V|\ iTo »^y

Historical

and Biographical Annals

Columbia and Montour
Counties
PENNSYLVANIA
Containing

Concise History of the

Two

Counties and a

Genealogical and Biographical Record
of

Representative Families

TWO VOLUMES

ILLUSTRATED

VOLUME

CHICAGO
J.

BEERS & CO.
1915

^v^..

THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
I^

783450
AS""OR,

LENOX AND

TILDiN FOUNDATIONS

1917

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Abiams, Abnun
Abrams, Isaac B
Achy, Epliraim
Acliy,

1000
1000
1202
1202
897
897
647
633
851

Mabery

Acor Family
Acor, Joseph S

Adams, Charles
Adams, Charles E
Adams, Emerson

Adams

Families

633, 646, 851, 890, 921, 963, 1192

922
1192
647
John K
921
Peter J
963
Samuel
890
Ulysses R
987
Aiders, William
628
Aikman Family
629
Aikman, James E
628
Aikman, John
935
Albeck Family
1234
Albertson, Bartley
1234
Albertson, Edward
Alexander, Miss Harriet J... 582
582
Alexander, Samuel D
1088
Alleger Family
612
Altmiller, Charles F., M. D.
612
Altmiller Family
322
Amerman, Dr. Alonzo
320
Amerman, Charles V
904
Amesbury, Arthur C
904
Amesbury Family
919
Ammerman, Bernard
792
Ammerman, John B
319, 688
Ammerman, R. Scott
776
Andy, John
776
Andy, William
1212
Angell Family
1212
Angell, Richard B
608
Angle Family
319, 608
Angle, Frank C
609
Angle, Theodore R
Anthony, Judge Joseph B..66, 312
879
Appleman, Eli
879
Appleman Family
871
Armes, John
871
Armes, William J
1130
Armstronn:, Alfred
1063
Arnhold Family
1227
Artlev Family
1227
Artley, William
1238
Artman, Clark D

Adams,
Adams,
Adams,
Adams,
Adams,
Adams,

Miss Frances
Jacob

Artman Family
Ash Family
Ash, Stewart
Aten Family

1238'

745
745
690

Auten Family

Auten, Robert C
Averill, Archer
Averill, Mrs. Margaret

899
899
805
805

Belles

Fam'ilies

830,999

Henderson F
Jonathan
Berninger, Aaron
Berninger, Arias J
Berninger Family
Berninger, Jonas
Beyer Family
Beyer, Levi 'V

829
999
818
818
706
662
726
726
1077
Bibby, Mrs. Julia
1076
Bibby, Matthew A
Biddle Families
291, 644
644
Biddlo, Dr. John
291
Biddle, William
1160
Billig, Cliarles
1160
Billig. Martin L
482
Billmeyer, Alexander
394, 482
Billmeyer Families
483
Billmever. Harrv
635
Bird Faniilv
Bitler. Benjamin E., M. D.323. 679
Bitler Families
679, 907
908
Bitler, Dr. Sherman E

Belles,
Belles,

iii

Black Family

Blank Family

1228
Baker, Charles
Baker Families. 943, 950, 983, 1228
983
Baker, Dr. Frank
950
Baker, Ceorge G
943
Baker, Sanuiel
317, 576
Baldy, Edward
576
Baldy Family
287, 576
Baldy, Peter, Sr
318, 576
Baldy, William J
320
Bare, Harry C
504
Barger, Charles C
504
Barger Family
523
Barkley Family
Barnard Family
1059
1059
Barnard, Orrin H
Barton Families
568, 762, 1069
762
Barton, Harry S
1069
Barton, Henry C
Bates Family
1190
1190
Bates, Richard
Bauchcr Family
816
1065
Bauman, Elias F
Bauman Family
1065
Beach Family
1218
Beaver Family
406
758
Beaver, Henry P
Beaver. Thomas
364, 384, 406
660
Beck, Daniel B
Beck Family
660
.

Bittner, Archible
Bittner Family
Black, Alfred B

Blee Families
Blee,
Blee,

Frank G

Robert E
Bloss Family

Frank E
John N
Nelson
Blue Family
Blue, Horace C
Bogart, Aaron

Bloss,
Bloss,
Bloss,

Bomboy

Families

Bomboy, Frank
Bomboy, Leonard R
Boody Family

Boody, Lincoln

Boone Family
Boudman Family
Boudman, J. Roland

Bower, Bruce H
Bower, Clemuel R
Bower, Edward F

Bower Families
732,

796,

827,

523
523
478
479
946
587, 727
587
727
96G
731
731
966
715
715
1124
770, 890
770
770
572
572
1113
825
825
732
1033
1250

....598, 613.
838, 1129, 1250

598
613
828
838
796
1033
422
422
Boyd Family
Boyd, Jolin *C
286, 423
Boyer Families
681, 689
895
Boyer, Jacob
689
Boyer, Jacob
894
Boyer, Reuben
681
Boyer, William E
843
Boyles Family
Boylea, Jo.shu"a
185, 842
Branrien Family
430
Brannen, James L
430
Bredbenner Family
831
805
Bredbenner, Mrs. Lydia A
832
Bredbenner, Miles S
831
Bredbenner, Wm.
Breisch, Ernest E
1177
Breisch Families ..588, 1110, 1177
Breisch. George
1177
588
Breisch, Hannon
1110
Breisch, John E
621
Brewington, Percy
456
Bright, Hon. Dennis

Bower, George
Bower, Hiram R
Bower, Hiram
Bower, Oscar
Bower, R. Orval
Bower, Solomon
Boyd, Daniel

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX

15ri^'ht

i'luuilics

Blight, -Mrs.
ini-rlit.

288, 45G

Lucy

-iaS

288, 457

IVtor

975
975
1023
951
951
1017, 1060
1066
1088
1088
476
476
561
1102

J?riiik 1-iimilv

Brink, liany S
Biitt Family
Biittaiu lauiily
Brittaiu, W illiiiiu

Biobst Families
Biobst, Tliomas

Bii>ok\vav Fainilv
Brta-kway, Kolaiul

Bruwor Family

Browcr, William H
Brown, Benton B
Brown, Edward J

Brown Families
561, 1102, 1164
(ieorge B...290, 384, 562

472, 474,

Brown,
Brown,
Brown,
Brown,
Brown,

472
474
1164
W. Earle
563
William G
1059
Bruder, Miss Gussie A
1059
Bnuler. John A
894
Brujxlor Family
508
Bruner Family
508
Bniner, John W., M. D
825
IWunner Family
1243
Brunstetter, George
693
Brvan Family
693
Bryan. .JoIu/G
778
Bucci Family
Bucci, Giovanni (John Bush) 778
1112
Bucher. Charles E
1112
Bui'her Family
798
Buck Family'
798
Buck. Thomas R
403
Buckalew, Hon. Charles R
Buckalew Families
403, 630
406
Buckalew. Capt. John
502
Buckalew. Louis
743
Buckingham Family
743
Buckingham, George A
824
Burhard. Rev. Edward A
786
Burket Family
981
Bush Family
981
Bush. Frederick
Bush. John (Giovanni Bucci) 778
317
Butler, George D
1047
Butler. Kent A
1047
Butler. Thomas
517
Butt Family
517
Butt, William A

James C

John

J.,

Cadman, Enoch
Cadman. John

1247
1246
1142
Campbell. Charles H
Campbell Families. 665, 1137, 1142
1130
Canouse, David
Canouse Family
1130
^Irs.
Sarah
1129
Canouse.
C
802
Carrathers Family
802
Carrathers. John' A
Carse Family
666
666
Carse, Robert A
Catterall Families
808, 945
945
Catterall, George
Catterall. .Joseph
808
Clialfant. Cliarles
320

H
H

Chalfant.

Thomas

Chamberlain Family

291

735

chamberlain, Isadore F
Chapman, Judge Seth

735
311
915
Chiids Family
915
Childs, William F. P
712
Clirisnum Family
712
Chrisman, lion. William
1253
C
lapp, ll'.'iuy C
1252
Clapp, Mrs. Mary E
451
Clark, David
769, 1077
Clark Families
769
Clark, Frank R., M. D
581
Clay, Arthur S
581
Clay Family
767,1019
Clewell Families
767
Clewcll, Laurence 1
865
Cloud, Charles G
865
Cloud, William J
802
Cohen, Joseph, M. D
802
Cohen, Lewis
1052
Coira Family
1052
Coira, Henry L
928
Cole, Jacob H
928
Cole, Thomas
730
Coliey Family
730
Colley, Richard F
315
Comly Family
315
Comly, Joshua
974
Conner, John
974
Conner, Samuel J
737
Conner, Theodore F
65,

Conyngliam,, Judge John

312
1119
1119
Cook Family
314
Cooper, John
Cornelison Families. 480, 991, 1231
1252
Cornelison, James
292, 480
Cornelison, Joseph
1231
Cornelison, Robert
697
Cotner Family
697
Cotner, George P
697
Cotner, Hiram E
1091
Crawford, Clinton
1091
Crawford Family
Creasy Families
.614, 620, 652, 676, 982, 1004
614
Creasy, Francis P
620
Creasy, Dr. George E
982
Ci-easy, Harvey Lewis
652
Creasy, Joseph A
1004
Creasy, William E
676
Creasy, Hon. William T
773
Creveling, Daniel
774, 984
Creveling Families
1210
Creveling,' Herman G
978
Crispell, Chester F
978
Crispell Family
532
Crispin, Hon. ]3enjamin
534
Crispin, Benjamin F., Jr
536
Crispin, Clarence G
528
Crispin Family
535
Crispin. M. Jackson
1064
Croop, Allen B
1176
Croop Family
1063
Croop, George
Milton
1176
Croop.
Daniel
F
708
Ci-ossley,
Families.
.708, 1069, 1232
Crossley
Robert
1069
Crossley,
819
Culp, Cliarles
819
Gulp, Reuben
713
Cummings Family
Cook, Charles

66,

713
767
767
Ciirrin, Percival C
453
C\irry, Daniel
452
Curry, Edwin A., M. D. .323,
792
Curry Families. .394, 400, 452,
792
Curry, John R.

Cummings, John
Currin Family

1080
1080
734
Davenport Family
734
Davenport, Ray
Davis Families.... 582, 1054, 1175
1054
Davis, John J
1175
Davis, W^illiam T
712
Davis, William
701, 991
Dean Families
991
Dean, Joseph
991
Dean, Mrs. Margaret B
557
Deen Family
284, 557
Deen, John, Sr
1219
Deily Family
J319
Deily, John'
815
Deitrick, Elmer F
815
Deitrick, W'illiam
853
Delanty Family
1115
Delay, Emmanuel
1115
Delay Family
1115
Delay, Mrs. Mary
DeLong Families. .592, 668, 1233
592
DeLong, Frank E
668
DeLong, Jerome B
668
DeLong, Perry
740
De Mott, Cyrus
740
De Mott Family
848
Dengler Family
955
Dentler Family
955
Dentler, Frank D
1244
Depew, Jonathan
1098
Derr, Charles F
Derr Families. .554, 753, 863, 1098
554
Derr, F. C
753
Derr, J. Miles
863
Derr, ]Mont
Deutsch Family
920
919
Deutscli, William L
787
Dewald, John B
DeWitt Families
641, 1003
641
DeWitt, William
Dice Family
1144
1144
Dice, Joseph C
845
Dickson, Clark L
579
Dickson, Conway W^
580
Dickson, David C
Dickson Families
580, 845
579
Dickson, Sterling
Dieffenbach Family
833
Dieffenbach. Hervey E
833
Dieffenbacher, Benjamin S...1116
545
Dieffenbacher, Daniel N
Dieffenbacher Families. .545, 1116
Diehl, Charles
1058
Diehl Family
1058
Dietrich Families
866, 1185
Dietrich, Karl L
1185
Dietrich. Peter
866
Dietterick, Bruce C
1074
Dietterick Family
1074
Dietz Family
702
Dietz, JohnH
722
Dildine, Charles H
1053
Dildine Families
1005, 1053

Daniel, L.
Daniel, L.

•

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
A

1005
728
10G5
Dirk, Miss Clara Belle
1064
Dirk, William J
548
Divel Family
548
Divel, Judge Henry
Dixon Family
748
Doan Family
626
463
Dodson, Boyd H
Dodson Family
462
1134
Dodson, John
Donnel, Judge Charles G. .66, 312
1185
Doster, Jacob
1184
Doster, John
1184
Doster, John, Jr
1185
Doster, Theodore
818
Dreibelbis, Amos
Dreibelbis Families ......818, 1239
1060
Dreisbach, Benjamin F
Dreisbach Families
749, 1060
596
Drinker, Edward R
Drinker Family
596
597
Drinker, Miss Lydia
1218
Duggan, John J
1218
Duggan, Patrick L
Dutt Family
1058
1058
Dutt, Nelson S
760
Duy, Albert
760
Duy Family
Dildine, Jolin
Dillon, John L

East Family

R
D

East, Harry

Eaton, Clark

Eaton Family
Eaton. Frederick
Eck, Miss Anna

Eck Family
Eck, Reese

H
E

Eckman, Col. Charles W.
Eckman, Mrs. Sophia G
Eckroth Family
Edgar Family
Edgar, Thomas

1198
1198
680
512
162, 512
812
811
812
.298, 454
455
1021
1085
1085
490
490

Edmondson Family
Edmondson, George D
Edwards Families ........
654, 821,

Edwards, Henry J
Edwards, James S
Edwards, Jesse
Edwards, Thomas E
Eisenhauer Family
Eisenhauer, John H
Elliott, John F

1182, 1187
821

654
1187
1182
797
797
1106
1106
Elliott, Samuel
886
Ellis, Mrs. Annie E
Ellis Families
565, 591, 886
591
Ellis, James F
885
Ellis, James J
565
Ellis, John D
Elmes Family
816
816
Elmes, William E
Elwell Family
673
Elwell, George Edward
675
676
Elwell, George Edward, Jr.
.

Elw^ell,

Judge William
66, 312, 673

Emmet, John
Emmett, Andrew J

Emmett Family
Ent, Charles B
Ent,

Edwin

284
1095
1095
536
1073

Ent Families
536, 1073, 1254
426
Ent, Gen. Wellington
Enterline Family
898
898
Enterline, W. G
1090
Ervin, Barton E
1090
Ervin, Stephen
948
Eshleman, Benjamin L
Eshleman Families
948, 1096
949
Eshleman, Harold
742
Evans, Andrew J
Evans, Judge Charles C
70, 314, 432
875
Evans, David
Evans Families
432,
5T4, 578, 742, 983, 1151, 1155^
574
Evans, James L
875
Evans, John D
1151
Evans, John
983
Evans, Oliver E
743
Evans, Mrs. Sarah E
Evans, William
135, 577
587
Everett, Edward, M. D
Everett Family
587
Evert Family
1099
1099
Evert, George
553
Eves, C. Scott
758
Eves, E. Ti-uman
Eves Families. .553, 733, 759, 1047
733
Eves, Joseph C
1047
Eves, John Emery
594
Eyer, Luther
594, 619
Eyer, Rev. William J

1189
1189
847
847
Fairchild, Wesley B
688
Fallon, Ed. F
Fallon Family
687
688
Fallon, William
906
Farley Family
906
Farley, Robert
Farver Family
1077
1077
Farver, George
Fans Family
849
849
Faus, Frank
Faust Families
937, 1087
J 256
Fedorco Family
1256
Fedorco, .John
1213
Fegley, Daniel E
1213
Fegley Family
1158
Fenstemaker Family
1158
Fenstemaker, George C
993
Fenstermacher Family
1234
Fenstermacher, Grant
993
Fenstermacher, Michael W.
992
Fenstermacher, Scott E
1115
Fergerson Family
1034
Ferris, Courtney E
Ferris Families. .736, 1034, 1241
736
Ferris, Olaf F
1043
Fetterman, David F
1043
Fettennan Family
579
Field Family
579
Field, Henry P
579
Field. Mrs. Katharine J
1108
Fielding Family
1108
Fielding. Wilfred G
1114
Fiester Family
1114
Fiester, Henry A
1112
Fifield, Benjamin P
1112
Fifield Family

Fahringer Family
Fahringer, HaiTy
Fairchild Family

Fiiuiigan,

James C

877
877
495

Finnigan, William
Fisher, Charles J
Fisher Families

464, 495, 756, 1083

465
465
John L
466
William C
406
William H
756
William S
464
1125
Family
1125
Fister, Ranslo
Fleckenstine Family
616
Flick Families
709, 727, 931
907
Forney Family
964
J'ornwald, Charles S
Fornwald Family
964
965
Foniwald, George A
Fortner Family
1251
Foster Family
095
695
Foster, .John G
889
Foulk, Benjamin F
868
Foulk, Charles L
Foulk Family
889
Foust Family
915
915
Foust, Philip H
Fowler Families
569, 1104, 1159, 1208
569
Fowler, Jeremiah R
569
Fowler, Lillian D
1104
Fowler, Theodore B
1208
Fowler, Willard G
499
Fox, Charles S.
Fox Families
428, 499
428
Fox, Di-. James T
429
Fox, Dr. .John C
1047
Frank, John
282
Frazer, Daniel
718
Frazier, Daniel H
718
Frazier 1^'amily
503
Freas, Barton D
Freas Families
503, 1074
1074
Freas, Rush T
424
Freeze, Col. John G
425
Freeze Family
788, 1196, 1212
Frey Families
788
Frev, Freeman
1196
Frev. Henry C
317
Frick, A. J
317
Frick, Arthur
321
Frick, Dr. Clarence H
314
Frick, George A
513
Fritz, Hon. Andrew L
Fritz Families
513, 822
823
Fritz, Rush
822
Fritz. Verner E
1200
Fry Family
1200
Fry. George A
466
Funk. Rev. Henry
467
Funk. Nevin U
521
Fvu-man. Chester S
521
Furman Family
522
Furman, Miss Julia H
Fisher,
Fisher,
Fisher,
Fisher,
Fisher,
Fisher,
Fister

George
Horace

Gaertner. Emil
Galbraith. Thomas J
Gallagher, ]Michael
Gallagher. Miss Rose
Garrett. William
GaiTison. Aaron
Garrison, Calvin D

942
318
1128
1128
S51
810
959

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX

1150
Hagenbuch, Franklin
749
Hagenbuch, Frederick
Hagenbucli, Mrs. Sarah K...1189
Hagenbuch, Miss Sarah M... 752
1026
Hagenbuch, William A
656
Hager Family
656
Hager, William M
935
Hagerman Family
935
Hagerman, Josliua
575
Hall, Horace A
410
Hancock, Charles P
410
Hancock Family

Garrison Families
539, 752, 810, 1087, 1251

Garrison, Mrs. Ljdia S
Garrison, William C
Gaskins, Thomas

959
752
2S4
Gearhart, Bonliam R., Jr.... 519
320
Gearhart, Charles P
451
Gearhart, Mrs. Cordelia E
319
Gearhart, Edward S
Gearhart Families
449, 455, 517, 638
449
Gearhart, George
638
Gearhart, M. Grier
517
Gearhart, Robert Y
Geisinger, Mis. Abigail A... 480
Geisinger, Mrs. Abigail A.,

Birthplace

and Home

(Views)
Geisinger, David
Geisinger, George F
Geisinger, Mrs. Margaret

R..1210

George Family

•

Hagenbuch, Charles
Hagenbuch. Emory

589, 765, 1220

582
589
1220
737
Harding Family
564
Haring, David 'E
564
Haring Family
Harman Families
435, 514
435
Harman, James Lee
514
Harman, Samuel H
794
Harmon Family
Harpel, Francis E., M. D.322, 549
Harris Families
961, 1209
888
Harris, Levi
888
Harris, William J
976
Harter Family
976
Harter, Theodore C, M. D.
872
Hartline, Prof. Daniel S
872
Hartline Family
772
Hartman, Charles L
Hartman Families
771, 995, 1020, 1035, 1072, 1123
1123.
Hartman, Frank S
772
Hartman, Frederick B
1020
Hartman, George A
1035
Hartman, John F
995
Hartman, Nelson C
282
Hartman, William
1020
Hartman, William E
852
Hartzell. John B
Hassert Family
471
Hassert. George E
471
461
Hauck, Charles E
Hauck Families
461, 1259
1259
Hauck, William
516
Haupt, Clarence E
Hauser, Dr. Raymond J.. 324, 938
916
Hayden Family
918
Hayden, James
916
Hayden, Nicholas
1038, 1094
Hayman Families
1038
Hayman, James P
1094
Hayman, W'illiam
Heacock Family
1243
Heacock. Jeremiah R
1243
719
Heim, Joseph
Heim. Julius
719
Heller Family
1174
1174
Heller, Samuel K
781
Helwig Family
781
Helwig. Noah
ITendershott. IMrs. Mary M.
664
Hendershott, Norman J
663
Hendricks Family
I2li
Hendricks, George
1211
Hendrickson Family
881
Hendrickson, John F
881

1188
1190

1087

749. 1026, 1150, 1188, 1190

Hagenbuch Families
Hagenbuch, Frank

581,

765
581

Harder, Mrs. Sarah
Harder, Thomas E
Harder, Thomas R

480
1211
481

1029
1029
George. Williain J
925
Gernert. John H
Gibson Families ...396, 544, 901
775
Giger Family
775
Gigcr. Josiah H
468
Gilbert Family
583
Gilbert. Rev. Richard
747
Gilds. Charles J
989
Gilmore Family
989
Gilmore. William H
Girton Families
599, 667
667
Girton, Prof. Maurice J
1022
Girvan Family
1022
Girvan, John A
1072
Glenn. Edwin A., M. D
1072
Glenn Family
1217
Gordner, Jonathan R
1101
Gotshall Family
1101
Gotsliall. Henry
692
Gotwalds. Francis
Graham Families
611, 1229
611
Graham. Marks
1236
Gresh Family
1236
Gresh, Joseph D
Grier Family
412
Grier. Rev. Isaac .. .283, 338, 412
Grier, Isaac X
317, 412
413
Grier, Rev. John B
314
Grier, Hon. Robert C
Grotz Family
664
664
Grotz, John K
Grove Family
540
Herbert
S
540
Grove,
Grozier Family
764
Prof
Grozier,
.184, 764
Harry
1081
Gniber, David L
Griiber Family
1081
918
Guest, David L....:
Guest Family
919
1097
Guie, Edwin B
1097
Guie, James
Gulics. John C
282
Gulliver Family
994
994
Gulliver, James

Harder, Charles
Harder, Clark
Harder Families

Henkel, Rev. David
Henkel Family
Henkel, Mrs. Susan
Henkelman Family
Henkelman, George
Henrie Family
Henrie, William H
Henry Family
Herr Family
Herr, John N
Herring, Alexander

M
E

Herring Families
Herring, George A
Herring, Judge Grant
Herrington Family
Herrington, Frank
Hertz Family
Hertz, William J
Hess, Bi-uce A
Hess, Charles
Hess Families.

618
618
619
1005
1005
635
635
986
543
543
584
506, 584
506
70, 313
690
691
836
836
1174
1243

.437, 600, 803,
957, 971, 975, 1173, 1193, 1243
.

Hess, Harry F
Hess, Harvey
Hess, Isaiah J
Hess, John I
Hess, Leslie E
Hess, Dr. Milton J
Hess, Orion
Hess, Reuben
Hess, William
Hetler Family
Hetler, Mahlon C
Hicks Families

971
438
1173
920
920
436
1193
1244
600
1024
1024

H
H

636, 648, 812,. 1257

Hicks. Joseph S
Hicks, Millard
Hidlay Families

Hidlay, W^liam J
Hildebrand, Camden

Hildebrand Family
Hile Family

636
1257
751, 1153
1153
1049
1049
1136
1136
750
'.

William H
Family
Hinckley, Judge Henry M..
68, 313, 318 448

Hile,
Hill

Hine, Daniel

Hine Family
Hixson, John F
Hock Family
Hock, Michael B
Hockman Family
Hoffa Family
Hoffman Family
Hoffman, Lewis
Hoffman. Simon K
Holdren Family
Holdren, Phineas
Hollingshead, William
Holly. Daniel

Holly Family
Hoppes, Clarence J
Hoppes, Elias

Hoppes Families

Hoppes, George

Hortman Family
Hosier Family
Hosier, George B.

Houek Family
Housenick Family
Houtz Family
Houtz, 0. V".
.

1123
1123
870
1204
1204
1172
892
747
700
747
876
876
546
822
822
1216
967
1157, 1217
1157
1199
1138
1139
1142
953
839
839

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Howe Family

923
923
524
Hower Families. .524, 1045, 1106
D.
1106
Hower, Hiester V., M.
1090
Hower, Dr. Hiram C
630
Hughes, Chester
282
Hughes, Ellis
Hughes Families
768, 910, 1169, 1176
768
Hughes, George
630
Hughes, Mrs. Harriet
1169
Hughes, Walter A
823
Hull, Charles E
823
Hull Family
1037
Hunsinger Family
1037
Hunsinger, Josiah F
873
Hunt, George
873
Hunt, John
896
Hyde Family
896
Hyde, Thomas E
973
Hyssong, Austin L
973
Hyssong, Elisha B

Howe, Fred
Hower, Charles E
.

Ikeler,

Judge Elijah R.69, 313, 420

Ikeler Families

James
Edward

Irland,

Ivey,

Ivey Families
Ivey, George A
Ivey, Richard
Jackson, Col. Clarence

161, 184, 464
416, 1168

Jackson Families
456
Jackson, Frank R
Jackson, Mordecai W....161, 416
624
Jackson, Morrison E
Jacobs Families
541, 1152
1152
Jacobs, George B
1153
Jacobs, John R
541
Jacobs, William F
643
Jacoby Family
643
Jacoby, Guy
819
Jacoby, John G
819
Jacoby, Legrand S
916
James, B. J
916
James Family
1021
Jarrard, Cleniuel L
Jarrard Families
1021, 1147
824
Jarrard, Mcrton L
1147
Jarrard, William E
696
Jayne, Samuel C
John Families
246, 632, 833, 1040, 1254
1040
John, J. Stacey, M. D
632
John, Ralph R
527
Johnson, Bartlett
Johnson Families
527, 744, 807, 936
807
Johnson, George
1123
Johnson, James
744
Johnson, Joseph R
324
Johnson, Dr. Ralph E
999
Johnson, Reagan B

Kaufman, Mrs. Anna
Kaufman, Oliver 1
Keck Families
Keck, Henry S
Keifeii Family
Keifer, Henry H
Keiner, John F
Keiner, William

Karchner, Charles Franklin. .1016

Karchner Families ....1016, 1018
1018
Karchner, George E
289
Kase, Simon P

Kelchner Family

Family
William

422
419
422
958
990
852
852
459
590
590, 1185
1185
590

lies

998
998
936
860
860
317
447
939
Jones, Evan
448
Jones, Horatio C
939
Jones, John L
Jordan, Judge Alexander.... 312
902
Jordan, Francis
902
Jordan, Mrs. Jennie B

421, 958, 990

Ikeler, Frank
Ik-ler, Fred T
Ikeler, Mrs. Helena
Ikeler, Roland
Ikeler, Samuel
lies,

Johnson, Samuel B
Johnson, Stephen C
Johnson, William S
Johnston, Charles
Johnston Family
Jolmston, William C
Jones, Mrs. Catlierine (Maus)

Kelchner, John
Keller Family
Keller, William
Kelley, Bruce C

Kelley Families
Kelley,

James

Kellogg Family
Kepner, Bruce A
Kepner Families

905
905
1027, 1213
1213
1118
1118
997
997
1113
1113
1126
1126
559
559, 1062
1062
1034
974

974, 997, 1202, 1255

Kepner, John A
Kepner, Samuel F
Kerswell Family

1255
1202
722
721
Korswell, Thomas F
663
Kester, Benjamin F
1112
Kester, E. Ross
Kester Families
663, 1112
Kile Family
1223
1223
Kile, George B
1124
Kimble Family
1124
Kimble, Frank
1181
Kindig Family
1181
Kindig, Michael E
996
Kingsbury, Adelbert R
996
Kingsbury Family
550
Kirk Family
Kirk, Rev. James
341, 550
1026
Kirkendall Family
Kirkham, Samuel
282, 306
Kisner Families. .880, 1199, 1203
320, 880
Kisner, Ralph
703
Kisner, Samuel
1080
Kistler, Benjamin
775
Kitchen Family
775
Kitchen. Frank R
699
Klase Family
699
Klase, Jesse
813
Kline. Abraham
1225
Kline, Charles B
467
Kline, Charles S
1107
Kline. Edgar E
Kline Families. .415, 438, 467,
621, 705, 813, 962, 1107, 1225
962
Kline, Harry H
813
Kline, Isaac

Vll

Kline, Jacob L
Kline, John J
Kline, John L. C
Kline, Luther B., M.
Kline, Kiky L
Klinetob, Dr. Dalbys
Klinetob, David G

705
1064
622
D
415
438
B
652
1186
Klinetob Families
651, 118G
651
Klinetob, Harvey L
1080
Kling Family
1209
Klinger, Elmer
1209
Klinger, Gideon
741
Knapp, Christian F
817
Knecht, Jacob
817
Knecht, Mrs. Martha E
1147
Knepper Family
665
Knittlc, Daniel F
645
Knittle, Miss Ella
Knittle Families
645, 665
645
Knittle, Joseph B
Knorr Families
786, 793, 985
785
Knorr, Harvey E
793
Knorr, Henry T
985
Knorr, Samuel
1107
Knouse, Elwood
Knouse Family
1107
1001
Kocher, Edwin
Koclier Families
867, 1001, 1038, 1057
1038
Kocher, Thomas C
Koons Family
779
779
Koons, Julius C
Kostenbauder Families
1011, 1100
1011
Kostenbauder, Jesse J
1100
Kostenbauder, Oscar P
Kramm Family
905
Krebs Family
412
1204
Kreischer Family
1204
Kreischcr, William
660
Kreisher, Clarence E
660
Kreisher Family
Kressler Family
1014
1014
Kressler, Samuel P
Kruram Family
1206
848
Kuhn, Isaac S
848
Kuhn, Mrs. Susan
1162
Kunkel, Charles
1163
Kunkel Family
720
Kurtz Family
Kurtz, Hon. Jennings U..121, 720

M
M

Landis, David E
Landis, John B
Laub Families

571
571
757, 1117
757
Laub, George A
1117
Laub, Jacob A
Laubach Fam.ilies
552, 1031
940
Lazarus, Cliarles E
Lazarus Families
940, 958
959
Lazarus. Henry
844
Learn, Alexander J
844
Learn Family
804
Lechleitner Family
868
Lechner, Joseph F
870
Le Due, Emile J
870
Le Due Family
Lee Families
911, 1101, 1177
1101
Lee, George S
911
Lee, Isaac C
1177
Lee, James
1224
Lee, Thomas

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX

VIU
1259
1214
Legion Family
1214
Legien, Herman Ix
943
Lehman Family
942
Lehman, Frank
1114
Leiby Family
1114
Leiby, Simon
933
Leidy Family
933
Leidy, John H
317
Leidy, Paul
842
Lemon, Miehael
842
Lemon, AVilliam
526
Lenhart, C. Fred
526
Lenhart Family
988
Lenhart, George
1255
Letteer Family
1255
Lctteer, Oscar E
878
Levan,
Families.
Levan (Le Van)
501, 878
1078
Levan, Joseph
1078
Levan, Wilson
Lewis, Judge Ellis
66, 311
655
Litchard Family
655
Litchard, James
419
Little. Mi-s. Deborah T
Little Family
418
LelUcr, Mrs. Carrie (Russell)

Little,

Judge Robert

418
930
930
1030
1030
1143
1143
846
707, 952
952
1260
962
962
1128
1128
997
997
162, 744
286
286
754
754
486

69, 313,

Livziey, Harvey
Livziey, William

Loekard Family
Lockard, James S
Lockhart, Charles C

Lockhart Family
Long, Charles C

Long Families
Long, John F
Longenbcrger Family
Loreman Family
Loreman, Jonathan
Lormer Family
Lormer, Seth C
Lovett, William
Lovett. William T
Lowry, William F
Lundy, John
Lundy, Rev. John P
Lutz,

Charles

Lutz Family
Lyman Family
McAnall,
McAnall,
McAnall,
McBride,

Charles

John
John

Charles

McBride Family
McBride, HughD
McBride, James D
McBride, Miss L. Rachel
McBride, Oscar E
McCollum, Alfred F
McConnell Family
McConnell, George

McCormick, James
McHenry, Abram L
McHenry, B. Frances

1031
1030
1030
1080
1089
1080
717
1090
1089
1096
593
593
292
1148
320

McHenry Families
657, 814, 1148, 1160, 1194, 1235

McHenry, Ira R
McHenry, James B
McHenry, John G

1160
1235
212, 657

jNlcHenry, Dr. Montraville ....
322, 1161
814
McHenry, Oliver S

573
Harvey A
1225
McMalian Family
1161
McMahan, Capt. James
1149
McMichael, James
1149
McMichael, William F
583
McNeal, Ann
655
^lc\'icker Family
McWilliams Families ...583, 864
MacCrea, Alexander B., M. D. 516
516
MacCrea Family
Macdonald Families. 609, 668, 1156
Macdonald, John T., M. D. ..1156
609
Macdonald, John L
668
Maclntyre Family
693
Madden Family
692
Madden, William T
Magill, Dr. William H
McKillip,

287, 321, 372

1241

;Magreevy Family
Mallery, Garrick

162, 461

1241
1039
1039
1131
Mansfield, William J
1131
1169
ISLirkle, Daniel R
Markle Families. 1043, 1140, 1170
Marks Family
634
634
Marks, Robert L
Marr, Alem
314, 325
jNIartin Family
583
941
Martin, James
941
Martin, Patrick
925
Martz, Ambrose
1062
Martz, Charles N
1042
Martz, David B. F
1154
Martz, Edward S
Martz Families
810,
908, 924, 1042, 1050, 1062, 1154
924
ilartz, Henry
908
Martz, Jacob
929
Martz, Jacob
Martz. John
924
Masteller Families
478, 1097
1097
Masteller, William
Masters Family
619
Francis
P
619
Masters,
Mrs.
L
Masters,
620
Orpha
Maus Families
17, 274, 282, 400, 407, 445
Maus, Philip E
407
1191
Mauser, Alonzo A
Mauser, David
1205
Mauser Families. .928, 1191, 1205
1206
Mauser, Mrs. Sarah J
Melick, Henry
1082
Melick Families
1055, 1082
Mensch Families
586, 630, 781, 1224
Mensch, Frank
1224
Mensch. John S
586
Mensch, Lewis C
630
Mensch, William
781
Meredith Family
544
Meredith, Hugh"B., M. D
322, 362, 544
I\rericle. Theodore
815
Merkel Family
1071
Merkel, William A
1071

Maloney Family
^Manning Family
Manning, William
Mansfield Family

Messersmith Family
787
787
Messersmith, Jesse B
Michael Families. .511, 1139, 1215
1140
Michael, Obediah
Milheim Family
1179
Millard Family
521
520
Millard, William
801
Miller, Daniel
1125
Miller, David
Miller Families
801, 1084, 1125, 1162
1084
Miller, George
801
Miller, Harry D
776
Miller, James N
1162
Miller, Reuben J
Mills Family
684
684
Mills, Samuel A
Milnes Family
1010
1195
Molyneaux Family
1195
Molyneaux, Walter R
491
Monroe, William R
280
Montgomery, Daniel
Montgomery, Gen. Daniel.
274, 280, 327, 360
17, 278
Montgomery Families
318
Montgomery, John C
316
Montgomery, John G
Montgomery, Gen. William..
278, 327
]\Iontgomery, Judge William. 281
Montgomery, Rev. William B. 284
849
Moomey Family
849
Moomey, George S
1141
Moore, Evan B
Moore Families
525, 631, 1141, 1194
631
Moore, John E
1194
Moore, William H
IMordan Family
1166
1166
Mordan, Harman L
989
Morgan Family
989
Morgan, John L
Moser Family
682
321
Mourer, L. K
1105
Mowery Family
1105
Mowery, George
867
Mowrer, Mrs. Annie S
867
MoAvrer, John
Mowrer, William K
867
1216
JMowrey, Mrs. Eleanora
1216
Mowrey Family
1216
Mowrey, George Y
1216
Mowrey, Isaac
1122
Munson, David
Munson Family
1122
]Munson, Mrs. Louisa
1122
David
E
658
]\Iurray,
1207
]\Iurry Family
Miles
^i^urry.
1207
Musselman, Beverly W., Sr. 855
JMusselnian. Beverly W.. Jr.. 719
]\russelman. Miss Elizabeth L. S56
^Musselman. !\Iiss Sarah C... 856
Myerley, George
850
IMyerley, Mrs. Harriet S.... 851
Families
Myers
976, 1025

Newbaker Family

640

Xewbaker. Dr. Philip C..322, 640

Newman Family
Newman.

.John

Neyhard Family

777
777
840

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
Neyluu-d, .Siimuel

110, 81U

(^)UK-k,

William

1*'37

it'Liigg,

Thomas

103;3|

(^uigg,

William

Noss Family
Nuss Family
Nuss, Jeremiah B

Boyd T

IIU

1160
1166
1110
1110
869
624
626
955
1222
1222
887
887

Oliver Family

William

Oliver,

Oman Family

Oman, Thomas C

Orth, William H
Oswald, Mrs. Anne

Oswald Family
Owen, Hudson
Oxley Family
Oxley, Lewis
Oyster Family
Oyster, George

Paden, Claud C
Paden, David F
Parker Family
Parker, Theodore
Patrick Family
Patrick, Gus
Patten. Robert

994
995
1244
1244
1247
1247
M. D..325, 855
1008

S.,

Paules Family
Paules, William

R.,

Peckham, Aaron

M. D...
324, 1008

Pentz, E. D
Peters, Edward
Petrovits Family
Petrovits, Rev. Joseph J.

Petty Family
Pfahlcr Family

Pf abler, James F
Piahlor, Jolm E
Pliillips

Phillips,
Phillips,

Families

788, 1251!

Lewis S
Ralph G

Ploch. Frederick

Poe Family
Pohe Family
Pohe, Stephen C
Polk Family
Polk, Rufus K
Pollock Family
Pollock, Judge James
I'ollock.

James B

Price Families
Price,
Price,

Thomas J
William

Purpur,

Edward

Purpur Family
Pursel Families
505,
Pursel,
Pursel,
Pursel,
Pursel,
Pursel.
Pursel,
Pursell

555,

560,

820,

Frank P
Henry J
Jasper

Jonathan
Norman S
William G
Family

Quick Family
Quick, John

1259
542
602
602
945
600
599
1059

788
1253
821
615
1120
1120
414
414
700
66, 312
700
496, 947
496
947
459
459
432,
1079, 1109

432
1079
555
1109
505
560
738

783
783

585
585
318, 854
854
Rank Family
288
Rank, Isaac
573
Raseley, Charles A
573
Raseley Family
1001
Raup, Abraham L
1001
Raup Family
597
Reagan, (Jeoige L., M. D
598
Reagan, Mrs. Tillie E
871
Rebnian, .Samuel C
Reed Families
691, 1083
1083
Reed, Guy A
941
Reed, J. Urville
791
Reedy, Daniel
791
Reedy Family
809
Reese, Ciiailes R
809
Reese Family
789
Reifsnydcr Family
789
Reifsnyd.'r, Karl P
1183
Reiler, Augustus
1183
Reiter Family
1036
Reniley, David
1180
Reniley Family
927
Reynolds Family
926
Reynolds, Theodore
481
Rhawn Isimilv
481
Riiawn, William H
1226
Rhinard Family
834
Rhoads Family
317
Rhodes, B. K
292
Rliodes, .lojin
493
Riciiard. Frederick J
494
Richard, Jacob F
483
Richardson Family
483
Richardson. John L
1127
Richie. C.
930
Ricketts, Edward
930
Ricketts, George E
527
Rider, Lloyd T
608
Riiiaid, Abraham L
607
Rinard Family
607
Rinard, Joseph
971
Ringrose, Aaron
971
Ringrose, William R
434
Rishel, Dorance R
434
Rishel Family
802
Rishel, James P
862
Rishel, John R
1171
Ritteiihouse Family
1171
Rittenhouse, Mark E
1227
Ritter Family
1227
Ritter, Forrest N
547
Robbins Familv
Robbins, James E.. M. D. .324. 547
1132
Robinson, Edwin
1132
Robinson Family
1133
Robinson, John 'M
1134
Robinson, Joseph J
902
Robinson, Thomas C
1132
Robinson, William
902
Robinson. William R
566
Robison Family
566
Robison, James B
568
Robison. Miss Martha E
Rockefeller, Judge William M. 312
9-13
RodenhofTer Family
Randall, Charles

498
498
322, 498
320, 499
1007
1007, 1111

Uglesby, Ur. James
Oglesby, William V

Ohl Families
Ohl, Michael

783
678
078

W,i2

Oglesby Family
Oglesby, George

Ohl,

Randall Family
Rank, IJaniel

IX
943
883
883
1230
094
illiam J
094
Rogers,
Rolubach Family
1215
1215
Rohrbach, Lorenzo D
Rook Family
1028
Rote Family
551
551
Rote, George L
1144
Roup Family
1144
Roup, W illiam
Rowe Family
869
869
Rowe, (ieorgc L
790
Rowe, John
790
Rowe, Richard
790
Rowe, Mrs. Sarah
Ruch Families
843, 1090
574
Rucli, Jlenry
574
Ruch, William F
602
Ruhl, Robert J
.1189
Runyan, Mrs. Ann JIaria.
1189
Runyan, Elmer
506
Rupert Family
Russell Family
1258
1258
Russell, William M. C
Rutter Family
441
441
Rutter, John C, Jr
871
Ryan Family
871
Ryan, James

RodenhoHer, George
Roderick, David
Roderick Family
Rogers, David J
Rogers, Thomas J

Sandel, John H., M. D...323, 694
1122
Sands P'amily
1121
Sands, William E
1045
Savage Family
1045
Savage, George
1221
Savidge Familv
1221
Savidge, Ralph A
440
Scarlet Family

Scarlet, James
Schlee, Frederick
Schlee, Peter

318, 440

1063
1063
1237
Schott Fanflly
1236
Schott, Thomas A
784
Scliram Family
784
Sehram, Martin
429
Schultz Familv
Schultz, Dr. Solomon S. .322, 429
Schweppenheiser, Abram.806, 817
Schweppenheiser Families
805, 817, 1237
Schweppenheiser, William C. .1237
Sochler Families
717, 867, 870
288
Sechler, IL B. D
285
Sechler, Jacob
582
Sechler, ISIrs. Marv C
717
Sechler, M. De Lafayette
716
Sechler, ]\Irp. Rosanna
582
Sechler, Samuel
718
Sechler. William A
856
Seelv. Col. Andrew D
Seel'v Families
739, 856
739
Seelv. S. Britt
858
Seidel, Alfred F
393, 859
Seidel, Arren E
859
Seidel. Clarence
Seidel Families
714, 858
714
Seidel. .Toseph B
859
Seidel, ^Nfrs. Lucy C
1085
Seiple Familv .'
1085
Sei])le, Stephen C

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX

X
Seybert Family
Shaffer, Alfred C

Hon. Charles

Shaffer,
Shaffer,

Edward

1189
1186
704
1210

•

Shaffer Families
704, 1186, 1210, 1246
1246
Shaffer, Rev. Theodore B
892
Shalter, Edmond

891
891
Shalter, John
643
Shambach, Jesse Y
1093
Shannon, Clark
760, 1093
Shannon Families
760
Shannon, Hon. William W.
835
Sharpless, Arthur
970
F
Sharpless, Benjamin
835, 969
Sharpless Families
970
Sharpless, George
289
Shelhart, Jacob
858
Sheriff, John
858
Sheriff, Mrs, Matilda A
1167
Sherman, Nathan
791
Shew Family
791
Shew, John W. E
874
Shires, Charles E
Shalter Family

874

Shires Family

Shive Family

842
1100

Shoemaker, David

Shoemaker Families
824, 888, 1075, 1100

1258
289
1135
1135
290, 323
724

Shoemaker, William
Shoop, Gideon
Shugars Family
Shugars, John H

Shultz, B. F., M.
Shultz, Charles

Shultz Families
724,
Shultz,
Shultz,
Shultz,

830,

Glen

903,

926,

662,
1065, 1092

1065
G62
1092
512
511
541

Philip
R.

Shuman, Ambrose, M. D
Shuman, Mrs. Angeline
*
Shuman, Cliarles S.
.

Shuman

Families
509, 541, 1077, 1245

510
512
1245
511
548
548, 686, 875
686
L
875
S
322
R. S
1016
E

Shuman, Franklin
Shuman, John T
Shuman, John
Shuman, Paris H
Sidler, Emanuel

Sidler Families
Sidler,
Sidler,

William
William

Simington, Dr.
Sitler, Qiarles
Sitler Families

648, 796,
972, 1016, 1022, 1161, 1175, 1182

Sitler,
Sitler.

James
Reuben

1161
796
957
985

Smethers, Miss Amy
Smothers, Edward
Smethers Families

Smith, Charles
Smith, David
Smith Families

790
932

5^0, 804, 932, 934,
944, 1081, 1103, 1118, 1165, 1249

1248
Smith, Fred K
Smith, Frederick B
192, 595
790
Smith, George
520
Smith, H. Montgomery
944
Smith, James E
926
Smith, John B
925
Smith, Joseph
1081
Smith, Lloyd E
934
Smith, Miles
1165
Smith, Robert
926
Smith, Stephen
804
Smith, Theodore L
922
Smithers, Benjamin F
922
Smithers Family
1052
Snyder, Allen L
1096
Snyder, Charles
614, 687,
Snyder Families
761, 885, 909, 1052, 1096, 1222
885
Snyder, H. Alfred
761
Snyder, Prof. Harlan R
755
Snyder, John
909
Snyder, Joseph
615
Snyder, Mrs. Sarah
687
Snyder, Stephen E
614
Snyder, William
755
Snyder. W. L
711
Sober Family
711
Sober, Dr. Harry
Sones Family
1146
807
Sponenberg, Edward J
Sponenberg Families. 646, 807, 987
987
Sponenberg, James E
646
Sponenberg, Philip
637
Stackhouse Family
637
Stackhouse, Milton E
560
Startzel Family
559
Startzel, William B
748
Stees, Hany R
681
Steinman, Andrew J
682
Stcinman Family
Sterner Families
463, 832
463
Sterner, Harrv
832
Sterner, Prof!^ Lloyd P
784
Stifnagle, Philip
784
Stifnagle, William
1188
Stiles, John J
556
Still. Adoniram J
556
Still Family
1111
Stine Family
1111
Stine, Michael E
684
Stock, George A., M. D
610
Stone Family
1086
Stout, :\rrs. Elleretta
Stout Families
761, 1025
1087
Stout, Sheridan
1025
Stout. William T
Strawbridge. Dr. James D... 321
1205
Stuart Family
892
Stycr, Cyrus F
892
Styer Family
1010
Suit, Alonzo J
Suit Families
1010, 1094. 1197
1094
Suit, Headley
1197
Suit, Jacob
Suplee (Supplee) Families...
740, 1033
Sutliff Family
850

957, 961, 985, 1242
1242
Smethers, Hurley K
957
Smethers, Jacob' C
1242
Smethers, John A
1201
Smethers. John H
Smethers, Miss Katherine. .1242
Smethers. Philip McClellan.. 961
1103
Smith, Adam
1104
Smith, Allen E

Swank

Families

504, 685, 853, 1208

Swank, Joseph G
Swank, Thomas J
Swentek, Mrs. Amelia
Swentek, Paul P

504
853
939
940
Sweppenheiser, Dr. Claude E. 949
949
Swej^penheiser Family

Taylor Families

Taylor, Frank
Taylor, John
Tajior, William

.864, 927, 950

950
166, 168, 864

927
477
477
622
622
1164, 1250
1164
1152
1151
960
960
913
1061
Tilley, Rodman "E
1061
Tilley, William
933
Tooey, James
933
Tooey, John
683
Tooley, John
683
Tooley, John F
Townsend, Mrs. Elizabeth. .. 1057
Townsend Families.
.1056, 1102
468
Townsend, John R
Townsend. Jonah
1102
1056
Townsend, Louis J
773
Traugh Family
773
Traugh, Henry F
829
Trego Family
829
Trego. William
508
Trescott, Boyd
Trcscott Family
508
1046
Trowbridge, Harry
870
Trumbower, Mrs. Mary S.
Trumbower. Samuel
870
Tubbs Family
1027
1027
Tubbs, William E
938
Turner, William
938
Turner, William G

Teple Family

Teple, James E
Tewksbury, Eugene D
Tewksbury Family
Thomas Families. 1040,
Thomas, Martin L
Thomas, Miss Mary M
Thomas, Samuel R
Thompson Family
Thompson, Hugh
Thornton Family

M
M

Umstead, David M
Umstead Family
Umstead, Mrs. Harriet E.
Unangst Family
Unangst. George B
Updegraff Family

Utt Family
Utt, William S

Van Alen. T.
Vanderslice, Charles
Vanderslice Family
van Fossen, George
Van Horn Families

:M.

1133
790
.1133
826
826
1149
1093
1092

321
780. 1082

Vannan, Forbes H
Vannan. Irvin, Sr
Van Natta Family

Van Xatta. Sade'
Vastine Families
Vastine. George H..
Vastine, Dr. Jacob

290
497
498

Van Horn. Robert
Vannan Family

1082
453
453
1248
741
741
442, 603
444
322. 444

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
M.

Vastine, Jacob M.,
Vastine, William
Vastine, William

Vincent Families:
Vincent, Henry
Vincent, Thomas G
Vincent, Walter J
Voris, Charles E
Voris Family

James
Vought Families
Voris,

Vought, Peter H
Vought, William C

445
606
445
659, 968
318
968
659
725
725
287, 725
594, 1029
594
1029
1067
1067
938
938
731

Wagenseller Family
Wagenseller, George

Wagner Family

Wagner, Harvey G
Walker, Silas N
Waller, Kev. David

Walp, aiarles 1^
Walp Family
Walter Family
Walter,

Mary

Jr.
127, 143, 566

J.,

Emma

Walton Families
Walton, Harry E
Walton, Rev. Morris
Waters, Dennis

Waters Family
Waters, George

Watson Family
Watson, John F
Watters Family
Watters, William
Watts Family
Watts, James S
Weikert Family
Weller, John
Welliver, Charles

826
826
895
196, 648
539, 837
837
539
858
1206
1206
879
949
984
984
698
698
902
910
538

Welliver Families
539, 1001, 1015, 1057, 1078
1001
Welliver, George
1078
Welliver, John E
458
Welliver, Samuel J
459
Welliver, Warren

Welliver, Wilbur C
Wells, Mrs. Lemuel
^\'elsh,

Abner

\\ elsli,

Isaac

Welsh, James
Welsh, Jayne
Welsh, Kobert

1057
407
954
954
682
955
1041
320, 682
1002
1002
923
923
929
492
493
319, 492
1240
1240
1041
1041
967
795
967

G
G

Thomas C
Wenner Family
Weuner, Frank E
\\elsh,

Wertman Family
\Vertman, Felix P
Wertman, Henry
West Family

West, Isaac D
West, William Kase
Whalen, Daniel J
\\halen Family
Wheeler, Edward
Wheeler, H. C
White, Alem B
White, Bruce
White, Mrs. Esther E

White Families

469,
795, 967, 1009, 1068, 1192, 1229

White.
White,
White,
White,
White,

Frank B
Harry E

Hiester

John P
Leslie

Whitmire Families
Whitmire, Morris J
Wigfall Family
WHgfall, Samuel
Williams, David C
Williams Families

1229
1009
469
1068
1192
1162, 1179
1179
423
423
545

666, 912, 982, 988, 995

Williams, George C
Williams, Guy
Williams, J. J
Williams, William E
Willits

Family

Willits, Isaiah W.,

Wilson Family
Wilson, Nathaniel
Wilson,

W. P

546
988
1128
912
623
623
1108
282
1108

XI
Wintersteen, Andrew J
Wintersteen Families

900

702, 882, 900
702
Wintersteen, Henry
1232
Wintersteen, Joseph H
460
Witnian, Rev. Edwin H
768
Witman, Franklin A
W^olf Families
617, 1127
Woodin, Clemuel R
162, 489
Woodin Family
488
William H.
Woodin,
(deceased)
161, 488
489
Woodin, William H
66
Woodward, W'arren J
913
Wyatt Family

Yagel, Charles J

Yagel Family
Yenick, John

Yen ick, Rush
Yetter, Clyde

Yocum Family
Yorks Family
Yorks, Miss M. Ida
Yorks, William
Yost Family

Yost, Isaac E
Y'oung, A. Philip
Young, Dr. Benjamin

1053
1053
863
863
753
623, 1137
292, 683
684
683
1201
1201
570
282

Young Families
570, 935,

Young, Herman
Young, Jeremiah
Y''oung, Dr. Jesse

1051, 1168

Young, Mrs. Mary B
Young, Omer F
Youngman, Maj. John C.
Y'oungman, M, Grier
Zarr Family
Zarr, Frank P
Zarr, Robert R

Zehnder, Charles

Zehner Family
Zehner. William P
Zerbe Family

1051
1168
417
1168
935
449
448

956
956
956
162, 460
800
800
799

BIOGRAPHICAL
HON. WILLIAM ELWELL.
nals of the

The an-

bench and bar of Pennsylvania

cord no worthier, nobler

life

re-

than that of the

Hon. William Elwell. For twenty-six years
he was president judge of the Twenty-sixth
Judicial district of the State, being the representative of no political party, but of the people, and during that time he meted out justice

the

name

well,

who,

"Griffin"

come

was Robert Elcame over in the ship
with Governor Haynes and Rev.

it is

to x'\merica

thought,

Thomas Hooker.

Robert Elwell located at
Salem, Mass., prior to 1635, but later settled
at Eastern Point, Mass., where he died in
1683.

Jabez Elwell, great-grandfather of William
was a soldier in the Revolutionary war,
serving in the Dutchess county (N. Y.) militia
under Colonel Ludenton. His son, John El-

Elwell,

w^ell. was also an active participant in that
great struggle, being among the men who, in
answer to the "Lexington alarm." marched
from Connecticut towns to the relief of Boston in April, 1775.
Dan Elwell, father of Judge Elwell, married
Nancy Prentice, a daughter of Dr. Amos
Prentice, who traced her lineage back through
seven generations to Capt. Thomas Prentice,
about 1620, who lived at Newton Center,
Mass., and was formerly a soldier in the army
of Cromwell. His death, at the age of ninety-

siding there until his death.

Dan

Few

could cope with
him in legal learning, and his record as a judge
shows that in nearly every case in which his
decision was appealed to a higher court the
Supreme judges sustained his rulings.
Judge Elwell was a son of Dan and Nancy
(Prentice) Elwell, and was born at Milltown,
near Athens, Bradford Co., Pa., Oct. 9, 1808.
He was a descendant of a prominent old famThe first of
ily of Staffordshire, England.

with impartial hand.

from being thrown from a horse
while going to church. Dr. Amos Prentice
served as a surgeon in the Revolution and
when New London, Conn., was destroyed by
the British under Benedict Arnold he was
forced to Hee for his life, and removed with
his family to IMilltown, Pa., near Athens, rcone, resulted

si.x

Elwell and his wife were the parents
children.

William Elwell spent his early life in Milltown, receiving a good education at the Athens
Academy, which he attended until nineteen
years old, surveying being one of his studies.
Soon after he was assistant to Chief Engineer
Randall in running lines along the Susqueto locate a canal from the New York
State line, which afterwards became the Xorth
Branch canal. Following this he taught school
for three years and then began the study of
law in the office of Horace Williston. His
decision to become a lawyer was the outcome
of his perusal of law books which belonged
to an uncle of that profession, William Prentice, whose library came into the possession of

hanna

his father.

He made

was admitted

rapid advancement and

to the bar

February, 1833,
practicing success
fully in partnership with his preceptor for sixteen years, when Mr. Williston was appointed
judge of the Thirteenth Judicial district. In
1842 and 1843 Mr. Elwell was elected by the
Democrats as a member of the Legislature,
During his first term he was chairman of the
Judiciary committee, which included in its
locating at

Towanda and

membership Judges Gamble, Sharswood, Bar
rett, Hendrick B. Wright and Thaddeus Stevens. One of the monuments to his memory is
law abolishing imprisonment for debt,
which was prepared by him, and to-day remains unchanged in his second term he was
the

673

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

674

chairman of the committee on Ways and
Means. In 1844 he declined a nomination for
Congress, preferring his profession to politics.
In 1866, after he became a judge, he yielded
to the demands of his party with great reluc-

and accepted a nomination to Congress
in the Twelfth district, then composed of
Bradford, Columbia, Montour, Wyoming and

tance,

Sullivan counties. Though defeated he polled
a vote far in excess of his party ticket. He
made no canvass for votes, and made but
three speeches during the campaign, all of
them outside of his judicial district.
As a lawyer Judge Elwell had few equals.
His services were sought not only in BradIn
ford, but in all the adjoining counties.
1862 his reputation was such that when a
vacancy on the bench of the Twenty-sixth district occurred, by the resignation of Judge
Warren J. Woodward, a committee of the bar
waited upon him and invited him to accept
the nomination. He was elected, and so performed his duties that in 1872 he was reelected, the other political party refusing to
place a candidate in the field. In May, 1874,
Wyoming and Sullivan counties were made
the Forty-fourth district, and Columbia and
Montour the Twenty-sixth, and he selected
the latter as his jurisdiction.
Upon his first
In April,
election he moved to Bloomsburg.
settle the disto
chosen
he
was
umpire
1871,
putes between miners and operators of the
anthracite region. His decision was accepted
by both sides and stood for many years as the

He was

several times urged to
allow the use of his name as a candidate for
Supreme judge, and at other times for govHis second term
ernor, but he declined.
nearly ended, the bar of the district unanimously signed a paper requesting him to accept the nomination for a third term, to which
he consented, and he w^as, elected without opposition, thus demonstrating how much better
it is to select a judge from outside the district
than to have the ofiice made the object of a
political scramble.
Many important cases were transferred
from other counties to Columbia for trial before him. and it is estimated that he was
called to other counties to hold special courts
oftener than any other judge in the State.
Ejectment cases involving title to coal lands
worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, the
Cameron will case from l^nion county, involving two million dollars, and the "Mollie Maguire" case, were among the celebrated trials
before him.
During his entire service but
eight or nine cases he decided in the Common

wage

scale.

Pleas were reversed, and in most of these the
Supreme court reversed itself in reversing
him. But one equity case was reversed, and
none in the Oyer and Terminer, Quarter Ses-

and Orphans" courts.
After twenty-six years on the bench Judge
Elwell's health began to decline, and in 1888
he spent the winter in Florida by his
physician's advice, but without relief.
In July,
1889, six months after his illness began, he
His extreme conscienresigned the office.
tiousness would not permit him to continue to
draw a salary which he did not earn. There
have been but few such instances in the State.
sions

He lived in retirement in Bloomsburg until
Oct. 15, 1895, when he passed away after only
two days' confinement to his bed. leaving to
his family the legacy of a noble life well
spent.
Few men ever possessed the confidence and
esteem of the public to a higher degree. On
the day of his funeral places of business were
closed as a token of respect. The services at
St. Paul's Church were attended by a
gatherThe
ing that filled the church to the doors.
trustees of the Normal School, the town council, and the vestry of the church all
passed
memorial
taken to

resolutions.

Towanda and

His

were

remains

interred in the family

lot.

Though more than a quarter century has
passed since he occupied the bench, it is still
not an infrequent occurrence to hear him
spoken of with admiration, and to hear the
older

upon

residents

say:

his like again."

"We

ne'er

Upon

his retirement a

shall

look

banquet was tendered him by the bar ot the
district which was attended by a large number
of distinguished judges and lawyers.
The
attendance and the speeches made were such
an honor as has seldom if ever been shown a
judge in this State.
The Judge was one of the foremost citizens
of the county in other matters than the courts,
always active in all matters that pertained to
the welfare of the community.
In 1868 he

was elected a trustee of the Normal School,
and was president of that body from 1873 to
1891. He was a devoted member of the EpisIn 188 1 he was appointed by
copal Church.
Governor Hoyt a member of the Bi-centennial
committee.
Judge Elwell was twice married, his first
wife being Clemana Shaw, of Towanda. by
whom he had three children: William, deceased; Clemana, who married P. H. Smith,
of
and
Plymouth. Wis., both deceased
Horace, who died in infancy. This wife died,
and in September, 1844, he married Mary
;

I__

L^^C'<-<-'<-'-cS<_:P

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Louise Thayer, of Watkins, N. Y., by whom
he had the following children
Ephraim W.,
deceased George E. Mary Louise, deceased,
who married N. U. Funk, of Bloomsburg;
Martha T. and Robert, who died in childhood
and Charles P., of Bloomsburg.
:

;

GEORGE EDWARD ELWELL,

second

Hon.

William and Mary Louise
(Thayer) Elwell, was born in Towanda, Pa.,
His ancestry on the paternal
Oct. 1 6, 1848.
son

given in the biography of his father.
On the maternal side his great-grandfathers,
Baruch Thayer and John Ager, were both solside

diers in the

American army

in the

Revolution,

so that four great-grandfathers and one greatgreat-grandfather were in the Patriot army
His maternal grandfather.
(luring that war.
Col. E. Thayer, was a soldier in the War of
1812,

and

later a colonel of

New York

State

militia.

Mr. Elwell was educated at the Susquehanna Collegiate Institute, at Towanda Prof.
G. R. Barker's school at Germantown, Philadelphia; the Bloomsburg Literary Institute;
and Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., in the
;

class

1870, later receiving the degree of

Master of Arts from that

institution.

Upon

completing his college course he was elected
assistant principal of the Fifth street school
in Bloomsburg, then just opened.
In January,
1872, he was made a member of the Normal
school faculty, to teach English literature,
German and French, remaining there until
July,
1873, when he resigned to pursue
his legal studies, which he had previously

He was
begun under his father's tuition.
admitted to the bar of Columbia county
Sept. 4, 1874, and at once formed a law
partnership with Capt. C. B. Brockway, a
prominent lawyer with an established practice.
This continued for five years.
They were

counsel for several corporations, including the
Lackawanna Railroad Company, Mr. Elwell
continuing in that capacity until 1893. I" ^^77
they were among the seven counsel for the
defense of Hester, Tully and McHugh, the
Molly Maguires charged with the murder of
Alexander Rea. After the conviction of these
men, and when appeals to the Supreme court
and the board of pardons had failed, Tully
voluntarily made a written confession to Mr.
Elwell, to be published at his request after the
execution.
It settled beyond question any
doubt as to the guilt of these men.
On Oct. I, 1875, Brockway and Elwell
bought the Columbian printing office of H. L.
Dieffenbach, and conducted it for four years

while stdl

engaging

675
in

active

law practice,

Frank Cooley being the editor. The
history
of The Columbian
appears in the article on
newspapers. Mr. Elwell discontinued active
law

practice
1893. He tried many important cases, among them
being Cadow vs. the
D. L. & W. R. R. Co.; the removal of the
Bloomsburg School Board; and Mercur vs.
Patrick et al., in Sullivan
county, involving
title to valuable coal lands.
All of these were
in

carried to the

Supreme

court,

and won for

his

clients.

In his boyhood Mr. Elwell
began piano lessons, at the age of eleven, and continued them
for about six years,
including instruction on
the pipe organ for two years. At various times
he played the organ in a chapel at iMount
Airy,

was organist of Trinity College and the Church
of the Incarnation, Hartford, Conn.
organist
of St. Paul's Episcopal Church,
Bloomsburg,
for twenty years, and choirmaster for fifteen
years longer. He has been president of several musical organizations,
notably the Blooms;

burg Choral Society, which gave some public
entertainments of a high character. He also
conducted and took part in a number of concerts for charitable purposes, but never for
pay.

He was one of the organizers of the Philologian Literary Society at the Normal school.
While in college he was president of the Parthenon Literary Society, and of the athletic
association, and member of the ball nine college marshal chairman of the Junior promenade committee; class historian; an editor of
the college paper; member of a German and
a theatrical club, and member of the Delta
Psi fraternity.
While a publisher he was a
member of the State editorial association, and
a delegate from that body to the national con;

;

vention at Boston in 1890. He was a member
of the executive committee of the State Democratic Editorial Association as long as that

body

existed.

town matters Mr. Elwell showed his interest by membership in the town council in
Fie was president of the Winona
1876-7-8.
In

Fire

Company

1882;

fire

chief

the

department in 1883; member
of the joint committee of the several fire companies that prepared the rules of the Bloomsburg fire department. In educational matters
he was a trustee of the Normal school for fifteen years, has been a director of Bloom school
district since 1909, and has been president of
the alumni association of the Normal school
since 1907. In church matters he was a vestryman of the Episcopal Church from 1878 to

Bloomsburg

fire

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

676

191 1, and frequently a delegate to the diocesan convention.
In business matters he was one of the original directors of the Bloomsburg Water Company a director of the Gas Company, and of
Oak Grove Association, and is now a director
of the Industrial Building and Loan Association a member of the corporation of the
Hospital; a trustee of the Public Library; a
member of the executive committee of the
Civic League, and a member of the Historical

a reelection.
ing taken all

quently sought after, notably at the banquets
of the Normal alumni association at the banquet given by the bar to Colonel f^reeze
1905, and at those of The Wheelmen club held
annually for several years and has been frequently called upon for after-dinner speeches
on other occasions. In politics he was secretary of the Democratic county committee
delegate to county and State conventions; for
three years a member of the State committee,

Q^g of [^e best known citizens of Columbia
county, is entitled to a place among the most

active in Masonry, havScottish Rite degrees in
Caldwell Consistory, has been president of the
Craftsman Club, Eminent Commander of
is

the

Crusade Commandery, Knights Templar, and
Master of Washington Lodge.
Since 191 2
he has taught two classes a day in French
at the Normal school. He is recognized as one
o'f
Bloomsburg's most estimable young men.
On his mother's side he is a great-grandson of
William McKelvy and Caleb Barton, and
He was secretary of the Bar Asso- grandson of I. W. McKelvy, all of whom were
Society.
ciation for thirty years, librarian of the Law in their day among the most progressive and
On
Library for ten years, and secretary of the respected citizens of Columbia county.
Bloomsburg Centennial committee in 1902. Dec. 12, 191 1, he was married to Miss Sara B.
In January, 1915, he was elected president of Milleisen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. Milthe Bloomsburg Business Men's Association, leisen, of Bloomsburg.
to serve for one year.
As a toastmaster his services have been freHON. WILLIAM TRENTON
;

;

and

several Presidential campaigns

made

speeches through the county
In 191 1 he was appointed by Judge Evans
to investigate
a member of a
commission
the procurecharges of unlawful practices

The
liquor licenses in the county
report of this commission after investigation
was such that it will for a time at least prevent the recurrence of some practices that prert
f
tor years.
vailed
ai
a
at
McA.
to
ment of

•

Mr. Elwell was married

Mary

Isaiah W. and Elmira
Kelvy,
(Barton) McKelvy. Oct. 26, 1876. They have
one son G. Edward Elwell, ]v., who is in
"
Xu 1-- r ^u
business with his lather.
%
„r,,,
T„ ^
r.(r^r.Trr^
Edward -n
George -c
Elwell, Jr.. son of George

daughter of
'

Elwell, was born
in Bloomsburg, Pa.. April 19. 1886. He graduated at the Bloomsburg Normal School in

E. and

Mary A. (McKelvy)

190S. and at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn.,
in 1909, receiving the degree of Bachelor of
Arts. He was prominent in many of the college activities, and a member of the Delta Psi
On graduation he entered busifraternity.
ness with his father in the Columbian Printing
House and so continues. When the Blooms-

burg Ikisiness Men's Association was organized he was one of its most active members,
and was its secretary for three years, declining

CREASY,

progressive men of the State of Pennsylvania.
j^ his capacity of legislator he demonstrated
^^^^ ^igh ideals regarding his relations to his
constituents which show his fitness for leader^^ip. and his sense of responsibilitv as a pubjj^,
servant makes him worthy of the many
honors which have come to him. His work in
^^^ Grange has made him very prominent
^^^^^^ agriculturists, and the degree of confidence he has gained wherever known is suf^:^^^^^ evidence that he has lived up to the
expectations of those who have intrusted im^^^^^^ interests to him.
^j^ ^
^^^ ^^^^ P^^
^g ^ .^ ^^^^_
^^,.^^^ township. Columbia county: where he
^^jjj ^^^^^^ his home, son of Nathan Creasy
j
j
r wr-un
lu
c ^.
^
grandson of William Creasy. His first
ancestors in America settled in New Jersey,
.
.,
n
\^o
^^^"^ t^ere to Columbia county, Pa.,
^7"^"^?
and
twenty-five years ago.
^^""^1^^^
'^l^^"^
took an important part in the American
They ^'\
Revolution. Some of the family settled about
i^r-ca^
ua
j
r
lu farmiiig.
Mifflin towHship
^ aud eugagcd
5 J^
c wru^^ '"'a^" Creasy, grandfather of
T.
ilham -r
^
^^asy, was born in the southern part of Co.

•

f
lumbia

county and was engaged

farming

there during his earlier years.
He was one
of the earlier settlers in the Catawissa valley.
Schuylkill county. Pa. He continued f arm'"g throughout his active hfe. in his later
years living retired, in Catawissa. where he
^led in January. 1886. at the age of seventymne, and is buried. He owned a tract of land
He and his wife. Mary
that township.

(Gearhart). had one son, Nathan,
Nathan Creasy, son of William, was born

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

677

Catawissa valley, in Schuylkill county, conditions, whether they raised the standards
and came with his parents to Main township, of work or of home life, led him to take an
Columbia county, when a child. He followed active part in the Grange movement, and he
farming, after his marriage buying the tract has been a member of the Pennsylvania State
on the hill in Catawissa township, across the Grange more than thirty-four years and one
Susquehanna from Bloomsburg, and there he of its foremost workers, serving on important
continued to live until his death, which oc- committees. For many years he served on the
curred in August, 1 88 1. He was a member of legislative committee of the State Grange, and
the Lutheran Church, and was one of the well as such took an influential part in framing
known and highly respected residents of his Grange legislation. As an authority on State
His wife, Susanna (Krickbaum), and local taxation whose knowledge is fecogdistrict.
survived him, dying in 1883, and they are nized throughout the country he presented the
buried at Catawissa. Mrs. Creasy was born Grangers' ideas on taxation at the Xalional
in 1830 in Catawissa township, on the farm Conference on Taxation held at Buffalo, at the
now owned by her son, Henry, and was a Pan-American Exposition in 1901, and dedaughter of Henry Krickbaum, who was of livered an address on taxation which was
German extraction. To Mr. and Mrs. Nathan widely quoted all over the United States and
Creasy were born eight children, namely: Canada. In 1908 he was elected master of
Francis the State Grange, and served until his recent
Alice, who is deceased William T.
Pierce, mentioned at length elsewhere in this resignation, in December, 1914. Fie is editorwork; Ellen E., wife of W. H. Hess, of Al- in-chief of the Pennsylvania Grange Neivs, the
media, this county Henry Lloyd, of Cata- organ of the State Grange. He is also a promiNathan C., a merchant of nent figure in the National Grange, belongs to
wissa township
Catawissa; Dora S., wife of Noah Helwig, a a number of agricultural organizations, has
been president of the State Horticultural Assoprominent farmer of Catawissa township
and a daughter that died in infancy.
ciation, and is favorably known by representaWilliam T. Creasy was reared on a farm, tive men, particularly along agricultural lines,
remaining with his grandparents until twenty throughout the United States.
As an ardent and effective champion of
years of age. He had the advantages of the
common schools and Catawissa Academy, also every cause afifecting the welfare of the farmattending the State Normal School at Blooms- ing population he won the sobriquet of
burg, from which institution he was graduated "Farmer" Creasy in the State Legislature, of
in 1875.
Before that he had begun teaching, which he was a leading member for many
when sixteen years of age, and he followed years. Mr. Creasy's first term in the PennsylAll his life vania Legislature began in 1894, and he was a
the profession for eleven terms.
he has been engaged in farming and fruit member of that body continuously until 1910.
growing as well as stock raising. In 1876 he He was always one of its energetic workers.
settled upon the farm where he has since had For years he was the acknowledged Democratic
his home, and which he bought that year, a leader in the House, and several times was the
His poputract of 215 acres on the summit of the range Democratic nominee for speaker.
of hills across from Bloomsburg, in Catawissa larity in the party is of long standing. In 1899
township. There are thirty-five acres in fruit he was the nominee for the State treasurer
and he is constantly adding to his orchard. in 1901 and 1902 was State chairman and in
He has many experimental methods of horti- 1906 the nominee for auditor general. In the
culture in operation, and has some of the last year named he could have had the guberHe natorial nomination had he so desired, for his
finest cherries and apricots in the county.
has a herd of Holstein cows, and raises Berk- name was prominently mentioned in that connection and he had the backing of the labor
shire, Poland-China and Chester White swine.
The farm is equipped with all modern machin- organizations. In 19 10 he was defeated for
He was a candidate for lieuState senator.
ery, and Mr. Creasy is installing a small machine shop, with power.
tenant governor at the recent election.
There are few men in public life who have
Few farmers have become as well known
The
as practical advocates of the best systems in as creditable a record as Mr. Creasy.
vogue among advanced agriculturists at the statement was recently made that in all the
present day. Mr. Creasy was one of the origi- years he was at Harrisburg the finger of susHis picion was never pointed in his direction. His
nators of the White Plymouth chicken.
interest in the promotion of all things which motives were never questioned, and the class
had for their object the betterment of farm of legislation with which he has been associated
in the

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

678

is enough to stamp him as a progressive of the
most liberal type, one who has labored unselfishly for the general good and whose far-

sightedness has come to be proverbial. As has
been said of him: "Even in the days when
reform and reformers were not popular it was
Mr. Creasy who, often alone, was on the job

and championed night and day reform movements, many of which have since been enacted
into laws.

One who knows has

said that more
placed on the statute

reform measures were
books through his efforts than those of any
other member who has been in the House in
years. Always on the firing line, his voice and
his influence have at all times been exerted in
the furtherance of that which had to do with
the moral and civic upbuilding of the State.
To speak of the beneficent laws he has championed would be to refer to practically every
good law Pennsylvania has seen placed upon
her statute books in recent years. A few of
the many for which he has valiantly fought in
the years he has been in the House are the
Trolley Freight bill, Two Cent Fare bill, as
well as a number of laws to enforce the constitution in regard to railroads and increases of

appropriations to township high schools.'' He
was a director of the Postal Express League
which put through the present parcel post law,
and he has spent a great deal of his time in
the law making bodies at Washington as well
as at Harrisburg, looking especially after agricultural legislation has served as bank director
and life insurance director; vice president of
the Farmers' Life Insurance Company of
;

Syracuse, N. Y.
other important
director of the
and was one of

;

and has taken part
financial

matters.

many
is

Pennsylvania Peace Society,
the speakers at the Cost of
Living Conference under the auspices of the
American Academy of Political and Social
Science. His address on "The High Cost of
Living from the Farmer's Standpoint" has
attracted popular interest. While a Democrat,
Mr. Creasy "has the friendship of men in all
His desk in the House
parties in his State.
was a sort of storm center and place of friendly
interest as well."

Mr. Creasy's estate in Catawissa township
considered a model farm, and after visiting
it, in 1902, William Jennings Bryan announced
that he would give his celebrated Nebraska
farm the same name in its honor, "Fairview."
Mr. Creasy has served his home township in
the offices of school director and supervisor,
and he has also held the position of mercantile
is

appraiser.

On March

2^, 1876,

Mr. Creasy was mar-

ried to Sarah Jane Weaver, daughter of Elias
and Sarah (Yetter) Weaver, of Columbia
county, and to them have been born six children Charles W., who married Laura Hower
and has three children Catherine, now the
wife of Frank Bundy and mother of three
children Sadie, wife of Roy Bitler and mother
of two children William K., who is married
to Ruth Long and has one child
Luther P.
and Susan D., both living at home. In religious
connection Mr. and ^Irs. Creasy are members
of the Lutheran Church, of which he is a
:

;

trustee.

WILLIAM QUIGG. whose fine farm of
308 acres is situated in Mahoning township,
one and a half miles from Danville, is a well
known citizen of Montour county, and in igii.
on the Republican ticket, was elected a member of the board of county commissioners. He
was born in Montgomery county, Pa., Feb.
18, 1856, a son of Thomas and Rebecca (Robison) Quigg, and is of Scotch-Irish descent.
Thomas Quigg was born in County Antrim,
Ireland, and from there came to the United
1847, landing at Philadelphia, and
Montgomery county. Pa. He was
an iron worker, and in June. 1863. came to
Danville. The following year he enlisted for
service in the Civil war, and served one year
as a private in Company D. 58th Pa. \'ol.

States in

settling in

He died at Danville, when aged sixtyseven years, and he and his wife, Rebecca
(Rol:)ison) Quigg. are buried in the Episcopal
cemetery there. She was born in County DerThey were good, kind-hearted,
ry. Ireland.
Inf.

industrious people.
They had two children.
William and John, the latter a resident of
Danville; he married Alice Diehl, and they
live in the old Quigg homestead.
William Quigg has taken care of himself
practically from early boyhood, when he went
Later he
to work on Peter Bright's farm.
found employment as water boy in the neigh-

boring lime (|uarry and kilns, and then went to
work in the ore mines. Thus he had but little
time to go to school, but took advantage of
every opportunity and is a well informed man.
and he has always been able to influence others

through his good judgment and practical comFrom the ore mines Mr. Quigg
sense.

mon

works of Waterman &
Company, Danville, Pa., and worked his way up until he became a heater, in the Reading Iron Company's
mill.
He joined the Danville fire company in
so brave and re1877. and proved himself
went

into the big iron

Beaver,

now

the Reading Iron

sourceful in times of danger that in 1879 he

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
was made assistant engineer of "Good Will"
Hose Company No. 4, and in 1880 was elected
chief of the department, serving as such lor

one year. Since March 14, i8cS9, he has resided on his farm, where he has prospered,
devoting his land to a general line of agriculture.

Mr. Quigg was married Jan.

24,

1882, to

rhiladelphia. Pa., who
was born Oct. 31, 1859, in Ireland, and was
two years old when brought to this country.
They have had nine children, of whom we
have the following record
Thomas, born
Nov. I, 1882, at Danville, Montour Co., Pa.,
is engaged as a molder there with the Dan-

Anna McNerney,

Stove Company; Annie, born April 14,
is the wife of Ralph Cope,
now employed by the Reading Iron Company; Rebecca, born Feb. 15,
1887, at Danville, a nurse in the Danville hosalso
pital, is the wife of Blaine B. Morrison,
a nurse; Dennis, born July 28, 1889, in Alahoning township, Montour Co., Pa., resides
at home and assists his father Elizabeth, born
ville

1885, at Danville,
of Mausdale, Pa.,

;

March
teacher

is a
19, 1891, in Mahoning township,
in that township; Stewart, born April

12, 1893, in

Alahoning township, died July 28,

1901, aged eight years, three months, sixteen
days; Mary Jane, born May 13, 1896, in Mahoning township, is a graduate of the Danville high school, class of 1914; John Robin-

Nov. 6, 1898, in Mahoning township,
]\Iargaret
attending school at Danville
Edith, born July 6, 1901, in Mahoning townone
ship, died July 7, 1902, aged one year,

son, born
is

;

day.

679

was born near I'.randonvillc, in Sehuyland his wile Mathilda
Pa.,
(Focht) was also from that county. He came
to Montour county and bought the farm on
which he settled, following agricultural pursuits and also milling, having erected a water
mill on his property.
He was instantly killed
Hitler,

kill

county,

in i8()4, when seventy-two
years old, while
helping to raise some heavy timber. His wife
died in 1883, aged seventy-nine years,
Joel Bitler, son of James, was born in

Schuylkill county and raised there, being
twenty-three years old when he came to Montour county with his parents,
lie had received excellent advantages for the time, and
being of a studious turn im])roved them, and
during his early manhood he engaged in teachlie also followed sawmilling and farming.
ing, and he continued to reside on the liitler
homestead settled by his father until his death
there, in 1890, when he was lifty-six years

old.

ter of

married Eliza DiefTenbacher, daughBenjamin and Sophia (Proxell) Dief-

Her great-grandfather, Philip
DieiTcnlxicher, was the first of the name to locate in the region of Strawberry Ridge, which
He moved hither with a prairie
he named.
schooner and a team of oxen. He took up a
600-acre tract from the government, and became one of the prominent residents of that
He helped to build the first church
section.
fcnbachcr.

His wife was Emma }klauser.
Mrs. Bitler died in 1902, at the age of sixtyone years. She and her husband had a family
of seven children, of whom Benjamin K. is
Norman S. lives at Strawberry
the eldest
Ridge; William L. is on the old homestead;
Ursula is the wife of A. J. Levan, of Schuyler,
Pa. Hulda, widow of George Merrell, lives
at Buffalo, N. V.; Laura is the wife of Wilthere.

;

Mr. Quigg was reared in the Episcopal
Church. In politics he is a Republican, and as
an interested agriculturist he has associated
himself with X'alley Grange, No. 1184.

;

liam Lose, of Montgomery, Pa. Maud is the
wife of Claude Ileffenlinger, of Montgomery,
I'.enjamin E. Bitler was born Oct. 21, 1862,
in Derry township, Alontour county, and obtained his early education in the public schools,
After leaving school he did farm work, and
later taught school during the winter seasons
for three^years. He then entered a drug store
;

BENJAMIN

present located at
land county, not

BITLER, M.
Pottsgrove,
far

from

D.,

Northumbcrthe

jMontour

county line, and he was formerly in practice
at
Washingtonville, Montour county, for
He has been a member of the
eleven years.
Montour County Medical Society for twenty-

two years, and is well and favorably known,
both professionally and personally, all over
Outside of his profession, he has
this section.
been especially active in promoting educational
interests, for which he has done good work.
Tohn Bitler. Dr. Bitler's great-grandfather,

where he was employed as
and a half, following which
he had some experience on the range in KanSubsas. being a cowboy for eighteen months.
of
sequently he took up a quarter section
in

Kansas

City,

clerk for a year

land in Comanche county, Kans. In 1883 he
in
sura
was
opened a drug store at Protection. Kans.,
familiarly known as "Long lohn,"'
and
H.
Milton
Dr.
Winn,
with
and
his
brother
With
partnership
James
veyor by calling.
another brotheV he came from England and while conducting same pursued the study of
His son, James medicine for two years. He then married and
settled in Chester county. Pa.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

680

located at Louisville, Ky., where in 1887 he
entered the University of Louisville, completing his course and graduating in 1889. The

year following he practiced at Corydon, Ind.,
thence returning to Montour county. Pa., and
establishing himself at Washington ville, where
he remained for a period of eleven years. In
1901 he moved thence to Pottsgrove, where
he has been practicing for the last thirteen
Dr. Bitler is a member of the State
years.
Medical Society, and of the American
His high
National Medical Association.
standing in medical circles and among his
numerous patrons has been gained by conto all who have come
and he is highly esteemed for
his strong character and the public spirit which
has guided him in all his dealings with the
community. For the last eight years he has

scientious

under

attention

his care,

been a member of the Pottsgrove school board,
to which he was reelected in the fall of 1913
for a term of six years, and his efficient services have won the approval and hearty cooperation of the most progressive element in
Sothe town.
Politically he is a Democrat.
cially he holds membership in the I. O. O. F.,
to which he has belonged for twenty-six years,
being at present connected with Pottsgrove
Lodge, No. 623, and he also belongs to the
Artisans Order of Mutual Protection at that
place; he is a member of Milton Lodge, No.
913, B. P. O. Elks, of IMilton, Pa., and of the
Pottsgrove Lutheran Church.
Dr. Bitler married July 7, 1886, Eva I.
Winn, who was born April 14. t866, at Corydon, Ind., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth
(Bines) Winn, the latter now deceased; she
was from Pennsylvania. Mr. Winn, who survives, learned the trade of blacksmith, and followed it during his active years. In his earlier
life he was also a preacher in the M. E.
Church. During the Civil war he served as
officer, and he was wounded.
Six children have l)cen born to Dr. and
Mrs. Bitler: Ursula E., born Sept. 30, 1887,

home; Anna W.,
born April 15. 1889. widow of Warren Winter, has one child. Eva; Laura E., born Aug.
22, 1891, in Washingtonville, is the wife of
C. Franklin Koch, of Pottsgrove, and has one
child, Mary Helen
Mary E., born Jan. 3,
1894, is engaged at the Trenton (N. J.) State
Hospital, and like her three sisters is a graduate of the Pottsgrove high school and a
trained nurse; Elmer Dewey, born Feb. ti,
in Louisville, Ky.. lives at

;

1898, is a student at the Pottsgrove high
school; David Joel, born Aug. 6, 1900, is in

grammar

school.

CLARK DICKERMAN EATON,
nent

official

of the

a promi-

American Car and Foundry

Company, has been established in the general
of the company at New York City since
the year 1907, in the capacity of sales manager.
Thoroughly modern in his attitude on
offices

business

made
have

questions, the natural gifts which
his selection for the position so logical
undergone favorable development in his

present environment, and he has broadened
along with the recjuirements of his work. More
than that, his ideas and their evolution have

marked improvement in the seUing
department, making it worthy of its relation
to the great concern whose products are marketed through this agency,
Mr. Eaton was born near Bethlehem, Pa.,
Aug. 12, 1871. Coming to Berwick with his
parents when a child, he was a resident of that
borough until his removal to New York City
in 1907.
His early education, obtained at the
public schools of Berwick, was supplemented
by three years' attendance at the University
of Pennsylvania.
Returning to Berwick he
entered the employ of the Jackson & W'oodin
effected a

Manufacturing Company,

in the rolling mills,

then went to the wheel department, and in 1899
became employed in the general office of the
Berwick district as clerk. He was soon made
assistant to the manager. Mr. Lowry. In 1907
he was transferred t.6 the general offices at

New

York, becoming sales manager, which

position he has since filled. As may be judged
by this brief record of his services, he has
gained his familiar knowledge of the business
and works in actual exparience, begun at the
bottom, and continued as promotion gave opportunity. His special fitness for the depart-

ment he now handles has been proved in many
and he is fortunate in combining

a severe test,

with

trustworthy business ability a genial
disposition and a remarkable faculty for making friends.
Mr. Eaton is now a director of the American
Car and Foundry Export Company, to which
His busilatter office he was elected in 1913.
ncss activities have extended as opportunity
permitted, and he is now vice president of
both the Sligo

and

the

Eastern Railroad

Oldfields

Company
Lumber Company. His

brother, Frederick Eaton,

president of the

American Car and Foundry Company.
As a clubman Air. Eaton holds membership
in the Railroad Club of New York. Union
League of New York. New York Athletic
Club, South Orange Field Club and the Canoe
Brook Country Club. His fraternal conncclions arc with the Benevolent Protective Order

^2j

"Z^^"—^-^C

nX
Ti

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
of Elksj.F. & A. M., Berwick, Pa.; Caldwell
and Irem
IMoomsburg, Pa.
Consistory,
rcmi)lc, VVilkcs-Barre, Pa. He also belongs to
the American Iron and Steel Institute, American Electric Railway Association and the
;

has united with
I'ennsylvania Society.
the Presbyterian Church at East Orange, and
contributes liberally to

its

support.

Politically

a Republican.
On June 30, iHc/j,
is

Mr. Eaton married Alice
Leona McAnall, daughter of John R. McAnall,
superintendent of the hospital department of
the American Car and Foundry Company,
mentioned elsewhere in this work. They have
two children, Frederick lleber (2d) and John
McAnall.

WILLIAM EDWIN BOYER, ex-county
commissioner of Montour county, now engaged in farming and stock raising in Liberty
township, was born in that township March
28, i860, son of Henry John and Mary (Robbins) Boyer.

The genealogy of

the

Boyer

(formerly

America
spelled Bayer) family dates back in
to the year 1732, when one Christopher Bayer
emigrated from the Fatherland to this counHis son, Henricus Bayer, and his wife
try.

Angelina became the parents of several

chil-

Catherine, who was born
and died Sept. 18, 1841. Catherine
IJoyer married her second cousin, Henry
Boyer, who was born at Reading, Pa., and
died Aug. 8, 1838, aged sixty-four years, three
months. He was one of the first settlers -of

dren,
in

among them

1773,

Liberty township, at that time covered with
dense timber, and his life was passed in farmHe cleared the present
ing and lumbering.
farm of his grandson, and himself hauled his
I)roduce and supplies to and from the Reading

markets.

Boyer, son of Henry Boyer, and
Edwin Boyer, was born in
Northampton county, Pa., and died July 11,
three
1893, aged eighty-five years, six months,
days. He was six years old when he accom-

Henry

father of William

panied his parents to Liberty township, where
his life was spent in agricultural operations.
He married Mary Robbins, who was born
April 20, 1 84 1, in Liberty township, Montour
She was a
Co., Pa., and died April 14, 1912.
daughter of Martin and Anna (Crites) Robbins, who came to Northumberland county
from New Jersey and subsequently made their
home in Montour county. Two children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyer, namely William
Edwin and Elizabeth Catherine, the last
named deceased; she was the wife of Benjamin C. Lindner.
:

681

After securing his education in the pubUc
schools William lulwin Boyer farmed for his
father until reaching the age of nineteen years.
W hen he was twenty-two years of age he married and came to his present home, where he
has since followed agricultural pursuits with
success.
He has a well developed property
which rewards him with abundant returns
for the labor he expends upon it, while his
success as a stock raiser has made him known

as an excellent judge of cattle. The buildings
are new and substantial, and here is also located one of the landmarks of the vicinity,
the oldest stone house standing in Montour

county, which was built by great-grandfather
Robbins some time during the seventeen hundreds.
In 1 881 Mr. Boyer was married to Ida May

Bowman, who was born Nov. 29, 1859, in
Mahoning township, Montour Co., Pa., daughJohn and Amelia Catherine (llidely)
deceased, who came from
Mr.
near Mifllinville, Colum])ia Co., Pa.
Bowman was born Aug. 5, 1836, and dl^d Jan.
Four children were born to Mr.
15, 1914.
Ida May, Mrs. Boyer
and ]\Irs. Bowman
Norman, living at Milton, Pa.; Hurley, whose
home is in Arizona and Fanny, who is deMr. and Mrs. Boyer have had the
ceased.
ter of

Bowman, both now

;

following
1881,

10,

children
Fanny B., born Dec.
the wife of James B. Kaiser, of
:

Milton, Pa., and has two children, Hilda and

Gladys; Minnie
ried

S.,

Ilause, of

May 10, 1883, marDanville, and has three

born

children, Bruce, Tdorence and Goldie Jennie
L., born Feb. i, 1886, married Frank Becker,
of New Columbia, Pa., and has t\\^ children,
Robert and William; Nettie, born Feb. 5, 1S90,
;

married Percy Hartman
Mary Catherine,
born Dec. 30, 1894, a graduate of the Pottsgrove high school, is at home.
Mr. and Airs. Boyer were reared in the
faith of the Presbyterian Church, and are
members of the Pottsgrove Church, of which
he is a trustee. He is a valued member of the
Order
Pottsgrove lodge of the Independent
;

Odd

Fellows.

In politics a stanch

Demo-

he has long served as tax collector, havfourth term in that
ing just entered upon his
In 1893 he became the
responsible position.

crat,

candidate of his party for the office of county
commissioner, and was subsequently elected
and served one term in that office.

ANDREW

STEINMAN,

retired

farmer of Valley township, and ex-county
treasurer of Montour county, was born in
Oct. 20, 1849.
Liberty township, that county,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

682

son of Andrew Jackson Steinman and grandson of John Steinman. John Steinman was
one of the early settlers of Derry township, in
what is now Montour county, and built here
the first sawmill in the district, erecting it in
1812. So far as known he came to this region
from Berks county, Pennsylvania.
Andrew Jackson Steinman, of Montour
Ridge, Liberty township, died in 1851, aged
twenty-eight years. A cooper by trade, he fol-

lowed that calling at his home after moving
to Derry township, thus continuing until his
His property was near what is now
death.
He married Mary Jones,
Washingtonville.
who was born in Derry township, and died in
She was a daughter of Peter Jones, a
1871.
farmer of Derry township, who did his farm
work with a yoke of oxen he built the present
Buck Seidel home. Mr. and ]\Irs. Andrew
Jackson Steinman had four children, two of
whom are living: Andrew J. and Mary, the
latter the wife of Joseph Hauck.
Andrew J. Steinman passed through the
ordinary experiences of any farmer's son, and
when he grew old enough commenced farm;

ing for himself, thus continuing until 1872,
on Sept. 20th of which year he met with an
accident which resulted in the loss of his arm.
In spite of this he worked for others on farms

Liberty and Anthony townshi])s
until 1876, when he was elected supervisor of
Liberty township, and held that office for sixteen years.
Moving to \'alley township, he
was elected county treasurer of Montour
county, and at the close of his first term was
re-elected, his second term expiring in 19 12.
Before his service as county treasurer, he was
jury commissioner three years he served one
year as su])ervisor, and was elected school
director in the fall of 1913, to serve six years,
in Valley township.
All of these offices have
been bestowed upon him as candidate on the
Democratic ticket, as he is a faithful worker
of that party.
He owns 147 acres of land,
in

Derry,

home Ruth Ann, who is at home,
Alexander B., Ethel E., Percy A. and
Carrie S. Mr. Steinman belongs to the Lutheran Church. For some years he has been
a member of X'alley Grange, No. 1184, of
lives

;

as are

Montour county.
The i\Ioser family, Mrs. Steinman's people,
came to this section from Berks county, where
Simon Moser, her father, was born. The greatgrandparents were Peter and Anna Barbara
(Steinrock) ]\Ioser. Their son, Samuel ]Moser,
grandfather of 'Sirs. Steinman. died in 1869,

when sixty years old. He located in \'alley
township, in what is now Montour county, at
what in the early days was called Campbelltown

Hill, and farmed there until his death.
married Esther Boyer. who died when
Her people were always
seventy years old.
farmers, and on coming to this locality lived

first in \'alley township, later settling in Derry
township. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Moser
consisted of seven children, of whom three
survive: Levi, a farmer of Derry township.
Montour county; Catherine, wife of David
Wintersteen, of \'alley township and Daniel,
who is in the West.
Simon Moser, Mrs. Steinman's father, died
in 191 2, at the age of seventy-two years.
He
;

married Hester McCracken, whose parents,

Hugh and

Bessie McCracken, settled in Liband the following children were
born to this marriage: John, now of Danville,
Pa.; David, of Cooper township; Elizabeth,
wife of Samuel G. Fauscy, of Mausdale; Bertha, married to William Fenstermacher, of
Luzerne county; Cora, wife of Arthur Fry;
erty township,

and Martha

A.,

Mrs. Steinman.

;

forty in \'alley township, and 107 in Derry
townshiji, the latter formerly owned by Mrs.

Steinman's grandfather, Samuel Moser.
Mr. Steinman was married to Martha A.
Moser, who was born in \'alley township

March 14. 1859, a daughter of Simon and
Hester (^IcCracken) Moser, both coming of
pioneer families of Montour county. ]\Ir. and
Mrs. Steinman have had the following children: Mary Hestei:, who is the wife of IT. \'.
Vognetz, of the State of New York, and has
three children, Martha Irene, Edna Pearl and
Charles Andrew; Rosa May, now of McEwensville, Pennsylvania; Pearl X'iola, who

THOMAS

WELSH,

C.
attorney at law, of
Danville, Montour Co., Pa.. was born in
that city, at the old homestead, where he now
makes his home. Dec. 17. 1867, son of Tames
.

and I^iose (Clifford) Welsh.
James Welsh was born in Ireland, as was
his wife, and he came to the United States in
85 1, previous to which time he had worked
in England's mines from the age of thirteen
years. Coming to Danville, he became a heater
at the Reading Iron Works, and died at the
1

age of seventy-eight years, April n. 1908. He
is buried in St. Joseph's cemetery, and was a
member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Politically he was a Democrat and active in the
party, serving three terms as councilman. His

widow, who still survives, residing now at
Danville, was an orphan when she came to
the Ignited States with her sister and brotlicr,
'Sir. and Mrs.
arriving at Danville in 1852.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
James Welsh had the following children Patrick G., who is a resident of Youngstown,
Ohio; Peter, of Youngstown, Ohio; Thomas
:

C., of Danville; James, a Roman Catholic
missionary priest and member of the Passionist Order, now at Uoston, Mass. (he is known
as Rev. Hilary Welsh) John W., a contractor
;

and builder, of Philadelphia, Pa. Edward,
who died in youth and Mary C, who has
been a school teacher in the borough of Danville since 1898, now teaching fifth and sixth
grades in the Second ward school. Of this
family, James graduated from the Danville
high school in 1888, began his studies for the
priesthood at Dunkirk, N. Y., and finished his
;

;

He was first
preparation at Baltimore, Md.
stationed at St. Michael's monastery, Hobo-

ken, N. J., doing work in New York City, and
from there went to Louisville, Ky., in the

mission service.

Thomas

Welsh was graduated from

the

public schools in 1885. and from
Bryant & Stratton's business college at Philadelphia in 1887. Following this he spent the
year 1887-8 at LaSalle College, in PhiladelUntil 1891 Mr. Welsh was in the em-

Danville

phia.

