustee of Lebanon Valley college, Annville, Pa., in 1896. He received the degree of D.D. from Otterbein university, Westerville, Ohio, in 1881, and that of LL.D. from Lebanon Valley college, Pa., in 1883.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Clearfield County Pennsylvania

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