Railroad
ploy of the Philadelphia & Reading
division
in
the
clerk
as
engineer's
Company
office at Philadelphia, when he went with the
and
Empire Granite Company, of Barre, Vt.,
concern
that
with
Harrisburg. Pa., continuing
Mr. Welsh then began the study
until 1894.

of law at Danville, with R. S. Ammerman, and
was admitted to the bar in 1897. In 1899 his
abilities received signal recognition by his
election to the office of district attorney, and
In
he was reelected to that office in 191 1.

addition to carrying on general practice Mr.
Welsh has been a justice of the peace, which
office

he resigned to accept that of

district

attorney in 1900.

Mr. 'Welsh is a member of St. Joseph's
Catholic Church.
Fraternally he belongs to
the Elks. Lodge No. 436, of Danville, the
Hibernians, Lodge No. i, of Montour county,
and did belong to the old William Penn Club,
the Bicvcle Club and the Danville Whist Club,
but his' increasing legal duties necessitated his
resignation.

JOHN FELCH TOOLEY,

one of the lead-

Co..
grocers at Danville, Montour
born in that city in November. 1866.

ing

retail

Pa.,

was

son of Tohn and

Ann (Hanlin)

Tohn'Tooley was born

Tooley.

in Ireland,

came

the United States in May. 1853. and settling
at Danville became engineer at a blast furnace.
All his mature life was spent in work

683

nature, and he died April
His wife passed away May 28, 191 1,

of this

1900.

Dan-

Pennsylvania.
John Felch Tooley attended the public
schools of Danville until he was thirteen years
of age, when he left to become a heater at
furnace No. 20. Later he became clerk in a
general store, but after four years left Danville, and was manager of a general store at
Hughesville for six months.
Returning to
Danville he embarked in a grocery business
with a Mr. Harris, under the firm style of
Harris dt Tooley. Three years later he opened
up a grocery store at Nos. 316 and 318 Mill
ville,

and

added dry goods to his stock.
he and his brother. Lawrence
Tooley, conduct a grocery store at Bloomsburg, Pa., under the name of J. V. Tooley &
Co.
Mr. Tooley is a director of the First
National Bank of Danville, and a man of
substance in his community.
Mr. Tooley was married to Alice McCame,
of Danville, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth McCame. the former a hotel man. I-'ive
children have jjeen born to Mr. and Mrs.
Dorothy. Alice. Leo. James and
Tooley
street,

later

addition

The family belong to St. Joseph's
Catholic Church.
Fraternally Mr. Tooley is
a member of the Elks and the Knights of
Mary.

Columbus.

WILLIAM YORKS,

deceased,

for

many

years a farmer in Cooper township. Montour
county, was born in that vicinity April 4. 181 5,
son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Fox) Yorks.

Samuel Yorks came

this section from
is now Monwhat
Jersey,
tour county about 1780. Here he owned and
lived on a large tract of land which he bought
very cheaply, and he also owned another large
He
tract, in what is now Columbia county.
was a soldier of the war of 181 2.
William Yorks was reared to farming,
which he followed practically all his life,
though in connection he had extensive lumber
and sawmill interests. He was engaged as a
lumber dealer, and teamed to Danville, where
he also carried on the insurance business in
his later years. He bought the farm in Cooper
township which he occupied with his family
until his death, and was enteri)rising and prosperous in business and also actively interested

New

settling

in public aft'airs. serving one term as county
commissioner, and for about thirty years as
He
justice of the peace of Cooper township.
was a member of the Grove Presbyterian
Mr. Yorks married Martha Hull,
Church.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

684

who was born Dec. 19, 1824, in Catawissa,
Columbia Co., Pa., daughter of Isaac and
Catherine (Ritter) Hull.
They were of
Scotch and German descent, respectively. Mr.
Yorks died Aug. 21, 1877, his wife surviving
16, 1909, almost reaching the age
of eighty-five years. Her daughter. Miss M.
Ida Yorks, lived with her mother until the
latter's death, and is now operating the homeSix chilstead farm, which she inherited.
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Yorks, three

until July

Charles Edwin, born Aug.
surviving, namely
3, 1853, on the home farm, formerly cultivated that place, but is now in the employ of
the Benton Telephone Company, engaged in
construction work; Dr. John R. is a resident
of Philadelphia M. Ida lives on the old homestead in Cooper township, not far from DanThe parents are buried in the Odd Felville.
:

;

lows cemetery, Danville.
Miss M. Ida Yorks was born on the old
home place of her parents in Cooper township, and obtained her education in the pubAfter her father's
lic schools of the vicinity.
death she continued to care for her mother,
who survived him over thirty years, reaching
Miss Yorks is one
a very advanced age.
of the most highly esteemed residents of her
Her father was one of its leading
locality.

and the name commands
known.
wherever
respect

citizens in his day,

GEORGE ANDREW STOCK,

D., a

physician and surgeon of Danville, was born
at Gettysburg, Pa., Nov. 17, 1876, son of
George E. and Sarah (Noel) Stock. The
father is a manufacturer of cigars.
Dr. Stock attended Xavier Institute, at
Gettysburg, Pa., from which he was graduated in 1892, following which he entered St.
Mary's College, and in 1894 began the study
of medicine in the medical department of the

University of Pennsylvania. After spending
three years there he completed his studies
at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia,
from which he was graduated in 1898. For
the following year he was at St. Joseph's
hospital, at P>artimore, Md., and a portion of
that time had charge of the diseases of the
chest at the University of Maryland, at BalDr. Stock then spent eight months
timore.
at Philadelphia, and in 1900 came to Danville.
Pa., where he established himself in general
belongs to the county. State and
practice.

national medical associations, being a director
of the first named, was vice president, and is
now serving his third term as its president.
He also belongs to the International Tuber-

culosis Congress
losis Association.

and the National TubercuHis other connections are

important, as he is a member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Health, medical inspector of the schools of Montour county, and
assistant physician and surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
On June 6, 1900, Dr. Stock was married
at Danville to Elizabeth V. ]\IcCann, of that
borough, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth
Mr. McCann is a
(Daugherty) McCann.
hotel man.
Dr. and Mrs. Stock have had
three children, Ruth, Mark and George. The
Doctor is a member of St. Hubert's Catholic

Church.

Fraternally he belongs to the Elks,
Heptasophs, Knights of St. George, and Protected Home Circle.
Dr. Stock is a great
lover of music and has composed several
pieces, vocal and instrumental, and he is the
conductor of the Orpheus Glee Club of Danville.
When occasion demands he conducts

grand choruses, for charitable purposes. As
a man and physician Dr. Stock has an enviable reputation and Danville has no better
citizen in every respect than he.

SAMUEL

MILLS,

late

was one of the public-spirited
borough, and at the time of

Danville,

citizens of the
his death was

serving as one of the overseers of the Dan-

He had
and Mahoning poor district.
been living retired from 1910, previous to
which for several years he was in business
as a coal dealer, but during the greater part
of his active life he was employed in the manufacture of iron and steel as boss rail roller.
Mr. Mills was a native of England, born at
Tipton, Staffordshire, Oct. 6, 1837, son of

ville

His grandfather, Jacob Mills,
Jacob Mills.
died in England in September, 1844, at the
age of seventy-eight years; the grandmother
died there in 1837.
Jacob Mills, the father,

was born in 1803
England, and in 1845 came to America with
his family, which then consisted of four children. He was a shoemaker and followed that
in

trade,

but

when

were opened

the

Montour Steel Works
Montour Co., Pa.,

Danville,

he came to this place, and lost every dollar
Mr. ^lills passed the
he had in the panic.
remainder of his life in Danville, dyins: here
in 1868.
He married Mary Law, daughter of
Jacob Dudley Law, and three of their chilSamuel A., Jacob and Betsy,
dren survive
:

the

two

last

named

living at Danville

they

occupy the old homestead there.
After his school days were over Samuel A.
Mills went to work in the Rough and Ready

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
He was only eleven years old
Later he was employed by the
National Iron Company, being a roller in their
Then for several years he
plant until 1874.
was connected with the Cooperative Steel
Works, in which he was a stockholder, and
In
he served as director of that concern.
1884 he became associated with the Grove
and Grier iron mills at Danville, as boss roller,
and subsequently was engaged as roller at
rolling mills.
at the time.

the plant of the North Branch Steel Company until 1903. He then went into the coal
business, in which he continued until he retired in 1910.
He was in poor health for a
number of years before his death, which

occurred Feb. 27, 1914.
Mr. Mills did not seek public honors or
office, but he was called upon to serve his
fellow citizens in various responsible capaciFor seven years he was a member of
ties.
the school board, for three years a member of
the borough council, and in 1910 he was
elected to the office of overseer of the poor,
His services in every position were highly
He was a Resatisfactory to all concerned.
Fraternally he
publican on political issues.
was a Mason, belonging to Danville Lodge,
No. 224, F. & A. M., Danville. His religious'
training was received in the Methodist Church,
and he was a member of St. Paul's Methodist

Church at Danville.
Mr. Alills was prominent

ing)

was discharged Aug.

11, 1862.

Oct.

he joined Company F, 178th Pennsylvania Regiment, for nine months' service,
and acted as second lieutenant of that company under Capt. John A. Winner and First
He was discharged at
Lieut. Abner Brown.
Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, July 27, 1863. ^^
Camden, N. J., in September, 1864, he entered
the United States navy and was assigned to
the ship "Crusader."
On June 7, 1865, the
war having closed, he was discharged from
the service with the grade of master at arms.
Mr. Mills served as a member of the com-

21, 1862,

mittee which
the soldiers'
Danville,

his

had charge of the erection of
in Memorial Park,
associates on that body being

monument

William McClure, Frank Schock, Samuel ]\IcCoy, Jacob C. Miller, Dr. P. C. Newbaker,
George W. Roat and James Foster,
Air. Mills married Amanda Jane
Crossley,
who was born in Valley township in 1845,
daughter of John and Margaret (Stettler)
Crossley, the former a native of Montour
county. Six children were born to this union,

only two of whom survive
George Edward,
an attorney, who is in California; and Mary
Margaret, a nurse, of New York City. The
deceased were: Eugene, Emily, Denison and
Samuel A. The last named married Nellie
Meyers, and they had three children, Samuel
A., John R. and Ella. Mrs. Amanda J. Mills
:

died Oct. 20, 1884, and was buried in the
Episcopal cemetery at Danville,
On JMarch 16, 1887, Mr. Mills married
(second) Mary V. Swank, who was born Feb.

Rush township, Northumberland
daughter of Samuel Swank and
granddaughter of John Swank, who came
from Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and
was a farmer by occupation. He died in
November, 1857, long surviving his first wife,
Mary (Preune), who had passed away in
1846, in

12,

Co.,

Pa.,

She was the mother of four children:
1823.
Sarah, Mrs. George King; William; Benjamin, who married Mary Dicus, and Samuel,
By his second marriage John Swank had the
David
following children
Juliana
John
:

G. A. R.
member of

in local

having been a leading
Goodrich Post, No. 22, of Danville, which
he served as commander. He served in the
Civil war under three enlistments, first on
July 6, 1861, as a musician in the regimental
band of the 6th Pennsylvania Reserves, for
The bands
three years or during the war.
having been eliminated from the service by
reason of General Order No. 151, Mr. Mills
with his organization (then at Harrison Landcircles,

685

;

Mary Ann, Mrs. David Burger, and Hannah,
Mrs. Gulp, John Swank and his first wife
Reed
Northumberland county his second
buried at the Klines Grove Methodist

are buried in the Lutheran cemetery at
station,

wife

;

Church, in that county.

Samuel Swank, father of Mrs. Mills, was
2, 1819, and died June 19, 1893,
at the age of seventy-four years.
He was a
farmer by occupation.
His wife, Hannah
(Colket), was born Dec. 2, 1819, at Snydertown, Northumberland county, daughter of
John and Elizabeth (Vastine) Colket and
granddaughter of Edward and Margaret Colborn March

who left Philadelphia in the early days
of the cholera plague to escape the disease,
ket,

settling

county.

Mrs.

Northumberland

Snydertown,

Swank

died

Jan.

1900.

23,

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Samuel Swank, namely: Elizabeth, born July
17,
1843, married Melancthon Unger, of
Union Corner. Northumberland county Mary
V. is the wadow of Samuel A. Mills Martha, born Sept. 22, 1848, died in 1877, and
;

;

her

twin

Thomas
at

the

J.,

sister,

Sarah,

born Aug.

Danville State

died
1850,

in
1884;
supervisor

Hospital for the In-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

686

sane; John, born Nov. 17, 1857, died in 1864;
Ira Foster, born Oct. 2, 1854, died in 1885.
Through her grandmother, Elizabeth (Vastine), Mrs. Mills is related to the Vastine
family, mentioned at length elsewhere in this
work, Elizabeth being a daughter of Peter
Vastine, granddaughter of Benjamin Vastine,
great-granddaughter of Benjamin \'astine and
great-great-granddaughter of John \'astine,
son of the pioneer of the family in this counMrs. Mills
try, Abraham Van de Woestyne.
was reared in the faith of the Baptist Church.

WILLIAM

L. SIDLER has been register
of wills and recorder of deeds of Montour
county for over twenty years, since 1892. He
is a native of Danville, and several generations of his family have lived in the county.
Jacob, the great-grandfather of William L.
Sidler, spelled the name Sittler; he was a
native

country
his son

Germany, and on coming

first

settled in

New

Jersey.

to this

He and

Jacob moved to Montour county, Pa.,

then a part of Columbia county, and purchased a tract of land in \'alley township
which became the property of Emanuel Sidler. and there the father carried on general
farming the remainder of his active days. He
passed from this life at an advanced age and
was buried in the old log church grounds in
Mahoning township. He had four children,
as follows Philip, David, Martha and Jacob.
Jacob Sidler, the grandfather of William L.
Sidler, was born in 1798 in Lehigh county,
Pa., supposedly at Allentown, and came to
Montour county with his wife and father.
He learned the trade of carpenter, which he
followed for some time, and then engaged in
farming on the old homestead, which consisted
:

of 140 acres of highly cultivated land. By the
time of his death, which occurred when he
was sixty-two years old, he had also acquired
His wife, who
another farm, of 210 acres.
was Elizabeth Benfield, also a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of John Benfield, died aged
fifty-two, and they are buried in the Straub
burial ground in \'alley township. They were
the parents of the following children John,
Mary, Jacob, Emanuel, Sarah, Lavina, Franklin and Elizabeth, Emanuel being the only
survivor. Mr. Sidler was a strong Democrat,
and served as supervisor and school director
:

years in religious views he was a member of the Lutheran Church, belonging to the
old Log Church in Mahoning township. Of
his children Emanuel, born Alarch 26, 1829,
served a term as county treasurer and also
held minor offices.

many

Franklin Sidler, son of Jacob, above, was
born on the old homestead, where he spent
his boyhood days.
In 1864 he enlisted in the
3d Regiment, Pa. Vol. Artillery, and served
to the close of the war.
Returning to Danville, he was employed in the rolling mills
until 1872, when he purchased a farm in
\'alley township, ]\Iontour county, and followed agricultural pursuits the rest of his
active days, with the exception of a period in'
1874 and 1875, when he was a stockholder and
contractor in the Cooperative Iron Works at

Danville, later owned by the North Branch
Iron & Steel Company. He was united in
marriage to Amanda J. Gulick, a daughter of
Samuel and Susannah Gulick, of Montour
county, and to this union four children were
William L. Samuel G., who
born, namely
died in infancy Charles A., an attorney, residing at Sunbury, Pa. and Horace A., who
is engaged in
farming on the old homestead.
The father died Dec. 14, 1891, aged fifty-six
years, ten months, one day, and the mother
still resides on the homestead with her son
Horace A. Mr. Sidler was an unwavering
Democrat. He served as supervisor and tax
collector, and was a man greatly respected for
his many fine qualities, being recognized as one
of the active and progressive men of his com:

;

His religious connection was with
the Lutheran Church.
William L. Sidler taught in the country
munity.

schools near his home for three years, taught
school at Riverside one year, and then at Danville for three years.
After teaching for several years in the primary and grammar schools
of Danville he supplemented his early educa-

by a course in Princeton College, from
which institution he was graduated in 1888.
He then began the study of law under the

tion

of Edward S. Gearhart, was admitted to the bar in 1890 and in 1891 began
In iS*)i he
practicing his chosen profession.
w^s elected register of wills and recorder of
deeds of Montour county, which ofiice he still
holds, and he has made a record for efficient
service in that capacity.
Mr. Sidler has been
a member of the Danville school board for
the last four years.
He is a director of the
Amajac Mines Company, of Mexico.
Mr. Sidler married Mary E. Divel, a
daughter of Hon. Henry Divel, a prominent
citizen of Danville, and four children have
been born to them, viz.: Margaret R., Franklin \\'illiam. Mildred and Henry D.

direction

member of
516. F. & A. M.. which
he has twice served as master of Danville
Mr.

Sidler

prominent

Mahoning Lodge. No.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
M. (past high priest)
Calvary Commandery, No y], K. T. (past
comnianderj and was district deputy grand
master of the Thirty-tifth district, E. & A. M.,
Chapter, No. 239, R. A.

;

He also beof I'ennsylvania for five years.
1. O. O. F.,
longs to Montour Lodge, No. 109,
and Beaver Lodge, No. 132, K. of 1'. He is
an earnest member of Trinity Lutheran
Ciiurch.

STEPHEN ELLIS SNYDER,
merchant

general

Comly, Montour county,

one

business men of this secHe is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth
tion.
Eleanor (Ellis) Snyder, and in both paternal
and maternal lines belongs to old Pennsylvania
stock, the Ellises being particularly well known
in this part of Montour county.
of the best

Mr.

known

Snyder's

Snyder, came

teen years old.

great-grandfather,

Andrew

Berks county. Pa., when nine-

served as a soldier

in the

Revolutionary war. His son Andrew, grandfather of Stephen Ellis Snyder, was born in
1805 in Lycoming county, Pa., and in the
forties moved to Limestone township, in what
is now Montour county, where he passed the
remainder of his life, dying June 30, 1886.
He farmed, and was also a mechanic. His
wife, Elizabeth (Dewalt), daughter of Jacob
and Magdalena (Linn) Dewalt, of Berks
county, continued to live on the old homestead
a short time, and then moved to Strausstown
and later to near Exchange, where she died,
She survived him many years, passing away

age of eighty-eight.
Jacob Snyder, father of Stephen Ellis Snyder, was born Nov. 12, 1842, and was three
years old when his parents settled on the old
in 1900, at the

member

the

township

687
school

board.

With his wife he attended St. James' Episcopal Church at Exchange, of which the Ellises
have always been strong supporters, and he
was a Democrat on political questions,
On Nov. 28, 1871, Mr. Snyder married
Elizabeth Eleanor Ellis, who was born Sept.
1848, daughter of Stephen and Sarah
2"],
(Bull) l^^llis, and she survives him, living on
the Snyder homestead.
She is a granddaughter of Stephen Ellis, Sr., and an account
of the family will be found elsewhere in this
work. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Snyder, all of whom are living, namely Sarah
Isabella, who is with her mother; Anna Clara,
Mrs. l£d. Wright; Eleanor, Airs. Eenton Comfer
Stephen Ellis and James Jefferson and
William Daniel, at home.
Stephen Ellis Snyder was born Jan. 20,
1876, on his parents' homestead in Anthony
township, and he received his education in
the public schools.
Subsequently he worked
at home, assisting with the farm labors until
he bought his ])resent business at Comly, in
August, 1907. It is a historic old place, well
known from old times. Mr. Snyder does a
general mercantile business, and by his honorable methods and sincere efforts to please his
He was
patrons is holding a good trade.
:

;

appointed postmaster at Comly in 1908, when
he opened his store, and filled that i)osition
for nine months, until the change to present
arrangements, this region now being on the
rural route from Turbotville.
Mr.
a Democrat in politics, and he was
the faith of the Episcopal Church,
to St. James' Church, of Exchange,
he is a vestryman.

Snyder

reared in

belonging
of which

On Aug. 6, 1908, Mr. Snyder married Mary
Snyder homestead in Limestone township.
where he was reared.
He lived w^th his Emma Marr, who was born Nov. 11, 1887, in
parents until his marriage, and one year later Anthony township, Montour county, daughter
removed to another farm in Limestone town- of Lloyd and Angeline (Orner) Marr, farmAfter they had lived there a year Mrs. ing people of Anthony township, where Mrs.
ship.
Snyder's father bought the farm of 157 acres Snyder's ancestors have long been settled. Mr.
in Anthony township where
they made their and Mrs. Snyder have had a daughter, Elva
permanent home. In the early eighties, how- Alverna, born Oct. 20, 1909, who died Jan.
ever, they moved back to Limestone township 25, 1910.
for two years, returning to the Anthony townFALLON. The Fallon family is one well
When ]\Ir.
ship farm in the spring of 1884.
and Mrs. Snyder took possession of this place known in Montour county, and especially at
it was all covered with timber and brush, the
Danville, where several of its representatives
timber, which w'as valuable, including rock have been associated with commercial life for
oak, pine, chestnut, etc.
By steady application and well directed labor Mr.
Snyder sue-

many

ceeded

in improving this property wonderfully,
converting it into a modern farm, which lie
continued to operate until his death, Dec. 2"],
He served his fellow citizens one term
1905.

years.

Michael Fallon, the founder of the family
this country, was a native of Ireland, born
1820.
Early in life he was a sailor, and in

the course

United States,

his

journeyings came to the
immediately at Dan-

settling

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

688

Pa., where he became a bricklayer, and
continued to be so employed the remainder
He married Catherine Jane
of his days.

Church. Fraternallv he belongs to Lodge No.
754, B. P. O. Elks, and to the A. O. H. I odge,
No. I, both of Danville.

Leary, who was also a native of Ireland, and
they became the parents of seven children,
six of whom survive
John, who is living
retired in Berwick, Pa. Francis, a farmer, of
Danville William George, who is also living
at Danville
Edward, a resident of Danville
the wife of J. Shank, of Shamowho
is
Mary,
kin, Pa.; and Michael, deceased.
William Fallon, son of Michael Fallon,
was born at Danville, Montour Co., Pa., Feb.

July 22, 1913, Mr. Fallon was married
to Catherine V. Rogers, daughter of the late

ville,

Charles and Rose (Gillen) Rogers.

;

27,

1850,

and

still

makes

his

home

the

borough, now living retired. After finishing
his course in the Danville schools IVIr. Fallon
entered the rolling mills at Danville and
worked in them for half a century. In 1869
William Fallon was married to Mary Bresloii,
who was born at Safe Harbor, Pa., a daughter
of Charles and Mary (Breslon) Breslon, botii
He and his wife had the
natives of Ireland.
following children Michael, who is a merchant of Danville William, a clerk, of Danville
Jennie, who is the wife of Robert
Murray, a merchant of Danville Ed. F. and
two who are deceased. Mrs. Fallon died in
:

;

1904.

William Fallon was reared

in the faith of
strong Democrat, he
has always given his party earnest and hearty
support, but has not sought or desired office,
having felt that his efforts should be directed
toward the futherance of his private interests.
Ed. F. Fallon, jobber and wholesaler of

the Catholic Church.

confectionery and cigars, owning the largest
establishment of its kind in northern Pennsylvania, is one of the most energetic business
men of Danville. He was born in that

borough March

20, 1880.

After finishing his

educational training in the Danville schools
Mr. Fallon spent two years as a clerk, and
then embarked in the retail confectionery business, continuing it for five years, when he

branched out, becoming a heavy jobber and
wholesale dealer in confectionery and cigars.
The largest jobber north of Harrisburg. he
ships to a territory covering an area of forty
miles.

;

Employment

given to eight people.
In connection with his jobbing house Mr. Fallon conducts a retail ice cream, fruit, confectionery and cigar store, which is the largest
and best patronized in Danville. Having been
so engrossed in his business, he has had no
time or inclination to go into politics, but is
is

interested in securing good government and a
He is a
betterment of existing conditions.
consistent member of St. Joseph's Catholic

SCOTT AAIMERMAN,

of Danville,

one of the most popular attorneys in Alontour
county, and few of its citizens have been so
active in publicly advocating the betterment
of its government and institutions. His work
behalf of the State Asylum for the Inlocated at Danville, is especially notable.
Mr. Ammerman was born at Danville
Aug. 5, 1869, son of W. H. Ammerman and
grandson of Robert Scott and Margaret (Johnson) Ammerman. The grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania of Scotch descent. They
in

sane,

were farming people.
Mr. Ammerman received

his literary edu-

cation in the public schools of Danville, graduating from high school in 1886. Then he read
law with James Scarlet and subsequently took
a course at the law school of the University
of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1891. He had
been admitted to the bar of IMontour county
in 1890, and to practice in the Supreme court
of Pennsylvania in April, 1893. He has been
in active practice ever since his admission to
the bar, and has had various public positions
of trust, principally in connection with his
In 1891 he became solicitor of
profession.
Danville, serving until 1895. and later again
held the position from 1898 to 1900, inclusive.

Twice he has been elected district attorney
Montour county, serving from 1894 to
In 1902 he was first elected to repre1900.
sent his district in the State Legislature, and
he was honored with reelection in 1904, 1906
and 1908, the last time as the nominee of the
Republican. Democratic and Prohibition parMr. Ammerman took an active part
ties.
in all the work of that body during his connection with it, and his influence and ability
were so generally recognized that he was the
Democratic caucus nominee for speaker in
He had the distinction of being the
1905.
the
minority member the only Democrat on
of

—

State Capitol Investigation committee appointed by the House of Representatives, and had
the support of the speaker and of Governor
Stewart when chosen to this body. Mr. Aminterest in the hospital for the insane, at Danville, has brought him into considerable prominence, and he has proved to
be such an able advocate that he was chosen
to make the speeches and lead the fight for

merman's

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the betterment of this institution in the House
His work beginning in
of Representatives.
the
in
resulted
has
appropriation of over
1903
one million dollars for the institution at DanHe labored zealously to secure the adville.
ditional amounts necessary and was success-

and his efforts from time to time to secure
improvements for this hospital outside
fund
of those possible from the general
follows:
as
1903,
brought appropriations
ful,

special

1905, $264,200; 1907, $429,300;
1909, a special appropriation of $10,285.61 and
another of $158,783. His fellow citizens of
Danville are thoroughly appreciative of the

$121,300;

strenuous and consistent work he has done
towards maintaining the hospital in the best

and the public spirit and
he has displayed in
tendencies
philanthropic
the cause have won him the respect and friendship of all in the community.
Mr. Ammerman has always been a leading
member of the Democratic party in Montour
county, has been delegate to State conven-

possible condition,

with his daughter Catherine, dying in February, 1890, in his eighty-seventh year.
ried Mary Aurand, who was born

1809, daughter of Jacob
and their children were

Church

at Danville in Noage of seventy-seven. He
assisted his father on the farm, and when a
young man came to Danville to learn the plastering trade. He followed plastering and contracting for thirty years and then went into
the coal business, in which he was engaged at
When he first began
the time of his death.
to take contracts he formed an association with
Franklin Kessler, with whom he did business
for seven years. This partnership was then
dissolved and he took in O. B. Sweitzer as a
for ten
partner, continuing the connection

his sons were grown, three of them
learned
plastering under their father,
having
Franklin Boyer turned the business over to
them and devoted his time to the coal trade,
in which he had his son William as assistant.
The greater part of their plastering work was

When

Dan-

ville.

In 1891 Mr. Ammerman married Bessie B.
Gearhart, of Danville, and they have had four
children
Robert Boyd, William, Elizabeth
Christine and Dorothy Atta.

BOYER, a member of the firm
coal dealers and conBrothers,
Boyer
tractors, of Danville, Pa., was born there April
10, 1863, son of Franklin Boyer, grandson of
Jacob Boyer and great-grandson of George
Boyer, a farmer of Penn township, Snyder
H.

Mr. Boyer was a Repubcouncilman from the Secas
served
and
lican,
ond ward. He was a member of Trinity
Lutheran Church, and served in several of the
done

JACOB

at the

years.

with

;

Snyder county, and died

vember, 1906,

F, 12th Regiment, 3d Brigade, N.
G. P., and served until honorably discharged
He
in June, 1891, with the rank of sergeant.
is a director of the Farmers' National Bank
of Exchange, Montour county.
Socially he
belongs to the B. P. O. Elks and Knights of
the Alahoning Presbyterian

;

Company

and Elizabeth Aurand,

;

his religious connection

He marMarch

Reuben, who married
Serena Walter; Samuel, who married Ann
Gemberling, and resides at Selinsgrove, Snyder county
Franklin, mentioned below
Henry, who married Mary Luck Catherine,
wife of Jonathan W. Rowe; Caroline, wife of
Adam Fisher; Hannah, wife of George Rowe;
and Sophie, wife of Daniel Boyer. Reuben
and Samuel are the only members of the above
family now living. Mr. Boyer was an active
member of the German Lutheran Church, of
which he was a deacon. His wife died at the
age of fifty-nine, and both are buried in Salem
Lutheran churchyard, in Snyder county.
Franklin Boyer was born in Penn township,

tions several times, and in 1900 was nominated
a presidential elector at the Harrisburg convention he was a delegate to the Democratic
National convention at St. Louis in 1904.
In May, 1884, Mr. Ammerman enlisted in

Pythias, and

689

in Danville.

also acting as superintendent of the
memSunday school. He had been a charter

ofifices.

ber of Washington Fire Company, No.

Danville.

Mr. Boyer married Catherine Boyer. and
Alice, wife of
follows
they had children as
:

Co., Pennsylvania.

Jacob Boyer, son of George, was born in
Penn township in November, 1803, and atIn youth he
tended the country schools.
worked with his father on the farm, and after

manhood bought a farm of sixty
which he cultivated until the age of

attaining
acres,

sixty-eight, then retiring to a small village near
his wife died
Salem, in Penn township.
he moved to Salem and spent his last days

When

Elizabeth,
Jacob Boyer, of Harrisburg, Pa.;
wife of Sylvester Markle. residing in Kansas;
who died in youth
Rosie, Mary and Edward,
FrankUn J., who
mentioned
below;
H.,
Jacob'
H., who marEmma
George
Smith;
married
William
ried Mary R. Rowe, of Danville and
Mr.
Burk.
Boyer
Lillian
married
R., who
;

;

was actively engaged in business until three
months before his death, which was caused by

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

690

His wife died at the age of sixtyand they are buried in the Lutheran

Md. Nancy, who died

dropsy.

in Baltimore,

nine,

berry Ridge; and Charles,

cemetery at Danville.
Jacob H. Boyer attended the Second ward
school in Danville and the high school for
four years.
He worked four years in the

and then learned the
which he has followed ever

coal yard of his father
plasterer's trade,

since.

now

member

of the firm of
their father

Boyer Brothers, who succeeded
in this

work.

April 14, 1887, he married

Annie M. Aten, daughter of Jacob S. and
Hannah S. (Diehl) Aten. They have had no
Mr. Boyer was formerly a Rechildren.
He
publican, and is now a Progressive.
served the Second ward as councilman for
one term. He is a member of Danville Lodge,
No. 224, F. & A. M. Formerly he was a
councilman of Trinity Lutheran Church, but
is not now affiliated with any denomination.
Annie Mary Aten, wife of Jacob H. Boyer,
was born in Danville, Pa., June 7, 1864, in the
She is a
house in which she now resides.
great-granddaughter of William Aten, who
came from New Jersey to Lewis township.

Northumberland county, where he farmed all
the rest of his life. He was a Democrat, and
He
a member of the Presbyterian Church.
and his wife are buried at Limestone Lftk,

Northumberland county. He married a Miss
Henry
Hendershott, and their children were
F.
Garrett, who married Elizabeth Hendershott Peter, who married Mary Hendershott
Matthias, who married Mary Dietz Elizabeth,
Mrs. Thomas.
Henry Funston Aten was born in New Jersey June 15, 1801, and came to Strawberry
Ridge, Derry township, Montour county,
where he worked on a farm and learned the
After his marriage in
trade of blacksmith.
to
went
he
Groveland,
Livingston Co.,
1833
N. Y., later moving to Little York, in the same
:

;

county, working at his trade in the latter place
in the shop of John Miller.
Returning to
a
he
shop of his
opened
Strawberry Ridge
He then
own, which he ran until 1843.
worked at Paradise and Danville until blindness caused him to give up his work.
Mr. Aten married Elizabeth Springer,
daughter of John and Nancy (Herr) Springer,
and their children were: John, who married
Eliza Marr; Mary, wife of John Grim (both
William, who married Rebecca
deceased)
Freeze (both deceased) Henry, who married
Christina Ephlin (both deceased)
Jacob S.,
;

;

Straw-

who

died in Little
York. Mr. Aten was a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church at Danville. His
wife, born Oct. 6, 1806, died April 21, 1891
she was baptized into the Baptist Church by
Rev. William Arthur, father of Chester A.
Arthur, president of the United States. Mr.
and Mrs. Aten are buried in the Lutheran
cemetery at Danville.
;

Jacob Springer Aten was born Jan. 31, 1834,
Groveland, Livingston Co., N. Y., and attended the schools of Strawberry Ridge and
in

Danville, Pa.

started to learn the trade of

with John Feister, but never finished it.
Instead he entered the Montour Iron Works
and followed the occupation of rail finisher
This mill passed into the
for sixteen years.
tailor

hands of Grove Brothers, and later was opMr. Aten
erated by Waterman & Beaver.
then conducted a store, but the panic of 187.-^
caused him to close it. He next went to Glen
City, Columbia county, and was superintendent of the store of the J. A. Losee Company
for eight years, after which he returned to
Danville and clerked for a number of years.

retired in 191

Mr. Aten married Hannah Sechler Diehl,
born Dec. 30, 1836. daughter of Joseph and
Sophia (Sechler) Diehl, and they had six
children: Joseph Henry, born April 16, 1861,
died in childhood; Annie Mary is Mrs. Boyer;
^Margaret Josephine, born .Aug. 18, 1866. died
in infancy; Laura Rote, born Jan. 25, 1869,
also died in infancy; Emma Diehl. born Jan.
II. 1871. is proprietor of the E. D. .\ten ^^- Co.
born
dry goods store at Danville; Ella Alice,
Dec. 2T^, 1874. is the wife of E. W. Peters.
The mother of this family is buried in the Odd

Fellows cemetery.

Mr. .Aten was a Republican, and served as
councilman from the Second ward for two
terms. He was a charter member and secreone year of the Washington Fire
Company. No. 2. of Danville; is a past noble
I. O. O.
grand of Montour Lodge, No. 109.
tary

F..

for

and

Red Men
of

the

member

of the

at Danville.

Improved Order of
served as secretary

church council of Trinity Lutheran

Church, as superintendent of the Sunday
memschool, and for a number of years was a
ber of the choir. He has taught the Bible entirelv through twice in the last twenty-seven

;

Conrad, who married Agnes
McAllister (both deceased) David, who married Catherine Francis, his widow residing

mentioned below

;

years.

HERRINGTON.

The Herrington
in Montour

has long been established

family
county,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

691

Pa. and associated with it by inter-marriage
the equally important one of Reed.
Aaron Herrington, the great-grandfather of
Frank M. Herrington, of Danville, was born
Feb. 26, 1776, and lived to the age of seventyHis wife, Jane Adlan, of Dutch
nine years.

and Mrs. Herrington have had two children:
Charles Raymond, a dental surgeon, who married Margaret Kiebler and Miss Ethel, who
is at home.
For over thirty years Captain Herrington

stock

enlisted

from New York State, was born Dec.
26, 1781, and died aged eighty-one years.
Aaron Herrington, son of Aaron and jane
in Tioga
Herrington, was born Jan. 25, 1809,
county, Pa., and died when fifty-two years
He was a nurse in the Pennsylvania
old.
volunteer service in the Civil war. He married Catherine Deener.
Dr. Curtis P. Herrington, son of

Aaron and

Catherine Herrington, was born Nov. 23, 1836.
After graduating with the highest honors from
he
Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia,
entered into general practice at Ashland, Pa.,
continuing thus until his enlistment in the
138th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, of
which he was made surgeon major. Dr. Herrington had the misfortune to fall from his
horse, and was injured so badly that he had
service, returning to Ashdied from the effects of his
injury May 21, 1868, at Danville, while on a
An
visit to his father-in-law, Jacob Reed.
able man, and skilled physician and surgeon,
the medical fraternity lost an efficient, conscientious and promising member in his death.
He was a member of Ashland Lodge, No. 294,
F. & A. M., and of Griscom Chapter, No.
219, R. A. M., of Ashland. In 1859 Dr. Herto resign

Pa.

land,

from the

rington married Hannah J. Reed, and to this
marriage was born one son, Frank Melville.

Frank Melville Herrington^
man, and captain of Company F,

a sales12th In-

Pennsylvania National Guard, was
Ashland, Pa., Aug. 19, i860. After
completing the courses at the local schools,
Captain Herrington began to support himself
by clerking in the grocery store of his grandWithin
father, Jacob Reed, at Danville, Pa.
three years he bought the business, which he
continued for fifteen years. At that time he
sold his property and went upon the road as a
commercial traveler for a hosiery concern,
representing the Danville Knitting Works, but
fantry,

born

1901

business,

embarked
which he

in
still

the fruit and produce
carries on.

Sept. 14, 1882, Captain Herrington

was

united in marriage with Flora May McLain,
who was born at Danville, Pa., a daughter of

William and Samantha (Vastine) McLain,
the former now deceased he was a carpenter
and contractor, and held a contract for the
;

construction of the State Hospital.

Captain

;

has given his country military service,

havmg

12th Infantry, on
entered as a private, but

Company

He
Sept. 13, 1881.
rose to be corporal, sergeant, first sergeant,
and on July 15, 1891, was made second lieuHe
tenant, and re-elected July 16, 1896.
resigned Aug. 10, 1899, and was
lieutenant Nov. 4,

1899.

made

Nov.

first

1903,

he resigned, but returned to the company Feb.
16, 1904, and was elected captain Dec. 12,
1907.
During the Spanish-American war he
was second lieutenant of Company F, 12th
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, having enlisted for service in that struggle on April 27,
1898, and was mustered in on May 12th of the
same year. He was mustered out with his
company on Oct. 9th. During his period of
service his regiment was stationed in V'irginia.
The First Baptist Church of Danville holds
his

membership, and he has been musical

director of the choir for many years.
Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of the
Golden Eagle, Castle No. 186; to Camp No.
Sons of Veterans; Conclave No. 127,
2,2^,
Heptasophs Mahoning Lodge, No. 516, F. &
;

A. M. Danville Chapter, No. 239, R. A. M.
and he is also a member of the Friendship Fire
Company. He has never entered politics. A
man of spirit, devoted to his country, the
Captain has given ample proof of his patriot;

;

ism.
He is a fine example of the national
guardsman, and his long and gallant service
entitles him to consideration from the community he has been engaged in protecting,
While he has given time and attention to his

military duties, he has not neglected his business affairs, and is ranked among the successful men of Montour county,
Reed. The Reed family traces back to
Jacob Reed, a native of England, born in the
year 1700. He married a Miss Wolford, of

Switzerland.

Casper Reed, son of Jacob Reed, was born
Lebanon, Pa., and he married Mary E.
Bauslock, of Maryland.
Jacob Reed, son of Casper, was born in
1782, and was a farmer in Northumberland
His wife was Hannah Wren,
county, Pa.
in

One

of their sons served as a soldier in the

Mexican war.
Jacob Reed, Jr., son of Jacob and Hannah
Reed, was born May 22, 1806, in Rush township, Northumberland county, and in 1857

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

692

came

to Danville, Pa., where he carried on
a general store.
He continued his farming
operations also, in Rush township, until about
three years before his death, when he opened
another store in Danville, running that until
he died. On Jan. 26, 1828, he married Maria
Jones, who was born Aug. 4, 1808, in Rush

township, Northumberland Co., Pa., daughter
of John and Margaret (Rockefeller) Jones,
the former born March 20, 1770, the latter
June 13, 1777; she was raised in Huntingdon
county. Pa., near Flemington. John Jones was
a major in the war of 1812.
Jacob Reed and his wife had ten children,
six of whom survive: William J., who, with
built the Danville opera house,
residing at Scranton, Pa. Josiah, who
lives in Texas
Jacob, who lives at the old
home; Harriet, who is the widow of Mr.
Dye and resides at Des Moines, Iowa Milli-

his brother,

now

;

cent,

who married

Sober,

residing

Louisiana; and Emma A., who married Dr.
Pawley, of St. Louis, Missouri.
Mrs. Hannah J. Herrington, daughter of
Jacob Reed, and widow of Dr. Curtis P. Herrington, lived at Danville, Pa., until her death,
She was born March 13, 1838,
12, 1913.
in Rush township, Northumberland Co., Pa.,
and was educated in her native place, coming
to Danville with her parents in 1857, where
she resided until her marriage in 1859. Mrs.
Herrington was a member of the First Baptist
Church, as was her husband.

Dec.

FRANCIS MARION GOTWALDS
born

gomery

was

Lower Providence township, MontCo.,

Pa.,

three miles

Valley Forge, Sept. 27, 1853.

from

historic

a son of

Martin and Mary (De Haven) Gotwalds.
On the paternal side he is the great-greatgrandson of Christian Funk, a bishop of the
Mennonite sect and an able man, of much in-

he established an independent church,
and continued to preach the gospel until his
death. He had a large following. The church
legeville

has long since disappeared, but in a private
cemetery near the site the bones of the "Rebel
Bishop" repose.
The subject of this sketch attended the pubschools of his native township, later entering the Phoenix Normal Institute at PhoenixIn 1874 he became a student at
ville. Pa.
lic

Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa., but
did not complete the course.
Following his natural bent Mr. Gotwalds
before attaining his majority became a newspaper writer. As a writer of fiction he met
with much encouragement early in life. One
of his stories, which became well known, was
purchased by S. S. McClure, the magazine
publisher, who at that time supplied fiction to
a newspaper syndicate.

The

title

of the story

was "Blackwood," and the scene was laid near
Hazleton. Other stories written by Mr. Gotwalds, which appeared in leading publications,
were "With a Silver Bullet," "The Mule
Laughed" and "Inalone."
When nineteen years old Mr. Gotwalds became teacher of the public school at NuremNot only was it his
burg, Luzerne Co., Pa.
first experience as a teacher, but it was the
first time a school had ever been maintained at
that place. It is also worthy of note that none
of the pupils that presented themselves for
enrollment had ever gone to school before. He
tauglit school in the coal region for several
years.
In 1883 Mr. Gotwalds was elected principal
of the grammar school of the Second ward of
the borough of Danville, Pa. In 1884 he became principal of the grammar school of the
Fourth ward of that borough, a position which

fluence,

he held until 1891.
In 1897 he became city editor of the Morning A^ezi's of Danville, a position which with

brethren to espouse actively the cause of independence and to take up arms against Eng-

the exception of a couple of l)rief intervals
he has held until the present time.
In 1880 Mr. Gotwalds was married to Sara
Katherine Hendrickson, of Pottsgrove. Pa.
The union was blessed with one son. Claude,
who died on March 12, 1889, aged five years.
The subject of this sketch is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, being a past master of

who has become a historical character.
During the Revolutionary war the Mennonites
were noncombatants, their unwillingness to
bear arms proceeding from motives of conscience. Christian Funk was a lover of liberty,
and permitting his patriotism to overcome his
scruples published a pamphlet urging his
land.

The Menonnite Church

as a

body great-

deprecated the stand taken by Bishop Funk,
and a great meeting was held by the sect at
Schwenkville, at which he was formally excommunicated. Ever afterward he was known
among his Tory neighbors as "Rebel Funk."
On the banks of the Skippack creek near Colly

Danville Lodge, No. 224, F.

A. M.

WILLIAM THOMAS MADDEN,

i^resent

auditor of Montour county, and an employee
in the State Hospital at Danville, was born

March

16, 1859, in

Co.. Pa., son of

Liberty township, Montour

William and Letitia (Butler)

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Madden. James Madden, his paternal grandfather, was born in Chester county, Pa., and
was there married to Rachel Everett.
William Madden, son of James Madden and
father of William Thomas Madden, was born
Feb. 3, 1S19, in Montour county, and all his
life was a farmer and butcher, also dealing
He was well known in his comin cattle.
munity, and when he passed away, in 1890,
Liberty township lost one of its good and
his wife were
public-spirited citizens. He and

the parents of five children, of whom four are
married William
living, namely: Flora, who
W. Herr, of Abilene, Kans. Margaret, who is
the wife of W. J. Leidy, of Liberty township
;

;

693

farming. His wife, Catherine (Stone), was a
native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
John Bryan, son of Charles, was born July
26, 1792, in Blackhole Valley, Lycoming Co.,
Pa., and died in June, 1833. During his ma-

was engaged as a carpenter. He
company of volunteers from
Montourville, Lycoming county, in the war of
1812. He married Jane Smith Williams, who
was born at Carlisle, Pa., April 19, 1798, and
died in February, 1852, and of the six children
born to them John Gibson is now the only surture years he

commanded

have the following record of this
Eliza married John Gray; Mary Ann
married Henry Phillips, a native of Danville
vivor.

family:

;

who married John Robbin, and John Gibson

mentioned below; Catherine
and William married A. B. Still George lived in Kansas
also lives in Liberty township
Charles was a cook at the soldiers' home at
Thomas.
William Thomas Madden received his edu- Hampton Roads, Virginia. Jane Smith, the
cation in the public schools, and afterward mother of Mrs. Jane Smith (Williams) Bryan,
worked on the home farm with his father, came from Ireland with her parents and a
with whom he learned the trade of butcher, number of other relatives in 1793.
Yellow
When twenty-three years of age he left the fever broke out, and they were held in quarantine for six weeks, during which time her
parental roof, and for six years followed his
vocation of butcher, but in 1888 became con- father died of the fever. She and the rest of
nected with the State Hospital, where he is her folks were held six weeks longer, and then
now one of the oldest employees.
proceeded to Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
In October, 1892, Mr. Madden was married
John Gibson Bryan received but limited eduto Ella Bogart, who was born in Liberty cational advantages, as he began working at
township, Montour Co., Pa., daughter of the age of ten years, on a farm located in
Aaron and Anna (Coursen) Bogart, farming Lycoming (now Anthony) township, Lycompeople of Liberty township, and granddaughter ing county, along the West Branch canal,
of John Bogart.
Mrs. Madden is one of a When his father died the responsibility of
Elizabeth Jane,

;

family of ten children, all of whom survive,
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Madden, namely: Olive, now aged nineteen
years; Marvin B. and Olin, sixteen and eight
years old, respectively, who are attending
school
and Letitia A.
both deceased.
;

and William Ferris,

Mr. Madden attends the Presbyterian
Church, while his wife is connected with the
Methodist denomination and belongs to the
Ladies' Aid Society. He has taken a great deal
of interest in

politics

as a

member

of the

Democratic party, and served as tax collector,
mercantile appraiser and member of the school
board before his election in 191 1 as county
auditor. This position he has continued to fill
to the present time, to the entire satisfaction
of all concerned.

caring for the family fell upon his shoulders
and he continued to farm for years. In 1847
he came to Danville and for a quarter of a
century was employed by the Montour Iron

Company and later the Rough and Ready Mill,
which became the Danville Structural Tubing
Works. He then clerked in the store of John
C. Rhoades for thirteen years, at the end of
that period returning to the Danville Structural Tubing Works, where he was employed
until a few years ago.
Since then he has

been living retired.
On Dec. 22, 1859, Mr. Bryan married Sarah
Lewis, who was born in Wales March 15,
1838, daughter of Thomas Lewis, who came
He and his wife Mary
to Danville in 1850.
(Kinn), who died when Mrs. Bryan was only

two years

old,

JOHN GIBSON BRYAN,

a retired mill
of Danville, was born at Linden, Pa.,
•Nov. 17, 1826, son of John Bryan.
Charles Bryan, his grandfather, was a Revolutionary soldier.

and came to

He was

born

Maryland,
Pennsylvania, where he followed

had the

following

family:

Mrs. John Goldman Annie, Mrs. Joseph Jones; Sarah, Mrs. Bryan; Catherine,
who died unmarried; Thomas, and David.
Mr. and Mrs. Bryan have had a family of
five children
John G., born Dec. 7, 1864, married Mrs. Mary (Kinn) Warren, widow of
Augustus Warren, of York, Pa., and daughter
Eliza,

man

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

694

of William and Jane (Esau) Kinn; she

Welsh

Eliza, born
31,
1867, followed dressmaking until her death,
Oct. 5, 1909; she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Charles D.,

descent.

May

Mary

born July 25, 1870, is mentioned below.
Catherine died when four years old. George
died in infancy. The sons John G. and Charles
D. Bryan are in the general plumbing business
at Danville under the firm name of C. & J.
Bryan they also handle all kinds of plumbers'
Both the brothers are members of
supplies.
Beaver Lodge, No. 132, Knights of Pythias,
;

and John G. Bryan is also a member of Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M.;
he belongs to Christ Memorial Episcopal
at Danville,

Church.

Mr. Bryan's political affiliations are with the
Democratic party he has never aspired to public office. He holds no membership in a religious organization, but Mrs. Bryan is a member of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church at
;

One of the oldest residents of DanMr. Bryan is widely and favorably
known, and is held in high regard as one of
the county's most estimable men.
Danville.

ville,

stonemason and contractor.
Mr. and ]\Irs.
Rogers became the parents of three children:
William John; Maie Rachel, who married

Samuel Vaux Border, of Clearfield, Pa., editor
and proprietor of the Clearfield Herald; and
Benjamin Edward, of Danville, who is' connected with the Bell Telephone
Company, is
an Odd Fellow and belongs to the Grove Presbyterian Church (he married Florence Cousart).

William John Rogers, son of Thomas J.
Rogers, attended public school at Danville, and
Bucknell University at Lewisburg, Pa., and
then went into his father's store at Danville.
In 1898 he embarked in a general shoe business and has continued in this line ever since.
Mr. Rogers has been called upon to discharge
the duties of many public offices. For years
he was a capable school director; for three
years he was chief burgess of Danville; in

March, 191 1, he was appointed by Governor
Tener associate judge of Montour county;
he is a trustee of the Thomas Beaver Library
;

a trustee of the Y. M. C. A. is a trustee of
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church and is
serving as secretary of the board is secretary
of the Masonic Hall .Association and is very
active as a Republican.
He has many social
and fraternal associations, being a member
of Beaver Lodge, No. 132, Knights of Pythias,
of Danville; Lotus Conclave, Improved Order
of Heptasophs, of Danville Danville Lodge.
No. 754. B. P. O. Elks, of which he is treas;

;

WILLIAM
ROGERS, a boot and
shoe merchant of Danville, Montour Co., Pa.,
was born in that borough Jan. zj, 1869. a son
of Thomas J. Rogers.
Thomas J. Rogers was born in South Wales

JOHN

Nov.

9, 1841,

and came

to the

United States

age of twenty-two years, in 1863. He
a stonecutter, and worked at his trade
at Wellsboro, Pa., for a short time.
During
1863 he enlisted in the Union army for service
during the Civil war, in Company G, 45th
at the

was

Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was
appointed corporal, serving as such until the
close of the war.
In 1867 he came to Danville, and continued working at his trade until
1876, when through an accident he lost his
for
leg, and being therefore incai)acitated
heavy labor he embarked in a general mercantile business at Danville, conducting same until 1901, when he retired.
He died April 19,
1912, and
tery.

buried

the

Mr. Rogers served

Odd

Fellows'

Ceme-

as a school director,

as trustee of the Thomas Beaver Library, and
one term as water commissioner, as well as
president of the board of trustees of the Grove
He was an Odd FelPresbyterian Church.
low, and belonged to the Cemetery Association.

In iHfvS Thomas J. Rogers married Mary
Evans, of Danville, a daughter of P>enjamin
D. and Mary (Williams) Evans, the former a

;

Charles W. Eckman Camp, Sons of
X'eterans and is a thirty-second-degree Mason, in the latter connection belonging to Mahoning Lodge, No. 516; F. & A. M., of which
he is a past master Danville Chapter. No. 239.
R. A. M., of which he is a past high priest
and now treasurer Calvary Commandery, No.
T,j, K. T.. of which he is a past commander;
Caldwell Consistory, of Bloomsburg, thirtyurer

;

second degree; and Irem Temple, A. A. O. N.
M. S., of Wilkes-Barre.
On Feb. 28. 1894. Mr. Rogers was married
to

Leonora

Hullihen,

Danville,

Pa.,

daughter of Wilford and Martha Hullihen.
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have had two children
Mary Martha and Thomas Evans, the latter
dying in infancy.
:

JOHN HENRY

SANDEL, M. D.. a physician and surgeon of Danville, Montour Co..
Pa., was born in that county, in Frosty Valley.
West Hemlock township, .\pril 11. 1854. son
of Jacob and Catherine Snyder) Sandel.
Jacob Sandel, born Dec. 20. 1823, was a
farmer.
He was verv much devoted to the
(

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Lutheran Church, as well as interested

edu-

held nearly all of the townwas
a man of prominence in
and
ship offices,
He died at the age of seventy-nine
his day.
His widow survived
Dec. 22^, 1902.

cational matters

;

years,

she was eighty-three years old, dying
Feb. 14, 1912.
Dr. Sandel was educated in the public
schools of his native place and at the ijloomsburg State normal, and took up special studies
under Prof. James M. Kelso, of Danville.
After leaving school he farmed for a period,
and then began the study of medicine in
uiitil

Hahnemann

from
March,

College, Philadelphia, Pa.,

which institution he was graduated
1882.
Following this he embarked

in general

practice at Girardville, Pa., and live years
thereafter went to Plymouth, Pa., where he
was located for four years. In 191 1 he came

In 1912 he took special
Danville, Pa.
courses at the Philadelphia Polyclinic College
and Hospital in eye, ear, nose and throat diseases, and now specializes along these lines.
He is a member of the American Institute of
Homeopathy, the Montour County Medical
Society, the State Medical Society and the
Inter-State Medical Society (taking in southern New York and northeastern PennsylIn religious matters he is a Presbyvania).
terian, and he is an elder of the Grove Church
In fraas well as a member of the session.
ternal connections he is associated with Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., of which he
is a past master; with Danville Chapter, No.
239, R. A. M., of which he is a past high
priest; with Camp No. 137, Patriotic Order
Sons of America, of Plymouth, Pa. and is
active in these organizations, although he is
more enthusiastic about church work.
His
services to the Grove Presbyterian Church
cannot be lightly estimated, and he has always
exerted a powerful influence for good among
to

the

695

most respected men of the day

in his sec-

He was

a native of the xXorth of Ireland, born March i8, 1842, son of Thompson
and Elizabeth (Irwin) Foster.
Thompson Foster was of Scotch-Irish extraction, and was born in the North of Ireland.
His trade was that of blacksmith and metioii.

chanic, which he had learned during his younger days. Leaving his native
country he came
to the United States,
locating in Norristown,
Pa., where he followed his trade a short time'
and then moved to Danville, Montour county,
where he resided about thirty years. He became connected with the mammoth blacksmith
shops of the iron works at Danville, where he
remained many years, until he retired from the
active duties of life and moved to PhiladelThere he died at the age of seventyphia.
nine years. He was married to Elizabeth Irwin, also a native of the North of Ireland, and
they were the parents of the following chil-

dren:

Alexander,

Elizabeth,

James, Jennie,
Mr. Fos-

Thompson, Thomas and Frances.

ter served as councilman of Danville and as
a director of the public schools.
James Foster received his elementary education in the public schools of Danville and
then worked with his father, learning the trade
of a blacksmith. In 1862 he enlisted in Com-

pany A, I32d Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for a term of nine months, and
at the expiration of that time he reenlisted,
serving throughout the rest of the war. The

most noted battles in which he participated
were Antietam (his first battle, in which he
was wounded), Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg. At the close of the war he was a
member of the 194th Regiment, of which he
was first lieutenant. He was honorably discharged in 1865, but again reenlisted, this time
in the 214th Regiment, which was discharged
in March, 1866, the last regiment from Pennhis associates.
sylvania to be discharged. Returning to DanIn June, 1883, Dr. Sandel was married to ville, he took up his former trade, which he
E. Margaret Vickery, of Danville, Pa., born
followed until 1882, working in the rolling
On Aug. 7th of that year the DanApril 23, 1858, a daughter of William K. and mills.
Emma (Tomlinson) Vickery, of Philadelphia, ville Stove Manufacturing Company was orw^here Mr.
Dr. ganized, with the following officers: Henry
Vickery is a plumber.
and Mrs. Sandel have one son, John Murdock, Vincent, president James Foster, superintendwho was born May 12, 1891, now a student at ent; and W. J. Baldy, treasurer. Later Mr.
State College, class of 1914, taking the inFoster was secretary and treasurer for years,
dustrial engineering course.
They purchased the DeLong foundry, which
they operated at first on a small scale, but the
JOHN GULICK FOSTER, of Danville, business increased so rapidly that they were
;

;

member

of the firm of Foster Brothers, dealand general hardware, is the eldest son of the late
James Foster, who as a
business man and borough official was one of
ers in stoves

accordingly,
obliged to enlarge their plant
they erected a large five-story structure 238
feet long, and added to their force of men.
;

The

officers later

were

B. Chamberlain,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

696
president;

James Foster, general manager;

A. Yorks, treasurer; and J. C. Lynn, secreAfter acting as treasurer and secretary
tary.
for many years Mr. Foster took up the sales
end of the business, on the road, and established agents in all the principal cities east of
the Mississippi river. He was wuth the company until his death. The company manufactures the well-known Beaver Steel Plate Furnace, in which either bituminous coal or anthracite may be used; also parlor heaters and
cooking ranges. It is the largest stove company in the eastern part of the State.

In 1864 James Foster was united

mar-

riage to Mary Gulick, a native of Danville,
and a daughter of Isaac Gulick, who comes
from the oldest families of Montour county,
of German origin.
The following children

were born to them
John G., Elizabeth,
Phoebe (deceased), Jennie, Alexander, and
James (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Foster were
members of St. Paul's Methodist Church, of
which he w'as steward and trustee, holding the
:

many years. He also served as
The
superintendent of the Sunday school.
family occupied a fine residence on Walnut
street, which Mr. Foster owned, and he also
had other property interests in Danville. He
was a member of the I. O. O. F., belonging
to Lodge No. 279, and of the G. A. R., Goodrich Post, No. 22, of Danville, and held office
in both organizations, serving four years as
district deputy for the Odd Fellows, and one
term as commander of the G. A. R. post.
Though a busy man with his private affairs
Mr. Foster served his fellow citizens very
latter office

holding the
effectively
office of chief burgess for two terms, and being one of the committee which organized the
waterworks, of which he was superintendent
for many years, also acting as secretary. He
was elected to the State Legislature, serving
two terms. Politically he was a Republican
for many years, but favored the Greenback
party, and he founded the newspaper known
For years he was
as the Greenback Record.
a trustee of the Danville State Hospital for
in

several

capacities,

the Insane.

John Gulick Foster was born in Danville
Nov. 21, "1865, and was educated there in the
public schools. When a young man he clerked
in a shoe store for some years, later engaging
the business for himself, also dealing in
stoves, and eventually giving up the former
In 1895 he and his brother Alexander
line.
joined interests, establishing the stove and
house furnishing business which they have
since conducted under the name of Foster
in

Brothers.

The

business has prospered greatly,

and the Fosters maintain the high standards
for which their father was noted and which

are associated with the name in Danville,
In 1890 John G. Foster married Elizabeth
Thomas, of Danville, and they have had four
children: Lillian, now Mrs. Charles D. Emhardt, of Pottsville; James, who is with the
Danville Stove Company; Paul, and Miriam,
at

home,

SAMUEL

C. JAYNE, cashier of the First
National Bank of Berwick, Pa., has been a
resident of the borough since shortly after the
Civil war and associated with the First Na-

Bank since 1868, in his present capacity
since early in 1869.
The development of his
tional

business ability has kept steady pace with its
increasing responsibilities.
Mr. Jayne was born in Wyoming county,
Pa., Dec. 20, 1838. His father was Rev. John
Jayne, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, who married Eunice, daughter of
Rev. Jabez Carver, a minister of the M. E.
Church.
Their children were:
Samuel C,
Rufus W. and Charles B.
Samuel C. Jayne was educated at the cornmon schools of \\'yoming county, in Wyoming
Seminary, at Kingston, Pa., and at the University of Michigan, in the class of 1866. Going to Janesville, Wis., he enlisted there in the
After a short
40th Wisconsin \'olunteers.
service he was discharged on account of sickness, and returned home, remaining until he
had recovered his health. For a short time

Mr.

Jayne engaged in teaching
county and in 1867 came
to Berwick, where he was engaged as principal
of public schools. On Nov. 30, 1868, he acfollowing
school in

Wyoming

cepted a position with the First National Bank
of Berwick and on Jan. 12, 1869, was made
cashier, a position which he has held contin-

uously since.
In 1869 Mr. Jayne was married to Harriet,
daughter of Rev. John A. Gere, a minister and
presiding elder of the Methodist Church, connectcd with the Baltimore Conference and
later with the Central Pennsylvania Confer-

Two children were bom to Mr and
Mrs. Jayne, Samuel C, Jr, who died at the
age of two and a half years, and J. Gere, bom
ence.

May

12, 1874.

Mr.

S. C. Jayne has served as school director for several terms and also as member of
the town council.
He is prominent in all
town affairs and is a member of the M. E.
Church of Berwick, which he served as treasurer for fifteen years. One of the oldest resi-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
dents of the borough and one of the most
in financial affairs, he is well

prominent
known.

COTNER. The
in

one held

ship of
erosity.

Montour county, and

work of

vating in Lycoming county, and came to MonHe married Mary Ann Dye,
tour county.
who died at the age of seventy-six years, on
the evening of the day her husband passed
away, and they were laid to rest in the same
She was a daughter of \"incent Dye,
grave.
who was a native of New Jersey. Mr. and
Mrs. Cotner had ten children, of whom four
survive
Frank, who is a resident of LimeDallas James, of Liberty
stone township
township George P. and Hiram P., of Wash:

;

ingtonville.

George

P. Cotner, a farmer and stockman
Derry township, Montour Co., Pa., was
born in Lycoming county Aug. 18, 1847.
of

After attending the schools of his neighborhood Air. Cotner worked on his father's farm
until 1 87 1, when he began farming for himself in Limestone township, continuing thus
for a period of thirty-one years.
At the expiration of that time he came to his present
home in Derry township, where he is continagricultural operations, making a
specialty of raising hogs, particularly Berkshires.
He also raises White Leghorn poultry, which he ships to the nearby markets. His
his

met with gratifying success,
and honorably earned, the natural out-

operations have
fairly

come of

his industrious efiforts.

George P. Cotner married

Amanda

Mr. Cotner and

benefits

enthusiastic

by his genDemocrat, he has

always worked hard to support the principles
of his party, and has been honored with offices, having served two terms as county treas-

this nature.

George Cotner founded the family in Derry
township, coming here at a very early date and
locating at Strawberry Ridge.
Conrad Cotner, son of George Cotner, was
born in Lycoming county, Pa., and died in
Limestone township, Montour Co., Pa., Feb.
In the spring
22, 1892, aged eighty-two years.
of 1850 he left the farm he had been culti-

four

township, Columbia county.
The Lutheran Church holds the member-

its

history
ervation in a

uing

of Limestone township, and has

children, Owen, Mildred, Paul and Ida; Ida
IS the wife of
Harvey Diehl, of Greenwood

interesting and well worthy of pres-

high esteem in
is

Cotner family

man

697

urer and as school director

Hiram Elmer Cotner,

many

years.

son of George P.
Cotner, principal of the schools of Washingtonville, Derry township, Montour Co., Pa.,
was born May 30, 1871, in Limestone townAfter completing the
ship, same county.
courses at the public schools of the
township,
and later taking a special course in Lock
Haven normal school, in 1903-04, Mr. Cotner
began what was to be really his life work, although he has also made a good record for
himself in the business world. From the time
he was eighteen until he was
twenty-eight
years old he devoted all of his abilities to
teaching school. Then, desiring a change, he
entered into a general merchandise business
in partnership with M. C. Diehl, but five
years
later sold and resumed his scholastic work.
Until 191 3 he continued teaching in Derry

township, and in that year his talents were
given appropriate recognition by his appointment to the principalship he now is holding
with such dignified capability.
On March 27, 1908, Professor Cotner was
married to Izora C. Heddens, born May 11,
1886, in Washingtonville. Pa., a daughter of
Levers Heddens, proprietor of

Amandus

"Heddens Hotel," at Washingtonville. Mr.
Heddens married Alice Barbara Mowrer, of
Snyder county. Pa., and they have had three
children: Clyde, born Aug. 12, 1880, who is
at home; Lawrence, born May 2, 1896, a student of the Bloomsburg normal school; and
Airs. Cotner.
Professor and Mrs. Cotner
have had three children Alda Marie, born
Aug. 18, 1909; James Heddens, born Nov.
Frank Woodrow, born Aug.
16,
1910;
:

Cotner,
born in Lycoming county, Pa., in 1845, ^
daughter of Philip and Rachel (Dye) Cotner.
The Cotner and Dye families are thus connected by marriage in several generations, on
both sides of the house. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. George
P. Cotner:
Hiram Elmer is mentioned at
length below
Delroy died aged twenty-two
years; John F., a farmer of Derry township,
married Virgie Cooper, and they have six

religious work. Mr. Cotner at present acting
as secretary of the church council. For many
years he served as superintendent of the Sunday school, and was a powerful factor in its
upbuilding. Airs. Cotner was organist of the
Sunday school from the time she was twelve

Mary, Martha, Basil, Ruth
and George; Blanche married Charles Hoff-

;

children, Chester,

22, 1913.

Both Professor and Airs. Cotner were
reared in the Lutheran faith and are active in

years old until her marriage. Air. Cotner is
Democrat, and has been honored by his party

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

698

upon several occasions. Since 191 1 he has
been a justice of the peace, now serving his
second term. His judgments are sound and
practical and are usually sustained by the
For one term he served as
higher courts.
assessor of the borough of Washingtonville,
held the same office for Derry township, and
is now clerk of the school board of WashingHe has rendered valuable
tonville borough.
service as delegate at various conventions of
He is not only a member of and
his party.
enthusiastic worker in the Modern Woodmen
of America at Washingtonville, but is serving
He is also interthat order as secretary.
state agent for the Hartford Fire Insurance
Company, and writes some important business
for this reliable concern.
Professor Cotner is a man of high principles and keen sense of honor, and he has
exerted a beneficent influence over his pupils.
In the wider field which has recently opened
up to him, he will have opportunity further
to extend his usefulness both as an instructor
and as a citizen.

JAMES

homestead

WATTS

came

to his

present

Limestone township, Montour
over
fifty-one
years ago, and after a
county,
busy life as a farmer and carpenter is now
Mr. Watts
living in comfortable retirement.
was born April 8, 1834, in Lewis township,
Northumberland Co., Pa., son of Thomas M.
Watts, and the family has long been settled
in that county, where it was established by
James Watts, great-grandfather of James S.
Watts. He was scalped Iw the Indians while
on his farm in Northumberland county and
buried in the woods on his property, but his
grave has never been located. His son James
was the grandfather of James S. Watts. The
family came into this region from the State
of

New

Jersey.

Thomas M. Watts,

father

James

Watts, was born in 1800 in Northumberland
county, followed farming all his life, and died
in 1877.
He married Mary Lily, of the same
county, born in 1802. daughter of George
Lily,

and she died

at the

age of eighty-one

Mr. and Mrs. Watts had nine chilyears.
dren, of whom the following survive: ElizaIndiana, widow of John HefFner;
Ellen, widow of Levi Fulmer, of McEwensville; Sarah, wife of William Stahl, of Allenwood, Pa. and James S.
James S. Watts attended school near home
during his early boyhood, but when only
twelve years old began to work regularly at
farming, and was so occupied until he reached
beth,

;

the age of nineteen.
He then served a year
as apprentice to the carpenter's trade, at which

he afterward worked throughout his active
days, following it for forty-four years in all.
During that time he put up many barns in
this vicinity, and their substantial construction is as much evidence of his high sense of
honor in all transactions as it is of his firstclass workmanship.
Meantime he also carried on farming, having bought the fine
property in Limestone township which he occuBesides laboring
pied after his marriage.
industriously to look after his own interests
he has taken some part in township affairs,
having served one year as tax receiver and
for many terms as member of the school

board, and his work was highly acceptable
to his fellow citizens.
He has been a Democrat in political connection.
On Dec. 9, 1858, Mr. Watts married Nancy

A. Savage, who was born Aug. 21, 1836, in
Limestone township, daughter of Benjamin
Savage and granddaughter of John Savage,
who followed his son Benjamin to what is
now Montour county; his wife was Hannah
DeWitt. The family is one of old standing in
the county. Benjamin Savage, father of Mrs.
Watts, was born in New Jersey, and came
to what is now Montour county when twentyone years old, settling on a farm. He was
a shoemaker, and followed his trade as well
as farming.
He died in 1870 at the age of
seventy-eight years. He married Esther Hunter, daughter of Robert and Jane (Wallace)
Hunter, and she died in 1871, at the age of
seventy-four.
They were the parents of fifteen children, of whom Mrs. Watts is the
only survivor.
Mr. and Mrs. Watts have had three children, two of whom survive William, now a
:

farmer

Limestone township, and also a
carpenter, married Emma .\lbeck, and they
have three children. Hunter. Lawrence and
James Thomas, also a carpenter, married
Emma Schook. of Limestone township, and
has two children, Jeiniie (graduate of a
business college at Norristown, Pa., now a
bookkeeper and living in Norristown) and
in

;

Frank W.
In 1908 Mr. and Mrs. Watts celebrated the
golden anniversary of their wedding, and relations

and friends

to the

number of 115

at-

tended and helped to make the occasion joyous and truly memorable. All but two of the
family who had been present at their wedding

were there

at the

their descendants.

able jiresents.

golden wedding, as well as

They received many

valu-

Mrs. Watts was brought up

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
in

the faith of the Baptist

reared
a

at
in

member

county

Church and

Watts was
Turbotville; Mr.
the Presbyterian Church, and is

member

— the

Warrior Run, Northumberland
Presbyterian Church in

oldest

JESSE KLASE,
was born

retired

in that

contractor of

town June

13, 1845,

son of Henry Klase, a native of
Northumberland Co., Pennsyl-

Snydertown,
vania.

The annals of the Klase family have been
gathered by John Hower Klase, of Snydertown, from
facts.

whom

The name

are obtained the following
is of German origin and

variously spelled Kloss, Klesz, Kloesz,
Kloess, Clase, Glase, Glos, Glosz and Kleiss.
All of these are modifications of the same
name, and their bearers are probably descended from the same common ancestor,
From the "Archives of P'ennsylvania" it is
found that Johanas Kloss (in the tax records
is

Bethlehem township Johannes Kloess)
landed in Philadelphia on Nov. 22, 1752, from
of

"Phoenix," Reuben Houer, captain,
from Rotterdam and Cowes. The emigration

the ship

records of Philadelphia show the names of
Klosses as early as 1732, evidently from the
same family, but this Johanas Kloss is the
ancestor from whom the family in this counFrom the records in Easty can be traced.
ton, Pa., it is learned that he lived and died
in the neighborhood of Bethlehem, his will,
on record there, making grants of money and
lands to his children, who were as follows
:

John, Jacob, Catherine,
Michael, Elizabeth (wife of Michael Young),
Annie Marie and Christina.
\'alentine Klase. the eldest son of Johanas,
was a resident of Bethlehem township, Northampton county, where he owned a farm of
200 acres in the section known as "Dry Land."
This farm appeared on the tax list of 1788,
tlie Klase
burying ground being located on
\'alentine,

it.

in the
subscription schools in

and EngHsh, and went

German

Snydertown in 1817,
conductnig a general store and gristmill tliere'
he hauled his goods from
i'hiladclphia by
team.

After his marriage he sold

his

store

and moved to Danville, where he ran a
barge
on the Pennsylvania canal for a number of

this section,

Danville,
and is a

educated

699

Philip,

\'alentine

was a member of the 4th Com-

pany of Militia of the Continental army and
served through the campaign of 1778, for
which he was granted a tract of land, but
never took it up. He was a farmer until his
death in April, 181 2. He married Eva Smitten, born Oct. i, 1776, who died Aug. 2, 1838,
and was buried in St. John's Lutheran cemeTheir children were
tery at Snydertown.
Jacob, Abraham,
Michael, Valentine, Jr..
Henry, Mary, Eva and Catherine.
Henry Klase, son of Valentine, Sr., was
born near Bethlehem, Northampton county,
:

years in the coal trade. He then retired. He
married Sarah, daughter of John Smith, of
Snydertown, and they had these children
David and Daniel, who were killed in the
Civil war; Lydia, wife of Harrison
Lavenburg
both deceased Mary Jane, widow of i'Vank
Kessler, of Utica, N. Y.; John Wellington,
:

—

;

who married Emma Gouger; Henry, who
married Clara Hoffman, of Danville; Jesse,
mentioned below and Jacob. Of these sons,
;

served in the Civil war, two of them
being killed. Mr. Klase was a member of the
five

Lutheran Church

Snydertown, and when
buried in the cemetery
After his death his
daughter, Mrs. Frank
the age of sixty-eight,
Lutheran cemetery at

he died, in 1853, was
adjoining the church.
widow lived with her
Kessler.
She died at
and is buried in the
Danville.

Jesse Klase was taken to Irish Valley,
Northumberland county, after his father's
death, to live with a Mr. Lerch, a friend of
the family. There he remained and attended
school until his eighteenth year, when he
returned to Danville and started to learn the
trade of tanner. He found that it would be
of little value to learn this trade, which was
fast being driven out of use by modern machinery and methods, so after a term of six
months he went to work with his brother-inlaw, Frank Kessler, to learn the trade of

He remained at this trade for three
years and then enlisted in the 104th Pa. \^ol.
Inf., the regiment being recruited at Lebanon,
Pa.
He served but three months, and was
then mustered out at Philadelphia. There he
reenlisted, in the 94th Pennsylvania, and was
mustered in at Bermuda Hundred, Va., was
sent to the front, and reached his regiment
He did
just after the battle of Petersburg.
guard duty until after the assassination of
Lincoln and then was mustered out and re-

plasterer.

turned to Danville.
After the Civil war Mr. Klase followed his
trade continuously until within three years
before this writing (1914), when he retired,
He worked for a time in New York City with

John J. Tucker, builder and contractor, ami
James Thompson, a contractor from Canada.

With

the exception of the time spent in

York, he has confined his contracts

New

7'8,34.'^«

the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

700

town of Danville. He was married Dec. 25,
1867, to Helen Marion, daughter of Lewis and
Charlotte B. (Lunger) Hoffman, the ceremony being performed by Rev. \V. H. Cornman. Their children were: (i) Lillian May,

Henry

born Sept. 9, 1868, is unmarried; (2 J Franklin Lewis, born Jan. 14, 1870, married Grace
McHenry, of Benton, Columbia county; (3)
Carrie, born Aug. 30, 1871, married John F.
Watson, of Bloomsburg; (4) Joseph Walton,
born Nov. 17, 1873, died Jan. 13, 1874; (5)
Edward Ellis, bom June 11, 1875, is unmarried; (6) Harry Earp, born Sept. 17, 1877,
married Genevieve Niel, resides in Harrisburg, and has four children, Sarah Elizabeth
(born March 15, 1907), Helen Marion (born
Nov. 25, 1908J, Bernard ]\IcMackin (born
Feb. 21, 191OJ and John Watson (born May
18, 191 1 )
(7) Bessie Marion, born Oct. 26,
1880, is a nurse in California; (8) George
West, bom June 17, 1882, married Mary
Moyer, and lives in Tamaqua (they have had
two children, Jean and Robert Victor, the
former deceased) (9) Heber, born April 2.^,

the Memorial Park, Danville.
Mr. Hoffman
married (second) Margaret Pensinger, and
they had one child, Dr. Joseph Ellis Hoffman. The second wife is buried in Grove
cemetery. Mr. Hoffman's third wife was ]\Iargaret Alleger, and they had one child, Minnie,

;

1888, died Oct. 14, 1888.
Mr. Klase is a Republican in politics, but
has never been active in the party. He is a
member of Trinity Lutheran Church, of Danville, of which he has been deacon for many
He is a member of Goodrich Post,
years.

No. 22, G. A. R., and Danville Lodge, No.
224, F. & A. M., of which latter he is a past
His wife, Helen Marian Hoffman,
master.
was born Sept. 27, 1847, in Danville, attended
the public schools, and resided at home until
She is an active member of
her marriage.
of a
Trinity Lutheran Church and teacher

Sunday school.
Lewis Hoffman, father of Mrs. Klase, was
born in Danville and was the son of a saddler
of that town, which trade he learned from
his father and followed for many years, havclass in the

in that
ing a shop on the east end of his lot
He was appointed sexton of the

town.

Mahoning Presbyterian Church, which position he held until his death, Dec. 8, 1894, at

He was appointed
the age of seventy-six.
to succeed
general grave digger of the town
his father-in-law, John Lunger, and worked
in the Presbyterian, Lutheran and Episcopal
the last years of his life
cemeteries.

During

he gave up his occupation of grave digger,
but continued as sexton of the Mahoning
Church until his death, his wife and daughter
work.
assisting him with the
Hoffman married Charlotte B.,
Mr.
daughter of John and Mary (Young) Lunger,
and they had children: Clara J., wife of

Klase, of Danville; and Helen Marian,
Mrs. Charlotte B. Hoffdied March i, 1853, at the age of thirty-

wife of Jesse Klase.

man

four years, six months, twenty-four days,
is buried in the old C^rove
cemetery, now

and

who

living in Danville.

He and

his third

wife are laid to rest in Fairview cemetery,
Danville. Mr. Hoffman was a Democrat, and
a strong adherent of the General Council
branch of the Lutheran Church.

John Lunger, mentioned above, was sexton
and general grave digger for many years in
the town of Danville.
He married Mary
Young, and they had seven children Jacob,
who died in New York State; John; Hannah,
married to Mr. Roan and (second) to Mr.
Dixon; Mary, married to Thomas Ellis and
(second) to Heckman Freame; Sarah, wife
of Samuel Garrett
Charlotte B., wife of
Lewis Hoffman and Margaret, who married
Mr. Haas and (second) Daniel Everett. Mrs.
Lunger lived to be over ninety years old. She
and her husband are buried in Grove cemeHe was a Democrat, and a member of
tery.
:

;

the

Mahoning Presbyterian Church.

JAMES BUCHANAN POLLOCK

has a

farm of 124 acres half a mile from Washin
Derry township, Montour
ingtonville,
county, in which locality the Pollocks have
fine

The
for a century or more.
family is of Scotch-Irish origin, and his greatgrandfather, its first representative in what
is now Montour county, came to this country
from the North of Ireland and thereafter
lived in Pennsylvania. He located first in one
of the lower counties, then moving to what
was then Northumberland (now Montour)
county and settling near Exchange. His tract
of 200 acres was afterward owned by Patrick
Dennin and William Pollock. Here he lived
He and his wife are buried
until his death.
been settled

Derry Presbyterian Church.
James Pollock, grandfather of James B.
Pollock, w^as born June 2},, 1777, in one of the
lower counties of Pennsylvania, and came to
Here he was
this county with his parents.

married to Elizabeth Scout, born Oct. 26,
1782. and they lived at first on part of the
old homestead later owned by Patrick Dennin.
In 1823 he went to the vicinity of Muncy,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Lycoming

Co., Pa., resided there until

1837,

and then returned to Montour county, to spend
the rest of his days on the old homestead,
which he had purchased two years prior to
He died Dec. 14, 1861, his wife
his return.
having preceded him Oct. 15, 1859, and both
are interred at the Derry Church. They were
the parents of a large family: Samuel died
Dec. 26. 1878, aged seventy-two years, ten
months, ten days Thomas, who lived prin;

Anthony township, Montour county,
and served as sheritt of the county, died in
Muncy Creek township, Lycoming county;
William S. is mentionetl below; Euphemia D.
died in Derry township Aug. 30, 1905, aged
seventy-six years, three months, seven days
Elizabeth married John Caldwell, of Anthony township; ^Margaret J., born May 8,
1818, died July 20, 1875; Mary married Wilcipally in

;

liam Guyer, of Danville, Pa., who died Sept.
7, 1879. aged sixty-one years, seven months,
ten days; Charlotte, born Jan. i, 1810, died
Jan. 2, 1886, unmarried; Anna M. died Jan.
24. 1877, aged sixty years, nine months, twendays, unmarried
Jane Harriet married
Henry Biddle. of Whitehall, !\Iontour county
one or two children died in infancy.
William Scout Pollock was born July 8,
1822, in w'hat is now Anthony township, Montour county, while the family resided on the
land later owned by Patrick Dennin. The next
spring the family removed to Muncy Creek,
Lycoming county, returning after fifteen years
to Montour county, where, with the exception
of eighteen months spent in the West, William
S. lived until a few years before his death,
which occurred in Washingtonville. Farming
was always his occupation, he having a farm
ty

;

He w^as married Dec. 25, 1855,
Susan Anne Harriet McKee, a native of
Montour county, born ]\Iarch 24, 1828. daughter of James McKee.
For eighteen months
after their marriage they resided in Kankakee
and Freeport, III, later returning to ]\Iontour
county and occupying the eastern part of the
old homestead.
Mrs. Pollock died May 14,
1 86
1, and is buried in the Derry churchyard.
She was the mother of two children James
B., born in Freeport, 111., and Bruce B., born

of 100 acres.
to

Anthony township, this county, who lived
on his father's farm until his death, Jan. 29,
^J^r. Pollock was married (second) by
1897.
Rev. John Johnson, on March 14, 1873, to
Margaret Elizabeth, daughter of John F.
Derr, colonel in the army which went to Black
Rock in 181 2. Mr. and Mrs. Pollock became
in

members of the Presbyterian Church, the former joining about 1851, and the latter in 1862,

701

and he was for twenty-one years one of the
elders.
In politics he was a Prohibitionist,
and he held the offices of supervisor, school
He was a full
director, assessor and judge.
cousin of Governor Pollock.
Mr. Pollock
died March 5, 1913, and is buried at Derry
Church. His widow is now over eighty years
of age.

James Buchanan Pollock was born Dec. 27,
111., and was but an infant

1857, in Freeport,

when

his parents returned to Pennsylvania.
obtained an excellent education in the pub-

lic

schools,

and

his

young manhood was

himself a public school teacher for eight years,
an experience w'hich he has turned to good
account in his service as school director, which
office he filled for twelve years. He was reared
to farming, and since he gave up teaching
has devoted all of his time to that calling. His
fine farm in Derry tow^nship bears many evidences of all-around intelligent care, for he
favors modern methods and is applying them

wherever practicable in his own work. He is
considered one of the most progressive agriMr. Pollock has
culturists in his township.
been actively associated wMth public affairs in
his locality,

and

well

known

for the part

he has taken in political matters, having
served on the election board, as member of
the township auditing committee, and has held
all the township offices, being at this writing
overseer of the poor. He is associated with
the Democratic party. He is a leading member of the Presbyterian Church at Washingtonville, and serves as trustee.
On Oct. 12, 1882, Mr. Pollock married Margaret Catherine Dean, a native of Montour
county, born July 23, 1859, daughter of Jos-

eph and Mary Ann (Geringer) Dean, and
they have had six children Warren Dean,
born Dec. 16, 1885, ^ stenographer irr the
employ of the New York Central Railway
:

Company, now

located at Corning, N. Y., married Edith Brion, of Williamsport, Pa. Mary
Ann, born March 18, 1895, Miles, born March
4,
1899, ^"d Robert Earl, born Sept. 17,
1903, are at home; Clay ^McKee, born Oct.
;

1887, died Sept. 21, 1893;

James Stewart,

born July 23, 1892, died Oct. 6, 1900.
Joseph Dean, grandfather of Mrs. James B.
Pollock, first married a Pollock, and by her
had three children Margaret, Mrs. McDowell
Esther, who died unmarried and Joseph,
who married twice. By his second wife. Adeline (Cole). Joseph (Sr.) had the following
children William, whose wife's maiden name
was Gouger; Oliver H., who married Fannie
Mason; Arsula, who married Daniel Gouger;
:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

702

Martha, who married Capt. Samuel Bryson;
Mrs. Clinger; Alice, ^Irs. Foster;
Helen, who died unmarried; and a daughter
that died young.
Joseph Dean, father of Mrs. Pollock, born
July 6, 1823, died Feb. 6, 1902. He married
Sept. 2y, 1849, Mary Ann Geringer, and they
had three children Joseph Elwood, born May
12, 1855, died when eight years old; Margaret
Catherine, born July 2^^, 1859, married James
B. Pollock; John Wallace, born Oct. 8, 1861,
married Ella Foust and lives in Limestone
township, Montour county. The mother died
in January, 1883, in Liberty township, and
on Oct. 17, 1886, Mr. Dean married (second)
Margaret B. Cornelison, who was born Oct.
31,
1849, daughter of William and Jane
(Bond) Cornelison. By this union there were
five children: Calvin H., born Sept. 3, 1887,
deceased April 2, 1907; Joseph, born Jan. 13,
1889; Frank, born March 9, 1890, deceased
Nov. 28, 1908; Martha, born June 11, 1891,
deceased March 14, 1894; Myrtie B., born
May 6, 1892, deceased May 3, 1910.

Mary,

belongs to a

has been established

what

now

in \'alley

]\Iontour county,

century, and which has interother old families of this section, the ancestors, like the present-day representatives of this stock, being thrifty, sub-

and most respected people.
William Wintersteen, the grandfather of
Henry Wintersteen, lived and died in the
State of New Jersey, and he and his wife
are buried there.
They had children as folmarried
lows:
James Hann, of Scott
jane
township, Columbia Co., Pa. Hannah married John Blue, of \'alley township; Mary
married John Campbell, of Bradford county,
Pa. Elizabeth died unmarried Dr. William
moved out to Ohio; Henry is mentioned
stantial

;

below.

was
born Sept. 10, 1798, in New Jersey, and was
reared and educated there, though he was
still a boy when he came to Valley township,
The
in what is now Montour county. Pa.
country was then covered with forests, and
he assisted in clearing away the timber, built

Henry

farming up
His brother
William, being a cripple, could not do hard
manual work, so he studied medicine and be-

came

a doctor, in time settling in the State
of Ohio.
Henry Wintersteen first married
Mary Gingles, of Jerseytown, Columbia county, and they had two children
William, who
:

married Mary Sidler, and Reuben, who' married Phoebe Wilson.
The mother died in

and was buried at JerseyMr. Wintersteen's second marriage
was to Lydia Ebner, who was born March
15, 1810, in Northampton county. Pa., daughter of Conrad and Catherine
(Wertman)
Ebner, the latter from Lehigh county, Pa.
Ten children were born to this union, namely
Harriet, wife of Alexander Carr; Rachel,
\'alley township,

town.

wife of Nathaniel Bennett; James, who died
in infancy; John W., who married Catherine
Crossley; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Yeager;
Henry, mentioned below; David, who married Catherine Moser; Jacob, who married
Martha Blee; Lydia Jane, who married Levi
Moser and Dr. George, who married Hannah
Roat.
Henry Wintersteen, the father, died
at the age of sixty-eight years, Dec. 24, 1866,
and his wife died Aug. 29, 1886. They are
buried in Straub's cemetery in X'alley township, and were members of Straub's Lutheran Church, of the General Council, in whose
work he was very active. He was a lifelong
Democrat, and held all the township offices,
;

HENRY WINTERSTEEN
family which
township, in
for about a
married with

started to till the soil,
following
to within two years of his death.

W^intersteen, son of William,

other
log houses and barns, and engaged in the
winthe
In
the
times.
of
occupations typical
ter time, being earnest in his desire to acquire

an education, he walked to Mausdale to
school, and often saw wolves on his way.
As he grew older he bought about six hundred
acres of land, and as he cleared it of timber

giving satisfaction in the discharge of every
He was a
responsibility intrusted to him.
member of the Danville Cavalry Company,
Mrs. Lydia (Ebner) Wintersteen, mother
of Henry Wintersteen, was a daughter of Conrad Ebner, a farmer, who came to Montour

county from Lehigh county. Pa., and settled
in Derry township, where he died.
He and
his wife,

are

whose maiden name was Wertman.
at Strawberry Ridge, Montour
On political questions Mr. Ebner

buried

county.
was a Democrat. His children, besides Mrs.
Wintersteen, were as follows: John, who

married Rebecca Bennett and lived in LycomGeorge, who went to New
ing county. Pa.
York State; Jacob, who married Lydia
Cooper David, who was twice married a
daugiiter who married George Cooper; Mary,
who married William Robbins and Daniel,
who married Leah Crossley.
Henry Wintersteen was born May 2. 1841,
in \'alley township, and obtained his educaand Sidler
tion there in the Hendrickson
Thereafter he worked on his fathschools.
er's farm until his enlistment in the Union
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
army, Oct. 21, 1862, joining at Danville, and
being mustered in at Harrisburg as a member of Company F, 178th Regiment, Pennwhich was assylvania Volunteer Infantry,
the Posigned to the 4th Brigade, Army of
tomac. The regiment was not full, and though
it saw continuous service was never engaged
in any of the hotly contested battles, being
assigned principally to secret, picket and provost duty, mostly on the peninsula between
At the time of
the York and James rivers.
the battle of Gettysburg the regiment was
]\Ir.
twelve miles south of Richmond. \'a.
Wintersteen was mustered out at Harrisburg
the latter part of July, 1863. His officers were
Capt. John A.

Winner and

Col.
the

James John-

command of
and they were under
General Keyes.
Returning to \'alley township at the close
of his army service, Mr. Wintersteen continued to help his father on the farm until the
fall of 1863, when he found work in a stone
quarry where he was employed until spring.
Then he married and commenced farming on
his own account in Valley township, after
his father's death, which occurred in 1866,
buying sixty-five acres of the homestead place,
son,

being cleared land.
For over forty years he continued farming
there very successfully, in 1908 selling that
property and moving to the Ephraim Bowers
farm near ]\Iooresburg, which he rented and
thirty acres of this tract

few years. His health failing in 191 3 he gave up active labor, selling
his farm machinery and stock and retiring to
enjoy the fruits of his industrious life. There
are few citizens of \'alley township more gennone
erally known than Mr. Wintersteen, and
His long service
is held in higher regard.
in public office has shown him to be a citizen
cultivated for a

who may be
of his

trusted to safeguard the interests
so far as his influence and

community

example are concerned, and he has been repeatedly chosen to positions of trust, having
served as school director ten years, as overseer of the poor ten years, as tax receiver
Politicsix years and as constable one year.
the
ally he has always been associated with
Democratic party. As a member of St. John's
Reformed Church at ]\Iausdale he has done
much for the support of religion in his neighborhood, was formerly deacon of that church
and is serving at the present time as elder
he is also a teacher in the Sunday school, of
;

which he was superintendent one year. As
a veteran of the Civil war he is a member
of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Goodrich Post, Xo. 22, of Danville.

703

Mr. Wintersteen married Catherine Kisner,
2}^,
1839, in Madison
township, Columbia county, daughter of Samuel Kisner, and died Aug. 6, 1909, the mother
of the following children: (i) Laura P., born

who was born May

Dec.

8, 1864, received her education in Valley
township, and has always lived there with
her parents. She is an active worker in the
Reformed Church at Mausdale. (2) Samuel
Henry, born April 29, 1868, received his edu-

cation in Valley township, and when a young
man spent some time in the West, running
For four
a sawmill there for two years.
years he was employed as fireman at the State
hospital at Danville, and is now engaged in
farming as tenant on the farm of Stewart

Curry, in Valley township, where he has
resided for the last eleven years. He married
Mary Baylor, and they have four children,
born as follows Emma Catherine, March 8,
:

1904; Henry Edwin, Aug. 13, 1907; Laura
Edith, July 22, 1909; and Samuel Arthur,
Mr. Wintersteen has been
Feb. 19, 1912.
auditor of Valley township for three years,
is a Democrat in politics, and holds membership in the Reformed Church at Mausdale.
(3) Robert Victor, born Aug. 20, 1875, received his education in Valley township and
at the Danville Academy, and has been engaged in farming ever since he began work.
He is a member of the Reformed Church
at

Mausdale.

Samuel Kisner, father of Mrs. Henry Wintersteen, was born April 2, 1803, and came of
German stock. He was educated in Madison
township, Columbia county, and learned the
trade

wheelwright,

following

almost

to the time of his death, for twenty-five

years having a shop near Jerseytown, ColumAbout 1858 he moved to Millbia county.
ville, that county, where he had a shop until
shortly before his death, which was caused
by dropsy, when he was sixty-five years old.
For many years he was one of the most respected citizens of Madison township, where
he held the office of justice of the peace for
He was a Democrat and
fourteen years.
active in politics, and his religious connection
was with the Dutch Hill Reformed Church.
His wife, Catherine (Evart), died Aug. 17,
1858, aged forty-nine years, one month, thirteen days, and they are buried at the Dutch
Their children were Joseph
Hill Church.
Patten, who died when four years old; Eus:

tena, who married Robert Stout; Rebecca,
who married Wesley DelMott; and Catherine,

Mrs. Henry Wintersteen.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

704

HON. CHARLES

SHAFFER, member

of the Pennsylvania State Legislature, residing at Berwick, Pa., was born Sept. 24, 1867,
in Briarcreek township, Columbia county, son
of David and Caroline (White) Shaffer.
David Shaffer, the grandfather of Charles
A. Shaffer, was born in Germany, and as a
young man came to the United States, settling
in Briarcreek township, where he became a
prominent agriculturist and owner of several
farms. He also took an active part in local
affairs, and was widely known in
Columbia coupty.
David Shaffer, son of David, and father of
Charles A. Shaffer, was born in 1833 on his
father's homestead farm in Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa., and was engaged in
farming on his father's farm, adjoining the

political

Knob

Schoolhouse, to the time of his death,

which occurred Oct. 13, 1877. He married
Caroline White, who was born Jan. 24, 1847,
daughter of John D. White, an agriculturist
of Fishingcreek township, and she still survives,

residing

were born

Five

Berwick.

children

Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer: Hon.
Charles A., of Berwick, Pa. Rev. Theodore
B., late pastor of the Christian Church at Berwick Torrence L., of Sayre. Pa., in the employ of the Lehigh \^lley Railroad Company
Fannie M., the wife of Ira Bower, of Berwick; and J. David, who is also in the employ of the Lehigh V^alley Railroad Company,
to

;

Sayre, Pa.

After the death of her

first

husband Mrs. Shaffer married Ira Letteer,
who is also deceased, and they had one daughter, Eltha, now the wife of James Armstrong,
a business

man

of W'ilkes-Barre, residing at

Westmoor.
Charles A. Shaffer, son of David Shaffer,
received his early education in the country
schools of Briarcreek and Centre townships,
and later attended Orangeville Academy, in
county, following his graduation from
which he began teaching school. He remained
thus engaged only a short period, however,
this

then turning his attention to clerking in stores
in Berwick, Rupert and Catawissa, and in
1884. at the latter place, he was employed in
the furniture and undertaking business with
T. E. Harder; he' also learned the cabinet-

making
til

1887,

tion,

trade.

This connection continued un-

when Mr. Shaffer resigned

his posi-

and for the three years following was

on the road as a traveling representative for
the Powers & W^alker Casket Company, of
Grand Rapids. Mich. He then changed to
the Harrisburg Burial Case Company, of Har-

risburg, Pa., in the employ of which concern
he remained until becoming a member of the
firm, and has continued as such to the present
time, the period of his connection with this
house covering some twenty-five years. He
is a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Embalming and Sanitation, and of several other
large schools of embalming and sanitation.
Mr. Shaffer has also been interested in various
other enterprises, and is a director in the Berwick Savings and Trust Company Bank. A

Democrat in his political views, he
has ever taken an active part in promoting his
party's success, has been a delegate to several
County and State Democratic conventions, and
attended three national conventions of his
In November, 1910. he became the
party.
Democratic candidate for representative of
his county in the General Assembly of PennIn the election which followed he
sylvania.
carried fifty-four out of the fifty-five districts,
stalwart

and

November,

191 2.

was

reelected.

he was honored with the Democratic
In
nomination for speaker of the House.
1
9 14 he was again nominated by his party for
191 3

the third time,

and was elected by a large ma-

jority, carrying all but nine of the fifty-five
districts in the county.

Mr. Shaffer's career

in the Legislature has

been a remarkable one for a new member. He
has served on many important committees,
among others being those on Appropriations,

Ways and Means. Judiciary Apportionment,
Law and Order, Pul)lic Health and Sanitation.
Mr. Shaffer takes a deep interest in the affairs
of his own county, and has given his best efforts to his constituents.

has supplied

al-

most every public school in the county with
a cabinet collection was instrumental in giv;

ing ten free scholarships to the Universities
and Colleges of the State to worthy boys and
girls from his county, secured more than twenty-five positions for his constituents in the
State employ, and procured increased State
appropriations for the hospital at Bloomsburg
and the one at Berwick. Through his efforts the new Berwick hospital was built, the
Bloomsburg hospital has also been built during his term of oflice. and many new laws for
the benefit of his county and State have been
He caused the organization of the
passed.
board for the Mother's Pension Act in Columbia County, and secured the necessary action
bv the countv commissioners.
Nearly a hundred people have had free
treatment at the State institutions through Mr.
Shaffer's efforts. Representative Shaffer was

-^e^

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
one of the twenty men selected by Governor
Tener as a commission from the Keystone
State to the Panama Pacilic Exposition, and
with the governor and others of the commission recently, in 1913, made a trip to Calithe interests of
in
Pennsylvania.
fornia
to
Though urged by many of his constituents
become a candidate for Congress in 1914 he
Mr.
declined then for future consideration.
Shaffer has been prominent in fraternal cirPerseverance
cles, being a past master of

Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 21, Harrisburg^ Pa.,
and later becoming a member of Knapp
Lodge: is also a thirty-second-degree Mason,
meniber of Caldwell Consistory; is a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the MaHe belongs to the United Evansonic Club.
Church, has served as one of its trusgelical

of the general board of
on church union,
church
the
of
commissioners
elected by the General Conference a member
of general board of publication; a trustee of
of the
Albright College, Myerstown, Pa.,
church extension board of his conference, of
tees,

and

member

;

EducaAid Society, of the Old Folks' Home,

the Bible Conference Society, of the
tional

and on other boards.
On June 30, 1897, Mr. Shaffer was married
to MaVy A. Lamon, daughter of Joseph and
Matilda (Fowler) Lamon. early settlers of
Columbia county. Mr. Lamon, who was a
Feb. 28, 1903, while
lifelong farmer, died
the mother still survives and makes her home
•

with

:\Ir.

and Mrs. Shaffer.

children in the

Lamon

There were

family: Boyd,

eight

now

Independence, Mo.; Hugh, de-

resident

ceased;

William,

who

lives

Briarcreek

who are
township; Crawford and Seymour,
both deceased: Mary A., the wife of Mr.
of
Shaffer; Seth, a farmer and dairyman
is
dewho
and
Briarcreek township;
Percy,
ceased.

The

beautiful family

home

situated on

East Front street, Berwick. Besides this, Mr.
A
Shaffer owns other valuable property.
self-made man, while succeeding himself he
has assisted others to prosperity, and at all
times has manifested a most considerable inIn
terest in the welfare of his community.
his high official position he has been able to
valuable benefits for his people,
doubtful if there is a representative
the State who is more popular with his

secure

many

and

constituents.
45

705

JACOB LORENZO KLINE,

a substantial
of Danville, Pa., dealer in ice
and also engaged in teaming and general hauling, was born at Paxinos, Northumberland
Co., Pa., Aug. 3, 187 1, son of Jacob and Mary
(Yeager) Kline.
Jacob Kline, the grandfather of Jacob L.
Kline, was born in Shamokfn township, Northumberland Co., Pa., and was educated in the
district schools of that
In early
township.
life he adopted the vocation of
farmer, but
later turned his attention to
boating on the
Pennsylvania canal and continued to l)e so
engaged until the time of his death.
He

man

business

married Rebecca Moore, and

tliey

became the

parents of these children: Anna, wlio married
Benjamin Bohner Isaac DeWitt, who married
Sarah Chamberlin; Jacob, the father of Jacob
Lorenzo; and a daughter who married Peter
Schlegel. The grandparents were both buried
at Deibler's station, in the
Baptist graveyard,
;

Northumberland county.

Jacob Kline, the father of Jacob Lorenzo
Kline, was born in Zerbe township, Northumberland Co., Pa., Oct. 8, 1836, and was
educated in the schools of Trevorton, following which he began to work as a farmer.
Later he was given charge of a station, on
the line between Sunbury and Shamokin. sawing rails for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, also loaded cars, and then he was put
in charge of the water station at Hughes station, which place is now known as Shamrock.
He was thrifty and industrious, and by good
management was able to save enough from
his earnings to purchase a farm of seventythree acres, which he operated until his enlistment in the Union army for service during
the Civil war.
He was enrolled March 12,
1864, as a member of Company B, 184th Regiment, Pa. Vol. Inf., and was mustered into
the service May 12, 1864, for three years.
member of Col. B. F. Brown's regiment, he saw much active service, was
wounded three times, was appointed corporal Jan. I, 1865, and was mustered out

at Washington, D. C, July
with an excellent record as a brave,
On July
hard-fighting and faithful soldier.
4,
1858, Mr. Kline was married to Mary
Yeager, who was born April 4, 1841, and
they became the parents of the following children Anna Cecilia, born Dec. 11, 1859. died
Sept. 8, 1867, aged seven years, eight months,
twenty-seven days; Isaac DeWitt, born Jan.
five years,
16, 1862. died Aug. 30, 1867, aged
seven months, fourteen days; Benjamin Ellsworth, born Nov. i, 1863, died Sept. 4, 1867,

the

service

14, 1865,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

706

aged three years, ten months, three days;
Sarah EHzabeth, born Aug. lo, 1866, died
Aug. 2^, 1867, aged one year, thirteen days;
Charles M., born Aug. 9, 1868, who married
Laura Mutchler, hves in Coal township, Northumberland county, and has two children, Cora
and Ethel; Jacob Lorenzo is mentioned below; Absalom S., born Aug. 15, 1872, died
Oct. 8, 1880, aged eight years, one month,
twenty-three days; Ida Fidelia, born Aug. i,
1874, married Montgomery Gearhart, and has
four children, Jacob, Myrtle, Montgomery
and Jesse; Reuben R., born Jan. 25, 1877, an
engineer on the Pennsylvania railroad, resides
at Harrisburg, Pa., married Sarah Mutchler
and has two children, Mary Frances and
Byron.
When mustered out of the service Jacob
Kline returned to his farm, which he continued to operate up to the time of his death,
which occurred Sept. 5, 1880, when he was
aged forty-three years, ten months, twenty-

Two

seven days.

years after his death his
a Republican,
& A. M., and
belonged to
to Elysburg Lodge of Odd Fellows, and was
a faithful member of the Baptist Church.
He was buried in the Baptist cemetery at
Deibler's station, in Shamokin township.
Mary Yeager, the mother of Jacob Lorenzo
Kline, was born in the vicinity of Reed station, Northumberland Co., Pa., a daughter of

farm was

Mr. Kline was
Elysburg Lodge, F.

sold.

The

Conrad Yeager.

was a farmer
all of his life in his native township of Shamokin, was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Yeager married Elizabeth Reed, daughter of Casper and
Esther Reed,

who

latter

died at the age of eightyburied in the Baptist ceme-

three years and is
tery near Stonington. in Shamokin township.
The children born to Conrad and Elizabeth
(Reed) Yeager were as follows: John, who
married Eliza Campbell (both deceased)
Elizabeth, who married Isaac Hill (both deceased) Absalom, who married Keziah Hill
;

;

(both deceased) Conrad, who married Mary
Kennedy (both deceased) Deborah, who is
the widow of Joseph Haus, and lives in P'hila;

;

delphia; Solomon, who married Lucy Doston
(both deceased) Sarah, who is the widow of
Isaac Boyer Jacob, of Riverside, Pa., who
;

;

married Sarah Chamberlin and Mary, who
is the widow of Jacob Kline.
Jacob Lorenzo Kline received his education in the public school at Paxinos, but owing
;

health his schooling was limited, and
eight years of age he left Paxinos
and started to work on a farm at Elysburg.

ill

when he was

When

he was a

little older he left
Elysburg
Boyd's station, where for five
years he worked on a truck farm, and then

and went

came

to Danville and invested his
earnings
a livery business, which he conducted
for
two years. During the last twelve
years he
has carried on a very successful ice
business,
which he has built up to
large proportions
through industry, good management and en-

terprise, and in 1913 added teaming and
general hauling to his activities, this branch
also

havmg proved very

satisfactory in a financial
a Republican in his political
but has not been active in public
vievys,
afl:'airs,
having been too busily engaged with his business interests. At all times, however, he has
expressed a willingness to aid his community
in any way and has withheld his
support from
no movement which has promised to aid the
general good. He was reared in the faith of
the Baptist Church.
On Dec. 29, 1902, at Danville. Mr. KHne
was married, by Rev. Nelson Collins Cleaver,
a Methodist clergyman, to Edna
Berninger,
who was born Nov. 5, 1881, at Reed station,
Shamokin township, Northumberland Co.,
Pa., daughter of Israel and Barbara Ellen
(Long) Berninger. Two children have come

way.

to this union:

died
3.

May

Harry, born July r, 1906, who
1908; and Warren, born March

1908.

Nicholas Berninger, the great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Kline, was born in
Saxony,
Germany, was married in that country, and
emigrated to the United States, settling in

Longs wamp township, Berks

Co., Pa.,

where

he died.
Philip Berninger, the great-grandfather of

Mrs. Kline, was born in Berks county. Pa.,
and in 181 2 moved to Roaringcreek \'alley,
Columbia Co., Pa., where he followed his
trade of machinist during the remainder of
his life.
He married Salome Yost, and they

became the parents of the following children: Philip, who married Mary Moore;
Jacob; Henry, who married Nancy Rohr;
Jonas, the grandfather of Mrs. Kline; Eliza-

who married John Wagenhaust; and
Mary, who married a Missimer. Mr. Berninger was a member of the German Reformed
Church.
He and his wife were buried at
beth,

Roaringcreek.
Jonas Berninger, the grandfather of Mrs.
Kline, was born June i, 1800, in Berks county.
Pa., and was twelve years old when he accompanied his parents to Roaringcreek valley.
millwright and wheelwright by trade, he

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

707
'\

and other structures,
Slabtown during the greater part
Mr. Berninger was a Democrat
of his life.
and was active in township affairs, and was a
nieniber of Jacobs Reformed Church at Reed
station, taking a prominent part in the work,
lle was buried at Reed station, wliile his
wife was laid to rest in the Methodist cemeMr. Berninger married
tery at Slabtown.
Ida Dorcas Yost, and they became the parents of two children: Angeline, deceased, who
married Charles Metz and Israel.
Israel I'.erninger, the father of Mrs. Kline,
was born Dec. i6, 1836, at Slabtown. Northumberland Co., Pa., was educated in the pubnear that place, and under his
lic schools
father's tuition mastered the trade of millwas

a builder of mills

and lived

;

wright so well that when he was nineteen
years of age he began to accept work on his
own account, having as many as thirty men
Mr. Berninger is the inventor
in his employ.
of a wooden turbine wheel for use in water

which would corrode an iron wheel, but never
A few years
had the invention patented.
after his marriage he moved to Reed station,
Northumberland county, and there for thirty-

was proprietor of a millwright shop,
moving back to Big Roaringcreek, where
he operated a flour, feed and grist mill for
Following this Mr. Berninger
eight years.
moved to Paxinos, where he is still engaged
in business.
He is 'an active Democrat, and
while living in Mayberry township was auditor and school director, and in Shamokin
township was overseer of the poor. He was
formerly a member of Elysburg Lodge. No.
548, and Fort Augusta Encampment, of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of
Elysburg Lodge, No. 414, F. & A. M. Although not a professed member of any
six years

then

denomination religiously, he is a frequent attendant at church, has been quite a Bible
student, and is well versed in church matters,
Mr. Berninger married Barbara Ellen Long,
who was born at New Berlin, Union Co., Pa.,
10, 1842, a daughter of Samuel and
Charlotte (Rarrick) Long, and they became
the parents of the following children
Charlotte, who is the widow of Andrew Lyons and
resides at Sunbury, Pa.
Ida Dorcas, who
married William Lewis, of Philadelphia
/\iinie, who married D. C. Gothic, of Tamaqua. Pa.
Fronie, who married William
Thomas, of Shamokin
Catherine Rosalie,
who married Harry McClow, of Shamokin
Frances, who married H. B. Sowers, of Birdsboro. Pa.; Gertrude, who married Charles
Kuntz, of Norristown, Pa. Jesse, who mar-

Oct.

;

ried Ella Gearhart
(deceased) and (second)
Elizabeth Walters, of Catavvissa;
Jacob Wilvert, who married Ella Shultz, of Danville;
Solomon Alfred, who married Cora Mutchler, of Sunbury; and Edna.
Mrs. Kline was
educated in the public schools of Reed station, Northumberland county, and at the time
of her marriage was
residing at the home of
her parents at llowellsville, Columbia
county.

The Long family, to which Mrs. Barbara
Ellen (Long) Berninger belonged, is of German descent. There are no complete written
records of the early generations, and most of
what follows was gathered by a member of
the family from various sources. While Germany was the freest of all European countries
in regard to religious toleration, we find Napoleon made considerable trouble, and long
previous to his time, in the year of 1731, the
Protestants were driven from several places

Many

Germany.

native land and

of these people left their

came

America, some setthese emigrants
came
Long family, and
with them came a family by the name of
Zeigler, with whom they made a compact
before leaving Germany that nothing but
death should separate them in the new country, that if one prospered so should the other,
These strangers in a strange land and in an
English settlement grew discontented, and
learning that Pennsylvania offered greater independence to all, and that many Germans
were settling in and near Philadelphia, the
little band made its way north to that Province.
Clearing land and making a little settling

Georgia.
Among
the forebears of the

known as Long's Swamp, in what
became known as Longs Swamp (now Longswamp) township, Berks county (at what is
now Kutztown), they farmed and did various
kinds of weaving. The little settlement grew
and the people prospered. In the year 1765
there was born to the ancestor of the Long
family and his wife Phoebe (Glassmyer) a
son Peter, who in after years married a Miss
Keefer. To this union were born five sons
and three daughters: Betzy. ^Vlrs. Beechler;
Kate, Mrs. Wise SoloPolly, Mrs. Genzel
mon, who married a Miss Hippie Benjamin,
who married George, who died unmarried
tlement

;

unmarried, who died in Philaand
death
delphia, meeting an accidental
Jonathan, who jumped on a snake in the
Peter,

also

;

field,

from the shock,
of this family died, and the father

and died suddenly,

The mother

remarried, his second wife being Sarah (Genknown as a singer in her day
and leader of the choir in the old Lutheran

zel). quite well

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

708

Church

Reading she was a

direct descendGenzel, a Revolutionary soldier.
To this second union were born, in Longswamp, Berks county: Jacob, in 1806; Lydia
(Mrs. Steinberger), in 1808; Samuel, in 1810;

ant of

;

Adam

and Gideon,

in 1812.

dren Peter

Long

and moved

left

With

his

wife and

Berks county

chil-

181 2

Union (now Snyder) county.
Like his father before him he cleared land
and built a log home. As the place was covered with a thick chestnut growth he called
his new home "Chestnut Ridge," the name
it bears to this day.
Danger from wild beasts
and Indians surrounded them on all sides.
It is said they were scarcely settled in their

new home when

they were startled by the
howl of a hungry wolf. Mrs. Long opened
the window and shot the animal, and when
morning came they found three cubs, which
were captured and killed. In this new home
were born SalHe, Hettie, Susan and Daniel.
Peter Long, the father, died in 1852, aged
seventy-eight years. His wife Sarah, born in
1782, died in 1866, aged eighty-four years.
Here Samuel Long, father of Mrs. BernWhen old
inger, spent his boyhood days.
enough he went to Selinsgrove to learn his
trade at Swengle's flour mill, and while there
witnessed the "shower of stars," Nov. 13,
Finishing his trade he went to take
1833.
charge of Cleckner's mill at Long's town
(now New Berlin), and there met Charlotte
Rarrick, whom he married in 1834 after a
She was born in 1812 and
year's courtship.
died in 1890, aged seventy-eight years. They
lived at this mill one year, when he bought
the mill where they resided until 18O3. Then
with his family Mr. Long moved to Catawissa.
Columbia county, where for a number of
flour
years he operated the William McKelvy
milk retiring some time previous to his death,
which occurred in 1902, when he was aged
He was a Democrat in
ninety-two years.
Repolitics, and a member of the German
formed Church at Catawissa, where he was
Samuel and Charlotte (Rarrick)
buried.
Long became the parents of the following
children Sarah, who is the widow of Clinton
William, of
Ellis and resides at Catawissa
:

;

who married i\Iary Doebler CharH. T. Eckert, of Sunbury
married
who
lotte,
Samuel, deceased P>arbara Ellen and Hannah
that place,

;

Maria, twins, the former of whom married
Israel Berninger, and the latter Adam flitchell,

Milton.

Pa.;

Mary, deceased,

who

married Isaac Mutchler, of Elysburg George,
who married Emma Mertz. of Northumberland. Pa.
Charles, deceased, who married a
;

;

Ammerman;

Aliss

John,

who

lives in Phila-

married to Elizabeth Kreischer, of
Catawissa; and Jennie, who makes her home

delphia,

at Catawissa.

Mrs. Charlotte (Rarrick) Long was of
Scotch-Irish descent in one line, her ancestors
of that nationality, the Gordons,
to
fleeing

this

and

country to escape religious persecution
settling in \lrginia

many of their graves
It was told by one
\'ernon.
member of the family that a certain Gordon
and his beautiful daughter, declining to give
are near

;

Mount

up their religious belief, were driven from
place to place and finally captured in a cave
in which they had taken refuge.
They were
tortured, and the father killed in the presence of the daughter, who, however, escaped
in some way. and was never heard from again.
This caused the Gordons to leave the old
country for the land of religious freedom.
The name of Mrs. Charlotte (Rarrick) Long's

mother was Straub, and she had several children.
Through the marriage of her grandmother she was related to the branch of the
family in Center county, where different members of the family married, and some removed to parts unknown.

XI EL F. CROSSLEY, a retired merchant and justice of the peace, residing in
West Hemlock township, Montour county,
was bom May 3, 1884. in that township, a
son of William T. Crossley. grandson of
James Crossley. and great-grandson of John
Crossley.
John Crossley. the great-grandfather,
to

what

now Montour county

came

with

his

brother. George Crossley, from Berks county,
Pa.
He settled first in Danville and possibly

spent his
three sons

life

there.

married and had

In
Joseph, George and James.
his later years Joseph was a farmer in Valley township.
James Crossley, the grandfather of Daniel
Flick Crossley, was born in Danville and
For some time he
attended school there.
lived with his brother Joseph on the latter's
:

in \'alley township, and fanning was
He died in
business throughout life.
1830, about the time the Presbyterian Church

farm
his

was built in West Hemlock township, and
was buried in Columbia cemetery. He married Christianna Sidler, who was born in
Columbia county, and they had the following children

Josej^h.

who moved

Tiflin,

Ohio; George, born 1804. died 1874, who
married Leah Welliver; John, who married
Margaret Stettler; James; William T.. who

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
married Mary Flick; Rachel, wife of George
Walter; Catherine, who married David Gibson

and lived

Benton; Jane, who married

West; Hannah, who became Mrs. Smith
and moved to Iowa
David, who married
Rachel Bright; and Charles, who married
Martha Leidy.
the

;

William T. Crossley, father of Daniel F.
was born in Valley township, MonIn his boyPa., Dec. 25, 1816.
hood he attended the Morris school in Valley
township and during several years worked
on the farm of a neighbor, John Wilson, a
After this he learned
well known Quaker.
the mason's trade with Peter Still and David
Roberts and assisted to build the old gristmill
on the canal, for I'eter Baldy, working on
the foundation, which was started below the
After he married he
bottom of the canal.
moved to West Hemlock township, which, at
that time, was Madison township, and inHis
in
Northumberland county.
cluded

Crossley,
tour Co.,

brother,

John Crossley, bought a farm of

one hundred acres on the road between Danville and Jerseytown, the same land being
now the property of Oliver Reichard. On
the corner of this farm, William T. Crossley
had a small lot on which he resided for four

and it was during this period that
Daniel Flick Crossley was born. From there
William T. Crossley subsequently moved to
a farm owned by his father-in-law, Daniel
Flick, who was a cabinetmaker and underFor two years William T. Crossley
taker.
operated the farm and then bought the John
Girton place of eighty-three acres, and there
resided until his death, Nov. 9, 1898. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, and he served

years,

every township office and was quite influHe was a
ential in politics in the county.
member of the Columbia Presbyterian Church,
holding all the church offices at different times,
and was the first to organize a Sunday school
here, of which he was superintendent.
In 1840 William T. Crossley was united in
marriage with Mary Flick, Who was born in
in

Madison township, Columbia county. Sept.
19, 1816, daughter of Daniel and Catherine
(Lily) Flick, and they had ten children:
Martha, the eldest, born July 2, 1841, died
age of eight years. Mary Alice, born
Aug. 31, 1842, married J. W. Wilson, of
Madison township, Columbia county. Daniel
Flick was the third in order of birth.
Catherine Delilah, born Dec. 17, 1845, died when
one year old. Arthur W., born Aug. 23, 1847,
married Mary
Chanlee, of Washington,
D. C, and died Feb. 22, 1914. Anna Cathat the

709

who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, was
born Dec. 30, 1848, and is the widow of William Park Alexander she has two
daughters,
Mary Grier, born July 4, 1874, and Martha,
born in July, 1875, graduates of Del Xorte
Presbyterian College, in Colorado, and both
now teachers in Sah Lake City, Utah. Elizabeth, born Dec. 21, 1850, married William
Boyd Moore, of West Hemlock township,
and they have one son, William Park, born
Aug. 24, 1877. Henrietta Jane, born March
25, 1853. married Lloyd Bomboy, of Cheney,
Kans.
Sarah Savilla, born April 28, 1855,
married Clark Dildine, and they live at
Cheney, Kans. they have had three children,
A. Claude (who married Berta Brown),
Arthur R. (a physician, who married Eva
The
Zellers), and Ralph (who is deceased).
youngest of the family, Elwood E., born June
2,
1858, married Hester Maria Pursel, a
native of Canada, and they live at Cheney,
Kans. The mother of the above family died
erine,

;

Jan. 14, 1901, and was buried by the side
of her husband in the Columbia cemetery.
Daniel Flick, the maternal grandfather of
Daniel F. Crossley, was born at Philadelphia,
Pa., March 25, 1790, a son of John Flick,
who died in Philadelphia. His widow, who

probably came from Philadelphia with her
son Daniel, later married a Hagenbuch, and
died at the age of ninety-seven years.
She
was buried in Dutch Hill cemetery, in Madison township, Columbia county. John Flick
Daniel
and his wife had three children
:

who

;

lived at

Muncy, Lycoming county;
and Mary, who married a Martz, of Lycom-

John,

ing county.
Daniel Flick

was a young man when he
Madison township, Columbia
county, where he acquired ownership of forty
acres of land on which he had his cabinetmaking shop, in which he made coffins he
was also an undertaker. He was one of the
settled

;

settlers on the Philadelphia road to
Buffalo and near by was a hotel where the
For about fifstages obtained their relays.
teen years he continued on this tract of land
and then moved to West Hemlock township
and bought a farm of about one hundred
acres, situated on the road between Jerseyfirst

town and
by L. C.

This farm is now owned
Mr. Flick cleared a great
land and continued to add to his

Danville.
Shultz.

deal of this

holdings until at one time he owned three
acres, which he gradually sold with
He engaged
the exception of forty acres.
in farming there and continued to work in
his shop as long as he remained interested,

hundred

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

710

and then
25, 1861.
ciples

lived in retirement, dying March
All his life he supported the princandidates of the Democratic party.

and
one of the leading members of the

He was

Hill Reformed Church.
Daniel Flick married Catherine Lily, who
was born Dec. 12, 1790, and died Jan. 10,

Dutch

1877.

They rest in the Dutch Hill Reformed
They had the following children

cemetery.

Mary, mother of Daniel Flick Crossley Catherine; Hannah, wife of John Wesley Girton,
of Madison township
Daniel, who married
;

;

Elizabeth Hill, living at Hughesville Savilla,
who was born just after the family moved
from Madison to West Hemlock township,
married to David Nevius, of Danville and
Jacob, born Oct. 28, 1829, who died May 2,
;

;

1910.

Daniel

Flick

Crossley

attended

public

school in

West Hemlock township and spent

one term

Professor Kelso's private school

and two terms in the old Millville
In 1865 he
(Greenwood) Academy.
learned the carpenter's trade, with Cyrus
Heller, at Shenandoah, Pa., after which he
at Danville

—

taught school for a number of winters one
term at Hickory Hill, Columbia Co., Pa. two
terms at Buckhorn, in Hemlock township
four terms at Reitz's schoolhouse two terms
at Emmett's schoolhouse, in Hemlock township one term at the Lazarus schoolhouse in
Dutch \^illey two terms at Washingtonville,
in Derry township
and two terms at the
;

;

Appleman schoolhouse, in \ alley township.
During the summer seasons Mr. Crossley usHe also was a
ually worked at his trade.
clerk in Egbert Thompson's general store,
which was on the bank of the old Pennsylvania canal where it crossed Mill street, on
the present site of the Danville city hall.
At that time the third floor of the building
was used as the opera house.
In 1875 Mr. Crossley entered into partnership with W. R. Welliver in a general
store business, and for three years they conducted the same on Mill street near the present location of the Welliver hardware store.
On March 11. 1878, he accompanied his
brother-in-law, William Park Alexander, to
the West, locating at Pueblo, Colo. Mr. Alexander was receiver for the sales of govern-

ment lands, and Mr. Crossley ombarked in
the hardware business and prospered to such
an extent that in the fall of the same year
he was led to open a branch store at Silver
Later he sold his hardware interests
Cliff.
and went into the undertaking business, and
later became nthcrwisc interested, first
still

in the

green grocery line and subsequently in
insurance and real estate.

Mr. Crossley remained at Silver Cliff until
when he sold out and moved to Cheney,

1888,

Kans., where, in partnership with his brother
El wood, he bought 420 acres of land, two
tracts of 160 acres each and one of one hundred acres. The partners then embarked in
extensive farming and stock raising activities,
oats, millet and sorghum
cane, hogs, cattle, horses and mules. In 1898
Mr. Crossley was called back home by the
death of his father and went, but with the
expectation of returning to Kansas, which,

growing wheat, corn,

however, he never did, subsequently selling

Western interests to his brother, who
them on. Since then Mr. Crossley has been practically retired from business,
but by no means has been inactive.
Never having married, Mr. Crossley has
no domestic ties, but his interests are wide
and varied.
Church extension has always
been an interest close to his heart, and when
all

still

his

carries

residing in Pueblo he assisted in the organization of the Congregational church and Sun-

day school. On removing to Silver Cliff he
assisted there in the organization of the Presbyterian Church and Sunday school, and when
he located in Cheney, Kans., he rejoined the

Congregational Church. Later, when it was
disorganized, he became affiliated with the Re-

formed Church

that place,

and since

re-

turning to Montour county has become a
member of the Columbia Presbyterian Church
of West Hemlock.
He was formerly superintendent of the Sunday school and is now
teaching the women's Bible class.
Although a man of peace Mr. Crossley was
twice sorely tempted during the progress of
the Civil war to enter the army.
Once he
ran away from home with some companions
of the neighborhood and arrived at Xorthumberland, but as the train was delayed he
had time to remember that he had not bidden
his parents farewell and his natural affection led him to return without any of the
honors of war. On another occasion he had
a similar ex])erience, but again was delayed,
and other duties held him from ever entering
the service.
During 1862 and 1863 school
teachers were exempt from draft into the
military service of the government.

Mr. Crossley belongs to a Democratic fambut has never had any undue desire for
Some ten years since he was
|)olitical office.
elected a justice of the peace and has satisily,

factorily administered the duties of the
ever since.

office

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

HARRY M. SOBER, D. D. S., of Danville,
Montour county, was born in that borough
March 15, 1869, son of Aaron Sober. He
to

belongs

family

which has long been

settled in Pennsylvania, his great-grandfather,

Samuel Sober, having come here from New
when a young man. He was born Oct.
His wife,
12, 1771, and died March 20, 1833.
Isabelle (Moore), born Oct. 4, 1774, died
June 12, 1842. They are buried in Shamokin
Northumberland county.
Mr.
township,
Sober was a man of modest tastes and habits,
taking no part in politics or other public affairs.
He was a prosperous farmer, owning
five farms and a gristmill in Shamokin townHis children were born as follows:
ship.
Michael Moore, March 12, 1801
Susanna,
Jersey

;

Dec. 31, 1805; Alexander, March 30, 1807;
Hester, June 30, 1810 (died May 23, 1816)
Isaac, Feb. 23, 1814; Aaron, June 6, 1819
;

(died June

1883).

Alexander Sober, son of Samuel, was born
March 30, 1807, and died Nov. 14, 1869.
He was a farmer in Northumberland county,
Pa., and his wife Mary (Foy), born Nov.
17, 1807, died Aug. 12, 1895. They are buried
at the Summit Baptist Church in Shamokin
township. They had the following children
Samuel, born Feb. 10, 1831 (died May 22,
:

Beulah, April 2^, 1832 (died March
1892)
3, 1904); Uriah, March i, 1834 (died June
5, 1911); Morris S., Sept. 3, 1835 (died Jan.
Aaron, May 15, 1837; Isaac J., Nov.
7, 191 1 )
28, 1838; William A., Sept. 3, 1840 (died Jan.
Salathiel, April 16, 1842 (died at
4, 1897)
Alexander J.,
Fair Oaks May 31, 1862)
Jan. I, 1844 (died Nov. 14, 1876); Mary
Ann, Dec. 4, 1845; Susanna, Sept. 5, 1847;
;

;

Joseph A.. Aug. 28, 1853.
Aaron Sober, son of Alexander, was born
May 15, 1837, in Shamokin township. Northumberland county. His first work was farming, at which he was engaged until sixteen
years old, when he went to learn the trade of
tanner, following same until he enlisted for
service in the Civil war, Oct. 16, 1861, for
three years. He joined Company D, 52d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Harrisburg. Three of his brothers
were in that company also, and another, Morris, was in the heavy artillery service with the
Western army the last named had his hearing impaired by the explosions of guns and
other din incident to war, and his affliction
became worse as he grew older. He was
killed a few years ago at McLoud, Okla.,
while crossing a railroad track. Aaron Sober
was discharged from the Germantown hos;

711

Philadelphia, Sept. 13, 1862, having
contracted fever, and returned home.
His
command was attached to the Army of the
Potomac, and he took part in the siege of
Yorktown and in the battles of Williamsburg

pital,

and Seven Pines, as well as

in the operations
against Jackson. In February, 1863, he went
to Danville to work in the mills, where he
was employed seven years, first in the Rough
and Ready mill and later at the Cock Robin
mill, after which he was engaged at selling

books until 1873.
Since that year he has
been living retired.
In 1856 Mr. Sober married Annabell Murray, who was born Jan. 15, 1834, daughter of
Porter and Margaret (McCoy) Murray, of
near Dewart, Northumberland county, the
former an old boss on the canal. Mrs. Sober
died Dec. 31, 1906, the mother of seven children, of whom Mary E., born Dec. 30, 1856,
is the wife of William W. Davis and has had
five children; Judson H., born May 27, 1858,
lives in Nebraska; Margaret F., born March
'

13, 1861, is the

West

widow

of J. J. Armstrong, of
and has two children;
was born Dec. 21, 1863; Louisa

Pittston,

Pa.,

Ehzabeth J.
born March 21, 1866, is the wife of Dr.
Henry Bierman, of Bloomsburg, and has two
children; Harry M. is mentioned below Grace
F., born July 21, 1869, died Feb. 19, 1896.
A.,

;

Altogether there are twenty-one grandchildren
five great-grandchildren.

and

On Sept. 26, 191 1, Mr. Sober married (second) Mrs. Margaret (Marr) Hoffman, widow
of Oliver Hoffman, and daughter of John and
Sarah (Allison) Marr, of Turbut township,
Mrs. Sober was
Northumberland county.
born Feb. 22, 1844. She was reared in the
faith of the Lutheran Church, at Pottsgrove;
Mr. Sober is a member of the First Baptist
Church at Danville.
Harry M. Sober received his early education in the Mount Joy Soldiers' Orphans'
School, where he lived from the age of eight
years until he was sixteen. For the nine years
after he was employed by the Grand Union
Tea Company, and in 1896 he began his course
in dentistry at the Pennsylvania Dental Colhis
lege at Philadelphia, where he pursued
studies for three years. After graduating he
came to Danville, where he has been in continuous practice since, commanding a steadily
increasing patronage. His work is high grade,
and the large number of patients who depend
upon him is sufficient proof of his popularity,
Dr. Sober
both personal and professional.
belongs to Danville Blue Lodge, No. 224, F.
& A. M. Danville Chapter, No. 239; Calvary
;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

712

Mount Moriah
37, K. T.
of
R.
&
S.
M.,
Bloomsburg;
10,
Consistory, of Bloomsburg; and

Commandery, No.

;

Council, No.

Caldwell

Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. M.

WilkesBarre. He is also a member of the B. P. O.
Elks, having been a charter member of lodge
Dr. Sober married
No. 754, of Danville.
S., at

Emily Stebbins, a native of Watsontown,

Pa.,

daughter of Ekelias and Emily (Baker) Stebbins.
They have three children: Ruth, born
Feb. 2:^, 1902; Annabelle, born March 18,
Dr.
1905 and Clarence, born Aug. 9, 1909.
Sober is a member of the First Baptist Church
;

of Danville.

William W. Davis, of Danville, an employe of the Danville Structural Tubing Company, was born Dec. 13, 1854, in Carmarthenshire, Wales. He is a son of Daniel and
Jane (Reese) Davis, the former of whom,
was a coal miner by occupaThe mother is living, now (1914) nearHer father was
eighty-three years old.

now

deceased,

tion.
ly

William Reese.
When a boy eight years old William W.
Davis came to America with an uncle to Danville and after a time went to Elmira, N. Y.

did not see his family again for thirty
in Danville, Pa.,
years. After his school days
and Elmira, N. Y. were over he was en-

—

in clerking for three years in a general
mercantile store at Elmira, returning to Danville in 1875, since which time he has been

gaged

in the mills at this place. Mr. Davis
an upright and respected citizen and well
known in Danville, where he has been a mem-

buried at the Presbyterian church near Pott's
Furnace, in said township. Their family consisted of the following children
Lydia A.,
who married John Lewis Jacob, who died in
Pottsville, while holding the office of high constable
Samuel, who died near Honeybrook
and Thomas B., the father of the subject of
:

;

this sketch.

Thomas B. Chrisman was born Oct. 20, 1832,
and died at Bloomsburg, Nov. 27^, 1906. During his day he was regarded as a progressive
He came to
agriculturist and horseman.
Columbia county in 1857, locating upon the
farm now owned by his son, William. He
married

Elizabeth

Essick,

who

Essick, served in the
British.

William

war of

181 2 against the
brothers are

Chrisman's

Elwood C, Charles

sisters are

ber of the Washington Fire Company since
Church.
1875. He belongs to the First Baptist
On July 14, 1877. Mr. Davis married Mary
E. Sober, and they have had a family of five
children: Harry S., born March 8, 1879. now
a resident of Wilkes-Barre. Pa., married
Blanche Feisler, and they have three children.

in the public schools, first attending at

31. 1910), William Aaron (born Nov. 19, 1911) and Clyde
Murrav (born June 4. 1913) lennie Irene,
born Feb. 7, 1884. died April 3. 1886; Clyde
Hall was born March 25. 1887; Louisa Bell.
;

April

1890; John Mostyn, June

HON. WILLIAM CHRISMAN, a

1895.

resident

Bloomsburg. Columbia county, w^as born
His grandin Pottsville. Pa.. Oct. 11, 1854.
father. John Chrisman, emigrated from Germany and settled in East Nantmcal township.
Chester Co., Pa., where he died Jan. 6. 1848.
He married Mrs. Susan (Burns) Stecn. of
Irish-Scotch extraction, who was born Sept.
are
II, 1794, and died Sept. 17, 1867, and both
of

;

employed

Edward Mostyn (born Aug.

died

Bloomsburg. Jan. 15, 1878, aged forty-five
years, and both are buried in Rosemont cemeShe was the daughter of Baltzer Essick,
tery.
who removed from Chester county in 1857,
following his son, Henry Essick, who was a
Baptist minister and who was filling a charge
near his home in Madison township. Baltzer
Essick died at his farm in Madison township,
April 12, 1870, at the age of eighty years, and
his w^ife, Rachael (Morgan), died Sept. 17,
1874. at the same age they are buried at White
Hall.
The great-grandfather of William
Chrisman, John Essick, was a soldier in the
war of the Revolution and captured a sword
from a British officer; his grandfather, Baltzer

B. and Eugene, and his
Phoebe E., Belle and Nellie.
Mr. Chrisman obtained his early education

ingtonville,

Wash-

and graduating from the Blooms-

burg Normal School

1878.

When

youth

of seventeen years he began teaching a district school in Mahoning township, ^lontour
county, which he did with success for three
terms, and attained the position of assistant
principal of the Bloomsburg high school.
While teaching he read law with C. W. Miller,
Esq., and was admitted to the bar of Columbia county, Feb. 7, 1882, and to the Supreme
court of Pennsylvania. April 10. 1888, at which
time he argued the noted damage case of
Cadow vs. the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company.
One of his famous
cases was the defense of John Peterman. tried
in September, 1911, indicted for the murder of
his brother, his client being cleared after a
trial which attracted wide notice.
In this case
he was assisted by his son, Neil, who took a
prominent part, arguing the case to the jury,
for which he was highly complimented,
ing his first case in the county.

be-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
In 1890 Mr. Chrisman was appointed disattorney by the court of Columbia county
and the same year was elected pver his opponent by a majority of 2,671 votes. While holding said office, for three years, he tried some
In 1896 he was
important criminal cases.
elected to the Legislature by a majority over
his opponent of 1,100 votes, after a bitter factional fight, and reelected in 1898, and while
a member thereof was placed upon some of
trict

the most important committees of the House
and therein helped frame and finally pass some
of the most important laws of the session. In
1882 he was elected town treasurer, which
office he held for three years; and in 1889 was
elected a member of the Bloomsburg school
board, and while on said board assisted in
planning the present high school building and

introducing into the schools the first graduating course therein. In politics he, like his
ancestors, has always been a Democrat, serving his party for five terms as county chairman and speaking in the interest of his party
from time to time in all the districts of the
county. In the industrial welfare of his town
he has always taken an active interest and assisted in bringing to the town some of its important industries, especially the silk mill, having been one of a committee of five to erect the
same. Having been raised upon a farm, his
recreation runs in that direction, and he now
owns and superintends the one his grandfather
purchased (232 acres in Madison township),
when he came from Chester county, and upon
which he lived, when a boy, with his father,
who farmed the same in 1857.
On Oct. II, 1879, Mr. Chrisman married
Martha E. Graul, who is of German descent,
daughter of Jacob R. and Mary E. Graul, of
Bloomsburg, Mr. Graul being one of the first
and foremost contractors and builders of the
town.
Mrs. Chrisman graduated from the
the class of
Bloomsburg Normal School
1875 ^nd was principal of one of the grades
of the schools of her town for several terms
before her marriage. They have two children
Helen, at home and Neil, who when eleven
years of age served as a page in the House of
Representatives, when his father was a member in 1897. Neil Chrisman has taken up his
father's profession and graduated from the
University of Pennsylvania Law School, in the
class of 1909, and was admitted to the bar of
Columbia county the same year he is now located in Wilkes-Barre, where he is in active
in

;

713

is a past master of Bloomsburg Grange; and
past president of Washington Camp, P. O. S.
He and Mrs. Chrisman are members
of A.
•
of the Lutheran Church.

JOHN WILLIAM CUMMINGS,

probably

most successful grower of peaches in
Alontour county, was for many years prominent in the clerical department of the Long
Island Railroad Company, New York, but he
the

now

finds pleasure in his later years in following the vocation of his ancestors, who were
among the first settlers of Northumberland

county,

Pennsylvania.

John Cummings, the paternal great-grandfather of John W., was born in Londonderry,
Ireland, and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
Together with his fifteen brothers, he came to
America and settled in Chester county. Pa.

served in the Chester county company as
during the Revolutionary war and
In 1794 he went to Chillisuntil its close.
quaque township, Northumberland county,
captain

and bought a tract of between three hundred
and four hundred acres, which had been
taken up by Peter Boor in 1769. He cleared
part of the land and farmed it, also building
a distillery. Here he died at the age of eighty.
His wife, Elizabeth (Church), lies beside him
in the little churchyard in Northumberland
Their children were
Ann, born
county.
April 29, 1782, died Nov. 29, 1821, who married a Mr. Fordsman; Thomas, born July 7,
1784; James, born Dec. 7, 1786, a farmer of
Chillisquaque township Elizabeth and Polly,
twins, who died in infancy; William, mentioned below; John, born Oct. 5, 1793; and
Polly, born Jan. 11, 1799.
William Cummings, the grandfather, born
Nov. 19, 1791, obtained what education was
to be had in the subscription schools of the
day, and went to farming on a portion of the
homestead given him by his father. He was
a successful farmer, a Presbyterian and a
Democrat. But it was in his children that the
community was to be benefited most. He married Hannah, daughter of William and Mary
Irwin. He died in 1865 and his wife in 1883.
Their children were ( i ) John Andrew Jackson, who was born without hands, but obtained an education, became an expert penman, taught school, and for two terms served
as register and recorder of Northumberland
:

;

county.

also published

maps

of ColumlDia,

Alontour and Northumberland counties. He
practice.
married Helen M. Sisty, and had two chilMr. Chrisman is a member of Washington dren. William and Annie. (2) Robert M. is
written of below.
Lodge, F. & A. M. of Caldwell Consistory
(3) Mary Ann married
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

714

Thomas
and had

widow

T. Baker, a veteran of the Civil war.
live children.
(4) Sarah Jane is the
of David Kingsbury, of Luzerne
(5) Annie

C. married

county.
Wesley Auten,
of Baltimore, Md.
(6) Harriet J. married
J. W. Taylor, and died in Meriden, Kans. (7)
Margaret Agnes married Amandus Frieze.

(8) Eliza T. died at the age of seventeen.
Robert M. Cummings, father of John Wil-

Ham, was born in Chillisquaque township,
Northumberland county, Nov. 21, 1833, attended the public schools, and graduated from
Lewisburg Academy. During his early youth
he followed surveying and later in life began
the orchard with which his son has been so
He studied law with George F.
successful.
Miller, of Lewisburg, and in 1859 was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county.
In 1865 he, with his brother John, laid out the
village of Montandon. There he built a brick
home for himself and carried on an extensive
law and real estate business.
He married
Mary E., daughter of John Albright, of Limestone township. She was born Feb. 23, 1844,

and died

They had

in 1908.

children as fol-

lows: Clara Elizabeth, wife of F. B. Irvin, of
Brooklyn, N. Y., has five children, Miriam,
Kathryn E., Beulah E., Miles Cummings and
Edna Reberta John W. is mentioned below
Herbert W., of Sunbury, is judge of North;

;

Mary Alma is at home
Edward Wright, of
Montandon. Mr. Cummings is a member of
the Methodist Church, an Odd Fellow, and a
umberland county
Harriet G.

;

the wife of

strong adherent of the Democratic party.
is

still

good health and

homestead.
John William

lives

on the old

Cummings graduated from

the Lewisburg high school and then taught
eleven terms of school in Northumberland
county. After that he entered the employ of
the Long Island Railroad Company as night
clerk at Long Island City, then served as
tariff clerk for four years, and later was made
freight agent at Ozone Park, a suburb of
Brooklyn. In 1906 he came to Montour county, where he has established the largest peach
orchard within its limits. He has over three
thousand five hundred trees and ships the
fruit all over the State.
Not only does he
take a live interest in his extensive orchard,
but he is well versed in the history of this
portion of Pennsylvania, and while he was a
teacher delivered many lectures on local history before gratified audiences. His children
inherit their father's talents and are as enthusiastic on the subject of history as he is.
He is a member of the Greenpoint Methodist

Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., and of the Royal
Arcanum, Belong Council, No. 725, of Brook-

N. Y. He takes a keen interest in politics,
but has held no offices and is not desirous of
On Oct. 2, 1904, Mr. Cumpublic honors.
lyn,

mings married Lydia Harper, who was born
May 14, 1876, in Toronto, Canada, daughter
of Joseph Harper, and their children are:
Eleanor Elizabeth, born June 24, 1905, and
Agnes Maud, born Dec. 29, 1909.
Joseph Harper, father of Mrs. Cummings,
still living at the age of seventy-four, having been born in November, 1839, in London,
He is a
England, son of Joseph Harper.
His wife, Eliza
piano tuner by trade.

(Dixon), was

JOSEPH

bom

June

SEIDEL,

16, 1843.

a retired citizen of

Washingtonville, Montour Co., Pa., was born
Dec. 30, 1836, at Seidel's Corner, in Derry
township, Alontour Co., Pa., son of Jacob and

Nancy (Springer) Seidel.
John Seidel, the paternal grandfather of
Joseph B. Seidel, was a resident of Lancaster
county, Pa., whence he came to what is now
Montour county in 1804, and here opened
what was known as "Seidel's Inn," in Derry
township. This hotel was in the family name
for more than a century, and the neighborhood became known as Seidel's Corner. He
married a Miss Breininger.
Jacob Seidel, son of John Seidel, spent his
youth and early manhood on the old homestead at Seidel's Corner, engaged in various
occupations, among other things assisting his
father about the hotel.
His father owned
considerable property, which the sons divided
after his death, John taking the hotel and
seventy-four acres of land, and Jacob the 200acre farm, upon which he moved, remaining
While engaged in agriculthere two years.
tural work he was injured, and thereafter did
no hard labor. In 1849 he removed to Washingtonville, where for seven years he conducted the hotel known as "Pennsylvania
Hall."
Selling his interest in same, he entered into a partnership with Adam Saul in
the general store ])usiness, which they carried
on in the upper part of the building where Mr.
Seidel had had his hotel.
This association
lasted about five years, when Mr. Seidel
bought out his partner and became sole owner,
continuing thus until about two years before
his death, when his son Joseph B. Seidel came
into possession of the store.
Jacob Seidel
married Nancy Springer, a daughter of To-

seph Springer, and they had two sons, Joseph
B. and Frank, the latter deceased.'
The

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
father died in 1882, aged eighty-two years,
ten months.
Joseph B. Seidel received his education at

He
Strawberry Ridge, in Derry township.
was only a young boy when his father moved
to VVashingtonville and opened "Pennsylvania
Hall," and a youth when his father formed
the partnership with Mr. Saul. Then he became a clerk in their general store, practically

taking his father's place, as the latter was incapable of hard work. After the dissolution
of the partnership he conducted the business
for his father until about two years before
the latter's death, when the property was
divided, Joseph coming into ownership of the
store and half of the farm of 200 acres. His
brother Frank took the other half of the 2CX)
acres, on which all the farm buildings were
After conducting the store for
situated.
twenty-five years Mr. Seidel sold out to Harry
Hartley, and then cultivated his farm until
191 1, when he sold it to his son Ralph, He has
since led a retired life, making his home at

Washingtonville.
On Feb. 2, i860, Mr. Seidel was married to
Nancy Maria Gouger, who was born Oct. 12,
in Limestone township, Montour Co.,
daughter of Daniel and Susan (Bower)
Gouger, who came from Lancaster county to

1841,

Pa.,

Montour county.

Mr. Gouger died

1867,
was the

He
at the age of sixty-five years.
father of nine children, of whom seven still
survive: Rebecca, widow of Joseph Sechler,
of Limestone township

;

Jacob Milton

;

Cath-

widow

of Matthew Lowery; Nancy
Maria, Mrs. Seidel
Frank, of Richmond,
Anna Eliza and Mary Alice. Mrs.
Va.
Seidel has attained the age of seventy-three,
She and her husband have had the following
children
Icydora, wife of William Runyan,
a farmer, has three children, Guy (who married a M'iss McGuire and is in Kansas), Fuller

erine, the

;

(a farmer, who married Margaret Diehl and
has two children, Gerald D. and
),

and Paulina Truman (at home)
Daniel
Gouger, deceased, left two children, Ada and
Anna Emma Louisa married David Schoemaker and (second) Lewis Walton, of Philadelphia, and has two children, Donald D.
Schoemaker and Mildred Walton Mary Rebecca married John Seigel, of Philadelphia,
and has five children, Margaret, Roland,
Beatrice, Stella and Lawrence Clarence Hart;

;

home

Josephine, the wife of
Elmer Freymeyer, proprietor of the "Park
Hotel" at Washingtonville. Pa., has two
children, Harry and Louisa Frederick Butler
married the widow of Charles Betts (she had

ley

resides at

;

715

two children, Edith and Frederick)
Pa.

two

;

Cora

the wife of Bert Ulp, of Sunbury,
Ralph married Susan Pollock, and has
children, Mary and Louise; Benjamin

Blanclie

Franklin

With

home.

his

family,

Mr. Seidel attends the

In poliWashingtonville Lutheran Church.
tics he is a Democrat, and for twenty-hve
years he, has been committeeman of the

borough of Washingtonville.
he has held various

Throughout

his

of responsibility
and trust, and in 1908 was elected burgess,
being a charter member of the borough council
since that time he has also served one term
as a member of the school board. During his
long residence here he has formed a wide
acquaintance, and the universal esteem in
which he is held gives evidence of how faithfully he has performed every obligation imposed upon him.
life

offices

;

HORACE

BLUE,

of Danville, a trusted

and well known citizen of that borough,
was born there Oct. 13, 1857, son of Samuel
Blue.
His family has been settled in this
region from the early days, and the "Danville
Blues," a company which took part in the war
of 1812, was organized and commanded by his
official

grandfather, Capt. Isaac Blue.
grandfather, Michael Blue, was
tionary soldier.

The
a

great-

Revolu-

Michael Blue was born in New Jersey, Nov.
1749, and married Phoebe Voris, also of
New Jersey. Early in life he settled in Valley
township, Montour (then Columbia) Co., Pa.,
where he died Feb. 14, 1833. He was a
farmer, and planted the first peach orchard in
what is now Montour county. His pension
certificate, one of the few such documents re7,

lating to a Revolutionary claim extant, bears
the date March 19, 1833 (he was dead two

months before

it reached his family), is signed
by "Lew" Cass, Secretary of War, and sets
forth that Michael Blue "was a private in the
army of the Revolution and is entitled to receive twenty-six dollars and fifty-seven cents
per annum during his natural life, commencing
March 4, 1831, and payable semi-annually on
March 4th and September 4th in every year."
Among the personal efifects of Michael Blue
that have descended to his great-grandson,
Horace C. Blue, is an ancient and timeworn
copy of Whitefield's sermons, which, according to a memorandum on the flyleaf in the
owner's handwriting, was purchased Nov. 11,
1803, at the store of William Montgomery,
which occupied the present site of the "Montour House." Michael Blue was buried in the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

716

old cemetery on Bloom street, Danville, recently abandoned, regarding which the Morning Neivs of July i8, 1907, said: "The action
of the court in legally abandoning the old
cemetery on Bloom street has awakened a

great deal of inquiry to determine how many
there may be among the many hundreds that
are buried there who in their day and generation were prominent in the affairs of the
community and by their labors earned a grave
that should endure beyond the brief span
embraced by the years in which they slept in
the old cemetery. There is scarcely a day but
the burial plot of some well known family of
The latest to claim
the past comes to light.
attention is the one opposite Upper Mulberry
street on which lie buried Michael Blue, a

Revolutionary soldier, and his son, Captam
Isaac Blue.
Arrangements are being
made for the removal of both of these graves.
Michael and Isaac Blue, father and
son, were worthy compeers of William and
Daniel Montgomery, Capt. Jacob Gearhart,
Robert Curry and others who amid the privations of pioneers' life laid the foundation of a
.

rich

and prosperous community and whose

bodies along with those of the two former
were laid away in the same spot, God's acre,
then sacred and well kept, but which with the
lapse of many years due to changes that come
with time is no longer revered but has been
suffered to fall into neglect and decay."
Capt. Isaac Blue, son of Michael, died Sept.
24, 1842, in Liberty township,
He lived in Valley township

Montour county.
most of

his life,

and followed farming. The Danville Blues,
of which he was captain, were in active service
on the frontier in 1812, and were stationed at
Black Rock, where the company suffered
In the comseverely from malignant fever.
pany were Jacob Sechler, Samuel Yorks, John
McCoy, Edward Morrison and Herbert W.
Best. Capt. Isaac Blue was married to Charlotte

Donaldson.

Samuel Blue, son of Capt. Isaac Blue, was
born June 20, 181 5, in Valley township, and
died at Danville Dec.

1885.

trade he

was a painter, and he w-as engaged as such
most of his active life, being also employed
in public positions for some years.
He was
court crier and tax receiver, and he was the
local

on the State board of
Mr. Blue married Abigail Hulli-

representative

charities.

hen, like himself a native of Pennsylvania,
and of Scotch and Irish ancestry, and of the
six children born to them five grew to maturityMrs. Blue died May 19, 1874.
Horace C. Blue was the youngest of his

parents' family. He received his education in
the public schools of Danville, and was only
twelve years old when he began clerking in a
grocery store. He gained confidence and ex-

perience rapidly, and was only seventeen when
he embarked in business for himself, selling
As time passed and his
flour and feed.

patronage

increased,

added

groceries,

tobacco and cigars, and he carried on his store
successfully until 1892.
Prior to that, for thirteen years, he conducted an extensive ice business in connection
with his other business. At that time, 1892,
he received the appointment of assistant corporation clerk from Governor Pattison, and
held that office four years. While serving that
appointment he retained his residence in Danville, but performed his ofiicial duties at the
State capital.
Returning to Danville at the
end of that period he took the position of
shipping clerk at the Structural Tubing Company, being engaged there until he entered
upon the duties of his present office, Jan. i,
He is clerk for the county commis1903.
sioners and deputy treasurer, and has been
retained in the office continuously to the
present by reelection. This recognition of the
value of his services has been well deserved,
for he has endeavored to discharge his responHe has
sibilities with the utmost efficiency.
For
also been a member of the school board.
some time Mr. Blue was editor of the Danville
Intelligencer, one of the oldtime Democratic
newspapers of the borough, then owned by
the late Hon. Rufus K. Polk, being connected
with the paper in that relation until after Mr.
Polk's death, which occurred March 5, 1902.
In politics Mr. Blue has been a Democrat,
and he has taken an active part in the workings of the party and was long a prominent
member of the county committee, of which he
has been chairman and secretary. Socially he
holds membership in the Heptasophs and the
Fraternal Order of Eagles.

On Dec. 24, 1884. Mr. Blue married Stella
Scott Beaver, daughter of Thomas W. Beaver,
and of English extraction. They have had
three children, Isabel M., Edith B. (now Mrs.
Horace Hahn, of New Rochelle, N. Y.) and
Abigail E. The family home at Danville has
been at No. 8 Mill street for the last thirty
years. Mrs. Blue is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

ROSANNA (McBRIDE) SECHLER.
of M. De Lafayette Sechler, was born
Limestone
Limestoneville,
township,
Columbia Co., Pa., Dec. 13, 1833. She is now

widow
in

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
residing in her

home

No. 220 Honeymoon

street, Danville,

Pennsylvania.
James D. McBride, who has been dead over

fifty

years,

was

He was born

with his parents

and came to America
when he was but six weeks

settled in Washingtonville, in what
county. Pa., where James
educated in the country schools and

old.
is

the father of Airs. Sechler.

in Ireland,

They

now Montour

was

learned the trade of bricklayer, which he followed all of his days. He worked ])rincipally
in Milton, McEwensville and Turbotville. He
died at the age of sixty-five, and is buried at
He was a Democrat, and in
Turbotville.
religious belief had a leaning toward the old

He married Mary Betz,
Lutheran Church.
who was born near Muncy, Lycoming county,
and died in Danville March 11, 1875, aged
four months, nineteen
seventy-five years,
days. Their children were Abner, who married Cynthia Bradley, (second) Mary Hayes,
(third) Maria Correll and (fourth) Susan
Correll, the latter living in Wayne county,
:

Ohio

;

who married Sarah

Peter,

who married

Peter Stahl

;

Sarah,

Lily

;

Mary,

who married

was confirmed by Rev. Mr. Boyer as a member
Church at McEwensville.
M. Di£ Lafayette Sechler was born May
23. ^^33^ on his father's farm near Danville,
and spent fifty-two years of his life there. He
attended the public schools and the
academy
of the Lutheran

Danville.
Of the eight boys l^orn to his
father, seven left the old home, but Lafayette
remained to help him until his death. He then
moved to the home now occupied
his widow
at

and

there retired.
He had meantime
bought a farm of sixty-six acres near Lewisburg, which his son-in-law, Jeremiah Foust,
cultivates under lease.
Mr. Sechler died Dec.
24. 1903. at the age of seventy, and is buried
in the Episcopal
He
cemetery at Danville.
lived

was a Democrat and was school

109,

O. O.

F.,

Beaver Lodge, No. 132, K.

of P., and

Mahoning Tribe, No. 77, I. O. R.
He was a charter member of Trinity

Lutheran Church, of Danville, and very active
in its work, having held all the offices in the
gift of the congregation.

married Rebecca Beck; Rosanna, Mrs. Sechler
Alargaret, who married Capt. John A.
Winner. Of these children Mrs. Sechler is
the only one now living. After the death of
her husband, Mrs. McBride moved to the old
Sechler farm and lived with her daughter

born

;

Rosanna until her death. She was buried in
the Episcopal cemetery at Danville.
Rosanna McBride was educated in the
schools of Limestone township, and after her
father's death lived with her brother Abner,
who was then a widower. Her mother and
the younger brothers and sisters also lived
with them, and the mother kept house for
her son. Rosanna was married Feb. i, 1854,
to Marquis De Lafayette Sechler, son of
Jacob and Barbara (Rees) Sechler, and they
had children as follows Margaret, born Sept.
10. 1856, married Jeremiah Foust, of Mahoning township, and has one child, Lafayette
Sechler; Anna Mary, born Oct. 11, i860,
married Rev. John H. Mortimer, of Altoona,
Pa., and has had four children, Rosie, Zella,
John Floy (dead), Earl Lincoln; W'illiam A.,
deceased, born Aug. 2, 1865, married Mary
Williams, and left one child, Jay Williams
Ida May, born June 23, 1870, a music teacher,
is
living with her mother. Mrs. Sechler is an
attendant of the Trinity Lutheran Church,
under the care of the General Council, being
a charter member. At the age of fourteen she
:

;

director,

overseer of the poor for twelve years, and
member of the borough council for six years.
He was a member of Montour Lodge, No.

Elizabeth, who married xAlbert
Smith and (second) a Mr. Haws; James, who

Henry Keiser

717

John Sechler, grandfather of Lafayette, was
in 1739, and was one of the oldest settlers of Danville.
The lands on the southeast
of the original portion of Danville were owned
by the Sechler family for many years. That
part of the town above Church street was
laid out by John Sechler on his land.
John
Sechler settled in Mahoning township, cleared
a large tract of land and built a house and
barn.
He was plowing in the field one day
when the news of the Declaration of Independence was brought to him. He left the

plow

once and went to his house, where he

"Washington has called for
must go." He went, and during
the campaign suffered many hardships. x\fterward he told his family that at times he would
awake in camp in the morning and find his
hair frozen to the ground.
He became one
of the prominent citizens of Danville and consaid to his wife,

men and

tributed portions of land at different times
for improvements, sites for schoolhouses,
He was the most
churches and cemeteries.
important contributor of land for the Grove
cemetery and church, now the site of Memorial
Park. In this park he and his wife are buried.
He died Dec. 24, 183 1, aged ninety-two years,
nine months, one day, while his wife passed
away Oct. 5, 1825.
John Sechler married Christina Goodman,
who was born Jan. 11, 1750, and their children
were: John, who died Jan. 11, 1844, at the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

718

age of seventy-two Jacob, mentioned below
Rudolph, one of the first postmasters and
justices of the peace of Danville; George;
Herman, who died Jan. 7, 1829, aged fortythree (he married Hannah Vanderbilt)
Sophia, Mrs. Peter Culp, who' survived her hus-

He attended St. Paul's Methodist Church,
His death ocbeing steward and trustee.
curred April 5, 1912, and he is interred in
the Odd Fellows cemetery at Danville.
Jay Williams Sechler, son of William A.,
was born in Danville Oct. 26, 1890, educated

band and died June

public schools of the town, passed
through the high school, and graduated from
the collegiate department of the
University
of Pennsylvania in 1912. He is now attending the law department of that institution.

;

5, 1845, aged seventy-four
years, eleven months, twenty-two days. After
a very active life, John retired and lived with
his son John, in Danville.
He was a Democrat and active in the afifairs of his party. He
and his wife were members of the Grove

Presbyterian Church.
Jacob Sechler, son of John, learned shoemaking and labored at that trade until late
in life.
He then bought his father's old
farm, consisting of lOO acres, and retired
upon it in 1854, his son Lafayette operating
He was married to Barbara
it
for him.

the

DANIEL HOWARD FRAZIER

has been

in the livery business at Danville for several
years, and his father, James O. Frazier, was

in that line here, also
conducting a
hotel business.
The Fraziers have been well

engaged

known

in Montour county for several
years
and the father and grandfather of Daniel H.

Abra- Frazier both served as sheriff, the latter being
Reese, and they had these children
ham, who married Levina Parkes and (sec- the first to hold that ofifice in ^Montour county
ond) Hannah Wertman; Samuel, who mar- after its separation from Columbia county.
Daniel F. Frazier, grandfather of Daniel
ried Maria Morgan
Jacob, who married
Susan Harris; Mary, who married Mr. Mil- H. Frazier. was born in Danville in 181 5, of
ler and
(second) Thomas Coxey; Charles Scotch-Irish ancestry. His parents both died
M., who married Anna Barr; Allen, who at Danville, the mother surviving the father
married Rachel Snyder and (second) Emily some thirty-five years. Their children were:
Love, of Long Branch, N. J. Frank, who James, William, Alexander, Thomas, Daniel
married Abigail Best James, who married F., Christianna, Agnes, Sarah, and two who
Mary Farley; and Lafayette, mentioned died in childhood. Of these. Daniel F. Fraabove. Jacob Sechler was a Republican and zier worked for his father until the latter's
he and his wife attended the Episcopal death, after which he bought the home farm
Both are buried in the Episcopal from the estate and many years later sold
Church.
it to the
Reading Railroad (r"ompany, whose
cemetery at Danville.
William A. Sechler, son of Lafayette depot was located thereon. It also was the
and Rosanna Sechler, was born in Danville site of much of the newer part of Danville.
Aug. 2, 1865, and was educated in the public In 1852 Mr. Frazier bought and moved to
He was a farm in Derry township. Montour county,
and high schools of that place.
graduated from Dickinson Seminary, Wil- where he lived until his death, March 28,
1879. He always followed farming. He was
liamsport. Pa., taught in the township schools
an influential citizen of his day, and as befor one term, and in the Second ward grammar school of Danville for two years. He fore noted was the first sheriff elected in
Montour county after its separation from
next held the position of bookkeeper "for
Cruikshank & Mayer, of Danville, and then Columbia county. He was a lifelong mementered the Danville Stove Works, where he ber of the Presbyterian Church.
(3n Dec.
remained for twenty-one years, being the 27. 1840, Mr. Frazier married Ellen Olwine,
manager of the plant for some years before who was born in 1816 at Reading, Pa.,
Mr. Sechler was a Democrat, and daughter of Jacob Olwine, of Schuylkill
his death.
served as school director, having been re- county, and she survived her husband, dying
in AFarch, 1903.
elected for a term of six years before his
After her husband's death
she sold part of the Derry township farm
death, under the new code he was holding
and removed to the other part. She was of
the position of president of the board at the
time of his death. He was a member of Dan- German origin.
Seven children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Frazier, two of whom died
ville Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., of which
he was a past master, was past high priest of in infancy, and Alice died when twenty-seven
The others were:
Danville Chapter, No. 239, Royal Arch years, eight months old.
Masons, and past eminent commander of Cal- Times O. Mary Isabella, wife of James E.
Hannah M.,
vary Commandery, No. 37, Knights Templars. Steker, of Washingtonvillc
:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
lived with her mother; and Edward D.,
born in Danville Feb. i6, 1852, who married
Sarah Jane Herr, daughter of Samuel Herr,
and settled in Valley township.
James O. Frazier was born at Danville Dec.

who

and passed his early life on the farm
Derry township, near Washingtonville,
He received his
where his father settled.
For some
education in the public schools.
until his
in
was
he
farming,
engaged
years
election to the office of sheriff, in 1885, and
he had the distinction of being the only Republican chosen to that office from the time
For
the county was organized until 1904.
a number of years Mr. Frazier conducted
a livery business in Danville, and he was also
engaged in hotelkeeping there, carrying on
the "White Horse Hotel" and "Frazier's
He died June 15,
Hotel" on Mill street.
9,

1845,

1902, at the age of fifty-six years.

In 1875

Mr. Frazier married Mary Martz, daughter
of Jacob Martz, and of German descent. She
Mr. and Mrs. Frazier
died June 8, 1908.
were members of the Lutheran Church.
They had the following children: Alice E.,
Daniel H., Clarence W. and James O.
Daniel Howard Frazier was born Nov. 8,
with his
1877, at Washingtonville, removed
parents to Danville thirty-two years ago
here in
(1914), and received his education
active
his
all
the public schools.
Practically
years he has been engaged as a liveryman
and hotelkeeper, and conducted the business
establishment of his father until 1908, when
he opened a livery and sales stable in DanHe has built up a large trade by acville.

commodating

his patrons,

one of the substantial

and

men

is regarded as
of his line in this

section of the county.
In October, 1909,

Mr. Frazier married
Louise Lorah, and they have one child, James
Mr. Frazier is a member of the
Olwine.
Grove Presbyterian Church, and socially belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

BEVERLY WHITING MUSSELMAN,
manager of the Globe Warehouse, of Danville,
Montour county, is prominent in the business
life of that borough and particularly well
over this part of Pennsylvania in
connection with Sunday school
and Y. M. C. A. work. Mr. Musselman was
born in Danville April 29, 1873, son of Beverly
Whitmg and Anna (Clark) Musselman, both
now deceased, the former of whom was master
mechanic of what is now the Reading Iron

known
his

all

active

Company,

at Danville.

After receiving an excellent public school

719

education, in the primary and high schools of
Danville, Beverly Whiting Musselman entered
the dry goods business, with which he has ever
since been associated.
At the age of seventeen he began as clerk in a dry goods store
known as the Company Store, owned by W. C.

and

long experience has become
thoroughly familiar with the trade, particularly the demands of the patronage in and
around Danville. In 1906 he took his present
position as manager of the Globe Warehouse,
which is an important dry goods establishment
of the borough.
Frick,

in his

Mr. Musselman is a leading member of St.
M. E. Church of Danville, is serving
as member of the board of stewards, and
teaches in the Sunday school.
He is now
president of the Montour County Sunday
School Association. For fifteen years he has
Paul's

been a member of the board of trustees of the
local Y. M. C. A., and was formerly president
of that body for five years.
He is a well
of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows in Danville, being a past grand
of the local lodge, Montour, No. 109.
In
political conviction he is a Republican.

known member

June

1900,

Mr. Musselman married

Mary Brown, of Danville, daughter of Benton
B. and Mary Elizabeth (Bassett) Brown.
They have one child, ElizalDeth Bassett, now
(1914) nine years

old.

JOSEPH HELM,
Amusement

Palace,

proprietor of the Luna
at Danville, Pa., and

formerly a manufacturer at that place, was
born Sept. 11, 1874, at Scranton, Pa., son of
Julius and Sarah (Maier) Heim.
Julius Heim was born in Baden, Germany,
Dec. 4, 1846, and after the death of his parents left the Fatherland, at the age of fifteen
On
years, emigrating to the United States.
reaching New York City he began to learn
the trade of butcher, an occupation which
he followed for some years, but subsequently
went to Scranton, Pa., where for the next
twelve years he was engaged in clerking in
a dry goods store. Then he again went to New
York City, where he spent four years as a
traveling salesman, at the end of that period
resuming the dry goods business in Scranton.
In 1889 Mr. Heim came to Danville. Pa., and
here, in a modest way, embarked in the
manufacture of suspenders, under the firm
style of the Danville Suspender Company.
Industry, perseverance and modern ideas
caused this concern to grow rapidly, and at
the time of Mr. Heim's death, Sept. 27,
He
1912, it had assumed large proportions.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

720

excellent business man and devoted
the greater part of his attention to building
up his venture, but was not indifferent to
the duties of citizenship, and at the time of
his death was acting in the capacity of city

HON. JENNINGS ULLMER KURTZ,

was an

councilman,

which

office

had been

Mr. Heim
elected on the Democratic ticket.
was married to Sarah i\Iaier, daughter of
Jacob and Helen Maier, natives of Baden,

Germany, and to this union there were born
two children, Joseph and Gertrude, the latter
a musician she resides at home.
Joseph Heim, son of Julius Heim, was
;

born

1874,
his
early

ii,

Sept.

Pa.
the
which he

Scranton,
education in

received
public schools there, following
attended Wood's business college, and on
graduating therefrom, at the age of fifteen

was employed by his
partnership with him

years,

father.

He was

for

at Danville
seventeen years, but after his father's death
On
Mr. Heim disposed of the business.
he
arrangements
completed
Aug. 17, 1912,
for the opening of his moving picture theatre
and amusement building, which has become
in

one of the most popular resorts

in Danville.

The Luna Amusement Palace was
a cost of $17,000,

erected at

and outside of Philadelphia

enterprise of its
of the State, as
place in Danville
day in the year.
Mr. Heim has endeavored to give the public
a clean, moral entertainment, and to secure
the best of attractions for their amusement,
and his efforts have been rewarded by a lib-

and Pittsburgh

is the only
the northern part
well as the only amusement
that will be operated every

size

eral patronage.

Dec. 16, 1899. Mr. Heim was married
Blanche Gross, of Bloomsburg, Pa., who
was born in 1872, daughter of Louis and
Fanny (Bloch) Gross, the former of whom
is engaged in the clothing business at Blooms-

burg, and

also a

bank

director.

Two

chil-

dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heim
Morton I., who was born Oct. i, 1900, and
died May 7, 1906; and Helen Clare, born
:

Mr. Heim is independent in
July 25, 1907.
his political views, believing it the privilege
of each citizen to cast his ballot for the candidate he deems best fitted for the office,
He has taken
irrespective of party lines.

some

interest

fraternal matters, and at
a meml)er of the following

the present time is
Danville organizations
Mahoning Lodge,
No. 516, A. F. & A. M. Montour Lodge, No.
Beaver Lodge. No. 132,
109, I. O. O. F.
Knights of Pythias, and the Spanish-American War Veterans.
:

;

known throughout Columbia and

adjoining
counties as "Judge Kurtz," was born in Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa., within a
half mile of the Summer Hill Church, on the
morning of July 3, 1856. His parents were
Levi and Elizabeth (Schlabach) Kurtz, both
of whom were of German extraction, and
born in Northampton county, Pa., the father
at a point on the Delaware river known as
"Sandts Eddy," and the mother at the village
of Nazareth, now noted for its cement industry.

Levi Kurtz's father, Henry, spelled his name
Kotz or Kutz, some of the brothers of
Levi spelling it one way and some the other,
but he spelled it Kutz until in the seventies,
either

the pronunciation
years been Kurtz, the "r"

when,

to stay

much

and so remains
in

evidence

having

—a

came

among

for

into the

many
name

sample of an error
the Pennsylvania

Germans.

Henry Kutz intermarried with Charity Snyand to them were born ten children
Henry, Jeremiah, Andrew, William, Samuel,
Levi, Millie (who married Jeremiah Ullmer,
der,

New

Holland, N. J.), and three children
died in infancy.
Elizabeth
Kurtz was the
(Schlabach)
daughter of Daniel and Maria Ann (More)
Schlabach, to whom, in addition to Mrs. Kurtz,
there were born the following children
Charles, William, Amanda (intermarried with
Daniel Moomey), Thomas, Sarah Jane (intermarried with Reuben Hines, deceased, later
intermarried with William Carroll), and Lydia
(intermarried with Ephraim Trowbridge, deceased, later intermarried wnth a Mr. Grubb).
Henry Kutz died in 1830. In 1843 ^^is son
Andrew, who had heard much of the county
of Columbia as giving promise of greater opportunities for struggling young men, removed
to what had for years been known as the
Samuel Fowler farm, near Berwick, from
which within the last few years many lots have
been sold, among them those of Frederick H.
Eaton, George Harter, J. W. Evans and others.
He was accompanied by his younger brother,
Levi, the father of Jennings L^. Kurtz, and
of

who

when Andrew removed

Milton Levi

fol-

But learning the cigar manufacturing
business, he went to Washingtonville. Montour county, and from there returned to
Columbia county, where he married Elizabeth
After farming at Summer Hill
Schlabach.
until 1858. he then traded his farm for a store
lowed.

at Foundryville. then a quite

important place

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
in

Columbia county, removing from there to
same county, and later to Berwick,

Evansville,

Pennsylvania.
In 1870 Levi Kurtz purchased a small
marble business from William Ruch, and Jennings U. Kurtz left school to learn the trade.
He was then not quite fourteen years of age.
When sixteen years old he assumed charge
of the manufacturing end of the business. He
learned the marble business from the rubbing
bench to the lettering and carving end of it,
and this thorough grounding in the details of
the business has no doubt contributed to his
later success in making it the largest and most
important of its kind in this part of the State.
In March, 1879, Reese Milliard, one of the
associate judges, having died, Gov. Daniel
Hastings, at the suggestion of Frederick H.
Eaton, appointed Mr. Kurtz to fill the vacancy,
which he held until the fall of that year. Having won the esteem of the people of the county
by the manner in which he discharged the
duties of the office, he was elected for the
succeeding term of five years. The "Judge"
was elected by a majority of fifty-five votes
Over his Democratic opponent, but as the

Democratic sherifif was elected by a majority
of about two thousand Mr. Kurtz, as the first
Republican elected to

office for a

great

many

He has held
years, felt very much honored.
quite a number of offices at the disposal of the
people, having been school director six years,
on the town council four years and associate
He was on the board of
judge six years.
directors of the Berwick Cemetery Association
for over twenty years, and is a member of the
board of directors of the Berwick Hospital
His public life has been
Association now.
constructive.

When

member

of the school

board he helped plan the erection of an addition

the

Market

street

school

building.

When
to

on the council he devoted much time
systemizing the accounts, reports and filing

system for the same. x\s a director of the
Cemetery Association he quickly saw the waste
in allowing a small salary to the superintendent, thus forcing him to make the balance
of his living from what he could gather from
the cemetery patrons, so the salary was fixed

sum and all income taken over by
association. From this point the cemetery

at a living

the

supporting, all plots were cared
of personal care of plots revoked
and all placed in the hands of the association,
deep paths filled up gradually, and a law^n plan
eventually adopted; and, as best of all for the
future, a fund has been established for the care

became

self

for, the right

721

of the cemetery when all the land is exhausted,
by founding a perpetual care fund, the principal of which can never be diminished, the
interest of which only may be used in the care
of the cemetery, thus guaranteeing the maintenance of the ground for cemetery purposes
for all time.
Judge Kurtz was called in with some others
when a critical time had arrived in the life
of the Hospital Association. With the other
directors he formulated a project for the construction of a hospital building, plans were
prepared, and the present beautiful and convenient building was erected.

In politics the "Judge"
and has played a

is a stalwart Repubsomewhat strenuous
He had charge of the
part in his party.
application for the appointment of Hon. C. C.
Evans as presiding judge, and later managed
his campaign for election, bringing it to a successful end. He was appointed postmaster by

lican

President Roosevelt just at the close of his
taking charge of the office
March 13, 1909, and incidentally again proved
the unlucky reputation of that number, as by
reason of the dissensions in the Republican
party he failed of reappointment at the close
of President Taft's term, his name being sent
to the Senate but failing of confirmation.
administration,

The cheery

smile of the "J^^^ge"

pro-

His interest in Berwick has never
no
new idea for its betterment being
flagged,
considered but he is deeply interested and
ready to aid, and he contends that he is the
oldest business man in Berwick at this writing,
191 5, as he has been continuously engaged in
verbial.

business for forty-three years.
His family consists of his wife, who was
Fannie May Suit, a daughter of Daniel and
Anna Maria (Opdyke) Suit, and the followPearl Elizabeth, married to
ing children
Edward A. Van Horn, now superintendent of
William Penn colliery, at Shenandoah, Pa.
Ruth Suit, married to R. Curtis Welliver, a
mining engineer with the Delaware & Hudson
Coal Company, at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Claude
Morris, with his father in the monument business Nellie May, married to A. D. Fetterman,
:

;

with the American Car and Foundry
Company, Berwick, Pa. and Katharine, who
died in 1898.

who

;

THOMAS
gaged

farming

KERSWELL, who
in

Liberty township,

tour Co., Pa., where he
peace,

was born

en-

Mon-

also justice of the
May 31,

in Calcutta, India,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

722

1867, son of William Peak and Mary Elizabeth Gnerson (Titcomb) Kerswell.
William Drake Kerswell, the paternal
grandfather of Thomas F. Kerswell, followed
the vocation of sailor, and was in the East
Indian service throughout his Hfe.

William Peak Kerswell, son of William
Drake Kerswell, was born July 16, 1836, in
Devonshire, England, was there given a good
common school education, and at the age of
eighteen years entered the English marine
service.
His ability and faithful service
brought hmi continual promotion, and he was
eventually given command of a vessel of the
Honorable East India Company, an organization which protected the mercantile traffic of
Great Britain.
He received this responsible
trust when but twenty-two years of age and
has continued

in the

confidence of his supeof the headquarters on the Mutlak river where his de-

now having command

nors

partment inspects and

tests all oil

shipped to

from all the nations.
Mr. Kerswell
married Mary Elizabeth Grierson Titcomb,
who was born Sept. i, 1837, and eight children have been born to them, namely: WilHam, who is a sea captain and lives in South
India

Africa; Robert, a sea pilot in the British
service; Charles, also a sea captain; Thomas
F.
Anna, who resides in England; Mary
;

who

Albina,

Home,

superintendent

a charitable institution of

land; Sarah

Emma, who

White, an English

who

Mercy

North Eng-

the wife of

solicitor

;

and Florence,

resides in the north of England.

The maternal grandparents of Thomas F.
Kerswell were Sir Thomas G. Grierson Titcomb and his wife Mary Ann (Snell). of
Rockell, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, Mrs. Kerswell being their second daughter. Her brother,
Dr. Thomas Grierson Titcomb, was Bishop of
India.
F. Kerswell, son of William Peak
Kerswell, received his primary education in
the public schools.
Belonging to a family

Rangoon,

Thomas

whose members had always followed the sea,
he was then sent to the India marine service,
where he rapidly rose to the rank of lieutenant commander. In 1882 he entered the service of the Red Star Line, a passenger steamboat company, with which he served as purser
for six years, between Antwerp and New
York. The lure of the States attracted him
as it has so many of his countrymen, and he

located in Atlantic City, N.

J.,

where for a

time he was steward and later clerk of the
"Dennis Hotel." Three years later he came
to Washingtonville, Pa., and in 1909 located

his present farm in Liberty
township. Although somewhat retired from active pursuits
Mr. Kerswell still takes a keen interest in
those things which affect his
community, and
his influence is continually felt in all niatters
stalwart Democrat
pertaining to progress.
in politics, while a resident of
Washingtonville, he served two terms as justice of the
peace, and Nov. 21, 191 1, was elected justice
of the peace of Liberty township. He is influential in his party, is a member of the
Democratic county committee, has served as
State delegate, and is a member of the election board. He is a member of Prince Arthur
Lodge. No. 1570, A. F. and A. M., and of
St. George Chapter, No. 872, R. A. M.. both
of England.
He was brought up in the
Church of England.

Mr. Kerswell married Sarah Maria Bogart,
Sept. 9, 1863, in Libertv towng^ip, daughter of George and Phoebe (Bo-

^ho was born
^

^^^
>*

Boeart
&

•

JOHN HORACE

DIETZ, a progressive
business
man of Danville, who
energetic
^"d
is a member of the firm of the Danville Milli"g Company, was born Oct. 10, 1871, at
Howard, in Howard township, Center Co.,
Pa., son of Henry Cyrus and Prudence J.
(Brooks) Dietz.
Jacob Dietz, the grandfather of John Horace Dietz, was born June 2, 1820, in Cologne,
Germany, and emigrated to the L^nited States
in 1838, eventually settling in
ship, Center Co., Pa., where

Howard townhe purchased a

one hundred acres of land and
followed farming until the time of his death,
passing away Nov. 20, 1891, when more than
His wife, Elizabeth
seventy years old.
(Minich), was a few years older at the time of
She was born
her demise, Oct. 24, 1905.
tract of over

March

29, 1825, in

Madisonburg, Brush

\'al-

ley, Centre county. Mr. Dietz was a Democrat
in politics and he and Mrs. Dietz were

mem-

bers of Shiloh German Reformed Church,
of Howard, Pa. They are buried in the Reformed burial ground at Jacksonville, Center
county.
They were the parents of the following children
Henry Cyrus, the father of
:

John H. Elizabeth, born in 1849, who marWilliam Wells and (second) John
ried
;

Packer; Susan,
died at birth),

bom

1852 (her twin sister

who married

Philip Ertel and

Joanna, born in 1854,
deceased wife of John Stover; J. Franklin,
born in 1855. who married Alice J. Corman
John and William, twins, born in 1858. the
lives at

Howard. Pa.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
former of whom married Susan i'acker (he
engaged in business at Jacksonville J, the
latter Sarah Spotts; George, born in i860,
who married iVnnie Alann and (second)
Sophia Masden; Emma and David K., twins.
born in 1862, the former of whom married

years came to Danville and secured employment at the Montour Iron Works, there
spending a like period, following which he
took a position with the North Branch Steel

Ammon

Gramley, the

and Ephraim C, born

latter

After spending one year in gencompany he began to learn
the trade of miller, with the Minnetonka Mill-

Company.
work

eral

Hulda Morgan;

in 1866,

who married

Henry Cyrus Dietz, father of John Horace
was born Sept. 10, 1846, in Center
county. Pa., was educated in the public
schools of Howard, and worked with his

Dietz,

father until his marriage, after which Hie
became a tenant farmer on the Long farm at
Mount Eagle. After a number of years there
he went with his sons to White Deer Alountain. Union county, and worked in the lumber
woods for three years, and upon leaving went
Danville, about the time the new steel
started operations.- Securing employment in the Reading Iron Company's rolling
mills, he remained five years, and upon severwork
ing his connection therewith started to
for his son, Lewis C. Dietz, the proprietor of
a meat market. He died while thus engaged,

plant

Mr. Dietz was an adherent
of the Democratic party, a member of Shiloh
Reformed Church, Danville, and a regular
attendant of Sunday school.
Formerly a
member of Calumet Lodge, No. 279, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, he changed
his membership to :\Iontour Lodge, No. log,
Mr. Dietz married Pruof that fraternity.
dence J. Brooks, who was born Sept. 27,
and she
1844, daughter of John A. Brooks,
died Dec. 23, 1912. Both she and Mr. Dietz
31,"

1913.

are buried in the

Odd

Fellows cemetery at

were the parents of the folMary, who died in infancy
Robert Reese, of Danmarried
who
Ida,
who married
ville; John Horace; Henry A.,
Montour
of
township,
Churm,
Valley
Mary
county; Edward M., who married Fanny
Schott, of Danville; Alice E., living at DanLewis C,
ville, the widow of Hiram Bevan

Danville.
They
lowing children

;

for that

Company, a stock concern, and after the
disbanding of this company took a position
with H. A. Hargrave as second miller, continuing in this capacity three years. In 1898,
with two partners, G. A. Fry and Charles J.
Lawrence, Mr. Dietz formed the Danville
Milling Company and rented the Mausdale
Mill, at Mausdale, Valley township, owned
by P. E. Maus, son of Philip F. Maus. They
operated that mill until Jan. i, 1901, at which
time they purchased the present mill from
the Reading Iron Company, and here they
have since continued, in the enjoyment of an
Mr. Dietz is a business
excellent business.
ing

Edith Hockman.

Aug.

723

;

who married Viola Merrell, of Danville;
Fannie who married Chauncey Hollister, of
Girard, Ohio; Robert P.; and Anna, single.
living at the old family home on Chambers
street, Danville.
John Horace Dietz was given an ordinary
education in the public schools of Howard, Pa.,
and until thirteen years of age worked out
the farmers of his township. He then

among

entered the lumber business with his father,
on White Deer Mountain, but after three

man

marked

ability,

whom

his

asso-

His career
has been one of steadfast endeavor, and has
been characterized by strict adherence to the

ciates place the

utmost confidence.

highest business principles.
On April 14, 1896, Mr. Dietz was married
Eleanor Farley, a daughter of Robto
ert M. and Ella Elizabeth (Forney) Farley,
born Sept. 26, 1873, and to this union there
have come two children: Charles Earl, born
Edna Anna, born Feb.
Sept. 9, 1900; and
a DemoIn
politics Mr. Dietz is
23, 1907.
with
^rat, but he has been too busily engaged
his milling interests to think of entering the
for personal politipublic arena as a seeker
^al favors. -He has at all times shown him-

Emma

self a loyal and public-spirited citizen, ready
to bear his full share of the responsibilities
of citizenship and to contribute of his time,

movements
energy and means in promoting
some
taken
has
Fie
welfare.
fQ^ the general
valued
active part in fraternal affairs, being a
member of Mahoning Lodge, No. 516, F. &
A. M., of which he is a past master; ^Io"Joi^^r
Order of Udd
Lodge, No. 109, Independent
-MonFellows, of which he is a past grand
Golden
the
of
tour Castle, No. 186, Knights
a past chief; and
is
he
which
of
Eagle,
Mnemoloton Encampment, No. 40, Independis a
ent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he
For years he has been
chief
patriarch.
past
a member of Shiloh

Reformed Church ot
an active and helptaken
has
and
Danville,
ful part in its work, as has also Mrs. Dietz,
who is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society
Both are
and of the Missionary Society.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

724
widely and favorably
the

vicinity,

known

where

they

and
numerous

in Danville

have

friends.
.

dren blessed

this union, the eldest

and young-

The

others were Anna
AL, deceased, wife of William R. Robinson,
of Washingtonville
Sarah C, deceased;
est

dying

in infancy.

;

CHARLES W. SHULTZ,

farmer, dairyman and stock raiser of Limestone township,
Montour county, and at present serving as
supervisor, is a descendant of a much respected family which has been settled in that
section for one

He was

hundred and twenty-five years,

15, 1858, in West Hemlock township, Montour county, son of John
K. Shultz. He is a great-great-grandson of

born Nov.

Philip Shultz, who came from Germany and
settled on a farm in New Jersey, where he

His son, Jacob, was born in New Jersey and came to what is now Montour county
died.
in

1790, settling

first

Limestoneville.

year later he came to the farm now occupied
by his grandson, John K. Shultz, and there
resided until his death in 1804, when with
other settlers he was carried away by typhoid
fever.
He was the father of eight children,
the last survivor being Elizabeth, wife of
Daniel Mostellar, who in 1887 was a resident
of West Hemlock township, at the age of
eighty-seven.
Peter Shultz, son of Jacob, was three years
old when his parents came to Montour county,
He was reared on a farm, and after his marriage moved to the farm adjoining, where he
resided fifty years, dying July 11, 1862, at the
age of seventy-five. He was an elder in the
old Derry Church for many years, and poHis wife was Sarah
litically a Democrat.
Robbins, of Columbia county, and their children were: William, a resident of Columbia
county Jonathan P., who died in Northumberland county in 1886; Jacob and \'incent R.,
;

living in West Hemlock township, Montour
county James, of Rush township, Xorthumberland county; Benjamin F., a physician of
Danville; Peter, of Anthony township; Alary
K., wife of Benjamin Crossley, of Michigan;
and John K. Mrs. Shultz died in 1872 at the
age of eighty-one years.
John K. Shultz was born in the old home
on March 5, 1825, and lived with his father
until his marriage, when he moved to the adjoining farm in West Hemlock township.
which he owned until his death, Dec. 4, 1893.
There he lived for nineteen years, when, hav;

ing previously bought the old homestead and
erected thereon a fine house, he removed to it
in October. 1874.
He was married Oct. 11,
1855, to Rebecca, daughter of James Mc\'icker, of Anthony township.
She was born
in

that township

June

1826.

Seven

chil-

Charles W., who married Sarah J. Watts;
Clarence J., living at Alooresburg and WilHam Barber, residing on the old homestead in
Derry township.
Mr. Shultz held several township offices,
including that of justice of the peace, and
was a Democrat politically. To farming he
added the vocations of cattle raising and
horse dealing.
He and his wife were members of the Derry Presbyterian Church,
;

After receiving a rather limited schooling
Charles W. Shultz did farm work, for a
time being so employed in Lee county. 111.
Returning home he clerked for a time in Sullivan county, and later farmed for a year for
his father before his marriage, after which
he rented a farm in the Frosty valley for two
years.
Subsequently he passed a year on a
farm at Mausdale, and then selling out his
interests here took his wife and child out

Lee county.

111.
'They remained there for
nine years, Mr. Shultz engaging in
farming for seven years, at the end of which
time he sold his farm and went into the mercantile business at Pawpaw, same county, con-

about

same nearly two years. Selling out,
he came back to Pennsylvania and settled
on his present place, 107 acres, in Limestone
township, Montour county, which he bought
in 1895.
He is one of the most prosperous
farmers of his part of the county, and he has
continued the various branches of agricultural
tinning

work very profitably, carrying on stock raising
and dairying as well as farming, and burning
considerable lime. Mr. Shultz is progressive
regarding the welfare of his cornhis own work, and he has
served several times as member of the school
board, also holding the position of supervisor
In politat present filling his third term.
He is a
ical association he is a Democrat.
in his ideas

munity as well as

—

the
prominent member of
Presbyterian
Church, of which he has been a trustee for
the ten years past. His wife was also reared

church.
Oct. 16, 1884, Mr. Shultz married Sarah
Jane Watts, who was born Jan. 18. 18O5. in
Lycoming county, Pa., and they have had
two children: May, born March 19, 1887. in
Frosty X'alley. is the wife of Howard H.
Murray, formerly a carpenter, of Buffalo,
N. Y., now farming his father-in-law's farm
of seventy-five acres in Liberty township,
in that

Montour county; they have two

children.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Herold and Gladys. Cyrus, born March 19,
1893, is at home working with his father.
Mrs. Shultz prepared for the teacher's profession in the State normal school at Bloomsburg, and taught school at Washingtonville
live terms before her marriage.
Thomas Watts, grandfather of Mrs. Shultz,
came from England, and settled in Lycoming
His wife's maiden name was
county, Pa.
Their
son, David Watts, father of
Litty.
Mrs. Shultz, was born Jan. 14, 1831, and died
May 26, 191 1. He followed farming in Lycomborn
ing county. His wife, Jane (Watson),
Oct. 26, 1838, in Lycoming county, daughter
of Hugh and Lucy (Seidel) Watson, died
May 26, 1894. Seven children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. David Watts, four of whom
survive: Elmer, of Hillsboro, Oregon; Cyrus,
of Triumph, III; Mrs. Charles W. Shultz,
and Mary, married to John Moore, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

CHARLES
tired

VORIS, who

from business

activities,

but

living reserv-

is still

of receiver and
ing Danville in the capacity
tax collector, was born at Danville, Pa., Nov.
C. and Julia D. (Trox19, 1855, son of Elijah
Voris.
ell)
The Voris family settled in New Jersey
Colonial times, and the original spelhng of

the name was Voorhees, James (grandfather
of Charles E.) and his brother John changmg
The family is of Holit to the present form.
Gilbert Voorhees, the
land Dutch descent.
born in New Jersey
great-grandfather, was
in 1757, and died in 1797 at Danville, Pa.
His wife,
(McClanahan), died at Dan-

Jane

Their children were: James;
NelJohn, who married Sarah Hendrickson;
and ElizHe, who married Elijah Crawford;
abeth, wife of Peter Vandling.
James Voris. the grandfather, was born
1787 in Northumberland (now Montour)
work and
county, Pa. He followed carpenter
until he
in
township
Liberty
contracting
reached the age of fifty years, when he reHe
in 1866.
tired, and his death occurred
was one of the original organizers of the
ville

1816.

and a
Presbyterian Church in his locality,
His
highly esteemed in the community.
of
native
a
Ireland,
was
Anne
wife,
(Gray),

man

born near Dublin, and came to America when
Her parents, Archshe was six weeks old.

ibald and Elizabeth (Mustard) Gray, were
both born in Ireland, and both died in Ohio.
of age.
They lived to be over ninety years

large family

was born

(Gray) Voris, as follows:

James and Anne

(i) Gilbert, born

June

1809,

died

725

1850.

married

Katherme Ashenfelder, and they had three
children: Agnes, Mrs. Frank
Miller; James,
who was killed during the Civil war, at the
battle of
Fredericksburg;

and Daniel G., who
married Jennie Moyer.
(2) Elizabeth, born
Nov. 8, 1810, died Nov. 12, 1880. She married Joseph Diehl, and
they had children:
Anna Margaret, Mrs. Joseph Auten; Alex
Montgomery, who married Jessie Krote and
(second) May W. Haust; and Alice, Mrs.
Arthur W. Beaver. (3) John, born June
3,
1812, died in 1848.
(4) Jane, born Dec. 23,
1

81 3, died in April, i860.
(5) Daniel Gray,
11, 1816, died Nov. 17, 1880.

born March

his first marriage, to
Mary Hopewell, he
child, and by his second wife, Charlotte Richie, there were three:

had one

who married Ada Doeph

;

Elijah Oakley,
Robert R., who
and Annie.
(6)

married Annie Bernard;
Archibald Gray, born Sept. 14, 1817, died
He married Rebecca Frick,
April 17, 1894.
and had five children, Elizabeth A., Mary F.,
Clarence G. (married Mary Bruner), Louisa
and John G. (married Elizabeth Hixson).
(7) Reuben B., born March 8, 1819, died
Nov. 18, 1903. To him and his wife Harriet
(Vance) has been born one child, Alfred L.,
married to Celeste James. (8) Thomas, born
Oct. 31, 1820, died Aug. 27, 184 1. (9) James,
born Aug. 24, 1822, died Oct. 17, 1833." (10)
Eleanor, born Aug. i, 1824. died Feb. 12,
She married Robert McCoy, and they
1893.
have had five children
Martha, Mrs. A. M.
Gearhart; Margaret, Mrs. Benjamin Rhumbach John B., who married Louisa Lyon
Samuel A., who married Elizabeth Shindle
and Arthur, who married Annie Geiss. (11)
Elijah C. is mentioned below.
(12) Sarah
Bell, born Aug. 4, 1828. died Sept. 6, 1891.
She married John Bartholomew, and they had
two children, Thomas (married Regina
Grone) and Annie (married C. E. Yorks).
(13) William P., born April 3, 1830, married Letitia Zuber, and they had three children. John J., Irene (Mrs. William Gray)
and Nellie (Mrs. James Minor). (14) Christina M., born April 3, 1830, died Nov. 21,
She married David F. Stroh. and they
1894.
had three children, Edwin V., Rebecca (married Alexander* Craig and Seth Lormer) and
Charles (married Emma Randolph).
Elijah C. Voris, son of James Voris, and
father of Charles E. Voris, was born Jan. 4,
:

;

1826, in Liberty township, Montour Co.. Pa.,
at the age of sixteen years started to learn
the trade of carpenter with Joseph Diehl.
During the next thirty-seven years he was

and

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

726

engaged

in following this vocation,

foundry, where he became superintendent, but
1884 retired from active business and lived
quietly until his death, Nov. 11, 1910, wdien
he was eighty-four years of age. Of his parents' fourteen children, he lived the longest,
and was everywhere respected and esteemed.
in

Democrat in politics, during the early part
of the Civil war he served as chief burgess
of Danville, and was also a member of the
school board and overseer of the poor.
Mr.
Voris married Julia D. Troxell, who was born
in Pennsylvania, daughter of Benjamin and
Eliza (Housel) Troxell, an old and honored
farming couple of the "Keystone State. She
died in 1909, aged seventy-six years.
Five
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Voris, of
whom Charles E. is the only survivor. William Alfred, born June 13, 1859, died March
he married Florence Henrie, and
20, 1901
they had two children: Benjamin Troxell,
bom Nov. 26, 1886, a machinist in the employ
of the Danville Foundry & Machine Company
and Julia Spalding, born July 5, 1888, who is
;

;

Arthur Wolley coal office. Frank Lawrence, born Oct. 8, 1865, was married June
23, 1897, to Emilia KrelDS, and died Aug. 2,
1901.
Benjamin Troxell, born Jan. 6, 1872,
died June 4, 1872. James H., born Sept. 13,
in the

1873, died April 16, 1904.
Charles E. Voris received his education in
the public schools, after leaving which he
secured employment in the planing mill. Later
he became a patternmaker at the Reading Iron

Works, and when

thirty years of age went
City and was employed in a
men's furnishing goods and neckwear store
for five years.
Returning to Danville at the
end of this period, he resumed his old trade,
and in 1894 became superintendent for John
R. Bennett, a position he continued to hold
until 1908.
In that year he was elected city
tax receiver on the Democratic ticket, and this
position he has continued to hold to the presIn his official capacity he has renent time.
dered his fellow citizens able and conscientious
to

New York

service, and he is known as a faithful, efficient and obliging public servant.
Mr. Voris

a member of the Presbyterian Church. He
has not cared for fraternal orders, although
he is not indififerent to the social amenities
and has a wide circle of friends. He is unmarried.
is

LEVI

and became

known

as a contractor.
He superintended the erection of the Danville nail works,
and was one of the original stockholders in
the concern.
He was also engaged in pattern-making at the old Haywood-Schneider

well

BEYER, who

ing in Valley township,

was born
Pa., June

Anthony

engaged

farm-

and

also deals in meat,
township, Montour Co.,

son of Jacob and Martha
(Van Horn) Beyer,
The great-grandfather was Philip Beyer,
who came from Germany and settled in Berks
county, Pa. He was a Revolutionary soldier.
18, 1847,

Jacob A. Beyer, grandfather of Levi V.
Beyer, was born in Berks county, Pa.
He
married a Yerrick, and died in 1838, at the
age of sixty years.
Jacob Beyer, son of Jacob A. Beyer, and
father of Levi V. Beyer, was born
April 2,
1820, in Berks county. Pa., and at the age
of twenty years removed to
township,

Anthony
Montour county, where he followed

farming until 1859, at which time he located
Derry township. There he continued to
carry on agricultural pursuits until his retirement, and his death occurred there in
He married Martha \'an
September, 1887.
Horn, who was born Oct. 17, 1827, in Northampton county, Pa., and died Oct. 4, 1870.
Her parents, Cornelius and Susan (Major)
Van Ilorn, were early settlers of Northampton county and later became residents of .Madison township, Columbia county.
Cornelius
in

Van Horn fought

as a soldier during the

war

of 1812.

Eight children were born to Jacob
and Martha Beyer: Levi V.; Mary, born
March 14, 1850, who is the wife of Philip
Everett, of Derry township; Cornelius, born
Dec. 30, 1851, who died July 11, 1870; Clara
J., born May 14, 1855, who died Sept. 15,
1870; Jacob, born March 12, 1859, who is
Anna, born Sept.
living at Mooresburg, Pa.
28, 1862, who died Aug. 26, 1870; Hiram,
born Oct. 15, 1865, who makes his home in
;

Iowa; and Mahlon, born
died Oct. 29, 1896.
Levi V. Beyer,

son

May
of

who

30, 1868,

Jacob

Beyer,

and at that time
hired out as a farm hand and was so engaged
until 1866.
In that year he engaged in the
distilling business, and also operated a sawmill until 1882, when, with seven others, he
opened the Danville Stove and Manufacturing
Company, with which he was connected until
completed his studies

1892.

in 1859,

Then he disposed

of his interests there-

and began butchering and dairying in \\alley township, where he has continued to the
He has built up an excellent
present time.
business, and firmly established a place for
in

himself

among

the

substantial

men

community.
In 1872 Mr. Beyer was married
Melissa Flick, who was born Aug.

to
i,

his

Sarah
1853,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
in

West Hemlock township, Montour

Co., Pa.,

and four children have been born to them:
Malcolm E., born March i8, 1873, married
Carrie Earps, and they have had three children, Olive (wife of Joseph Yocum, of Milton, Pa., and mother of one child, Catherine),

Eugene and Kenneth Levi

Estella, born Jan.
wife of William F. Adams, of
Berwick, Pa., and has two children, Harry and
Wellington Harvey, born Dec. 12, 1885, now
an agent at Philadelphia, married Anna Dorsheimer, and they have one child, H. Lloyd;
Eva, born July 22, 1887, married Reece MerMr. and Mrs.
Pa.
rill, of Mercer county,
Floran
have
also
adopted
daughter,
Beyer
ence Elizabeth, born Jan. i, 1885. Mr. Beyer
and his wife are members of St. John's German Reformed Church, of Mausdale. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has been twice
;

19, 1876, is the

;

elected trustee of Valley township, a position in which he rendered signal services to
his fellow citizens.
The Flick family was of Holland Dutch extraction.

father

Mrs. Beyer's great-great-great-grand-

was an

earl,

called

Von

Flick,

the

"Von" being dropped by his son Peter when
he came to this country. He settled in Pennsylvania. Daniel and Catherine (Lily) Flick,
of Columbia county, were Mrs. Beyer's grandHer father, John L. Flick, born
parents.
her mother,
Jan. II, 1815, died March 4, 1886;
Elizabeth Shaner, daughter of John and Mary
was born
(Miller) Shaner, of Chester county,
Mr.
March
died
and
28,
1895.
Aug. 17, 1824,
and Mrs. Flick are buried at New Columbia
Church, in West Hemlock township, Montour
They were married March 4, 1838,
county.
and had children as follows: Erastus V.
married Susan Matilda Beyer and (second)
Sarah Jane Beyer; Horace Curtis married

Mary Lauber and

settled in Oregon Angeline
Blanche married Ellis Betts, of Pueblo, Colo.
Robert Bruce of Williamsport, Pa., married
married
Sophia Casselberry; William Ellis
Danof
resident
is
a
and
Mary A. Bloomer
•iV
o
u A/r
r
^.^;^A TLevi
^.M V
"RpvprVmarried
Mehssa
Beyer
Sarah
ville;
Mary Catherine died when eight years old,
Daniel married Mary Fox; Margaret Jane
married William Taylor and after his death
Albert Weidman, and lives at Norristown,
;

;

Pa.; Elizabeth

deceased.

ROBERT EDWIN

BLEE, proprietor of
the "White Horse Hotel," one of the oldest
hotels in Danville, Montour county, is a native
of Derrv township, that county, born at WashHe is the eldest
incTtonville June 25, 1864.

727

son of the

late Frank G. Blee, who died while
serving his third term as associate judge of
Montour county.
John Blee, the grandfather of Robert Ed-

win Blee, was born in 1783 and came to this
country from Ireland in 1795, when but
twelve years old. At Philadelphia he learned
brickmaking, which trade he subsequently followed at Norristown. Having accumulated
a little money he bought land in
Anthony
township, Montour county, near the farm of
Robert McKee, but he later sold this property and bought another in Derry township,
same county. In time, as he prospered, he
bought two other farms, and afterward another, the one occupied by his son Frank, at
one time owning four farms. He died in i860,
at the age of seventy-seven years.
He was
twice married,^ his first wife being Sarah

McCord, who was the mother of ten children
Joseph, William, James, Robert, John, Joseph
(2), Sarah, Mary, Margaret and Elizabeth;
the three last named were living in Illinois
in 1887, the others at that time all deceased,
By his second marriage, to Hannah Gingles
(whose mother was one of those who escaped
at the Wyoming massacre), Mr. Blee had five
children: Sarah A., wife of Edward Morris,
of Washingtonville Susan H., wife of John
Butler, of Danville; Savilla and Maria F.,
twins, who died in childhood; and Frank G.
Frank G. Blee was born Aug. 5, 1839, and
was reared in Pennsylvania. When a youth
of seventeen he went out to Illinois, where
In
he remained until the spring of i860.
1861 he joined an army wagon train in the
quartermaster's department, with which he
continued until the fall of 1862. On Aug. 9,
1862, he enHsted, for nine months, in Company A, I32d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and saw considerable hard service, taking
part in the important battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and ChancelAfter he was mustered out at Harlorsville.
^4, 1863, he returned to the farm
"^'^"•"^V^^fy
North Carohna
he followed lumbermg
but
^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^
^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^
j^ ^g
^^
^^^^^^ j^.^ j^^^
^^^^.^^
:

;

^^^^^^^ upon the farm, which is located at
Washingtonville, and there made his home the
Hg ^^as
^^^^ ^^ j^j^ U^^^ ^^Ij^^ p^j^ jg^ j^jj
one of the influential citizens of the county
for many years, and the positions of responwas honored showed
sibility with which he
how popular he was with his fellow atizens.
In 1878 he was elected county commissioner,
which office he held for three successive terms,
and again in 1884,
being re-elected in 1881

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

728

each time running ahead of his ticket, the
In 1900 he became associate
Democratic.
judge, in which office he continued thereafter
until his death, at which time he was serving
his third term.

Sept. 24, 1863, Mr. Blee married Louisa
A. Butler, daughter of Daniel and Eliza
(Spencer) Butler, of Derry township, and
they had a family of six children Robert E..
:

Winifred (deceased), Frank Gordon (of
Limestone township, Montour county), Harry

W. (who died in 1868), Sallie M. (who died
Dec. 20, 1885) and Lizzie (deceased July 26,
1877). The mother died Jan. 28, 1878.
Robert Edwin Blee was reared on his
father's farm and remained there until twentysix years old.
He was associated with his
father in the lumber business in different

and Pennsylvania
(near Pittsburgh), doing contract work, and
he subsequently was in partnership with F.
C. Angle in the same line for a period of
Then he was in the employ of the
six years.
Hanover Brewing Company at Danville for
States, principally \ irginia

eight years, operating a stationary engine,
following that up to 19 10 he worked at the

and
ma-

In 1910 he became engaged in
the Reading Mills, where he remained one
year, until he bought his present business,
becoming proprietor of the "White Horse
The hotel has prospered under his
Hotel."
chinist's trade.

management, and

his

efforts

please

his

patrons have been well rewarded.
Mr. Blee married Catherine Songer, a
native of Clarion county, born June 5. 1871,
daughter of Abram and Mary (McCloskey)
Songer, and granddaughter of Joseph Songer,
who came with his wife from Germany to
America in 1810. Abram Songer died in 1895.
at the age of eighty-six years.
His wife was
born in New Jersey, daughter of Barney and
Catherine McCloskey, both of whom came
from Ireland in 1840.
Nine children have been born to I^Ir. and
Mrs. Blee. namely: Harry, born Feb. 25.
1893, engaged as a puddler in Danville,
ried Elizabeth Reeser and has one child.

marRob-

Harold, twin of Harry, is living at
home; Morris, born Oct. 31, 1895. Mary, born
April 9. 1897, Florence, born Jan. 20. 1901,
Walter, born Nov. 9, 1903, and Hazel, born
ert

;

16. 1907, are all living at home; Elizabeth, born Sept. 27, 1890. and Charles, born
Aug. 9, 1899. are deceased. Politically Mr.

June

Blee, like his father, is a Democrat.
He was
reared a Catholic, and the family are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

Danville.

Lodge, No.

Mr. Blee belongs to :\Iontour
Loyal Order of Moose, of

133,

Danville.

JOHN LLOYD

DILLON, late of Bloomsburg, was for years a leading florist in this
part of the State, and established the extensive business now carried on by the
L. DilJ.

lon

Estate,

whose

mammoth

greenhouses
form one of the largest plants under one
ownership in this section. Since Mr. Dillon's
death his widow has had the
management of
the estate.
Mr. Dillon

was a self-made man of the type
which honors any community. He commenced
life modestly, and was without ostentation at
any stage of his career, though he met with a
degree of success that would have justified
He was a native of Bloomsburg, born
pride.
July 7, 1 85 1, son of Patrick and Mary (Emmerson) Dillon, the father born in Dublin, Ireland, from which country he came to the
United States when eighteen years old. Later
he located at Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Pa.
In 1850 he married Mary Emmerson, a native
of England, daughter of John Emmerson, who
was brought to America by her parents when
but a year old. She died in 1887. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dillon, John
Lloyd and Thomas Emmerson, both now de-

The latter was a photographer at
Scranton, Pa., and died in January, 1913.
John Lloyd Dillon had average educational
advantages, attending the schools of Bloomsceased.

burg and

later the

Inas the Normal school).
It was in 1867 that his father
bought a farm
just in the rear of the present greenhouses,
and besides general farming was extensively
stitute

(now known

Bloomsburg Literary

engaged in market gardening. His son helped
him, and from the age of sixteen was interested in the raising and selling of vegetables,
for which he had a special liking. At twentyone he became a partner with his father, and
as their business increased they grew a large
quantity of lettuce in hotbeds every year. But
the amount of labor involved in procuring

proper fertilization and protecting the beds

from

freezing, as well as the impossibility of
in severe cold
weather, made the cost of growing very expensive, and when John L. Dillon determined
to commence business for himself, in the
spring of 1875. he decided to experiment.
Renting ground of his father he proceeded
to build a greenhouse 20 by 60 feet in dimensions, with the view of having lettuce for sale
all through the winter, and at a lower cost of

opening and working the beds

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
This was the
greenhouse built in Bloomsburg, and in its
erection Mr. Dillon showed faith in his ideas,
for he had less than $150 capital, part of
which he expended for lumber, and during the
mornings, evenings and odd spells he ripped
and worked by hand all the sash bars, planed
and painted all the lumber, and did the greater

729

production than in hotbeds.

lasting qualities

first

has been taken

part of the

Mr. Dillon was the first florist to employ cement in the construction of greenhouses, which ^le did twenty years ago, when
he began to build the Fifth street
plant.
Twenty years ago, in 1894, the houses on
Fifth street were commenced, and this
part of
the plant was also added to from time to time

work of building

himself.

The

re-

were highly satisfactory, but the demand
for lettuce not meeting his expectations Mr.
Dillon began giving his attention to the raising
After the partnership with his
of flowers.
father was dissolved, he devoted his entire
time to the raising of flowers and small fruits.
About this time the famous "Sharpless strawberry'' became known, and Mr. Dillon raised
thousands of the plants, taking an active part
in introducing them throughout this country
and Canada, sending stock to fill orders as far
as Victoria, B. C.
In 1879 he bought from
Miss Alice Snyder a tract of nearly ten acres
on Normal Hill, adjoining the Normal school
grounds, northeast of the buildings, and removed the greenhouse to this site, where the
business was long conducted.
The Normal
Hill Greenhouses came to be the best known
sults

establishment of the kind in central PennsylBefore ten years had passed he had six
greenhouses, 12,000 square feet under glass,
and there were eventually twelve buildings in
the group on this original site, with over
40,000 square feet of glass. Over a quarter of
a century ago Mr. Dillon introduced steam
into his buildings, which were the first in the
country successfully heated that way, providing uniform temperature during the coldest
weather. Mr. Dillon attended a national florists' convention and told the members he was
putting steam heat in his greenhouses, which
was a fact much commented upon, and considered by the majority as a worthless experiment. Tim^ has proved otherwise. The furnace and boilers were fitted with an automatic
attachment that could be set or gauged to furnish a certain amount of heat, and required
no further attention for ten or twelve hours
vania.

at a time.

The water supply came from an

artesian well on the premises, sunk to a depth
of 150 feet through the solid rock.

have been proved, as the barn

down and

the foundation

still

stands.

now fifteen houses there, with
almost 100,000 square feet of glass. The two
branches made one of the largest
enterprises
of the kind under one
ownership in central
until there are

Pennsylvania, and the business was so successfully conducted that Mr. Dillon was known to
his fellow florists all over the
country. Some
time before his death Mr. Dillon
gave the
Normal school an option on the piece of
ground occupied by the greenhouses, directly
northeast of the school, and it was accepted in
In 1912 the greenhouse offices were
1910.
moved to the Fifth street location and everything placed in readiness to pass the land over
to the

Normal

school,

which was done

May,

1913-

In 1900 Mr. Dillon disseminated a large
white carnation, which he named in honor of
Mrs. Dillon, calling it "Queen Louise." This
carnation had an unprecedented reign, being
of unusual size, fragrant, and a very free
bloomer, and is grown successfully to-day in

some

localities.

was

money

proposition

for

many years.
The business

largely wholesale,

present conducted

and the product includes cut

flowers and potted plants of all kinds, the
flowers being sold in this part of the State and
in New York City, and the plants being marketed all over the United States and Canada,
and even in England.
The specialties are
plants and rooted cuttings of verbenas and
carnations, plants of roses (grafted and on
their own roots), for winter flowering, and
cut blooms of roses and carnations.
From

twenty to twenty-five experienced and

workmen

are given steady

employment

skilled
in the

various departments, and the houses contain
all suitable equipment for carrying on the
work expeditiously. From the modest start
in 1875 the business has grown to be one of
the most important industries of the town.
The Dillon Estate now owns over eighty acres
of the most valuable farming land in the town
of Bloomsburg, all its holdings being on Nor-

Another fact of interest in the record of
Mr. Dillon's progressive career is that he was
the first person in this section to use cement
for building purposes.
In 1887 he built a
barn just above the Normal school, for the mal Hill, overlooking the best developed part
foundation of which a cement composition of the town and the beautiful Susquehanna
was used. Many who saw it thought it very valley.
A severe hailstorm which visited this rerisky to put in that kind of foundation, but its

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

730

gion Sept. i8, 1896, did great damage to the
greenhouses, breaking nearly all the glass; it
took 1,300 boxes of glass to make repairs, and
the loss on plants and glass amounted to
nearly $6,000.
Mr. Dillon remained at the head of the
business until his death, which occurred Oct.
30, 1906. He was a prominent member of the
American Florists' Society, the American Carnation Society, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; and had attained the thirty-

resentative of Columbia county in the State
Legislature after it became a separate district
in 1822, serving the term of
1822-23. As a
surveyor he was very well known. In his letter to Col. John G. Freeze, giving an account
of the early settlers of Fishingcreek (now

Benton) township, we find his only known
autobiography: "and in the spring of 1799 I
came to Fishingcreek township to my father,
Jonathan Colley, who was settled on the east
side of Fishing creek, south of Ezekiel Cole."
second degree in Masonry. He belonged to
In the year 1808 Alexander Colley was marSt. Paul's Episcopal Church.
ried to Mary Eager, of Fishingcreek
township,
Mr. Dillon was married, in May, 1873, to who was born Feb.
Their children
15, 1786.
Eliza J. Barkle, a native of England, who
were: Rachel (McHenry), born May 19, 1810;
when young came with her father, William Elizabeth
(Stucker), born July 13, 181 1 Stott
To this
Barkle, and settled in Bloomsburg.
born Nov. 6, 1812 Alexander James,
union three children were born
Alice M. Eager,
born May 21, 1814; Mary Ann, born Nov. 30,
married Boyd Wells Furman, and has three
1815; Rebecca (Auten), born Oct. 6, 1816;
children, Josephine D., Helen H. and Louise;
x\lice
(Hess), born Sept. 17, 1819; John
J. Lloyd, born Jan. 31, 1882, died April 8,
Eager, born June 4, 182 1 Robert LaFayette,
Max
Grant
is
a
The
1882;
mining engineer.
born Jan. 8, 1825; and Benjamin Cole, born
mother of these died July 30, 1893, and in^
Oct. 22, 1827. Several years after the death
1895 Mr. Dillon married (second) Louise' of
his first wife Mr. Colley married Martha
Glassell Hutchison, daughter of Charles and
widow of John Stiles, of
Agnes (MacCulloch) Hutchison, of Kingston, (McHenry) Stiles,
Luzerne Co., Pa., both of whom were natives Benton, and by so doing he became his own
of Scotland. By this marriage there were two son's father-in-law, since Robert LaFayette
Colley had previously married her daughter,
sons, Charles Hutchison and Harold
;

;

Phillips.

Since Mr. Dillon's death his widow and
heirs have continued the business with the
same progressive policy which has always
characterized it, maintaining the high standIn October, 191 3,
ards set by the founder.
Mrs. Dillon bought the interests of Mrs. Boyd
W. Furman and Max G. Dillon and is now sole
owner of the greenhouse business, in the conduct of which she has the help of her son
Charles and nephew Charles M. Hutchison, the
latter assisting in the management of the
estate.

RICHARD FRANKLIN COLLEY,

Martha Jane

Stiles.
Alexander Colley survived his wife only a few years, her death
occurring at the age of ninety.
Robert LaFayette Colley, son of Alexander,

was born Jan. 8, 1825, at Benton, Columbia
county, where he resided for many years. He
had a farm where the borough of Benton now
stands, and followed shoemakine: as well as
In his later life he reagricultural pursuits.
moved to Bloomsburg about 1882 where he
died Jan. i, 1888.
He is buried at Benton.
He served as elder of the Christian Church at
Benton from the time of its organization, about

—

July

the east side of Fishing creek, in what is now
Sugarloaf township, about the year 1790.
Hon. Alexander Colley, son of Jonathan,
was born Aug. 17, 1786, and lived to near the
close of his ninety-fifth year, dying June 6,

union

He was

an educated man, an early
school teacher, and one of the foremost men
of this section in his prime.
At the second
election held in Sugarloaf township, March
18, 1814, he was one of the candidates for
88 1.

judge of that meeting.

He was

the

first

rep-

his removal to Bloomsburg.
On
1849. he married Martha Jane Stiles,
was born Jan. i, 1829. at Benton, a
^^"til

1849,

Bloomsburg, Pa., is a native of Columbia
county and a member of one of its pioneer
families, being a descendant of Jonathan Colley, of Chester county. Pa., who settled on

—

who

daughter of John and Martha
Stiles,
:

(McIIenry)
and three children were born to this
Horace Greeley, who was born Alay 5,

a practicing physician of WilkesPa.; Mary Josephine, born Dec. 31,
i860, is the wife of W. D. Beckley, of BloomsRichard Franklin is mentioned
burg, Pa.
below.
1852,

Barre,

;

Richard Franklin Colley was born at Benton.
Columbia Co., Pa., June 3, 1869, and there
obtained

his early education in the public
Later he attended the public schools
and the State Normal School at Bloomsburg.

school.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

731

began work as a clerk for I. W. Hartman,
later entered the employ of W. H. Moore,
After gaining some experiof Bloomsburg-.
ence he went to Philadelphia, where he remained four years in the employ of Gimbel

more than ordinary interest.
to the Society of LViends, and

Since returning to Bloomsburg in
1898 he has been a traveling salesman in
central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
On Sept. 6, 1899, Mr. Colley married Ella
Maude Runyon, who was born May 14, 1869,

N. BLOSS is a well known citizen
of Berwick, Pa., which has been his home for
thirty-eight years. He was born Feb. 15, 1831,
in Luzerne county. Pa., son of Conrad and
Elizabeth (Bittenbender) Bloss.
His grandfather was born in Germany.
Conrad Bloss, father of John N. Bloss, was
born in Berks county, Pa., and moved thence

and

Brothers.

daughter of Layton and Martha (Brugler)
Runyon, of Bloomsburg. They have three
children Martha Runyon, born Oct. 27, 1901
Mary Josephine, born Oct. 27, 1904; and Elisabeth Stiles, born Feb. 3, 1906.
Mr. and Mrs. Colley are both musicians and
keenly interested in local musical affairs, in
which they have had a prominent part. Mrs.
:

;

was organist at the Presbyterian Church
number of years, and Mr. Colley is still

Colley
for a

member of the choir of that church, as well
He
as of the choir of Caldwell Consistory.
is well known in Masonic circles, holding membership in Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. &
a

A. M.

;

Royal Arch Chapter No. 218; Crusade
12, K. T., and Caldwell

Commandery No.

(thirty-second degree), all of
Bloomsburg and is a member of Irem Temple,
A. A. O. N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre, Penn-

Consistory

;

sylvania.

and reticence of that
to

But she belongs
with the modesty

religious

body "declines

be interviewed."

JOHN

Luzerne county, where he following farmHe married
ing until his death, in 1849.
Elizabeth Bittenbender, a daughter of Jacob
Bittenbender, of Berks county birth and of

German

descent, who later moved to Luzerne
Mrs. Conrad Bloss died at Nescocounty.
peck, Luzerne county.
John N. Bloss was reared a farm boy and
assisted his father until he was eighteen years
of age, when he went to Salem, Pa. There
he learned the carpenter's trade, which he
has since followed, although now practically

Thirty-eight years ago he came to
Berwick, and has occupied the same residence
ever since.
On March 6, 1856, Mr. Bloss was married
to Susan Harmon, who was born March 8,
retired.

Bethe degree of bachelor of arts in 1861.
coming a private in an infantry regiment, he
served until 1866.
In that year he took his
master's degree. For about thirty years, from
September, 1875, Mr. Walker served as
stenographer to the several courts of the
Twenty-sixth district of Pennsylvania, and
he is now serving the court of Common Pleas
of Columbia county in the capacity of commissioner in divorce. For a while he taught

Luzerne county, daughter of John
(Varner) Harmon, farming
people, who spent their lives in Luzerne
Mr. and Mrs. Bloss have had six
county.
children, two dying in infancy; Alice A., born
March 16, 1864, is the wife of Bruce Pursel,
of Berwick, and has four children, Martha,
Rena, Helen and Mary; Annie J., born April
I, 1867, is the wife of Prof. E. I. Wolf, a
member of the faculty of Kingston Seminary,
Kingston, Pa., and their children are, John
Frank Ellsworth
B., Edward and Eugene F.
is mentioned below
Idella M.. born March 9,
1873, is the wife of Ray H. Davenport, and
has four children, Donald H., John B., Robert R. and Helen Jean.
Mr. and Mrs. Bloss are members of the German Lutheran Church. At one time Mr. Bloss

school.

served as a

SILAS

NEWTON WALKER,

1835,

of Blooms-

was born Monday, Jan. 18, 1841, at
Auburn (now South Worcester), Worcester
Co., Mass., and is descended from English and
Scotch ancestors. He was reared as a farmer's
Entering Vermont University, at Burboy.
lington, Vt., in 1857, he was graduated with

burg,

On
Maud
and

Mr. Walker married
Clayton, who was born May 18, 1829,
She
of Dutch and English extraction.
Feb.

15,

1872,

(February, 191 5) in vigorous health.
For nearly forty years Mrs. Walker has been
actively engaged in benevolent work for the
poor of Bloomsburg and vicinity. The main
events in her life would fill a volume of far

still

A. and Sarah

;

member

of the council of Berwick.

Frank Ellsworth

Bloss,

as assistant secretary of

the

now engaged
American Car

and Foundry Company at New York City,
was born in Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa.,
May 25, 1870. At an early age he came to
reside in Berwick, where he was graduated
from the high school. His school days over,
he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Berwick

732

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

and other towns nearby, after a year or so
entering the employ of R. G. Crispin, who

He
conducted a general store in Berwick.
remained in his employ for about two years,
when he accepted a position with the Jackson
& Woodin Manufacturing Company, in the
He was then
general office of the concern.
transferred to the office of the rolling mill,
where he continued for two years, returned to
the general office, and was there retained until
the incorporation of the American Car and
Foundry Company. He was local auditor for

company at Berwick for about a year, when
he was changed to the general office of the
company at New York, being made one of the
the

company. He is
and is also assistant secretary of the American Car and Foundry Export Company.
Mr. Bloss was married, May 12, 1892, to
Nettie Croop. She died Aug. 22, 1895, and is
On Nov. 21,
buried in Berwick cemetery.
to
Edna Alice
married
Bloss
Mr.
was
1900,
Kunkle, a daughter of Arthur P. Kunkle, of
Kingston, Pa., and the children of this marriage are: Burton Kunkle, born Nov. 7, 1901
John A., born Nov. 9, 1904; and Emily Elizaassistant secretaries of the
still acting in that capacity,

;

beth, born Jan. 26, 1914.
Mr. Bloss is a Republican and has always
given loyal support to the party. He was a
member of the Presbyterian Church at Berwick, and now is a member and officer of the

Presbyterian Church at Roselle, N.

J.,

where

he resides.

BRUCE H. BOWER, one of the leading
merchants of Berwick, was born Sept. 6, 1870,
in that place, and has spent his entire time
He received his literary education at
the public schools, and evincing a talent for
music entered the New England Conservatory
of Music, Boston, Mass., from which he was
graduated in the year 1900. He immediately
returned to his native city, where he began his
career as teacher and later became a dealer in
musical instruments. He now has one of the
leading stores of the kind in Berwick, Pa., and
is recognized as one of the foremost
expert
piano tuners in Columbia county. He is well

there.

and favorably known all over this section.
Michael Bower, his great-grandfather, was
born in Germany, and is the first of the family
of whom there is a permanent record.
He was
a farmer.
His father came to this country
the earliest settlers, along in the early
part of the last century. While a young man

among

Michael Bower was married to

and they had the following children Sarah
married William Whitmire Catherine married
Isaac married Elizabeth
Charles Whitmire
Dietrick; Samuel married a Miss Wright;
Rebecca married a Dietrick Daniel is mentioned below Hannah married Henry Martz
George N. married Mary N. Girton; Isaiah
married Hannah Hagenbuch Enos died in infancy. The father was a Lutheran in religious
:

;

belief

and

Democrat

in politics.

Daniel Bower, grandfather of Bruce H.,
was born in Briarcreek township and passed
his entire life in that section, engaged in farm-

He was

ing.

married

Remley, who

to Julia

bore him the following children Francis W.
Henry, who married Louise Henry Mary,
who married Isaiah Irvine, a minister of the
:

;

Lutheran Church Amanda, who married Dillman Varner; Julia, who married Isaiah Hartman and Isaiah, who married Usba Irvine.
For his second wife Mr. Bower married Mary
Remley, and they had one child, Ira, who
married Fannie Shaffer. Mr. Bower w^as a
Democrat, and a member of the Lutheran
Church. His first wife is buried in Willow
Grove cemetery; he and his second wife are
;

;

interred in the Evansville cemetery.
Francis W. Bower, father of Bruce H.,

was

born May 28, 1845, in Centre township, and
attended the common schools until he was
about fifteen years of age. He then began his
self-supporting career, and by hard work and
economy has amassed a competency. In 1866
Mr. Bower was married to Ellanah Sitler, who
was born July 10, 1841, a member of one of
the oldest families of the county, daughter of

John and Elizabeth (Dieterick) Sitler, who
are buried at the Fowlerville Lutheran Church
in Centre township.
They have had the folAlice died while a child
lowing children
Clark married Ella Phillips (he is a member
:

;

of the State Highway Department, and socially
belongs to the I. O. O. F. and P. O. S. of A.) ;

Bruce H.

mentioned below

;

Effie

married

Harvey W. Paden Clyde died while young.
Francis W. Bower served in the Army of the
;

Potomac

as a

member

Company H,

178th

Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt.

Theodore

Price,

was

the

army

for

nine

months, and was mustered out at Camp Curtin,
Harrisburg.
Mr. Bower has been a resident of Berwick
for forty-five years and has been greatly instrumental in the development of the town.
For twenty years he was superintendent of
Pine Grove cemetery, and his good manage-

Mary Zehner, ment brought

to the state of perfection that

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
He is independent in politics and
attained.
has held various offices in the gift of the
people, serving as school director for twelve
it

street commissioner and councilman,
and overseer of the poor for years, continuing
to hold the latter office at present.
Mr. Bower
is a member of the Bower Memorial United
Evangelical Church, has held all the various
offices in that organization, and is now
presi-

years,

dent of the official board.
Socially he is a
of Washington Camp No. 105, P. O.
S. of A.
Bruce H. Bower has ever had the interests
of Berwick in mind and has held the office
of secretary of the school board for years,
He is
being one of its influential officers.
a member of the Evangelical Church and for
In
years was the chorister of that society.
politics he is independent, and takes an active
interest in the election of competent and

member

worthy officials.
Mr. Bower was married to Jennie May,
daughter of Albert and Amanda (Yost) Gibbons, residents of Columbia county.
They
have one child, Fred. Mr. Bower has built
up' a large and profitable business by fair dealHe is a
ing and his thorough knowledge.
member of Berwick Lodge No. 246, I. O. O.
F.
Washington Camp No. 105, P. O. S.
of A.; and Berwick Council No. 1761, Royal
;

Arcanum.
Tr^cTTDTu

n
r

TT^TT-c

h
'?
I
HasP^^^T'^"'
made an
hnnnr.bYp
C^^^^^!^.
honorable record
h,s ^^^l"^^;,
private life and pub' '''''^
hi. name
nJr'is"t
M^^rf
'^been associated with
his
held.
I If
has
tle development of this region from the time

.f-M^f^1

and
r
been notably people
settlements,

its

repof high
When a
character, probity and reliability.
young man Mr. Eves gave evidence of his
^^
serving in the Civil
w^r .^n?he^L?lT
war
and he has always I
done his share in sup-

Li vif?/
have

re^e
re^entatives

porting enterprises which promise to conserve
advance the general welfare. When the
organization of Millville
ff
was effected
he became a member of the first
city council, and he has been acting as post-

wnf

Ta?K

master since 1904.
John Eves, who established the Eves family in Columbia county, was one of the pioneer
settlers in the valley of
He
Fishing creek.

had come there from Mill Creek Hundred,
New Castle Co., Del., and located on a tract
of 1,200 acres in the
townships of Greenwood
and Madison, including the present site of

733

Millville.
The land was secured by deed
dated Nov. 29, 1774, the former owner having
been Reuben Haines, a brewer, of Philadelphia (it was part of Lord Baltimore's grant),
It would appear, however, that Mr. Eves had
concluded the purchase and settled in this section some years previous to the time this title
was acquired, coming into possession of it not
later than 1770.
His settlement in this sec-

marks an important period in its history,
But little is known regarding the personal
He was an Irish
history of John Eves.
Friend, born in 1720, and came to America
from Dublin about the year 1738. He was in
good circumstances at Mill Creek Hundred,
and held various offices of responsibility. One
tion

of his experiences as constable reveals the
resolute and determined character of the man.
He was given the warrant for the arrest of a
miscreant who defied the power of the law,
and threatened to take the life of the officer
as he approached. But the latter walked boldly
forward and disarmed him without a struggle,
The victory was not complete, however, as
the obstinacy of the culprit was equal to his

cowardice, and he refused to walk, whereupon
the constable tied his prisoner to the horse,
and they proceeded without further difficulAnother trait of his character is illusties.
trated by an occurrence during his residence
While in Philadelphia on one occasion
here.
he advanced the passage money of Larry Flinn
aud his wife, two destitute Friends who had
They would
recently arrived from England.
^j^^^ ^J^^ ^^^^^ ^^j- ^^ to remain in his service
l^^^ ^e received them into
^^^ ^^^^^^,
In 1751
his family and they never left it.
^^j^^^ ^^^ married Edith Yeatman, an Eng,fh
, 3^,,
33^^
^^-^ ^^ j^^^^
{.^^ j^^
^^ ^^J^^^^^ ^^ ^^H as personal beauty. They
^^^^^^^ ^^ seventeen children, four^^^^
^^^^^ ^^ J^^^^^ ^^^^^^ families-as a rule large
Their names with dates of birth are
^^^^^-^-^^
^^ ^^^^^^^^^.

^.^^^^^

Thox..:is,

^^^

2d mo.,

5th,

1753 (died
1755 JJohn,
;

^^^^^ /^
/
{^^ ^^^^
^j^^^
g
/^th, 1760 (died in
william, 2d mo., 2d, 1762; Chandlee,
,^^,
^^^h mo., 14th
1763; Elizabeth, 12th mo.,
JT
/! c
u .^t
. .^u
l^f.^. TT^ifV.
14th 1767 Edith,
30th, 1765 Sarah, 5th mo
6th
mo., 4th,
Andrew,
5th mo., 14th, 1767
1769; Mary, nth mo., 24th, 1770; Priscilla,
"th mo.. 3d, 1772; Mark. 4th mo., 8th, 1774;
Ann, 4th mo., 21st, 1775; Samuel, ist mo.,
Of these,
1778; Ezra, 6th mo., 28th, 1782.
four families moved to Canada in 1800. John
Eves, Sr., died 7th mo., ist, 1802; and Edith

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

734

(Yeatmaii) Eves, 4th mo., 14th, 1818, aged
eighty-three years. Many of those who bore
the name have occupied positions of honor
and respectability in the various walks of life.
Numerous descendants of the original stock
continue to live in this region.
Joseph Eves, son of John, born lOth mo.,
30th, 1758, married Sarah Parvin, and they
Sarah
had children
J. Parvin, Ezra, Milton,
Asenath
(Mrs.
Ashton),
(Mrs. Shively),
Francis, EHzabeth (Mrs. Swisher) and Mary
(Mrs. Marten).
J. Parvin Eves was born Dec. 9, 1790, on
the original plat of ground where his grand:

father John located. His wife, Anna, died in
the fall of 1872, when about seventy-five years
old. The children born to J. Parvin and Anna

Eves

were:
Francis,
Chandlee, Joseph,
George, Sarah, Rachel, Shadrach, Elizabeth,
Parvin, Ezra, Chalkley, Susan and Elijah. All
lived to be grown up except Elijah.
Chandlee Eves, son of J. Parvin Eves, was
a tanner by trade, and for some time was interested in the tannery at Sereno, Columbia
county, at which place he died in the spring
of 1846. His wife, Mary (Reece), daughter
of John and Catherine Reece, was also a descendant of one of the pioneer families of the

county. She survived him many years, dying
in 1886.
They had three children who lived
to maturity, John P., Anna R. and Joseph C.
Of these, John served in the Union army as
a member of Company I, 13th Pennsylvania

Volunteer Infantry, was severely wounded
the arm at the close of the battle of Frederin

icksburg, by a piece of shell, and died three
days afterwards; he was but nineteen years
Anna R. married Charles B. Kline and
old.
died in 1878, of typhoid fever, her husband
dying about the same time; they left four children.
Joseph C. Eves was born Jan. 24, 1844, at
Sereno, Columbia county, second son and third
child in the family of Chandlee Eves. During
the Civil war he served in the Union army

under two enlistments, first enlisting in Company H, ist Battalion, Pennsylvania Infantry,
His second
for one hundred days' service.
term was served with the ist Pennsylvania
Light Artillery, and he received his final discharge Nov. 18, 1864. After his return from
the army he was engaged in driving team for
one year, and then learned the trade of wheelwright, following that and wagonmaking prinSetcipally for about twenty-eight years.
tling at Millville, he has been one of its most
highly respected citizens, and served twelve
years and five months as postmaster of that

having received his appointment in 1901.
with election to its first city
council.
Mr. Eves adheres to the faith of
his ancestors, holding membership in the Society of Friends.
Fraternally he belongs to
Lodge No. 809, I. O. O. F., and by virtue of

place,

He was honored

his services during the Civil war to the G. A.
R., being a member of the J. P. Eves Post
Xo. 536, named in memory of his brother.

He was

president of the Columbia County
[Monument Association.
On Oct. 28, 1 87 1, Mr. Eves married Charlotte Heacock, one of the seven children of
Charles S. and Hannah W. (Watson) Heacock, both of whom were members of families
settled at Millville.
at

All their family survive

Mr. Heacock was engaged

this

writing.
building.

in
A family of five children has
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eves, viz.
May
B., who lives at home, is her father's assistant
Eunice teaches domestic
in the post office
:

;

Philadelphia public schools ;
C, M. D., a specialist, has been connected with the George School, a Friends' institution near Philadelphia, for eighteen years
in all, as pupil and instructor
Charles Scott
is a druggist at Danville, Montour Co., Pa. ;
Alberta is the wife of Dr. J. F. Gordner. of
Montgomery, Pa., and has two children, Luscience
Curtis

the

;

cile,

born

in 1902,

and Franklin, born

in 1906.

RAY

H. DAVENPORT, former superintendent of the Berwick Store Company, and
now connected with the executive department
of the American Car and Foundry Company
in New York City, was born Feb. 4, 1874, in
Riceville, Crawford Co., Pa., and is a son of
His
Levi D. and Civil (Hills) Davenport.
grandfather, Orin Davenport, married a Swan,
whose parents came to this country direct from
Holland and settled in Chautauqua county,
N. Y., where the Davenports and Hills (Mr.
Davenport's maternal grandparents) both set-

upon their removal from England. Orin
Davenport filled all the offices in the Methodist
Episcopal Church except that of pastor. About

tled

1865 the Davenports moved to Riceville, Crawford Co., Pa., and Levi D. Davenport was a"
member of the firm of O. Davenport & Son,
who conducted a lumber and milling business
there, residing at that place until his death, in

He was

1890.

Odd

member

of the Free Masons,
of Honor, and
the chairs in the two last named.
a

Fellows and

passed

all

Knights

In 1891 Ray H. Davenport came to Berwick
as entry clerk for the Jackson & VVoodin store,
At the
serving in that capacity for live years.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
end of that period the firm was incorporated
as the Berwick Store Company, Limited, and
although he had been only a short time with
the firm in a comparatively subordinate position his abilities

were recognized and he was

made superintendent

of the then greatly en-

larged establishment.

At once upon assuming his duties he began
the work of developing the country store into
a modern mercantile establishment, and so well
did he succeed that the systems and methods
he introduced, and the additions he made to
the store, have remained since to form a living
and enduring monument to his ability and
It was with regret to all who had
sagacity.
come into contact with him in the few years
of his superintendency that he was bidden
farewell upon his resignation in 1903, to accept
a position with the United States Lumber &
Supply Company of Berwick, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Davenport was married in 1895 to Idella
Bloss, daughter of John Bloss, of Berwick,
and they have had four children Donald Hills,
John Bloss, Robert Russel and Helen Jean.
Mr. Davenport is a Republican in politics, a
member of the Presbyterian Church, and of
the Odd Fellows, Knights of Malta and Royal
Arcanum.
:

ISADORE

CHAMBERLAIN, who

735

Berwick from New Jersey. By trade he
was a blacksmith, and he established one of
to

the

first

shops of the kind in Berwick.

His

shop, which was located on Front street, was
one of the largest at Berwick, he having twen-

ty-onc apprentices,
Isadora F. Chamberlain was born in an old
log house that stood near the site of his present residence.
He was a pupil in one of the
first schools at Berwick, and after leaving
school learned the butcher's trade, at which
he was working when the Civil war broke out.
Mr. Chamberlain was one of the earliest volunteers from Berwick, answering the call for
three-months men in 1861, and became a member of Company C, i6th Pennsylvania InfanDuring that winter he went into the
try.
business of trading mules, and in the following spring became a mule driver in the wagon
train of General McClellan's command, with
which he continued until August, 1862. He
was then discharged and returned home. On
15, 1862, he reenlisted, in Company E,
i6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, of which he was
made commissary sergeant, later quartermaster sergeant, and still later orderly sergeant,
Following the death of Lieutenant Brown he
was made second lieutenant of his company,
and served as such until almost the close of
the war, when he received his discharge near,

Aug.

Richmond. After returning once more to his
engaged in the grocery business at Berwick,
Columbia Co., Pa., was born there Dec. is, home he resumed work at his trade for a time,
^hen embarked in the grocery business for
1837, son of Joseph and Betsy
^
(Cole)
f"^
v
/ Chanisame for sixteen

berlain

The 'founder

of the Chamberlain family in
Columbia county came to Berwick at a very
early day. By trade he was a stone cutter.
Joseph Chamberlain, father of Isadore F.
Chamberlain, was born in the city of Quebec,
Canada. Like his father he followed the trade
of stone cutter after coming to Berwick, where
his death occurred. On Feb. 24, 1829, he married Elizabeth Cole, and they had seven children
Sarah, who is deceased John, who
was wounded in battle while serving in the
Civil war Samuel, who was a member of the
i6th Pa. Vol. Cav. in the Civil war, and was
also wounded while in the service Isadore F. ;
Charlotte, who is the wife of William Rogers,
of Sunbury, Pa.; James, a resident of Berwick, also served in the Civil war; and Annie,
who is the widow of Lewis Stiles, and a resident of Berwick.
Thomas Patton Cole, the maternal grandfather of Isadore F. Chamberlain, was born in
:

;

New Jersey Aug. 26, 1771. On July 31, 1803,
he was married to Sarah Smith, and they came

himself, continuing
years,
from business activities for a
^^^n he retired
t^"^^.
Subsequently he resumed the grocery

^rade, which he has continued to carry
^'^ present location.

I" 1866 Mr. Chamberlain was married to
Elvira Smith, who was born in Butler
Valley, Pa., daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann
(Brewer) Smith. Mrs. Chamberlain s father
was born in Butler Valley, and her mother in
Catawissa Valley, Pa. In his younger days
he was a millwright. In 1849 he went to CaliHis
^^^""'^ ^^ ^ prospector and died there.
There were five
wife died at Hazleton, Pa

Emma

children in the family
Oakley and Alice,
both of whom are deceased; Mrs Chamber^^in; Margaret, wife of Nathan Shaffer, residing at Hazleton and Mrs. Mordecai Brobst,
:

;

a widow, residing with Mr. and Mrs.

Cham-

berlain.

To Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain have
born

sons

been

Albert, Frank, Clem, Clyde
and Charles. Of these three, Albert, Clem
and Charles, are residents of Berwick. Frank
five

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

736

and Clyde

marriage there were children as follows:
Apollis, born June 4, 1828, at Wanaque, N. J.,
Mr. Chamberlain was the only Civil war married Maria Robinson, and resided at Tunkvolunteer from Berwick who brought back a hannock, Pa.; David L., born Feb. 25, 1830,
commission, and was one of the charter mem- at Wanaque. a carpenter and builder at Tunkbers in the organization of the Berwick G. A. hannock, married Nancy E. Wintamute;
R. post, in which he has always taken a very Michael, born Nov. 24. 1831, died April 12,
deep interest, and of which he has for a num- i860, married Julia A. Woodruff; Harriet,
ber of years been commissary sergeant.
At born Nov. 23, 1833, died April 25, 1855; Eliza
one time he was high constable of Berwick, in Jane, born Nov. 24, 1835, married William
which ofifice he served with efficiency.
Labar, now living at Scranton, Pa. Henry,
born April 14, 1838, died at Washington, D. C.,
lives at

Mattoon,

111.,

a resident

of Boston, Massachusetts.

;

OLAF

FERRIS,

a retired builder,

and Dec.

25. 1861, after serving three

months

one of the most prosperous farmers of Colum- Company B, 52d Regiment. Pennsylvania
bia county, was born at Mehoopany, Wyoming Volunteer Infantr}-; Levi L., born Marrh 11,

March 21, 1848. He is the son of 1840. was killed May 31, 1862. in the battle
Simeon, grandson of Simeon, and great-grand- of Fair Oaks, \'a., by a minie ball, which
son of Ransford Ferris, a native of Connecti- struck him above the right eye Mary Emily,
born June 28, 1842, married John C. Fraley,
cut.
Ransford Ferris was born near Stamford, of Mehoopany; Charles, born June 13. 1844.
Conn., was a farmer by occupation, and spent enlisted in the same company as his brothers,
his life in that section, dying there in 1821. got as far as Alexandria, \'a., became ill and
His wife was Lizzie June, and their children died at the camp hospital April 20, 1864;
were Avery, who married Lydia Lockwood Clarissa, born April 20. 1846. is the widow of
Frank Smith, a lumberman of Port Jervis,
Elvin Joseph, who married Sallie Lockwood
Debbie, who married Jeremiah Knapp Betsy, N. Y. Olaf F. completes the family.
who married Michael Boonhauer; Lucretia,
Simeon Ferris, the father, was a Presbywho married Nathaniel Clausen Abigail, who terian while in New Jersey, but on removing
married James Clausen; and Simeon, grand- to Pennsylvania, and not finding a Presbyfather of Olaf F. Ferris.
terian Church, he affiliated with the Methodist
Simeon Ferris, the elder of that name, was Church. He was a very active church worker
born at Stamford, Conn., and died in Septem- and held all the official positions in that society.
ber, 1 88 1, at his home in Sussex county, N. J. He was class leader, a prime mover in all reHe was a shoemaker and farmer. His wife, vivals, and was superintendent of the Sunday
Nancy (Simmons), died Jan. iS, 1842. They School for more than twenty years. His long
had the following children Simeon, born Aug. life of well doing, in both the civil and reli12, 1809, was the father of Olaf F. Isaac, who gious welfare of his locality, left an indelible
lived in the West, married Eliza Peck
on the community, and gave to the
Apollis, impression
a miller of Boonton, N. J., married .Ann Hicks- family that great impetus for religious work
man John Calvin, a farmer of Tunkhamiock, that has ever characterized its members.
Olaf F. Ferris was reared on his father's
Wyoming county, married Polly June Abigail
married Isaac Ward; Polly married Smith farm, and attended the local schools and CampLockwood, of Connecticut; Mary Ann mar- town University, Bradford county, until he
ried Ruf us Lonsbury, of Connecticut Clarinda was
He then began his apprentwenty-one.
married William Douglas, of Lovelton. Pa.
ticeship in the builder's trade, which he folMartha married William T. Adams, of Lovel- lowed for many years, in Nanticoke, Luzerne
ton; Electa married Edwin Lewis, of Merryall, Co., Pa.
He then opened a grocery store at
Bradford county. These all are deceased.
Nanticoke, and in 1885 removed to his present
Simeon Ferris, father of Olaf F., was born farm of 300 acres in Briarcreek township, Coin Stamford, Conn.,
Aug. 12. 1809, and during lumbia county. In addition to farming he carboyhood worked at shoemaking with his fa- ried on a dairy business and was also a fancier
ther.
He accompanied his father to Sussex of fine poultry. Since his retirement from
county, N. J., where he carried on the shoe- farming, a considerable part of his farm has
making trade until 1836, when he moved to been cut up into building lots and sold. He
Mehoopany. Pa., purchased a tract of land, is a director of the Uerwick National Bank,
and followed farming until his death. March 7, also a director of the Berwick
Savings &
Mis wife followed him to the grave in Trust
1875.
Company, which he has served as vice
She was Hila Ann June, and by this president since its organization.
1885.
Co., Pa.,

;

(yx^Ayiyt^

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
On June

Martha

L.,

1875,

Mr. Ferris was married

daughter 6i John Fairchild, a
farmer of Nanticoke, and they had four children: Ada Amanda, born Sept. 12, 1876, is
at home; John Horace, born Sept. 3, 1878, a
farmer, married Bessie Doty and has four children, Martha Elizabeth, John Franklin, Bonita
Love and Newell Angus; Martha Elizabeth,
born Sept. 2, 1882, married Dr. H. H. Long,
a dentist of Berwick, and has two children,
Franklin Lewis and Homer Ferris Olaf Carleof Wyoming
ton, born Jan. 18, 1885, a farmer
has five chilcounty, married Ella Seeley and
dren, Carleton Henry, Olaf Frederick, Monroe Alfred, Seeley Fairchild and Mary Martha.
to

;

Mr. Ferris is a Republican in politics, and
while a resident of Nanticoke was a member
of the town council. He is a member of the
First Presbyterian Church of Berwick, and is
one of the ruling elders. He has taken an
active part in the work of the church and has
served in all the various offices of the organizaMr. Ferris when seventeen years of
tion.
made the chorister of the Sunday
was
age
school at Laurel Hill, Wyoming county, where
his uncle, John C. Ferris, was then the superintendent of the Sunday school. Since coming
to Columbia county he has served as chorister

While at
Nanticoke he was superintendent of the Suninterest in all
day school, and took an active

in the First Presbyterian

church

Church.

afifairs.

Mr. Ferris has taken an active part in the
Berwick
development of the borough of West
and has done much for its growth in religious,
educational and moral fields. His influence in
the welfare of the locality where he has resided
has always been for its betterment, and he
time and means to that
gives cheerfully of his
end.
Mr. Ferris has always taken a deep inthe educational institutions of his

terest

school director in Briarlocality and served as
He
creek township for a number of years.
was one of the incorporators of West Berwick
and was chosen one of the first members of
its

board of education, serving several terms.

Mr. Ferris was made a Mason in Wyoming
LuLodge, No. 468, F. & A. M., of Wyoming,
of
that
master
is
a
and
zerne Co., Pa.,
past
he affiliated
body. After removing to Berwick
with Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M. He

member

Caldwell Consistory,
of Bloomsthirty-second degree, A. A. S. R.,
Fellow in
Odd
an
made
He
was
burg, Pa.
is

also

a past grand of that

affiliated

with Berwick Lodge,

Nanticoke Lodge, and

body he

now

No. 246,

O. O. F.

;

THEODORE

737

CONNER

F.
21, 1850, at Briarcreek,

was born July
Columbia county. He

attended the Martz school there, three years
at the Bloomsburg Literary Institute, and then
two terms at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa. Returning to Lime Ridge, Columbia
county, he took up the work of farming on the
old homestead, teaching school during the
winter in Espy and Briar Creek. In 1883 he
left the farm and went to Wilkes-Barre, where
he entered the grocery business, in which he
continued for six years. At the end of the
time he took charge of the books for W^illiam
Stoddard & Co., wholesale grocers, with
whom he remained eight years, and then took
a similar position with Hildrelh & Co., who
ran a company store at Nanticoke. Returning
to Bloomsburg in 1893 he kept the books of

and planing mill of the Mears
Manufacturing Company. In 1895 he was
made manager of the Keystone Foundry &
Machine Company, remaining with them for
two years and then leasing the plant. He
ran the foundry under lease for two years
and then built a plant of his own, which he
has conducted ever since, doing a general
foundry business and specializing in sash
the foundry

weights.

Mr. Conner married Frances Madora,
daughter of Daniel Seaman and Sarah Elizabeth (Harding) Pursell, and they have had
Daniel P., who married Mary
six children:
DeB. Hunter and lives in Moores, Delaware
county Anna Hartmann, who died young and
is buried at Lime Ridge; Luke Arlington, who
married Anna Clewell and lives in Bloomsburg; Peter Harding, who married Anna C.
Edwards and lives in Scranton Samuel Harlives
vey, who married Christina Holmes and
at Folcroft, near Philadelphia; and Helen
Hanson, wife of Elmer R. Vactor, living in
Hoboken, N. J. Mr. Conner is a Progressive
and attends the Presbyterian
in
politics,
Church.
The Harding family, of which Mrs. Con;

;

mother was a member, is of old English
The word Harding is old Saxon, and
means strong, robust, energetic, brave. It is
also found in the dialects of northern Europe.
ner's

stock.

version is Harteng, the Danish,
Hardenburgh the French spelling is HardenThere are also several English modifirens.

The German

;

Harden, Hardnick,
and others, all having the same source.
Sarah E. Harding, born in 1825, married in
was the daughter of
1847, and died in 1890,
and died in
Stephen Harding, born in 1800

cations, as Hardenstorne,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

738

and his wife Elsie Wyman, born in
Their marriage oc801 and died in 1882.
curred in 1820.
Stephen Harding (4) was the son of Israel
Harding, who was born in 1756, and died in
1835, and his wife, Lydia Reed, who died in
1847. Their marriage occurred in 1787.
Israel Harding was the son of Capt. Stephen
Harding (3), born in 1723 and died in 1789,
and his wife Amy Gardner, who died about
1879,
1

They were married in 1748.
Capt. Stephen Harding (3), was the son of
Capt. Stephen Harding (2), born in 1680, and
his wife Elizabeth Knight, who were married
1795.

in 1712.

Stephen Harding (2) was the son of
Stephen Harding, who was born about 1650,
and who was said to be the brother of Mary
Harding, who married Sir Robert Georges
in England and came to Massachusetts in
Four brothers of Mary came with the
1623.
couple to America, Richard, Joseph, Abraham
and Stephen, the latter being the ancestor of
the family in this part of Pennsylvania.
Palmer Harding, a resident of West Pittston, Luzerne Co., Pa., who died in 191 2, a
descendant of the first Stephen, had a number
of documents corroborative of the above famIsrael
ily pedigree, including the discharge of

Harding,

signed

George

Washington.

enlisted Sept. 17. 1776, in the
1st Independent Company of Wyoming, Pa.,

Israel

Harding

Captain Durkee's regiment.
Stephen Harding (3) was appointed captain of the 7th Exeter company of the 24th
Regiment, Connecticut Militia, on Oct. 17,

1775-

The

Pursell family of Pennsylvania and
New Jersey are descendants of the noble family of Pursells in Ireland, whose founder, Sir
Hugh Pursell, was a grandson of the Sir
Hugh Pursell who went to England with William the Conquerer and could trace his descent

through many generations from Charlemagne
the Great.
Sir Hugh Pursell is said to have been the
first of the conquering Normans to land on
British soil at Pevensey Bay, and the first to
perform a deed of arms by storming the ruins
of a Roman castle where a party of King

Harold's soldiers lay entrenched.
The Irish Purcells were adherents of the
Plouse of Stuart and were swept away by the
rebellion of 1641. though several distinct
branches of them later recovered their lands
and titles at the time of the Restoration, but
were aeain broken up on the accession of William lil.

John Purslone, Pursley or

name

Pursell, as the

variously spelled, came to America
from Dublin, Ireland, in the ship "Phoenix,"
arriving in the Delaware in August, 1677. He
is

Bucks county. Pa., where he was apconstable for the "further side of
Neshaminah" on the 7th month and 9th day
of 1685.
On the 8th day of the 7th month
of 1689 he was appointed constable of the
"upper parts of the Settlement between Neshaminah and Poquessing.'' In the same year
he appears as a witness in the Bucks county
courts, and on being sworn gave his age as
settled in

pointed

about sixty years.
He was again appointed
constable in 1690 for the "upper parts of
Neshaminah." He married, in 1684, Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Walmsley, who with
her husband and six children had emigrated
from Yorkshire in 1682 and settled in Byberry, Philadelphia county, bringing a certificate from the Settled ^Monthly Meeting of

Friends in Yorkshire.
At about the same date of the arrival of
John Purslone in Bucks county, Thomas Pur-

He
appears at Flatlands, Long Island.
accepted the appointment of appraiser in that
town in 1679, and was one of the patentees of
Newton. Long Island, in 1686. He (or a son
of his of the same name) removed to the Rari-

cill

tan river, in Somerset county, N. J., prior to
1703. and had children ba]>tized at the Raritan Dutch Reformed Church.
The descendants of Thomas Purcill became

numerous

Somerset, Middlesex and Essex

counties, N. J., prior to 1760. In 17 10 he purchased a large tract of land in Somerset

county, although then living in Middlesex
county, and in 1719 conveyed half of it to his
son Daniel, who in 1728 conveyed a part of it
to Gysbert Krom, of Amwell township. Hunt-

erdon county.
Daniel Pursell settled later
township,

.Mexandria

Hunterdon county, and

1783

bought a tract of land in Tinicum. Bucks
county, where he erected a gristmill which he
ran for two years. He then returned to Kingwood. N. J., where he died in 1804. leaving

Ruth

Peter, Benjamin, Thomas,
Middleswartz), Sarah (Tinsman and

children:

these
(

)

Hannah

(Jones).

Sept.

28.

T726.

"Dennes

Pursell

Penna." married Ruth Cooper, daughter of
Henry and Mary (Buckman) Cooper, of
Newtown. Bucks county, and settled in Bethlehem township. Hunterdon Co.. X. J.
Whether he was a son of John and Elizabeth
Pursell, of Bucks county, or of
Purcill of
Jersey, is problcmati-

(Walmsley)

Thomas

New

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
but certain it is that Dennes and Ruth
(Cooper) Purcell were the parents of John
Purcell of Pennsylvania, who married in 1761
Ann Coone (or Coomb), of Tinicum township, Bucks Co., Pa., and settled in Nockamixon township, where he purchased land in
cal,

1773-

Another John Pursell, also of Pennsylvania,
married, in 1765, Alary Logan, and settled
in Falls township, Bucks county, where he
died in 1778.
Thomas, second son of John and Ann
(Coomb) Pursell, married Catherine Crause,
and they were the parents of six sons and one
daughter.

Dennis Pursell, first son of Thomas and
(Crause) Pursell, married Sarah
Seaman, and they were the parents of fourteen children
Mary, wife of Peter Pursell
Susannah, wife of Sam Holdren Thomas,
who married (first) a Miss Tranger and (second) Annie Holdren; Daniel Seaman, who
married Sarah E. Harding; Jane, wife of Sinclair Teets
Lydia, wife of Conrad Haas;
John Isaac, who married Caroline Harford
Dennis, who married Elizabeth Ziegafoos
Ann, wife of Theodore Gould Sarah, wife of
Paul Griffin; Martha, wife of a Mr. Bennett;
and Ellen and Robert, who died unmarried.
Daniel Seaman Pursell, second son of Dennis and Sarah (Seaman) Pursell, married
Sarah Harding in 1847. Their children were:
Frances M., wife of Theodore F. Conner;
Martha, unmarried Alice, wife of Britt Updyke and Peter, who married Mary Alice
Catherine

;

Kelchner.

and Alice (Pursell) Updyke had chilwho married a Miss Lyman,
and Paul and Howard, who died young.
Peter and Mary Alice (Kelchner) Pursell
had children
Lulu, wife of Charles L. Bryden, who has two children, Alice and Robert
Ray, who is married Louise, wife of Charles
Russell Stecker, who has one child, Charles
Russell, Jr. Dorothy, wife of Grover Mutchler; Maude I., wife of William Everett Brisben
and Roger and Lillian, who are unBritt

dren

Pursell,

;

carrying on farming, was a man of character
and judgment, and was a recognized factor
in public affairs.
His political opinions coincided with the principles of the
Republican
party, he gave his support to the public schools
and was a church member.
Mason C. Seely, son of Andrew, was born
in

Salem township, Luzerne county, and spent

his life there.

Until stricken with blindness
he engaged in farming. His death occurred
in February, 1905. He married a
widow, Mrs.
Amanda (Henry) Smith, who died March 22,
She was born at Briggsville, Pa., a
1913.
daughter of Jacob Henry, and first married
Abram Smith, to which union two children
were born
John W. Smith, who is a resident
of Mifflinville, Pa., and Abram Smith, who
lives at Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
To her marriage
with Mason C. Seely, nine children were born,
:

who is a resident of
Josephine, who is the wife of
Hicks, of Berwick; Wallace H., who

follows

Charles,

Shamokin, Pa.
A.

;

resides at Mifflinville, Columbia
county; Jacob
H., who lives in California Mary, who is the
;

wife of George Kepner, of Berwick; Catherine, wife of J. B. Thomas, residing at Huntington Mills, Pa.

Haven;

;

Britt;

Edward, who
and William

lives at

G.,

Beach

who

resident of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
S. Britt Seely spent his boyhood days in
Salem township and attended the Walton
schoolhouse near his father's farm. In 1894
he came to Berwick, and then became a pupil
in the public schools.
When the SpanishAmerican war broke out he enlisted for service in Company K, nth United States
Regular Infantry, and during the continuance of
the war was with his regiment at Atlanta,
Ga., and at Tampa, Fla.. being mustered out at
Fort McPherson, Atlanta.
After returning

home he

set

education,
Carlisle,

about completing his interrupted
Dickinson College, at

attending
Pa.,

and

later

taking

business

After
graduating from the latter institution, in 1904,
he once more returned to Berwick, where he
course

entered

the

Wyoming

Seminary.

employ of the Berwick Water

Company, and

married.

739

since then has served as assist-

ant superintendent.
S.

BRITT SEELY,

ent of the

assistant superintend-

Berwick Water Company, at Berwas born in Salem township, Lu-

wick, Pa.,
zerne Co., Pa., July 15, 1879, son of
"C.

and

Amanda (Henry)

Mason

Seely.

Andrew Seely, his grandfather, was one of
the early settlers of Salem township, Luzerne
county. For a number of years he conducted
a tannery at Beach Haven, at the same time

Sept. 20, 1905, Mr. Seely was married
Daisy E. Reed, who was born at Sybertsville, Pa., daughter of William E. and Rebecca (Everard) Reed, the former of whom
died when his daughter was young. He was
a contractor and was engaged mainly in locatThe mother of Mrs. Seely died
ing mines.
May 5, 1914, in Luzerne county, and is buried
in Xescopeck township.
Mr. and Mrs. Seely
to

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

740

have had two children

Constance, born Sept.
died Aug. 20, 1908; and Reed
]\Ir. and Mrs. Seely
L., born Nov. 16, 1909.
are members of the Methodist Episcopal
:

who

28, 1906,

De Mott

was born Aug. 9, 1832, on
Cyrus
the homestead in Madison
township, and was
reared there.
He was educated in' the local
schools and early began to serve an
apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, which he continned to follow for fifteen years, in Pennsvl-

He retains his membership in his
Greek letter college faternities, belonging to
the Sigma Chi and the Kappa Delta Phi. He vania, Iowa and Missouri,
being in the latter
is a member of Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. &
State in 1861, when the war broke out. HavA. M., and of Caldwell Consistory, thirty- ing decided to settle down to farmino-, he
second degree, A. A. S. R., at Bloomsburg of bought a place in Madison township which he
the Berwick Lodge of Elks, No. 1138; and cultivated for six years, after which he rented
it out for a time.
Berwick Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 246.
In 1876 he bought the home
place and carried on its cultivation until his reCYRUS De MOTT, a venerable resident of tirement. It comprises 130 acres, and Mr.
Millville, Columbia county, now living retired, De Mott still retains ownership of the propwas engaged in farming during his active erty. He is now living at Millville. Mr. De
years in Madison township, where he still Mott gave his private affairs necessary attenowns a valuable farm. This property has tion, but he also found time for public interbeen in the De Mott family for many years, ests, and he has served his fellow citizens well
The founder of the family in Columbia in various capacities. He has been member of
county was Richard De Mott, who came from the school board and of the council, and presiNew Jersey to Pennsylvania in 1787, and lo- dent of the Millville Mutual Fire Insurance
Mr. De Mott has long been a
Gated on the farm later owned by John and Company.
David Schultz. He was born in New Jersey member of the Baptist Church, and he served
His widow as clerk while living in Madison township,
in 1755, and died May 26, 1827.
Their children were: In October, 1862, he enlisted for service in the
died Aug. 5, 1849.
Mary, Rosanna, John, Sarah. Rebecca, Isaac, Civil war, joining Company G, 171st PennsylJacob. Abigail, Richard, David, William and vania \'olunteer Infantry, and received an
honorable discharge at Harrisburg after nine
Elizabeth.
Jacob De Mott, son of Richard, was born months' service.
In 1868 Mr. De Mott married Annie L.
Sept. 9, 1792, in Madison township. Columbia
county, and followed farming all his life, after Heller, of Madison township, who died Oct.
his marriage settling on the farm in Madison 25, 1873. leaving no family.
She was one of
township now owned by his son Cyrus. He the four children of John and Mary Heller,
was a prosperous man. and prominent in all On April 29. 1880. Mr. De Mott married (seethe activities of his locality, serving as justice ond) Antoinette B. Suplee, of Montgomery
of the peace, county commissioner before the county. Pa., who was born Sept. 7, 1853.
counties were divided) and superv-isor of the daughter of George W. and Sarah H. Suplee.
poor. For nearly sixty years he was a mem- Mr. Suplee was a wheelwright, farmer and
ber of the Baptist Church, and held the offices civil engineer. Mr. and Mrs. De Mott have
His wife, Catherine no children of their own, but they reared Dr.
of deacon and elder.
of
John, died in 1869. Robert S. Patton, who is now a resident of
(Patton), daughter
Her family came from New Jersey. He sur- Danville. Pennsylvania.
Mrs. De Mott's ancestors came to .-Xmerica
vived her many years, passing away Feb. 11,
1886, in his ninety-fourth year. They had a in 1684. settling in Pennsylvania. The family
The great-greatlarge family, viz. Mary died unmarried when is of French extraction.
twenty-three years old; Margaret never mar- grandfather, Peter Suplee, was a soldier in
ried
William R. was a farmer in Madison Washington's army during the Revolution,
township Rosanna died unmarried in Novem- and died at Valley Forge in the winter of
ber. 1879; Samuel died Feb. 21, 191 1, leaving 1778.
Samuel Suplee, Mrs. De Mott's granda wife and four children; Catherine died in
childhood Harriet, deceased, was the wife of father, was born and reared in Chester county,
John Cromley, a miller, of Williamsport, Pa. where he married Miss Catherine Rinewalt.
Sarah married John also a native of that county. To them were
(she left two children)
B. Welliver and died leaving seven children, born five children
Emeline.
George W.
six of whom still survive Cyrus is mentioned widow of Charles H. Soper, of Los Angeles,
below George, the only other survivor of this Cal. John R.. who is in Lawrence. Kans.
family, is a retired farmer, of Iowa.
Mary, wife of Robert Evans, of Philadelphia;
Church.

;

(

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Samuel Suplee died
and Sarah, deceased.
April 23, 1875; his widow survived just ten
years, dying April 23, 1885. They are buried
in the Green Tree Church graveyard, in Upper
Providence township, Montgomery county.
He had farmed in that township until ten
years before his death, when he and his wife
removed to Philadelphia, where he lived
retired.

W. Suplee was born July 29, 1825,
Chester county. Pa., and was reared there
to the age of nine years, when his parents
George

moved to Philadelphia, and three years later to
Montgomery county, where he lived until the

He then bought a
age of thirty-two years.
farm in Anthony township, Montour county,
and farmed for eight years. He then sold out

mobile, one plate glass and one tornado insurance companies, and handling from $15,000
to $20,000 worth of business each
year.
Peter Van Natta, the founder of the family in Columbia county, was born in 1760 and
came from Easton, Pa., to Bloomsburg, buying large tracts of land where the city now
stands.
An old stone barn built by him still
He married
stands, within the city limits.
Catherine Hoffman, and they had several children, among them being Peter, grandfather of
Miss Sade Van Natta.
Peter Van Natta (2) was born in 1798, in
Bloomsburg, and educated in the common
schools of the town.
He was a farmer, and
inherited considerable land from his father,
to which he added as time passed.
He died
He married Rosanna BiedelSept. 16, 1853.
man, who died Feb. 14, 1858, and their children were
Maria, wife of Christian F.
Knapp, buried in Rosemont cemetery, Bloomsburg; Catherine, wife of Frederick Hendershott. buried in Rosemont cemetery Margaret,
also buried in Rosemont; Thomas V., who
married Margaret I. Penman, buried in Rosemont and Benjamin Hutchings, who married
Elizabeth Williams, and rests with his brothers

and bought a farm in Madison township, Columbia county, where he resided until April,
1886, when he bought a residence property in
Bloomsburg, moving to the city and renting
his farm. He married in Montgomery county,
April 4, 1852, Sarah Hamer, a native of Montgomery county, and daughter of Humphrey
and Mary Hamer. Mrs. Suplee was a child
when her mother died her father died in 1845.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
and
Antoinette, wife of Cyrus De Mott
Suplee
;

;

Gertrude,

of Albert Girton, of MadHorace G. Annie, wife of J.

widow

ison township
Emeline
B. Nuss
;

;

741

;

sisters in beautiful

brother,

John

Ellis

Van

Rosemont.

Another

buried in

Natta,

Philadelphia.

Thomas Vanderslice Van Natta, father of
Mary Catherine Sallie
Wells
and George, who was accidentally Miss Sade Van Natta, was born July 6, 1828,
killed by falling from a window of the normal in Bloomsburg, and received his education in
;

;

was a student, Jan. 25, 1884. the public schools. He carried on a general
Mr. and Mrs. Suplee were members of the contracting business, doing excavating for
He married
Baptist Church. While a resident of Montour public buildings and cellars.
of
for
one
I. Penman, who was born Feb. 26,
he
was
the
county,
justice
peace
Margaret
term, and held many township offices while a 1828, daughter of John and Mary (Stoddard)
resident
of
Madison township, Columbia Penman, and was of Scotch descent. She died
county. He had a farm in that township of March 17, 1905, surviving her husband, who
135 acres.
passed away June 30, 1895. Their children
^
Avere: Clara M., wife of John L. Woods, livSADE VAN NATTA, of Bloomsburg, Pa., ing in Bloomsburg; Sade, mentioned above;
insurance agent, was born and educated in Lillian A.; Sophie B. three who died young,
that town.
Completing the public school Robert F., Peter K. and Harry W., all of
course, she entered the Normal School, and whom are buried in Rosemont cemetery;
graduated from that institution in 1875. For Rosanna. wife of J. W. Lewis, living in Pittsthree months she taught school in Alontour burg; Benjamin H., who married Jessie C.
Waltownship, Columbia county, and after 1876 Piper (he is buried near Pittsburg) and
his
taught fourteen years in Bloomsburg, and lace, who married Jessie C, widow of
lives in Bloomsand
Miss
in
the
brother.
H.,
Benjamin
Shickshinny.
during
year 1890
Van Natta then entered the office of C. F. burg. Mr. Van Natta was a Republican, and
Knapp, at Bloomsburg, to learn the insurance like his father before him was a member of
business.
Mr. Knapp was the pioneer insur- the Episcopal Church.
Christian Frederick Knapp, uncle of
ance man in Bloomsburg and had a large
conshe
in
Van Natta, and from whom she inherited
he
died
Sade
When
1901
patronage.
in
tinued to carry on the business in her own the insurance business he conducted
Wurtemat
born
was
autoone
seven
now
Besigheim,
fire,
name,
Bloomsburg,
representing
school where he

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

742

Germany, Oct. 12, 1822, and died in of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the
Bloomsburg, Pa., April 11, 1901. He came Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, and was
to America and remained for some years at crowned an active member
Sept. 18, 1872.
He married Maria Van Natta He resigned therefrom to honorary memberPhiladelpiiia.
and they had no children.
Mr. Knapp ship in September, 1879.
founded the insurance business which he so
Such is the Masonic record of "Brother
successfully carried on for many years at Chris. Knapp," as he was
affectionately called
Bloomsburg, in 1884, representing many com- by his friends. He had been a member of the
panies.
fraternity for nearly half a century and few
Mr. Knapp was a Mason in Danville Lodge, were better known in the craft.
To him may
No. 224, in November, 1851, and became a be ascribed the establishment of the bodies
charter member and master of Washington of the Rite in
Bloomsburg, and he was the
Lodge, No. 265, Bloomsburg, in 1852 later leading spirit of that organization.
he was secretary of the lodge from 1854 until
berg,

;

his death.

master Mason

of Philadelphia,
a

alted

Royal

received the degree of

Girard

May
Arch

mark

Mark Lodge, No.

13,

1854,

Mason

214,

and was exin

Catawissa

Chapter, No. 178, Nov. 21, 1855. He passed
the chairs in the chapter, and subsequently became a charter member of Bloomsburg
Chapter, No. 218, of which he was secretary

from

its

institution

cryptic degrees
Council, No. 8,

until

his

were received
Phoenixville,

death.
The
in Palestine
Pa.,

Nov.

21,

Later he organized Mount Moriah
Council, No. 10, R. & S. M., at Bloomsburg,
being master for four years and continuously
1856.

ANDREW

EVANS

(deceased) was for
J.
years one of the leading citizens of Bloomsburg, prominent in business, and well known
in connection with other important local interests.
The family to which he belonged has
been established in Columbia county for al-

most a century, his grandfather, Mark Evans,
having come here in the year 1816.
Mark Evans was a native of Lancaster
county. Pa. He settled in what is now Greenwood township and followed farming and
lumbering as well as his trade of carpenter,
becoming one of the well known men of the

thereafter recorder. The orders of knighthood day in his section. He died in that township
were conferred upon him March 6, 1856, at and is buried there. He was a member of the
His children were
Harrisburg, in Parke Encampment, No. 11 Society of Friends.
(now Pilgrim Encampment, No. 11). In the Esther died unmarried Anna married Joseph
Sarah married Thomas McGee
same year he became a charter member of Shannon
Crusade Commandery, No. 12, of Bloomsburg, Elsie married Jeremiah Heacock; Josiah was
and was for three years its commander, and a Lutheran minister; Jacob was the father of
:

;

thereafter continuously recorder.
In 1864 Mr. Knapp received the degrees of
the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, up to and including the thirtysecond, at Harrisburg. He was instrumental
in establishing the Scottish Rite bodies of
Bloomsburg. He became the master of the
lodge, council and chapter for a year, and was
then annually elected secretary. He was commander-in-chief of Caldwell Consistory from
May, 1867, to December, 1884, when he declined to serve longer, and was then elected
secretary, which office he held the remainder
of his life.
For eight years he was district
deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of
grand master of the Grand
Pennsylvania
Council, R. & S. M., 1867-75 district deputy
high priest for six years grand commander,
K. T., in i860; grand lecturer in 1862 and
;

;

1863
1875

;

and

district

deputy grand master from

the time of his death. On July 17,
1870, he was created an inspector general,
thirty-third degree, of the Supreme Council
till

Andrew

Evans.

Jacob Evans was born in Greenwood township and passed all but the last few years of
his life there.
He was reared on the farm,
but learning the carpenter's trade was engaged
principally at such work until he reached middle life, when he turned to farming and fol-

lowed

After
Bloomsburg, where he died
about 1876; he is buried in Greenwood townHe held a number of local offices, and
ship.
in 1856 was honored with election as associate
judge, in which position he ser\'ed one term.
For fifty-five years he was a member of the
Methodist Church, in which he held official
position for many years, and ministers of that
denomination made his home their stopping
He was leader of the first Methodist
place.
meeting held in Greenwood township, Columbia county.
He married Hannah Morris, and
Sarah, who
they had children as follows:
married Shivcly Statton
Issachar M., who
died in Bloomsburg; Andrew J.; and Joseph,
it

the rest of his active years.

retiring he lived at

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
a well

known

who

physician,

died in Blooms-

GEORGE

743

BUCKINGHAM,

one of the
residents of Berwick, now
living retired, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 18, 1838, son of Isaac and

burg.

highly

Andrew J. Evans was born Oct. 2, 1829,
and obtained a good education in the public
schools of the home locality. When a young
man he embarked in the mercantile business at
Bloomsburg, and his store became one of the
most popular in the town. He built what is
still known as the Evans block, at the corner
of Main and Iron streets, and later started a
clothing business and merchant tailoring es-

Jane (Symington) Buckingham. His greatgrandfather was born in Delaware, of Quaker
ancestry, and his grandfather was also a native
of that State, where he lived and died.
Isaac Buckingham, father of George A.
Buckingham, was born in Delaware. He was
a cloth cutter by trade and conducted a tailor-

tablishment in that block. At the time of his
death he was senior member of the firm of
Evans & Eyer, clothing merchants, his partner
being Frederick C. Eyer. In his death, which
occurred Feb. 28, 1895, Bloomsburg lost one
Mr. Evans
of its highly regarded citizens.

was always ready
In
good cause.

to give his support to any
religious faith he was a

He was a stanch
like his father.
friend of local enterprises, and was one of the
first stockholders in the Bloomsburg State
Normal School.
Methodist

On Feb. 28, 1857, Mr. Evans married Sarah
Elizabeth Appleman, who was born June 16,
1837, in Columbia county, daughter of Peter
and Hannah (Harris) Appleman, and granddaughter of Matthias Appleman, a native of
near Trenton, N. J., who settled in Millville
shortly after the Revolution, the Appleman
family being one of the oldest in Columbia
county. Mrs. Evans continues to reside at the

Evans homestead on Third street, which is
one of the landmarks of Bloomsburg, being
among the oldest houses in the town it was
built by the Shives family.
Children as follows were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Andrew J. Evans Dora, widow of A.
L. Fritz, an attorney at law of Bloomsburg;
Hannah, at home Sadie, who married Alfred
Koons and (second) Herbert A. Kemp, a well
old

;

known photographer
a

merchant

tailor of

of Bloomsburg; Andrew,
Bloomsburg; Charles, a

shoe dealer of Bloomsburg, who was married
Jan. 14, 1899, to Pearl Catherine Harder, and
had two children, Charles Morris and Thomas
Jackson Margaret, wife of John E. Eves, a
business man of Millville, Pa. and Elizabeth,
who is married to Arthur Eves and lives in
Wisconsin.
Miss Hannah Evans is a member of the D.
A. R., Ft. McClure Chapter, being entitled
to
membership through her grandmother,
;

;

Hannah (Morris) Evans, whose grandfather,
Benjamin Corson was a soldier and captain in
the war of the Revolution.

respected

ing establishment in Philadelphia for many
years, dying in that city he was buried, howIn Philadelever, in Newcastle county, Del.
;

he was married to Jane Symington,
daughter of Captain Symington, a native of

phia

New Jersey, of Welsh ancestry, and a soldier
of the war of 1812.
He was a shoe manufacturer in Philadelphia, but lived retired
some time before his death, which occurred
Mrs. Buckinghom was born

in that city.

New

Jersey and died in Philadelphia, at the
age of eighty-four years.
George A. Buckingham was educated in his
native city and after graduating from high
school became an apprentice to the tin, sheet

and iron trade, at which he was working when
In the second year
the Civil war broke out.
of the conflict he enterd the army, enlisting
14, 1862 in Company F, 68th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, known as the
"Scott Legion," from Philadelphia, which was
attached to the ist Brigade, ist Division, 3d
He served
Corps, Army of the Potomac.
until the close of the war, when he was
mustered out and honorably discharged, June
9, 1865, at Hart's Island, New York Harbor.
He participated in many of the most decisive
battles of the long struggle from Fredericksburg to Appomattox, and was wounded at the
battle of Gettysburg.
After the war closed Mr. Buckingham re-

on Aug.

turned to his

home

resumed work

in Philadelphia

and soon

trade, remaining there
Here
until 1868. when he came to Berwick.
he found employment in the iron works until
at his

ready to embark in the business for himself,
and continued in the same line for fourteen
years. In the meanwhile he took an interest in
local progress and became active in Republican
being admitted to the inner circle as
were, as a member of the State Central committee. For one term he served as jur>^ commissioner of Columbia county and in 1872 he
was elected a justice of the peace, filling this
office for fifteen consecutive years, with such
judicial efficiency that not once was a case of
After he rehis reversed by a higher court.
politics,
it

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

744

from that office he entered the employ Three years later the duties of secretan' were
American Car and Foundry Company added to his responsibilities, and for a period
At present he is serving as a of four years he held the dual offices of secat Berwick.
member of the poHce force of the borough.
retary and treasurer. In 1896- 1899 he was secIn the city of Philadelphia, prior to coming retary and purchasing agent.
The Jackson
to Berwick, Mr. Buckingham was married to &
\\'oodin
Manufacturing Company was
Miss Eliza Mandeville, who died in that city,
merged with the American Car and Foundry
the mother of four children, only one of
Company, which latter corporation took over
whom, Georgiana, survives. Mr. Bucking- the business March i,
1899. Thereafter, until
ham's second marriage, which took place in
was assistant district
Mr.
Lowry
1901,
July,
Berwick, was to Mrs. Susanna (Taylor)
and then appointed district manager,
manager,
Laubach, of Berwick, who was born May 13,
succeeding W. H. Woodin, who went to New
1835, daughter of Solomon and Aramanda
York
as assistant to President Eaton.
F.
Lau(Dodson) Taylor, and first married J.
Mr. Lowry is a member of the board of
She died Jan. 18, 1909, the mother of
bach.
directors of the Berwick Savings and Trust
two children, only one of whom survives
a
A.
of
P.
the
wife
who
is
Breihof,
Company. In 191 1 he was appointed by GovSusanna,
resident of Berwick; Mr. and Mrs. Breihof ernor Tener member of the board of trustees
have had one child, Christine, now deceased. of the State Hospital for the Insane at DanMr. Buckingham has been much interested ville, serving until reappointed. He is a
in Grand Army affairs and was the founder
Presbyterian, and for fifteen years an elder
of W. W. Ricketts Post, of Berwick, which in the local church, participating in its activiwas later named C. G. Jackson Post, No. 159 ties. In
politics he supports the Republican
He was its first com(its present title).
party.
mander and was its first representative to the
In 1883 Mr. Lowry married Bessie ThompG. A. R. encampment, held at Reading, Pa.
and to this marriage have
of
son,
He belongs to Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & come fiveBerwick, three sons and
two daughchildren,
A. M., of Berwick, and for twenty years was
ters.
to Berwick Lodge, No.
tyler in the same
Mr. Lowry 's parents died when compar1
138, B. P. O. Elks, of which he is a trustee;
and to Berwick Aerie, No. 1281, Fraternal atively young. He was but nine years old at
Order of Eagles, of which he is a past presi- the time of his mother's death, and only eleven
In 1872 he erected his atttractive when his father passed away. They were the
dent.
the
residence, which is one of the handsomest in parents of five sons, of whom he was
second. His patemal grandfather, James Mcthe borough.
Lanahan Lowry. was born in Ireland; his maWILLIAM FLEMING LOWRY, of Ber- ternal grandfather, Fleming Nesbit, was of
Scotch descent. Both were prosperous farmwick, was born on a farm in Delaware townand educated ers of their day in Northumberland county.
Northumberland
tired

of the

;

Co., Pa.,
ship,
in the public schools and Dewart Academy in
his native county, and in the State Normal

years he was
Western Union telegraph operator in Bloomsburg. At the invitation of Charles H. Zehnder, then secretary of the Jackson & Woodin

School at Bloomsburg.

For

five

Manufacturing Company, he came

Berwick

881, to take charge of the local WestMay
ern Union Telegraph office, then located at a
2,

manufacturing comAfter
a
as
year
operator and
telegraph
pany.
clerk to Secretary Zehnder, Mr. Lowry became buyer of lumber, a year or two later
chief bookkeeper, and in 1889, after a service of eight years, was honored by the stockdesk

in the offices of the

holders by being elected treasurer of the Jackscui

Woodin

Manufacturing

Company.

JOSEPH

JOHNSON,

Columbia county, engaged

of Eyers Grove,

in the flour milling

business, belongs in both the paternal and maternal lines to okl settled families of this section, though he was born at Danville, in Montour county. His grandparents on both sides

were farming people, born and raised

in this

neighborhood.
Samuel B. Johnson, father of J. R. Johnson,
was from Jerseytown, in Madison township.
By trade a tanner, he followed that pursuit

during his active years.

now

(

i<)i3)

seventy-three years of age. His first wife was
a daughter of James Kisner. of Jerseyto\yn,

and they had one child. Laura, who married
P. F. Fritz and lived at Jacksonville. Fla.,
where they engaged in missionary work. Mr.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and Airs. Fritz had one child, Anna, now the
wife of James Sweet, of Jacksonville, Fla.
Mrs. Fritz died April 28, 1914, of pneumonia,
aged forty-eight years. Mr. Johnson's second
wife, Amanda (Robbins), a native of Unityville. Pa., was of Irish extraction; she died
July 15. 1908, at the age of sixty-two years,
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. JohnEmma married U. Z. Faus, a farmer,
son
of Lycoming county, and they have five children.
Joseph R. is next in the family. Ida
married L. J. Robbins, a farmer of Greenwood township, Columbia county, and has a
Lena married C. K. Welliver, of
family.
Buckhorn, Pa., and died leaving two chil:

Herbert is now operating the home
farm, one mile east of Jerseytown.
Harry
Carl, born in 1888, lives at home.
Joseph R. Johnson was born April 9, 1875,
and had common school educational advanFor the last twenty-two years he has
tages.
been a resident of Eyers Grove, Columbia
dren.

county, and throughout that period in the
milling business, at present as a member of
the firm of Hileman & Johnson, which was
formed in 1907, their mill, which does a
good business, being one of the thriving
He is
industrial concerns of that locality.
one of the established business men of his
section of the county, and a most respected
resident of his town. Mr. Johnson was married Dec. 22, 1896, to Jessie Houck, of Greenwood township, daughter of ^Michael Houck,
She was one
a veteran of the Civil war.
of ten children, two sons and eight daughFive children have been born to Mr.
ters.

and Mrs. Johnson:

Aladeline, born Jan. 15,

1899; Zoe, July 24, 1900; Mae, Dec. 21, 1903;
Howard, March 24, 1906; and Malcolm,
March 28, 1908. Mr. Johnson attends the

Methodist Episcopal Church.

supports

the Democratic party on political questions,

STEWART

ASH,

late of

Briar Creek,

Columbia county, had been for a number
of years one of the most active citizens of
that place.
He was associated with its business interests, and held important public
positions, and his sudden death, in his prime,
deprived the community of a man whose energy and enterprise had gained him a place

among

its

best

known members.

The Ash

family has long been one of high standing
in this part of Columbia county, where it was
established by Christian Ash, grandfather
of Stewart A., many years ago.
Christian Ash was born in

county.

Pa.,

whence he came

county in the early days (when his son
Charles was seven years old), buying and
settling on a small farm later known as the
liower place, along Briar creek in Briarcreek
After residing there for seven
township.
years Mr. Ash sold out and bought the place
in what is now Fishingcreek
township later
owned and occupied by his sons William and
Charles, moving there and subsequently building the mill which was the forerunner of the

modern plant now operated by his two greatgrandsons (sons of George Wesley Ash). He
continued to make his home here until his
^is wife,
death, which occurred in 1879.
who had died nine years before, was also a
native of
Northampton county, and her
maiden name was Mary Osderday. They are
buried at Zion Church, in Fishingcreek townTo Mr. and Mrs. Christian Ash were
ship.
born
Mary, who married Russell Creveling and lived in Wisconsin (she survived her
husband) Charles, father of Stewart A. Ash
William, who lived in the house where his
father died, on a part of the home farm;
Sarah, who made her home in Iowa; Hiram,
born Nov. 22, 1828, who married Mary Davis
and lived in Benton township Catherine, a
resident of Luzerne county; Delia Ann, of
Briar Creek
Christian J., of Fishingcreek
township; and Elizabeth and Hester, of
Benton.
Charles Ash was born in Northampton
county. Pa., Oct. 18, 1820, and died in August, 1909, at the advanced age of eightynine years. Making his home with his parents
until his marriage, he then bought part of the
old homestead place at Stillwater, in Fishingcreek township, and settled there, his father
moving to another part of the property.
Charles Ash remained there the rest of his
:

;

He engaged in milling in partnership
with his son George W., previous to which
he and a Mr. Ruckle operated the mill, under
the firm name of Ruckle & Ash. The origidays.

nal mill

was destroyed by

fire,

and

rebuilt in

1874, by Ruckle & Ash, who owned it until
1880, when Charles Ash bought Mr. Ruckle's
The Briar Creek Excelsior Mills
interest.
a
that
(still operated under
name)_ occupy
building 40 by 50 feet in dimensions, three
and a half stories high, and are equipped
with three runs of burrs.
Waterpower is
used, a turbine wheel driving the machinery, and a dam across Briar creek regulates
of water. George W. Ash was the
the
_

supply

managing

Northampton
to Columbia

745

he took
He and

miller until his father retired and
control of the establishment.
his son had an eight-acre lot in
sole

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

746

normal school at Dixon, 111.
Practically throughout his active business life
he conducted the Briar Creek Distillery, with
which he first become connected eleven years

connection with the mill, the latter farming
Charles Ash was engaged in huckthis tract.
stering eleven years, but he gave most of his
time to the cultivation of his farm, which he

later attended

brought into fine condition, improving the
property with a fine brick residence and sub-

after arriving in Briar Creek, selling out one
year before his death. Like so many other
members of his family, he also engaged in
milling, following that business for eleven
years, and he carried on the general mercanWith all his
tile business for seven years.
time
for public
he
found
interests,
yet
private
positions, serving nine years as postmaster,
and for seven years he filled the office of
The importance of the
justice of the peace.
affairs intrusted him by his fellow citizens,
and the success of his own ventures, show
the admirable business qualities of the man,
and in all the relations of life he was found to
be thoroughly capable and reliable. His death,
Nov. 19, 1906, was caused by a paralytic
Mr. Ash was a member of Bloomsstroke.

stantial outbuildings.
Columbia Grange, P.

He was

member

O. H., and one of the
his township, having
of
citizens
prominent
served his fellow citizens as supervisor, school
director, oveseer of the poor and tax collector,
He was long a deacon of the Lutheran Church
in

Fishingcreek township.

Oct. 24, 1848, Mr. Ash married Sarah
Ruckle, of Briar Creek, and they became the
surparents of nine children, of whom seven
Oct.
born
Wesley,
vive, namely:
George
(i)
of miller and
15, 1850, learned the trade

worked with

his

father,

becoming

his part-

ner when the firm of Ruckle & Ash dissolved.
In 1910 he turned the mill over to his sons
Wilbur C. and Amos M., who are now carryof
ing it on, and from 1883, for a number
years, he

was

interested in a distillery.

married Amelia H. Freas, and they have had
four children, Wilbur C, Amos M., Ralph
and Dewey, who died when two years old.
(2) William S., a merchant of Briar Creek,
married Hettie Learn, daughter of George
Learn, of Briar Creek, and they have two
(3)
children. Clarence Reagan and Lenora.
Miles Wilbert. who is now engaged^ in the
mercantile business in Buffalo, N. Y., married Clara Smith and has four children, three
sons and one daughter.
(4) Harvey Reuben,
of Benton, engaged in business as proprietor
of a greenhouse, married :\Iary Hill, and has
four children. Ernest, Oscar, Etta and George.
in farm(5) Pierce Wilson, who is engaged
Susan
married
old
the
on
homestead,
ing

Werkheiser, and they had eight children,
seven of whom survive, Trellie. Roy, Elsie,
and
Harry, Mylard and Millard (twins)
is mentioned
Alexander
Stewart
Helen.
(6)

Frank
(7) Amy Florentine niarried
months
later, and
six
died
who
Creveling,
she is now a trained nurse, at present head
nurse at a hospital in Portland, Oregon (she
has no children).
(8) Thomas Elliott, a
farmer and dairyman in Stillwater, niarried
Mary Geisinger. and has a daughter, Bessie,
who is engaged as a school teacher. (9)
Mrs. Sarah
Alvin Welhtts is deceased.
(Ruckle) Ash died Feb. 19. 1886. and is

below.

buried in Zion Church graveyard.
Stewart A. Ash was born Oct. 21. i860, in
his early
Fi-^hingcreek township, and obtained
education

the

local

public

schools.

burg Lodge, B. P. O. Elks, and in political
aflfairs he was associated with the Democratic
party.
July 17, 1886, Mr. Ash married Myrtle
Freas, of Briar Creek, daughter of Will and Fannie (Rittenhouse) Freas.
iJa,-,-,

farming people of that township, whose famnine children, four sons and
{\y consisted of
Amelia H. is the wife of
fi'^e daughters:
Rachel married Alfred
Ash;
George Wesley
Shaefer. a farmer of Centre township, and
bad six children: Rush T., a farmer of
|.i-,gy
Bri'arcreek township, married Mrs. KatherGarrison, of Foundr>'ville. Columbia
j^^g
three
county, and they had four children,
g^j^g 3,-1^1 o„e daughter, the latter dying when
^[^^ yg^rs old Anna, of Berwick, is living
retired: Seth. a farmer of Columbia county,
niarried Elizabeth Fester, of Briar Creek, and
^j^^^ i^^y^ two children, one son and one
Bovd. a farmer in Briarcrcck.
daughter:
married Clara ^lartz and has one child. MarMartha is an osteopath at Berwick
^^^j-et
of Stewart A. Ash;
^pyrtle D. is the widow
connected with the
Briar
Creek,
of
gr'ad.
American Car & Foundry Company, married
Salem township, Luzerne
^^j^ry Pollock, of
had two children, one
have
j^^d
they
gQ^^,{ty
^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ daughter (the latter deceased).
^.^ children were born to Mr. and Mrs.

;

^^^ ",

;

^^^

jg<^5^

Foundry
''f,}^''
^^J'^^^^^^^^
at Briar Creek .Lula M.
hves
and
Company
1^ at home; Edna was
born Aug. 19.
i.^^.

,•
f
'''^'^'''''''

wt.

born Oct.

31,

He Melva

\'..

th. A mpr,V-,n C-ir

May

cS:

1895; Ada. Nov 10. 189?^:
20. 1900; Ruth I.. Nov. 29.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Some of the family belong to the Briar(Brick) Reformed Church; Ada and
Melva are members of the First Methodist
Mrs. Ash belongs to
Church of Berwick.
Camp No. 70, P. O. S. of A., of Berwick.
1905.

creek

SIMON KREB HOFFMAN,

of Danville,
present treasurer of Montour county, is a
well and favorably known official and substantial business man of this section.
His
father, Theodore Hoffman, established a meat
business and he and his sons have been engaged in that line for over half a century.

Mr. Hoffman's grandparents were Frank and
Rosanna (Ederitch) Hoft'man, natives of Germany, in which country they passed all their
lives.
He was a butcher by trade, as were
also his ancestors.

Theodore Hoffman was born Jan. 28, 1834,
Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, Germany, where he
was reared and received an excellent educaIn his early life he began work in his
tion.
father's meat shop and he continued to follow

butcher business throughout his active
In 1855 he came to America, and for
years.
a short time worked as a butcher in New
York, Philadelphia and Lewisburg, Pa., finalin 1856.
ly locating in the town of Danville
There he followed his old occupation and on
April I, 1875, bought out John Rockafellow.

the

of the firm of Rockafellow & Divel. the firm
of Hoffman & Divel becoming the largest
wholesale and retail dealers in meat in Montour county. Both partners being popular and
highly respected citizens of Danville, by their
honest methods of dealing they succeeded in
They killed
establishing a large patronage.
on an average twelve head of cattle per week
and always kept a fresh supply of meat in
their shop, at the corner of Mill and Mulberry

747

200 Mulberry street.
A self-made man, he
became one of the substantial citizens of his
community by his own industry and economy,
and he has won the highest respect of his
fellow citizens by his upright life.
Though
not an office seeker he has served one year as
a policeman, and also as overseer of the poor
of Montour county for twelve years.
Simon Kreb Hoffman was born at Danville
Dec. 16, 1871, and there received his education in the public schools.
He learned the
butcher business with his father, with whom
he remained until the latter sold out to his
partner, Henry Divel, since when he has been
engaged in business with his brother TheoHe also handles poultry, etc., on his
dore.
own account. The Hoffmans have always
maintained high standing among the most

trustworthy merchants of the borough, and
the large trade which they command has been
built up by the most commendable methods.
Mr. Hoffman has been quite active in politics and for four years acted as chairman for
In 1904
the Democratic county committee.
he was ekcted treasurer of Montour county,

and was reelected

to'

that office in 191

his

administration of his business affairs
having won the confidence and esteem of his
He is a prominent member
fellow citizens.
of Beaver Lodge, No. 132, Knights of Pythias,
and of Lodge No. 754, B. P. O. Elks.
On Feb. 3, 1897, Mr. Hoffman married
Lillian M. Lyon, of Danville, daughter of
efficient

Elias and Abigail (Crossley) Lyon, and they
have three children:
Katherine, ]vlargaret
and Edward Simon. Mrs. Hoffman's father
was always engaged in the meat business in

Danville.

CHARLES JERAD

GILDS,

advertising

Their slaughterhouse, 50 by 80 feet,
and stockyard. 80 by 200 feet, were located on
Montgomery street, and they shipped extenIn
sively to the western part of the State.

manager and buyer in the cloak and suit dewas
partment of the Berwick Store Company,

1900 Mr. Hoffman retired, selling his share
Mr. Divel, who still runs the business.
In 1854 Mr. Hoffman married Elizabeth
Gouchu, daughter of Frederick Gouchu.
and she died May 20, 1886, at the age of
chilfifty-two years, leaving the following
dren
Henry, who died when twenty-eight
years old Theodore, a butcher in Danville
Frank, who is prospecting in the Western
States; George, a butcher, residing in Danville; Simon K., of Danville; John, who is
also prospecting in the West; Louise; Lena;

man)

streets.

;

Lizzie;

Caroline;

Hoffman owns

Mary; and Clara. Mr.
handsome residence at No.

born Feb. 27, 1867, in Greencastle, Franklin
Co. Pa., son of Daniel and Elizabeth (ForeGilds.

Daniel Gilds, the father, was born near
Baltimore, Md., and settled in Greencastle,
He was a butcher by occupation, folPa.
his active
lowing that business throughout
He was married to Elizabeth Foreman,
life.
and had one
daughter of Daniel Foreman,
He was a Republican
child. Charles Jerad.
and a member of the Methodist
in
politics,

Mr. Gilds died aged
at Greencastle.
at the age of fortywife
his
fifty-six years,
five years.
They are buried at Greencastle.
Gilds was educated in the
Charles

Church

public

lerad
of his native town and the

schools

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

748

known

select school

as Zeiglers.

young

he entered the employ of G. W. & D.
Zeigler, general merchants at Greencastle, as
package boy, and remained for six years, being advanced from time to time in his posiHe then entered the Updegraff store
tion.
at Hagerstown, Md., as window dresser, and
remained for two years, after w-hich he engaged with the P. A. Brugh Department Store
of the same town as window dresser, remaining for four years. His next three years were
taken up as traveling salesman for Keifer &
Row, manufacturers of carpets, of Philadelphia, and he then went with Stephen Chap-

man

& Co. (department store) in the same
capacity, remaining for four years. His next
location was at Gloversville, N. Y., where he
entered the employ of Ury & Mendelsohn
Brothers, dealers in ladies' ready-to-wear
Here he was in charge of the adclothing.
pelle

When

he was twenty-one years old he
puddling, w-ith the Bridgeton Iron
Works, of New Jersey, and followed his
trade in various parts of the country. Com-

old.

learned

ing to Berwick in 1888, he began his long
service with the Jackson-Woodin Manufacturing Company, and is still with its successor, the American Car and Foundry Com-

He was married to Louisa Herlinger,
born Feb. 20, 1855. daughter of Julius and
^lary (Wright) Herlinger, and their children
are:
^lary Elizabeth, Anna Priestly and
Margaret. In politics Mr. Dixon is a Democrat.
He is a member of Berwick Lodge, No.
246, I. O. O. F. Berwick Council, No. 698,
Junior Order United American Mechanics,
pany.

;

and the Berwick Beneficial Association. He
is member of the Baptist Church of Berwick.
Mr. Gilds has won the good will of his
employers and fellow employees and has

window dressing, remaining shown remarkable capacity in his
then came to Berwick and with the Berwick Store Company,
engaged with the Berwick Store Companv,

vertising
one year.

and

becoming buyer for the cloak and suit department and display manager, and taking
charge of the advertising.
Mr. Gilds was married in Berwick to
Margaret Dixon, daughter of Thomas \'. and
Louise (Herlinger) Dixon of Berwick. They
have one child, Dorothy Elizabeth, born Feb.
3,

1907.

]\Ir. Gilds is a Republican and
fraternally he belongs to Berwick Tent, No.
282, Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. and Mrs.

Politically

Daniel

was

Dixon,

the

Mrs.

home

life.
He was married to Mary Orr, who bore
him the following children
William, Thomas
:

Edward

(wlio died in infancy), Joseph
and Charles (deceased), Helen, George", HanThe father
nah, Mary, Albert and Sarah.
the
died aged about seventy-two years,
mother living to the age of eighty-five. They
were buried at Salem, N. J. Both were members of the P.aptist Church, and he was a
\'.,

Democrat

politics.

Thomas V. Dixon received
at the common schools of his
attending

till

was

about

son

At the age of nineteen
1877.
he began the study of law under Ikeler &
Ikeler, in whose office he remained for four
years. He was admitted to the bar of Columbia county April 14. 1900, under Judge Robert R. Little, and was admitted to practice
before the Supreme court April 9, 1906.
Pa., ]\Iarch 7,

grandfather of Mr. Stees. was a skilled j^hysician at Harrisburg, Pa., during the early half

grandfather

place and
engaged as a teamster during his active

was educated

STEES.

and Annie (Armstrong) Stees,
Picture Rocks, .Lycoming Co.,

education

J., June 5, 1850, a son of Daniel
a grandson oi Daniel Dixon, the latHe
ter a soldier of the Revolutionary war.
was a farmer, and followed that occupation in
Salem county, N. J.
He was a Whig in
politics, and a member of the Baptist Church,

and

Gilds,

was born

native place,
fifteen years

county, N.
S.

HARRY RITTENHOUSE

of Dr. John

In 1901 Mr. Stees went to the State of
Sonora, Mexico, as freight receiver in the
railroad department of the Consolidated Copper Company, at Naco, and later was staWhen the railroad line
tioned at Cananea.
was sold to the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company he was made chief clerk to the
chief engineer engaged in building a connecting link between the main line and the branch
He
called the Arizona & Colorado Railroad.
remained three years, but becoming ill decided to return to Bloomsburg, where he
opened a law office in September, 1904. and
has since built up an extensive practice.
Mr. Stees was married, Oct. 4, 1902, to
Anna, daughter of Edward and Annie
(Yorks) Johnson, of Troy, Pa. They have
Mr. Stees is an Episcopalian,
no children.
and has held the office of vestryman. He is
a Democrat in politics, has served his party
as county chairman, and is now State committeeman.
Dr. Thomas Whiteside, paternal great-

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
\\ Dixon was born in Salem

Gilds attend

Thomas

positions

his

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
of the nineteenth century.
Dr. Abraham C.
Stees married JMargaret Whiteside, and they
became the parents of Dr. John I. Stees and
the grandparents of Harry R. Stees.
They
located at Millerstown, Perry Co., Pa., about
1838.

Gen. John Heister, Mr. Stees's maternal
was closely congreat-great-grandfather,
nected with governmental affairs from 1774

749

Simon

had sixty-three acres, and besides
farming was engaged in freighting to and
from Philadelphia. John, who was a

started

with

farmer,

fifty-seven acres, and subsequently bought out his brother Conrad. Jacob,
who had thirty acres, was a wheelwright anci
colorer.
Michael, who had seventeen acres

spectively figured extensively in Colonial and
Constitutional affairs in this country, bequeathing much to science and literature.
The world owes much to the astronomical and
mathematical genius of David Rittenhouse.
The Articles of Confederation were partly
framed by Colonel Armstrong, a favorite aide

and a timber lot, was a wheelwright by trade.
Jonas, a weaver, had about twenty acres to
begin with. Charles, who was a blacksmith,
started with twenty acres, and sold out to his
brother Daniel, moving to Northumberland
county; he died near Sinking Springs. The
father gave up farming about twenty
years
before his death, and thereafter lived retired,
his sons Daniel and Jacob
cultivating his land.
The son Daniel built a little house for him
on one part of the property, near a flowing
spring, and there the father lived until his
death, March 20, 1846, each of the sons contributing a certain amount to his support.
Although each held his own land the father
had given it under these conditions. His first
wife, Madeline, had died a number of years

of Gen. George Washington.

previously.

to 1820.
He was an officer under Washington during the American Revolution.
From
1802 to 1806 he represented Chester county
in the State Senate, and from 1807 to 1809 he
was a member of Congress from Chester

county.

The Rittenhouse and Armstrong families,
Germantown and the Chester Valley, re-

FREDERICK HAGENBUCH,
was during a long

life

deceased,

one of the prominent

of an old

settled family of
Centre township, Columbia county. He was
born in that township May 12, 1827, son of
Daniel Hagenbuch and grandson of John

representatives

Hagenbuch.
John Hagenbuch, the grandfather, was born
in Northampton county. Pa., Sept. 24, 1763,
son of Andrew and Anna Margaret Hagenbuch. When he was a young man his parents
removed to Columbia county, locating in
Centre township, just east of the Hidlay
Church, and there they spent the remainder
of their lives.
They were farming people.
They are buried in the Hidlay cemetery.
While still a resident of Northampton
county John Hagenbuch was married there
to Madeline Dreisbach, and they had eight
sons, namely
Conrad, who removed to the
West Branch, where he lived until his death;
Simon, who lived in Centre township, near
Summer Hill John and Jacob, who occupied
adjoining farms; Michael; Daniel; Jonas; and
:

;

a blacksmith.
The father of this
family bought four hundred acres of land
from a Mr. Smith, and began the work of
clearing, and as his sons reached maturity
and began life for themselves he erected

Charles,

them on this tract. Conrad, who
had but thirty-five acres to start with, learned
weaving and set up in business for himself.

buildings for

Madeline (Dreisbach) Hagenbuch, wife of
John Hagenbuch, born near Kreidersville,
Northampton county, Sept. 9, 1766, died in
Columbia county, Jan. 3, 1825. She was the
daughter of Simon Dreisbach, Jr., and the
granddaughter of Simon Dreisbach, Sr.
Simon Dreisbach, Sr., was born at Obernsdorf, Wettgenstein, Germany, Aug. 7, 1698,
and qualified at Philadelphia Sept. 20, 1743.
He settled in Lehigh township, Northampton
Co., Pa., died March 31, 1785, and is buried
at the

Stone Church.

Simon Dreisbach, Jr., was born at ObernsHe was a
dorf, Germany, Feb. 18, 1730.
delegate from Northampton county to the
convention in
Philadelphia
(July 15, 1776) which ratified the Declaration
of Independence. From 1776 to 1780 he represented the county in the State Assembly and
Constitutional

also several years as commissioner to collect
blankets and provisions for the Continental
soldiers, and from May 2, 1777, to Oct. 20,
1783, was a member of the Council of CenAfter the close of the war he again
sors.
represented the county in several sessions

of the State Assembly. In 1752 he was married to Dorothea (a daughter of Peter) Taes,
who died in 1773. He was married a second
time to Anna Maria Kuder, a widow, the
He died near
daughter of Conrad Fox.
Kreidersville Dec. 17, 1806.
Daniel Hagenbuch, son of John, was the
sixth of the eight sons born to his parents.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

750

The portion of land given to him was sixtythree acres, and he afterwards bought out his
brothers Simon and Charles.
When his
father retired he remained with him and took
part of the management of the farm. He continued to follow agricultural pursuits until a
few years before
in April,
1825, to

his

1878.

death,

which occurred

his marriage,

March

24,

EHzabeth Hill, a native of what is
now Columbia county, he had a family of
seven children, all now deceased but Frank
and Hester, viz
Frederick Josiah, who married Sarah Everhart, and lived at Light Street
:

;

(he died in April, 1861, at the age of thirtythree years)
Rachel, who married Philip
Creasy, and resided in Centre township, later
;

West Berwick

;

who married EmanBloomsburg; Wilson, who

Sarah,

Kelchner, of
married Elmira White and lived at Atalissa,
Muscatine Co., Iowa Hester, the widow of
uel

;

Thomas W. Hagenbuch, now residing in West
Berwick; and Frank H., who married Dora A.
Fowler and lives in East Berwick, Salem
The mother
Luzerne county.
township,
passed away Oct. 23, 1867, and is buried with
the father in Hidlay cemetery.
Capt. Frederick Hill, father of Mrs. Elizabeth (Hill) Hagenbuch, was born March 8,
On .Aug. 3,
1772, and died Aug. 21, 1823.
1807, as appears by the original commission in
the possession of Charles F. Hill, Esq.. of

Hazleton, Pa., he was commissioned captain
of the 6th Company, 112th Regiment of the
Militia of Pennsylvania, by Gov. Thomas
McKean, and he served with that rank in the
war of 1 81 2. He was proj^rietor of the old

"Fort Jenkins" inn.
He and his wife came
Columbia county from Berks county and
passed their years here.
They were buried
on the old Hill homestead, and later removed
to the Lime Ridge cemetery. His wife, Catherine (Conner), was a daughter of Thomas
and Esther Ann (Fahls) Conner, of Berks
to

1785.

Thomas Conner, father of Catherine (Conner) Hill, was born in Ireland about 1745. and
his wife, Esther Ann
(Fahls), born in October, 1750, died in August, 1848.
They had
five children, viz.
i
(
) Catherine, born Aug.
20, 1777, wife of Frederick Hill (Capt.). died
:

July 30, 1841
(2) John, born June 29, 1779,
married Catherine \Vhitman; (3) Esther was
born May 27, 1781 (4) Elizabeth, born June
10, 1783, became the wife of Jeremiah Culp,
of Columbia county; (5) Sarah, born June
6, 1 791, was the wife of John Mellick, of
Columbia county. Thomas Conner served in
;

;

the

war of

the Revolution.

Captain Frederick and Catherine (Conner)
Hill had nine children, viz.:
Polly, wife of
Joseph Miller, of Michigan; Sarah, wife of
Frederick Hill, of Berks county; Phoebe, wife
of Rev. Mr. Kessler; Esther, wife of Samuel Adams; Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Hagenbuch; Catherine, wife of John Lazarus; John,
who married Massa Hoffman Jacob, who
married Anna Achenbach Rachel, wife of
Aaron Hagenbuch, of Michigan.
;

;

Frederick Hagenbuch lived at

home up

the age of twenty-seven years, following farm
work, which was always his occupation. At
that time he married, and for years thereafter rented land from his father-in-law. in

1855 purchasing what became his home farm,
partnership with his father, and locating

He also bought the place
which he had first rented. The first grant to
his home farm was made to Henry Owen,
who sold it to John Bittenbender, from whom
it was purchased by Enos Fowler and S. H.
Fowler, Mr. Hagenbuch and his father buying
it
from them in 1855. Mr. Hagenbuch's
there that year.

county.

Frederick Hill,

(Beau) Le Van (refugees from Picardy,
France), came from Amsterdam, Holland,
to Berks county. Pa., about
171 5, and located
in the
Maxatawny valley. He was one of
the judges of the County court from
1752 to
He bore an important part in the de1762.
fense of the frontiers
during the French and
Indian war and was commissioned to
provision Fort Allen in 1756. He died March
12,
1768, and his widow survived until Tan. 18.

Sr., the

father of Captain

Richmond township. Berks Co.,
and married Marie Le \'an Huttenstein
(widow), a daughter of Jacob and Marie
(Rose) Le Van, the latter a daughter of Captain Rose.
He died Aug. 2. 1794.
John Jacob Hill, the father of Frederick,
Sr., was one of the five brothers who came
to Berks county. Pa., from the river Rhine,
in Germany, of whom three were
generals
and two captains. On July 3, 1739, he was
married to Maria A. Merckel.
He died
Hill, lived in

Pa.,

about Jan. 17, 1776.
Jacob Le Van, son of Daniel and Marie

death

occurred

March

20,

1904,

Centre

He was a prominent man in
township.
Centre township, serving his fellow citizens
faithfully as

school director and supervisor,
in the Grange, in which

and was well known

office.
Socially he belonged to Washington Lodge. No. 265. F. & A. M.. at Bloomsburg. and to the I. O. O. F. lodge at Espy.

he held

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
With his family he belonged to the Hidlay
Union Church.
On Feb. 22, 1853, Mr. Hagenbuch married
Margaret Hidlay, a native of Centre townOf the five children
ship, Columbia county.
born to this union ( i ) George Montgomery
married Mary Pursel, and they have had
:

Frederick D.

children:

Blanche,

(deceased), Barton,

Edna and Robert (deceased), Boyd,

Of these
(deceased).
Harriet Buckalew,
and they had two children, Carl and Xebin
and Franklin

Elsie

Frederick

married

;

Blanche marBarton married Lillian Eck
ried Edward Eastman.
{^2) Oscar Daniel
married Ella McHenry, and their children
are:
Geraldine; Lorena, the wife of Briggs
(3) Ida Eleanor.
Wesley; and McHenry.
Elizabeth.
Clara
(4)
(5) Sarah ^Margaret.
;

George Hidlay, great-grandfather of Marga(Hidlay) Hagenbuch. was a resident of
Oxford township, Sussex Co., N. J. He was
a Revolutionary soldier and served as a private in Capt. Francis Rhoad's company of
In religious
Northampton County Militia.
faith he was a Presbyterian. He died in OctoHe and his wife, Sophia, were
ber, 1794.
buried in the old Presbyterian Church cemetery at Oxford, New Jersey.
Henry Hidlay, son of George Hidlay, was
born in New^ Jersey, not far from Easton,
Pa., March 17, 1765, coming thence to Centre
township, Columbia county, and settling near
what became known as Hidlay Church. He
was a very religious man, and donated the
land for the Hidlay Presbyterian Church, the
Pofirst Presbyterian Church in the valley.
litically he was a member of the Whig party.
His wife was Sarah McMurtrie, daughter of
Abraham and Amelia (Barton) McMurtrie,
and granddaughter of Rev. Thomas Barton.
He died March 4, 1848, and his remains, as
ret

those of many of his descendants,
buried in the Hidlay Church cemetery.
Rev. Thomas Barton, father of Amelia
(Barton) McMurtrie, was married in England to Hannah Clark, a daughter of Daniel

well as
lie

Clark.

They emigrated

to Virginia, locating

river, and afterwards moved
to Pennsylvania, in the vicinity of Philadel-

on the James

He was

phia.

chaplain in

the

war during

1755-

Henry and Sarah (^McMurtrie) Hidlay had
seven children, namely
17,

1789,

George, born June

who married Sarah Aikman

;

(2)

Amelia, born Dec. 24, 1791, wife of John
Freas
(3) Abraham, born March 19, 1794,
who married Elizabeth Geisinger; (4) John;
(5) Henry, Jr., born Sept. 11, 1798, who
;

died

when young;

1801, wife of

born June
White.

751

(6) Sarah, born Jan. 25,

Mr. Smith, and (7) William

25,

1803,

who married Mary

George Hidlay, Jr., son of Henry Hidlay,
and died in Columbia county. By occupation he was a farmer, owning two good
farms. He married Sarah Aikman, daughter
of Levi (Sr.) and Margaret (Hutchinson)
Aikman, and granddaughter of Alexander
Aikman, who came from New Jersey, and
was the earliest ancestor of the Aikman famHe was married in New
ily in this region.
lived

Jan. 8, 1764, to Mary Elizabeth
Lewis.
Margaret Hutchinson was a daughter of James Hutchinson, of Northampton
Mr. and Mrs. George Hidlay
county.
were buried in the Hidlay Church cemetery.
He was a Presbyterian in religious connecTheir chiltion, and a Republican in politics.

Jersey,

dren,

all

now

deceased, were

Levi,

who mar-

ried Janet Reynolds
Margaret, Mrs. Frederick Hagenbuch; Sarah (twin of Margaret),
;

who

died young; Jane, who married Levi
Creveling; Abram, who died young; and
George, who married Sarah Roup.
Joseph McMurtrie, grandfather of Sarah
(McMurtrie) Hidlay, was born at Dalmellington, Ayrshire, Scotland, about 1685, and
came to America in 1750. He died in Oxford

township, Sussex (now Warren) Co., N. J.,
in 1761.
His children were: Joseph; John;

Abraham Agnes Elizabeth.
Abraham AIc]\Iurtrie, the
;

;

third son of Joseph McMurtrie, born in Scotland July 17,
1741, died in New Jersey Sept. 3, 1819. Amelia (Barton) McAIurtrie, his wife, was born
in Virginia Jan. 11, 1746, and died in New
Jersey Feb. 10, 1831. Abraham and Amelia

(Barton) McMurtrie had eleven children,
namely: (i) Sarah, wife of Henry Hidlay,
born in Oxford, N. J., March i, 1765, died
April 15, 1849.
(2) Elizabeth, born Dec. 2"/,
1766, was the wife of Abram Stewart, of
Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa. (3) Hannah was
born March 11, 1769.
(4) Mary was born
Nov. 25, 1 77 1. (5) James, born March 10,
1774, died

born June

March
13,

10,

1776.

1836.
(7)

(6) x'Xmelia was
Nancy Ann, born

Jan. 16, 1779, married William Bryan, of Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., and for her second
husband Rev. William Sloan, of Bloomsburg,
N. J. (8) John, born Jan. 9, 1782, died March
8, 1828.
(9) Thomas, bom July 19, 1784,
died April i, 1828.
(10) Isabella, born May
I, 1786, died Jan. 5, 1835.
(11) Abram, born
Aug. 7, 1789, died June 26, 1861.
All the children of Frederick and Margaret

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

752

(Hidlay) Hagenbuch are still living. George
Oscar
j\Iontgomery resides in Bloomsburg.
Ida Eleanor and
Daniel lives at Stillwater.
Clara Elizabeth occupy the old homestead.

Sarah Margaret, after having received academic and professional training, became a
public school teacher. After a few years of
successful experience, both in ungraded and
in graded school work, she was elected to her
present position, as teacher in the first primary
grade of the Berwick public schools. Later
the additional duty of supervisor of the primary department was added to her responsibilities, and she has since served well and
Miss Hagenfaithfully in these capacities.
buch is especially fitted for her work, having
been trained at the Bloomsburg State Normal
School and having pursued special courses of
study and the observance of modern and improved methods of teaching at Martha's Vineyard, the Chautauqua in New York State, and
the Teachers' College, New York City, summer schools. Professionally she is an efficient
teacher; socially she is a member of Moses
Van Campen Chapter, D. A. R., of Berwick,
and a charter member and active worker in
the Columbia County Historical Society.

WILLIAM

the Berwick Store

GARRISON,

president of
in Bal-

Company, was born

timore, Md., May 2, 1870. His father, William
Garrison, a native of North Carolina, was
born near the Company Shops, where his
The Garrison family
father was also born.

to North Carolina from New Jersey
during the latter part of the seventeenth century and were anti-abolitionists in direct opposition to the other branch of the Garrison fam-

removed

prominently represented in W'illiam Lloyd
Garrison, whose writings and speeches had so
great an effect in promoting the abolitionist
cause in the North.
William I. Garrison was married while a
resident of North Carolina to Hannah S. Partin, a daughter of Peterson Partin, a native
of Farmville, Va., and of French descent. In
ily,

1868 Mr. Garrison removed to Baltimore,
where he entered the employ of the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad Company, remaining with
same for twenty years, when he returned to
Carolina. There he soon afterwards died. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. Garrison were:
Charles G., now deceased Hannah Mary, and
William C. Mr. Garrison was a member of
the Democratic partys like the Southerners of
his time generally, and belonged to the Bap;

Church.
William C. Garrison spent his youth

tist

in Bal-

timore, where he carried on his studies in the
Ill health
public schools.
prevented his continued attendance at school, though, like
many
apparent misfortunes, his persistent illness
proved a blessing in disguise. He secured copy
books of the Spencerian system of penman-

and when unable

to study spent his time
perfecting his handwriting. When nineteen
years of age Mr. Garrison, his parents having
both died, went to Chicago, and secured a
clerical position because of his ability to write
well.
After about six months he obtained a
position with the American Wheel Company,
one of the largest manufacturers of wheels in
the United States, was made bookkeeper within a short time, and had charge of the customers' accounts, his accuracy and thoroughness making him very valuable.
When the
firm failed and was placed in receivers' hands
he was auditor and chief accountant, with entire charge of the company's books.
There
were thirty-six branches in various parts of
the United States, each doing a large business,
and each one reported to the general office.
When the trustees wished to reorganize, a
complete statement of each branch was made
and the whole tabulated by Mr. Garrison. So
accurate were the reports, made on such short
notice, that the total estimated value, as afterwards ascertained, varied but a few thousand
dollars from the actual value. The Standard
Wheel Company became owners of the busi-

ship,
in

with headquarters at Indianapolis and
Terre Haute, Ind. Mr. Garrison was made
auditor and office manager of this company.
In 1901 he came to Scranton. Pa., where he
secured a position with a large department
store as office manager.
In December, 1902. Mr. Garrison was employed by the Berwick Store Company to systematize its business, and so successful were
ness,

his efforts in this capacity that in

May,

1905.

he was made manager. In November. 191 1,
the Berwick Store Company was organized as
a corporation, and Mr. Garrison was elected
The
president, which position he now holds.
store has greatly improved during his administration, and the remarkable growth and development of the business is largely due to his
efficiency and system.
On June 28, 1893, Mr. Garrison was married to Sarah F. McGall, daughter of Henr\'
and Sarah (Gamble) McGall. residents of
Baltimore. Mrs. McGall is a member of the
well known Gamble
member is one of the

family, whose leading
firm of the Procter &

Cincinnati, Ohio.
an ardent Republican

Gamble Company, of
Mr. Cuirrison

TILDfN

-,'i-V/i.A V 1

;jND4T10N*

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES.
and a loyal supporter of the policies
As a member of the board of
of his party.
managers of the Y. M. C. A., and chairman of
the financial committee, much of the success
of the association is due to his efforts in colMr. Garrison takes
lecting "sinews of war."
politics,

all matters pertaining to
ever ready to use his influence
for the benefit and advancement of his adopted

a deep interest in

Berwick, and

city.

on foot a campaign for the general improvement of the sidewalks and crossings. It was
also during his term of administration that
the city raised $1,500 for the

bill

the

of Crusade

States.

;

Commandery, Knights Templar,

member of the Masonic
Bloomsburg, Pa.
Club of New York City and the Pennsylvania
;

Society of

New York

City.

CLYDE CHARLES

YETTER, a prominent attorney of Bloomsburg, has come into
favorable notice both in his professional capacity and as one of the ablest men who have
had the direction of public afifairs in his
borough. He was born April 3, 1875, son of
William Henry and Nora (Brown) Yetter,
was educated in the public schools and at the
Bloomsburg State Normal, and then took up
the legal profession, being admitted to pracMr. Yetter was married
tice Jan. 15, 1900.
Philadelphia Aug. 10, 1908, to
Frances, daughter of Rev. and Mrs.
Alexander Adams, of Bloomsburg.
in

Mary
John

community there are representawho are confidently relied upon
to cast their influence upon the side of good
government, law and order, and to uphold
In every

tive citizens

those things which make for progress, peace
and prosperity. Of this class of citizenship
Besides
in Bloomsburg is Clyde C. Yetter.
as
practicing in all the courts of the State,
well as the United States District court and
the United States Court of Appeals, he has
found time to devote to the interests of his
fellow citizens. For years he has been in the
public eye, and has been one of the foremost
figures in the general advancement of Blooms-

burg.

Mr. Yetter has served two terms as mayor
of Bloomsburg.
During his administration a
large number of improvements were made,
paving of the city streets was inaugurated,
without the borrowing of a dollar, tax rates
were lowered, cost of street lighting cut in
half, water rates for fire purposes reduced,
and important streets w^ere opened. He set
48

Chamber of Commerce

"Yetter Paving
years.
in the

relief

of the

San Francisco sufferers.
Mr. Yetter has served as municipal solicitor and is the author of the bill which made
street paving in Bloomsburg possible.
This

past tnaster of Ancient
319, F. and A. M., of
member of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Ind.
Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite,
and Murate Temple, Shrine of Indianapolis

Mr. Garrison

Landmarks Lodge, No.

753

Bill."

christened the

Mr. Yetter has been

president of the Chamber of Commerce eight
His practice now is the trial of causes
civil courts of his home county, in
many other counties of the State, and in the
Appellate courts of the State and United

In politics Mr. Yetter is a Republican of
broad type and liberal in his views. He has
been chairman of the Republican county committee, member of the State committee and
of the State League of Republican Clubs, and
is always to the fore in matters of local and
national importance.
of Limestoneville, is a
J. MILES DERR,
teacher of long experience in Montour county,
where he is also engaged in farming. He is
a native of Lycoming county. Pa., born June
2^, 1868, in Moreland township, son of John
F. Derr.
Christopher Derr, grandfather of J. Miles

Derr, was born in Anthony township, in what
is now Montour (then Columbia) county, and
was only a boy when his father died. He

was married in Lycoming county to Mary
Opp, also a native of Pennsylvania, and they
Hannah, Philip,
had a family of ten children
John F., Jane, Phoebe, George, Thomas M.,
Wilson, Franklin C. and Jacob. The parents
:

are buried at Moreland.

Their ancestors are

English and German.
John F. Derr, father of J. Miles Derr, was
born also in Moreland township, Lycoming
Co., Pa., July 16, 1823, and is now Hving reIn 1871 he settled
Limestone township, Montour county, and
followed farming there the rest of his active

tired at Turbotville. Pa.
in

Then he moved to
years, retiring in 1895.
Turbotville. He married Sarah Houseknecht,
29, 1834, daughter of BenSarah
and
Houseknecht, of
(Warn)
jamin
Lycoming county, and they have had nine

who was born June
all

children,

D.,

who

Fuller S.,
living but one, viz.
is located at Watsontown, Pa.
:

;

Phoebe Jane, wife of Albert Muffley, of Watsontown Elmer Benjamin, of Baltimore. Md.
Homer Munro, of South Dakota;
J. Miles;
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

754

Anna

F., wife of Dr. \'an Zant, of Turbotand Mary Alice, wife of
T. Judson
of
Turbotville.
Krumm,
John
J. Miles Derr obtained an excellent education, going from the common schools to high
school at Watsontown and later spending one
term at the West Chester (Pa.) normal school.
ville

;

then commenced teaching, which profession he has continued to follow to the present

time, having taught twenty-four terms to date.
He has been highly successful in his educational work, in which he has taken the most

sincere interest always, a fact which undoubtedly accounts for his popularity and good influence as an instructor. Mr. Derr was reared
to farming, and has always continued to engage in that calling, before his marriage for
his parents

and afterwards on

his

own

ac-

now

residing at the old paternal
homestead in Limestone township, the home
of the family since 1871. He takes an active

count.

part in local public affairs, at present serving
as tax receiver for his township, and on political questions is allied with the Republican
party.

Feb. 14, 1893, Mr. Derr was married
Cora E. Bannen, daughter of James and
Elizabeth (Martin) Bannen, the former a retired farmer now living near Turbotville
Mrs. Bannen died when her daughter Cora
was a child of eight years. Mrs. Derr died
May I, 1895, aged twenty years, twelve days.
She left one child, Helen F.. now nineteen
years old, who graduated from the Millersville normal school in 1912 and taught her
first term in Bucks county, Pa., where she is
now engaged. Mr. Derr's second marriage
was to 5linnie M. Leiser, who was bom Jan.
18, 1870, in Kelly township. Union Co.. Pa.,
daughter of Jacob and Susan (DietTenderfer)
Four
Leiser. both of whom are deceased.
Ada
children have been born to this union
F., now (1913) fifteen years old; Thelma.
deceased Leiser, eight years old and Martha.
two years old. Mr. Derr is a member of the
Baptist Church, his wife of the Lutheran deto

;

nomination.

CHARLES

B. LUTZ, of Bloomsburg, Pa.,
is a leading insurance man of that place and
one of the best informed agents in this secHe was born
tion on contracts and values.
April 22. 1870, in Bloomsburg. son of M. P.
Lutz. who established the insurance business
in which he and his son are now engaged.
Peter Lutz. the first of the family on rec-

came to Columbia from Berks, county
8 10, and located in Benton township, where

ord,
in

he bought a tract of land on the State road,
near Cambra.
He married in Berks county
Catherine Belles, and they had several children, their second son being Adam, grandfather of Charles B. Lutz.
Peter Lutz died
in 1 83 1 and his widow in 1862, and both were
buried near Pealertown.
Adam Lutz attended the countr>' schools

and worked on

his father's

farm during

his

learned the carpenter's trade,
which he followed almost continuously until
his death.
In January, 1838, he married Sidney Travis, a native of Luzerne county, and

youth.

marriage moved to Fairmount townthat county.
For four years they
on the farm in Luzerne county, and then
Mrs. Lutz died and Mr. Lutz sold out and
returned to Columbia county to work at his
In January, 185 1, he married Cathtrade.
erine Knouse. in Jackson township, and they
moved to the old homestead of his father,
where they resided for six years. In 1857 he
bought a farm near Benton and cultivated it
until 1861. when he removed to Benton and
built the home in which he resided until his
after

ship,
lived

death in 1866.

marriage Adam Lutz had four
wife of George Hazlett, of
Bloomingdale. Luzerne county M. P.. mentioned below F. M.. of Buffalo township; and
Sidney Mary. P>y his second marriage there
were also four children: X. A., wife of Reuben Whitmire, of Wilkes- Barre; Clarissa C,
wife of Sylvester Sollider, of Bloomsburg;
S. A., of Centre township; and Phoebe J.,
deceased.
Mrs. Adam Lutz later married
Judge James Lake.
M. P. Lutz was born in Benton township
Jan. 13. 1841. and after receiving a common

his first

children:

.-\..

;

Columbus Academy

school education attended

and took an additional course at Kingston
Academy. In early life he assisted his father
on the farm. He enlisted in Company A. 52d
Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, and was in
the engagements at Gaines' Mill, ^'orktown.
Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, being disabled
in the latter battle, sent to the hospital, and
In .\ugust. 1864. he
I., was
Company
199th P. \
promoted to sergeant, and participated in the
siege of Richmond and the o])erations around
Petersburg. After participating in the review

discharged for disability.
enlisted in

.\.

Washington he returned home, and engaged

in the

millwright business.

In 1866 he took a

Frantz. of WilkesCoolbaugh
Barre. and after two years bought an interest
in the shoe business of Reed & Kennedy, the
Later he
firm becoming Lutz
Kennedy.

clerkshi]i with

tS:

.S:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
bought out the store of A. J. Sloan and established the first exclusive dry goods business in Bloomsburg, being the first merchant
In 1885 he embarked
to dress his windows.
in the insurance business, which he has conducted ever since.

On Jan. 13, 1868, Mr. Lutz married Anna
A., daughter of Col. B. S. Brockway, a native
of Berwick, and they have had these children
:

Charles B., mentioned below and Frank E.,
Mr. Lutz has filled all of
of Ramsey, N. J.
the offices in the Odd Fellows order, and was
also formerly a member of the Knights of
;

Pythias.

Charles B. Lutz was educated in the schools
of Bloomsburg and took a preparatory course
in the State Normal, afterwards graduating
from White's business college, at Newark,
N. J. He soon obtained a position as bookkeeper with Jonas Long & Sons, of WilkesBarre, remaining there until 1888, when he
returned to Bloomsburg and entered into the
insurance business with his father.
During
1910- 1 2 he was on the road as special agent
and adjuster for the Humboldt Fire Insurance
Company, of Pittsburg. He handles all kinds
of insurance matters and is considered an
authority on contracts.
In 1887 Charles B. Lutz was married to
Edna, daughter of George W. and Francis
(Millard) Creveling, of Almedia, and they
have had three children
Francis, born April
:

and
28, iQOi
Mr. Lutz is a
member of Washington Lodge, No. 276, F. &
A. M., and has passed all the chairs. He is
also connected with Bloomsburg Chapter, No.
He
218, R. A. M., and Caldwell Consistory.
is a member of Theta Castle, No. 272, Knights
In politics he is indeof the Golden Eagle.
pendent. He attends the- Baptist Church.
2"], 1900; Clarissa,
Martin, born Sept.

born Sept.
12,

;

1910.

SNYDER,

proprietor of the gristmill
at Newlin, Columbia county, was born in that
vicinity, in Locust township, Oct. 3, 1858, son
of John Snyder and grandson of Michael
L.

Snyder.

The

latter

moved from Berks

county,

Pa., to Schuylkill county in the early days and
settled on a farm, where he died at the age of

about

fifty years.

John Snyder, father of W. L. Snyder, was
born and reared in Schuylkill county and there
married Lucetta Bitler, a daughter of John
Bitler, who also removed from Berks to
Schuylkill county.
They had seven children,
four of whom are now living,
Mary Alice and Jeremiah, all

Columbia county.

L.,

Joel,

residents

Mr. Snyder died

of
the

755

age of fifty-two and a half years, and his
wife at the age of seventy-three years. He

was a member of the Reformed Church and
she of the Lutheran Church, and they are
buried in the Reformed cemetery at Numidia.
He was a lumber dealer and miller, and also
ran a gristmill, and owned 160 acres near
Roaringcreek post office in Locust township
as well as a mill.
He sawed lumber to build
the first bridges in the county, and in his
early years worked in the typical manner of
the times, splitting shingles by hand and carrying on his other operations as well as posHe built
sible with the appliances to be had.
In his
an early mill in Schuylkill county.
younger days he was a great hunter and fisherman. He was a Democrat and prominent in
politics, serving as treasurer of Columbia
county for one term.
W. L. Snyder received his schooling in
Locust township and after he grew older
worked with farmers and in sawmills, also beIn
ing employed in his brother's gristmill.
1880 he bought the gristmill on Stony creek,
Kerntown, which was originally built by a

Mr. Cherrington, a famous builder of the
The machinery was brought by wagon
from Philadelphia. The name of the man
to whom Mr. Cherrington sold it is not given,
but with that exception all the owners are
known. It was bought from the second owner
by Benjamin Bahm, who sold it to Elias
Snyder, from whom it was purchased by W.
time.

The original
L. Snyder, the present owner.
mill is still standing, and it was enlarged
seventy years ago. Since his purchase of the
mill

Mr. Snyder has added modern machinery,

installing a gasoline engine (which operates
the mill six out of the twelve months) and a

waterwheel, buckwheat shucker,
During the eight months the water supply

fine turbine
etc.

is available the mill grinds an average of
sixty-nine bushels in a ten-hour run, and considerable custom grinding is done, the place
being an industrial center of importance to
Mr. Snyder has fifteen acres
the township.

of land adjoining the mill, which he cultivates.

Mr. Snyder was married in 1880 to Hannah
Fahringer, a native of Numidia, daughter of
Harmon and Mary (Keller) Fahringer, and
John, Clara,
they have had fifteen children
Grover, Mary L. (deceased), Jerry, Emerson, Martin, Ida, Henry A. (deceased). Alma,
Emma, Lucy, Florence, Falcon and Archie.
Mr. Snyder is a Democrat, and he has been
school director for three years. He is a mem:

ber of the Lutheran Church.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

756

WILLIAM

H. FISHER, of Bloomsburg,
has served two terms on the board of
commissioners of Columbia county, has long
been a well known resident of this section,
where his active career has brought him into
contact with many of his fellow citizens. Mr.
Fisher was born at Ringtown, Schuylkill Co.,
Pa., Sept. 4, 185 1, son of Daniel Fisher, and
is a great-great-grandson of the founder of
the family in this country, who came from
Germany and settled near Kutztown, Berks
He secured a large tract of land
Co., Pa.
and became one of the substantial farmers
of his neighborhood.
Henry Fisher, son of the above, was bom
in Berks county. Pa., and later moved to
Columbia county, making the trip with
wagons, as was the custom in those days,

who

there being no railroads in this section. Arriving in 1821, he settled in what is now Main
township, buying at a sherifif's sale a tract of
land comprising 400 acres, where he died. He
married Elizabeth Bastress, who was also born
in Berks county, and both are buried in the

Fisher Church cemetery in Main township.
Mr. Fisher gave the land for the church, behind which the cemetery lies, and in compli-

ment

him

Fisher was

was given

his

name.

Henry

the pioneers of this district and was recognized as one of the leading men here. He and his wife had children
Solomon Jonathan John Elizas follows

among

;

Daniel Fisher, son of John, was born April
1823, in Catawissa township, then in
Northumberland county, and obtained a good
common school education. He followed farm27,

ing on the old homestead in Main township
for a number of years, and for five years
was located near Milton, in Northumberland
county, on a farm now owned by the Fairchild
Then he removed into the borough of
estate.
^lilton, where he made his home for sixteen
years, at the end of that period coming to

Montour Co., Pa., where he
lived from 1888 to 1904.
He has since been
a resident of Bloomsburg, making his home
with his son William H.
Limestoneville,

Jan. 23, 1844, Daniel Fisher

was united

marriage, by Rev. William J. Eyer, to Mary
M. Creasy, daughter of Jacob and Hannah
(Blank) Creasy, both natives of Union townChildren as follows
ship, Schuylkill Co., Pa.
were born to this union
Hannah Melinda,
born Feb. 16, 1845, married Charles T. Sherman Sarah Ann Catherine was born Aug.
in

;

11,

1847; William

Henry was born

Sept. 4,

185 1 Emma Eudora Alice was born Feb. 9,
1857; Luther Daniel was born Sept. 29, i860;
Huldah Elizabeth, born Jan. 22, 1863, married William H. Kramm.
Mrs. Fisher died in
1906 and is buried in Hillside cemetery at
Catawissa.
Daniel Fisher is the oldest resident of Bloomsburg, where he is well known
;

and

highly

honored.

Although

ninety-one

who married Benjamin Kercher; Maria, years of age in 1914, he still continues to read
who married John Deemer; Catherine, who the daily papers and take a keen interest in
married Christ Fegley Alice, who married a the affairs of the town and the outside world.
Mr. Fenstermacher; Bebbie, who married He is thoroughly familiar with both English
Philip Fegley; Nancy, who married Samuel and German and is a mine of information reKercher Susan, who married Conrad Bred- garding matters of the past in Columbia

abeth,

;

In politics he is a Democrat and in
benner and Mrs. Jacob Hinterliter.
county.
John Fisher, son of Henr}' Fisher, was a religious faith a Lutheran,
native of Berks county, was brought to CoWilliam H. Fisher had the advantages of
lumbia county by his parents, and operated the public schools in his early life and later atthe Fisher homestead until his death, which tended the Bloomsburg State Xornial School,
occurred about 185 1.
Coming back from He was reared to farming and began on his
Mainville with a load of planks, etc., while own account in 1871, upon the old homestead
attempting to guide his four-horse team, he in Main township, where he remained for over
was run over by a wheel of the wagon and thirty years, until 1903. That year he came
killed.
He married Juda Kiefer. like himself to live at Bloomsburg. his home being at No.
born in Berks county, daughter of Daniel 140 West Third street, where he has a fine
He retains the ownership of the
Kiefer, and both are buried in the Fisher residence.
Church cemetery in Main township.
She old Fisher homestead, his son Edward H. now
died Alarcli 15, 1885. They had the follow- farming that property.
Mr. Fisher has al-,
Daniel, who became the father ways taken a keen interest in the administraing children
of William H. Fisher; \\'illiam S.
James; tion of public afifairs. and while living in Main
Henry Catherine, who married Daniel Mil- township served as assessor and school
In 1899 he was honored with elecler; Eliza, who married William Mosteller; director.
Esther, who married John Shipe and Mary, tion as county commissioner, and he was reelected in 1903. serving six years in succeswho married Martin Nuss.
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

757

1905.
During his administration
Henry H. Laub was born Jan. 10, 1840, in
bridges were built in Columbia county, New Holland, Lancaster county, where he
both State and county structures, some of the lived until five years old.
Then he accommost important being the Long Hollow bridge
panied his parents to Juniata county, where
the bridge over Catawissa creek at Shuman- he obtained a good education,
being allowed
town, Beaver township the Breisch bridge on to attend common school until 1859, when he
Catawissa creek, the Nuss bridge in Main entered the academy at McAlisterville contownship; the paper mill bridge south of Cat- ducted by George F. McFarland. During the
awissa the bridge at the west end of Cata- winter of 1860-61 he was engaged in teaching,
wissa borough two spans of the Catawissa in West Beaver township, Snyder Co., Pa.,
bridge across the Susquehanna, after it had continued his studies in school the following
the Mifflinville summer, and in the fall and winter of 1862
been destroyed by flood
bridge; and the bridge across the Susque- again taught, in the same place. On April 2,
hanna between Berwick and Nescopeck. His 1862, he enlisted for the Union service, enterpublic services were such as to win him the ing Company H, 49th Pennsylvania Volunteer
good will and respect of his fellow members Infantry, for three years, and served his full
He remained with his regiment until
of the board and the citizens of Columbia term.
county generally. His political association has the surrender at Appomattox Court House,
been with the Democratic party and in re- and arrived home May 5, 1865.
Mr. Laub became a skilled carpenter and
ligion he is a Lutheran.
On Dec. 29, 1870, Mr. Fisher married Mary worked at the trade for some time, but eventCatherine Aten, daughter of Samuel and Eliz- ually gave his attention principally to fruit
abeth (Breisch) Aten, and they have had two growing, in which line he did well. As one
children: Edward H., born Majch 21, 1872, of the competent officials of Spring and West
and Dannie V., born June 22, 1887, the latter Beaver townships, he has become one of the
dying when eighteen months old (Dec. 23, best known residents in his section of Snyder
1888). Edward married Lillian Shuman, and county. In Spring township he serv^ed as asthey have two children, Mary L. and War- sessor, supervisor, tax collector, auditor, census enumerator (for 1890) and school director
ren L. Fisher.
(three terms), and for the last several years
has been closely asso- he has been auditor of Spring township. For
A.
ciated with a number of progressive move- twenty-five years continuously he has been
ments in West Berwick which have proved holding office in the German Reformed
beneficial and won approbation from all in- Church, being now secretary of Christ Church
His at Beaver Springs and treasurer of the joint
terested in the welfare of that town.
work as member of the health and school consistory of Beaver Springs charge. As a
boards has been of particular service to his veteran of the Civil war he belongs to the
Grand Army of the Republic, holding memfellow citizens.
Mr. Laub's ancestors came to this country bership in Post No. 612, at Beaver Springs,
from Holland, and the family was established in which he has filled all the offices he served
in Lancaster county, Pa., many years ago. as commander, and has been quartermaster
There Jacob Laub, grandfather of George A. ever since 1892. To his marriage with Louisa
Laub, lived for a number of years, marry- Shout, daughter of Adam Shout (who maring Elizabeth Deitterick, also of Lancaster ried a Miss Howell), of West Beaver towncounty. By occupation he was a farmer. In ship, Snyder county, have been born six chilthe year 1845 he and his wife removed with dren
Harry, who married Olive Knepp
their family to Juniata county, Pa., and he Sarah, who married Charles Wagner; Jacob
died during the Civil war.
Their children A., now of Erie, Pa., married to Minnie Belle
were George entered the Union service dur- Smith George A. Elizabeth, and Grace.
George A. Laub, son of Henry H. and
ing the Civil war, in which he met his death,
being killed at the battle of Cold Harbor; Louisa (Shout) Laub, was born March 15,
Jacob, who like his brothers was in the North- 1873^ in Beaver Springs, Snyder Co., Pa.
ern army during the Civil war, being drum- His education was obtained in the public
mer, is now living in California: Henry H. is schools there. When he began work, in 1886,
William he entered the employ of the Weiand Commentioned
later;
Jane married
Roush Martha married Theodore Frey. This pany, in the vicinity of Beaver Springs, manfamily held to the faith of the German Re- ufacturing wooden staves. For a time he asformed Church.
sisted on his father's fruit farm. Afterwards
sion,

until

many

;

GEORGE

LAUB

;

758

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

he was employed by Dr. A. M. Smith, in the
iron ore mines at Beaver Springs, and when
work in the mines ceased found employment
in the lumber woods in the surrounding territory.
Coming to Berwick in 1898, he found
a place as rougher in the rolling mills of the
Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company,
under J. H. Catterall, remaining there until
the mills closed down, in 1908. Then he embarked in business in West Berwick, in the retail confectionery and cigar trade, and at the
"same time traveled as wholesale cigar salesman through Sullivan, Montour, Columbia,
Northumberland and part of Luzerne counIn the fall of 1910 he returned to the
ties.

employ of the American Car & Foundry Company, being in the finishing department of the
passenger coach department, under Superintendent L. E. Hess.
Mr. Laub lives at No. 1205 West Front
and has interested himself in local activ-

street,

He has been a memities for several years.
ber of the board of school directors of West
Berwick for eleven years and was secretary
of that body for six years; he is also member
and secretary of the West Berwick health
board, and has always used his influence to
promote the welfare of the town. He is a
prominent Republican, member of the local
committee and of the county committee of his
In the year 1914 he was nominated,
party.
on the Republican

ticket, for representative
in the State Legislature from Columbia coun-

As a member of the Lutheran Church
he has also been a useful worker along religious lines, being class leader and chorister
of the Sunday School and for eight years its
ty.

superintendent,

Mr. Laub married Amelia E. Beaver, daughHenry P. and Mary Ellen (Bufiington)
Beaver, of Middleburg, Snyder county. Their
three children are: H. Rupert, born Feb. 18,
1896; George Albert, Feb. 26, 1901 Harland
A., Aug. 4, 1902.
Henry P. Beaver, father of Mrs. George
A. Laub, was born Jan. 20. 1856. at Kratzerville,
Snyder Co., Pa., son of Nathaniel

ter of

;

Beaver, also a native of Kratzerville. From
that place he moved to Avilla, Ind.. where he

owned t8o

acres of land and engaged in genHe married Elizabeth W'alter.
from the vicinity of Kratzerville,
and they had the following children
Kate,
Maria, Simon, David, Elizabeth Jane, Wilson. Nathaniel. Perry, Anicetus. Henry P.
and Michael. The father was a Republican
in politics, in religious connection a member of the Evangelical Church.
eral farming.
who was also

Henry

Beaver

school education.

was given a common

He moved

with the family

to Avilla, Xoble Co., Ind., and did farm work
there.
Returning to Pennsylvania he learned
the trade of blacksmith at Middleburg,
Sny-

der county, and followed it for some years.
In 1899 he came to Berwick, but moved back
to Middleburg after a year's
In 1905
stay.
he again came to Berwick, and entered the
finishing department of the American Car &
Foundry Company under Superintendent
Mr.
Johnson, where he is still working.
Beaver is a Republican, an Odd Fellow (of
Beaver Springs), and a member of Grace
Lutheran Church. He married Mary Ellen
Bufiington, who was born Aug. 18, 1857,
daughter of Edward L. Bufhngton, of Middleburg, and they have had three children:
Amelia Ehzabeth, born July 11, 1876, wife of
George A. Laub; Anicetus Pearl, born June
3, 1883, wife of R. \'. Mitchell; and Bertha
Agnes, bom Feb. 2, 1886, wife of Harry D.
Kepner.
Robert Bufiington, Mrs. Beaver's grandfather, was born in Lancaster, Lancaster Co.,
Pa., and lived to be eighty-three years old.
He was a boatman on the canal between PhilaHis wife, Maria
delphia and Lancaster.

Aurand, was from Middleburg, Pa., and their
were Edward L. and James, the
latter marrying Elizabeth Zechman.
Edward L. Bufiington died Nov. 29. 1892,
aged fifty-nine years. A native of Aliddleburg, he obtained a common school training
and learned the trade of carpenter, later becoming an undertaker. He served in the Civil
He marwar, enlisting from Middleburg.
ried Amelia Weller, who came from Freeburg
(Washington township), Snyder county, she
being one of a family of eight children, viz.:
William Henry Jacob, who married Rebecca
Saylor; Levi, who married Mary Rathfon;
Amelia;
Peter, who married Betsy Larish
Betsy, Mrs. Peter Eby; and Susanna. Mrs.
George Pierce. To Mr. and Mrs. Bufiington
were born seven children
Elizabeth SVmerva, who married George W. Sholter; \'ictoria Idella, wife of Barber Simonton
Mary
Ellen, Mrs. Henry P. Beaver; and rfenry McClellan, Harvey J.. Laura Alice and Charlotte
Mr. BuftingL., all buried at Middleburg.
ton was a Republican on political issues. He
belonged to the United Brethren Church.
children

;

TRUMAN EVES

living on land in

Greenwood township which has been

continuously in the possession of his family since
acquired by the ancestor who founded this

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
He has been a
line in Columbia county.
highly useful member of his community, in
business thrifty, and public-spirited in the discharge of his duties as a citizen.
The Eves family has been settled in Columbia county for one hundred and forty years.
John Eves, its founder here, was one of the
pioneer settlers in the valley of Fishing creek.
He had come there from Mill Creek Hundred,
New Castle Co., Del., and located on a tract
of 1,200 acres in the townships of Greenwood
and Madison, including the present site of
MilK ille. The land was secured by deed dated
Nov. 29, 1774, the former owner having been
Reuben Haines, a brewer, of Philadelphia (it
was part of Lord Baltimore's grant). It would
appear, however, that Mr. Eves had concluded
the purchase and settled in this section some
years previous to the time this title was acquired, coming into possession of it not later
than 1770. His settlement in this section marks
an important period in its history. From Delaware he came to Milton (Northumberland
county), where there was a fort, in 1770, proceeding thence with an Indian guide to Fishing creek, where he inspected his land in 1781.
He and his son Thomas built a cabin and
cleared an acre of ground at Larry Spring (so
named for Larry Flinn see below). The
family had been living here several years when
the Wyoming massacre, in 1778, startled the
inhabitants of the region out of the feeling
of security they had barely acquired.
John
Eves, warned by a friendly Indian, returned
East as far as Chester county, Pa., in time to
avoid any of the evil consequences of that
affair, and remained there for seven years
before again venturing into the backwoods.
But little is known regarding the personal
history of John Eves. He w^as an Irish Friend,
;

born

1720,

and came

America, from

Dublin, about the year 1738. He was in good
circumstances in Mill Creek Hundred, and
held various offices of responsibility. One of
his experiences as a constable reveals the
determined character of the man. He was
given the warrant for the arrest of a miscreant who defied the power of the law, and
threatened to take the life of the officer as he

approached. But the latter walked boldly forward and disarmed him without a struggle.
The victory was not complete, however, as the
obstinacy of the culprit was equal to his cowardice, and he refused to walk, whereupon
the constable tied his prisoner to the horse,
and they proceeded without further difficulties.
Another trait of his character is illustrated by an occurrence during his residence

759

here.
While in Philadelphia on one occasion
he advanced the passage money of
Larry Flinn
and his wife, two destitute Friends who had

recently arrived from England.
They would
then have been obliged to remain in his service
for several years, but he received them into
his family and they never left it.
In 1751
John Eves married Edith Yeatman, an English
lady, said to have possessed great strength of
character as well as personal
beauty.
They
were the parents of seventeen children, fourteen of whom reared families
as a rule large
families.
Their names with dates of births
are as follows
Sarah, 4 mo., 24th, 1753 (died
in 1762); Thomas, 2d mo.,
5th, 1755; John,
2d mo., 22d, 1757; Joseph, 10th mo., 30th,
1758; Mark, 7th mo., i6th, 1760 (died in
1762); William, 2d mo., 2d, 1762; Chandlee,
I2th mo., 14th, 1763; Elizabeth, 12th mo.,
30th, 1765; Sarah, 5th mo., 14th, 1767; Edith,
5th mo., 14th, 1767; Andrew, 6th mo., 4th,
1769; Mary, nth mo., 24th, 1770 Priscilla,
nth mo., 3d, 1772; Mark, 4th mo., 8th, 1774;
Ann, 4th mo., 21st, 1775; Samuel, ist mo.,
1778; Ezra, 6th mo., 28th, 1782. Of these,
four families moved to Canada in 1800. John
Eves, Sr., died 7th mo., ist, 1802; and Edith
(Yeatman) Eves, 4th mo., 14th, 18 18, aged
eighty-three years.
Many of those who bore
the name have occupied positions of honor and
respectability in the various walks of life.
Numerous descendants of the original stock
continue to live in this region.
Ezra Eves, son of John and Edith (Yeatman) Eves, born 6th mo. 28, 1782, married
Susanna Kester, and they were the parents of
the following children
Francis P., Benjamin
K., John R., Elizabeth, Lucretia M., and Joseph E.
Francis P. Eves, eldest son of Ezra, was

—

;

born Jan. 29, 1820, in Greenwood township,
was reared to farming, and after his marriage
located on the homestead, which was part of
the original tract of John Eves, and which he
cultivated until 1878. That year he removed
to Millville, where he lived retired until his
About the time he
death, Feb. 24, 1898.
reached his twenty-sixth year he married
Elizabeth Rote, who was born in 1820, in
Greenwood township, daughter of Francis and
Mary (Welliver) Rote, and six children were
Anna died in infancy
born to this marriage
Addra
E. Truman lives on the homestead
:

;

Anna, now a resident of Bloomsburg, is the
widow of J. Barton Eves, by whom she had
five children
Wilbur Warren, a farmer, of
Berwick, married Rhoda Crist, and they had
four children Margaret Evelyn is unmarried
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

760

and

in Philadelphia; Mary Bertha,
of William Eves, has one child, Mer-

living

widow
ritt.

Truman

Eves, eldest son of Francis P.
Eves, was born Aug. 24, 1848, on the farm in
E.

serving as judge of the district court in Vigo
county, Ind., where he died in February, 1908.
His children were George G., Mary L., Lucy
C, Albert William and Charles G.
Albert William Duy supplemented the primary instruction he received in the Chicago
public schools with attendance at the Indianapolis high school and the classical and military academy of that city, from which he was
I" 1889 he came to
graduated in 1885.

Greenwood township where he
Farming has been his life work.

lives.

still

Following

marriage he lived one year on the place
owned by James O. Warner, formerly a
part of the original Eves holdings, the next
year returning to his birthplace, where he has
remained continuously since. Mr. Eves has
been chosen to fill local public positions of

his

later

having served faithfully as
school director and for twenty-two years in
the town council, holding the latter position
One
since the organization of the borough.
of the first councilmen elected when the town
was incorporated as a borough, he has held
the office continuously since that time with
the exception of one year, when he was a
school director. He was president of the town
council for several years and holds that office
at the present time.
Mr. Eves adheres to the
faith of his forefathers, holding membership
in the Society of Friends.
On Jan. 11, 1872, Mr. Eves married Alice
C. Mather, daughter of Jesse and Julia (Merhis
rill) Mather, the former of whom died on
responsibility,

farm

he was forPa. Mrs. Eves's

Greenwood township

;

merly a resident of Pottsville,
death, on March 4, 191 1, was instantaneous,
caused by a hemorrhage of the brain. Four
children were born to ]\Ir. and Mrs. Eves,

Marion E. dying

in July, 1876, aged three
Stanley, born Se])t. 4, 1875, was
married June i, 1904, to Edith Haley, daughter of James Haley, of Philadelphia; Mrs.
Eves died July 29, 1906, leaving one child,
Marion Edith, born July 13, 1905. Mabel A.
was born April 10, 1878. F. Henry, born
June 30, 1884, resides at Oneonta, N. Y., and
was married Xov. 29, 1905, to Annie L.
Thorpe, daughter of Edward Thorpe they
have two children, Ethel M., born Dec. 17,

years.

;

1906,

and Edward

T., Jr.,

born Jan. 22, 1909.

ALBERT WILLIAM DUY,

an attorney
law of Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Pa., was
born at Chicago, 111., June 13, 1868, a son of

Judge George C. Duy.

The Duy family was founded
when settlement was made

vania
town.

Pennsyl-

German-

Hon. Samuel B. Gookins, formerly a
judge of the Supreme court of Indiana, was
Mr. Duy's maternal grandfather.
Judge George C. Duy, father of Albert
William Duy, was a distinguished jurist,

Bloomsburg, Pa., and in 1893, deciding upon
the legal profession, began studying to prepare himself for it by entering the law office
of Ikeler & Ikeler. Having completed the required course of study, Mr. Duy passed his
examinations and was admitted to the bar of
Columbia county, Feb. 9, 1898, and has developed into the leading attorney of this section. He served as referee in bankruptcy from
1899 to 1903, in the United States District
court. In 1902 he was elected district attorney
of the county, and held that office for three
years, being the first man to be elected to that
office on the Republican ticket in this
county,
which averages a Democrtic majority of 2,500.
His conduct of this office was such as to reflect
credit upon all parties concerned. From 1900
to 1906 he was chairman of the Republican

county central committee and is a leader in
his party. Recognizing the need for the existence of such an organization, Mr. Duy was instrumental in promoting and carrying on to a
successful establishment the Columbia Power,
Light & Railways Company, of which he is
still a director,
secretary and local attorney.
He is also a director of the First National
Bank of Bloomsburg, North Branch Furniture
Company, North Branch Transit Company
and the Silk Mill Company of Berwick, I'ennsylvania.

On June

1891,

Mr. Duy was united

marriage with Elizabeth Kester, of Bloomsburg, and they are the parents of two children
Albert W., Jr., and Josephine V.
:

HON. WILLIAM W. SHANNON,

for-

merly burgess of West Berwick, and now engaged as preliminary organizer for Dr. Henry
W. Stough, whose evangelistic campaigns are
famous, was born at Berwick, Columbia Co.,
Pa., March 29, 1878. son of Charles W. and
Margaret A. (Stephens) Shannon, and grandson of Richard Shannon and of William M.
Stephens.

Richard Shannon, the grandfather, was an
settler in Columbia county, following
farming in Centre township for a number of
years, after which he moved to Berwick and
early

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
was in the employ of the Jackson
Manufacturing Company. He and
his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Ann
Courson, died at Berwick in advanced age,
Mr. Shannon passing away Dec. 2^, 1892, at
for a time

& Woodin

the age of seventy-eight years.
They are
buried in Pine Grove cemetery.
Charles W. Shannon, son of Richard, was

born Sept. 12, 1852, at Fowlerville, in Centre
township, Columbia county, and learned the
trade of carpenter, which he is still following
He married Margaret Alice
as a contractor.
Stephens, who was born July 17, 1856, in
Sugarloaf township, Columbia county, daughWilliam ]\I. and Mary Ann (Fritz)
Stephens. Her father, born March 20, 1825,

ter of

Sullivan

March

county.

Pa.,

died

Berwick

He was

an early settler and
farmer in Sugarloaf township, moving thence
in 1867 to Berwick, where he farmed the
next four years, and was subsequently em8,

1910.

ployed by the Jackson
ing

Company

for

& Woodin Manufactur-

some

time, retiring a

num-

ber of years before his death because of

ill

761

capacity, completing an unexpired term.

In
a Progressive Republican, was the first county chairman of the
Washington Progressive party, and is a member of its State committee. He attended the
National convention at Chicago as a delegate

his political

views he

at large.

On May 31, 1898, Mr. Shannon was married to Loretta Al. Stout, who was born at
Summer Hill, Columbia Co., Pa., daughter of
John and Jane (Updegrove) Stout, and
granddaughter of William and Polly Stout.
They have a daughter, Hazel, born February
10.

1902.

William Stout, the grandfather of Mrs.
Shannon, was one of the very early settlers in
this part of the State.
By trade he was a
stonemason, and he must have been very competent, for he built the piers for the first
bridge across the Susquehanna river at Berwick and also built some of the best residences
in that place he did the stone work for what
was known as the "Cross Keys Hotel," which
;

occupied

the

present

site

the

"Alorton

health.

His wife, Mary Ann (Fritz), born
in Sugarloaf township May 2, 1831, died April
20, 1904.
They were Methodists in religious

House."

belief.

age.

\lv. and Mrs. Charles W. Shannon reside
on East Front street, Berwick.
They have
three sons: William W. John E., born'Aug.
22, 1879, a painter and paperhanger of West
Berwick, .who married Catherine Daubert, of
Pine Grove, and has one child, Margaret
Alice, born Sept. 10, 1904; and Ray H., born

John Stout, father of Mrs. Shannon, is a
resident of Berwick and an employee of the

;

March

2/,

1886,

now

parcel

post

clerk

the Berwick post office, who married Cordelia
Schneider, of Berwick, and has one child,

Wesley H.
William

W. Shannon

obtained his educa-

His widow, Mrs. Polly Stout, resides at Summer Hill, Columbia county. She
is

a venerable lady,

now

ninety-five years of

American Car and Foundry Company.

married Jane L'pdegrove, who died in 1907,
while the family resided at Nescopeck, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Shannon is a member of the Lutheran Church and Mr. Shannon of the
Evangelical Church. He is a member of the
Independent Order of Americans, Reserve
Council, Xo. 253, of Philadelphia; of Berwick
Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 246, and of the
Encampment and belongs also to the Grinders, a local organization at West Berwick.

Berwick public schools,
after which he learned painting and paperIn 1898 he went to Philadelphia,
hanging.
PROF. HARLAN ROSCOE SNYDER,
where he was employed for three years with
After one of the best known educators of Columthe Edison Electric Light Company.
returning to Berwick in 1902 he established bia county, who for the last fourteen years
tional training in the

himself in business as a painting contractor,
giving employment to thirty men, and continued this business enterprise until 1907,
when he disposed of it. Since then he has,
to a large extent, given his time and attention to public matters.
After being elected
a member of the council of West Berwick he
served acceptably two terms of three years
each, being president during his first term,
and during this time was also county auditor.
In 191 1 he was appointed burgess of West
Berwick, and served three years in that

;

has occupied the responsible position of supervising principal of the schools of West
Berwick, is a native of Northumberland
county. He was born at Hickory Corners, a
son of Henry M. and Esther (Zartman) Snyder, and a grandson of Jonathan Snyder.
Jonathan Snyder was born in the southeastern part of Northampton county, Pa., and
was one of the early settlers of Northumberland county. He settled in Upper Mahanoy
township, twenty miles from civilization,
where he cleared up a farm of 180 acres. The

762

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

Snyder family, of Pennsylvania-German de- and appreciation of the people of the borough
to an exceptional
is widely distributed, and has given
degree.
With a population increased from 800 to
many wise and worthy men to the citizenship
of the United States.
5.500, school attendance has risen from 121
Henry M. Snyder, son of Jonathan and to 1,161 pupils, and to accommodate this
father of Professor Snyder, was bom in large growth became a serious problem to
Upper Mahanoy township, Northumberland all concerned in educational development.
After his school days, Air. Snyder has seen with approbation, and
Co., Pa., in 185 1.
which were few in number, he learned the has himself been greatly influential in the
For the last twenty construction of three modern brick school
harnessmaker's trade.
years he has been postmaster at Hickory buildings, at a cost of $90,000, and the estabCorners, Pa., where he is a leading man in lishing by the board of education of a regular
the community and an authority, being a four-year course in the high school, from
great reader and one of the best informed which students enter college. Mr. Snyder atmen in his section. He has the finest Hbrary tributes much of his success to having an
He is a member energetic board of education and an interin his part of the county.
of the Lutheran Church, and in politics a ested public back of him.
He has taught four summer terms at BenDemocrat.
Henry M. Snyder married Esther Zart- ton, Pa., as instructor in history and civics,
man, a daughter of Alexander Zartman and and in the meanwhile has taken several courses
himself at Pennsylvania State College, the
his wife, who were of German extraction,
their parents moving from southern counties
University of Michigan and Columbia Uniof the State to Rockefeller township, North- versity.
To Henry M. Snyder
Mr. Snyder is a Lutheran in religion and
umberland county.
and his wife the following children were a Democrat in politics. He has held several
born: Daniel J., at present head of the man- offices in West Berwick, having been apual training department of the Bradford city pointed the first assessor of the borough and
later elected to that position.
Six years he
schools, who was married to Elizabeth Bytwo chil- served as auditor. He is identified with the
erly and to whom ha\e been born
dren, Esther and Clermont; Harlan Roscoe; Masonic
fraternity,
being a member of
and Palmer, Wilson, Susannah and Esther, Washington Lodge. No. 265, F, & A. M.
all deceased.
Royal Arch Chapter No. 218: Crusade ComHarlan Roscoe Snyder attended the public mandery. No. 12. K. T. Caldwell Consistor}-,
schools near Hickory Corners until gradu- thirty-second degree; and Irem Temple. A\
A. O'. N. M. S.. of Wilkes-Barre. He is also a
ated. Three summer terms were spent in the
Dalmatia summer school. In IcSqS he gradu- member of Washington Camp No. 105, P. O.
ated from the regular teacher's course of the S. of A., and Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O.
Bloomsburg State Normal School, which he O. F.
attended for two years and one term. Since
HARRY SLOAN BARTON, real estate
then Mr. Snyder has devoted himself excluand
insurance man of Bloomsburg, is a nahe
Two
terms
to
work.
educational
sively
taught in the public schools of Upper Ma- tive bom citizen of that place and belongs to
hanoy township and one term in Scott town- a family of long and honorable standing in
In 1901 he began his work in West Columbia county. It was founded here by
ship.
Berwick, which was at that time part of his great-great-grandfather, Elisha Barton,
Briarcreek township, and then had a popula- whose father. Thomas Barton, was of English birth and came to the United States with
tion of about eight hundred, with 121 pupils.
In 1902 West Pierwick borough was incor- two brothers early in the eighteenth century,
porated and Mr. Snyder became head of the he settling in \irginia, his brothers in ConIn England he married Hannah
necticut.
schools.
Efficient, painstaking, energetic and
scent,

;

progressive, he has brought the schools to a
standard that gives them rank among the
Posvery best high schools of the State.
sessing the qualifications in scholarship that
are a requisite, he has demonstrated executive ability in handling school afi^airs that
has counted much for the progress made.
Beloved by the pupils, he has won the respect

Clark, a native of that countn.'. daughter of
Daniel Clark, and they were the parents of
the following children
Daniel. Elisha. TheUndrel.
Thomas, Clark.
Roger.
ophilus.
Amelia, the
Amelia, Sarah, and Isabella.
who
the wife
became
married,
only daughter
of Abraham McMurtrie. lived in New Jersey, and had a large family, some of whose
:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
descendants have made their homes in Columbia county.
Elisha Barton was born in Virginia June
21, 1742, and was tirst married in 176O, in

Northampton county,

Pa.,

Mary Simon-

died shortly after they moved to
She left one
Northumberland county, Pa.
On July 10, 1771, he married
son, Thomas.
ton,

who

(second)

Ann McCarty, who was born March

New

Jersey, of which State her
^lary (Paine), was also a native.
father came from Ireland. About 1781

763

1785, married Feb. 15, 1816,

and died

May

23,

May C. Kreider,
1856; Anna, born Jan. 6,

1788, married Dec. 13, 1821, Abraham Klotz,
and died Jan. 30, 1864; Sarah, born May 2,
1790, died" Sept. 12, 1796; Caleb, born Nov.
26, 1792, married in 1823 Mary Craig, and
died Dec. 30, 1863; one died in infancy;
Cyrus, born Alay 3, 1796, married in December, 1826, Catherine Brewer, and died March

mother,

1862; Betsey, born Jan. 30, 1799, married
Dec. 30, 1 81 6, William Robison, and died

Her

June

20, 1754, in

Mr. Barton brought his family to Columbia
county, to what is now Hemlock township,
locating near what is now the town of Bloomsburg, close to where McKelvy's mill was
Purchasing land on
subsequently erected.
Fishing creek, he acquired a large, wide tract,
extending lengthwise from the creek to the
vicinity of Buckhorn, a distance of between
The family lived in
three and four miles.
the wagon until their cabin was erected. Mr.
Barton built what became known as the Red
mill, at the foot of a hill and not far from
Hemlock creek, and he and his wife continued
to live on this land until the end of their days.
His mill was one of the first mills erected in
this region, and stood on the site where his
his
great-grandson, Thomas J. Barton, had
Mr. Barton put in a
mill many years later.
wheat stone chopper and plaster grinders, and
did the custom work for the farmers for many
He also owned and cleared
miles around.
a large tract of land on the opposite side
of the creek and there carried on farming,
was active and energetic along various lines,
and became one of the most prominent men

He served for a
of the county in his day.
number of years as justice of the peace. Part
of the large tract he owned was afterward
found to be valuable ore land, and his son
Caleb became quite wealthy from the proMr. Barton's death occurred Nov.
ceeds.
12. 1816, and his wife died Jan. 11, 1823.
They are buried in the Episcopal churchHe donated the lumber used in the
yard.
erection of the first Episcopal church.

was born to his marriage with
Ann McCarty, viz. Mary, born Dec. 16,
November, 1795, John
1772, married in
Boone, and died Nov. 2, 1796, of hydropho-

large family

bia; Amelia, born Oct. 2, 1774, died Sept. 15,
1796: Elisha, bom Sept. 2, 1777, married
March 22, 1806, Rachel Miller, and died Aug.
26, 1815; IsaiaH was born June 21, 1780;

Hannah,

born

May

25,

1783,

married

January, 1801, James Boone, and died July 6,
1859, in Geneseo, 111.
John, born May 10,
;

9, 1877.
Isaiah Barton was born June 21, 1780, and
died April 6, 1842.
He followed farming
until the year of his death, when he purchased
the mill property, and after tearing down the
mill erected by his father rebuilt it and also
built the "White gristmill'' (the latter
taking
water below the tailrace of the old mill), the

which

one

Thomas

was

afterwards

operated

did a custom business, and found it very remunerative, the mill
being well patronized, but he lived only a
short time after its completion.
On March
I,

Barton.

he married

1810,

Mary Thornton, and

they had a large family.
Caleb Barton, soa of Isaiah and ]\Iary
(Thornton) Barton, was born Aug. 30, 181 2,
and passed his early life on the homestead
He took charge of the farm while his
place.
father was looking out for the business at
the mill, until the latter's death, when he be-

came

its owner and operated it successfully
during his active years. He was also interested in agriculture all his life, and in 1855
built a handsome residence on his farm, one
mile from Bloomsburg on the main road to
Catawissa.
Though he removed from this

place

1875,

thereafter

Bloomsburg, he continued

living retired at
to own it as well

His death occurred

as his share in the mill.

when he was eighty-four years
He was a member of the Methodist

Nov.

27, 1895,

old.

Episcopal Church, and a Whig and RepubliIn February,
can successively in politics.
1836, Mr. Barton married Sarah Rupert, who
was born Sept. 16, 1816, daughter of Peter
and Catherine (Diehl) Rupert, and died
1854,

Sept.

Evelina

B.,

the mother of

born Feb.

six children:
1837, married Dr.

W. H. McReynolds. and

died Aug. 31, 1909;
deceased; Thomas J., born Sept. 28,
1840, married Henrietta Guild; Catherine B.,
born March 10, 1842, married Alfred Ale and
resides in Warsaw, Ind. Emma B., born May

Mary

;

24,

rnarried John Moore, is now a
and resides in Bloomsburg; Anna B.,

1844,

widow,
born Sept. 2^, 1846, married Thomas Webb,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

764

In
of Bloomsburg, and died Aug. 23, 1904.
February, 1862, Caleb Barton married Deli-

burg. His next work was as bookkeeper for
the American Electrical Light Company, at

lah Creveling.

Bloomsburg, with which concern he remained

Thomas

Barton was born Sept, 28, 1840,
at the old Barton homestead on West Main
street, Bloomsburg, near where the pottery
now stands, and was reared there. After
reaching his majority he learned the trade
of blacksmith, which he followed in Blooms-

for
the

burg for eight years. He then returned to
the homestead farm, where he carried on
general farming for twenty years, or until
1895, when he purchased the old Barton
mill property below the "Red Mill,"" and com-

in the First

menced to operate it as the Montour mill,
making many improvements, fitting it
with
up
improved machinery and running it
in an up-to-date manner until his retirement.
He was considered one of the most progressafter

ive

men

he built a
street,

In the fall of 1896
in the county.
tine residence at No. 603 West ^lain

where he resided

until his death,

Nov.

25, 1913-

Mr. Barton sened as a musician
Reserves

6th

for

in the
thirteen

Pennsylvania
months, and received his honorable disAfter his return he was
charge in 1862.
drafted into Company A, 171st Pennsylvania
Militia, and served about eleven months, his
regiment doing scout duty during that time.
On Oct. 18, 1862, Mr. Barton married JrlenGuild, a daughter of Aaron Guild, of
Hemlock township, and six children have
Edward L. marblessed their union, namely
ried Annie Fowler, and has two of four children living, Mabel and James Catherine died
in infancy; Isaiah, of Bloomsburg, married
Mary Oswell, and they have had eleven children
Caleb, formerly a miller, now engaged
in trucking and the poultry business at Torietta

;

some time, leaving to become auditor for
Columbia Power, Light and Railways
Company. This position he resigned Oct. i,
1

910, since

real estate

burg on

when he has been engaged in the
and insurance business at Blooms-

his

own account. He has his office
National Bank Building. He has

been very successful in building up his business, and has made a substantial place for
himself among the prosperous men of the
town, where he has other important connecHe has served as a member of the
tions.
school board, treasurer of the Republican
county committee, librarian of the Columbia
County Fair Association, and secretary of the
Columbia County School Directors' Association.
On Aug. 14, 191 1, he was appointed
In religious connection he is
notary public.
a member of the Methodist Church, and socially he holds membership in the Knights of
the Golden Eagle and the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to Washington Lodge, No. 265, F.
& A. M., of Bloomsburg (of which he is a past
master), to Royal Arch Chapter No. 218,
Crusade Commandery-, No. 12, K. T.. and
Caldwell Consistory,' S. P. R. S. (thirtysecond degree). In May, 1912, Mr. Barton

was

elected captain of Company G, 12th Regiment. Pennsylvania National Guard, and is
now serving as such with Company L, 13th
Regiment.
On June 12, 1901, Mr. Barton was married
to Mabel Peacock, daughter of John and
Thirma (Myers) Peacock, and they have
three children, Dorothy, Robert and John.

married ^largaret Boughton
Harry Sloan is
(they have no children)
mentioned below Maud, a graduate of the
Bloomsburg high school, is now the wife of

ledo,

Ohio,

;

Oliver H. Watts and living at Millersburg,
Pa. (they have two children, Oliver H. and

Leroy B.).
Mr. Barton

PROF.

HARRY GROZIER,

John B. GrozTer was born at Marseilles,
France, possessed musical talent of a high
order, and for many years was a teacher there
of the clarinet and violin.

a Republican in politics and
in religious connection a member of the Episcopal Church.
is

Harry Sloan Barton was born Aug.

19,

1876, and received his education at Bloomsburg, attending public school and later the
State Normal, from which he was graduated
in 1896.
After that he engaged in teaching
for six years, two years in Hemlock township, Columbia county, and for four years as
principal of the Fifth street school in Blooms-

of Berwick,

a professor of music, was born in the
city of Marseilles, France. June 18, 1842. son
of John B. and Loretta (Consi) Grozier.
Pa.,

who was born

married Lo-

same city,
and afterwards engaged in the mercantile
He and his wife died in France.
business.
He was at one time a cavalryman in the
French army. Of the nine children in their
family one died in infancy, the others being:
retta Consi,

in the

Charles, who is now deceased; Adolph, also
deceased; Marius, who became commander
of a vessel sailing out of the harbor of New
York Harry Julius, who is deceased Armenia Ailene, and Minnie,
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Harry Grozier was only twelve years old
when he came to America and for many
years afterwards his life was one of thrilling
incident and great adventure, although he
has been a resident of Berwick for forty
years and is known far and wide through the
country as a master of the gentle and refining
art and science of music.
He set sail for the
United States with Captain King, commander
of a vessel from Elizabeth City, N. C. Captain King became so attached to the lad that
after

bringing his vessel safely to port at
Elizabeth City he took out papers of adoption and placed the boy in school in that place,
where he was a student for two years. From
there he went to Norfolk, Va., where he secured a berth as cabin boy on the vessel "Honduras," under command of Captain Turner,
and sailed from Norfolk to the West Indies.
He remained on this vessel during three voyin
the meanwhile touching at St.
ages,
Thomas, Porto Rico and Boston. He next
shipped on a fishing vessel on the Gulf of
St.
Lawrence, in which he remained for
five months, going then to the Newfoundland
banks for codfish.
After one season he
changed to a whaling vessel and for seven
months was in North Atlantic waters, then
returning south as far as Provincetown,

At that point Mr. Grozier met CapCook and accompanied him to Boston,
and from there went to New York and
shipped on a vessel bound for Gibraltar,
Mass.

tain

carrying a cargo of flour for the British government. From there he went to the island
of Sicily and the city of Messina, Italy, and
as war was then in progress there he was
forced to remain for several months, when
released returning to the United States, reaching Philadelphia in i860. The following year
he went to London, England, but afterwards
returned to Philadelphia, where he went to
work on the ship "Achilles," under command

of Captain Gallagher shipping to London on
this vessel for two trips and becoming second
officer of the ship.
Returning to Philadelphia in 1862, he then shipped on the "I. F.
Chapman," a government transport under
command of Captain Leavenseller, and went
to Cat Island, Miss., and from there to the
mouth of the Mississippi river. All this time
he was in the service of the United States.

The

ship next went to Pensacola bay and
cruised there for eight months, returning at
the end of that period to the Brooklyn navy
yard, at New York. Mr. Grozier's next berth
was on the "William Cummings" to Philadelphia, and from there he went to South Amer-

765

spending some time at different ports and
making short voyages to the West Indies. He
was not yet tired of the sea, notwithstanding
the many hardships of a sailor's life, and after
returning to Philadelphia went on a merchant
ica,

ship to St.

In a
Mary's river, in Florida.
ship went to pieces twelve miles
oft' the coast of
Georgia, and Mr. Grozier
and his comrades lay for twelve days on the
inhospitable island of Yackler, but finally, in
two boats, all managed to reach Brunswick,
Ga., going from there to Savannah and thence

storm

this

New

York.
this almost fatal adventure Mr. Grozier gave up the sea and established his home
in Harrisburg, Pa., where he
placed himself
under first-class musical instructors and thus
to

After

his natural talents.
Music has
largely filled his life ever since, and he has
won a reputation which extends over the entire State.
Forty years ago he came to Berwick, the following year erecting the resi-

cultivated

dence he has occupied ever since.
He has
taught pupils the mysteries of practically
every known instrument, but probably takes
more pleasure in arranging band and oratorio
and orchestral music. He was the organizer
and instructor of the well known Grozier
Military Band of Berwick, which has taken
prizes for proficiency through this part
Pennsylvania, their performances reflecting great credit on their leader.
In 1861, at Harrisburg, Pa., Professor
Grozier was married (first) to Susan W.
Morton, who was born at Harrisburg, and
died at Berwick in 1895.
He was married
(second) in 1901 to Susanna S. Dodson, of
Hemlock Creek, Pa., who died in March, 19 13.
To the first marriage seventeen children were
born, eight of whom survive
Etta, who is a
resident of Berwick; Jennie, who is the wife
of Oscar Huntsinger, living in Berwick
George, a business man of Wilkes-Barre,
Pa. Dora, who is the wife of Thomas WilLillian, married
liams, of Philadelphia, Pa.

many
of

;

and

living in California; Joshua,

home

Charles,

;

Barre
phia.

;

whose home

who

lives at

Wilkes-

and Edna, who resides in Philadelchildren were born to the second

union.

CHARLES

M. HARDER, postmaster at
Catawissa, has had his official ability tested
in various capacities in the borough, where
he has a fine record of public service extending over a period of many years. The family has been settled at Catawissa since 1800,
when Peter Harder, the first of this line in

766

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

America, settled here and opened a wheelwright and blacksmith shop. He died at Catawissa, but the date of his death is not known.
He was a native of Holland, and it is supposed he first settled on the Hudson, above

New York City, after his emigration to
America.
Err Harder, son of Peter, was also a
blacksmith, and ran his father's shop after
the latter's death.
He married Sarah Dunlap, a member of the Church of England, and
he too became an Episcopalian. He died in
Catawissa, and his wife dying soon afterwards, their son Washington, then but a

youth, was left to follow the trade of his
ancestors at the old stand.
Washington Harder was born at Catawissa, where he died in 1861.
Learning the
trade of wheelwright, he was engaged at that
His wife, Mary
calling most of his life.
Myers (McAllister), of Catawissa, was like
himself a native of Pennsylvania.
She was
of German extraction. One of their sons was
Thomas Err.
Thomas Err Harder, son of Washington,

was born December, 1843, in Catawissa
township, Columbia county, and was brought
up in the town, where he received his education.
Having learned the trade of cabinetmaker, he followed it until ready to go into
business on his own account.
Starting moderately, he established his affairs on a substantial basis, and by 1883 his trade had increased to such an extent that in order to
accommodate the steady growth he put up
the four-story stone building
with basement
and attic) at Catawissa in which he is still
(

located, and which to this day is the largest
and most substantial stone business block in
Columbia county. It cost about fifteen thousand dollars.
Mr. Harder's success is the
result of thrifty management and unceasing
attention to the wants of his patrons, and for
over thirty years he has done a comprehensive business in various lines, dealing in furniture, and having a wide custom as an under-

taker and embalmer. Some of the special
furniture he sells is made on the premises,
the manufacturing being carried on in the
basement of the building, the rest being well
stocked with homestead goods his furniture
Mr.
stock is one of the largest in the State.
Harder also does all kinds of painting. He
has been one of the most successful merchants in the county, and though he has never
;

taken any active part in public affairs has
been considered one of its leading citizens.

one

who

local

has been an important factor in the
Politically he has been a

prosperity.

He belongs to the Reformed
Republican.
Church. Fraternally he is a member of the
Masons, M. S. of A., and G. A. R. Post Xo.
170, being entitled to membership in the latter because of his services in the Civil war.
In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, I32d
Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, with which
he served nine months, during which time
he took part in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, as well as
other actions.
Then he entered the 20th
Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment as second
lieutenant, and was detached as sergeant
major of his regiment, serving as such about
three months during an emergency. He then
enlisted in Company D. 3d Heavy Artillery,
He
to which he was attached two years.
served in the front at Fort Spring Hill, and
subsequently at Dutch Gap Canal, but was
no heavy engagements. Then he was on
He
detached service as paymaster's clerk.

marches through Maryland. West \'irand
Pennsylvania, and during the battle
ginia
of Gettysburg his regiment was to the left,
at Carlyle; General Smith commanded the

was

division.

In January. 1873. Mr. Harder married
Clara A. Hamlin, and they have had three
Charles M.; Guy W., who marchildren:
ried Josephine Lowenberger; and Pearl, wife
of Charles
svlvania.
'

Charles
1871,

M. Evans,

of Bloomsburg, Penn-

M. Harder was bom
Catawissa,

where he

November,
was reared

his early education, later atbusiness college, in PhilPeirce
the
tending
For a time he was in his father's
adelphia.
store, and then for two years he was deputy
the courthouse at
register and recorder in
his father's store,,
to
Bloomsburg. Returning
he was engaged there until he received his

and acquired

appointment as postmaster of Catawissa. Aug.
21, 1913, since when he has devoted himself
to the duties of the office. When only twentysix years old he became a member of the
local board of school directors, and he has
also filled other borough offices, in all of which
he has given
concerned.

excellent

satisfaction

all

Harder married Sarah E. Fox,
]\rr.
daughter of Dr. J. T. Fox, of Catawissa,
and they have one child, Catherine Fox
Mr. Harder is a member of the
Harder.
Reformed Church, and his wife belongs to
the Methodist Epi.^^copal Church.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

CLEWELL & CURRIX,

leading drugold esgists of Berwick, conduct one of the
tablished stands in that borough, being the
successors of G. L. Reagan & Co.
Except
for one brief interruption Mr. Clewell has
been associated with the business since he
entered the Reagan store when fourteen years
old, and the present partnership has existed
-"^^ that time Clewell &
since Aug. i, 1899.
Currin, both young men barely of age, bought
the store, and their career has been marked
by the steady advancement and business expansion of energetic, live merchants, typical
They have a wholesale
spirits of the times.
and retail drug business, and conduct a Rexall store, of which there are five thousand
The Rexall Company
in the United States.
stationery and
pharmaceutical preparations, the main factory

manufactures

rubber goods,

being at Boston, with branches in Chicago,
New Orleans, Augusta (Ga.), St. Louis
(Mo.), San Francisco, London, England,
Besides carrying a complete line of general
drugs and drug supplies, Clewell & Currin sell

767

which he opened the creamery in Berwick
which he conducted for many years. He sold

when ready to retire,
married Lucinda Rhinard, daughter of
Daniel Rhinard, both natives of Berwick, and
the following children have been born to
them: Ernest, Laurence I., Floy and Grace
(Mrs. X. W. Bloss). Mr. Clewell is a member of Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. P.,
and of Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O. S.
of A. Moral issues have always enlisted his
sympathy and support. In politics he is a
out to his son Ernest

Prohibitionist.

a very active

member

Bower

Memorial United Evangelical
Church, which he has served in all the church
offices and as superintendent of the Sunday
of

school.

Laurence I. Clewell was educated in the
When
lower and high schools of Berwick.
he was fourteen years of age he entered the
employ of Dr. G. L. Reagan & Co., with
whom he learned the drug business. With
the exception of two years spent in South

Bethlehem, Pa., in the drug store of George
Roland, he has been in the same store
ever since.
Having passed the State board
examination, he is a registered pharmacist,
Politically he is a Democrat, but not an
their patrons the advantage of choice from active party worker.
Socially he belongs to
an up-to-date stock, which includes all the Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F., and to
articles in regular demand, of dependable
Berwick Lodge, No. 1138, B. P. O. Elks. His
quality, as well as the new offerings of the religious membership is with Christ Episcopal
trade.
Some personal account of the two Church, which he is serving as a vestryman,
partners who have cooperated so successfully He married Ella A. Currin, born Nov. 17,
in the building up of this business will be of
1880, daughter of Rev. G. W. and Minnie R.
interest.
(Willow) Currin, and they have two children
Laurence I. Clewell, born April 9, 1878, RolHn Earl, born April 6, 1899, and Marian
in Berwick, is a son of I. B. Clewell, and
Ruth, born Aug. 29, 1900.
The grandPercival C. Currin was born June 15,
grandson of Henry Clewell.
father was born in Evansville, Briarcreek 1876, in East Prospect, York Co., Pa., son
township, Columbia Co!, Pa., and early in life of Rev. G. W. Currin, a minister of the United
learned the tailor's trade, which he followed Evangelical Church. Rev. G. \W. Currin was
for a number of years.
Later he became a born in Cumberland county, Pa., May 15, 1845.
farmer, following agricultural pursuits until When quite a young man he entered a Maryhis death.
He had a family of thirteen chil- land regiment, and served two and a half
dren.
The parents are buried in Pine Grove years during the Civil war. After returning
cemetery.
Henry Clewell was a Democrat, from the army he located in Bellefonte, Cenbut never active in politics.
At one time a ter Co., Pa., and then entered New Berlin
zealous member of the Evangelical Church College, and started his preparation for the
at Evansville,
he subsequently joined the ministry.
Upon graduating he entered the
church at Berwick.
service of the United Evangelical Church, and
I.
B. Clewell, the father of Laurence L spent forty-four years in his sacred calling.
Clewell, was born in Evansville, in Briar- For many years he has been a resident of
creek township, and received his early educa- Williamsport, Pa., and has served every
tion there, later attending the schools of church of his denomination in that
He
city.
Berwick. Being a man of progressive nature, was instrumental in the building of one church
he entered the Pennsylvania State College and and three
His wife, Minnie R.
parsonages.
took the dairy and butter making course, after (Willow), born July 14, 1843, died May 28.

magazines and deal in stationery and similar
merchandise most successfully handled by
Their goods
druggists in the smaller cities.
are carefully selected, with a view of giving

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

768
1907.

She

Wildwood cemetery, with the Berwick Water Company in like
The following children were capacity, and is a director of the Berwick

buried in

Williamsport.

William C. Maude,
born to this marriage
Mrs. Harvey Rearick Percival C. Elsie, who
married Prof. Arthur Gilmore, of Williarnsport and Ella A., twin of Elsie, who married
Laurence I. Clewell. Rev. Mr. Currin has been
a Prohibitionist since 1876. Socially he holds
:

;

the Knights of Pythias and
the Odd Fellows.
Percival C. Currin began his education in
the schools of Williamsport. and also took a
two years' course in the Bloomsburg State
Normal School. During vacation times he
prepared himself for his present business,

membership

working in drug stores at Williamsport.
After leaving school he went to Bloomsburg
and entered the drug store of J. H. Mercer,
where he remained one and a half years and
After two
then returned to Williamsport.
years in the store of E. A. Cornell he moved
to Berwick, and with Mr. Clewell formed
He was married to
the present partnership.
Grace Greenwood Evans, born Dec. 25. 1874,
daughter of Francis and Jane (Lamon)
Evans, and they have had one child, Jane
Mr. Currin is
Evans, born Aug. 18. 1908.
a Democrat.
Fraternally he is a member of
Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M., Berwick; Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 218, R. A.
M. Crusade Commandery. No. 12, K. T.,
Bloomsburg; and Berwick Lodge, No. 246.
He is a director of the Berwick
I. O. O. F.
Building & Loan Association, and has been
secretary of the Columbia Beneficial Asso-

National Bank.

Mr. Witman married Annie Bowman Freas,
daughter of Henry C. and Dorothy A. (Bowman) Freas, of Berwick, Columbia county.
Three children have been born to them, two
of whom survive, viz. Harold Ewing, a graduate of Williamsport Dickinson Seminary in
1909, and of Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Conn., class of 1913, and now a student
in Drew Seminary, Madison. N. J. and Edwin
:

;

Henry, a graduate of Berwick high school,
class of 1912, and Williamsport Dickinson
Seminary, class of 1913, now (1915) a sophomore at Wesleyan University, Middletown,
Connecticut.

Mr. Witman

member

of the Methodist

Episcopal Church is a Mason, belonging to
Knapp Lodge. No. 462, F. and A. M.. of Berwick, and Caldwell Consistory, at Bloomsburg
and also is a member of the Pennsylvania
Society of New York.
;

;

GEORGE MARSHALL HUGHES

Bloomsburg and one of the prominent citizens of that borough, where he is
familiarly known as "Farmer" Hughes; he
continues to carry on the homestead farm,
which property is included within the town
limits. Mr. Hughes was born at Bloomsburg
Sept. 28. 1858. son of Douglass Hughes.
The Hughes family was founded in this
(Tea)
country by Isaiah and Henrietta
Hughes, great-grandparents of George M.
In religion he
ciation since its organization.
Hughes, who came to the United States from
a Presbyterian, belonging to the First County Tyrone, Ireland, in
is
They
1793.
resident of

;

Church.

FRANKLIN

WITMAN

has

been

associated with several business enterprises
during the thirty years and more of his resi-

lived in Douglassville, Berks Co., Pa., many
years ago. coming thence to Columbia county,
where they made their j>ermanent home and
died.
They were members of the Society
of Friends. Their children were: Mar}'
(Polly), who died unmarried; Ann (Nancy),
who died unmarried Lydia, wife of Samuel

in
Berwick.
Born at Bloomsburg.
Columbia countv, he received a common school
education, and served a full apprenticeship Hartman and George.
in the pharmacy of the late Norman J. HenderGeorge Hughes, son of Isaiah, was born
shott, whose elegant establishment in Blooms- in Columbia county, Oct. 18, 1798, and died
burg was well known in its day. ^Moving to April 10. 1 88 1, at Catawissa, where he made
Berwick about 1882, he took a position in the his home. He was a wheelwright, and folaccounting department of The Jackson «S: lowed that trade and the foundry business as
Woodin ^lanufacturing Company, in whose well as chairmaking. On Feb. i. 1823. he
service he continued for fourteen years. Dur- married Ann Harder, like himself a native
ing this time he was also the local manager of Columbia county, born March 31. 1803.
of the Western Union Telegraph Company. daughter of Err and Sarah (Dunlap) Harder.
For a number of years he has been connected She tlied Aug. 23. 187 1, and is interred with
with the Berwick Store Company. Limited, and her husband in Catawissa in what is now
its successor, the Berwick Store Company, as
known as the Friends' bur>'ing ground. Tliey
treasurer and secretary. He also is associated were, however, members of the Methodist

dence

;

p^l

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Eight children were born to this
follows:
Harriet, Nov. 8, 1823
couple,
Douglass, Dec.
(died when four years bid)
1828
21,
(died un27, 1825; Mayberry, July
married) j\Iarshall, March 28, 1830 (married
Matilda Klutz, and died May 4, 1862) Ann
Feb.
(married Ransloe
Eliza,
1832
29,
Alarks
Biddle,
19, 1834 (died
July
Boone)
unmarried Oct. 14, 1859) Sarah, March 23,
1840 (married Dr. John Jacob Vastine, of
Catawissa) Henriette, twin of Sarah (married Edward Smith).
Douglass Hughes, father of George M., was
born Dec. 27, 1825, at Catawissa, and there
learned the trades of chairmaking and painthe remained,
ing with his father, with whom
except for a year or two, until his removal to
Bloomsburg in 1848. There he established
himself in business, as a chairmaker and
corner of Iron and
painter, on the southeast
Second streets, continuing thus for several
a farm lying along
years. In 1859 he bought
the Susquehanna, one mile from Bloomsburg,
wdiereon he made his home for twenty-three
Returning to Bloomsburg in 1882, he

Church.

;

years.

bought a residence, and in 1884 purchased
what was known as the Beidleman property,
where he afterwards made his home until his
death, Feb. 15, 1892. He is buried at CataOn Sept. 27, 1849, Mr. Hughes marwissa.
ried Matilda Baldy, who was born Aug. 16,
1826, at Catawissa, daughter of Stephen and
Sarah (Fornwald) Baldy, of Catawissa, and

she survives him, continuing to make her home
She is a member of the
Bloomsburg.

Methodist Church, which Mr. Hughes also
They had a family of three children: Clara Augusta, born March 15, 1852,
married Tohn Wagenseller, of Bloomsburg,
Dec. 23, 1880, and died Dec. 27, 1891 Mary
Alfred
Rupert, born June 2, 1854, married

attended.

;

T. Harman, of Catawissa, April 30, 1873, and
died May 22, 1882; George Marshall was the
only son.
(George Marshall Hughes began his education in the public schools and later studied
He
at the Bloomsburg State Normal School.

passed his early years on his father's farm
near the town, and in the spring of 1882 took

charge of that place, wdiich contains sixtythree acres of valuable land, under excellent
It is devoted to general farming,
cultivation.

and Mr. Hughes

now

giving

all his

atten-

Mr. Hughes took the
tion to its operation.
contract to build the foundation for the monument at Bloomsburg, and assisted in placing
all the stones in that fine piece of work.
Though not a politician in the sense of
49

769

being an ofifice seeker Mr. Hughes has taken
some part in borough affairs, and has served
three years in the town council. In 1908 he
was candidate for the office of associate judge
of Columbia county, and though defeated by
Judge Krickbaum received a very creditable
vote, the successful candidate having a maHe has the unjority of only thirty-one.
qualified respect of all wdio know him. He is
a Republican in his political preferences. He
belongs to Coral Grange, and is a member of
the Methodist Church.
On Jan. 27, 1881, Mr. Hughes was united
in marriage with Rose Farns worth, of Rupert,
Columbia county, who was born Aug. i, 1859,
daughter of James T. and Hannah (Shellhamer) Farnsworth, the former of whom died
in

May,

1912, aged eighty-one years, at his
Rupert, where he had lived for fifty
In the old days of activity on the
years.
Pennsylvania canal he, worked as a boatbuilder at the Rupet dry dock, but was really
a cabinetmaker by trade, and for many years
was employed in the desk factory at BloomsHe served as a Union soldier during
burg.
the Civil war.
A man of high character and
keen sense of his responsibility as a citizen,
he was always an influence for good in the
community, and his death was regarded as a
general loss. His wife died about five years

home

ago,

and

Air.

Farnsworth thereafter

lived

with his daughter Fannie and granddaughter
Miriam Sullivan.
Five children survived
him:
Rose. Mrs. Hughes; Armine, Mrs.
Schultz, of Philadelphia; Cora, Mrs. Hilliard,
of Watsontown; Clinton E., of Bloomsburg;
and Miss Fannie, of Rupert. Mr. Farnsworth's funeral services were conducted by
Rev. Mr. Wagner and the Rupert Brotherhood.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have been born
the following children: Hannah F., born Jan.
23,

1882,

who

died

March

15,

1893; Tillie

born Oct. 21, 1883; Mayberry, born Sept.
14, 1885, now a resident of Washington,
and
D. C: Fred D., born Feb. 22, 1891
Florence W., born Oct. 28, 1893. The family
home is on Normal Hill, Bloomsburg.
B.,

;

FRANK

R. CLARK, M. D., physician and
surgeon, of Berwick, Columbia county, was
born in Northampton county. Pa., Jan. 28,
1865, son of Jonathan and Mary Ann (Fabian) Clark.

Abraham Clark was

a native of

New

Jer-

and became a national character, his name
of the Decappearing as one of the signers

sey,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

770

laration of Independence.
curred in his native State.

was Jeremiah

His

One

death

oc-

of his sons

Clark.

Jeremiah Clark, son of Abraham Clark, was
born in New Jersey, where he died. When
a boy of sixteen years he fought in the RevoIn his family was a son
lutionary war.
Richard.

Richard Clark, son of Jeremiah, was also
New Jersey, and there died. One

a native of
of his sons

was Jonathan Clark.

sey, whence he came to what is now Northampton county. Pa., locating at Uhlerstown,
where he was employed by Peter Uhler for a
number of years. Later he removed to Riegelsville, Pa., and he is now living at Easton,

He
the age of eighty-four years.
married a daughter of John Fabian, born in
eastern Pennsylvania, who settled in Northampton county, and there spent the greater
portion of his life. Three children were born
to

Jonathan Clark and his wife:

who

Wilson,

Los Angeles, Cal. Forrest J.,
employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, residing at Philadelphia and Frank R.
Frank R. Clark, son of Jonathan Clark,
was educated in the schools of his native place
and the academy at Riegelsville, following
which he taught school in Bucks county, Pa.,
for two terms. Then he entered Hahnemann
is

a resident of
who is in the

;

Medical College, of Philadelphia, in 1888, beIn the
ing graduated therefrom in 1891.
spring of that year he located at East Stroudsburg, Pa., but after three years came to Berwick, arriving here in the spring of 1894, and
here he has since remained, being now one
of

the

oldest

practicing

physicians

the

place.

Oct. II, 1905, Dr. Clark was united
marriage with Martha Ann Focht, who was
born at Pottsville, Pa., a daughter of James

and Martha Ann (Evans) Focht, of Pottsville.

Dr. Clark

member

of the Methodist

Church, and active in its work. Fraternally
he belongs to Berwick Lodge, I. O. O. F.,
and the Knights of Malta. Both as a man
and as a physician Dr. Clark stands very
high in the public estimation, and enjoys a
large and lucrative practice, his patronage extending over a wide area.

FRANK BOMBOY.

Henry Bomboy was born in Berks county.
came to Columbia county, and later kept
the tollgate at Muncy, Lycoming Co., Pa. Returning to Columbia county, he made his home
Pa.,

with his son Benjamin Bomboy until death
claimed him. His remains were laid to rest
in the cemetery of the old Reformed Lutheran

Church

proprietor of the
leading meat and vegetable market in Bloomsburg, Pa., was born in that town on Jan. 15,

Bloomsburg, in the work of which
body he had been very active, espe-

religious

Jonathan Clark, son of Richard Clark and
father of Dr. Clark, was born in New Jer-

Pa.,

1856, and is a son of Benjamin Bomboy, and
a grandson of Henry Bomboy.

cially in giving his services as a singer, as

he
possessed a voice noted for its strength and
power. Although twice married, all his children were born of his first wife, they being:

Abraham; Reuben;
Benjamin;
who married Isaac Johnston; Hanwho married Robert Hagenbuch; Belle,

Nathan;
Phoebe,
nah,

who married Reese Fairman; and

Polly, Mrs.

Snyder.

Henry Bomboy had a brother, Jacob Bomboy, who lived at Espy, Colubmia Co., Pennsylvania.
Benjamin Bomboy, son of Henry Bomboy,
was born in Hemlock township, ^larch
19,
181 7, and was brought up in Columbia
county.
Early

in life

he learned the carpenter's trade,

which he worked for some years in Bloomsburg, and later went to fanning in Hemlock
in
township, one mile north of Buckhorn.
1863 he bought the old Wagner farm of 113
acres, on which he lived untilhis death, March
at

19,

1884,

the

age of

sixty-seven

years.

His remains were buried in the Dutch Hill
cemetery, Columbia county.
Benjamin Bomboy married Sarah \\'agner,
a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth
(Betz)
Wagner, and she died in June. 1911, the
mother of the following children: Amelia,
who married Austin Corell Margaret, who
married B. F. Foulk; Leonard R.. who is mentioned at length belew; Phoebe, who mar;

ried

Norman

Sheep,

both

now

deceased

Hannah, who married Isaiah Hartman. a son
of Lawrence Hartman, of Hemlock
township
Frank; and William G.. who married Eleanora Foulk, and is deceased. Benjamin Bomboy was very active in the Dutch Hill Reformed Church, and was a member of the
choir for many years as well as a Sunday
;

school teacher, exerting a strong influence for
in his community and
earning the confidence and esteem of all who ever came into
contact with him.
LE0N.\Rn R. BoMnov. one of the sons of
Benjamin Bomboy, and a brother of Frank

good

Bomlioy, was born in Hemlock townsliip, Columbia Co., Pa. When his countrv had need

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
of his services he eiiHsted in

Company A,

171st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as a
drummer boy, for service during the Civil
war, and was in the army eleven months, going
as a substitute for his father, Benjamin Bomboy. At present he is a carpenter and resides
at Bloomsburg, belonging to the G. A. R. post
of that city. Mr. Bomboy married Jane P.etz,
a daughter of George and Hannah (Heilman) Betz, and they have the following chil-

who

when fourteen months old; and
who died at the age of sixteen,
Mr. Bomboy purchased a home on West
died

Ruth,

Main street and has remodeled it into a handsome establishment. He is a member of the
Lutheran Church, and has served on the official board
belongs to the Knights of the
Golden Eagle, and in politics is a Democrat,
An excellent business man, he has done a
;

thriving business for years, being
in the town, and his
recognize his honesty and fairness
him their constant patronage.
The Hartman family is one of

dren:

who
married
William
Maggie,
Weaver; and Nellie, who is married and resides at home.
Isaac Wagner, the maternal grandfather of

marketman

Frank Bomboy, lived in Hemlock township,
Columbia Co., Pa., near Buckhorn, where he
died.
His wife was Elizabeth Betz, and they
had the following children
Isaac, Jr. Abraham; David B. Sarah, who married Benjamin Bomboy Elizabeth, who married Jacob
Latshaw
^Iargaret, who married Henry
Lowder; and Annie, who married John
Winner.
Frank Bomboy, son of Benjamin Bomboy,
grew up on the farm in Hemlock township,

ing and

;

77I

the oldest

customers
by giving
old stand-

highly respected in Berks county.
Members thereof settled in that county as
early as 1727, locating north of Reading,
Now, however, the Hartmans are scattered

throughout Schuylkill, Columbia, Lycoming
and other counties in that portion of I'ennsylvania, as well as those lying in the middle
section of the State.

John Hartman, the founder of the family
America, came here from the Rhine country, from Erbach, district of Odenwald, Germany, which is a mountainous region, located between the Main and Necker rivers,
about thirty miles from Frankfort-on-theMain. After arriving in this country he
located in Exeter township, Berks county,.
A brother
Pa., where he reared his family.
of John Hartman, Jacob Hartman, also settied in Berks county, where he lived to be
ninety years old. He was afflicted with blindness from childhood.
John Hartman, a son of John Hartman,
was born in Berks county, Pa., and grew up
in

After assisting
attending the local schools.
some years in the work of the
farm, Mr. Bomboy engaged with the School
Furnishing Company of Bloomsburg, remainIn
ing with this concern for thirteen years.
1897 Mr. Bomboy embarked in the meat business, buying his stand at the corner of Main
and Jefferson streets, and has developed a
fine trade drawn from all over the town.
In
191 3 he erected on that corner the Bomboy
flats, a three-story building of tapestry brick
in modern design.
The two upper floors contain four apartments, fitted for the use of that there.
A patriot, he enlisted for service durnumber of families in the most up-to-date ing the American Revolution, becoming a
The lower floor is private in Col. Jacob Weaver's company, 5th
style and conveniences.
used by Mr. Bomboy as a market and is the Battalion, this being the fourth company
raised from Alsace township, Berks county..
largest establishment of the kind in the town,
In 1914 he installed an ammonia refrigerat- Many years after his war experience had
ing machine for the cooling of meats in his ended, in 1800, John Hartman came to what
immense refrigerator, the first machine of is now Columbia county, settling two milesthe kind in the town.
It is operated by elecnorth of Buckhorn, where he took up land
Then he moved to anIn the upbuilding of his trade Mr. and lived one year.
tricity.
Bomboy has been ably assisted by his son other farm a quarter of a mile away. He
Paul, who has become familiar with the mar- continued to live in this district, and when
ket business in all its branches.
he died his remains were laid to rest in the
On Dec. 18, 1879, Mr. Bomboy married old Lutheran cemetery at Bloomsburg. Of
Clara E. Hartman, daughter of Amos B. industrious, thrifty habits, he worked hard
and saved his money and became a man of
Hartman, and they have had these children
one
Dent
and
has
who
married
Belle
substance in his community. He and his wifePaul,
John,
child, Franklin
Geraldine, wife of Frank reared their children carefully, viz.
Rough, of Berwick, who has three children, George, Jacob, Adam, Charles, Joseph, Polly,
Marion, Isabel and Robert Franklin; Percy, Catherine (who married John Billick), and'.
his father for

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

772

Susan, all of whom grew to maturity and
reared families.
George Hartman, a son of John Hartman,
the founder of the family in Columbia
county, was born in Berks county, and was
eight years old when the family migration
took place, so that he practically grew up in
He always took a deep interest
this locality.
Reared
in its development and improvement.
on a farm, he spent his life in agricultural

becoming the owner of 250 acres of
land in Hemlock township, which is now very
valuable and owned by the Brobst family.
George Hartman ended his useful life in
Buckhorn, dying at the home of his son Amos
He
D., and is buried at New Columbia.
reached the age of eighty-three years before
death claimed him.
Marrying Margaret E.
Fox, of Hemlock township, he had the folpursuits,

lowing children

Charles, James,

Washing-

ton, John, Philip, Elisha, Louis, Samuel,
liam, Amos D., Harris, Margaret E.

Wil-

(who
married George Hartman), Catherine (who
married George Steyer), and Phoebe E. (who

married William Cox).
Amos D. Hartman, son of George Hartman, of Buckhorn, was born in Hemlock
township, Columbia county, July 2, 1833, and
after attending the local schools began learning the blacksmith's trade,

when

sixteen years

After completing his apprenticeship he
followed this trade all of his life at BuckHe married Mahala Girton, a native
horn.
of Columbia county, and they had children as
Clara
Charles L.
Frederick B.
follows:
Flora,
Frank
of
unmarried;
wife
E.,
Bomboy
Adelaide, wife of A. R. Henry (she has four
John G., who married Susie
children)
George and has one son, Ira Martha, wife
of William Reifendifer, has nine children;
and Harriet E., who died young.
Frederick B. Hartman, son of Amos D.,
was born Dec. 25, 1849, in Hemlock townthe
ship, Columbia Co., Pa., and attended
schools at Buckhorn and then the Bloomsold.

;

burg State Normal School. He learned the
trade of blacksmith, but afterwards became
a school teacher, teaching for two years at
Bloomsburg and six years at other places.
_

In 1870 he was married to Clara Driesbach,
and they had three children: Mrs. R. F. A'anderslice, of Bloomsburg; Frank E. Hartiuan,
for years a resident of the West; and Ralph
C, married to Lilly Keller, and residing in

dren

Mrs. Bland Stenile, of Scranton, Pa.;
married and living at Lopez, Pa.
Stewart, a law student Harriet, a high school
:

Harry

L.,

;

teacher; Stella, a bookkeeper; Helen, a student at the Bloomsburg State Normal School;
and Clifton, a student in the Bloomsburg

high school.
Air.

Hartman moved from Buckhorn

Rupert, and from there to Bloomsburg, where
he served two years as deputy postmaster.
He was also member of the town council for
four successive years, and school director
nine years; was secretary of the Columbia
County Fair Association for five years, and
traveling salesman for Jack Keller for seven
He then went with Creasy & Wells,
years.
lumber dealers of Bloomsburg, as bookkeeper

and traveling salesman, and

is now in the
twenty-third year of his association with this
enterprising concern.
Mr. Hartman is a member of Washington

Lodge. No. 265, F. & A. M., and a thirtysecond degree member of Caldwell ConsistHe is also a meml^er of the Royal
ory.
Arcanum, the Protected Home Circle and
Theta Castle, K. G. E. (charter member).
For forty-four years he has been a member
of the Methodist Church, member of its
official
board for forty-three years, choir
leader for thirty-five years, and is now serving
his twenty-seventh year as superintendent of
the

Sunday school of

dist

Episcopal

the

Church.

Bloomsburg MethoHe is hale and

and bids fair to live for a longer
period than the allotted threescore and ten
hearty,
years.

Charles

Hartman,

Hartman, was born

a son of

Amos

Hemlock township,

Like other normal, healthy
16. 1853.
farmer boys he attended the local school and

Dec.

worked at blacksmithing with his father until
he was fifteen years old.
At that time he
embarked in farming, and in 1880 bought a
property of one hundred acres near Buckhorn.

Charles L. Hartman married Lucy A.
Appelman, a daughter of Hiram and Mary
She died in October, 1913.
Appclman.
Children as follows were born to this union
Nellie I., who died young; 'Mertha M., who
married Webster \V right, of Bloomsburg:;
:

Mary

P.,

who married Edward

Faust,

Bloomsburg Anna V"., who married Richard
Fruit, a farmer of Hemlock township Kimber
A., a graduate of the Bloomsburg State NorBloomsburg.
After the death of his first wife Mr. Hart- mal School, class of 1911, now principal of the
man married Anna M. Sterner, of Blooms- Jerseytown high school, who married Ella
burg, and they have had the following chil- Deighmiller; and Grace E.. who is teaching
;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
school at Buckhorn, also a graduate of the
of
the Bloomsburg State
at
191 1

class

Normal.
Mr. Hartman is one of the valued members
of the Methodist Church, in which he has
held office, and he is now superintendent
of the Sunday school, a position he has held
for many years.
Politically he is a Democrat, and has been constable, tax collector,
overseer of the poor and assessor, displaying
in the discharge of his public duties the same
careful attention to detail which has marked
his career in every relation of life.
Both the Hartman and Bomboy families
have many excellent representatives, men
and women who are fully sustaining the
high reputation of the founders, and living
up to the standards reared by those sturdy
pioneers who lived and died as honorable,

God-fearing people, to whom dishonesty was
impossible, and loyalty to duty and country
a matter of course. It is such people as these
that make up the great backbone of the
nation.

HENRY

F. TRAUGH, a prominent citizen of Berwick, of which city he was chief
burgess from 1897 until 1899, has been active
here for many years both in business and as a

He was

born at Foundryand is
a son of Henry Traugh and grandson of
Henry Traugh. The ancestors of the Traugh
family on both sides came from Rhenish
Prussia, Germany, to the United States and
settled near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
public

ville,

official.

Columbia

Co., Pa., Oct. 6, 1866,

Henry Traugh,

the grandfather of

Henry

F. Traugh, born in 1768 in Berks county. Pa.,
came to Berwick and made a permanent set-

tlement in 1786.
The family endured great
hardships, as at that time provisions had to
be brought to what was the frontier from
Reading and Easton, and as there were no
means of public transportation, and a large
part of the country w^as little but a wilderness, the difficulties were many.
Mr. Traugh became a farmer in Columbia
county, where he died December 10, 1834.

married Rachel Melick,

Oct. 10, 1789,

and died Dec.

who was born
16,

1849.

Henry Traugh, son of Henry and father
of Henry F. Traugh, w^as born in Briarcreek
township, near Foundry ville. Pa., Feb. 11,
181 1, and died May 25, 1879.
^X trade he
was a tanner. He was active in the Republican party and was widely known.
He married Rachel Adams, a daughter of Abram and
Julian Adams, who was born Nov. 18, 1833,

and died Aug.

11,

773

1906.

They had

six chil-

dren: Hiram B., Henry F., George W., John
A., Daniel A. (deceased) and Mary.
The
parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, worthy people in every relation
of life.

Henry

attended

the Market
custom of many
work in the summers in the wood car shop of the Jackson
& Woodin Manufacturing Company, and in

Traugh

school.
It was the
boys of his age to secure
street

that way Henry F. Traugh profitably
passed
several vacations.
William Stackhouse at
that time was foreman.
When sixteen years
old he went into the machine shop of that

department, where he continued until 1897,
going then to the rolling mill, where on September 1st of that year he was made timeIn March, 1899, he was placed in
keeper.

charge of what was known as the little
in April, 1900, being advanced to the
auditing department in the general office. The
local auditor was J. F. Long.
Mr. Traugh
was still further advanced as to responsibility,
on Jan. i, 1902, being transferred to the cashier's department.
On March i, 191 1, he became paymaster, the office he still fills.
full

office,

One of the active Republicans of Columbia
county, Air. Traugh exerts a large amount of
influence and has served as borough auditor
and as school director. As chief burgess of
Berwick he administered the public affairs of
the borough with honest efficiency and civic
spirit.

Mr. Traugh was united in marriage with
Alinnie Mack, a daughter of Charles G. and
Elizabeth (Scott) Mack, of Berwick, and
Fern Elizabeth, born
they have two children
Feb. 18, 1900; and Henry Mack, born May
Mr. and Mrs. Traugh are members
15, 1907.
of
Bower Memorial L'nited Evangelical
Church, and he is one of the official board and
assistant superintendent of the Sunday school.
He belongs to the P. O. S. of A. and to the
:

Odd

Fellows at Berwick.

DANIEL

CRE\^ELING

has been en-

in the raising of truck at Bloomsburg
for the last twelve years, and for nine years

gaged

before he entered the business on his own
account was with J. L. Dillon in a responsible
capacity, so that the successful system in
operation in his establishment is the outgrowth
of long and valuable experience. He does a
large business, shipping quantities of green
truck daily to Sunbury, Pottsville and WilkesBarre, and has sixteen and a half acres of
valuable land especially adapted to his needs

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

774

and cultivated according to the modern stand- has since been
living in retirement; he owns
ards.
In 1914 he added two
His wife, Elizabeth, is a
greenhouses for property there.
carnations.
daughter of Hannah (Richard) Dietrich and
The Creveling family is one of old
standing granddaughter of Elias Dietrich. Children as
in Columbia
county, the first settler of the follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Creveling:
name here being John Creveling, great-grand- Alvin died when twenty-seven years old Danfather of Daniel H.
Creveling. He was born iel H. is mentioned below; Edna married
in 1772 in New Jersey, and his wife
Charity Samuel House, and lives at IMiddle Haddam,
;

•was born in 1774.

young married
east of

Coming

to this region a

couple, they took

Bloomsburg,

what

up land

now

just

Scott

township, and there remained to the close of
their lives, Mr. Creveling dying in
1827, aged
fifty-five years, his wife in 1858. at the age
of eighty-four. They are buried in the Creveling cemetery at Almedia. They were members of the Society of Friends, and
highly
respected throughout this section, where they

were well known. The famous
"Creveling
grape" was propagated by Mrs. Creveling, the
original vine running over a large pear tree
near her home. Among the children of John
and Charity Creveling were Andrew Moore,
who died at Espy. Pa.; Nelson, who died at
Three Rivers, Mich.; and John, who died
near Ashland, Ohio.
Andrew Creveling, grandfather of Daniel
H. Creveling, was born in Scott township,
near Bloomsburg, Jan. 22, 1806. and was a
farmer, inheriting the old homestead.
He
owned three farms in all. Upon retiring from
active work he moved to Light Street, where
he died Sept. i, 1886, and he is buried in the
Creveling cemetery at Almedia, beside his first
wife.
She was Ann I. Henrie, daughter of
Archibald and Sarah Henrie. and died in 1863.
a member of the Episcopal Church, to which
Mr. Creveling also belonged. She left a large
family, of whom Sarah married Daniel Snyder ]. Harvey lives in Scott
township. Columbia county; William P. is mentioned below; Delilah married Elisha Hagenbuch. of
Centre township; Giarity married Edward
Sharret Benson died in Scott
township. The
father's second marriage was to Mrs. Hikox.
his third wife being Mrs.
Harvey, his fourth
Fine. He was one of the active citizens
Mrs.^
:

;

his day, taking part in public aflFairs. serving as captain and later as major in the State
militia, and his enterprising and energetic disposition, and intelligent aid in all things affecting the public welfare, brought him into
high favor and wide repute in his locality.
William P. Creveling was born in Scott
township Nov. 29, 1838, was reared to farm
life, and after his marriage engaged in farming on his own account in his native township.
In 1900 he removed to Bloomsburg. where he

Conn.

Archibald died when twenty-six years
is a farmer at Cascade,
Mont.;
Harriet is at home Ario has a sheep farm in
;

Frank

old;

;

Madison township, Columbia county; Bessie
is
teaching public school, and lives at home.
Daniel H. Creveling was born Nov. 12,
1865, in Scott township, Columbia county, and
obtained

all his

early education in public school
at the Bloomsburg
State Normal School.
Remaining with his
father until sixteen years old, he
spent the

there, later

having a term

next four years with his uncle Harvey, and
then took Up the trade of blacksmith, at which
he worked for two years, seven months. He
then entered the employ of J. L. Dillon and
has since been engaged in truck raising. During the nine years he was with Mr. Dillon he
gained thorough familiarity with the florist
and truck business, and was so trusted by
Mr. Dillon that he acted as superintendent of
his establishment until he went into business
for himself in 1902. His trade has developed

and expanded in a most encouraging degree,
and he now has over twenty thousand feet
of glass on his tract of sixteen and a half
acres, all of which is utilized in the most approved manner. He makes a specialty of lettuce and all kinds of green truck, raised and
handled according to up-to-date methods, and
his shipments have increased yearly from the
start, his patrons having found that he can be
relied upon to give them the best products and
service possible.
Mr. Creveling erected the
on his property in 1900, renting
out the first four years. He is an interested
member of the Grange, and fraternally is connected with the P. O. S. of A. and the Masons
(Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M.).
He is a Lutheran in religion, and has served
as elder of his church.
Mr. Creveling votes
fine residence
it

independently.
In 1891 Mr. Creveling was married to Lyvera Holdren, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Karchncr) Holdren. of Pine township.

Columbia county. They have had two children
Eunice, born March 31, 18(13. who has
been an invalid all her life; and Elizabeth,
born Jan. 3. igi3. named after both her grandmothers.
Mr. and Mrs. Creveling have also
:

reared

.\lta

Ajiplegate

from the age of

five

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
she is now seventeen, and attending
years
school
at Bloomsburg.
high
;

FRANK

KITCHEN,

present burgess of

Berwick and a justice of the peace, was born
in that borough Nov. lo, 1857, a son of Oliver
and Angeline (Johnson) Kitchen.
The Kitchens are of English origin and the
family belonged to the nobility in England.
coat of arms
Per chevron argent and
three water bougets, counterchanged.
sa.,
An arm in armor embowed, issuing
Crest
from a cloud in the sinister, holding a sword
William Kitchen, of Birmingham,
])roper.

The

became a Quaker, and renouncing his title
came to America in the year 1682 on the ship
"Welcome," with William Penn. He settled
at Camden, N. ]., where his son John was
born. The latter married Jeanie Cameron and
moved to Philadelphia, where their son Enoch
(below) was born.
Enoch Kitchen, of the third generation in
this country, worked as a tailor in Philadelphia. He married Jerusha Moore.
Amos Kitchen, son of Enoch, was born in
Philadelphia, and in 1800 came to Danville,
Pa., where he lived for many years, eventuAll
ally moving to Berwick, where he died.
his life he was engaged at tailoring.
He married Margaret Campbell, a native of Somerset, Pa., whose father, Alexander Campbell,
was a Revolutionary soldier and also served
in the war of 181 2, losing his life in the latter
conflict.
Alexander Campbell's sister Anne
married an Allison, and their daughter Nancy
was the mother of the late President William
McKinley. Both Amos Kitchen and his wife
died at Berwick.
Oliver Kitchen, son of Amos, was born at
Danville. Like his father he was a tailor, and
carried on business as such at Berwick, where
he died Feb. 9, 1900, while his widow, Angeline, survived until Jan. 4, 1906.
They had
two children, Frank R. and Jennie.
Mrs.
Angeline Kitchen was the second wife of
Oliver Kitchen, who married first Mary Cuneas, and by this union also had two children
Margaret, who is deceased and Annie, who
is the widow of Louis Thornton, of Hunting:

;

ton,

West Mrginia.

Frank R. Kitchen attended the public
schools of Berwick, and then clerked for two
years in a mercantile establishment at Espy.
Later he learned to be a molder and worked
as such for twelve years, in the employ of the
American Car & Foundry Company. In 1892
Mr. Kitchen was elected a justice of the peace,

and has continued

to hold that office,

and he

775

also burgess of Berwick at present.
Mr.
Kitchen belongs to Washington Camp, No.
105, P. O. S. of A., and is a past commander
general of the order, and one of the highest
officials in the United States.
He also holds
is

membershi]) in the Berwick lodge of Red Men.
In politics he is a Republican. A man of affairs, he gives considerable attention to public
events, and stands very high
tion of his fellow townsmen.

JOSIAH

H. GIGER,

street

the estima-

commissioner

of Bloomsburg, was born in Dutch \'alley,
Montour township, Columbia Co., Pa., June
10, 1854, son of John Giger and grandson of
Daniel Giger.

Daniel Giger was born

Reading, Pa., in

and was one of the early settlers of
Columbia county. He bought a farm in what
is now Montour township, and there died July
His wife,
31, 1871, aged seventy-two years.
whose name was Catherine, was born in 1803,
and died March 24, 1870, aged sixty-seven
years, and both are buried in Montour townTheir children were:
John; Elias
ship.
Henry Joseph, who is living in Centre townWilliam Daniel Mary, who married
ship
1799,

;

Lafayette Strausser; Elizabeth, widow of
William Perry; Harriet; and Lavina.
John Giger was born in Reading, Pa., in
1823, and was brought by his parents to Columbia county, where he engaged in farming
when old enough, becoming the owner of the
tract of eighty-one acres on which he died
April 7, 1868, aged forty-five years, seven
months, nineteen days. Like his parents he is
buried in the Lazarus cemetery in Montour
township. John Giger married Barbara Frey,
Isaiah, living
and they had these children
in the "Panhandle" of Texas Josiah H. An:

;

who died when twenty-one years old
Maria, widow of E. W. Runyon, living in
Bloomsburg and Elmira, who married \\' il-

geline,

;

liam

Huntington, and

living

on the old

homestead in ]\Iontour township.
Josiah H. Giger attended the local schools,
and was kept busy at home until he was
twenty-two years old. He then began farm-

Montour township, but in
1882 came to Bloomsburg. where for twentythree years and six months he was in the ice
In 1905 he became street commisbusiness.
ing for himself in

Bloomsburg. and still holds that
ha\ing been elected to same on the
Democratic ticket. He has also served as a
councilman, holding that office for five years.
In 1910 he bought out the ice business owned
by J. G. Quick and operated it for a year,
sionet of

office.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

776

when he sold it to his son, William F. Giger,
in order to devote all his attention to the duties of his office and his farm in Scott townwhich contains loo acres of land, with
fourteen acres along the river.
Mr. Giger married Mary E. Edgar, a daughter of William Edgar, and they have four
children:
William Franklin, who married
Bessie Boyer; Harry Elmer, who married
ship,

Fannie Bert; Martha Elizabeth, who married
Boyd Cadman, an automobile dealer, of
Bloomsburg; and Laura Irene, who married
I.
L. John, an electrician, of New Castle,
Pennsylvania.
Mr. Giger belongs to the Presbyterian
Church, and is as popular in that organization
as he is everywhere in Columbia county where
he is known. For years he has belonged to
the local lodge of Elks, and he is treasurer of
the Liberty Fire Company.

JAMES

MILLER,

deceased, a former
for many
years engaged in business as a general merchant at Washingtonville. was a native of
Columbia county. Pa., born Sept. 6, 1824.
He was one of the seven children of Philip
Miller, a native of Pennsylvania of German
descent, who resided many years in Columbia county.
He married Frances Ready.
James N. Miller learned the trade of
tanner, which he followed for a number of
sheriff

Montour county, and

He first married Susanna Rishel, and
years.
after her death was united in
marriage with
Isabella G. Hilkert. and spent one
year on
the farm of his father-in-law, Mr. Hilkert.
Then he went to Montandon, Northumberland Co., Pa., where he conducted a hotel for
a short time, moving from there to
Jerseytown, Columbia county, where he was also
in the hotel business.
A short time later he
entered into a partnership with Albert Funston, in the general mercantile business, continuing in that line for a number of years.
Dissolving the partnership, he returned to
Washingtonville and resumed the general
mercantile business there for a time.
He
also owned a farm of
125 acres, which he
rented out.
After a few years he sold his
business and lived retired until 1876. in which
year he was nominated and elected sheriff of
Montour county, on

the

Democratic

ticket.

entered upon the duties of the office Jan.
I, 1877, moving to Danville, and at the "end
of his term of three years moved back to
there
until
1882.
Washingtonville,
living
That year he returned to Danville and opened
a livery stable.
His death occurred Jan. 21,

1903, when he was aged seventy-eight years,
four months, fifteen days. He'was a member
of
St.
Paul's
Methodist Episcopal
Church of Danville.

By his first marriage, to Susanna Rishel,
daughter of John Rishel, ]\Ir. ^liller had one
child, John, now a farmer at Washingtonwho married Fietta Wagner. Airs.
ville,
Aliller died in 1852.

On March

1857,

Mr.

married (second) Isabella G. Hilkert,
who was born Nov. 11, 1827, daughter of
Samuel Hilkert and of German descent. She
became the mother of one child, Susan
Frances, wife of William Henry Andy, of
Danville. Mrs. Isabella G. Miller passed away
Dec. 22, 1^77, aged fifty years, one month,
Aliller

eleven days.

WILLIAM HENRY ANDY,

retired ser-

geant of the United States signal corps, now
living at Danville, Pa., was born Dec. 13,
1852, at Frosty Valley, Montour Co., Pa., son
of John and Eliza (Kesler) Andy.
John Andy, the father, was born Nov. 16,
1816,
Pa.,

in
what is now Montour county,
and here followed agricultural pursuits

throughout his life, dying March 9, 1909, at
the age of nearly ninety-three years. He was
a stanch Democrat in his political views, and
a faithful member of the Lutheran Church.
His wife, Eliza (Kesler), who died in 1897.
aged seventy-nine years, was the daughter of
John and Margaret Kesler, members of old

Four chilpioneer Pennsylvania families.
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Andy:
Catherine Lucinda, living on the old homestead at \\'ashingtonville, Pa.
Ellen and
Franklin, who are both deceased; and William Henry.
William Henry Andy, son of John Andy,
received his education in the district schools,
attending the old Porter school in Derry
;

township, and at Limestoneville, in Limestone township. His attendance covered several months during each winter, while his
summers were devoted to assisting his father
in the work of the farm.
It was not the
young man's intention, however, to devote his
career to agricultural pursuits, and at the age
of eighteen years he left the parental roof and
came to Danville, where he took up the trade
of plasterer.
On Aug. 22, 1870, Mr. Andy
entered upon his military career, enlisting at
Toledo, Ohio, in the 15th Infantry. L^nited
States regular army, and continued to serve
for five years at Fort Garland. Colo., and
Fort Union, New Mexico. He was promoted
to sergeant.
On receiving his honorable dis-

jUi^^^,^.^

^^^.^^je^j^-^

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
charge at the expiration of his term of service
j\Ir. Andy returned to W'ashingtonville, Pa.,

and

in the spring of 1876 was successful in
securing a position as guard and drill instructor at the Centennial Exposition held at

When that famous exposition
Philadelphia.
closed he enlisted in the marine corps, which
he joined at the Brooklyn navy yard, for four
years' service, and was assigned to the United
States cruiser "Trenton," on which he served
three years at European seaports.
Returning to the United States he completed the

period of his enlistment in shore duty at the
Brooklyn navy yard. At the expiration of
this term he reenlisted at Fort Hamilton, New

York

harbor, for an additional five years, in
the 5th Regiment, Heavy Artillery, being
stationed at Governors Island, New York
Harbor, and Fortress Monroe, Va. Having
served out his term of enlistment in the

he again reenlisted, this time
United States signal corps, for a term
of five years, remaining in that service until
he became eligible for retirement. Upon en-

heavy

artillery,

in the

tering the signal service, wdiich formerly included among its duties the service now
looked after by the weather bureau, he was
St. Paul, Minn., and at the folLa Crosse,
lowing stations in succession
Wis. Marquette, ]\Iich. St. Vincent, Minn.
Sante Fe, N. Mex. Fort Grant, Ariz. and
Los Angeles, Cal., where he reenlisted.
Thereafter he was assigned to the following
stations in the order mentioned: Fort Riley,
Kans.
Fort Logan, Colo.
Denver, Colo.
Fort Yates, N. Dak., and at the outbreak of
the Spanish American war he was sent to

assigned to

;

Tampa, Fla., and from there to the Philippine Islands, where he spent two years and
three months.
On his return to San Francisco he was in the hospital, and w^as retired
from the service with three-fourths pay. He
had served in all twenty-eight years, an allowance of two years being made for double
service.
At that time Mr. Andy returned to
Danville, and for several years devoted his
activities to looking after the farm which he
inherited from his father, but which he subHe is now leading a retired
sequently sold.
life.

Dec. 13. 1902, Mr. Andy was married
Susan Frances ]\Iiller, a friend of former
years, who was born Dec. 4, 1858, in [Montour cpunty. Pa., daughter of lames N. and
Isabella G. (Hilkert) Miller.
Mr. and Mrs.
Andy have had one child, Frances Isabella,
born May 7, 1907. Their home is at No. 106
to

East Market

street.

777

Mr. and Mrs. Andy are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and she has been
active in its work, being a member of the
Home and Foreign Missionary Societies and

a teacher in the Sunday school.
Republican in his political views, Mr. Andy has been

zealous in his support of the policies and candidates of his party, and is regarded as one
of the wheelhorses of the organization in this
section.
He has been a good soldier and citizen, and richly merits the esteem in which he
is

held.

JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

contractor

and paperhanger, and one of the leading citizens of West Berwick, was born Nov. 22,
1868, at ^IcKees Half Falls, Snyder Co., Pa.,
son of Henry Newman, grandson of John
Newman and great-grandson of Conrad Newman.
Conrad Newman was born in Ireland and
emigrated to the United States, settling in
Snyder county, where he farmed and became
the owner of a large tract of land. He had
two children. He was a Democrat, and a
member of the United Brethren Church. He
and his wife are buried in the Grubbin cemetery, in Chapman township, Snyder Co., Pennsylvania.

John Newman, the grandfather of John
Henry, was born in Snyder county. By trade
he was a cooper, manufacturing barrels, tubs,
He
etc., and followed this calling all his life.
married Christiana Shaffer, and they had the
following children
Jonathan, deceased, who
married Lucinda Conifer Thomas, who married Elizabeth Weiser; Henry; Elizabeth, deceased, who married John Schwartz
Mary,
deceased
Harrison, who married Margaret
Rine James, deceased and two that died in
infancy. John Newman was a Democrat and
a member of the United Brethren Church, in
which both he and his wife were exceptionally
active. They are buried in the Grubbin ceme:

;

tery.

Henry Newman, father of John Henry, was
born Sept. 2, 1842, in Chapman township,
Snyder Co., Pa., wdiere he was educated and
where he learned the trade of shoemaker. For
about thirty years he was a boatman on the
Pennsylvania canal, and for three years was

the owner of his own boat. He traveled the
entire length of the canal, carrying coal prinBy his marriage to Julia Ann Reichcipally.
enbach, who was born April 28, 1849, daughter of
Jacob and Eliza (Longennecker)
Reichenbach, farming people of Snyder counDelia, the
ty, he had the following children
:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

778

widow of Frank Cochran
Florence, the
widow of George Atherton John Henry
Thomas and EHzabeth, twins, the former mar;

;

rying Hattie Benscotter and the latter Fred
Krebs, Jr.
Albert, who married Fannie
;

Laura, who married William
Charles
Alargaret, who married
Leibf ried
deceased
Cleveland,
George; and two deceased in infancy. Mr.
Newman has been a resident of Berwick for
about eleven years. He is a Democrat, and
an active member of the United Evangelical
Church of West Berwick. Fraternally he is
a member of Bloomsburg Council, No. 536,
Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
]\Irs.
Newman died July 24, 191 3, and is
buried in River View cemetery, Northum-

Kershner;

Drake
Frank

;

berland, Pennsylvania.

Newman

John Henry

received his educa-

His first occupation
on the Pennsylvania
canal, which he continued for eleven years,
becoming captain of a boat. He traveled between Nanticoke, New York, Philadelphia and
Baltimore.
Leaving the canal he followed
contract work, building railroads, reservoirs,
etc.
After following this business three years
he went to Northumberland, Pa., and entered
the puddle mill of the Van Alen rolling mills,
where he remained for a time, and then again
became an employee of the Canal Company,
having charge of the canal from Berwick to
Catawissa. He was so engaged for about five
years, making his home at Lime Ridge during
He then entered the employ of
that time.
the American Car and Foundry Company, in
the paint shop, under Col. A. D. Seely, for a
short time.
His next employer was W. F.
Rough, of Berwick, with whom he learned
the house painting and paperhanging trade.
Upon the retirement of Mr. Rough he succeeded to the business, which he has developed
tion in Snyder county.
was that of boatman

greatly.

Mr.

Newman was

Erlsten, born

March

married to Eva Savina
20,

1874, a daughter of

John and Sarah (Kluck) Erlsten. Mr. and
Mrs. Newman have one child, Anna May,
born April t8, 1894. She is a graduate of the
Berwick high school, class of 1913, and now
an employee of the Bell Telephone Company
at Berwick. Mr. Newman is a Democrat, and
has taken a very active interest in the public
schools of West Berwick. He has served as
president, vice president

and secretary of the

Formerly a member of the United
Evangelical Church at Lime Ridge, where he
held all the offices in the gift of that organization except class leader, Mr. Newman is now
a member of the Bower Memorial United
Evangelical Church, where he has taken a
pletion.

Sunday school. He
the teacher of the Young Men's Bible Class,
consisting of more than fifty students he also
taught the teacher's training class for two
He is a member of Berwick Lodge,
years.
No. 246. I. O. O. F., and of Washington
Camp No. 105, P. O. S. of A., of Berwick.
John Erlsten, the father of Mrs. Newman,
ver}^ active interest in the
is

;

was born ^lay 3, 1812, in Northumberland
county, and was a farmer of that section. He
married Sarah Kluck. who was born Oct. 26,
1833, daughter of John Kluck, a farmer near
Mount Pleasant Mills, Snyder county, and
widow of Aaron Snyder. They had one child,
Mrs. Newman. Mr. Erlsten was a Democrat
and a member of the Baptist Church. He died
Oct. 30, 1886, and his wife passed away Oct.
They are buried at Northumber15. 1899.
land, Pa. John Kluck was one of the pioneers
of Snyder county, using ox-teams and other
crude means in the operation of his farm.
He had four children Peter. Sarah, Amelia,
and MatiUla. Politically he was a Democrat.
:

GIOVANNI BUCCI

(John Bush),

re-

and for some years proprietor
of Bush's Quality Shop, at Bloomsburg. was
tired contractor

in the village of Capriati, Province of
Salerno. Italy. Feb. 3. 1855. His father was
an esquire of the village and held many offices
of trust.
Michaele Bucci, the father, married Matilda
Feranta. also a native of the village, and their
children were:
(i) Giovanni.
(2) Nicola

bom

Antonio married in Italy and had one son,
Michaele Bucci, who came to America and
has since been entirely lost to his family; by
his second marriage Nicola Antonio had another son, Ernesto, who married a French-

woman

Rhode

Island.

(3)

Saverio niar-

and had one daughter. Terasina.
(4) Domenica married and has two daugh-

ried in Italy
ters.

Giovanni P)Ucci came to America in 1874
and took a position on the West Shore railroad in the State of New York, remaining in
In
the employ of that comjiany until 1883.
that year he and his brother. Nicola .\ntonio.

school

took the contract for the construction of the

was
secretary, as such having
It is to his efforts that
of
the
work.
charge
it was carried on with such success to com-

Beech Creek railroad, running into Lock
Haven. Pa., which fully occupied their time

school boartl, and while the

being built

was

new high

until

1885.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
On Dec. 23, 1883, Mr. Rucci married Maria
Cesira Malfaiera, at Howard, Clinton Co., Pa.,
and in 1885 they moved to New York and
In 1887 they moved
entered into business.
to Bloomsburg, Pa., where Mr. Bucci and his
brothers, Nicola and Saverio, took the contract to build the Bloomsburg & Sullivan railAfter the completion of the railroad
road.
the family resided for a time in Jamison City,
where they built and operated a restaurant,
but foreseeing the fate of that village Mr.
Bucci sold out and established himself in the
confectionery and ice cream business in
Bloomsburg, wdiich he has carried on with
success ever since.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bucci have been born the
Pietro Giuseppi, born at
following children
Beech Creek, Clinton Co., Pa., Sept. 26, 1884;
Matilda, born at Beech Creek, Pa., July 13,
1886; Artemisia Marguerite, born at Bloomsburg, Oct. 3, 1888; Matilda Josephine, born
:

Jamison City, Pa., Sept.
Nazzareno Giovanni, born

March

17,

1892.

this

26, 1890; and
in Bloomsburg,

the

first

two are

Artemisia and Matilda Josephine
deceased.
are graduates of the Bloomsburg State Normal School and teachers in New Jersey, while
the son, John (Giovanni), also a graduate
of the commercial and teacher's departments
of the Bloomsburg State Normal School, has
charge of the store and conducts a successful

photographic supply business.
Mrs. Maria Cesira (Malfaiera) Bucci was
born in the city of Fabriano, Province of

Her father, Nazzareno Malfamous railroad engineer and
tunnel builder, having driven some of the
Ancona,
faiera.

Italy.

was

noted tunnels of the Italian state railways.
His father was Gioacchino Malfaiera, of

French descent, and his mother was Maria
Santa, a native of the city of Fabriano.
Mrs. Bucci's mother was Artemesia, daughter of Lorenzo Bartocci and Francesca TizMr. Bartocci was superzoni, of Fabriano.
intendent of a large tannery in his native
town for many years. His children were
:

(i) Marietta married Francesco Cristofanetti,
a druggist in Rome, Italy, and has three children
Giovanni, a silversmith of marvelous

779

tanner

in Fabriano.
(5) Artemesia became
mother of Mrs. Bucci.
Mr. and Mrs. Bucci, as well as all the mem-

the

bers of their family, are devout members of
St. Columba's Roman
Catholic Church at
The children are popular
Bloomsburg.
socially and give evidences of the careful home
training they have received, while Mr. and
Mrs. Bush are received in the best circles of
the town.

JULIUS

KOONS,

chief of the fire de-

partment of West Berwick, Columbia county,
was born at Mauch Chunk, Pa., Feb. 14, 1862,
son of Samuel Koons and grandson of Isaac
Koons.
Isaac Koons was born in West Prussia,
Germany, married Cecilia Kerstine, and both

He was a prosperous
died in that country.
merchant. In religious faith he was a member of the German Reformed Church.
vSamuel Koons, son of Isaac Koons, was

born in West Prussia, Germany, July 13,
He was edu1805, and died in May, 1873.
cated at Friedland, Germany, and in 1847 left
his native land for the United States.
Upon
his arrival in the new country he located at
East Mauch Chunk, Carbon Co., Pa., where
he became a merchant and later an investor
along numerous lines, developing into a very
prosperous man. Wliile he was a Democrat
he sought no offices. A member of the German Reformed Church, he gave that body his
loyal support, and fraternally he was an Odd
Samuel Koons married Henrietta
Fellow.
Douce, a daughter of G. and Anette Douce,
Mrs. Koons died May
of Berlin, Germany.
of the following chilmother
the
1
1,
89
29,
dren: Julius C, mentioned below; Paul;
and
Philip, who married Christina Apgar
Hannah, who
(second) Florence Kimbell
married Henry George; Rebecca, who married Alexander Donald; and Annette, Isaac
and Joseph, all of whom died in childhood and
;

are buried at Easton, Pa. Hannah is buried
in the Lutheran cemetery at Brooklyn, N. Y.
Samuel Koons is buried at Easton, Pa., while
the mother is interred at Freeland, Luzerne

ability in Portugal,

who

spent five years upon

a single piece of work for the royal family
Luigi, a prominent lawyer of Rome, a Cavalier
;

and president of the Roman Assembly and
Brunno, who is deceased.
(2) Maria Santa
;

the wife of Guiseppi Cecchini, of Gubbia,
province.
(3) Santi is a wealthy
tanner of Fabriano. (4) Romouldo is also a

Umbria

Co., Pennsylvania.
Julius C. Koons

attended

the

common

schools at Rockport, Carbon Co., Pa., and
after finishing the courses therein clerked in
his father's store, remaining with him for
seven years. He then took a night course in
mining engineering and for seventeen years
followed that calling in his native county.
Coming to West Berwick at the expiration of

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

780

this period, he entered the employ of the at Hemlock Creek, Luzerne Co., Pa., Nov. 16,
American Car & Foundry Company as car 1816, and was educated in the common schools
builder in the steel car department, which of his native place.
When fifteen years old
position he still holds. He is now serving his he went to Kingston, Pa., where he completed
fifth

term as chief of the

fire

his educational training in the night schools,

department of

West Berwick, and has been assistant State meanwhile working for a carpenter during
fire marshal, district of West Berwick, for the daytime.
When he had completed his
three years.
Republican.

Politically he is a Progressive
In religious faith he is a Methhas been steward of the West

apprenticeship at carpentry he began contract-

and
Berwick Methodist Church. Fraternally he
belongs to Berwick Council, No. i8, Protective Order of Beavers.
On Feb. 12, 1892, Julius C. Koons married
Belle Van Horn, who was born Sept. 5, 1869,
daughter of Joseph Evans Van Horn, and
they have the following children Leland Van
Horn, born March 10, 1893, is in the stationery, confectionery, cigar and tobacco business
in New York City
Joseph Clyde, born Jan.
6, 1896, died in childhood and is buried at
Freeland, Pa. and Philip Clarke, who was
born Nov. 4, 1904, died in childhood, and is
buried in Pine Grove cemetery at Berwick.
Mrs. Belle (Van Horn) Koons. wife of
Julius C. Koons, was born in Lansford, Carbon Co., Pa., Sept. 8, 1870, daughter of
Joseph Evans and Mary (Canfield) A'an Horn.
She received her educational training in the
common and high schools of Mauch Chunk,
Pa., and after graduating therefrom went to
New York City, where she taught in a kindergarten school with her sister, Mrs. Isaac Zane.
Returning to Carbon county, she was marMrs.
ried at Rockport, Pa., to Mr. Koons.
Koons is a Methodist and very prominent in

Pa.,

odist,

removing to Montrose, Susquehanna Co.,
where he remained until after his marAfter the war he went to Lansford,
riage.

ing,

;

church work.

Pa.

In 1846 he enlisted for service during the

war with Mexico,

which he was wounded,

subsequently resumed his contracting
business.
His experiences in 1846 did not

and

him from enlisting in the 8ist Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry for service during the Civil war, and he participated in the
battles of Bull Run and Antietam, his horse
being shot from under him at the latter endeter

gagement, where he was also injured.

Buttonwood hospital at Philadelphia, where he was obliged to remain for
three months, during which period his first
enlistment expired and he reenlisted. At the
close of the war he held the rank of captairi

was taken

to the

by brevet.
In 1856 Mr. \'an Horn moved to Lansford,
and thence in 1870 to Mauch Chunk,
where he remained until 1882. From there
Pa.,

he went

to Rockfort, at

which place he

sided until 1892, that year

moving

re-

to Free-

where Mrs. Van Horn died ]May 30,
Mr. Van Horn died in Freeland. Jan.
1900.
He continued contracting throughII, 1902.
out his active years, retiring about ten years
before his death, and operated principally in
Luzerne and Carbon counties, his work being
on coal breakers and wooden
especially
He
had the contract for the switchbridges.
land,

Isaac Van Horn, grandfather of Mrs.
Koons, was born at what is now Berwick,
Pa., and died at Lansford, Pa., in i860.
He was educated at Berwick and worked with back at IVIauch Chunk, which was constructed
his father at farming.
During the war of under his supervision. The Republican party
1812 he served as a soldier and was wounded had in him an enthusiastic supporter. He was
on the battlefield. Isaac Van Horn married a valued comrade of the local post of the G.
Elizabeth Dodson, a daughter of Obadiah and A. R., and enjoyed meeting there and at the
Elizabeth Dodson, and the children born to encampments those with whom he was assothem were
Abram, who married Olive ciated during the stirring days of the Civil
Oberdorf John, who married Mary St. Clair; war. The ]\Iethodist Church had in him a
Samuel Rachel, who married James Conner consistent member and an active worker as
Thomas, who married Maria Lerch Hannah, well, and he was in thorough sympathy with
who married Henry Ebert Merritt, who mar- all of its good deeds. During his long and
ried Mary Bersch
Nathan, who married useful life" he had many experiences which
Anna Grayson and Joseph Evans. Isaac Van broadened him and made it possible for him
Horn was a Methodist, and he espoused the to take a progressive interest in civic and redoctrines of the newly formed Republican ligious matters.
On July 14. 1842. Joseph Evans \'an Horn
party prior to his death.
Van
married to Mary Leland Canfield. born
son
of
Isaac
Evans
Van
was
Horn,
Joseph
Horn, and father of Mrs. Koons, was born Tulv 13. 1824. Mr. and Mrs. \'an Horn be:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
came the parents of the following children:
Josephine Burgess married Samuel Simpson,
who is buried at Summit Hill, Pa. Sarah, who
died young, is buried at Lansford; Jasper
Stansberry married Maria Wood, who is
buried at Lansford; Mary Delphine, who married Douglas Solomon, lives at Allentown, Pa.
Emily Roosevelt, who married William Dodson, lives at Aldine Park, N. J.; Gilbert died
in childhood; Cornelia Adelaide (deceased)
married Isaac Zane and is buried at Lansford
Joseph Hewett, who married Jennie Mclntire,
is buried in what was Indian Territory; Alice
married Alfred Tripp, who is buried at Mauch
Chunk, and (second) George W. Wilson;
Belle is Mrs. Julius C. Koons.
;

;

NOAH HELWIG,

farmer,

Catawissa

township, Columbia county, was born in Numidia, same county, April 27, 1873, son of
John Helwig, and grandson of Elias Helwig.
Elias Helwig is remembered by some of
the older people as one of the schoolmasters
In
of Roaring Creek valley and Numidia.
addition to teaching he farmed, and he lived
His remains are
to be eighty-three years old.

interred in the cemetery
children were: Solomon,

burg, Pa.; Jacob; Susan,

Walter;

Numidia.

His

who died at Elyswho married Jacob

A., who married Solomon
Elizabeth, who married Adam

Livy

Strausser;
Bitner; and John.

Jacob Helwig, son of Elias, married Sallie
Schiddesder, of Elysburg, Pa., and for over
forty years has lived with his family at Rising
He learned the trade of wdieelCity. Neb.
with
Strieker, of Catawissa, after
wright
which he was in a partnership at Shamokin
for a few years, and then left for the West,
where he took up his present business, at
Rising City, Neb., as a w^holesale dealer in machinery, of which he has made a success. He
has two daughters: Bessie, who married Edward Hamilton, of Omaha, Neb., and Belle,

who
at

married to

Roy Thomas, and

Rising City.

resides

781

ried

Clint Beaver; Beulah married Charles
Boyer; Norman married Nettie Reider; Ezra
is
unmarried
Noah is mentioned below
Jacob married Sarah Worst; Clinton married Sarah Snyder and has two daughters,
Bethia and Leah (he resides on a tract of
three acres and helps his brother Noah farm,
and he is a very industrious young man)
Charles married Tillie Gross,
;

;

Noah Helwig

received a public school edu-

and has always been a farmer. For
some time he was employed by John Waltz,
of Catawissa township, but after two years
bought the seventy-two acres of excellent land
on which he now resides, and upon which he
cation

desirable improvements.
A
of enterprise, he has forged ahead and is
recognized as one of the leading young farmers of his locality.
Noah Helwig married Dora Creasy, a
daughter of Nathan and Susan (Kreigbaum)
Creasy, and they have had two children
son that died in infancy and Catherine Marie,
Mr. Helwig is a Democrat and has served on
the election board.
He belongs to the Lutheran Church and the Grange, and is active

has

made many

man

in both,

WILLIAM

MENSCH, now of Bloomsburg, formerly a farmer of Montour township, Columbia county, where for many years
he served as justice of the peace, was born
Jan. 6, 1865, in Catawissa, that county, son
of John S. Mensch.
The Mensch family is an old one in this
county, Johannes Christian Mensch, greatgreat-grandfather of John S., having founded
it here over a century
ago. He was a native of
Germany, born Jan. 31, 1745, and his wife,
Sabina, was born in that country Feb. 8,
1753. They came to this countr}^ accompanied
by his brothers Adam (born June 2, 174 )
and Abraham (born Feb. 25, 1750), and for a

—

time lived in Berks county, Pa. Subsequently
they brought their family to Columbia county,
settling in what is now Franklin township,
where they had a tract of 400 acres. Here

John Helwig, son of Elias Helwig, was a
resident of the vicinity of Numidia, where he Johannes Christian Mensch lived and died,
owned a farm and followed agricultural pur- "his death occurring Oct. 26, 1826, when he
was aged eighty-one years, eight months,
suits', also working at blacksmithing, until he
moved to Catawissa to engage in railroading, twenty-six days he is buried at Catawissa.
He was thus occupied for a quarter of a cen- His wife died June 10, 1829, aged seventysix years, four months, two days.
Still later he went to Gordon, afterThey had
tury.
Adam became a
wards resided at Taylorsville, Schuylkill Co., the following children
Pa., and for over a year has made his home farmer and miller of Roaringcreek township;
with his son Noah in Catawissa township. Abraham, born Jan. 24, 1774, was a farmer
John Helwig married Livey Zimmerman, and in what is now Montour county for a while,
Emma mar- afterwards moving to Buffalo valley. Union
they had children as follows
;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

782

county, where he owned about five hundred
acres of land (his family still live in that
section); John is mentioned below; Peter
obtained part of his father's homestead in
Columbia county, but later settled in Black
Hole valley, in Lycoming county. Pa., where

one
followed farming until his death
in
Berks
was
married
Mrs.
Keiser,
daughter,
county and died there; Mrs. Rodenberger also
married in Berks county and died there.
John Mensch, son of Johannes Christian,
he

;

George Zarr, his wife's uncle, at Catawissa,
being located there for five years. The next
twelve years he farmed for Samuel Kastenbader, and about 1880 he bought the property
in Montour township where he has since lived
and worked. This was formerly the old Good
homestead, and consists of 150 acres of good
land lying along the Danville road about two
and a half miles west of Bloomsburg. Mr.
Mensch's buildings and equipments are upto-date and in the best of condition, and he is

was born Nov. 5, 1789, in Berks county, and engaged in general farming. He has not concame to this section with his father. Inherit- fined his activities to looking after his own
ing part of the old homestead, he acquired interests, but has also helped to promote the
the rest by purchase, and there passed his public welfare in his vicinity.
He has given
He was a prosperous farmer, and made his fellow citizens many years' service as
life.
many improvements on the place, including school director and supervisor, still holding
the erection of a fine large barn. He died in the latter office he was formerly foreman of
;

June, 1875, aged eighty-five years, six months,
twenty-four days, and is buried at Catawissa.
His wife, Catjierine Heimback, born Oct. 16,
1796, died June 20, 1872, aged seventy-five
years, eight months, four days.
They had
children
Sarah married Joseph Reitz and
(second) Isaac Berger; Michael is mentioned
below; Eliza married Charles Bitting; Jesse
married Catherine Shultz Christian married
:

;

the State road in this district.
He is a life
member of the Agricultural Society, which
he ser^'ed one year as member of the executive
committee and two years as president and he
is a prominent member of the Patrons of Husbandr}% having been one of the charter members of Catawissa Grange, No. 22, for the
good of which body he has labored faithfully.
Politically he is a Democrat, in religious connection an Episcopalian, his wife also
belonging to that church.
;

Margaret Cromeley Maria married Washington Parr William married Catherine Leiby
On Dec. 27, 1859, Mr. Mensch married
Abby married LaFayette Reitz Catherine
married John Sidler and (second) Jonathan Matilda Zarr. who was born Jan. 13. 1840,
Loarman.
daughter of Daniel and Flannah (Cleaver)
Michael Mensch, born April 11, 1816, on the Zarr, and they have had a family of thirteen
old homestead in Franklin township, became children, namely: Flora, born Oct. 17, 1861,
the owner of part of that place and followed is at home; George, born Aug. 13, 1863. lives
Later he purchased a small tract at Jersey Shore. Pa. \\'illiam. born Jan. 6,
farming.
in the same township, to which he removed,
1865. resides at Bloomsburg; Clara, born Sept.
remaining on that property until his death, 20, 1866. married Winthrop Breyfogle Daniel
which occurred Dec. 15, 1884. He was active Z.. born Aug. 19. 1818, is cashier of the Shickin the afifairs of the township,
serving as school shinny (Pa.) National Bank; John Harry,
director and supervisor. His wife, Margaret born July 8, 1870, conducts the hotel at
(or Catherine) Shuman, daughter of John Rupert, Columbia county
Margaret, bom
Shuman, was born May 9, 1816, and died Feb. Feb. 17, 1872. married Clark Cleaver; Morris
26, 1902. They are buried in Catawissa cem- C. S., born Sept. 16. 1873, is now in Camden.
N. J. Charles, born April 16. 1875. lives at
etery. They were the parents of five children
John S.; Thomas M., deceased; Catherine, Rupert and is in the employ of the PhiladelMrs. Owen; Clayton; and Matilda, Mrs. Wil- phia & Reading Company Adda, born Jan.
liam Benninger.
K. 1877, married Emerson Fisher and lives at
John S. Mensch was reared upon the farm Wilkes-Barre. Pa.; Frank, born July 28. 1878,
and attended public school in the locality. He lives in Montour township; Guy. born Feb. 21,
remained at home until twenty-one years old, 1882, and Mayberry Hughes, born March 2,
when he went west to Illinois, engaging in 1886. are at home.
William Mensch began his education in the
farming there. After a short stay he returned
home and found employment driving a team in public schools of Catawissa. and later attended
Bloomsburg for Boyd McKelvy. Then for the State Normal School at Bloomsburg. He
two years he worked at home for his father, became familiar with the details of farm work
receiving fifty cents a day and his board, and on the home place, remaining with his father
at the end of this period began farming for until he commenced farming on his own ac;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

783

count.
Buying the old John G. Quick homestead in Montour township, consisting of 145
acres of valuable land, he lived there, en-

lowing children were born to this couple:
William Grier, mentioned below
Rosetta,
wife of Elias Dietrich; Mahala, wife of Lewis

gaged in general farming, until his removal
to Bloomsburg in 1908.
He has since been
managing the farm in connection with his interests in that borough.
Mr. Mensch is a
thorough business man and possessed of more
than the ordinary degree of intelligence and
When he was still a young man his
ability.

Barkley Charles, who died in Iowa John G.,
mentioned below; Sarah, who married Thomas
J. Thornton; Hester, who married James Barton
and
Catherine, who died unmarried
Susan, who died young.
William Guier Quick, son of John H.
Quick, was born Sept. 4, 181 5, in Rush town-

fellow citizens of Montour township, in recognition of his fitness, elected him justice of
the peace and he held the office for eighteen

teen years old when he came to Rupert with
his parents.
In his earlier years he carried

For fifteen years he was assessor of
years.
his township and for three years road superIn every position to which he has
s-isor.
been chosen he has performed his duties sat-

and his sense of responsibility
was evident in every action he took. He is a
Democrat in political association.
Socially
Mr. Mensch belongs to Catawissa Aerie, No.
794, F. O. E.
Bloomsburg Lodge, No. 436,
B. P. O. Elks and Bloomsburg Grange, No.
He is a member of the Epis322, P. O. H.

isfactorily,

;

copal Church.

;

ship,

;

Northumberland

Co., Pa.,

and was

six-

on farming with his father, from whom he
also learned the shoemaker's trade.
Later he
tended the locks at Rupert for sixteen years,
meantime working also at his trade, and he
was superintendent on the Pennsylvania canal
for a period of twenty-four years, becoming
very well known in that connection. He was
one of the prominent citizens of Rupert and
that vicinity in his day, serving one term as
commissioner of Columbia county, to which
office he was elected in 1868, and also acting
as township school director.

In political con-

Mr. Mensch married Min- nection he was a Democrat. He was a Mason,
erva Elizabeth Quick, daughter of John G. belonging to Catawissa Lodge, No. 349, F. &
and Sarah (Moyer) Quick, and they have A. M., and also held membership in the I. O.
three children
John Q., who is operating his O. F. Mr. Quick died March 2, 1879, aged
father's farm, Howard B. and Hester C.
sixty-three years, five months, and over twenty
Quick. The Quick family of Columbia days, and was buried in Rosemont cemetery.
county is of Scotch-Irish stock and has been He married Sarah McBride, daughter of Wilplanted in this country since Colonial days, liam McBride, of Hemlock township, Columthe emigrant ancestor settling in New Jersey bia Co., Pa., and she survived him, passing
before the Revolution. His son, John Quick, away in December, 1887, aged seventy-three
was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, en- years, eleven months, nineteen days. They
listing from New Jersey, and about the close had the following children: William M., a resof that struggle located in Rush township, ident of Bloomsburg, Columbia county, who
Northumberland Co., Pa., where he passed is the father of the well known county prothe remainder of his life.
He died in Feb- thonotary, Freeze Quick; Hugh D.. who is
ruary, 1824, and his wife Nancy (Hunnill) living at Rupert; James, a blacksmith, of Rudied in 183 1, at the home of her son, John H. pert; John B., living in Bloomsburg; and
George M.
Quick, in Rupert.
John G. Quick, who was well known for
John H. Quick was born in 1789 in Warren
county, N. J., and passed most of his early many years as Squire Quick, was born Jan.
Northumberland
life in Rush township, Northumberland Co.,
19, 1824, in Rush township,
Pa. He was a shoemaker by trade. Moving Co., Pa., son of John II. Quick. He was a
to Montour township, Columbia Co., Pa., in young child when his father moved to the
near Rupert, upon
1831, he purchased a farm of 155 acres near farm in Montour township,
was reared to
and
his
he
which
and
there
life,
followed
passed
Rupert,
general farming
the remainder of his life. He was one of the farming, in which he was interested throughHe was a most propioneers in that district, and he and his fam- out his active years.
and enterprising man, ready to adopt
ily had to face many of the privations of life gressive
in an unimproved region.
His wife, Elizabeth and originate new methods for advancing the
in 1850. He died work w^hich he carried on, and he served many
in
died
(Moore), born
1791,
of the Farmers' Produce
Jan. 29, 1852, aged sixty-two years, nine years as secretary
at
in
the
buried
are
twelve
Bloomsburg. In time he bought
months,
Exchange
days. They
Rosemont cemetery at Bloomsburg. The fol- the old homestead, where he continued to reNov.

1888,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

784

which occurred ]\Iay 3,
took a leading part in local affairs,
sendng twelve successive years as member
of the township school board and secretary of
that body, and for a period of twenty-five
years he held the office of justice of the peace,
in that "time trying over five hundred cases.
side until his death,

1890.

He was

He was raised on the farm, and later worked
two years in the ore mines. On ]\Iay i, 1876,
he became a resident of Danville, and
began

an apprenticeship to the trade of blacksmith
with the firm of Keely & Trumbower. In 1882
he engaged in business, selling tobacco and
cigars, and he has not only succeeded in building up a good trade in that line but has added

Democrat in his political views.
he was a Mason, belonging to to the scope of his original lines, in April,
Catawissa Lodge, No. 349.
191 1, putting in a line of hardware and sportIn 1853 Squire Quick married Sarah Moyer, ing goods which proved very profitable. He is
daughter of John R. Aloyer, who was born widely known and popular among all his
in 1798 in Philadelphia, and married Minerva acquaintances, and he has been associated with
To the life of the borough in various connections.
Barkley, daughter of Iddings Barkley.
Mr. and Mrs. Quick was born one child, Min- For a number of years, until 191 1, he was
erv^a E., who is now the wife of William treasurer of the Danville school district, and
Mensch and owns the old Quick homestead in the latter year he was elected associate judge
near Rupert.
Mrs. Quick died Nov. 15, of Montour county, taking office Jan. i, 1912.
to serve for six years.
The honor was well
1908.
deserved, and Mr. Schram's conscientious deMARTIN H. SCHRAM, at present serv- votion to his responsible duties has justified
ing as associate judge of Alontour county, is the confidence his fellow citizens showed in
a resident of Danville and one of the well making him their choice. Fraternally he is a
known business men of that place, where he member of Danville Lodge, No. 224,' F. & A.
has been located since Alay i, 1876.
Mr. M., of which he is a past master; Danville
Schram was born Alay 28, 1858, in Hazleton, Chapter, No. 239, R. A. :M., of which he is
Luzerne Co., Pa., son of Henry and Christina past high priest Calvary Commandery. No.
(Ploch) Schram, farming people, originally 37, K. T., of which he is a past commander;
of Germany, who settled at Hazleton in the Danville Lodge, No. 754, B. P. O. Elks and
early forties.
Henry Schram, the grand- a charter member of the local council of the
father, was born in Schwartzerden, Rhine Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
Prussia, Germany, and his wife, Mary Eliza- His religious connection is with the German
beth Becker, was a native of the same place.
Lutheran Church.
^Ir. Schram was married March 22, 1882.
Henry Schram was employed in a brickvard
at Hazleton. In i860 the
family came to Mon- to Elizabeth Schuster, of Danville, daughter
tour county, settling in West Hemlock town- of Jacob and Alargaret (Schroth) Schuster,
ship (at New Columbia), and a short time the former of whom died July 2, 1881, the
later removing to A'alley
Mr. Schuster was a
township, where Mr. latter June 24, 19 10.
Schram found work in the ore mines. Thence manufacturer and wholesaler of soft drinks.
he removed to Cooper township, Montour
WILLIA.M STIFNAGLE, a representacounty, and purchased a farm, in 1864, making his home there for over forty years. The tive citizen of Berwick, Pa., where he sened
remainder of his life was spent in :\Iahoning as assistant chief burgess and a member of
He died March the borough council for five years, was born
township, Montour county.
in Columbia county. Pa.. May 4, 1840, a son
12, 191 1, surviving his wife, who passed away
Feb. 27, 1910. They had children as follows
of Philip and Alary E. (Shiller) Stifnagle.
Martin H. Elizabeth, I\Irs. George Hampel,
Philip Stifnagle was born in Bavaria. Gerof Atlantic, Iowa Carolina, ]\Irs. Jacob Fish, many, and by profession was a mineralogist.
ofDanville, Pa.; William, of Mahoning town- He served in the French army and was with
ship, Montour county, married to Savilla
Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo. In 1834
Cashner; and Frank, of Mahoning township, he came to America, and for a short time
married to Alice Foust. ]\Irs. Schram's par- lived at Belvidere, N. J., going from there to
Oxford Furnace for a limited period, and
ents, Franz and Henrietta (Mohr) Ploch, were
natives of Rhine Bavaria, the former born at thence to the
Lehigh valley and the Lehigh
canal.
.Stauf, the latter at Simbach.
Afterwards he worked at Tamaqua
Martin H. Schram was a young child when and also on what was then the Schuylkill
the family came to Montour county, where he (now the
Reading) railroad. From there he
received his education in the public schools. went to what was then
Denglertown, now Nua

Fraternally

;

f
J

^yyicx^^JlAl^^

?XD

J^-t;^<4^^.--o.^v^-^y

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
I'a., and subsequently to Danville, and
found work also in the eharcoal regions. When
the Danville rolling mills were built he was
employed therein, and his death occurred at

midia,

785

and then on to Washington, where he was
mustered out.
He has been interested in

Grand Army affairs ever since the organizawas eft'ected and is a valued meml)er of

tion

He was a member Jackson Post, No. 159, G. A. R., at P.erwick,
1869.
German Presbyterian Church. In Ger- in which he holds office. Mr. Stifnagle has
many he married Mary E. Shiller, who was survived many of those who were his comborn at a place called Landau. Her parents rades on the battlefield and can tell of many
died in Germany, and she and her three chil- brave deeds done by some who in the paths
dren came to America in 1837. She died at of peace never made any pretense of unusual
Danville, Oct. -21,

of the

There were seven
Danville, Pa., in 1880.
children in the family: Barbara, the oldest,
wife of Frank Stephens, now living at Scranton, Pa.
Mary, Elizabeth, Eliza, Catherine
and Charles, all of whom are now deceased
;

;

Charles married Mary Ann
Lee, of Allentown.
William Stifnagle obtained his education in
When he became
the schools of Danville.
old enough he entered the rolling mills there
and was so engaged when the Civil war broke
He enlisted for service from Danville
out.

and William.

Company H, 93d Veteran Pennsylvania

Infantry, under his own name of William
Stifnagle, but the name became changed in
enrolling to William Stephens, and as such
he went through the war. His first enlistment in October, 1861, was for three years,

but he was honorably discharged Dec. 31,
1863, as he was reenlisting Jan. i, 1864, and
he was finally discharged at Washington, D.

valor.

There arc those

gathering

also in the veteran
can relate of occasions when

who

Comrade "Stephens"

led the comi)any when
faced almost certain destruction. It would
seem as if there was no organization more
entitled to public regard than that grand old
it

body, the Grand

Army

of the Reiuiblic.

Nov. 3, 1872, William Stifnagle was
married to Rebecca Fetterman, who was born
at New Media, Pa., a daughter of Jonas and
Mary (Barnager) Fetterman. The father
was a farmer all his life in the vicinity of
New Media. To Mr. and Mrs. Stifnagle' five
The first three,
children have been born
George A., John F. and one that passed away
:

infancy, are

all

deceased; W'illiam IL

foreman of the drafting department of the
American Car and Foundry Company; Mary
Elizabeth is the wife of Lloyd F. Suit, of
Berwick,

now

residing at Hazleton, Pennsyl-

vania.

After the close of the war Mr. Stifnagle reMr. Stifnagle turned to Danville and resumed work in the
took part is to recall very many of the most rolling mills, remaining there until 1868, when
serious engagements of the whole war, and he went to Northumberland, Pa., at which
it is truly remarkable that he
escaped with but place he was similarly engaged. Afterwards
one wound, which he received May 31, 1862, he was at Reading, in 1870 returning to Danat the battle of Fair Oaks, on the left side ville and on May 31, 1875, coming to Berof his face. He participated in the battle of wick.
Here he entered the employ of the
Manassas, the siege of Yorktown, engage- lackson Woodin Company, and continued
ments at Chickahominy, the bottom bridge at with its successor after it had been absorbed
Fair Oaks, the seven days before Richmond, by the American Car and Foundr}^ Companv.
Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Chantilly, Har- by which corporation he was employed until
per's Ferry and Sandy Hook, when he was Dec. 24, 1912, when he retired from active
transferred to the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, work.
He owns his substantial residence,
6th Corps, of the Army of the Potomac. Later wdiich he has occupied for twenty-two years.
he was transferred to the ist Brigade, 2d Mr. Stifnagle is a member of Montour Lodge,
Both he
Division, 6th Corps, in 1864. After this first No. 109. I. O. O. F.. of Danville.
change he took part in the battles of Fred- and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church,
ericksburg, went all through what w^as called in which he is a deacon, and of which he has
Burnside's campaign, saw active service at been treasurer for eighteen years.
Chancellorsville, Salem Heights, Gettysburg,
HARA'EY E. KNORR. of Centre township,
Frenchtown, Mine Run, Williamsburg, Spottsylvania. Cold Harbor, defense of Washing- Columbia county, was born there Feb. 23,
ton, Fort Stevens, Bunker Hill, Winchester,
1864. son of Henry Jackson Knorr. He is a
Fishers' Hill, Cedar Creek, Hatcher's Run, descendant of Leonard Knorr, a German pioFort Fisher, Petersburg, Burksville and Ap- neer, -vvho early assisted in the clearing and
pomattox, going from there to Danville, Va., settlement of Columbia county.

C, June

1865.
the battles in which

27,

To name

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

786

Leonard Knorr came from Germany

in the

year 1782, locating in Centre township, where
he cleared land and established his home, and
His son
his descendants still reside here.
Henry was also a farmer, and continued on

home farm until his death. He married
Margaret Dieterich, and they had a large family, of which Henry D., grandfather of Harvey E., was one. John Knorr, a brother of
Henry, also had a large family, one of his
descendants being Mrs. Ann Hess, of Fishthe

ingcreek.

Henry D. Knorr was a tanner by trade, and
followed this occupation for a number of
years, but in later life devoted himself exto
He married Sarah
farming.
Kelchner, and they had only one child, Henry
Jackson.

clusively

Henry Jackson Knorr was

a farmer by ocmarried Rebecca Herring, and
they had ten children
Margaret, who died in
infancy, being killed in 1853 by a runaway
horse; James M., a builder of Berwick, who
married Elizabeth Hagenbuch and had one
child, Frank, deceased John, a shoemaker, deceased, who married Alary Peeler and had
four children Clara, living in Centre township Samuel M., who married Gertrude Rittenhouse and has three children Harvey E.

cupation.

;

Burket, born March 2"], 1890, a teacher in the
State of Indiana; Willa McXitt, born Nov.
16, 1892, who died in infancy; Harry \'irgil,

and Frank Crisman, born
Mr. Knorr is a Democrat and
has served for two years as a committeeman.
For two years he was also a school director.
He is a member of the Lutheran Church, under
born Aug. 24, 1897

May

the General Synod, has been elder for four
and is now president of the Bible class.

years,

Mrs. Elizabeth (Burket) Knorr was born
Feb. 18, 1863, in Nescopeck township, Luzerne
She received her education in the
county.
schools of Roaringcreek township, Columbia
county, and remained at home until her marShe is a member of the Lutheran
riage.
Church, a teacher in the Sunday school, and
is superintendent of the home department of
the

Sunday school.
Anthony Burket, great-grandfather of Mrs.
Knorr, was an old resident of Berks county.
He was
Pa., where he worked as forgeman.
a Roman Catholic, and he and his wife are
buried in Berks county. He married Hannah
Reifsneider, and they had three children:
Joseph; Sophia, wife of John Rohrbach and
;

John.

John Burket followed the occupation of his

;

Emma,

residing at W'ilkes-Barre, Pa.
employed by the American Car and

Company,
beth,

Berwick

;

Henry

who married Joseph

;

Sitler,

township, and has two children

;

George,

Foundry

and Elizaof Centre
living

and

one dead.

Harvey E. Knorr obtained his education in
the schools of Centre township, and worked
on his father's farm until he was twenty years
old.
He then learned the trade of blacksmith
with James Kelchner at Fowlerville. serving
an apprenticeship of two years and one month.
He then went to Holton, Jackson Co., Kans.,
where he followed the trade for nine months.
Coming back East, he worked for James Wilcox, of Wilkes-Earre, for nine months, and
then engaged in business for himself, in the
old shop where he served his
apprenticeship,
remaining there for three years and nine
months. On April i, 1891, he moved to the
farm he now occupies, in the fall of 1895
buying the place. It is a tract of eighty- four
acres, of which seventy-five are cleared, and
he now devotes all his efforts to its cultivation.

Mr. Knorr married Elizabeth Burkct,
daughter of Henry and Mary Ann (Hewitt)
Burket, and they have had five children:
Blanche Anna, born Oct. it, 1888; Herbert

;

19, 1901.

father, that of

forgeman, part of the time in
Berks county, and later in life at Nescopeck.
For a time he was employed at Dales Forge.
He married Elizabeth Delhower, and their
children were
Joseph. Anthony, Catherine,
Lydia (wife of William Reichert), Augustus,
Samuel, W'illiam, Henry and Annie (wife of
Aaron Coverly). ^Mr. Burket and his wife
were members of the Roman Catholic Church.
He and his wife and all but two of their children were drowned in the great flood of the
Susquehanna river, Sept. 2, 1850. He was
then fifty years of age, and his remains are
supposed to lie on the banks of the river. His
wife is buried in Mifflinville. and the rest of
the family in the Shaffer churchyard, in Mif:

flin

township.

father of Mrs. Knorr, is a
farmer of Centre township. He was
born Sept. 26, 1832, at Dales Forge. Nescopeck township, Luzerne county, and had lim-

Henry Burket,

retired

educational opportunities, being obliged
to work at an early age.
He farmed
during the greater part of his life, until about
twenty-one years ago, when he gave up active
In Nescopeck he married
labor, and retired.
Mary Ann Hewitt, who was born in 1832 and
died at the age of fifty-three years; she is
buried in the Brick Church cemetery.
She
was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth
ited
to

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

787

Mr. and Mrs. Burket
(Mostellor) Hewitt.
had the following children
Catherine, born
March i, 1855, died at the age of twenty-two;
Elizabeth is Mrs. Knorr; Clara, born Sept. 9,
1866, married Virgil Crisman, of Scranton;
Anna, born Jnne 17, 1873, is at home; Alice
died in infancy; Emily and Amelia, twins,
died a week apart, when two years old. Mr.
F>urket is a Democrat and a member of the

children

He attended the Brick
Briarcreek Grange.
Church (Lutheran), and was a collector in
that congregation for several years.

farmer of
an old family first
represented in Liberty township by his grandfather, Jesse Messersmith.
(According to the Pennsylvania Archives,
5th Series, Vol. V, Johann Hendrick Messerschmidt came over from Rotterdam on the
ship "Johnson," of London, landing at Phila-

B. DEWALD, postmaster and genmerchant of White Hall, Montour county,
was born Feb. 2, 1859, in Franklin township,
Lycoming Co., Pa., son of Washington and
Sarah (Ball) Dewald.
Washington Dewald was a native of Pennsylvania, where the family has been well
known for many years, and during the greater
part of his career followed farming and carpentry in the vicinity of Moreland township,

JOHN

eral

He died there Dec. 25,
the age of sixty years, while his
widow, also a native of Pennsylvania, still
survives and makes her home in Anthony

Lycoming county.

1888,

township.

John B. Dewald, son of Washington Dewald, was engaged in farming up to the time
of his marriage, after which he came to White
Hall and opened a small store. His original
capital was but sixteen dollars, but his earnest,
persistent and well directed efforts have resulted in the building up of a business that
attracts a lucrative and representative trade
from all over the surrounding country. In
addition to managing this prosperous enterprise, Mr. Dewald is engaged in the huckstering business, carrying produce to market, and
in this, as in his other ventures, he has been
He has the distinction of being
successful.
one of the oldest postmasters in point of service in Montour county, having held his present position for more than thirty years. Such
a service is in itself guaranty of a man's redeliability, and Mr. Dewald is thoroughly
serving of the esteem and respect in which he
is

universally held.
In 1882 Mr. Dewald was married to

residing at home; George Washington is a
student at the normal school his twin, Jelana,
died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Dewald and
their children are faithful members of the
is

;

Methodist Church.

JESSE

MESSERSMITH,

Montour county, belongs

delphia Sept. 19, 1732.)
Jesse Messersmith was a native of Schuylkill county, Pa., son of Daniel Messersmith,
who came from Germany when a boy and

made his home in Schuylkill county. He was
a lifelong farmer. His son Jesse was reared
in Schuylkill county and came to what is now
Montour county before his marriage, settling
Later
in Liberty township, where he farmed.
he moved to Union county, this State, where
he passed the remainder of his life. He died
April 15, 1889, aged seventy-two years. Mr.
Messersmith was a lifelong farmer. He married Carolina Boyer, daughter of Christopher
Boyer, an old settler in Liberty township, and

Four children were
she died July 3, 191 1.
born to this union, Benjamin being the eldest;
only one other survives, Mrs. Ellen W. Weikel,
of Milton, Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Messersmith was born July 18,
in Union county, Pa., where he was
brought up, and after his school days were
over he worked with his parents until twenty1853,

one years old. After his father's death he
lived on the home farm in L^nion county for
four years, after which he settled in Limestone
township, Montour county, for four years.
The next four years he tenanted Gideon
Shoop's farm in Liberty township, which then
became the poor farm, and he operated it four
years longer. In 1907 he came to his present

farm of ninety
place, buying the old Omstead
Dora acres in Liberty township. He is successfully
White engaged in general farming and stock raising.

Frances Holdren, who was born at
March 14, 1861, daughter of George
and Jelana (Crawford) Holdren, farming
people of Anthony township, and granddaughter of Jacob and Phoebe (Troy) Crawford.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Blanche married William
Dewald, namely
Rishel, of Anthony township, and has five
Hall, Pa.,

Charles C. married Harriet Henderson and has two children; Pearl is the wife
of Lloyd Confer, of White Hall; John Paul

Mr. Messersmith has always taken a publiche has
spirited interest in public affairs, and
served two terms as school director of Liberty
township. Politically he is a Democrat. The
jNIessersmiths formerly adhered to the faith
of the Lutheran Church, but are now members
of the Presbyterian Church at Mooresburg.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

788

Mr. Messersmith was united in marriage
Margaret Ellen Chappell, who was born

Dec. 26, 1850, in Union county, daughter of
Stephen and Mary (Young) Chappell, residents of Union county, the former a native of
New York State; he was a cooper by trade
and also followed farming he died at the age
of sixty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Chappell
had four children: Charles W. (of Jonestown, Columbia Co., Pa.), Jennie (wife of
;

Oliver Dewire), James (of Lewisburg, Pa.)
and jNIargaret Ellen (Mrs. Messersmith).
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs.

Benjamin Messersmith, only three of whom
Stephen Luther, born June 28, 1875
Jesse B. and Jennie Alvesta, born July 11,
and living at
"1883, married to David Paul,
New Columbia, Union Co., Pennsylvania.
Jesse B. Messersmith was born Jan. 14,
1877, in East Buffalo township, Union Co.,
Pa., and received an excellent common school
survive

;

being thus engaged eighteen months he was
A year
stationed at Catawissa as operator.
later he was promoted to the position of train
From
dispatcher, and held it for ten years.
1887 to 1893 he was trainmaster, and was then

made day yardmaster, which important

position he filled until recently, being one of the
most reliable men in the employ of the com-

pany.

Mr. Frey married Delia Barger, daughter of
Gotlieb Barger, of Sullivan county, and she
died in 1895, ^^"'^ mother of three children:
Nettie G., unmarried, lives at home; Winnie
A. married Charles S. Garly, Esq., of Elmira,
N. Y. James R. is a graduate of the local
high school. Politically Mr. Frey is a Repub;

He belongs to St. John's Lutheran
Church of Catawissa, and is interested in its
while engaged in railroad work he
activities
joined the Relief Association and the Pennsylvania & Reading Veteran Association.
lican.

;

After that he assisted with the

education.

farm work at home until his marriage, when
he was twenty-five years old. Then he bought
his present place of one hundred acres in Liberty township, engaging in general farming
and stock raising. He is a young man of enterprising and industrious disposition, and has
earned the respect of his neighbors and
friends. In political matters he is a Democrat.
He was reared in the Presbyterian Church,
and he attends the Mooresburg Presbyterian
Church, of which he is a member and treasurer.

LEWIS S. PHILLIPS, of Rohrsburg, Columbia county, has been conducting a mill
there for nine years.
His experience in the
business has extended practically throughout
his life, as his father, the late Allen H. Phillips,

was successfully engaged

in the

same

line

many years. He is a great-grandson of
Thomas Phillips, whose children were
Clofor

Aaron, Robert, David. Thomas, Rachel,
Mercy and Elizabeth. Of these, Thomas Phillips, the grandfather of Lewis S. Phillips, married Sarah Phillips, and of the children born
to their union eight lived to maturity Joseph,
Allen H., Andrew J., Harrison, Almira, Rebecca, Eliza and Jane.
Allen H. Phillips was born Jan. 6, 1825. in
Bucks county. Pa., and was fifteen years old
when he went to learn milling with his uncle
ses,

FREEMAN WILSON FREY,

Cata-

wissa, Pa., was born in Bradford county, Pa.,
Dec. 22, 1861, son of David H. Frey and
grandson of David Frey. The latter was one
of the pioneer agriculturists of Bradford

county, Pa., where he died.
David H. Frey, son of David Frey, was
born in Bradford county, Pa., where for many
years he was employed as a trackman on the

Pennsylvania & Reading railroad. He is now
hving retired with his son, F. W. Frey, at
Catawissa, Pa. David H. Frey married Mary
Moyer, a native of Bradford county, and their
children besides Freeman W. were
Edward,
who lives at Lehighton, Pa. Anna V. Sarah
B. Emma and Elizabeth.
Freeman Wilson Frey received his educa:

;

tional training in the common schools of Sullivan county, Pa., and until he was seventeen

years old worked at farming. He then learned
telegraphy at Dushore, Pa., and in 1S80 was
employed by the Pennsylvania & Reading
Railway Company as an extra operator. After

David, at Perryville, in Northampton county,
Pa. He continued to follow the business from
that time until his death, principally in Columbia and IMontour counties.
At various times
he did business at Eyers Grove, moving there
the last time in 1883.
He also carried on a
farm in Aladison township, and he died in that
township, at Jerseytown. He was a prosperous business man. and held a respected position among his neighbors.
In politics he was
a Republican. In 1845 Mr. Phillips married
Sarah E. Eves, and she died leaving three
children, Milton, Thomas and Charles, of
whom Milton was the only survivor in 1886;
he was then a teacher in Simpson College, at
Indianola. Iowa.
By his second wife, Margaret (Schuyler), Mr. Phillips had five children: Alfred C, now deceased, who was a

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
physician at Booneville, Iowa

who

now farming

;

Thomas Lloyd,

Greenwood township

;

Lewis S. Samuel B., formerly a telegraph
operator at Danville, now in the service of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Newberry; and Ada M. After the mother of these
children died Mr. PhilHps married Rebecca
Welsh, daughter of Isaac Welsh, and they
;

had one

child,

father's farm.

Isaac, who worked on
His fourth marriage was

his
to a

Mrs. Runyan, daughter of Daniel Welliver,
and she survives him.
Lewis S. Phillips was born April i, i860,
He was given common
in Columbia county.
school advantages and served his apprenticeship to the milling business with his father,
with whom he worked for sixteen years. He
was with him at Eyers Grove for some time,
and nine years ago he began business at his
present location, where he has built up a
He bears a reputation for
profitable trade.

honorable dealing and ability in the managehis affairs which places him among
the reliable business men of his section and a
worthy successor to his father, who was well

ment of

and favorably known throughout this region.
Mr. Phillips was married March 25, 1884,
to Rosa Seward, only child of William Seward, of Luzerne county Mr. Seward was a
builder. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs.
Phillips, Ada, married Gay Larish, of Fishingcreek, Columbia county, who died in 1913,
Norman, born Jan. 30,
leaving two sons
1909, and Joseph, born Jan. 28, 1910.
Mr. Phillips attends the Methodist Episco;

pal Church.

In his political views he

Republican,

KARL

P. REIFSNYDER, member of the
firm of John Waters & Co., druggists, of Catawissa. Pa., was born in that borough Oct. 22,

1883. His father, George W. Reifsnyder, was
a prominent merchant of the town, and one of
the best known and respected citizens of his

day.

Benjamin Sharpless, great-grandfather of
P. Reifsnyder on the maternal side,
was one of the company of Friends
Karl

who

settled in Schuylkill

county in the days
colonization of Pennsylvania.
At
an early date he came to Catawissa and was
one of the founders of the Quaker Church in
this section, being also a partner in the establishment of the paper mill, which he operated
for a number of years.
He died at the advanced age of ninety-four years.
of

the

George Reifsnyder, grandfather of Karl

789

P. Reifsnyder, was born in
Montgomery
county. Pa., in 1804, but remained there only
a short period, moving to Perry
county, and
later to Columbia county, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for several years.

He next moved to
Castle, Schuylkill Co.,
Pa., where he also carried on a mercantile business. He married Harriet Sharpless, and this

New

union was blessed with twelve children, the
five who reached maturity being: Mrs. William Hartman, Mrs. E. S. Jackson (of Scranton, Pa.), George W., Mrs. Isaac Hartman
(of Ontario, Canada) and Mrs. Charles Pearson (of Berlin, Ontario). The father of these
died in 1856.

W. Reifsnyder, father of Karl P.,
in Schuylkill county. Pa., March 24,
and came to Catawissa at the age of

George

was born

1848,
nine, obtaining his education in the
schools of that town. At one time he

common
was pro-

prietor of the "Susquehanna Hotel," entering
the mercantile business in 1882.
In 1862 he
enlisted in the State militia, and in January,
1864, in the 3d Pennsylvania Artillery, serving

For one year continuously he did
picket duty, and the rest of the time served
on detached duty he served two years in the'
militia and regular service.
He was the most
noted pigeon shot in the county. In December,
1870, he married Anna Kostenbauder, by
whom he had five children, three of them
until 1865.

;

reaching

Karl P.

maturity:

Samuel,

Leonard

and

The

father's death occurred Jan. 30,
1908, the mother's in 1906, and they are both
interred in Greenwood cemetery, at CataHe was a Lutheran in religious conwissa.

nection, a member of the Masonic fraternity
and of the G. A. R.
Karl P. Reifsnyder obtained his early edu-

cation in the public schools of Catawissa, graduating from the high school and also entering

Asbury Park, N.

an institution

entered

Aledico-Chirurgical

the

then

College,

Philadelphia, from which he was graduated
in 1904.
Returning to Catawissa in that year
he entered the drug business, which he rs successfully conducting at the present time.
Mr. Reifsnyder married Ella Robins,
daughter of Dr. William B. Robins, of Catawissa. He is a member of Catawissa Lodge,
No. 349, F. & A. M., of which he is past master; a member of Catawissa Chapter, Xo. 148;
of the Council at Bloomsburg, and of Caldwell

He also
Consistory (thirty-second degree).
belongs to Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.,
He has been a director of
at Wilkes-Barre.
the First National Bank of Catawissa since
April, 1912. In politics he is a Republican.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

790

MRS. SARAH ROWE, widow
Rowe, of

Danville,

Montour

John
was
1864, a daughCo.,

Pa.,

Luzerne county. Pa., in
John and Elizabeth (Santee) Bryfogle,
farming people and old settlers of Luzerne

born

ter of

county, Pennsylvania.

John Rowe was born in Luzerne county.
of Samuel Rowe, also a native of
Luzerne county. The Rowe family is an old
one in this State. John Rowe followed farming all his life on the old homestead, which has
Pa., son

He
in the Rowe family for a century.
He and
died in 1906, aged fifty-five years.
his wife were the parents of the following
children
Edith, who married Howard Lutz,
of Struthers, Ohio, and has two children Albert, who resided with his mother at Danbeen

;

ville;

and Richard

Richard W. Rowe was born

Luzerne

189 1, and after leaving school
was employed as a coremaker by the American Car & Foundry Company for four years.
He then brought his widowed mother to Danville from the homestead, and bought and conducted what is known as Wonderland, the first
He has
attraction of its kind at Danville.
since moved to Nescopeck, Luzerne Co., Pa.
The family were all reared in the faith of the

May

county

Methodist Episcopal Church.

CHARLES HENRY SMITH,

a ^vell
of Berwick, conducting
a plumbing, heating and tinning business in
that borough and through the adjacent country, was born at Milton, Pa., Jan. 6, 1882, son
of George W. and Lydia (Wenrick) Smith.

known

business

man

George W. Smith was born near MordansColumbia Co., Pa., not far from Milton,
and now resides at Milton, which has been his
residence for about thirty years. He has been
employed as a flagman on the Philadelphia &
Reading road at Milton. He married Lydia
Wenrick, and they had the following children
Kate; William, who married Mary Tilden;
Ella, wife of George Weidenhammer Charles

ville,

;

Henry

;

the Milton cemetery

;

who was

buried in
of
wife
Mary,
Henry

Jacob, deceased,

Keiser; Frank, married to Gertrude Roat;
Nina, wife of Homer Tobias and Daniel.
Charles Henry Smith attended both common and high school at Milton, after which
he worked in the Godcharles nail factory in
that city and afterwards in the Milton Manufacturing Company's works, in the bolt and
nut department, of which he was foreman
when only fifteen years of age. In 1898 he
came to Berwick and entered the nut and bolt
threading department of the Jackson &
;

Woodin Manufacturing Company, when
James Hempstead was superintendent and
John Heddings shop foreman. For six
months Mr. Smith was night foreman there
and then entered the machine shop of the
American Car and Foundry Company, working in the bolt department for five years. Following this he was in the machine department
of the steel plant, under Fred Stephenson and
James Harry as superintendents, and was
night foreman for eighteen months. In 1909
he left the American Car and Foundry Com-

pany and turned to his present line, in 1910
embarking in business for himself he has
;

prospered steadily.

Mr. Smith was married June

25,

1903, to

Lois Umstead, a daughter of Henry and Martha (Gilger) Umstead, and they have three
children: Ralph Leroy, born Sept. 28, 1904;
Mildred Etta, born Dec. 29, 1905 and Jack
Keith, born July 3, 1910. Air. Smith and his
family belong to the Baptist Church. In politics he votes according to his own judgment.
;

belongs to Berwick Lodge, No. 246,
Fellows.
Henry L^mstead, father of Mrs. Smith,

born

Odd
was

1854. at Washingtonville, Pa.
Until 1890 he carried on a blacksmith business and then came to Berwick to work as a
diemaker with the American Car and Foundry
in April,

Company, under Joseph Hempstead, and still
He had the following broth-

continues there.
ers

and

sisters:

William,

who married Emma

John, who married Jane Fleckenger
Oliver; and Etta (Mrs. Raver). Henry Umstead married Martha Gilger, and they have
two surviving children: Lizzie, born Nov. ii,
1882, wife of Will Watts, has children, Lois,
Clarence, Raymond and Beatrice Ruth Lois
is the wife of Charles Henry Smith.
Etta,
deceased, born Aug. 11, 1893, married Ed.
Hulsinger and left a son, William.
Peter Gilger, the maternal grandfather of
Mrs. Smith, was born on a farm in Montour
county, near Danville. He married Elizabeth
Hiner, daughter of Christopher and Jane
Hiner, natives of Ireland, and they had six
children:
Hannah is the wife of Aaron K.
Yoder Clara, deceased, who is buried in the
Odd Fellows cemetery at Danville, was the
wife of Mason Brown Martha married Henry
Sitler

;

Umstead

;

Sally married

David Kron

.Alice

married Madison Krouse; William married
Maggie Starks. The Umsteads belonged to
the German Reformed Church.
The father
was a Democrat.
Christopher Hiner. the great-grandfather
of Mrs. Smith, was nine years old when the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
family came from Ireland and settled in Montour county.
He was a farmer there. His
wife, Jane Gibson, was born near Washingtonville. Pa., and they had the following children: William; Elizabeth, wife of Peter GilAleck, who married Elizabeth
John
ger
Crawford; Rebecca, wife of Joshua Willet;
James Isabella Daniel and David, who mar;

;

791

perience as a contractor he built many of the
finest buildings of Berwick,
among them the
Jackson block, the "Martin Hotel" and the
"St. Charles Hotel," as well as all of the
public schools, with but one
exception. He erected
many of the churches, including the Lutheran
and the Methodist, and built part of the Amer-

Car and Foundry Company's plant.
Mr. Reedy married, Sept. 17, 1856, Martha
J., daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth HeavDANIEL REEDY, a retired contractor and ner, natives of Luzerne county, her father
brickmason of Berwick, Pa., was born in Co- being one of the oldest boatmen on the Lehigh
lumbia county, May 14, 1835, son of Peter and Pennsylvania canals. To Mr. and Mrs.
and Leah (Clause) Reedy, both natives of Reedy were born nine children, six of whom
Alice, widow of John D.
Lehigh county. Pa., and of French-German are living, viz.
descent.
Creasy, of Berwick; Lillie E., wife of S. A.
Peter Reedy, father of Peter, emigrated Peck, residing in Northumberland county;
from France and settled in Lehigh county, John C, a brickmason, of Berwick Harry K.,
where he resided for several years. He was deceased, who was a printer by trade; Wilan evangelist, and preached in different parts liam J., a brickmason, of Berwick Sadie, livLater he came to Columbia ing at home; Daniel, a clerk in the office of
of the county.
county and bought a farm on the Montour the Pennsylvania Railroad Company Harry
R. and Jeremiah are deceased. Mr. Reedy is
line, where he spent the remainder of his
a Methodist and fraternally a Mason and Odd
hfe.
Peter Reedy, father of Daniel, was a child Fellow. He was made a Mason in Sylvania
when his parents moved to Columbia county. Lodge, of Shickshinny, Luzerne Co., Pa., and
He learned the trade of carpenter and fol- later was a charter member of Knapp Lodge,
lowed that occupation all of his life. He was No. 462, F. & A. M., of Berwick; joined
hurt by a falling tree and died from his in- Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M.
juries in 1842. His wife, Leah, was a daugh- Mount Moriah Council, No. 10, R. & S. M.
and
ter of old settlers of Lehigh county. She died Crusade Commandery, No. 12, K. T.
in September, 1893.
Children as follows were Caldwell Consistory (thirty-second degree),
born to this couple
Daniel, mentioned be- A. A. S. R.
(These last four bodies at
low Jeremiah, a retired miller, residing at Bloomsburg) and is a past grand of Berwick
Three Rivers, Mich Isaiah, who died on Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F.
Mr. Reedy has served on the school board
the old homestead Eliza, wife of Hiram Kitchen, of Berwick, both deceased Peter, a vet- and the borough council of Berwick, has been
eran of the Civil war, now a retired black- assessor, treasurer and tax collector, and is
smith of Berwick; Josiah, a veteran of the a member of the Berwick Fair Association.
Civil war, deceased, and Mary, deceased.
Peter Reedy and his wife were members of
JOHN W. E. SHEW, a papermaker and
the Lutheran Church.
formerly a photographer, of Light Street, CoDaniel Reedy was but seven years old when lumbia county, was born in Baltimore county,
his father died, so he was bound out to work Md., April i, 1874, son of James M. Shew, a
for his board and clothes until his thirteenth prominent papermaker of Light Street, now
year. After that he received a wage of three deceased.
dollars a month until his fifteenth year, when
Joseph Shew, his grandfather, was born in
he was raised to eight dollars. All the school- London, England, and came to America in
ing he had was obtained at the little country pioneer times, locating in Baltimore county,
He was a farmer and surveyor, and
schools, which he could attend only in the Md.
For a time he drove a team, hauling served as an emergency man in the war of
winter.
He married Mary Shew, a native of
iron ore to Danville, thus supporting his 1812.
mother. In 1855 ^^ went to Berwick to learn Virginia, and they had four children
James
the stonemason's trade, in 1870 entering into M. Henry Jacob and Mary, wife of Charles
partnership with David Baucher, in the con- Heiser.
In 1879 this partnership
James M. Shew, father of John W. E., was
tracting business.
was dissolved and he continued for himself born in Baltimore county, Sept. 9, 183 1, and\
until .1908, when he retired.
During his ex- at the age of seven began to serve an appren;

ried

;

ican

May Wagner.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

792

mills of his home town.
ticeship in the paper
He remained in the Hofifman Mills for forty-

four years, during which time he was promoted frequently, until he became manager
of the four mills owned by the company. Upon
the death of the proprietor and the reorganization of the plant he came to Scott township,
Columbia Co., Pa., and purchased a half interest in the Trench Paper Mills in Fishmgcreek
was connected with
township. For a time he
these mills as part proprietor, but was perto
suaded to sell out his interest and return
for
he
which
managed
the Baltimore Mills,
to
three and a half years, in 1892 returning
the
of
owner
sole
paper
become
Bloomsburg to
He remained in Colummills of that town.
his
death, June 28, 1904, and
bia county until
citizens of the comwas one of the

prominent

received the nomination for associate judge, but failed of election, although
He was a member of
vote.
polling a large
all the
the Masonic fraternity, having taken
to the Denver
a
was
and
delegate
degrees,
meeting in 1892.
Anna
James M. Shew married, Feb. 6, 1852,
of York
Mary, daughter of Lewis Fisher,
county. Pa., and she died June 9, 1896, aged
sixty years five months twenty-one days. They
had eleven children: Sarah, who died at the
wife of Charles
age of seven; Margaret J.,
in
Yohey of Bloomsburg; George, who died
of
Robert
Ruhl,
of
wife
J.
infancy; Lydia,
Bloomsburg Rebecca, wife of John B. Kidd,
wife of D. S.
residing in York county Mary,
Richards Josephine, wife of G. B. Smith, livwife of W. M.
ing in Scott township; Irene,
wife
Ent, a merchant of Light Street; Phoebe,
of Mark Creasy, residing in Chestertown, Md.
Pa. and
James U. M., now of Wilkes-Barre,
W. E. By his second wife, Etta Lee

munity.

;

John
children.
(McDowell), Mr. Shew had no
John W. E. Shew was educated in the
Light Street public schools and soon after
graduation took up the study of photography.
He conducted an establishment at Bloomsburg,
and later entered the paper mill of his father,
where he is still working. He has a handsome
home in Light Street and is devoted to the
also taking
pleasant task of rearing his fariiily,
much interest in the public improvements of
On May 24, 1899, he marhis home town.
ried Edith B., daughter of John B. and Anna

(Robison)

Ammerman, and

they have two

children, Beatrice and Anna Belle.
and family are members of the

of the Civil war. He enlisted Feb. 27, 1861,
for one year, in Company I, 104th Regiment,
Pennsylvania Volunteers, but was not discharged until Aug. 25, 1865, at Portsmouth,
Va. In early life he was employed by the

Pennsylvania

Company, and later
where he followed
He died Oct. 26, 1907, and was
Canal

located at Light

Street,

shoemaking.
buried at Light Street. On Feb. 19, 1861, he
married Anna Robison, who is still living in
Light Street, and they had seven children:
Rosella, deceased, who was the wife of Henry
Dietrich Ida, wife of Israel Peters Oscar B.,
of Bloomsburg; Alay A., wife of Wilham
Deyer, of Milton, Pa.; William E., living in
Illinois, who sensed two years in the SpanishAmerican war and saw service in the Philippines; Charles, of Milton, Pa., who served
three years in the regular army, being in Cuba
;

;

during the Spanish- American war; and Edith
B., wife of John W. E. Shew.
R. M. CURRY, of Danville, member of the firm of ]\Iiller & Curry, dealers in
scrap iron, is one of a family whose interests in the borough entitle them to be classed

JOHN

among
business

its

substantial

been especially

citizens,

whether

The Currys have
prominent in the iron manu-

or other

lines.

facturing industry, which has brought considerable wealth to the community and made
possible much of the advancement evidenced
in the condition of the borough and the prosperity of its institutions.
Robert Curry, great-grandfather of John
R. M. Curry, was one of the earliest settlers
of this part of Pennsylvania.
He was born
in the North of Ireland June 9, 1741, and
educated in the schools of his native country,
where his father was a well-to-do linen manufacturer.
He came to America in 1772,
settling

on Mahoning creek,

what

now

Valley township, INIontour Co.. Pa., and there
followed farming. He was killed and scalped
by the Indians June 9. 1780. He was a Presbyterian in religious belief, served as trustee
of the church, and was one of the first to
give his money and influence toward the propHe
agation of the gospel in these parts.
married Jane ]\Ic\\'^illiams in Belfast, Ireland, and four children were born to them
James, who was born in Ireland, grew to
:

settled in Ohio
Robert, who
on the north branch of the SusqueMethodist hanna river; William, who settled on the

Mr. Shew

Church.

John B. Ammerman, father of Mrs. Shew,
was born March 21, 1834, and was a veteran

manhood and

;

settled

home

place in Valley township. Montour Co..
Pa. (he married Jane Moore and they were
the parents of Hon. James Curry, associate

M j^^

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and Jane, the first
judge of the county)
white child born between the north and west
branches of the Susquehanna river, who marThe sons were
ried Robert AIcWilHams.
well-to-do farmers, noted for their honesty
;

and integrity.
Robert Curry, son of Robert, was the
grandfather of John R. M, Curry. Two of
his daughters made their home in Danville;
his son, Robert, lived in an adjoining county;
his son Hugh in Michigan; and William in

Kentucky.

Thomas Cousart Curry, son of Robert
Curry, and a grandson of Robert Curry, the
pioneer, was born in May, 1830, on the old
his parents in Northumberland
Pa.
They were farming people.
county.
Thomas C. Curry came to Danville in 1849.
He was a machinist by trade, and he became
engaged in that line of business as a member
of the firm of Cruikshank, Moyer & Co.,
owners of the property and business of the

homestead of

Foundry & Machine

Shops, on
Enterprise
Ferry street, Danville, which they conducted
for many years. After selling his interest in
this concern Mr. Curry lived retired the rest
of his days, dying in September, 1910, at the
age of eighty years. He gave strict attention
to his business affairs, but took the interest
of a public-spirited citizen in the general welfare, and served as school director and memHe married Phoebe
ber of the council.
Ellen Musselman, who was born in 1833, and
died

1906, aged seventy-three
Of the children born to them seven
years.
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Fisher
survive, namely
Edwin Adam
of
Pa.
Riverside,
C,
Hugh
Thomas C, a machinist of Sunbury, Pa.
William M., an attorney, of Scranton, Pa.

February,
:

;

John R. M.

;

and Ralph.

The

late

Daniel M.

Curry, of Danville (next younger than Hugh
C), a prominent iron manufacturer, was also
one of the sons.
John R. M. Curry was born Oct. 31, 1873,
in Danville, where he obtained his education
in the public schools.
When a youth he began clerking in a hardware store, and was
so engaged for a period of fourteen years,
after which he was associated with his
brother Daniel in the iron business. In 1906,
in company with Benjamin Miller, he formed
the present firm of Miller & Curry, wdiich
has since done an extensive business dealing

scrap iron.
tion of their

The most important proporbusiness

drawn from the

numerous industries in and around Danville,
which use large quantities of iron, but they
also purchase from plants hundreds of miles

793

away, and a large trade has been established.
The yards in Danville are a block long and
half a block deep. The
men of excellent

members

of the firm

and
Curry especially has been prominent in

are

standing,

Mr.
local

affairs, at present serving his second
term as president of the borough council, to
which office he was elected in 191 1, and reelected in 1913.
He was elected a member
of the council in 1909. He has been prominent in the Republican party, and in 1912 was
elected county chairman, by the direct vote;
he was elected a member of the State committee in 1913, and is still serving.
Mr.
Curry is well known in local fraternal
civil

organizations, being a thirty-second-degree
Mason (and a Shriner) and a member of the
B. P. O. Elks he also belongs to the United
Commercial Travelers. He is a member of
St. Paul's M. E. Church, and served a number of years as a trustee of that organization.
;

In Alay, 1909, Mr. Curry married ]\Iary A.
Wetzel, of Danville, daughter of Edward S.
and Elizabeth Wetzel. They have three children, Thomas Wetzel, Frances Isabelle and
John, Jr. Mrs. Curry was formerly librarian
at the Thomas Beaver Free Library in Danville.
Her father, Edward S. Wetzel, a conin the plumbing and
erected many of the
best buildings in Danville and this part of
the State. He died in February, 1909, and is

tractor

steam

and

also

fitting

engaged

business,

buried in Fairview cemetery.

His widow

living in Philadelphia.

HENRY

T. KNORR, a promkient farmer
of Briarcreek township, was born April 9,
1876, in Mount Pleasant township, Columbia
county, and is a son of Henry Jackson Knorr
and a grandson of Henry D. Knorr.

Leonard Knorr, the pioneer of this family,
came from Germany in the year 1782 and
located in Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
where he cleared land and established the old

homestead.

Henry Knorr, son of Leonard, married
Margaret Dietrich. He was also a farmer and
prominent in the affairs of his native county.
He was a member of the Reformed Church.
His brother, John, also had a large family,
one of his descendants being Mrs. Ann Hess,
of Fishingcreek.

Henry D. Knorr, grandfather of Henry T.
Knorr, w^as a tanner by trade, but later in
life devoted himself exclusively to farming.
He married Sarah Kelchner, and they had
seven children
Henry Jackson Samuel, de:

;

COLUMBIA AXD MONTOUR COUNTIES

794

ceased Eli M. Francis, deceased Wesley,
deceased Mary, and Margaret.
Henry Jackson Knorr died aged seventyHe was a farmer by occupation.
six years.
He married Rebecca Herring, and they had
ten children
Margaret, who was killed in infancy, in 1853, by a runaway horse; James
M., a builder of Berwick, who married Elizabeth Hagenbuch and had one child, Frank,
deceased John, deceased, who married Mary
Peeler and had four children (he was a shoeClara, living in Centre township
maker)
Samuel 'M. Harvey E., a farmer of Centre
township, who married Elizabeth Burket, and
has four children living, one deceased Emma,
;

;

Wilkes-Barre George, employed
by the American Car and Foundry Company
at Berwick, who married Maude Strowbridge
and has two children Henry T. and Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Sitler, a farmer of Centre
township (they have two children living, one
residing at

;

The parents are buried at the
deceased).
Brick Church in Briarcreek township.
Henry T. Knorr began his education in a
school in Briarcreek township, although he
lived in Centre township, the school nearest
to him being in the other township, just across
After a time a schoolhouse was
the line.
built in Centre township, and in the new building he received his last three years of instruction, leaving at the age of twenty. From
then until his twenty-third year he worked on
his father's farm, afterwards going to Berwick, where he was employed in the works of
the American Car and Foundr}' Company one
year at miscellaneous labor, four years in the
blacksmith department and four years at truck
He then returned to Briarcreek
building.
township and bought a farm of ninety-three
acres, which he now resides upon and cultivates.
Mr. Knorr is a Democrat and a member of the Borough Council, of the Jr. O. U.
A. M.. and affihates with the Reformed
Church he has been treasurer of Zwingli Reformed Sunday school and Church, Berwick,
for three years.
On Dec. 21, 1898, Mr. Knorr married Sarah
Ellen, daughter of Lemuel and Alice (Kester)
Harmon, of Salem township. Luzerne county,
and children were bom to them as follows
Ruth, Nov. 23, 1899; Edna, April 27, 1905;
Florence, Oct. 10, 1906; Floyd, Feb. 19, 1909
and Freda. Dec. 12,
(died July 10. 1911)
1910. Mrs. Knorr was educated in the Briarcreek township schools and in the Kelchner
school, located about half a mile from where
she now resides, and resided with her parents
until her marriage.
While a member of the
:

;

Reformed Church at Berwick she taught in
the Sunday school and was a member of the
Ladies' Aid Society.
She and her husband
are now members of St. Peter's Union Church
in Briarcreek township.
Mrs. Henry T. Knorr was born in Salem
township, April 24, 1878, daughter of Lemuel
Harmon, and a granddaughter of Henr\^ Harmon, who was bom in 1817 and died Dec. 21,
The father of Henn,- Harmon was a
1893.
pioneer settler of Luzerne county, having emigrated from Germany to this State and built
a home there.
He is now laid at rest in the
cemeter}^ at Beach Grove.

Henry Harmon was educated

mon

schools of

in the

Salem township and

com-

his

early manhood bought a tract of 175 acres,
of which only half an acre was cleared.
He
proceeded to build a home and clear one hun-

dred acres, where he carried on general farming and sheep raising. In the course of time
he brought this farm into a high state of cultivation and erected comfortable and modern buildings, the place at the time of his
death being considered one of the finest in the
State.
He married Caroline Douglas Free-

man, and they had children
George, demarried and resided in Luzerne
Elizabeth married Samuel Dodson.
county
and lives in Luzerne county Chester A. married Catherine Hess, deceased, of Berwick;
Lemuel is mentioned below Maggie married
Benjamin Ridall and resides in Salem townFreeman married Tilship, Luzerne county
lie Michael, of Berwick; Clara E. married
Giarles Smith, of Beach Haven. During the
:

ceased,

;

latter part of his
retired, while his

life

Henry Harmon

lived

son Freeman operated the
farm. His wife died Dec. 8, 1910. aged about
eighty-six, and she is buried with her husband in the Beach Grove cemeter\', near Beach
Haven, Luzerne county. Mr. Harmon was a
Democrat, and served as a member of the
board of supervisors. He attended the Reformed Church, in which he always took a
warm interest, having been an elder and
deacon for many years previous to his death.
At his death his farm was sold.

Lemuel Harmon was

bom

Aug.

15,

1856,

educated in the public schools and the Walton
school, near Walton's Hill, and worked for
his father until his marriage, in 1877. to Alice

Kester, who was bom Dec. 4. 1858. daughter
of Joseph and Rebecca Kester. By this marSarah Ellen, wife
riage he had five children
of Henry T. Knorr; William Herbert, who
married Emma Hill, of Berwick; Clara E.,
who married Charles E. Pullen and lives on
:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the Harmon farm; Leonard Franklin and Iceland Charles, twins, are living in Berwick.

marriage Mr. Harmon was a
farmer until 1903, when he bought
a farm of ninety acres near Beach Haven,
is
now operating.
son-in-law
his
which

After

his

tenant

Lemuel Harmon

living with

his

brother,

has always taken
an active interest in the welfare of his chosen
home, is a Democrat, and has served as school

Chester A., at Berwick.

director of Luzerne county.

member

of Berwick Council, No. 690, Jr. O. U. A. M.,
and with his wnfe is a member of the Daughters of Liberty, connected with that order.
of Susquehanna Comof the Knights of Malta.
For many years he and his wife have been connected with the Zwingli Reformed Church,
which he is now serving as elder and trustee
and superintendent of the men's Bible class,
which has fifty members. He was the first
superintendent of the Sunday school connected with this church, and assisted in the
organization of a number of other schools,

also a

mandery. No.

one

member
18,

Luzerne county.

BRUCE

M. WHITE, now proprietor of
the Millville bus fine, was born May 16, 1882,
in Buffalo township, Union Co., Pa., son of
William Pierce White and grandson of William White.
William White, born in 1803 near Millville,
Columbia county, was a farmer of Scott township, that county, and was active until his
death, in 1875. His children were: Abraham;
Isaiah, who married Harriet Kirkendall, and
lives at Light Street John, who married Tacy
Vanderslice, and lives at Nescopeck; William
Pierce; Samantha, who married Peter A.
Evans, and lives at Bloomsburg; Margaret,
wife of Allen VanLeer, both deceased and
Loretta, who married Potter Howell, and lives
;

;

at Light Street.

Politically the father

was a

Democrat. In religious faith he was a Presin
byterian, and he and his wife are buried
the cemetery attached to the church of that
faith at Light Street.

William Pierce White, son of William
White, was born in Orange township, Columbia Co., Pa., April 12, 1845, and was there
reared, attending the schools of Orange towntownship and OrangeAfter teaching school five years in Centre and Scott townships he went to farming
in Buffalo valley, in Union county, on a tract
of forty-one acres, where he remained for
Selling that farm he moved
eighteen years.
to Centre township, Columbia county, where

ship, Light Street, Scott
ville.

795

he bought the tract of eighty-one acres known
as the "Queen of Centre" farm, which he cultivated for four years, at the end of that time
retiring and moving to Almedia, where he
now resides. He turned over the management of the i^lace to his son Newton, who is
still operating it.
Mr. White married Rebecca Creveling, a daughter of Cyrus and
Matilda (Evans) Creveling, and they had
these children: Albert F., who married Annie Smith, lives at Harrisburg; George C. mar-

Hawley and lives in Nebraska
Margaret died when seven years old. The
mother died and was buried at Light Street.
William P. White married for his second
ried Elizabeth

;

wife Catherine Reichendeifer, a daughter of
Joel and Susan (Kline) Reichendeifer, and
the children of this union were
Laura, who
died when nearly three years old Bruce M.
Jennie E., who married Harry Wertman, of
:

;

Centre township; Newton O., who married
Margaret Englehart; and John \\'., who is unmarried.
Politically Mr. White is a Democrat, and he has been school director, auThe United Evangelical Church
ditor, etc.
holds his membership.
Bruce M. White, son of William Pierce
White, was reared in Buffalo township, where
he attended school. Until he attained his majority he worked for his father, and then

was engaged by the American Telegrai)h and
Telephone Company as lineman, and did work
in the States of Pennsylvania, New York,
Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland and VirAfter thirteen months with this comginia.
pany he came to Bloomsburg, where he engaged with the Columbia & Montour Electric
Railway Company as conductor for one year.
Mr. White then entered the employ of the
American Car and Foundry Company at Berwick, as electrical repairman, being thus occuto
pied for eighteen months, when he came
Berwick and was with the Berwick Electric
He then
Light Company for two years.
the
conducted
and
the
out
company
bought
business on his own accord for a period of
two years. Selling out, he became the head
of the automobile department of the Berwick Store Company, and was so engaged
until he became owner of the Millville bus
of
line, which he bought of J. \\'. Wright,
devotnow
He
is
Oct.
5, 1914.
Bloomsburg,
ing his time to

its

operation.

Bruce M. White married Lulu Dora Brobst,
born June i, 1879, daughter of Clinton Barton and Elizabeth (Shellhammer) Brobst, and
who was
they have one daughter, Elizabeth,
born lune 28, 1910. Mrs. White was born

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

796

Lime Ridge, Columbia Co., Pa., where she at Pittsburg, of consumption, leaving one
was educated. She belongs to the Patriotic child; Cyrus died in infancy.
Mr. Sitler's second marriage, Alarch 9, 1865,
Order of Americans at Berwick. Mr. White
He belongs to Espy was to Sarah Clewell, who was born Jan. 3,
is independent in politics.
Lodge, No. 68i, I. O. O. P., and the encamp- 1843, a daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Brobst)
ment connected with that order. The Meth- Clewell, farming people near Catawissa, Pa.,
odist Church holds his membership and re- and ten children came to this union, namely
Emma married David Whitmire, a resident of
ceives his support.
North Berwick, who is with the American Car
REUBEN H. SITLER, a farmer of Briar- and Foundry Company, and has one son, Wilcreek township, was born in Centre township, liam; Charles died in infancy; Clara is the
Columbia Co., Pa., May 31, 1833, son of Jacob wife of Clem Fenstemacher, who is employed
and Mary (Hagenbuch) Sitler.
by the American Car and Foundn,' Company
Simon Sitler, the grandfather, was born in and lives in North Berwick, and they have
Lancaster county. Pa., and from there came four children, Nellie, Paul, Cora and Randall
to Columbia county and settled in Centre Worrell, who married Carrie IMitchell, died at
township. He married a Hill, and they are the age of thirty-two years, and is survived
buried at Hidlay Church.
by his wife and two children, Leanna and
Jacob Sitler, the father, was born in Centre A\'orleth; Anna E. married Henry Nelk, a
township, Columbia county. Moving to Briar- merchant of Hazleton, Pa., and they have had
creek township, he ran a hotel for a while, six children, Bessie, Harry, Esther, Minnie
and then bought the property that Reuben (deceased). Hazel and Robert; James S. died
at

;

now owns,

following farming.

died there

married Mary
aged
Hagenbuch, who was also born in Centre
township, a daughter of Simon Hagenbuch,
and they had the following children Reuben
H. is mentioned below; Emanuel, of Light
Street, Columbia county, married Maria Kisner, who is deceased; Savilla, married Adam
Suit and both are deceased Senia, of Luzerne
sixty-nine

years.

;

widow

of Reuben Warner;
Almira, married Enos Stout and both are deceased. Jacob Sitler and his wife are buried
at the Brick Church in Briarcreek township.

county,

the

Reuben H. Sitler grew up on
farm and obtained his education

his father's
in the

dis-

but though his opportunities included attendance only for two month's each
year, he became competent to teach, having
been engaged at the Brick schoolhouse in
Briarcreek township.
Farming has engaged
his attention all his life. He is a Democrat in
his political views, has been quite prominent
in local matters, and has frequently been
selected by his fellow citizens to serve in public office.
For eleven years he acted as overseer of the poor; for nine years as auditor;
for nine years also as supervisor, and for
thirty-five years he has been roadmaster, still
holding that office.

trict schools,

Mr. Sitler was married (first) to Mary
Wright, who died of consumption six years
Alice married
later, leaving three children:
Levi Evans, who is with the American Car
and Foundry Company at Berwick, and they
have five children Ida C, who married Bor-

age of fifteen years; Ellen ]\Iay is the
wife of Charles Bower who is with the Amerat the

Car and Foundry Company, and lives
North Berwick, and they have four children, Russell, Roland, Floyd and Paul; Bruce
S., who is with the American Car and Foundry Company, living at North Berwick, Pa.,
married Ruth Bittenbender; David A. died at
ican

the age of thirteen years Bertha Florence is
the wife of Warren Bower, a farmer of Briarcreek township, and they have had two children, George Reuben and Walter, the latter
dying in 1913 at the age of four years.
Mr. Sitler and his family belong to the
;

Briar Creek Lutheran Church.

ORVAL

R.
BOWER, a shoe merchant of
Berwick, Columbia county, was born July 29,
1876, son of Joseph H. and ]\Iary Katherine
(Miller) Bower, and grandson of John Bower.
John Bower was one of the pioneers of

Columbia county, and died here. He was a
farmer all his life.
Joseph H. Bower was bom Dec. 25, 1848,
in Columbia county, Pa., and like his father
was a farmer from boyhood. He is now
engaged in operating a valuable property in
Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa. His wife
was born Feb. 19, 1849, ^ daughter of Reuben
Miller, one of the pioneers of Columbia
county,

who made

his

where he operated a

home

gristmill

at Foundryville,
and also a dis-

He owned the farm now conducted
by Joseph H. Bower. Mrs. Bower died Jan.
15, 1908, the mother of five children: John
ing Hartman, a rolling mill employee, died F., born Dec. 8, 1874, a dairy farmer of Salem
;

tillery.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
township, Luzerne county, married Emma
R. Orval is menNoble, of Wilkes-Barre
tioned below Elizabeth Mae and Joseph Ray,
twins, born June 22, 1883, are living with
their father Clyde D., born Sept. 6, 1886, is
also living at home.
Joseph H. Bower has
always been active in the public affairs of his
township and has held the offices of school
;

;

director and supervisor.

R. Orval

in the neigh-

schools of Luzerne county, and
taught school himself for a time before entering the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna
& Western Railroad Company. Still later he
went with the American Car and Foundry

borhood

Company, continuing in their offices for ten
In 1910 Mr. Bower embarked in a

years.

shoe business at Berwick, which he has continued with profit to himself and convenience
In connection with his shoe
to his customers.
business Mr. Bower sells life insurance for
the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn., having handled this
insurance for the last eight years, principally
He bein Columbia and Luzerne counties.
to the Methodist Church at Beach
Haven, Luzerne county, and believes in reFraternally he belongs to
ligious inffiiences.
Susquehanna Commandery, No. 18, Knights
of Malta, and to Salem Grange, No. 291.

longs

JOHN H. EISENHAUER,

ticket agent for

Company, at Mifflinville, Columbia county, and president of
the school board of that town, was born
the Pennsylvania Railroad

May

20, 1865, son of

John and Rachel (Staufer) Eisenhauer.
John Eisenhauer, great-grandfather of John
H. Eisenhauer, was one of the pioneers of
Berks county, Pennsylvania.
John Eisenhauer, son of John Eisenhauer,
above, and grandfather of John H. Eisenhauer, was a farmer and prominent citizen of
Berks county.
John Eisenhauer, father of John H. Eisenhauer, was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., and
during his younger days was a lumberman
and conducted a sawmill, making Ringtown
(Pa.) his headquarters. His death occurred
at that place in 1905.

In addition to his other

in farming and
was a man of property. His wife, Rachel
(Staufer), was also born in Schuylkill county,
a daughter of Joseph Staufer, who was of
German ancestry, and was a farmer of SchuylMrs. Eisenhauer
kill county, where he died.
interests,

also

John H.

is mentioned below
Louise,
deceased, was the wife of Uriah Derr,
of Schuylkill county; Nathan is a resident of
Kingston, Pa. Jeft'erson is a resident of Ringtown, Pa., where he is conducting a meat business; Robert, who is a resident of Slatington. Pa., is sui)erintendent of the quarries at
that point; Mary is the wife of George
Brenich, of Girardville, Pa. Harry is a resident of Shickskinny, Pennsylvania.
John H. Eisenhauer was educated in the
Ringtown schools, being graduated from the
high school there. Following this he learned

dren

who

;

Bower was educated

in Schuylkill county, Pa.,

797

he was engaged

passed away in that county,

She and her husband had the following

1907.
chil-

telegraphy at Ringtown, and was employed
by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company for three years, when he transferred to
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and was
placed at a small station in the mountains.
Later he was given the station at Mainville,
and then stationed at Catawissa, where he
gave such good account of himself during the
three years he was retained that he was appointed to the important position of station

agent and telegrapher at Mifflinville. The telegraph station was abolished in September,
Mr. Eisenhauer has been in the em1909.
exploy of his present company for a period
is one of
and
over
years
twenty-six
tending
its most valued employees.
In 1886 Mr. Eisenhauer was united in marin Coriage with Harriet Longenberger, born
lumbia county, Sept. 21, 1868, a daughter of
Jacob and Catherine (Hinderleiter) LongenFor some time prior to his death, in
berger.

Mr. Longenberger Hved retired from
former farming activities, passing away
at the age of eighty years. His widow is makThe
ing her home with one of her daughters.
in
Longenberger family is a prominent one
Columbia county. Mr. and Mrs. Eisenhauer
have had three children: (i) Edward, now
a merchant at Mifflinville, conducting a general store, was graduated in the class of 1909
from the Bloomsburg State Normal School,
and taught school for three years prior to goterm in the
ing into his present business, one
in the
two
and
Mifflinville
at
school
high
1908,

his

high school at Benton. He is a member of
Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., of
Bloomsburg, and of Caldwell Consistory
Blooms(thirty-second degree), A. A. S. R.,
Hester graduated from the
(2)
burg.
Bloomsburg State Normal School in 1914 and
is now teaching at Beach Haven.
(3) Helen
The
is attending high school at Mifflinville.
Eisenhauer family are consistent members of
the Lutheran Church.
In 1889 Mr. Eisenhauer was elected a mem-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

798

ber of the school board of Mifflinville, and has
been reelected to that office, holding it continuously since, now as president of the board.

Rock, York county; on Jersey Shore circuit,
Lycoming county Berwick, Columbia county
Espy, Columbia county. During his pastorate

Fraternally he belongs to Catawissa Lodge,
& A. M., of which he is a past
master; Catawissa Chapter, No. 178, R. A.
M. Crusade Commandery, No. 12, K. T., of

at Evansville in 1871 lie organized a congregation at Berwick with seven members, in the

No. 349, F.
;

Bloomsburg, and Irem Temple, A. A. O. N.

S.,

of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

also belongs

Washington Camp, No. 684, P. O. S. of
A., of Mifflinville, and has held important
offices in all these bodies.
Mr. Eisenhauer has
been further honored by his fellow citizens
to

with election to the position of president of
the Columbia County School Board Association.
He was a member of the committee
that secured the erection of the bridge across
the river at Mifflinville.

THOMAS RANK BUCK,

who

has been a

resident of Berwick, Pa., since 1903, and is
the substantial citizens
of that place, was born Feb. 25, 1870, at New

now numbered among

Columbia, Lycoming Co., Pa., son of Rev. H.
Buck.
Rev. Thomas Buck, the paternal grandfather of Thomas R. Buck, was a minister of
the Evangelical Church when that denomination was first founded in the United States.
He died when still in middle life, about the
year 1841, at New Berlin, Pa., where he was
buried.
His children included: Rachel, who
married Charles Free; Louise, who became
the wife of George Rehling;
George, who
died young; Solomon; and Rev. H. W., Sr.
Rev. H. W. Buck, Sr., father of Thomas
Rank Buck, was born Feb. 28, 1842, at New

W. and Margaret (Lush)

Union Co., Pa. He received a comschool training at New Berlin and York,
Pa., to which point the family removed when
he was a youth, and was
essentially a selfmade man, having secured his education and
placed himself upon a firm footing through
Berlin,

mon

his

own

endeavors and sturdy industry. During the daytime he attended school, and at
noontime and night worked as a clerk in Lehmayer's clothing house, at York, until he
reached the age of twenty-one years. He then
became a minister of the Evangelical denomination, which later, through a division, be-

came United Evangelical. He started his ministerial career on the Cumberland Vallev circuit, being gone from home for two months at
a time, and in the years that followed
preached
on the Lycoming circuit, in
Lycoming county
at Hughesville,
Lycoming county; New Columbia, Lycoming county Evansville, Columbia county; Danville, Montour
county; Glen
;

;

old Odd Fellows hall. After serving his pastorate at Espy he was made presiding elder
of the Williamsport district, a capacity in

which he served four years. He then went
the York district, where he held a like
The
position for the same period of time.
Lewisburg district next had the benefit of his
to

presiding elder

abilities

for

four years.

For three years he was in charge at Millheim, and in 1902 returned to Berwick as regular minister for three years, his services at
that point covering three terms as pastor and
four years as presiding elder.
His next

change was to New Freedom, York county,
where he was pastor for four years. At the
end of this time Rev. Mr. Buck retired from
the ministr}% and is now living quietly after
his many years of activity in his comfortable
home at York. He was married to Margaret
Lush, daughter of J^cob and Mfirgaret Lush,
of Germany, who came to the L'nited States,
the former dying in 1891 and the latter May
The following children were born
21, 1901.

Mr. and Mrs. Buck: Thomas Rank; Rev.
H. W'., Jr., who is now preaching at York Zion
United Evangelical Church and Laura, who
married F. P. Geary, of Millheim. Rev. Mr.
to

;

Buck

a stanch Prohibitionist in his political
is a member of Christ Church congregation, of the United Evangelical Associais

views.

York.
Jacob Lush, the maternal grandfather of
Thomas R. Buck, was born in Germany, and
upon coming to the United States from the
Fatherland settled at Salladasburg. Lycoming
He and his
Co., Pa., where he died in 1891.
wife had the following children besides Margaret, Mrs. Buck: Henry, who married Cora
Courson Daniel Samuel, who married Elizabeth Cupp
David, who married Hannah
Watts; Julia, who became the wife of Thomas
Everett Rachel, who married Louis Recder
Elizabeth, who became the wife of William
Sue. who married Charles
Dunkleberger
Fisher; and Dolly, the wife of Charles
tion, at

;

Fincher.

Thomas Rank Buck attended the Central
Pennsylvania College, from which he was
graduated in 1890 with the degree of B. E..
after a scientific course.
In 189 1 he went to
Williamsport. to become clerk in the wholesale department of the A. D.
Lundy Stationery
Company, subsequently traveling on the road

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
in various parts of the
In 1895, while in

cern.

country for that conSioux City, Iowa, he

became connected with the American liiscuit
Company, as travehng salesman, later held a
like position on the road and in the retail department for C. Driesbach's Sons, hardware
dealers of Lewisburg, Pa., and then became an
inspector in the repair shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com])any at Harrisburg, Pa.
Mr. Buck came to IJerwick in February, 1903,
when the steel plant of the American Car and
Foundry Company was built, and entered the
shops as inspector, steadily working his way
up through the position of steel chaser, etc.,
to the charge of the preparation department,

under John Heavener, superintendent, later
under Mr. Rogers, J. R. Searles and Frank
Faust, and then became assistant storekeeper
under W. E. Lanniger, storekeeper. In the
summer of 1906 Mr. Buck was made storekeeper, under Frank Faust, superintendent,
and this position he has continued to hold to
the present time. Mr. Buck has attained success because of individual merit and by making the most of his opportunities, rather than
through favoring circumstances of any kind.
On Oct. 21, 1903, Mr. Buck was married to
Stella Zerby, daughter of David L. and Anna
Margaret (Keen) Zerby. Mr. Buck is a Republican in politics, but has restricted his aconly a good citizen's interest in public matters.
He belongs to Bower Memorial
Church, of the United Evangelical faith, in
which he is a class leader, assistant teacher of
the Men's Bible class, and member of the official board.
His fraternal connections include membership in Berwick Lodge, No. 246,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows (the second largest lodge in Pennsylvania), of which
tivities to

Berwick Encampment, No.
Susquehanna Commandery,
No. 18, Knights of Malta; and Berwick CounHis acquaintcil, No. 1761, Royal Arcanum.
ance in Berwick is extensive and his friendships numerous.
is

a past grand

;

131, of that order;

Adam Zerby, the paternal grandfather of
Mrs. Buck, was a farmer of Penn's Creek,
Center Co., Pa., where he owned about 100
acres of fine land, and also owned and operated a sawmill near his home.
He married
Catherine Suavely, and they became the parents

the

following

children:

Henry;

Aaron, who married Elizabeth Daup Julia,
who married Daniel Geary; Sarah, who married Fred Jamison Reuben and David L.
David L. Zerby, father of Mrs. Buck, was
born Jan. 25, 185 1, at Penn's Creek, Center
Co., Pa., and received his education in the
;

;

799

public schools and at Spring Mills Academy in
his native county.
Early ado])ting the vocation of educator, he taught school for twentytwo terms, beginning at the age of sixteen
years in the old-fashioned sul)scrii)tion schools.
When he gave up the profession he worked
for a time at the marble cutting trade, and
then entered the employ of the Millheim Bank-

ing Company, at Millheim, Pa., where he still
holds a responsible position. On Nov. 5, 1875,
Mr. Zerby married Anna Margaret Keen, of
Germany, and they became the parents of one

daughter, Stella,

Zerby

known man
twenty years

peace.

who

Democrat

now Mrs. Buck.

Mr.
and is a well
having served

in politics,

in his locality,
in the capacity of justice of the

a faithful

member

of the United

Evangelical Church, he and his wife attending
at Millheim.
Jacob Keen, the maternal grandfather of
Mrs. Buck, was born in 181 5, and was engaged in cultivating a large property one mile
west of Millheim, as a general farmer. When
he retired from active life, about thirteen
years prior to his death, he moved to his comfortable home at Millheim, and there his last
years were passed amid the surroundings that
his long and useful life had made possible.
He passed away in 1890, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. Mr. Keen married Mary Deininger, who was born in 1823,
and came from near Reading, Pa., and she

died in 1899, at the age of seventy-six years.
the parents of the following chil-

They were

dren
Sarah,
ander; John,
:

who married Christopher Alexwho married Harriet Breon
;

who became

Justine,

the

wife

Alfred
married

Kreamer; Rev. Emmanuel, who
Yoder; Anna Margaret, who became
the wife of David L. Zerby; Frank, who married Belle Herman
Warren, who married
Susan Bauer; William, who married Sadie
Stover; Rose, who married Rev. M. I. Jamison Catherine, who married Prof. J. F. King;
and Ada. Mr. Keen was a Democrat through-

Emma

;

out his
party's

life,

but not an active participant in his

political

struggles.

He was known,

however, as a good and public-spirited citizen,
one ever ready to bear his full share of the
For
responsibilities and duties of citizenship.
years he was a member of the United
Evangelical Church, worshipping with the
congregation of St. Luke's Church, at Millheim, of which his wife was also a member,
and their children were reared in that faith.
He was a member of the local Grange, and
throughout his life was interested in agricultural affairs.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

800

P. ZEHNER, who recently the rural route from that town when it was
as sheriff of Columbia started, and was the rural mail carrier for
a
term
completed
In 1903 Mr. Zehner sold his
county, has been a resident of Bloomsburg about six years.
since he entered upon the duties of that office, general store and engaged in truck farming
but he was previously located at Mainville at Mainville, which he continued until he reand one of the most active citizens of that town moved to Bloomsburg after his election as
and vicinity. He was born Dec. 20, 1870, at sheriff'. He had considerable previous experiMountain Grove, Luzerne Co., Pa., son of ence as a public official, having served three
William J. Zehner, and is a grandson of Wil- years as auditor, six years as tax collector and
Ham Zehner, the founder of the family in this three terms as member of the school board,
of which body he was president and secretary;
section.
William Zehner was for a number of years it was during his connection with the school
settled at Tamaqua, in Schuylkill county. Pa., board that the high school was established at
where he owned property and was engaged in !\lainville. Mr. Zehner was the first health
the milling business. He remained there until officer appointed in his district and filled the
the great flood swept away most of his pos- office until he was elected sheriff', in 1909.
sessions, and then moved to Mountain Grove, He gave highly satisfactory- service in this
Luzerne county, near the line of Columbia responsible office, showing that the confidence
county, passing the rest of his life there as a of his fellow citizens was not misplaced. As a
David W., who peace officer during his tern\ Mr. Zehner met
farmer. His children were
was killed on the homestead by a bull B. with great success, and held the respect and
Frank, who lives in Luzerne county WilHam good will of the criminals who were under his
charge. On March 8, 191 1, while making an
J.; Amanda, deceased; and Libby, deceased.
William J. Zehner, son of William, was arrest, he was shot and severely wounded, but

WILLIAM

;

born March 23, 1846, at Mountain Grove, Luzerne county, and Hved there until April i,
1871, at which time he moved to Roaringcreek township, Columbia county, where he
has been engaged in farming since. He is a
respected and well known resident of that
section.

Democrat

in political connection,

he has served as overseer of the poor in his disIn June, 1867, he married Christina
trict.
Gearhart, who was born April 3, 1847, in
Roaringcreek township, on the farm where
they now live, daughter of Peter and Lydia
(Miller) Gearhart. They have had a family
of nine children: David F., who died when
nine years old; William P.; Annie, wife of
Frank Ohl; Ellen, who died young; Hannah,

succeeded

capturing his man.

The uniform courtesy which Mr. Zehner
has shown to all with whom he has come in
contact during his official and private life has
made for him a host of friends and gained for
him the lasting esteem of everyone. From
early manhood a working member of the Democratic party in this section, he has acted as
committeeman, and was delegate to the State
convention the last time Robert E. Pattison
was nominated for governor. His active disposition has also brought
in other associations.

ganizers and

first

him

into

He was

prominence
one of the or-

president of the Mainville

Telephone Company, which has proved to be
one of the most important and valuable public

who married Elmer Tyson; Mary, who mar- service concerns in the county. Until his reried William Berninger
Samuel R., who is moval to Bloomsburg he" was^ also one of the
engaged in business at Bloomsburg as dealer most useful members of the German Reformed
;

agricultural

Adam

implements;

Cora,

Knorr; and Pierce M., who

wife
fives

of
at

^o"\^.
\Villiam P. Zehner received his
literary education at the pubHc schools,
Bloomsburg State
Normal School, and Palatinate
College, at
Myerstown, Pa. He then took a course at Professor Stoner's business
college, at Reading,
Berks Co., Pa., after which he
taught school
a short time
Roaringcreek

township, during

1890-9 1_. In 189 1 he became engaged in merchandising at Mainville, doing a general business. By honorable
dealing and accommodatmg service he built up a large trade, and he also
acted as postmaster at Mainville, established

Church at Mainville. serving four years as
deacon and three years as trustee, and he was
equally interested in the welfare of the Sunday school; he taught a class and served two
vears as superintendent, holding that office
until he left Mainville.
While' in Roaringcreek township also he took an active part in
church and Sunday school work.
Mr. Zehner was a charter member of Camp
Xo. 484, P. O. S. of A., at Mainville. of which
he is a past president, and has worked faithfully for its success he was formcrlv a member of Camp No. 205. which he joined Aug. 16.
;

He is
1887. when only sixteen years old.
associated with the Grange and takes an active

AS'

TILDEN F.U DA ICNS

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
interest in its doings, and fraternally he is a
high Mason, belonging to Catawissa Lodge,
No. 349, F. & A. M.; Catawissa Chapter, R.
A. M., of which he is a past high priest; and
Caldwell Consistory (thirty-second degree),

April

1893,

Mr. Zehner married

Lil-

lian Fox, who was born Feb. 3, 1874, in
Catawissa township, Columbia Co., Pa., daughter of Theodore and Amelia (Wesner) Fox,
of Main township, Columbia county, and they
have had four children Helen, Grace, Nina
and Emma, the last named dying when two
:

years old.

MILLER. The Miller family is an old
and honored one in Foundryville, Columbia
county, where its representatives have lived
for

many

whom
and

;

Miller, son of the above, married

1896; Harry D. is mentioned at length
further on; Oliver Franklin, born June 6,
1884, died Oct. 30, 1906, as the result of an
accident.
The mother of the above family
survives and makes her home at North Berwick. She enjoys the respect and affection of
a wide circle of acquaintances, while in her
family she is the center of deep love.
Harry D. Miller, son of Daniel H. Miller,
was born in Foundryville, Pa., Oct. 20, 1877.
Growing up at that place, he was educated in
the excellent schools there, and then learned

The

first

known was

Foundryville.

Sarah Hill, daughter of Daniel and Catherine
(Kisner) Hill, and they had the following
Ash Charley John, who was a
children
farmer of Salem township
Celestine, de:

;

Kate, deceased Elizabeth, deceased
Clara, wife of Clemuel Bower, of FoundryReuben Miller was also
ville; and Daniel H.
a miller and distiller at Foundryville. He and
his wife are buried at Beach Haven, Luzerne
In religion they inclined to the
county.
;

;

Methodist

the parents of children as follows Kate
M., born Sept. 5, 1863, married R. T. Freas
and died Feb. 12, 1912, at the age of fortyeight years, leaving her husband and three
children Emma S., born Aug. 16,
1865, married Reuben Canouse, and they live on a farm
in Salem township with their four children;
Reuben M., born Dec. 20, 1867, an employe of
the American Car and Foundry
Company of
Berwick, married Verna Edwards and has one
child; William M., born July 6, 1870, who
lives at Berwick, is in the employ of the
American Car and Foundry Company of that

place; Grace D., born Sept. 20, 1873, residing
at Scranton, is the wife of
John Rabert, a
builder, and has a daughter, Mary, born Feb.

distiller at

ceased

one of a family of seven children born to her
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel H. Miller beparents.

of the family of
a miller

years.

anything definite

Reuben

Salem township, born Aug. 9, 1845, a daughWilliam and Martha (Evans) Moore,
farming people of Luzerne county, Pa., and

ter of

came

of Bloomsburg.

801

faith.

Daniel H. Miller (deceased) was born mechanical
near Milton.

Early deAug.
veloping business ability of a high order, he
became associated with many industrial enterprises of Foundryville and was a prominent
man, whose demise, on June 6, 1900, was a
loss to the community as well as to his immediate family. Although not a member of any
religious organization he attended service at
the Methodist Church of Foundryville and
was honored by its congregation, for he was
earnest in his life and liberal in his contribu13, 1845, ^t or

tions.

his

Republican in politics, he lived up to
and served conscientiously as a

beliefs,

With the
school director for several years.
at the
in
work
of
a
few
years spent
exception
carpenter's trade Daniel H. Miller spent his
promoting and conducting industrial
and was associated with heavy disHis connection
and
milling interests.
tilling
with a concern assured its ultimate success,
for his fellow citizens knew and appreciated
his uprightness and keen business sense and

life

enterprises

trusted in his judgment.
Mr. Miller married Anna
51

M. Moore

After his father's
engineering.
death, he conducted the gristmill which his
father had owned and then entered into a

partnership with his brother, William M., conducting the "Silver Brook Hotel" at FoundryLater he bought out his brother's interville.
est and conducted the hotel alone until 19 14.
His experience as a hotelkeeper covered a
period of nine years. The house was patronized generously by the traveling public, and
who had once been his guests were glad
to return, for they appreciated the quality of
service and excellence of food. Mr. Miller is

those

with the Berwick Water Company as general repairman, doing carpenter-

now engaged

work, etc.
Nov. 6, 1907, Mr. Miller was united in
marriage with Carrie Myers, born June 13,
1886, a daughter of Christopher and Clara
ing, pipe

(Berger) Myers, her father a lumberman
and farmer, who lived at Nanticoke. Mrs.
Miller was one of a family of two sons and
three daughters born to her parents. Mr. and
Mrs. Miller have two daughters: Genevieve

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

802

191 1, and Dorothy
Margaret, born April 4, 1914.
Like his father Mr. Miller attends the

who was born Nov.

27,

Methodist Church at Foundryville and supHe is a commissioner of
it liberally.
ports

Briarcreek township, and a substantial man in
of
Socially he is a member
every respect.
of
and
A.
F.
&
M.,
No.
462,
Knapp Lodge,
Berwick Aerie, No. 1281, F. O. E., of Berwick,

M. D., a physician and
Columbia
county, was
Berwick,
born at Bloomsburg, Pa., Nov. 14, 1884, son
of Lewis and Flora (Alexander) Cohen.
Lewis Cohen was born at Nagle, Germany,
of German parents, and came to the United

JOSEPH COHEN,

suro-eon of

States

when only

From

sixteen years old.

New York he removed to Pittston, Pa., went
back to New York, and was in that city when
He enlisted and
the Civil war broke out.
served bravely with a New York regiment.
At the close of hostilities he returned to New

Co., Pa., son of Charles

Henry and Hannah

(Hess) Carrathers.
Moses Carrathers, the great-grandfather of
John Albert Carrathers, was a farmer of Lycoming county, having a property on Muncy
creek, near the headwaters, where he carried
on farming and lumbering all of his life. He
and his wife were buried at the stone schoolhouse at North Mountain.
They were the
children:
the
of
Thomas,
following
parents

18, 1797; Jane, born March 14,
1800; John F., born June 18, 1802; Nancy,
born Oct. 12, 1806; William, born Feb. 21,
1809; Mary D., born July 16, 181 1 and James
Wilson, bom July 11, 1814. Moses Carrathers
was a Democrat in politics, and his religious
faith was that of the Methodist Church.
James \Mlson Carrathers, son of Moses
Carrathers, and grandfather of John Albert

born Nov.

;

was born in Lycoming county,
and there obtained his education in the public schools. He was reared to
York City, but later had business connections the vocation of farming, and for many years
at Bloomsburg, where he is now living retired, worked as a hand among the neighboring
For some years he was engaged in the manu- agriculturists, also being the owner of a tract
facture of cigars. His wife, a native of the of fifteen acres and working at lumbering and
same place as her husband, died in February, shingle-making. He was buried at Buckhom
Alex- and his wife at Lairdsville. They were active
They had children as follows
1892.
ander, who is deceased; Lena, who married members of the Methodist Church, and Mr.
Lesser Alexander, of Bloomsburg; Esther; Carrathers was a Democrat. James W. Carrathers married Mary F. Richart, a daughter
Eugene, who resides at Bloomsburg Joseph
Isadore, who is a resident of Detroit and two of John and Rachel Richart, and they became
Carrathers,

Pa., July 11, 1814,

;

who

died in infancy.
Cohen attended

the

parents of children as

follows

Bloomsburg Jane, born Sept. 2, 1839, who married
from the Foster, of Michigan Esther Ann. born
and
was
schools,
graduated
public
in 26, 1841, who married Augustus Moyer
high school in 1900 and the State Normal
at the deceased; William Joshua, born Feb. 10,
1902. He then took his medical course,
University of Pennsylvania, being graduated who died while ser\'ing in the Union
therefrom in 1906. Entering the State Hos- during the Civil war; Charles Henr}'
Joseph

the

;

pital at Scranton, Pa.,

he spent a year

in ac-

exquiring a very acceptable and valuable
where
to
came
in
and
Berwick,
1907
perience,
he has since been in general practice. He is a
member of the county and State medical societies.
Fraternally he belongs to the Berwick
Lodge, B. P. O. Elks. Dr. Cohen is the physician for the American Car and Foundry

Company

at this point.

Aug. 25, 191 1, Dr. Cohen was married
Grace Vaughn, born at Honesdale, Pa.,
Prior to her
a daughter of Albert Vaughn.
marriage Mrs. Cohen was a trained nurse at
Berwick.
to E.

JOHN ALBERT CARRATHERS,

who

engaged in truck farming in Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa., was born Aug. 27.
1882, at Polk Corners, near Waller, Columbia

Sarah
John
Aug.

—both

1844,

army
;

and

Albert Clinton, born May 15, 1848.
Charles Henry Carrathers, son of James
Wilson Carrathers, and father of John Albert
Carrathers. was born April 16, 1846. near
Lairdsville, Lycoming Co., Pa., and received
his early education in the public schools at
He was nine years old when his
Unityville.

father died, and following this he attended
school at Derrs, in Jackson township. Columbia county, for a time, working on the farms
in that neighborhood until he became of age.
For about fourteen years he was also engaged

huckstering from Waller to Nanticoke and
Plymouth, and also had a general store at
Hunlock Creek for six vears. but on account
of ill health went out of business and moved
to Berwick, Pa., where for three years he conducted a confectionery store. He is now retired.
He is a Democrat in politics, and has
in

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
served as overseer of the poor in Jackson
township. His reli.e^ious connection is with the
United EvangeHcal Church at Berwick, and
while a resident of Waller he acted as class
leader.

His

buried

county.

first

wife, Sarah Jane (Sanders),

Faus's

Church,

Lycoming

On March

2T, 1878, Mr. Carrathers
(second) to Hannah Hess, who

was married
was born at Polkville, Jackson township,
Columbia Co., Pa., Feb. 10, 1848, daughter of
John P. and Susanna (Robbins) Hess, and
to this union were born the following children
Elmer G., who was killed on the D. L. & W.
:

railroad, at the age of fifteen years

;

Catherine

who married A. B. Dodson, of Berwick;
and lohn Albert. The mother of these chilA.,

dren received her education in the schools of
She is a Sunday school teacher in
Waller.
the United Evangelical Church, and like her
husband is widely and favorably known in

Berwick and the

vicinity.

Paul Hess, the maternal great-grandfather
of John Albert Carrathers, came from Northampton county, Pa., with his wife Hannah

(Yorks), and purchased a tract of 450 acres
He
of timberland in Columbia county.
cleared this property, sold ofif a number of
tracts and became one of the leading men of
He was greatly interested in
his community.
both religion and education, and donated the
ground for the building of the Union church,

cemetery and schoolhouse. He and his wife
were members of the United Evangelical
Church, and they were buried in the Waller
cemetery. Mr. Hess's political belief was that
of the Democratic party, and he was active in
He and his
its ranks in Columbia county.
wife were the parents of the following children: William, who married Ellen Robbins;
Benjamin, who married Eliza Richart; John
P.
Frederick, who married Susanna Whitmire; Samuel Y., who married Louise Mosteller; Elizabeth, who married Jacob Keller;
Catherine, who married Samuel Priest and
(second) Joseph Yocum; Mary, who married
William Roberts; and Sarah, who married
;

Thomas

Cole.

John P. Hess, son of Paul Hess, and maternal grandfather of John Albert Carrathers,
was born Oct. 7, 1807, in Columbia county,
Pa., and received his education in the public
He
schools of Waller, Jackson township.
which
of
trade
the
learned
shoemaker,
early
he followed at Polkville, and was the owner
of a farm of seventy-five acres, inherited from
Democrat in politics, he was
his father.
active in township matters, serving as school
director, supervisor and in other offices, and

803

was postmaster at Polkwife were members of the
United EvangcHcal Church, and were buried
in the Waller cemetery.
Mr. Hess was first
married to Mary Roberts, and they became the
for

sixteen

years

He and

ville.

his

])arents of these children:

married Araminta

Thomas

Alberson

Y.,

who

Edward, who

;

died at the age of twenty-one years; Josiah,
who died young; Harriet, deceased, who was
the wife of I'aul Klinger, also deceased; and

Samuel Y., who married Malinda Cole. Mr.
Hess married for his second wife Ann (or
Susanna) Robbins, who was born March 25,
1805, in Columbia county, Pa., daughter of
Jonathan and Tamar (Hagerman) Robbins,
and to this vmion were born children as follows:

Elizabeth,

the

widow

M. M. G.

Hannah, who married Charles Henry
Carrathers
and Jonathan and Mary, who
Hess

;

both died young.
John Albert Carrathers, son of Charles
Henry Carrathers, received his early education in the public schools of Jackson township,

and

later

pursued his

studies

Hemlock

township. His first employment was driving
a team for C. S. Turner & Company, at
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and subsequently he held
a like position with Farr & Young, bakers and
confectioners.
He then became a loom fixer
in the silk mill of Goldsmith & Company, and

came

Berwick and was employed in
foundry of the American Car
and Foundry Company for one year, as a furin 1901

the soft iron

nace helper in the rolling mills for three years,
as a puddler for four years, and as a press
hand and crane runner for over two years,
For nearly a year he was employed on con-

work by Zimmerman & Kindig, and after
leaving the employ of that concern was engaged in farming on a tract of ten acres,
which he rented from Reuben Whitmire. He
is now farming the eighty-acre farm of Henry
Mr.
T. Edwards in Briarcreek township.
Carrathers is a Democrat in politics, but has
not been particularly active. With his family
he attends the Zwingli German Reformed
crete

Church at Berwick.
Mr. Carrathers was united in marriage with
Mary E. Lechleitner, who was born May 18,
1887, in Tumbling Run valley, Blythe townof John
ship, Schuylkill Co.. Pa., daughter
Henry and Alice (Miller) Lechleitner. Four
children have been born to this union, namely
:

Hannah

29, 1906; Viola Lillian,
Feb. 26, 1908; William Henry, Jan. 13, 1909;
and Delmar Lee, Sept. 2, 191 1. Mrs. Carrathers was educated in the public schools of
Schuylkill county, which she attended until

Alice, Jan.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

804

when

attaining the age of twelve years,

she

began making her own way in the world,
working out in various farm homes in Schuyl
She was married
kill and Columbia counties
after coming to Berwick.

John Henry Lechleitner

now

retired

farmer and lives in West Berwick, Pa., where
he owns property. He is a Democrat in his
he and his wife are conpolitical views, and
sistent members of the Zwingli German Reformed Church of Berwick. Mr. Lechleitner
married Alice Miller, and they have become
Wilthe parents of the following children
liam, a resident of New York City, N. Y.,
married Hattie Herring; John is deceased;
Anna became the wife of Charles Durham, of
Emma marSewickley, Allegheny Co., Pa.
Lillian is
ried ]\Iurray Miller, of Berwick
the wife of Edward Gay, a resident of Philadelphia, Pa. Hazel became the wife of Frank
Rudy, of Berwick; Mary E. is the wife
of John A. Carrathers; Oliver M. married
Addie Davis, and lives at Berwick Harry
and Titus live with their parents at West Berwick.
Both the Carrathers and Lechleitner
in
Columbia
families are widely known
county, and their members are filling honor:

;

able

various

fields

lived

West Penn

the

valley,

Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he
followed farming, and he taught school in his
own home during the winters before there
were any public schools in that section. He
and his wife, Anna Rebecca (Beahler), are
buried in that township. He passed away at
the age of forty-five years, she living to the
age of eighty-two. They were members of the
German Refomied Church. They had the following children
John Henry Ambrose, who
:

;

married Amanda Sessaman
Jefferson, unmarried
Albert,
Washington, unmarried
who married Josephine Ringer; and Jonas,
unmarried.
Mrs. Alice (Miller) Lechleitner was a
;

;

Abram Miller, a native of Mauch
He
Pa., and a miner by occupation.
a fine musician, an accomplished violin

daughter of

Chunk,

was

died and

buried at EHzabeth, N.
Anna (Confer), Mr.
Miller had the following children
Stephen
married Matilda Shipton and made his home
at Lansford, Pa. Ada, Mrs. Ramaley, lives in
Mahoning Valley, Carbon Co., Pa. Alice is
the wife of John H. Lechleitner; Maria, deceased, was the wife of John Herring.
The
mother of this family is buried at Mauch

player.

his

first

wife,

;

moved

had four

Harry and Bertram.

SMITH, a blacksmith of
bom in Northampton

was

county. Pa., Nov. 27, 1859, son of William
Smith. His grandfather Smith lived in New

York

State.

William Smith went to Lehigh county. Pa.,
in young manhood, and being a gunsmith by
trade found ready employment, following his
calling all of his active life. He married Elizabeth Wright, of Northampton county, where
both died and are buried in the cenietery connected with Belfast Church in that county.
Their children were
Amanda, who married
:

Walter \'aux; Elizabeth, who married John
Clifton; John, who is living in Lehigh count}
Catherine, who married John Rader; Isaac,
who is deceased Malinda, who married William Fogle
Rebecca, who married Owen
Rader; William, deceased; Frank, who is living in Philadelphia Ellen, who married O. C.
Heffner; Cecilia, who married Adam Walter;
;

;

Thomas,

Jonas Lechleitner, grandfather of Mrs. Car-

Penn township,

THEODORE
Bloomsburg,

ceased
Ohio.

rathers,

Hoft', and they
this union he

children, James, Joseph,

county

activities.

father married for his second

Emma

Elizabeth, N.

life's

positions

The

Chunk.

wife Mrs.

;

who is living in Northampton
Theodore L. George, who is deand Irwin, who is living in Dayton,
;

Theodore L. Smith was sent to the local
was brought up in Northampton
county, where he worked on a farm until he
was seventeen years old. At that time he began learning the trade of blacksmith in his
naii\e county, and remained there until he attained his majority, at which time he went to
Michigan and spent a year.
Returning to
Pennsylvania, he worked at his trade at Mertztown, Berks Co., Pa., where he remained about
six years.
Mr. Smith then left for Scranton,
Pa., but after eighteen months in that city,
in March. 1887, came to Bloomsburg, to engage with M. C. Sloan & Bros. After si.x
years in the employ of this firm he bought out
his employers and has since conducted the
business, moving to his present location in
He is now conveniently located on the
1902.
Light Street road, off Main street, and carries
on a general blacksmith and repairing busschools and

having a large trade.
In 18S7 Mr. Smith was married to Amanda
Stout, a daughter of George Stout, of ALixatawny township, Berks Co.. Pa. She died in

iness,

1903. in a hospital at Pottstown. Pa.,

buried

and

Rosemont cemetery, Bloomsburg.

Three children were born of this marriage
Ida May, who is a graduate of the local high

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
schools and

now
liam,

the

who

came an employee of the Jackson Woodin
A short time
Manufacturing Company.
and Theo- thereafter he embarked in the ice business,

Bloomsburo^ State Normal,
home Cleo Wil-

teaching and living at

;

assisting his father
is
attending school.
;

who

Mr.
Smith married (second) Mrs. Edith \\ (Edmond) Lewis, the widow of William Lewis,
and by this miion there are two children,
Elizabeth V. and Henry E.
Mr. Smith is a Republican, has served as a
member of the city council, and is now on the
city board of health, being president of the
board. He is one of the managers of Rosemont cemetery, at Bloomsburg. Fraternally
Mr. Smith belongs to the Odd Fellows and
The Reformed Church holds his
K. G. E.
membership and he is serving as an elder. He
is one of the reliable, hard-working, respected
men of his community, one who has earned
dore

Paul,

everything he has gained.

ARCHER AVERILL

(deceased),

who

was for years engaged in dealing in ice at Berwick, Columbia Co., was born Feb. 28, 1847,
at Bloomfield, Md., and was a son of W^illiam
and Mary (Holt) Averill.
William Averill was born in Dauphin
county. Pa., and moved to Bloomfield, Md., at
an early date, there becoming one of the leading cattle dealers of the State. In later years
he moved to Lancaster county, Pa., and there
spent the remainder of his life, meeting with

an accidental death.

came

Subsequently his widow

Columbia county, where she made her

home with her

805

only son until her death, in

1888.

Archer Averill spent

his

boyhood days

Lancaster county, \yhere he secured a liberal
education in the public schools.
When a
youth of seventeen years he enlisted, in Company D, 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Charles Crash and Col.

soon enlarged his plant, cut ice on the river,
up a large trade, and continued to carry
on this business until his retirement, several
years before his death, when he turned the
business over to his sons. He died Dec. 14,
built

1910,

when

his city lost a

good and public-

spirited citizen.

On May

25, 1872, Mr. Averill was married
Margaret Smith, a native of Jersey City, N.
GarriJ., and daughter of James and Mary
gan) Smith, natives of Ireland, the former
born in County Mayo and the latter in County
Cavan. When they came to the United States
they settled at Jersey City, Mr. Smith being
there engaged in railroad and canal work.
After coming to Berwick, where he was engaged in work on the Pennsylvania canal, he
made his home with his daughter until his
death, in 1906, when he had attained the reMrs.
markable age of ninety-three years.
Smith died in 1876, in Lancaster county.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Smith
James J. and Edward P., both deceased and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. z\verill
Edward F., born Dec. 2,
had two children
1874, and Archer B., born Dec. 26, 1875, who
are conducting the ice business founded by
their father. Edward F. married Ella Frantz,
a native of Columbia county, and they have
Archer B. married Mary Halffive children.
penny, of Rohrsburg, Pa., and they have three
to

(

;

children.
Mrs. Averill

member

of St.

Mary's Catholic Church of Berwick.

Mr.

Averill

Church.

was

a consistent

member

the

Presbyterian
was a Democrat, but ncAcr had

political aspirations.

MRS. LYDIA ALICE BREDBENXER,
Joseph Lester, for service during the Civil
The regiment was sent to Baltimore, of Dorranceton, Luzerne Co., Pa., was born
war.
Md., July 24, 1864, and thence to Monocacy Jan. I, 1858, in Miftlin township, Columbia
Abram and Elizabeth
Junction, where on the 3d of September it county, daughter of
Pendred
honthe
8th
Mr.
Averill
was
(Clark) Schweppenheiser.
joined
Brigade.
Philip Schweppenheiser, the great-grandorably discharged Nov. 4, 1864, at Harrisburg,
born in GenPa., and reenlisted, in Company G, 76th Penn- father of Mrs. Bredbenner, w^as
SAdvania Volunteer Infantry, securing his hon- singen. Germany, in 1754, and died in Amerorable discharge therefrom June 18, 1865. He ica, whither he had emigrated in young mantook a lifelong interest in the work of the hood. He married Sophronica Brunner, also
Grand Army of the Republic, and was a mem- of Gensingen, Germany, and they are buried
ber of Capt. C. G. Jackson Post, No. 159, of in the Mifflin cemetery. They were the parJacob, who
Berwick, while his wife is still a member of ents of the following children
Woman's Relief Corps, No. 136. At the close married Rebecca Sutton Philip, who married
of the war Mr. Averill returned to Lancaster Catherine Fenstermacher Elizabeth, who marwho died unmarried;
county, and resided there until September, ried John Aten; Mary,
married
who
he
beto
where
George Longenthen
Catherine,
Berwick,
coming
1876,
:

;

COLUMBIA AND ^lONTOUR COUNTIES

806

who married William

berger;

and

Miller.

All the children were buried in Mif-

Susan,

Philip Schweppenheiser parcemetery.
ticipated in several severe battles during the
Revolutionary war. His political belief was
flin

that of the Democratic party, and throughout
his life he was a consistent Lutheran.

Jacob Schweppenheiser, son of Philip
Schweppenheiser, and grandfather of Mrs.
Bredbenner, was born in Mifflin township,
Co., Pa., in 1790, and died in 1865,
He
nearly seventy-six years of age.
married Rebecca Sutton, who was bom in
New Jersey, and died about the year 188 1.
They became the parents of the following chilSarah Ann married Peter Grover, and
dren
both are buried in Brown's cemetery, Mifflin
Lydia married John Shreck, and both are
buried in Mifflin cemetery Abram married
Elizabeth Pendred Clark, and they are buried
in Mifflin cemetery Isaac married Julia Poff,
and they are buried in Mifflin cemetery
Frances and Jacob are also buried in Mifflin

Columbia

when

;

cemetery; Horace,

who married Frances

Sey-

bert, died at Hazleton. Pa. Jacob Schweppenheiser, the father of this family, was a Demo-

with election to public positions, holding on
different occasions the offices of supervisor,
overseer of the poor and school director.

younger days he taught both GerEnglish. He took a keen and active
interest in the welfare of his community and
in his public services displayed conscientious
devotion to duty. He was also faithful as a
member and worker of the German Lutheran
Church, and donated the greater part of the
money and material for bulding the church of
that faith at Mifflin. Although he did not see
active service himself as a soldier, he supplied the money to provide substitutes for a
number of his neighbors and was the leader in
acts of charity for many soldiers' families,
where the men were called to go to the front.
During the draft he was in the government
service, taking the drafted men to Troy, N. Y.,
where he turned them over to the authorities.
He retained his faculties to the very close of
his long and useful life, and died surrounded
by his children and grandchildren, with a
handsome estate accumulated by the exercise
of industry and good management, and content in the knowledge that his life had been

During

his

man and

but never cared for public preferment helpful to others.
and did not seek office. He was a German
Mrs. Lydia AHce (Schweppenheiser) BredLutheran in his religious faith, and adhered benner. daughter of Abram Schweppenheiser,
devotedly to his belief. Mr. Schweppenheiser was born Jan. i, 1858, in Mifllin township.
was a very wealthy man, ha\ing through in- Columbia Co., Pa., and there has spent the
dustry, thrift and good management acquired greater part of her life, although for some
large tracts of farm land and much that was time she has resided at Dorranceton, Pa., at
in timber.
The old homestead of logs, which No. 40 John street. At this time she is interhe erected, was bought by Jeremiah Houck, ested in general farming at West Mifflin,
who recently tore it down, sawed up the old Mifflin township. She is well and favorably
known to the members .of the Evangelical
logs, and with the boards erected a new house
it is situated on the Mainville
road, a few Lutheran Church, and is a prominent working
miles out from Mifflinville.
member of the Ladies' Aid Society, in which
Abram Schweppenheiser, son of Jacob she has many friends. To Mr. and Mrs.
Schweppenheiser, and father of Mrs. Lydia Bredbenner were born the following children:
A. Bredbenner, was born Jan. 3. 1822, and Abram Frederick, born Sept. 29, 1874. mardied June 9, 1909, in Mifflin township, Colum- ried Leora Allen, and
they have four chilbia county.
His wife. Elizabeth Pendred dren, Frederick (now thirteen years old),
Clark, was born Feb. 21, 1827, and died Dec
Mazetta Gertrude (eleven), Frieda Mignon5,
\\'arren
1910, in the same place, and both are ette (eight) and Philip Clyde (five)
buried in Mifflin cemetery.
They were the Lacy, born Nov. 18, 1876, died when eleven
The eld- years old and was buried in the Mifflin cemeparents of the following children
est, which was stillborn, and Frances Rebecca,
tery; William Clark, born March 8. 1879,
who died young, are buried in Mifflin ceme- married Caroline Werkheiser, and their chiltery Catherine Rachel is the widow of Saron dren are Melborn Ambrose (thirteen years
Hendershott; Eldora Summers married Mil- old). Eleanor Erda (eleven), Nell .Mice
ton Lehman Lydia Alice married A. A. Bred(nine), Elizabeth Augusta (eight), William
benner Martha Elma married Jacob Knecht
Clark (five). Lane Caroline and Martha EsMiranda Elizabeth married Rush Winter- tclla Nell Alice, born
Sept. 21. i88t, married
steen Wilmina Jane married Walter
Moomey. Ottis G. Marstiller; Elizabeth Pendred, boni
Abram Schweppenheiser was a Democrat in June 24, 1887, married Clyde Keller and has
politics, and at various times was honored one child, Elizabeth Pendred.
crat,

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

EDWARD

SPONENBERG

is one of
respected citizens of
Berwick, Pa., where in the position of purchasing agent for the Berwick Store Company
he has every opportunity to meet the farmers
of the county as well as the residents of the
borough. He was born in Briarcreek town-

the best

known and most

and is
ship, Columbia county, Dec. 2, 1871,
descended from some of the first German settlers of the county.

Daniel Sponenberg, his grandfather, was
born in February, 1803, at Liverpool, Bucks
Co., Pa., and had a common school education.
He was one of the builders of the section of
the Pennsylvania canal from Rupert to Berwick, in 1828, his business being contracting
and bridge building. Later he retired to live
on his farm. On Feb. 5, 1829, at Briarcreek,
he married Hannah, daughter of John and
Mary (Gulp) Shellhammer, and they had
these children
James, who married Mary
Jane Garney; Mary Jane, wife of Samuel
Gensil; Alexander, who died young; Fannie
M.; Legrand, who married Alice Fortner (he
went to the Civil war as a cavalryman)
Abraham, w^io died young; Mahala, wife of
Reuben Moyer; John Leonard; and Dorcas
Daniel SponD., wife of Dr. David Krebb.
enberg died March 3, 1856, and his wife
:

Hannah

died in 1889.

John L. Sponenberg, the father of Edward
in Briarcreek
J., was born March 28, 1846,
township, and attended the country schools
while working on the home farm. For a time
after his marriage he resided in Berwick, but
later returned to Briarcreek. He was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church.
He married Emma, daughter of Edward and

Emma

Hartman, and they had

(Bomboy)

children as follows

Edward ]., born Dec.
March 15, 1880.

1871, and Margaret, born

Edward J. Sponenberg was educated in the
Soon after
schools of Briarcreek township.
his schooldays he entered the rolling mill of
the American Car and Foundry Company,
where he served for three years under Eli
Sherwood. He then entered the employ of
the Berwick Store Company, as purchasing

now holds. He has
Berwick, which he built
in 1907, and he is to be found in the forefront
of all that makes for the welfare and progress
of his adopted town. He is a member of the
First Methodist Episcopal Church and is
agent, which position he

a beautiful

home

greatly interested in the
ination.

Strictly

work of

independent

that

denom-

politics,

not swayed by party influences in his choice
of candidates to support.

807

In August, 1893, Mr. Sponenberg married
Jennie Edora Mensinger, who was born
March 21, 1872, in Berwick, daughter of Silas
and Sarah (Warntz) Mensinger. Silas Mensinger was a cari)enter and followed that calling all his life. His children were as follows:
John Franklin, All)ert Pierce, Ada Alice,
Anna Belle, Jennie Edora and William Jacob.
The parents were members of the Evangelical
Church. Mr. Mensinger was a Democrat in
He died April 2, 1890, aged fifty-one
politics.
years, and is buried at Shafi^er Church, in Luzerne county. His wife died aged sixty years,
and is buried at Cabin Run, Columbia county.

Mr. and Mrs. Sponenberg have two

chil-

dren: Ray Albert, born Oct. 12, 1902, and
Aletha Fae, born Dec. 24, 1908. Mr. Sponenberg is a member of Berwick Lodge No. 246,
I. O. O. F., and Washington Camp No. 105,
Mrs. Sponenberg is a memP. O. S. of A.
ber of Queen Esther Temple, No. 4, L. G. E.

GEORGE W. JOHNSON,

who conducts

plumbing, heating and tinning business at
West Berwick, was born at Beaver Valley,
Columbia Co., Pa., July 21, 1874, son of
Henry T. and Nancy Jennie (Deuel) Johnson, and grandson of Samuel Johnson.
Samuel Johnson came from Norristown,
Montgomery Co., Pa., where he was married
to Mary Storay, and was an early settler in
this section of Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming. His death at the age of
eighty-two years occurred in Beaver Valley,
Columbia county, and his wife lived to about
the same age. They are buried in Mountain

Grove cemetery.
T. Johnson, son of Samuel, was born
In his
Sept. 12, 1849, in Columbia county.
earlier years he followed farming, but later
gave the larger part of his attention to milling,

Henry

conducting mills at Nanticoke, at Hunlock
Creek and at Wilkes-Barre, the family living
He married
at these points in the meanwhile.
Nov.
born
Deuel,
1854, and
23,
Nancy Jennie
they now live on La Salle street, Berwick.

Mr. Johnson is now employed as a finisher in
the passenger car department of the American
Car and Foundry Company. Two brothers

T. Johnson, Josiah W. and Aaron
deceased, served as soldiers in
the Civil war.
To Mr. and Mrs. Henry T. Johnson have
been born children as follows:
(i) George
of

B.,

Henry
both

now

W. was born July 21, 1874. (2) Lucy A.,
born May 19, "1875, married Wilbur Culver,
and they live at Broadway, Luzerne county.
They have children, Arthur, Earl Eugene,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

808

and Florence Irene.
(3) Hannah C, bom
the National Biscuit
with
is
Aug. 27, 1878,

Company

New York

City.

Boyd

(4)

R.,

born Ian. 28, 1881, is assisting his brother
Samuel
George in the plumbing business. (5)
was born May 16, 1886. The parents are
members of St. Paul's United Evangelical
Church of West Berwick.
Nancy Jennie Deuel, the mother, was born
in what was at that time Union (now Hunof
lock) township, Luzerne county, a daughter
Nov.
born
was
who
E.
1814,
4,
Deuel,
George
and died in January, 1881, aged sixty-six
He was a farmer for a number of
years.
followyears, but later became a coal digger,
to the time of his
almost
that
occupation
ing

death.

who was

married Teresa Harvey,

in November,
1816, and died aged
seventy-three years. They had the following
children:
Lucy A., deceased, married Jacob
Reese Jeremiah B. married Rose Cragle and

born

;

Nancy
Nanticoke, Luzerne county
Jennie is Mrs. Johnson. George Deuel was a
Republican in politics, and a member of the
Methodist Church, which he served as deacon.
He and his wife are buried in the Case cemelives

;

tery at Jackson,

Luzerne county.

Jeremiah Deuel, the grandfather of Mrs.
Johnson, was a farmer, first in Union town-

Luzerne county, moving from there to
Plymouth township, where he found employment in the roundhouse of the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western railroad. He married
a Douty and had the following children
ship,

Jonas, who married Emma Brace
John, who married Fannie Hunlock

;

Albert

;

George
Charlotte, Mrs. John Arnold and Lucy, Mrs.
John Glass. Jeremiah Deuel was a Republi;

;

can in

politics.

W. Johnson obtained his education
while the family home was at Nanticoke. For
four years he was connected with the Retreat
for the Insane near Nanticoke, and he is a
Previous to going to New
graduate nurse.
York, where he attended a mechanical school
and learned his present business, he was engaged for a time in a mercantile business at
Middletown, N. Y., and while in New York
he was in the employ of the Hudson River
Telephone Company for one year. In 1905
Mr. Johnson came to Berwick and for three
years was in the employ of the American Car
and Foundry Company at the end of that
period embarking in business for himself in
West Berwick he operates over a large terHe resides with his parents, and with
ritory.
George

;

them belongs
Church.

to St. Paul's United Evangelical
is
a member of Centennial

Lodge No. 927, Independent Order. of Odd
Fellows, at Wilkes-Barre.

Politically

in-

dependent.

JOSEPH

CATTERALL,

superintend-

ent of the rolling mills of the American Car &
Foundry Company's plant at Berwick, Pa.,
was born in Bolton, England, Oct. 6, 1861, and
is a son of Ralph C. H., grandson of Joseph
and great-grandson of Ralph Catterall. The
family is of English ancestr}^ Ralph tatterall,
the great-grandfather, was born in Wigan,
He had six children, as follows
England.
:

Thomas.

Samuel,

John,

James and

Ralph,

Joseph.

Joseph Catterall was born in Bolton. Eng1799, and educated in the common
schools of the town. He learned the trade of
machinist, which he followed most of his life.
In 181 5 he joined the British army and served
for one year in the Home Guards, taking part
in the battle of Waterloo.
In 1871 he came
to Fall River. Mass., where he worked at his
trade until his death in 1874.
By his wife
Alice
Norris) he had four children: Eliza,
wife of Emmanuel Etchels
Ralph Charles
land, in

(

;

Henry; Louisa, who died young; and Alice,
who married John Holt and George Frost.
Rev. Ralph C. H. Catterall was born in Bolton, England. May 3, 1840, and obtained his
education in the public schools of Bolton and
Manchester, under Rev. John Martin, formAt the age
erly missionary to Sierra Leone.
of fourteen he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade for seven years, but in a short time
ran away and enlisted in the 6ist Rifles of the
British army. His mother, however, obtained
his discharge and he returned to his trade until
the age of seventeen, when he began to preach
the gospel, also studying medicine at the same
time.
After a year of these studies at Leeds
he returned to his apprenticeship with John
Raymond, of ^lanchester, and Dobson & Barlow, of Bolton.
Rev. Mr. Catterall was united in marriage
with Caroline Reed, of Burslem. StaflFordshire.
a place noted for its potteries. They had eight
children, as follows:
(i) Joseph^ Henry is
mentioned below. (2) Ralph, born March
29, 1866. in Bolton, England, was educated
in

the

pul)lic

schools

and

r>uckncll

University, from which he was graduated in
1
He then attended Harvard University,
891.
and was honored by the University of Chicago,
which gave him the degree of doctor of philHe was an instructor in Chicago
osophy.

University until 1902. when he was appointed
assistant professor of history at Cornell Uni-

rlY

ox
FOU.-;OATI''

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
In 1905 he was made professor of
history at Cornell, which
position he held at the time of his death, Aug.
He was a member of the American
3, 1914.
American Antique
Historical
Association,
versity.

modern European

Society,

Gamma.

Phi

Beta Kappa and Phi Delta
June 24, 1896, he was married

Helen Honor Tunnicliffe. (3) William,
born April 10, 1868, at Bolton, lives at
Lebanon, Pa., and is rolling mill superintend-

ent for the American Iron & Steel Company. He married Margaret Fortner, of Nes(4) Albert, born Dec. 15, 1869, at
copeck.
Fall River, Mass., died there.
(5) Alfred,

809

1880 and went to work in the erecting shop of
the Jackson & Woodin Company, later
being
employed as clerk in the rolling mills. In 1890
he was promoted to the superintendency, and
when in 1899 the plant was taken over by the

American Car & Foundry Company, he retained the position which he still holds. Mr.
Catterall

married, Sept. 25, 1883, Jennie
Frantz, daughter of Emanuel Frantz, a native
of Wurtemberg, Germany, and they have had
two children: Anna, born Aug. 5, 1884, and

Joseph H., born Jan. 25, 1891. Mr. and Mrs.
Catterall are both members of the Baptist
Church of Berwick, and he is president of its
born Nov. 19, 1873, at Mahanoy City, mar- board of trustees. He is connected with the
ried Eva Fenstermacher and lives in Hawley, Odd Fellows, the Knights of Malta and the
In his political views he is
Pa.
(6) George, born Nov. 3, 1875, at Leh- Royal Arcanum.
man Center, Luzerne county, married Sarah an adherent of the Republican party, and has
Blank and lives in Berwick. (7) James, born been a member and chairman of the RepubNov. 3, 1877, at Lehman Center, died near lican county committee. He has served his felScranton, Feb. 20, 1887.
(8) Charles, born low citizens as auditor and as president of the
June 6, 1880, at Berwick, Pa., died Nov. 26, town council. He is a member of the board of
directors of the Y. M. C. A., and has been
1880.
Rev. Mr. Catterall went to Liverpool in president of the board of trustees of the Ber1862 and to Bolton in 1865, working at carpen- wick Hospital, 1913-14.
He then
tering and preaching until 1869.
sailed for America, the voyage lasting from
CHARLES R. REESE, assistant postAug. 14th to Sept. 21 St. He located at Fall master at Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., was
River, Mass., being first employed at carpenter born in that borough Feb. 14, 1881, son of
work and then at patternmaking, and then re- Joseph G. and Mary Elizabeth (Dietterick)
mained at Fall River until June i, 1873, when Reese, and grandson of James Reese.
he turned to preaching. He preached at MaJames Reese was born in Germany, and
hanoy City four years Lehman, near Har- coming to the United States located at Patvey's Lake, four years; Plymouth, one year; terson, now known as Mifilin, Pa., where he
Berwick, from Feb. 28, 1880, to April i, 1884; became a real estate dealer and hotel man.
Peckville, until Jan. 11, 1888; Port Allegany,
Joseph G. Reese was born at Mifflin, Pa.,
from Jan. 8, 1889, to Sept. 5, 1891 Watson- and learned the trade of carpenter. Coming
town, until 1894; Wyoming, until Sept. 30, to Berwick in 1879, he entered the employ of
He then went to Berwick to work for the Jackson & Woodin Company as a car
1899.
the American Car & Foundry Company, but builder, and then
engaged with the American
sustained an injury to his hand and had to Car and
Foundry Company as a rolling mill
cease work.
In April, 1905, he left Berwick man. His wife was a daughter of John Dietto preach in the Presbyterian church at Hawterick, born in Scotland, who upon coming to
ley, where he supplied for a year, and then this country located at Thompson, Pa., \yhere
served for one year as pastor of the Baptist he dealt in
sheriff of
grain. Later he became
Church there. In 1910 he left for Berwick,
was made
Juniata county, Pa., and still later
where he afterwards lived retired, occasionally a
general car inspector for the Pennsylvania
His death occurred Railroad
preaching on request.
Company. Both Joseph G. Reese
Dec. 28, 1913, at Scranton, Pennsylvania.
and his wife survive. They have had three
Rev. Mr. Catterall was a Prohibitionist, but children:
Charles R. John P., who is denot active in the party, although in England ceased and Donald C, who is living at home.
he was prominent in politics and voted for
Charles R. Reese attended the Berwick
Gladstone. He was a Baptist, and a member schools and began his business career on June
of Brevard Lodge, No. 113, F. & A. M., of I, 1896, when he entered the Berwick post
Later he
His wife, Caroline Reed, born office as special delivery man.
Coca, Fla.
at Berown
his
of
Nov.
are
a
March 28, 1838. died
started
private delivery
5, 1910.
They
buried in Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick.
wick, which he continued until July i, 1900.
in the post
Joseph H. Catterall moved to Berwick in In that year he was made a clerk
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

810

serving as such until Feb. 14, 1902,
assistant postmaster,
and has held that office ever since, being a
capable and efficient man.
office,

when he was appointed

On March

12, 1902,

Mr. Reese was married

Bertha B. Linchbery, born in Walnut ValN. J., a daughter of Hiram C. and Margaret E. Linchbery, both of whom survive.
They came to Berwick in 1902, in order that
to

ley,

Mr. Linchbery might enter the employ of the
American Car and Foundry Company. Mr.
and Mrs. Reese have one son, Ray C. They
are

members of

the Presbyterian Church.

This was the church he orighe later transferred to
aUhough
inally joined,
the United Evangelical Church of Berwick,
zerne county.

His wife died about 1895, aged fifty years. A
Democrat, he served as a judge of election,
Emanuel Garrison married Salinda Henry,
a daughter of Samuel H. and Margaret
(Rough) Henry, and they had the following
children
Samuel, who married Larilla Harmon, lives at Berwick; John married Catherine Miller, and both are deceased; Margaret
married Clement Harmon, of Berwick, now
also deceased Aaron is mentioned at length
below Reuben, who married Annie Gensel, is
overseer of the T. E. Hyde stock farm in
Cooper township, Montour county
Mary
married Moses Rowland, of Moosic, Pennsyl:

;

AARON

GARRISON, a farmer in Briarcreek township, Columbia county, was born in
Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa., Nov. 2,
1868, son of Emanuel Garrison.
John Garrison, grandfather of Aaron Garrison, was a farmer of Luzerne county, Pa.
He was a member of the United Evan-

;

vania.

Aaron Garrison grew up

in his native townwhere he attended the district schools.
Remaining with his father until he attained
Church in Salem township, that his majority, Mr. Garrison became a coregelical
county, and he and his wife were buried in maker and for the following twelve years was
the graveyard connected with that church, in the employ of the Jackson & Woodin
Their children were: Abner; John Wesley, Alanufacturing Company, now the American
who married Larilla Harmon both deceased Car and Foundry Company, of Berwick.
Later he became assistant foreman in the
Norman, who married Hannah B. Henry
both deceased; Burtus, who has been thrice frame shop, having charge of quite a number
married and has lost all three wives, the first of men. Desiring a change, he began farmdying some place in the West, the second, ing, and worked for himself and his father-inwho was a Miss Parks, dying in Pennsylvania, law, the latter being the owner of twenty-four
as did the third, who was a Miss Dehaven
acres of land near Berwick Heights in BriarMr. Garrison was overseer
Jacob, who married Susan Ritter, and lives at creek township.
In political faith for the farms owned by C. R. Woodin, and
Berwick; and Emanuel.
also attended to keeping the roads leading to
John Garrison was a Democrat.
Emanuel Garrison, son of John Garrison, them in good repair, occupying this responand father of Aaron Garrison, was born in sible position for several years, and the state
Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa., where he of the properties showed the effect of his wise
was educated. During his boyhood he assisted management. Since April i, 1914, he has been
his father, and later served an
apprenticeship operating his own farm. .\ Republican, Mr.
to the carpenter's trade,
although he became a Ciarrison is now serving as deputy constable of
farmer, operating first in Salem township, Briarcreek township, and has also been a
whence he came to Briarcreek township, Co- judge of election. He belongs to Washinglumbia county. For four years he
managed ton Camp No. 105, Berwick. P. O. S. of A.
the 250-acre farm owned
by Mordecai Jack- He is a member of the Methodist Church of
son, this property all being under cultivation. Berwick, and for eight years held the office
At the expiration of the four years Emanuel of superintendent of the Union Sunday
Garrison moved to Centre township, same schools of North Berwick, being an encounty, where he operated 100 acres of land thusiastic Sunday school worker and largely
for five years. During all of this time, while
responsible for the interest shown in this
attending to agricultural duties, he did con- branch of religious endeavor in his locality,
siderable carpentering. With the close of the
Aaron Garrison married Lydia Martz, who
five-year period spent in Centre township he was born Sept. 16, 1867, a daughter of Isaac
returned to Briarcreek
township, and lived and Tenetta (Heavner) Martz, and they have
retired with his daughter Mrs.
Margaret Har- one child, Ezra, born Jan. 22, 1898, who lives
mon, where he died in 1897. He and his wife with his parents at Berwick Heights,

—

ship,

—
;

;

are

buried in the graveyard
surrounding
Moore's United Evangelical Church in Lu-

lohn Martz, grandfather of Mrs. Garrison.
in Briarcreek township, dying

was a farmer

AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

COLUiAIBIA

in that locality after devotlife
to
his
pursuits, in politics
agricultural
ing

on his homestead

he was a Republican, but did not desire office.
The Lutheran Church of Briar Creek held his
membership, but he is buried at Martzville.

Lehman
children of John Martz were
married Celesta Miller, and both are deceased;
The

Mary married Daniel

who

deceased;
Rebecca married PI ram R. Rower, of Berwick, Pa. Isaac is mentioned below.
Isaac Martz, son of John Martz, and father
of Mrs. Aaron Garrison, spent his entire life
Hill,

;

on the Martz homestead where his widow still
resides, he having died in November, 1905,
aged sixty-seven years. He was laid to rest in
Pine Grove cemetery at Berwick. His educational training was gained in Briarcreek townthe latship, and he assisted his father until
ter's death, when he inherited the property.
There he carried on general farming, and be-

man of prominence among his neighIsaac Martz married Jenetta Heavner,
a daughter of Frederick Heavner, and children
Martie
as follows were born to this union
married Samuel M. Pettey, of Martzville
came

bors.

Lydia became Mrs. Garrison Frank
married Eva Bower and lives at Foundryville,
Pa. Aaron, who married Retta Shannon, lives
at Berwick
Mary is at home. Isaac Martz
was a Republican in politics, and fraternally
belonged to Washington Camp No. 105, P. O.
The Methodist Church
S. of A., of Berwick.

Road

;

held his membership.

Mrs. Lydia (Martz) Garrison, daughter of
Isaac Martz, and wife of Aaron Garrison,
was bom in Briarcreek township Sept. 16,
1867.
Growing up in her native place, Mrs.
Garrison attended the schools of the district,
and remained at home until her marriage.
This home was at Berwick Heights, where her
Mrs. Garrison is a
father spent his life.
valued member of the Ladies' Aid Society of
For the
the Methodist Church of Berwick.
nine years she has taught a class of young
Sunday school, for like her husband she believes in active work in that department, where young minds may be taught
lessons of right living and high thinking.
last

girls in the

lumbia Co., Pa., where he spent his declining
He and his
years in a pioneer log home.
worthy wife were laid to rest in the cemetery
at Briar Creek.
They were the parents of
these children
John, who located at Williamsport. Pa. Samuel, who located at Cata:

;

wissa; David, and Joseph.
Joseph Eck, grandfather of Anna Eliza
Eck, was born in eastern Pennsylvania, and
secured his education in the schools of Briarcreek township. He worked on the farm as a
youth, and when not so engaged followed the
trade of plasterer, which he had learned from
He cleared a farm of 190 acres,
his father.
on which he erected a log house and barn, and
also assisted in laying the piers of the old lierwick bridge, which stood until washed away
in 1899.
Joseph Eck married Mary Rittenhouse, daughter of William and Ann (Rook)
Rittenhouse, the latter of whom came from
Germany and settled at Germantown, Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Eck became the parents of chilSarah Ann, deceased, mardren as follows
ried John Bondman, deceased, and lived in
:

Michigan; William went

ECK.

Miss Anna Eliza Eck, a resident of
a great-granddaughter of a native of Germany, who emigrated thence to the
United States in young manhood, and located
in Pennsylvania.
In his early years he learned
the trade of plasterer, and this he followed in
connection with farming throughout his life.
is

Michigan and at

the age of sixty years was elected a member of
the Michigan State Legislature, in which he
served four years, and he died when eightySusanna Nice died Sept. 2,
six years old
;

aged fifty-eight years, two months,
seven days Jonathan W. married Sallie Ann
Freas, of Briarcreek township, and both are
deceased Phoebe married Nelson Creveling,
and both died at Three Rivers, Mich.; Eliza
passed away Jan. 25, 1894, aged seventy-eight
Amelia
years, five months, eighteen days
married Archibald Henry, of Kansas; Reese
1869,

;

Millard completes the family. The father of
foregoing children was a Republican in
served as overpolitics, and for some years
seer of the poor. In his later years he built a
the

stone house on his farm, in which his son,
Reese Millard Eck, and his granddaughter,
Anna Eliza Eck, were both born. His religHe
ious tendencies made him a Quaker.
of sevpassed away July 20, 1855, at the age
enty-seven years, while his wife died June 20,

and they
1859, aged seventy-eight years,

were

Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick.
A distinguished member of this family is
found in the person of David Rittenhouse, the
great American astronomer, who was a second
cousin of Mary
(Rittenhouse) Eck, the
grandmother of Anna Eliza Eck. He was born
near Philadelphia, Pa., April 8, 1732, and died
He worked on his father's
April 26, 1796.
farm up to the age of nineteen years, when he
buried

Berwick,

811

At the time of his retirement from active pursuits he moved to Briarcreek township, Co- became a clockmaker, and thus

drifted into

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

812
the

making of mathematical instruments.

He and his first wife were buried
Berwick, and his second wife at Millville,
Pennsylvania
^r ,,
^^
of
Mahlon Hicks, the maternal grandfather
Anna Eliza Eck, came to this section of Pennmore than a century
sylvania considerably
from
settling at Hicks
Philadelphia,
ago
Ferry, Luzerne county, and subsequently gowhere
ing to Millers' Grove, Columbia county,
he cleared a farm. His wife Ann belonged
to the old and honored Millard family, one of
Their eldest
the foremost of this locality.
Feb.
born
1818, lived
Mahlon
14,
Hicks,
son,
in Maryland, and died April 2, 1880: Mordecai is mentioned below; Nancy, born Xov.
born
18, 1818, died Feb. 6, 1905: Sarah J.,
ReMrs.
died
1897;
5,
April
July 20, 1839,
becca Hicks lived at Williamsport, Pa. Anna
Eliza married Isaac L. Cryder, of Willow
Grove, Pa., who died May 5, 1877, aged fiftyone years nine days.
Mordecai Hicks, the brother of Phoebe Elizabeth Hicks, was born on the old Hicks homestead May 19, 1827, and lived to be seventyold.
eight years six months twenty-five days
He married Harriet M. Stall, who was born in

doctrines

looked through a
is said th?t when he
In 1770
fainted.
he
heavens
the
at
telescope
he completed, from an improved model devised by himself, an orrery, a planetary machine used to illustrate and explain the motions
He was elected a
of the heavenly bodies.
American
the
of
Philosophical Somember
cietv ill 1768 and in 1769 made an observation
of the transit of Venus. He was treasurer of
first

Pennsylvania from 1777 until
in the Uniwas
1780professor of astronomy
from 1779 until 1782;
versity of Pennsylvania
director of the United States Mint at Philawas elected a
delphia from 1792 until 1795;
fellow of the Royal Society of London in
of the American
1796; and was president
from
1790 until his
Society
Philosophical
State of

the

;

death, in 1796.

Reese Millard Eck, son of Joseph Eck,
and father of Anna Eliza Eck, was born in
Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa., April
in that
21, 1822, and died in the stone house
township in which he had been born. May 28,
1881, aged fifty-nine years, one month, seven

in the schools
days. He received his education
of Briarcreek township, and w^orked on the
home farm for his father until the latter's
death, at which time he purchased the prop-

erty

and continued to be
until his death.
farming
general

from the other

engaged

1828, daughter of Edwin and Susan Stall, and
Mr. and Mrs. Hicks had the
died in 1901.
Two who died in childchildren
following
hood; Samuel H.. treasurer of the Spring
Brook Water Company, at Wilkes-Barre. Pa.
National
B., note teller of the First

heirs,

;

He met

with unqualified success because of his
and
industry, energy and good management,
won the respect and confidence of his fellow
citizens by reason of his absolute integrity and

Benjamin

;

probity.

Mr. Eck was married

Phoebe Elizabeth

Hicks, daughter of Mahlon and Ann (Millard) Hicks, March 10, 1853, and by this
union there was one child, Anna Eliza, boni
Marcli 31, 1854, in Briarcreek township. Mrs.
Eck died Nov. 30, 1855, aged twenty-four
Mr. Eck
years, two months, nineteen days.
was subsequently married (second) to Harriet

Wilson, daughter of Rev. Reuben and Sarah
(Eves) Wilson, of Millville, Pa., and to this
union there were born children as follows
Mary Rittenhouse and Harriet W'ilson, both
:

school teachers of Pittsburg, Pa. and Sarah
and Clara, who died in infancy.
Mr. Eck's death was unexpected, as he had
been in apparently the best of health, having
;

been engaged in planting corn the day before
he died. After his death the farm was sold.
He was a member of the Grange of Briar
Creek, was a Republican in politics, and in
had leanings to the Friends'

his religious belief

Bank, Scranton. Pa. Mrs. S. W. Kelchner,
of Light Street; Mrs. B. H. Hicks; and Mrs.
q h. Kline, of Bloomsburg, Pa. The father
was a life-long Methodist, a class leader, an
earnest worker in the church, and a member
of the board of trustees for many years, up
to the time of his death,
Anna Eliza Eck, daughter of Reese Millard
Eck, received her education in the old Berwick

Academy, which she attended

until

her eight-

year, proving an apt and disceming
After thedeath of her father she
scholar.

eenth

niade her home with her grandmother Eck,
^^t for many years has resided in Berwick,
^yhere she is widely known and highly esShe has interested herself in charteemed.
jtable and church work, and is a memlier of
the Berwick Hospital Association. While she
has leanings towards the Quaker Church, she
attends the First Methodist Church of P>erwick, and is active in the movements of the
Ladies' Aid Society.
During her long residence in the borough she has gained a wide

acquaintance and has numerous appreciative
friends.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ISAAC KLINE,

a stonemason

and cement

contractor of Bloomsburg, and a veteran of
the Civil war, was born in Mount Pleasant

township, Columbia county, March 31, 1840,
son of Harman Kline, a member of perhaps
The
the largest family in Columbia county.
founder of the Kline family in America was
a native of Germany and had a large family.

Among

his children

Harman

813

Isaac Kline was obliged^ to live among
strangers after the death of his parents, which
occurred when he was a small child. Until
he was eighteen years of age he worked out

and gained what little schooling he could.
At the age of twenty-two he enlisted in Company G, 178th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and after nine months of service dur-

were Abraham, Isaac and

Kline, all of
ica in Colonial times.

whom

settled in

ing the first part of the Civil war received
Amer- an honorable discharge and returned home.

Harman Kline, grandfather of Isaac and
Abraham Kline, came to America with his

He worked

at the

trade for a

number of years

stonemason and plastering
in Eyer's Grove,

Millville and portions of Mount Pleasant
township, hnally buying a farm in the latter
In 1894 he left the farm and came
section.
bia county. Pa., settling in what is now Mount to Bloomsburg, where he has since resided,
Pleasant township, where he resided until his engaged on concrete and stone work.
On Aug. 13, 1863, Isaac Kline married
death. His children were Harman, John and
Sarah
Kitchen, daughter of Henry and ElizTimothy.
Harman Kline, father of Isaac and Abra- abeth (DeMott) Kitchen, and they have had
ham Kline, was born in Germany in 1778 the following children: Fannie J., wife of
and came to America with his parents when Henry Brunstettler, of Easton, Pa., has eleven
He was still a small children, Carola, Edith, Mary, Jesse, Emily.
but six months old.
child when the family moved to Mount Pleas- Walter, Florence, Annie, Homer, Winifred
There he developed into a and Mildred Henry M., who farms the homeant township.
prosperous farmer, dying in 1851, his remains stead he purchased from his father, in Mount
being laid at rest in the Vanderslice burying Pleasant township, married Jennie McMichael,
ground near Buckhorn. He was twice mar- daughter of John and Rebecca (Evans) Mcried and had twelve children by each wife. Michael, and has seven children, Edna, Blake,
On Feb. 19, 1799, he married Susanna Gil- Helen, Florence, Ruth, Esther and Zerbin
bert, who was born Oct. 9, 1779, and their Elizabeth resides at home.
Isaac Kline is a member of I. P. Eves Post,
children were:
(i) Harman, born Feb. 13,
No. 536, G. A. R., of Miilville; Oriental
1800, resided in Ohio at the time of his death.
(2) Margaret was born June 26, 1801.
(3) Lodge, No. 460, F. & A. M., and Caldwell
Jacob, born Sept. 10, 1802, died in New York Consistory, of Bloomsburg; and the \"eterans'

wife and settled in Kingwood township, Hunterdon Co., N. J. In 1785 he moved to Colum-

;

State.
He and his family are Meth(4) Elizabeth, born Aug. 8, 1805, Association.
married Harry Stittler.
He is popular with the people of
(5) Joseph, born odists.
Nov. 10, 1807, died in Missouri. (6) Susanna, Bloomsburg, and notwithstanding his age is
born Oct. 2, 1809, married Godfrey Melick. frequently engaged at his trade on buildings
(7) John, born Nov. 27, 181 1, died in Colum- in that town.
bia county.
Abrah.\m Kline, brother of Isaac, was
(8) George, born Aug. 10, 1813,
died in New York State.
(9) Paul, born born June 6, 184 1, in Mount Pleasant townApril 6, 1815, died in Columbia county. (10) ship, where he still resides. Like his brother
Charity was born Feb. 21, 1817.
(11) Mary Isaac he was obliged to work among strangers
Anne was born July 5, 1818. (12) Peggy during most of his childhood. When the Civil
married John Lake. Harman Kline was mar- war broke out he endeavored to enlist, but not
ried the second time to Sarah Fox, who died until he reached his majority in 1862 was he
in 1848, and their children were:
Mahala, able to gratify his patriotic inclinations, and
born March 15, 1828, married George Mor- he entered Company I, 178th Pennsylvania
dan Mary Jane was born Dec. 16, 1829; Volunteer, Infantry, serving for ten months.
Youzele (Ursula), born Sept. 4, 1832, married Returning home wnth an honorable discharge,
Jonathan Artman Rebecca Ellen was born he took up farming again, and did so well that
April II, 1838; Isaac was born March 31, in 1868 he bought the ninety-five acres of land
1840; Abraham was born June 6, 1841 Isaiah in Orange township which he now owns. He
was born Dec. 15, 1842; Sarah Elizabeth, developed it into one of the best farms in
born April 23, 1844, married Herman Fausey; the county, but increasing infirmity has comJames was born Nov. 29, 1846; three died in pelled him to relinquish his labors to the effichildhood.
cient hands of his son, Elmer Kline.
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

814

Abraham Kline married Fannie Stucky, of
Luzerne county, Pa., and they had two chilE. W., a farmer of Orange township
dren
His
and Cora A., who died in childhood.
second marriage was to Rebecca A. Melick,
daughter of Godfrey Melick, and their children were Elmer, residing at home and unmarried; P'annie, also residing at home and
unmarried; Carrie and Bruce, who are deceased; and Susan, wife of A. C. Oblosser,
of Orange township. Mr. Kline married for
his third wife Rebecca K., widow of Benjamin Kinney, and daughter of Marshall G.
Kinney and Hannah Yohe. By this marriage
he has no children.
The Kline family, whose members have

quehanna Daniel, also a farmer and lumberman, who died on the home estate; John, the
first male child born in this section of the
county Uriah, a shoemaker by trade Moses
Elias, a colonel in the State militia; Mrs. Martha Colley and Mrs. Susan Edgar.
Daniel
;

;

intermarried with other prominent families,
one of the largest in the State, and includes many of the substantial and well known
citizens of Columbia county within its ranks.
They are all responsible people, and in the
agriculturists, the greater number being
located around Orangeville and Benton. Many
of the younger members have settled in other
States, where they have achieved success in

main

;

buried at St. Gabriel's Church, in
Sugarloaf township, and his wife in the Stillwater cemetery.
Moses McHenry, born on the old homestead

McHenry

;

in 1791, was a farmer and lumberman.
He
owned about three hundred acres of the family estate, to which he added two hundred

acres by purchase.
He rafted logs on the
Susquehanna to tidewater and did a large
business. He was a great hunter, and would
frequently bring in over a hundred deer, which
were carried to the Philadelphia markets. He
was a strong Democrat, a member of the State
militia, and one of the founders of the Christian Church at Stillwater, where he was the
first

man

He passed
married Marand Martha (Bu-

baptized by immersion.

to his final rest in

1855.

tha, daughter of James
chanan) Edgar, and they had children as folvarious branches of agricultural and commer- lows:
Cynthia, who married Samuel Mccial pursuits.
Henry, of Benton township; Isabella, wife of
Tunis Karns; Elias, a farmer and insurance
OLIVER S. McHENRY, station agent of agent Mary, who married Samuel Appleman,
the Susquehanna, Bloomsburg & Berwick of Stillwater; James, a merchant of Cambra,
Railroad Company at Berwick, Pa., was born Luzerne county, who twice represented that
Oct. 21, 1876, at Stillwater, in Fishingcreek county in the Legislature; John J., a merchant
Ellen, who married John
township, Columbia county, son of Silas, of Benton, Pa.
grandson of Moses and great-grandson of Evans, of Madison, Lackawanna county;
Daniel McHenry.
Daniel, a storekeeper and landowner of StillDaniel McHenry, the first progenitor of the water; Cyrus B., formerly associate judge of
Martha, who married
family in America, was born in the North of Columbia county
Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage.
Coming Hiram McHenry, of Fishingcreek township;
to America prior to the Revolution, he en- and Silas, mentioned below.
Silas McHenry was educated in the sublisted and fought valiantly for his adopted
He married Mary Stevens, sister scription schools of the township, where he
country.
of that noted officer of the war of 1812, Col. was born in 1833, and entered upon the work
William Stevens, who was later a famous of farming at an early age on his father's
horseman of Steuben county, N. Y. Daniel farm, part of the old homestead. At the death
McHenry came to Columbia county soon after of his father he inherited the tract of 160
the end of the Revolution and settled where acres, paid off the other heirs, and carried on
the village of Stillwater is now located, and the cultivation of the soil there until his
there built a log house, the first erected north death, June 8. 1885.
He married Elmira A.
of Orangeville. Soon after his wife followed McHenry. daughter of J. Deemer and Rachel
him to their new home, where their nearest
Stokes) McHenry. and they had children as
Grace, wife of Franklin L. Klose,
neighbor was at Orangeville, six miles dis- follows
Mr. McHenry was
tant, and their market for sale and purchase of Benton and Oliver S.
was at Northumberland, thirty-four miles a Democrat and a member of the Christian
Here they lived, labored, reared a Church, of which he was an elder and trusaway.
family and died, leaving a rich heritage of tee at the time of his death. He is buried at
honor and right living to their descendants. Stillwater. Mrs. McHenr\', who was born in
Their children were: Benjamin, a farmer and 1846, is now living at Benton with her daughlumberman, who died on a raft on the Sus- ter.
:

;

(

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
McHenry obtained his schooling and
common schools of Stillwater and rick

Oliver S.
in

the

worked on neighbors' farms during his early
youth, but he was ambitious, and as soon as
the opportunity presented itself he took up telegraphy, at the age of sixteen, being made
station agent at Orangeville, where he was
He
retained for a period of three years.
then returned to the farm, which he had inherited from his father, and carried on the
for
place for twelve years. He next worked
a time at Paper Mill, a station on the Susquehanna, Bloomsburg & Berwick road,

until

appointed station agent at Berwick, having
held the position for the past seven years,
Mr. McHenry was formerly a councilman of
the borough, and is a Democrat in politics,
He is a member of Berwick Camp, No. 162,
Modern Woodmen of America, which he has
served as clerk for four years, and attends
the German Reformed Church at Berwick.
On Oct. 27, 1897, Mr. McHenry married
Mertie Herring, daughter of Alexander B.
and Levina (Neyhard) Herring, and they
have been blessed with the following children: Silas Morton, born Dec. 7, 1899; Clinton, born Dec. 9, 1900; and Daniel, who died

when

three years old.

Alexander B. Herring, father of Mrs. McHenry, is burgess of Orangeville, one of the
oldest residents of the county, and prominent
in the religious and social circles of the town.

ELMER FRANKLIN DEITRICK,
man

foreof the frame shop of the American Car

and Foundry Company, at Bloomsburg, was
born in that town Oct. 10, 1875, and attended
the Third and Fifth street schools, graduatIn 1892 he went
ing from the high school.
to work for the Bloomsburg School Furnishing Company, manufacturers of seats, desks,
blackboards, etc., and in 1894 he entered the
machine shop of the G. M. & J. K. Lockard
Company, in the frame shop. In 1902 the
firm was taken over by the American Car and
Foundry Company, Mr. Deitrick retaining his
When the plant was shut down in
position.
191 1 he went to the Magee carpet mill, where
he remained for a year, changing to the Monroe Hall Furniture
the resumption of

19 13 he

for a year.

Company
work

at the car

Upon

works

was made foreman, under Superin-

tendent Johnson.

On June 25, 1908, Mr. Deitrick married
Susan," daughter of Theodore and Dora
(Case) Mericle, of Bloomsburg, and they
have had children as follows Theodore, born
:

July

1909; Robert, born Sept.

10,

191 1;

815

Mr. DeitInez, born March 26, 191 3.
is a Republican and a member of the

German Reformed Church.

also belongs

Theta Castle, No. 276, Knights of the
Golden Eagle, of Bloomsburg.
William Deitrick, father of Elmer F., was
born in 1849 in Pottsville, Pa., his parents
moving to Bloomsburg when he was a child,
to

Here he attended

the common schools for a
limited period, then entering the employ of
the Irondale Furnace Company, with which

he remained until the plant closed down. He
next went to the machine shop of G. M. and
J. K. Lockard, being employed in the frame
department, continuing in that position when
the American Car and Foundry Company
absorbed the firm.
When the latter plant
closed down he was elected chief of police at

Bloomsburg, and when the works opened up
again he went back, and is still in the frame
He married Elizabeth Hess,
department.
daughter of Jeremiah Hess, and they have
had the following children George, who married Katie Metz; Edmund, who married
:

Amelia Bodman; Elmer Franklin, mentioned
Martha, deceased wife of Clarence
Piper, buried in Almedia cemetery; Rebecca;
Margaret; and Hattie. Mr. Deitrick is a Republican, and socially a member of Council
No. 146, Order of United American Me-

above;

chanics.

Theodore Mericle, father of Mrs. Deitrick,
was born at Buckhorn, Pa., in 1864, and wa6
educated in the schools of his township. Coming to Bloomsburg, he engaged with Harman
& Hassert in the construction of mine cars,
going from that firm to the G. M. & J. K.

Lockard Company.

now engaged

contracting in Bloomsburg. In 1885 he married Dora, daughter of Ebenezer and Susan
(Hartman) Case, and they became the parents of the following children: Albert, who
married Lucille Stranahan; Daniel, who
married Sadie Hummell Mervdn Dale StanEthel Robert Lois ; Susan, wife of E.
ley
;

;

F. Deitrick, born March 13, 1887; and Mabel,
Esther and Guy, all of whom died young and
Mr. Mericle is a
are buried at Almedia.
Democrat and a member of the German Reformed Church. He also belongs to Theta
Castle, No. 276, Knights of the Golden Eagle,
at

Bloomsburg.

Daniel Mericle, father of Theodore, had
two other sons, William, a farmer of Osage,

Iowa;

and Jesse,

farming

Constantine,

Michigan.

Ebenezer Case, grandfather of Mrs. DeitLime Ridge and was employed

rick, resided at

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

816

Ezra M. Smith, was born Nov.

in a

beth, wife of

canal.

(5) Alice, born Sept. 12, 1872,
died May 3, 1874.
(6) William E., was born
Nov. 13, 1874.
(7) Thomas Walter, born
Sept. 25, 1877, died Dec. 9, 1880.
(8) Edith,
wife of John S. Meredith, born March 11,
1880, died April 19, 1905.
(9) Josiah V.,
born April 20, 1884, died Oct. 4 (or 14),

boatyard at Espy, on the Pennsylvania
He was a member of the Evangelical
Church and of the Odd Fellows lodge at Espy.
He married Susan Hartman, and their children were: Emma, wife of Martin Giger;
Manny, who married Nora Lamp; Myra, wife

of Samuel Lehman; Breece, who died young;
and Dora, who married Theodore Mericle.

29,

1870.

1885.

WILLIAM

ELMES,

attorney at law,

of Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., was born in
Berwick, Nov. 13, 1874, a son of William
died Nov. 7,
Elmes (born May 24, 1842
1914) and Lucinda Vought Elmes (born Oct.
died Sept. 24, 1895).
31, 1846
Thomas Elmes, the grandfather of William
E. Elmes, was born at Walthamstow, County
of Essex, near London, England, Jan. 7, 1819,
and died Oct. 3, 1890; he came to New York
City in 1840 and located at Montville, N. J.,
where, Feb. 13, 1841, he married Lydia Barmore (born Oct. 4, 1823 died Jan. 30, 1892),
later removing to Danville, Montour Co., Pa.
Afterwards he operated a stone quarry along

—

Roaring creek.
William Elmes was born at Montville, N. J.,
and early in life became self-supporting, being employed in the rail mill at Danville and
Little

also in the quarries of his father.
21, 1862, he enlisted in Company

On
F,

Oct.

178th

was disRegiment, Pennsylvania Militia
charged July 27, 1863, ^^ the expiration of
;

the period of his enlistment; reenlisted March
17, 1864, in
Company F, 2d Pennsylvania
Regiment, Artillery, Pennsylvania \'eteran
Volunteers, and was discharged with his battery Jan. 29, 1866, at City Point, Va., having
during his enlistments participated in many
of the important battles of the Civil war. including those of Cold Harbor, the Wilderness campaign, and the siege of Petersburg

(where, June 17, 1864, he was wounded, receiving a gunshot wound in his left arm and
At the
losing a finger from his left hand).
close of the war proper he continued in the
service in connection with the Freedmen's Bureau. He arrived at his home near Danville,
Feb. 6, 1866, and was married April 3, 1866,
to Lucinda Vought (daughter of Isaac Vought

891) and Jane
Schooley (July 25, 1807-1871).
Nine children were born to the marriage
of William Elmes and Lucinda Vought
( i )
Jennie, wife of George W. Miller, was born
Feb. 7, 1867, at Danville, Pa. (2) Emma, wife
of Bruce Fowler, was born Oct. 18, 1868, at
Danville.
(3) Lucinda, wife of Chester
Marr, was born Nov. 29, 1870.
(4) ElizaApril

12,

1796-March

12,

During the year 1869 William Elmes removed from Danville to Berwick where he
was employed by the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing (I'ompany and later by the
American Car & Foundry Company, untnl
1903, when he retired, spending the remainder of his days in Berwick.
William E. Elmes attended the

Berwick

public schools, graduating in the class of 1893.
For six years following his graduation he was
employed during the summers in the Berwick
rolling mill, and during the winters as a school
teacher.
After having taught six successive
years, one in Franklin township one in Briarcreek township and four in the grammar
grades of the Berwick public schools, he entered the law school connected with Dickin;

son College, in Carlisle, Pa., in 1899, graduating in the two years' course with the class
of 1901 and in the three years' course in
the class of 1902; was admitted to practice
in the Cumberland county courts June 4, 1902
to the Supreme court of Pennsylvania June 4.
1902, and to the bar of Columbia county Sept.
He has since practiced his profesI, 1902.
sion in Berwick.
On Oct. 22, 1903, Mr. Elmes married Lillian Corkins, daughter and
only child of
Frank Corkins (born June 15, 1839
died
;

—

Dec. 9, 1908) and Fannie Baucher Corkins
(born Jan. 11. 1846 died May 12, 19 10).
The parents of Mrs. Elmes were married June
Mrs. Corkins was the eldest daugh15. 1872.
ter of David Baucher (born July 2j, 1822
died Jan. 30, 1899) and Rachel Seybert
Baucher (born July 2, 1825 died July 11,

—

1900).

David Baucher. the grandfather of Mrs.
Elmes, was one of Berwick's leading citizens
and contractors and served for many years
as a member of council, as president of coun;

as chief burgess, as constable, and as member of the school board, and was also officially
connected with the
Methodist
Episcopal
Church of Berwick as president of the board
of trustees.
The grandmother of Mrs. Elmes was Rachel
(Seybert) Baucher, daughter of Nicholas Seybert and granddaughter of Sebastian Seycil,

^u^tt^^II^c•

^xM^^<JUL^--

T»L>.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

817

Mrs. Elmes Schweppenheiser, were laid to rest in the MifDaughters flin cemetery; Horace Schweppenheiser was
of the American Revolution and a member interred in the cemetery at Hazleton, Pa. Mr.
of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Ber- Schweppenheiser, the father of this family,
was a Democrat in politics and a German
wick.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Lutheran in his religious belief. He was a
Elmes has been blessed with one child, Frank prominent citizen and very wealthy, owning
Corkins Elmes, born Oct. i, 1906. who, at over six hundred acres of land. He was the
this writing, is a pupil in the third grade of the owner of his own sawmill, carried on general
Berwick public schools.
farming, and also did a general huckstering
three teams at
Professionally Mr. Elmes is a member of business, frequently driving
A stanch friend of
the Columbia County Bar; fraternally, he be- once to Pottsville, Pa.
he built the first log schoolhouse
longs to Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O. S. education,
in the township, in which his own and his
of A. Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F.
Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. and A. M. Cald- neighbors' children were educated by Lawwell Consistory, Scottish Rite, of Blooms- rence Waters, a schoolmaster from New JerHe also built the first private pay schoolburg; Irem Temple, Mystic Shriners, of sey.
He is a past master of the house in Mifflin township, and the first pubWilkes-Barre.
local Masonic lodge and a past president of lic school.
Abram Schweppenheiser, son of Jacob
the P. O. S. of A.
Schweppenheiser, and father of Mrs. Knecht,
ELMA (SCHWEP- was born Jan. 3, 1822, and died June 9, 1909,
MRS.
Columbia Co., Pa. His
PENHEISER) KNECHT, a resident of Ber- in Mifflin township,
Pendred
Elizabeth
Clark, was born Feb.
on
a
wife,
born
who
was
8,
wick, Pa.,
1858,
May
farm in Mifflin township, Columbia county, 21, 1827, and died Dec. 5, 19 10, and both were
buried in the Mifflin cemetery. Their children
is a daughter of Abram and Elizabeth PenThe eldest was stillborn
were as follows
dred (Clark) Schweppenheiser.
Rebecca died in young womanhood
Fannie
the
great-grandPhilip Schweppenheiser,
father of Mrs. Knecht, was born in Gensin- Catherine Rachel married Saron Hendershott,
who is deceased; Eldora Summers married
gen, Germany, in 1754, and came to the United
States as a young man, participating in sev- Milton Lehman Lydia Alice married A. A.
In his Bredbenner; Martha Elma married Jacob
eral battles of the Revolutionary war.
latter years he located in Columbia county.
Knecht; Miranda Elizabeth married Rush
Wilmina Jane married Walter
Pa., and here passed away in the faith of Wintersteen
the Lutheran Church. He married Safronica Moomey. Mr. Schweppenheiser was a DemBrunner, of the same part of Germany, and ocrat in politics, and was honored by his felboth are buried in the Mifflin cemetery. Their low citizens with election to various offices,
children were as follows
Jacob, who married being overseer of the poor, school director and
Rebecca Sutton Philip, who married Cath- supervisor. He was a consistent and active
erine Fenstermacher Elizabeth, who married German Lutheran, and donated the greater
John Aten Catherine, who married George part of the money and material for the buildLongenberger Susan, who married William insf of the Lutheran Church at Mifflin. DurMiller and Mary, who died unmarried.
ing the Civil war he was a most ardent paHis acts of charity included the proJacob Schweppenheiser, son of
Philip triot.
Schweppenheiser, and grandfather of Mrs. viding of money to purchase substitutes for
Knecht, was born in Mifflin township, Colum- many of his neighbors and for the supporting
bia Co., Pa., in 1790, and died in 1865.
He of soldiers' families while the men were at the
married Rebecca Sutton, who was born in front.
New Jersey, and died about 1881, and their
Martha Elma (Schweppenheiser) Knecht,
children were as follows
Sarah Ann, who daughter of Abram Schweppenheiser, received
married Peter Grover; Lydia, who married her education in the public schools, and at
John Shreck Abram Isaac, who married the age of eight years went to live as a comJulia Pofif Francis Jacob and Horace, who panion with her grandmother, Mrs. Rebecca
married Frances Seybert.
Mr. and Mrs. Schweppenheiser, with whom she resided until
Grover are buried in Brown's cemetery; Mr. her marriage. May 8, 1875, to Jacob Knecht.
and Mrs. Shreck, Abram and his wife, ElizJacob Knecht was born at Mainville, Pa.,
abeth Schweppenheiser, Isaac and Mrs. Julia Oct. 24, 1856, son of Abram and Sarah
Schweppenheiser, and Francis and Jacob Knecht. He is an influential Democrat of his
bert,

Revolutionary soldier.

belongs to the local chapter of the

;

MARTHA

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

818

Mary Catherine, wife of George
community and a valued member of the Pa- children
triotic Order Sons of America, at Berwick;
Oman; EmeHne, wife of Emanuel Gilbert;
his wife is a member of the Patriotic Daugh- Francis
Stewart, who married Elizabeth
ters of America, an auxiliary of the P. O. Victor; Amos W. Justice D. Marion L., who
S. of A., has been financial secretary of this married Maggie Abbott; and Alice, wife of
organization for seven years, and is also a Lloyd Kelchner.
Amos W. Dreibelbis was educated in the
member of the Ladies of the Golden Eagle.
She takes an active and helpful interest in public schools of the township and took up
the work of the Bower Memorial Church, of the trade of bricklayer, which he followed for
which she has been a member for thirty-two thirty years. He then began farming, commencing on a small scale, and now has a fine
years.
Mr. and Mrs. Knecht have had the follow- farm of io6 acres, which he is cultivating
One son was stillborn Nov. 5, intensively. In 1880 he married Anna L.
ing children
Eric
and Caroline
1876; Abram Clark, born Jan. i, 1878, died Ikeler,
daughter of
Jan. 7, 1878; Clarence Cleveland, bom Sept. (Grouse) Ikeler, and their children are Mary
10, 1884, died Oct. 27, 1885; Elizabeth Zora,
A.; Caroline, wife of Clark B. Artman; Carl
born May 4, 1881, is the widow of Simeon C, who was a student at the Bloomsburg
Ryder, who met his death by drowning while State Norm.al School and Gettysburg College,
on a fishing trip to Jonestown, and is buried taught school for five years, and is now attendin Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick (the one ing Columbia University, New York City;
daughter of this union, Martha Esther, was Elizabeth \'., a graduate of the Bloomsburg
born Feb. 25, 1907)
Margaret Ethel, born State Normal, class of 1907, now teaching
Dec. 31, 1888, married George L. Kershner, in Centre township; Ida M., a graduate of
and has one son, Luther, born Dec. 27, 191 1.
the class of 1908, Bloomsburg State Normal,
and now teaching in the Mount Pleasant high
AMOS W. DREIBELBIS, a farmer and school; Arthur E. M. Esther; Ruth; and
:

;

justice of the peace of Mount Pleasant township, Columbia Co., Pa., was born in that

township Oct. 18, 1852, son of Elias Dreibelbis and grandson of Abraham Dreibelbis,
who was a native of Berks county.

The

Stewart.
Mr. Dreibelbis is a Democrat, has sened
as trustee of the school board, and is now
entering his third term as justice of the peace,
He belongs to the Methodist Church, was

home of the Dreibelbis family formerly an Odd Fellow, and is a member
Southeastern Switzerland, originally a of the Light Street Grange,
part of the German empire. lohn Jacob DreibARIAS J. BERXINGER. undertaker and
elbis, the founder of the American branch,
came from Hannesthal, Switzerland, Oct. 26, furniture dealer, of Mifillinville, Columbia Co.,
In 1743 he Pa., was born Nov. 2"], 1839, son of Aaron
1732, landing at Philadelphia.
went to Berks county and settled on a farm and Anna (Yost) Berninger, died aged sixtynear Fleetwood.
He became a large land- one years.
owner, in 1759 being the largest taxpayer in
Aaron Berninger was born in Berks county,
Richmond township. He married a daughter Pa., and came to Columbia county at an
of George Merkel, and they had six children
early day. A millwright by trade, he followed
Abraham, Martin, Jacob, Mary Elizabeth, that calling and continued to reside in Columbia county until his death, which took place
Mary Magdalena and Philopena.
Abraham Dreibelbis, grandfather of Amos at Catawissa when he was aged nearly seventyW., came from Berks county to Columbia four years. During the latter part of his life
county and located at Espy, where he mar- he worked as a carpenter and he was always
ried and had the
His wife was born in
following family: Isaac, a busy, useful man.
Jacob, David, Elias, Margaret and Catharine. Columbia county, her family having early setElias Dreibelbis was a
carpenter by trade, tied here, and she died at the age of sixtyengaged on the construction of gristmills and one years. Mr. and Mrs. Berninger are buried
in general
In the latter part of at Mainville.
contracting.
his life he bought 150 acres of land in Mount
Arias J. Berninger was educated in ColumPleasant township, upon which he settled and bia
county and when sixteen vears old began
was

early

farmed for the rest of his days. He died at
the age of eighty and was buried near the
log

church m Madison township.
He married
Sarah Shoemaker, and they had the
following

learning cabinetmaking. his

secured

first

emplovnient

Pa.
Later he
located at Mainville. Columbia countv. where
he embarked in the furniture and undertaking

being

Ashland.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

819

business with his father, thus continuing until
For the next four years he carried
1866.
on business alone, and in 1870 came to Mifflinville and erected his present building, which
he has since occupied as a furniture and
undertaking establishment.
In 1862 Arias J. Berninger married Rebecca
J. Shuman, who was born in Mainville, Oct.
24, 1843, daughter of Rudolph and Susan
(Seidel) Shuman, natives of Columbia county.
Mr. Shuman was a very successful farmer

and highly respected. He long made Mifflinville his home, and during the latter part
of his life he and his wife moved to MainMr. and Mrs. Berville, where both died.
one
have
had
son,
Rudolph A., born
ninger
Aug. 20, 1868, who married Stella Emerick,
of Hazleton, Pa., and has six children

campment, No. 131, and Berwick Canton, No.
2^ Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O. S. of
A., and W. T. Sherman Commandery, No.
23, P. O. S. of A.; and Berwick Council,
No. 176, Royal Arcanum. He has been treasurer of the Berwick Beneficial Association for
eleven years, and is secretary of the Merchants' Protective Association and member of
the board of directors of the Berwick Athletic

Sanford, Marjorie, Florence, Howard and Dorothy.
He
Arias J. Berninger is a Democrat.
served as constable and tax collector at MainHe and his wife belong to the Lutheran
ville.
Church of Mifflinville, and are interested in
its good work.
Esther,

1893 and took up the real estate and fire
insurance business.
Since 1895 he has represented Derr Brothers, of Wilkes-Barre. He
married Anna B. Kling, daughter of Jacob and
Sarah (Riegel) Kling, of Clinton county, and
they have two children
Mary ]., born May
24, 1896; and John K., bom Jan. 21, 1898.
Mr. Jacoby is a Republican, a member of
the Methodist Church, and socially belongs to
Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M.; Berwick
Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F. Berwick En:

;

Association.

CHARLES

GULP, one of the reliable and
substantial citizens of Berwick, holding a responsible position with the American Car and

and

Foundry Company, was born Nov. 2, i860, on
farm near Almedia, Columbia Co., Pa., son
of Reuben and Annie (Hagenbuch) Gulp.
Reuben Gulp was born April 13, 1813, at

Jacoby.

Summerhill, Columbia county, and died in
April, 1890, at the age of seventy-seven years.
He was buried in the Light Street cemetery.

LEGRAND

JACOBY,

fire

insurance

real estate agent, of Berwick, Pa., was
born Sept. 5, 1864, in Briarcreek township,
Columbia county, and is a son of John G.

John G. Jacoby was born in Coopersburg,
183 1, and educated in the village
In 1852 he came to Briarcreek, where
he worked as a huckster and ran a mill and
Pa., in
schools.

grocery store for four years. He then moved
to Espy for a short time, returning to Briarcreek, where he was married Jan. 24, 1856,
to Fannie, daughter of Daniel and Hannah
(Shellhammer) Sponenberg, of Black Creek,

Luzerne county.
They had five children
and Laura Amanda, Albert
Legrand S.
Franklin, Isaiah and John Wesley, all of whom
Mr. Jacoby ran the first condied young.
He was
fectionery and bakery in Berwick.
a Democrat, and served as constable and justice of the peace.
Fraternally he was a member of Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M.
Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F. and
Susquehanna Commandery, No. 18, Knights
of Maha. Mr. Jacoby died Feb. 6, 1895, and
is buried in Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick.
Legrand S. Jacoby attended the old brick
schoolhouse in Briarcreek township, and then
in 1872 went to the public schools of Berwick.
He graduated from the high school, entered
the car shop of the Jackson & Woodin Company, and was an axle turner when he left
:

;

Mr. Gulp was an energetic and enterprising
farmer, and through industry and thrift
acquired the ownership of a farm of 140
acres in the vicinity of Light Street, also adding to his income by hauling ore for the firm
of William Neal & Sons of Bloomsburg. As
a citizen he performed every duty devolving
upon him, and fairly earned, through honorable means, the respect and esteem in which
he was held by those who had occasion to
come into contact with him.
Republican in
his political views, he was stanch in his support of that party's principles and candidates,
but wa's not a seeker after personal preferment, and did not hold office. Throughout his
life Mr. Gulp was a faithful member of the
Evangelical Church, to which his wife also beMr. Gulp bore the maiden name of
longed.
Annie Hagenbuch, and was a daughter of
Isaac Hagenbuch, of Summerhill, Pa., who
was for some years a farmer of that vicinity
and is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Culp became the parents of the following children:
Alfred, who married Fidelia ]\Iosteller and

(second) Orlevia M. Sponenberg; Samantha
who became the wife of P. M. Keller;

lane,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

820

and

and trust. In
he was in the passenger coach department, from which he was transferred in June,

Mrs Annie (Hagenbuch) Culp had the folRachel Sarah,
lowing brothers and sisters
who became the wife of Freas Fowler; Hannah who married Isaiah Bower; Caroline,
who married George Beam; William, who
married Mary Keller; and Samuel, who martied a Miss Evans and (second) Sarah Knorr.
After completing the curriculum of the pubbelie schools of Light Street, Charles Culp

191 1, to the wood machine department, where
In April,
he was foreman for two years.
1913. he was made general foreman of the
wood machine department, a position which
he still retains. Mr. Culp is thoroughly familiar with every detail of the work of his
He has won promotion through
section.
earnest and honest effort, and strict fidelity
He can be relied
to his company's interests.

came

upon

Hannah Margaret, who married Rev. W. M.
Croman,

the

Evangelical

Church;

Charles
:

;

a student in Orangeville Academy, and
after o-raduating from that institution secured
a license which permitted him to teach in the
as an educator satpublic schools. One year
isfied him that he did not care for that callino-,

and he accordingly sought other employ-

ment, taking a position as car builder for G.
M. and T- K. Lockard, whose plant was known
as the

Bloomsburg Car Works.

the sus-

firm Mr. Culp
pension of business by that
secured employment with Silas Young, who
was conducting a general merchandise and
lumber business at Light Street, and continued
with that gentleman for seven years, gaining in the meantime much valuable experience
in business matters.
Upon his return to the
Bloomsburg Car Works he again took up the
work of car builder, but after a short time
his knowledge of mercantile affairs won him a

and
position as clerk in the company's store,
there he remained for four and a half years,
Mr. Culp was then elected the second paid
policeman in Bloomsburg, under Wesley
Knorr, and held that position for about two
he resigned
years, at the end of which time
and went back to the Bloomsburg Car Works,
which then had been acquired by the Blooms-

burg Car Manufacturing Company, and for
one year was foreman. When the plant was
taken over by the American Car and Foundry
Company Mr. Culp was retained as foreman,
and continued in that capacity until the plant
was closed down. On March 26, 1904. Mr.
Culp and the manager, W. P. Meigs, were
transferred to the Berwick plant, where Mr.
Culp was employed in looking after templates
and export shipments that had been transThis emfei-red from the Bloomsburg plant.
ployment continued for something short of
a year, and when the Bloomsburg plant was
reopened. Jan. i, 1905, Mr. Culp was sent
back to that branch, remaining one year and
six months. In the fall of 1907 he again came
to Berwick, where he had charge of the wood
shop during nights from Nov. ist to January,
1908, and since that time has held various

positions, all of responsibility

191

to discharge faithfully and capably ever\'
duty devolving upon him, and as a result is
accounted one of the concern's most trusted
and valued employees. Politically he is like
his father, a Republican, and also like him
has taken only a good citizen's interest in matHe has allied himters of a public nature.
self with movements which have promised
civic betterment, and has always been a friend
of progress in the fields of_ education, morality
and good citizenship. His religious connection is with the Methodist Church, and his
fraternal affiliation with Van Camp Lodge,
No. 140. Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
of Bloomsburg.
Mr. Culp married Anna Pursel. daughter of
Robert and Mary (Chamberlain) Pursel. of
Light Street, both of whom are now deceased
and buried in Rosemont cemetery. Bloomsburg. Five children were born to this union,
as follows: Clifton Pursel, born April 29.
1883 Charles Paul, born April 2. 1890, who
married Jennie Edwards and resides at Berwick; Robert Clayton, born .April 28. 1893;
Monroe Henry, born Oct. 25, 1898; and Ruth
Anna, born Sept. 16, 1900. now attending the
schools of Berwick.
John Pursel. the father of Robert Pursel.
and grandfather of Mrs. Culp, came from the
State of New Jersey and located near Bloomsburg. Pa. He was a blacksmith by trade, and
followed that calling throughout his life at
Bloomsburg, where he passed away at an advanced age.
Robert Pursel, father of IMrs. Culp. was
born in Hemlock township, Columbia Co.. Pa.,
and as a young man learned the trade of
blacksmith under his father's tuition. He resided in Hemlock township until the outbreak
of the Civil war. when he enlisted in a regi;

ment of Pennsylvania volunteers
and continued

bugler,

to serve

during three years of
the war. On receiving his honorable discharge
he returned to his home and took up blacksmithing at Bloomsburg. but after a number
of years spent at that calling rented a farm

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Light Street, and there passed the remainder of his Hfe in tilHng the soil. Mr.
Pursel married Mary Chamberlain, and they
became the parents of the following children
Ella, who married Alfred Freas; Isaiah, who
married Martha Clayton and (second) Ella
Everett; Mary, who married G. M. Hagenbuch; Anna, who became the first wife of Mr.
Culp; Henry J., who married Amelia Kistler;
and Emma J., who became the wife of Alfred
at

Zeigler.

Mr. Culp's second marriage was

Norah Ploch, of

Danville,

Miss

Montour

Co., Pa.,
Priscilla Ploch,

daughter of Frederick and
farming people, honored residents of Frosty
Valley. There are no children by this union.
Frederick Ploch, the father of Mrs. Culp,
was born in Germany, and like many others
of his countrymen who could see naught in
the future for them in their native country
save a life of hard work, with little chances
of becoming independent, early decided to try
his fortune in the land across the waters, and
when still little more than a youth emigrated
In his native Fatherland he had
to America.
learned the trade of wheelwright, and this
vocation he pursued upon locating in the

821

Henry J., came to Briarcreek township, Columbia county, and bought a farm of 300
acres at Summerhill, where he died in
1858.
He married Margaret Shellhammer, and they
had the following children: Nathan, John,
Edward, William, Samuel, Betsy, Katie and
Margaret.

Edward Edwards,
farm

bom

was

the father,

Briarcreek township. For
a number of years he was in the employ of the
Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Comi)any.
He married Martha T. Holloway, who died
at the home of her son, Henry J. Edwards,
where she had lived for ten years, when in
her ninety-third year.
Nine children were
born to Edward and Martha T. Edwards, of
whom Josiah died at Dewart, Pa., being achis father's

cidentally killed on the railroad (he first married a Creasy, and he left a widow and five

Catherine,
children)
Pierce and (second)
;

who married Augustus

Soparus Smethers, is
Berwick (she had two sons)
Henry J. is mentioned below; Lucy Jane, who
is the widow of William Lynn, of Briar Creek,
had eight children Emily married Silas Lynn,
an employee of the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company of Berwick; William
Nathan is deceased two
lives in Maryland
died young. The father died June 15, 1889,
aged seventy-six years ten months seven days,
and both the parents are buried at Summerliving retired at

;

United States, and in addition thereto was a
miner for some years. With German thrift
and industry he accumulated some capital,
which he invested in a farm, establishing a
home in Frosty Valley, Montour county, hill.
where he subsequently became the owner of a
Henry J. Edwards obtained his education
handsome and valuable property of 150 acres. in the district schools, and from boyhood has
The remainder of his active career was passed been interested in agricultural pursuits. He has
in the cultivation of the soil, and both he and been an active and useful citizen and at times
his wife died in the vicinity of Danville. has served with efficiency in public office, for
Frederick Ploch married Priscilla Heist, two years being overseer of the poor and for
who came from near Bloomsburg, and they two years township supervisor.
On Nov. 7, 1861, Mr. Edwards was marbecame the parents of the following children
Charles, who married Ella Goettings Bruce, ried to Sarah Roup, a daughter of Jacob and
who married Sarah Wampole Lillian Ida, Nancy (Unangst) Roup of Easton, Pa., and
who married Charles Brobst Ada Rose and the following children were born to them
Norah, who became Mrs. Culp.
Margaret Ann married Ambrose Bower, of
Centre township, and they have two children;
Sabina E. married Harry Barnard, of PhilJ. EDWARDS, a farmer, was
born in Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa., adelphia, and they have five children Minnie
June I, 1839, a son of Edward and Martha T. L. died at the age of four years Alverna M.
married Reuben Miller, of Foundryville, and
(Holloway) Edwards.
Edward Edwards is the first known an- of their four children, one. Margaret B., surcestor of this family. His son John was mar- vives Sarah R. married William Harmon, of
ried to a Stall, in 1774, and settled in Sandar Berwick, and they have had two children, beHis sister, Mrs. sides an adopted daughter, Viola Sorber;
county, Va., near Fairfax.
Jesse Stall, persuaded him to move to New Mary Etta married Calvin Kelchner, a farmer
had five
Jersey, where he raised his family, after in Briarcreek township, and they have
which he moved to Pennsylvania, settling children, one being deceased Frank Wester
died at the age of eleven years Daniel W.,
north of Berwick, in Columbia county.
William Edwards, the grandfather of who is a farmer in Centre township, married
;

;

HENRY

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

822

Ada Kocher, and

three of their four children
survive; Ralph Henry, a resident of Berwick,
married Olive Harmon and two of their three
children survive Bertha E. is the wife of Robert Dietrich, an employee of the American
Car and Foundry Company, and three of their
;

are living; Harry Ambrose,
a farmer in Centre township, married

four children

who

Grace Fairman, and has one child. Mr. Edwards and his family attend the Methodist
He was
Episcopal Church at Summerhill.
chairman of the building committee when the
new church was under construction, and has
also been steward and trustee. He is a member of Washington Camp, No. 117, P. O. S.
of A., at Fowlerville.

DANIEL W. HOLLY,
was born

late

Clearfield county,

of Berwick,
Feb. 9,

Pa.,

1836, son of Daniel W. and Sarah (Rogers)
Holly.
Silas Holly, his grandfather, was born in
Connecticut, and after the end of his service
as a soldier in the Revolutionary war emi-

grated to Orange county, N. Y., where he
followed farming until the end of his life.
The name of his wife was Esther.
Daniel W. Holly, son of Silas and Esther
Holly, was born in Orange county, N. Y.,
Feb. 8, 1795, and grew to manhood there. He
also saw military service, enlisting for the
war of 1812 from New York. Later he moved
to Clearfield county, Pa., where he followed
the trade of tailor and remained until the
close of his life, his death occurring June 10,

married Sarah Rogers, who was
1799, and died June 11, 1844.
She was a daughter of Robert and Mary
Rogers, early settlers in Luzerne county, her
1844.

born June

12,

father a soldier in the

war of

the Revolution.

W. and Sarah

(Rogers) Holly had six
The
children, five daughters and one son.
last survivor of the family, Mrs. Maria S.
Daniel

Ogden, was a resident of West
and died Feb. i, 1914.
Daniel

came

Clearfield, Pa.,

Holly, son of Daniel

under the brave General Negley. He took
part in many serious battles and was wounded
Prior to his honat the battle of Fair Oaks.
orable discharge, July 12, 1865, at Harrisburg,
Pa., he was connected with that branch of
the army commanded by General Sherman.
He held the rank of sergeant in his company.
In 1867 Mr. Holly came to Berwick and
secured farm work in the neighborhood for
a short time. Then he entered the employ of
the Jackson Woodin Manufacturing Company, with which concern he remained for
After severing the above resixteen years.
lation he followed the carpenter's trade until
he retired from active life. He was a member of the Capt. C. G. Jackson Post, No. 159,
G. A. R., at Berwick, from Jan. 16, 1880.
In addition to Mr. Holly's service in the Civil
war he was otherwise connected with military
life, for five years serving as captain in the
Jackson Guards, Company D. 17th Regiment,
9th Division, Pennsylvania State Militia, of
Berwick.
On Nov. II, i860, Mr. Holly was married
to Matilda Eveland, of Cambra, Pa., who was
born July 11, 1839, a daughter of Daniel EveMr. and
land, a farmer of Luzerne county.
Mrs. Holly had two children, the one survivor
being George E. Holly, born March 8. 1866,
now manager and secretary of the Weimer
Chain Works at Lebanon, Lebanon Co., Pa.
he married Cora Young, and they have had
six children, five living and one deceased
Henry F., Pearl E., Mabel M., (jeorge E. and
Dorothy surviving, the third bom, William
W.. having passed away.
Mr. Holly was a member of the Bower
Memorial United Evangelical Church, to
which his widow also belongs, and was a very
active church worker, serving as assistant class
;

leader and helping to organize the Sunday
school.
He was a great student of the New
Testament, which he read through 145 times
in nine years.
His death occurred l5cc. it.
19 13.

Holly,

Luzerne county, Pa., from Clearfield
county, May 29, 1859, and worked on a farm

home

He and
at

his wife occupied her present

Berwick for a quarter of a century.

for a short time.

When

the Civil

war was

precipitated he enlisted at Cambra, Luzerne
county, Sept. 2, 1861, becoming a corporal of
Company A, 52d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served all through the war, having
reenlisted in the field Jan. i, t864. He was
under the command of Col. John C. Dodd, of

Williamsport, later of Henry M. Hoyt of
Wilkes-Barre, Col. John M. Cunningham, of
Wilkes-Barre, and a part of the time was

VERNER E. FRITZ, a merchant of
Bloomsburg, senior member of the firm of
Fritz & Fritz, was bom in Jackson township.
Columbia county. July 6. 1878. son of Jasper
N. Fritz and a grandson of Josiah Fritz.
Josiah Fritz spent his life in Sugarloaf
township, Columbia county, where he farmed
until death claimed him.
His children were
B. Frank. Josiah P.. Floyd. William.
Jasper
N.. Rosetta, Anna, Elizabeth and Catherine.
Jasper N. Fritz was bom in Sugarloaf
:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
township, and operated the old homestead of
some years, but later went to
where he became one of the
township,
Jackson
substantial agriculturists of his locality. He is
now residing near Waller. Jasper N. Fritz

823

William C. Hull was born at Berwick, Pa.,
and died on Long Island, N. Y., in the

his father for

in 1830,

married Belle Girton, and they have had chilVerner E., Eugene, Rush M., Arthur,
dren
Maynard, Edwin, William, Anna and Emma.
Verner E. Fritz was educated in the public

McDougall hospital, in 1865. He was a son
Aaron Hull, a native of Easton, Pa., a millwright by trade, who located at Berwick and
there served as toll collector at the Berwick
bridge for a number of years. His death occurred in 1867, when he was sixty-nine years
old.
He was a consistent member of the

schools of his native place and the Benton
high school, and later attended a summer
school held at Ganoga. Having thus prepared
himself, he entered Susquehanna University.
Finishing his course in that institution, he began clerking for Low Brothers at Lime Ridge,
Columbia county, remaining with this firm for
Mr. Fritz then engaged with the
six years.
Bell Telephone Company at Bloomsburg, continuing this association for two years, when in
191 1 he bought the business owned by J. W.
Crawford, a grocer and dry goods merchant

on Main street, Bloomsburg, and with his
brother formed the firm of Fritz & Fritz. They
now have a large business, and both partners
have won appreciation and favor by their comprehensive grasp of details and their proved
and exability to serve their customers fairly
peditiously.

On Oct. 4, 1905, Mr. Fritz married Florence Yorks, a daughter of C. E. Yorks, of
Benton, Pa., and they have three children
Martha, Charles and Catherine. Socially Mr.
Fritz is a member of Washington Lodge, No.
Meth265, F. & A. M., of Bloomsburg.
odist in religious faith, he takes an active
part in the work of his church.
Rush M. Fritz, junior member of the firm
of Fritz & Fritz, was born in Jackson township, Columbia county, and educated in the
He republic schools of his native place.
:

mained at home until twenty years old, when
he went to Staten Island, N. Y., to take charge
of a large farm for E. T. Butler, remaming
with him for seven years, when he came to
Bloomsburg to go into business with his
brother.

Rush M. Fritz married Susie Tubbs, a
daughter of J. C. Tubbs, of Elk Grove, Columbia county, and they have one son, Jasper,
and one daughter, Dorothy.

CHARLES

Methodist

Episcopal

Elizabeth

McPherson,

Church.

His wife,
died in 1858, aged
fifty-six years. Children as follows were born
to them:
Esther, who married Samuel E.
Smith; William; Edward B., who married
Mary Hutton; Mary E., who married Joseph
D. Thompson; and Catherine, who married
Jeremiah H. Mears.
Growing up at Berwick, William C. Hull
became a butcher and was carrying on a successful business when he felt the call of duty
and enlisted for service as a member of the
i6th
Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Capt.
Augustus Rush, during the Civil war. He
acted as dispatch bearer, and died of a fever
contracted while in the army. His wife was
a daughter of Rev. Isaiah and Julia (Snyder)
Bahl. Mr. and Mrs. Hull had the following
children: Isaiah B. died young; Warren W.
died young; Charles E. married Bertha Gearhart; Frank, born in 1855, married Lydia
Jones, and died in 1896, being buried in Pine
Grove cemetery. William C. Hull was a Republican in political faith. His religious home
was in St. John's Lutheran Church of Berwick.
Fraternally he belonged to Berwick
Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F.
Charles Edmund Hull was educated in the
old academy under Miss Deitterich and at the
Soldiers' Orphans'
Schools, first entering
the one at Orangeville, whence he was transferred to Hartford, Susquehanna Co., Pa.
After leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade at Shenandoah, under Jeremiah
Mears, following which he went to Duke
Center, Pa., in 1877, and there worked at his
trade for six months. During the succeeding
eighteen months he traveled through Western
States, working as a carpenter, and returning
to Berwick was made foreman for the Jack-

& Woodin Company, later the American
Car and Foundry Company, being engaged in
the lumber yard.
Mr. Hull married Bertha Gearhart, a
daughter of George and Lola Gearhart, of
Cambra, Pa., and they had a son, William G.,
son

E. HULL, whose life as a
private citizen and foreman of the lumberyard of the American Car and Foundry Company has been above reproach, is one of the
substantial residents of Berwick, where he born Feb. 22, 1890, now clerk at the lumberwas born March 28, 1856, son of William C. yard of the American Car and Foundry ComAfter losing his first wife Mr. Hull
and Mary E. (Bahl) Hull.
pany.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

824

much the result of his labors that though
he has been pastor only a few years there are
few details of the church life which do not

married Delia, daughter of Esau and Elizabeth
One son, Glen(Whitenight) Shoemaker.
more C, was born of this marriage Dec. 4,
Mr. Hull is a Democrat, and very ac1894.

tive in the deliberations

policy.

and work of his party.
Bower Memorial Church has in him an
earnest and effective worker, and he enjoys his

connection with that congregation.
The history of the Shoemaker family is
of
worthy of notice. The first of this family

mention was Abraham
born near Buckhorn,
was
who
Shoemaker,
His children
Pa., where he spent his Hfe.
were as follows: Jane, who married Benwho married
jamin Shoemaker; Margaret,
Thomas Jones; John; Martin; Sarah, who
married Jacob Harris and Esau G.
Esau G. Shoemaker was born at Buckhorn,
Columbia Co., Pa., in 1828, and died in

whom

there

definite

show

the effect of his

wholesome and vigorous

Father Burhard was born ^larch 15, 1875,
Newton, N. J., son of Anthony and Anna
(Monhahan) Burhard. His father, a native
of Germany, was in business as a merchant
at

He received a thorough preparaeducation at St. Charles College. Elli-

Newton.

tory

Bloomsburg and Buckhorn. By his first marriage, to a Miss Old, he had two children,
Clarence, who married Elizabeth
namely
Sardis. is buried at Dutch Hill William mar-

and Seaton Hall, South Orange,
N. J., where he was graduated in 1893, ^^^
had his theological training at ]\It. St. Mary's
He was orSeminary, Emmitsburg, Aid.
dained June 19, 1898, and in March, 1906,
took charge of the congregation at Bonneauville, Adams Co., Pa., where he erected a fine
church, begun in 1907 and dedicated in June,
1908. From Bonneauville in October, 1909, he
was transferred to Middletown, Pa., where he
remained but seven months, on May 29. 1910,
taking up his duties at St. Columba's Church at
Bloomsburg. The present fine church, erected
entirely under his supervision, is a structure

After the death of
Shoemaker married

85 by 43 feet in dimensions, located at the
corner of East Third and Iron streets.
It

Elizabeth Whitenight, and they had the folIda who died young, is buried
lowing family
in Vanderslice's cemetery at Buckhorn Sadie,
born Jan. i, 1865, married William Pursel;
Delia, bom Aug. 10, 1868, married Charles
E. Hull; Harriet E., born March 27, 1872,
married Miles Pursel
George C. married
Pearl Kitchen. In political sentiment he was
a Democrat, but confined his activities to his

was begun June 27, 191 1, and the outside. was
finished in November of that year, the rest
of the work going on with the same exjiedition.
It is of Bloomsburg pressed brick, finished with

;

October, 1898. He was buried at Dutch Hill.
miner, he worked in the vicinity of both

;

ried Elizabeth Hillmer.
his

wife Esau G.

first

;

cott City, ]\Id.,

Hummelstown

brownstone,

and

the

con-

tractor's bid placed the cost at $19,000. but

by personally exerting himself in the work of
construction and purchase of materials Father
Burhard succeeded in having it completed for
$14,000. All the church property presents a
fine appearance and shows systematic and inFather Burhard had
telligent management.

The Methodist Church had in
most enthusiastic workers, and
he carried into his everyday life the faith he
professed, living up to it in a way worthy of the fine two and a half story dwelling moved
emulation by those of the present generation. from the site of the church to the west and
Elizabeth Whitenight, mother of Mrs. Hull, uses it as a residence. He has in various other
was a daughter of John Whitenight. She was ways improved the holdings of St. Columba's
born Oct. 31, 1838, in Madison township, Co- very materially.
lumbia Co., Pa., and had the following
Eighty families are included in the parish,
brothers and sisters
George, who married about four hundred souls in all, and Father
Chrissie Foulk Margaret, who married Peter Burhard has taken
advantage of every opHayman Anna, who married Martin Kline portunity to broaden its work.
Mary, who married Thomas Ohlman Emeline, who married Clay Mills and Sarah, who
LEVI JARRARD, a member
private affairs.

him one of

its

;

MERTON

;

died young.

REV.

HARD,

FATHER EDWARD
of

born
A.

BUR-

Columba's Catholic
Church, at Bloomsburg. Columbia county, has
been stationed in Pennsylvania ever since he
took orders, and has had his present
charge
since

pastor

May,

known family of that name, was
Berwick. Feb. 17. 1867, son of W"\\-

of the well

19 10.

St.

Its

excellent condition

liam P. Jarrard, whose history appears elsein this work.
Mr. Jarrard attended the
public schools of the town until his fifteenth
year, when he entered the cmjiloy of the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, in
the wood car department, where he remained

where

-£-ty

aC^^^^^r>-^^

0/^

^Qjr^u^L^fCo-^^^

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
for two years. He then began his apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade with his father,
with whom he continued until the father's
death, after which he conducted the business
himself for a period of eighteen years, having

825

Mr. Boudman was a Democrat and a
of the Lutheran Church.

member

George W. Boudman was born June
1857, in Unityville, and was educated in
common schools, working between times
his father's farm.
After his majority

13,
the'

on
he
shop at Eighth and Pine streets, where he
gained a reputation for high class workman- moved to Columbia county, four miles from
For the last eight Millville, and bought a farm. About 1904 he
ship and honest dealing.
years he has had charge of the plant of the came to I5erwick and went to work for the
Abrams Shirt Manufacturing Company, at- American Car and Foundry Company. In
tending to all the mechanical, electrical and 1880 he married Margaret, daughter of John
and Martha (Fairman) Brunner, and they
engineering work there.
In
Roland and
1895 Mr. Jarrard was married to had children as follows:
J.
Keturah M. Evans, who was born Feb. 25, Minnie Martha, the daughter the wife of EdMr. Boudman is a Democrat
1868, daughter of Jenkins Evans, a resident at ward Deitrick.
that time of Berwick, but now living at Slat- and a member of the Lutheran Church,
One child was born to this marJ. Roland Boudman was educated in the
ington. Pa.
Mrs. Jar- common schools of Millville and at an early
riage. Eclair, who resides at home.
rard died Aug. 23, 1899, and was buried in age began to learn weaving. He is one of the
Pine Grove cemetery. On April 26, 1905, Mr. most expert of the workmen in the Magee
Jarrard was married to Mrs. Laura Bliven, a Carpet Mills, and is a favorite with his emwidow, daughter of Daniel Boice, of Blooms- ployers and his fellow workmen. He married
Mrs. Jarrard is president of the Or- Gertrude, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth
burg.
phans' Home of the P. O. S. of A. at Mifflin- Brodt, and they have three children, Donald,
ville, having served one term of two years and Earle and Edward.
Politically Mr. Boudman
now serving the second. She takes a deep is a Democrat, in religion a member of the
interest in the welfare of the society and de- Lutheran Church.
votes much time to its affairs. Mr. and Mrs.
Margaret Brunner, mother of J. Roland
Jarrard are members of the First Methodist Boudman, was born in Millville, on the farm
Episcopal Church, and they are consistent and of her father, and attended the Center school
She taught
active supporters of the work of the society, and the seminary at Millville.
Mr. Jarrard is a Republican in national school after graduation and then took up the
poHtics,"but independent in local affairs. He occupation of seamstress until her marriage._
is a member and past president of WashingJohn Brunner was born in Jordan township,
ton Camp No. 105, P. O. S. of A., of Berwick, which is in Lycoming county, just over the
and a member and past commander of W. T. line of Columbia county, and received a cornSherman Commandery, No. 23, of the P. O. mon school education. Until his retirement
S. of A.
He is also a past president of Camp he was most of his Hfe a farmer. He married
No. 57, P. O. S. of A., and Mrs. Jarrard is Martha, daughter of Robert and Edith (Batton) Fairman, of Greenwood township, and
serving as treasurer of that camp.
his

they
expert wife
weaver in the Magee Carpet Mills, at Blooms- wife
burg. Pa., was born Aug. 18, 1885, near Mill- wife
ville, Columbia county, and is a son of George and
J.

ROLAND BOUDMAN,

W. and Margaret (Brunner) Boudman.
James Boudman, his grandfather, was born
near Unityville, Lycoming Co., Pa., his father,
Isaac Boudman, having settled in that county
on coming from Germany, at an early date.
James Boudman owned a farm of about eighty
acres, upon which he lived and died. He married Sarah, daughter of John and Catherme
(Stackhouse) Gardner, and they had these
children: George W^, who married Margaret
Brunner; Henry, who married Nellie Warner;
Samuel; Thomas; Smith; Margaret. Mrs.
MacGarner; and Sarah, wife of Glen Pursell.

had children as follows
Mary Isabelle,
of John D. Gordon; Hannah Elizabeth,
:

of Thomas Fortner; Anna Margaret,
of George W. Boudman; Henry Jackson

William Parson, both deceased; Sarah

Edith,

Charles

wife of

deceased,

John Willett.

who married

Eckman;

Ella Eves; and

s^san Ella, wife of Benjamin Whitmover.
Brunner was a Democrat and a member
jyjj.
^^ ^j^^ Lutheran Church
p^^^^ Brunner, the father of John, married
daughter of John and Catherine
^1 ^^.^^ ^ j^^^^, ,„j H,.ed in
^^^^^^^^^
i,''
,.
/^
t-i
Franklin township Columbia county. Their
Remarried
who
children were:
Wilham,
•

•

becca Beckley; Margaret, wife of Peter Crossley; Jackson, who married Harriet Swishler;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

826

Samuel; John; and Lydia, wife of Amos
Houk.
Robert Fairman married Edith Batton, of
Greenwood township, Columbia county, and
their children

Swisher;

Edith, wife of Abram
who married Sue Leed;

and Pewaukee Tribe, No.
Improved Order of Red Men, having
been one of the organizers of the Berwick
Tribe and one of its first officials.
;

were:

Reese,
Sarah,

wife of William Lotton;
Henry, who married Mary Ann Warner;
William; Martha, wife of John Brunner;
Mary, wife of Clemuel Parker; and Hugh,
who married Chrissie Oberson.

Thomas;

Sons of America

240,

CHARLES F. WALP, foreman of the die
department of the steel car plant of the
American Car and Foundry Company, at Berwick, Pa., was born April 15, 1885, at Mifflinville, in Mifflin township, Columbia county,
son of George W. and Dora E. (Creasy)
W'alp.

GEORGE

UNANGST,

tax collector of
Berwick, Columbia county, was born in Fishingcreek township, that county, Aug. 8, 1875,
son of Edward and Mary (Stiles) Unangst.
B.

Unangst came to Northampton
Philip
county, Pa., from Germany at an early day,
and became a heavy landowner. Selling his
several farms there he settled in Columbia
county. Pa., in Fishingcreek township, where
he lived until his death. He had always been
a farmer. He had ten children, only one of
whom survives, Mealis, of Cold Water, Mich.,
who was a soldier during the Civil war, as

were

his

brothers,

Emanuel

Wayne,

and

Abram.

Edward Unangst was born on

the present
of the City of Easton, Northampton Co.,
Pa., and died in October, 1886, his wife surPhilip,
viving him. They had six children
site

Berwick; Van Buren, who is
deceased
George B.
Rudolph, who resides at Berwick and Margaret, who married Joseph Brown, of Berwick.
George B. Unangst attended the common
schools of Fishingcreek township, and was
brought up on the homestead. He spent fourteen years of his mature life engaged in farming, and then moved to Berwick to take employment with the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company. After several years with
them he embarked in the grocery business, in
1903, and conducted it for six years, when he
sold and built the "Berwick Hotel."
After
operating this for two years he again became a
In 1909 he was elected tax collector,
grocer.
and has held that office ever since. He is now
the owner of the homestead farm in Fishingcreek township, where he was born.
In May, 1904, Mr. Unangst was married to
Eva F. Wright, born Feb. 14, 1876, in Berwick, a daughter of Daniel and Rosana
(Harris) Wright, the former of whom is deceased; the latter survives and makes her
home at Berwick. Mr. Unangst is a member
of the Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F.,
Washington Camp, No. 105, Patriotic Order

who

resides at

deceased

;

Edward,

;

Anthony Walp, the great-grandfather of
Charles F. Walp, was bom July 19, 1800, in
Northampton county. Pa., and as a young
man settled on Knob Mountain, near Evansville, Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
on a tract of sixty-five acres. In addition to
clearing nearly all of this property he followed various other pursuits, being known far
and wide as a "jack-of-all-trades," at various
times working as a cooper, cabinetmaker, carHe married Lydia
penter and shoemaker.
Hess, and they became the parents of the folHiram married Elizabeth
lowing children
Housmith, and both are deceased Aaron, deceased, married Catherine Shiner, of Hazleton
Stephen is deceased William is mentioned below
Sarah Ann married Aaron
Kelchner, and both are deceased
Phoebe,
deceased, married Samuel Kelchner; Rebecca
married John Roup, of Light Street Wesley
died young; Thomas married Delilah Boone,
and both are deceased; Jeremiah, deceased,
married Ann Sponsler.
Mr. Walp was a
Democrat in politics. He and his wife were
consistent members of the German Lutheran
Church, belonging at Briar Creek, and they
were buried at the Brick Church in Briarcreek township.
\^'illiam Walp, son of Anthony, was born
Aug. 8, 183 1, in Briarcreek township. Columbia Co., Pa., was educated in the township
schools, and worked for his father until reachFollowing this he
ing his twenty-first year.
was an employee on wages with Andrew Frcas
for four years.
He was about twenty-five
when his father died, and in that year he was
married to Mary Ann Bower, who was born
Feb. 4, 1830, in Forks township, Northampton Co., Pa., daughter of Thomas Bower,
whose wife was a Switzer. To this union
:

;

were born the following children
Lydia Catherine, born Jan. 16. 1856. married

there

Charles Clewell, deceased, of Catawissa. Pa.
Jane, born Feb. i, 1858. married Frank
one child
Dietterick. of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Nancy

was

stillborn,

Aug.

23,

1859.

James Wesley

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
was born Aug. 9, i860; George Washington
was born May 15, 1863; Mary Elizabeth (deborn May 6, 1865, married Levi
Kocher; Samuel Andrew, born March 3, 1867,
married a Miss Broadhead (deceased), and
(second) a Miss Barnum, of Wilkes-Barre,
Pa.; William Thomas, l)orn April 3, 1872,
married Clara Knorr, of Maryland. After his
marriage Mr. Walp rented his father's farm
for one year and then went to Salem township,
Luzerne Co., Pa., where he spent two years, at
the end of that time returning to Briarcreek
township, where he purchased his father's
farm. Later he bought ten acres of land from
his uncle Jonas Wright, and continued on his
farm until 189 1. At that time he went to Berwick and entered the employ of the American
Car and Foundry Company, subsequently was
at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and then returned to
Berwick and became a watchman for his
former employers. On leaving their employ
he purchased a property of two acres in Briarcreek township, near the borough line of
West Berwick, from Charles H. Campbell,
and has been living retired for the last eleven
He is a Democrat in politics, and has
years.
ceased),

served efficiently in the capacities of school
director and auditor. His wife was buried at
the Brick Church.
George Washington Walp, son of William
Walp, was born May 15, 1863, near Knob
Mountain, in Briarcreek township, Columbia
Co., Pa., and in that vicinity received a public
He was reared to agriculschool education.
tural pursuits and worked on the homestead
farm until reaching the age of twenty-one

years,

when he entered the employ of the
& Woodin Company, securing a posithe machine shop. Later he moved to

Jackson
tion in

Philadelphia, where he served his apprenticeship to the tinsmith's trade, and then returned
to Berwick and again became associated with
the Jackson & Woodin Company, as tinsmith
for many years.
Eventually he embarked in
business on his own acaount, opening a shop
on the present site of the Raseley printing
house, where he continued in business for five
He then returned to the Jackson &
years.
Woodin Company for one year, after which
he went out to California and for one year
conducted a match manufacturing plant, be-

ing well acquainted with matchmaking maSucceeding this he returned to Berchinery.
wick and again went into business, and he has
been located there ever since, now doing all
the tinsmith work for the American Car and
Foundry Company and other large concerns,
in addition to having a prosperous trade

827

among

is independent in
private families.
his political views,
preferring to give his support to the candidate he deems best fitted for

office, irrespective of party ties.
His fraternal connections include
membership in Berwick Lodge of Odd Fellows, and

Camp No.

Washington

105, Patriotic Order Sons of
home is in West Berwick.

Amer-

His
Mr. Walp was united in marriage with Dora
E. Creasy, daughter of Charles and Rebecca
(Pifer) Creasy, and three children have been
born to this union: Jessie M., who married
William Remley, of West Berwick; Dorothy,
who makes her home with her parents; and
ica.

Charles F.
Charles F. Walp secured his education in
the schools of Briarcreek
township and Berwick, which he attended up to the age of sixteen years, at that time entering the machine
shop of the American Car and Foundry Company, at Berwick, where he served his appren-

With the
exception of three years spent in the New
York offices of the same company, as a draftsman, he has continued to be employed with
ticeship to the machinist's trade.

great enterprise in Berwick, where his
faithfulness to duty, enterprise, energy and
progressive ideas have gained him constant
this

promotion, until at present he is foreman of
the die department in the steel car division.
He is trusted by his employers and a general
favorite with his men, who have learned to
place the greatest confidence in his ability.
Mr. Walp is a Republican, but has found no
time to engage in the struggles of the political
arena.
He is interested in fraternal work to
some extent, and has numerous friends among
his fellow members in Knapp Lodge, No. 462,
F. & A. M., of Berwick, and Berwick Tent,
No. 282, Knights of the Maccabees.

Mr. Walp married Blanche Bowser, daughHiram W. and Harriet (Suit) Bower,
and to this union have come four children
Harriet E., born Feb. 16, 1905 Charles F.,
Jr., born Jan. 26, 1908; George B., born May
27, 1910, now deceased; and Mary Frances,
born Oct. 30, 19 13.
Michael Bower, the great-great-grandfather
of Mrs. Walp, was born in Saxony, Germany,
and came to America at the age of sixteen
years. After his marriage he located at Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., and the family has since
ter of

;

been

closely

identified

with

the

county's

growth and development. It was in the latter
end of the eighteenth century that Michael
Bower came to Columbia county and purchased a small farm in Briarcreek township,
and here he subsequently became one of the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

828

substantial agriculturists of the community.
His work included the clearing of a tract of
I20 acres of land now owned by John Tester.
His wife's maiden name was Hill, and

Sarah M. was bom Aug. 3,
Eva May, born Aug. 5, 1867, married
Wesley Cool, of Nanticoke, Pa. Mrs. Bower
died March 18, 1888, aged sixty-seven years,

Jacob,
they reared the following children
Michael, Solomon, Daniel, Philena, Catherine

one month, twenty-two days.
Hiram W. Bower, son of William Bower,
and father of Mrs. Walp, was born ]\Iarch 11,
1854, in Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
and there attended the public schools until he
was nineteen years of age. At that time he

and Abraham.
Abraham Bower, son of Michael Bower,
was born at Kutztown, Pa., and was a yoimg
man when he accompanied his father to Briarcreek

township.

learned

the

trade

mason, and after his marriage bought a farm,
which he conducted in connection with working at his trade. He married Helen Remley,
a daughter of Michael Remley, and they be-

came

the parents of the following children
Samuel, deceased Phebe, who married Daniel
ElizaMiller, and (second) Abraham Culp
William
beth, who married Caleb Fowler
Abraham, who died young; Susanna, who
died in infancy; Lavina. who married George
Catherine, the wife of Thomas
Johnson
Evans Ellen, deceased Rev. Aaron, who was
a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Hiram, who retired to Berwick; and Matilda,
who became the second wife of George John:

;

In political belief Abraham Bower was
a stanch Democrat, and served his town as
supervisor and school director. He was seventy-eight years old at the time of his death,
while his wife survived him some time and
died at the advanced age of eighty-four years.
William Bower, son of Abraham Bower,
son.

was

born

Centre

Columbia

township,

county, April T.'j, 1818, and with his father
learned the trade of mason and plasterer. He
followed that occupation for almost forty
years, the latter part of which period was
spent in Berwick, where he erected a fine home
on Fifth street. After a long and useful life
he died April 27, 1897, in the faith of the

United Evangelical Church.
He was married to Sarah Stephens, and they became the
parents of the

following children

Delilah

married Dr. M. E. Brown, of Seattle, Wash.
John S., born March 16, 1844, died Feb. 16,
1853 Lavina, bom April 19, 1846. became the
wife of G. P. Stiner, of Orangeville. Pa.
Emeline, born Feb. 5, 1848, now deceased, became the wife of George Herring, of Orangeville; Catherine, the wife of W'illiam F. Kline,
of Kansas, was born Dec. 30, 1849, ^"^ is deceased; Elizabeth, deceased, born March 9,
1852, married Alfred Kisner; Hiram W. is
mentioned below; Mary N., born March 3,
1856, died Aug. 23, 1877; Elwood was born
Dec. 26, 1858; Ida died in infancy; Isaac
Scott, born Feb. 12, 1862, is a resident of
;

;

Salina, Kans.

;

1864;

learned the trade of

mason and

plasterer,

and

1878 moved to Ellsworth, Kans., where he
spent one year.
Returning to his home, he
soon thereafter went to Nanticoke, where he
clerked in the grocer}' store kept by George O.
\\'elliver, but being fond of travel, and favorably impressed with Kansas on his first trip
there, he decided to return to that State.
After clerking there for some time he received
an appointment as detective on the L^nion
in

Pacific railroad, and during his service in that
capacity had several narrow escapes and thrilling experiences which were sufficient to test
He performed his
the bravery of any man.
duties faithfully, and was rewarded by a position in the general offices at Wallace. Kans.,

where he learned telegraphy. Later he was
advanced to the position of foreman of the
mason construction and building department
of two divisions, extending from Brookville
to Denver, a distance of 439 miles.
In 1882 Mr. Bower retumed to Berwick to
l)e married and he has since made this borough
his home.
He has been engaged in masonry
and plastering as a contractor, and his comprehensive experience and competency have been

some of the largest
the business.
Among
these may be mentioned the Opera House at
Berwick the residence of C. R. \\'oodin, at
Berwick Heights the wheel foundry of the
Jackson & Woodin Company the residence of
the

means of

local

his receiving

contracts

let

;

Evans, and numerous other fine structures in the borough and vicinity. Mr. Bower
has firmly established himself in the confidence and esteem of the people of his comJ.

munity through the exercise of honesty, inand honorable dealing, and merits the
place he holds as a progressive, enterprising
and public-spirited citizen.
On Jan. 3, 1882. Mr. Bower Avas united in
marriage with Hattie Suit, daughter of James
Suit, of Berwick. Pa., and to this union there
have been born the following children
Odell
S.. born Sept. 3. 1883. now a resident of Salem
township. Luzerne county Randall, bom in
December. 1884 Blanche, bom Oct. 24, 1886.
now the wife of Charles F. Walp; Ralph bom
tegrity

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

molding department and worked until he completed his trade and attained the skill neces-

May 17, 1888; one child who died in infancy;
Arthur, deceased, born Feb. 7, 1891 Martha,
born June 24, 1892; and Lewis, born Nov. 18,
;

About this time the Civil
sary in this line.
war broke out and Mr. Trego was one of the

1893.

patriotic

through a

connection include membership in the Patriotic Order Sons of America
the Knights of the Golden Eagle, of which he
the Knights of Malta, in which
is a past chief
affiliations in this

;

South
Antietam,
Fredericksburg and
Mountain. With his regiment he went then
to Hampton Roads and on to Richmond, where

;

was born
July

was sent to relieve Washington
and from there Mr. Trego went to Harrisburg, where he was honorably discharged.

the regiment

Elks.'

WILLIAM

city,

TREGO,

He
late of

Berwick,

at Milton, Northumberland Co., Pa.,
841, son of Eli and Maria Caroline

(Kanuske) Trego.
Eli Trego was born

at Milton, in Northumberland county, Pa. He was an early settler
at Milton, that county, engaging in a manufacturing business there. Later he established
a foundry at Rolston, Pa., in association wdth
his three brothers and they built a railroad
with wooden rails that was operated near
later he built another
Still
Williamsport.
foundry at Milton and there manufactured all
kinds of machinery, conducting that business
Afterwards he moved to
for several years.
Reading, where both he and wife died. Eli
Trego was a man of considerable consequence
At one time he was a memin Pennsylvania.
ber of the State militia, served on the staff of
Governor Pollock, and was otherwise active in

public afifairs. He w^as prominent also in the
fraternal order of Odd Fellows. At Reading
he was married to Alaria Caroline Kanuske,

who was born

Germany and accompanied
Her father, w^ho

her parents to America.

a minister, settled at Reading, Pa., and
The family moved then to Mildied there.
ton.
There were eight children born to Eli
Trego and his wife, namely: Celia is the wife
of P. C. Nice, of Reading; William H. is mentioned below; EH M. is a resident of Berwick;
Charles is living in the Soldiers' Home at Danville. 111.
John is deceased Verdilla M. is the
wife of F. H. Deener, of Elizabeth, N. J.
Mary is deceased one died in infancy.
William H. Trego obtained his education
in the schools of Milton and attended high
school for a time, afterwards working for

was

;

father in the molding department of his
Later
foundry, learning the trade.
he entered the machine shop, where he worked
for two years, and then went back into the
his

father's

first

he is a past commander; and Bloomsburg
Lodge, No. 436, Benevolent and Protective

Order of

young men

to enlist early, serving
enlistment of eighteen months
in Company E, 131st Pennsylvania \'olunteer
Infantry, under Capt. I. B. Davis, of Milton.
During this time he took part in the battles

Mr. Bower is a Democrat in pohtical matand in rehgious faith is a Methodist. He
widely knowai in fraternal circles, and his

ters,
is

829

then returned

home

to Milton, but entered

on a second enlistment at Williamsport, becoming a member of Company B, 7th Pennsylvania

Cavalry.

He saw

active

service

through Kentucky, Tennessee and other
Southern States until the close of the war in
1865, w^ien he was again honorably discharged,
at Harrisburg. His regiments were connected
with the Army of the Potomac and the Army
He again returned to
of the Cumberland.
Milton and resumed work at his trade, which
he continued for several years, after which
he lived more or less retired on account of
his long
disability caused by exposure during
service as a soldier. He received a pension of
In 1903
fifty dollars a month on this account.
he moved to Berwick, where he resided with
his brother, at No. 213 Jackson street, until

He had proi>erty
his death. March 15. 1914.
interests at Milton, Pa., where he was buried.
Mr. Trego was married

Northumberland

county to Alice Riland, of that county, a
daughter of Samuel Riland, who lived in the
Limestone valley, in Northumberland county.
Mrs. Trego died in 1901, leaving no children.
Politically Mr. Trego was a Democrat, but
never accepted any public office. He was a
member of Henry Wilson Post, G. A. R., of
]\Iilton. and like his father before him had
taken much interest in the order of Odd Fellows, and held office in his lodge while living
He was a member of Berwick
at Milton.

Lodge, No. 246, and Berwick Encampment,
No. 48, as well as the Mary Frantz Rebekah
in
Lodge, No. 37, I. O. O. F. He was reared
the Alethodist Episcopal Church, but held
in the Reformed Church of Milton, Pa., at the time of his death.

membership

HENDERSON FRANKLIN BELLES,
is
engaged in farming in Briarcreek
township, Columbia Co., Pa., was born May
187 1, in Fishingcreek township, same
3,

who

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

830

Adam

grandfather of Henderson
was a native of Germany, born Sept.
On coming to the United States he
in Fishingcreek township, Columbia
Belles, the

F. Belles,
25, 1804.
settled

Co., Pa.

engaged

in a variety of

tions, following at different

occupatimes school teach-

in
ing during the winter months and farming
the summer, cabinetmaking and the manufacture of chairs, grain cradles and spinning
At the time of his death, June 28,
wheels.
1878, he owned a property of seventy-five

was carrying on general farming.
married Charlotte Yaple, born Sept. 23,
1810, died June 8, 1870, and they had the following children
Julianne Louise, born July

acres and

of Henry Sitler and lives
Berwick George Washington, born July
31, 1835, married Annie Yaple, and both are
deceased; Savilla, born Jan. 24, 1839, married
William Royer, of Plymouth, Pa. John, of
Omaha, Nebr., born Sept. 7, 1841, married
Mary Lockard, who is deceased E)aniel, born
April 22, 1844, married Rebecca Kline; Andrew J., born Sept. 3, 1846, married Mary
Zeluff; Isaac, born Feb. 27, 1849, married
Frances Santee, and resides at Berwick Mary
Jeanette, born Feb. 12, 1851, died Dec. 27.
1856; FrankHn, born May 18, 1854, married
Henrietta
Rebecca Wylie and
(second)
Crease, and is living in New Jersey.
Mr. Belles, the father, was a Democrat in
He and his wife were consistent
politics.
members of the United Evangelical Association, belonging to the church located between
Bendertown and Columbus, in Fishingcreek
township, and both were buried at the Belles
graveyard in that township.
Andrew J. Belles, son of Adam Belles, and
father of Henderson F. Belles, was born Sept.
3, 1846, in Fishingcreek township, Columbia
Co., Pa., and received his education in the
7,

1833,

the

widow

;

He worked with his father
he was thirty-one years of age, and in
the meantime learned the carpenter's and
stonemason's trades. For twenty years after
his father's death he operated the old homestead farm. Although advanced in years he
public schools.

until

is still active, and is
following the trade of
carpenter and doing a prosperous business.
Democrat, he has taken a hand in local
political affairs, and has served his township
as judge and inspector of elections. He and
his wife attend the Methodist Church of Berwick, where they make their home.
Mr.

Belles married Miss

born

county, daughter of .William and
Rebecca (Price) Zeluff, and to this union
there have been born the following children:
Jennie, who married John Sutton Olen and
Otis, twins, the former of whom married Lily
Eveland and lives at Berwick, while the latter
died when five months old; Pearl, who married Walter Leteer, of Philadelphia
Elmer,
who lives at home and Henderson F.

Andrew Jackson and Mary umberland

county, son of
(Zeluff) Belles.

Mary

Zeluff,

who was

January, 1845, "ear Paxinos, North-

;

Henderson F. Belles, son of Andrew J.
was educated in the schools of Benton
township, which he attended until he reached
the age of sixteen years. At that time he entered the employ of John Belles, for whom he
worked eleven years. He then purchased a
farm of thirty-eight acres, located in Benton
township, but two years later disposed of this
he
property and located in Berwick, where
became a car-builder for the American Car
He invested his
and Foundry Company.
which
capital in a house and two building lots,
he subsequently sold at a good profit, and came
to Briarcreek township, where he bought his
cultipresent farm of 108 acres, which he has
vated to the present time with a full measure
Belles,

of success. In political matters he is a Democrat and socially belongs to the Protected
consistent member of the
Home Circle.

Methodist Church, he was formerly a Sunday
school teacher and superintendent of the Sunat
day school of the Presbyterian Church
Raven Creek, Benton township.
Mr. Belles married Irene Shultz, who was

born July 17, 1877, in Sugarloaf township,
Columbia Co., Pa., daughter of Stratton and
Catherine (Cole) Shultz, of that township.
Mrs. Belles was educated in the public schools
of her native township, and resided with her
parents until the time of her marriage. Like
her husband she is a member of the Protected
1 tome
Circle, and takes much interest in its
work, as she does also in the movements and
Mr. and
activities of the Methodist Church.
Mrs. Belles have had the following children:
Stanley C, born March 29, 1897; Hazel F.,
born Sept. 21, 1899; Glen, born Aug. 21, 1901
Donovan, born Aug. 9. 1904 Mary Catherine,
born June 8, 1906; Martha, born Sept. 4,
1907; and Gertrude, born Sept. 14. 191 1.
Philip Shultz. the great-grandfather of Mrs.
Belles, came of German stock, and was born
From that
at Rohrsburg, Columbia Co., Pa.
place he removed to Benton township, where
he purchased a farm of fifty acres, and was
engaged in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. He was a Democrat in
;

;

and in religion a faithful
the Methodist Protestant Church.

politics,

member

His wife

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

831

died when Mrs. Belles was an infant. They
were the parents of children as follows
Elias, who was twice married; Daniel, deceased; Anna, deceased, who was the wife of
Russell, deceased, who marJoseph Hess
ried Catherine Beishline
Henry, deceased,
who married Amanda Lutz Jane, deceased,
who married Rev. Dyer Moss; Hannah, who
married James Kough (deceased) and (second) Alvin Carmen (deceased) Peter, who
and
married Sabra Gearhart,
deceased;

Benton township. They became the parents
of five children, namely: Irene, who married
Mr. Belles Eva, who married Milford LauWillis, who married
bach, of Coles Creek
Adeline Pless, of Summer Plill Thomas Elroy, who married Lula Baker, of Benton
township; and Pearl, who resides with her

Wheeler.

that

Wheeler Shultz, son of Philip Shultz, and
grandfather of Mrs. Belles, was educated in
the schools of Benton township. At the time
of his marriage he rented a farm, on which
he and his wife commenced housekeeping,
and later he purchased a tract of fifty acres
located in the midst of the woods, cleared and
developed it. This became the Shultz home-

much

;

stead

place.

died

the

faith

the

Methodist Protestant Church, and was laid
to rest in the cemetery at Cambra, in Pine
Creek township. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army, and served valiantly
during an enlistment of three years. In political opinion he was a Democrat, and for a long
period he served his township as a school
Wheeler Shultz married Harriet
director.
Carmen, who was born in 1826, in New York
State, and died in January, 1902, and they

became the parents of nine children, among
whom were Stratton, the father of Mrs.
Belles; Emily, who married the late Milton
Eves, of Millville, Pa. Edith, who married
Jasper Kitchen, of Savage Hill, Rohrsburg,
Pa. Alice, who married George Wagner, of
Orangeville, Pa. and Miles, who died at the
age of nineteen years.
Stratton Shultz, son of Wheeler Shultz. and
father of Mrs. Belles, was born July 26, 1855,
;

;

township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
in the public schools, and
has been a farmer all his life. At the time of
his father's death he inherited his present
property, which he has brought to a high state
of cultivation. He is a Democrat in politics,
although not active therein. He has always
been an active worker in church affairs, has
held various ofificial positions in the congregation of the Methodist Protestant denomination, and at this time is class leader, and superintendent of the Sunday school, which he reorganized after it had been so run down as to
almost cease. Mr. Shultz married Catherine
in

Sugarloaf

was there educated

Cole, who was born July 2,
Thomas and Sarah (Hess)

Nov.

28,

91 2, and

was

1855, daughter of
Cole, and she died
buried at Raven Creek,

;

parents.

WILLIAM MILTON BREDBENNER,
now

living retired at Berwick, first came to
in 1854 and has resided there

borough

of the time since.

a native of

Beaver Valley, Columbia county, born Oct. 30,
1845, son of Levi Bredbenner.
Levi Bredbenner, born in 1820, died in
1892, was a native of Scotch Valley, Columbia

He was engaged in boating, making
Pittston to Baltimore, and in his
from
trips
later years hauled produce from Berwick and
the adjoining territory to Hazleton, Jeddo and
other mining districts. He first came to BerAbout 1839 he married
wick about 1846.
Leah Sarley, of Bucks county, who was born
in
1820, daughter of Henry and Sarah
(Weiss) Sarley, and died in 1903 at Berwick.
She is buried in Pine Grove cemetery. They
were the parents of eight children: John marcounty.

Emma married William
ried Mary Rough
Howie William Milton married Gorilla Ruth
;

;

Sarah married Nathan Yohey; Rachel married Thomas Silver; Isaac, W'ilson and Edward died young, and are buried in Pine
Grove cemetery at Berwick.
William Milton Bredbenner attended the
old Market Street Academy at Berwick durhis boyhood.
lived on a farm in

ing

Columbia

Subsequently the family
Pleasant township,
for four years, and he

Mount

county,

the agricultural work and
assisted his father, who was then boating on
the Pennsylvania canal, being thus engaged
until 1864. That year he enlisted in Company
Regiment, Pennsylvania \^olunteers,

helped at

home with

B, 194th
from
serving under Capt. John A. Wenner,
Harrisin
was
He
discharged
Harrisburg.
home began
burg, 1864, in July, and returning
to learn the shoemaker's trade at Nescopeck,
Luzerne county. He continued to follow it
until incapacitated by illness, and in 1896 entered the general grocery business at Berwick,
in which
building up a good trade in that line,
he remained until his retirement, in 1905. He
has been a prominent member of the Methodist Church, serving on the official board, and
G.
belongs to C. G. Jackson Post, No. 159,
A. R. Politically he is a Progressive.
Mr. Bredbenner married Gorilla Ruth, of

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

832

Berwick, and they have had four children:
Fannie married John Calvin Styles, and they
have one child,' Ethel; George, who died
Beryoung, is buried in Pine Grove cemetery,
wick; Frank, deceased (he is buried in Pine
Grove cemetery), married Rosie Walker and
had one child, Lois; Miles S. is mentioned
below.

of Mr. and Mrs. Bredbenner are

born

May

1904.
13, 1906.
4,

Jack H.,

and Byron William, born

Mr. Bredbenner is a Republican in political
and is a member of the Methodist

belief

Church. He is a member of Knapp Lodge,
No. 462, F. & A. M., of which he is a past
master, and now serving as trustee is a member of the ^Masonic Club of Berwick; and of
;

George Ruth, father of Mrs. William M.
Bredbenner, was born in 1810, and died in
His wife, Sarah (Shellhammer), born

1885.
1822, died in

They are buried in
1900.
Their daughter, GoPine Grove cemetery.
rilla, married William Milton Bredbenner.
Philip Shellhammer, father of Mrs. George
Ruth, married Margaret Wolf about 1795,
and they located in the Black Creek valley.
in

people, a thrifty and prosMr.
and
Shellhammer, in conperous couple,
nection with John Barnes, was instrumental in
the building of the First Methodist Church

They were farming

in the valley, providing a home for itinerant
ministers. "Father" Barnes, as he was known,
was the father of Rev. Samuel Barnes, a most
influential minister

and presiding elder

in cen-

Of the children born to
Pennsylvania.
Philip and Margaret (Wolf) Shellhammer.
Abraham, the eldest son, enlisted for service
in the Civil war and is supposed to have been
killed in the battle of the Wilderness, as no
The rest
trace of him was had afterwards.
of the family married and some located in the
Western States, some in the valley where they
were born. Mrs. Sarah Ruth came to Berwick, where she resided until her death in
One son married Eliza Barnes, sister
1900.
of Rev. Samuel Barnes, and they lived in

tral

Black Creek and Conyngham, Pennsylvania.

Miles Seward Bredbenner, teller of the
Bank of Berwick, was born in

First National

Berwick April

20, 1881.

received his edu-

cation in the public schools and at Wyoming
vSeminary, Kingston, Pa., where he was gradOn his
uated, taking the commercial course.
return home he entered the employment of
Sherman & Woodin in the malleable iron

and was made timekeeper and paymaster, remaining in the position for one and
a half years. In the early part of 1904 he became a clerk in the First National Bank and

plant,

has been gradually promoted to his present
He is married to Ethel May
position.
Stookey, w^ho was born in Buffalo, N. Y., ]\Iay

daughter of Byron E. and Isabel
(Keefer) Stookey. who were natives of
Luzerne county. The father, who is now deceased, was a railroad engineer. Mrs. Stookcv
is still living, at Kingston, Pa.
The children
2Q, 1882, a

Susquehanna Commandery, No. 18, Knights
Alalta. Berwick, of which he is a past
commander.
of

LLOYD

P. STERNER, of Bloomsfor
super\'ising principal of
many
years
burg,
the public schools of that borough, now district superintendent of Bloomsburg, has been
in educational work all his active life and held

PROF.

former position over twenty years. Born
Nov. 3, 1858, near Orangeville, Columbia
county, he belongs to a family of German
origin whose earlier representatives in this
country lived in Berks and Lehigh counties,

his

Pa., Professor Sterner's grandfather being the
of the family to come to Columbia county.
Sterner, the grandfather, was born in

first

John

Berks county, Pa., and was a young man when
he came to Columbia county, settling near
Orangeville, where he lived and died. By occupation he was a farmer. His children were
Benjamin. William, Henry, John, Margaret,
Catherine and Elizabeth.
:

John Sterner, the Professor's

father, ^yas

born near Orangeville, and followed farming

He was a shoeas his principal occupation.
maker, and worked at his trade for some time.

married

Elizabeth

John,

daughter

George and Martha (Mears) John, and they
are buried at Orangeville. They were the parents of children as follows:

George. James,
Wilbur, Lloyd P.. Alice, Caroline, Margaret,
Esther and (Zatherine.
Lloyd P. Sterner began his education in
public schools and later attended Orangeville
Academy. Then he taught public school in
Columbia county for three terms before becoming a student at Lafayette College, Easton.
Pa., after which he was an instructor for two
years in the academy at New Columbus, LuHis next position was in the
zerne county.
Orangeville Academy, where he taught one
year, in the fall of 1889 coming to Bloomsburg,
where he has since been associated with public
school work. He began as assistant principal,

and two years later became supervising principal, which position he filled continuously until July 14, T914, when he was elected district
superintendent for a term of four years. The

'uT^L^y^

TILDF

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
length of his service alone would indicate the
high value placed upon his work by all concerned in its efficiency. In 1892 he graduated
the first class from the Bloomsburg high school,
During his long
consisting of eight girls.
connection with educational work in the
borough he has seen many improvements in
methods and ideas, and has brought about
many of the important changes through his
own efforts, for he has been heart and soul
in his work, and has endeavored to maintain
Personally, he has the unhigh standards.
qualified respect of his associates and his fellow citizens in every walk of life.
On July 6, 1898, Professor Sterner was
married to Nora M. Finney, daughter of

David and Margaret (Gearringer) Finney.
The Finneys are an old Pennsylvania family

Some

of its members took
Revolutionary war, and
Mrs. Sterner is a prominent member of Fort
McClure Chapter, D. A. R. She is also connected with the old Fulton family, and in
recognition of the relationship was a guest at
the PIudson-Fulton celebration held in September, 191 1, at New York City. Professor
Sterner is a Mason, a past master of Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., of Bloomsburg. In politics he is independent. In religion he is a member of the Presbyterian
Church. To Professor and Mrs. Sterner have
been born three children: Robert Fulton,
Alice Parvin and James Hervey.
Through his mother Professor Sterner is a
member of the John family, a descendant of
Isaac John, who was one of the pioneer settlers
of Columbia county, having located in Main

of Scotch descent.

an active part

in the

township in 1778. He purchased a large tract
of land, which was covered by a dense forest,
felled trees and built a log cabin. He cleared
part of the farm and engaged in the cultivation
of the soil the rest of his active days. He married Margaret Brong, and they reared the fol-

lowing children
Jacob, Abraham, Isaac,
David, George, and five daughters.
Abraham John was reared on his father's
:

farm

Main township and

assisted his father

about the old homestead. He was
married to Mary Flick, who bore him a family of seven children, namely: Stacy, George,
Hiram, Lovina, Angeline, Mary A. and
in the labors

Sarah

George John, father of Mrs. John Sterner,
married Martha Alears, and they were the
parents of the following children
Jane married James Grimes
Elizabeth married John
:

;

833

Sterner; Martha married Samuel White; Caroline married John De Witt;
Mary married
Isaac McKamey.

HERVEY EDMUND DIEFFENBACH,
the largest dealer in natural ice in Bloomsburg, Pa., was born in that town Oct. 18, 1865,
and is a son of Jacob Dieffenbach. The family is

descended from Conrad Dieffenbach, one

of the earliest of the sturdy
in Columbia county.

Germans

to settle

Leonhard Dieff'enbacher, a native of Eppingen. Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, was
the ancestor of the family in Columljia
county. He and his wife, Anna Martha, had
several children, of whom Conrad was one.
The name has been altered by his descendants
in America, who have dropped the terminal
"er."

Conrad Dieffenbacher was born

Eppin-

gen, March i, 1743, and after the completion
of his education came to America on the ship
"Richmond," landing at Philadelphia Oct. 20,
1764. He settled in the Fulhomer Swamp, in

Limerick township,

what

now Montgom-

ery county, Pa., w^here he married Catherine
Betz on Jan. 30, 1769, and their children

were: Abraham, born Nov. 16, 1769; John,
July 13, 1771 Frederick, May 4, 1773; Jacob,
Nov. 19, 1775; Philip, Feb. 3, 1778; Henry,
Jan. 31, 1780; Elizabeth, May 11, 1782; Conrad, Feb. 15, 1785; Catherine, May 20, 1787;
David, June 17, 1789; and Susannah, Aug. 31,
1
79 1. He moved to Derry township, Northumberland county, in April, 1793, and there
his wife Catherine died Jan. 3, 1809. Later he
moved to Washingtonville, and there married
Catherine Haas. He died Aug. 6, 1813.
;

Henry Dieffenbach, born in Montgomery
county Jan. 31, 1780, died June i, 1870. He
was a farmer, and resided in W^ashingtonNorthumberland county.

then in

ville,

Susannah, daughter of Jacob and
Mary C. (Gortner) Hill, the former a soldier
in the Revolution and later promoted to captain.
Mrs. Susannah Dieft'enbach died July 5,
Her children were:
David, who
1848.
married Elizabeth Truckenmiller Solomon
Christina, wife of John Springer; Sarah, wife
of Samuel Heater; Catherine, wife of Abraham Cooper: Hannah, wife of John Moyer;
Elizabeth, wife of Christopher Raupp Jacob,
who married Martha A. Funston; Leah, wife
of John Sidler; Susannah, wife of Charles
Truckenmiller
Aaron, who married Jane
Daw and Henry, who married Sarah E.

married

;

Hagenbuch.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COU'NTIES

834

Jacob Diefifenbach, father of Hervey E.,
was born Aug. 2^, 1818, near Washingtonville, Northumberland
county, and died in
Bloomsburg Alay 4, 1898. He was a farmer
and resided on the State road, between Jersey town and White Hall, and in 1854 moved
to Bloomsburg and bought what is now the
He moved into the
Dieffenbach Addition.
He married Martha A.
addition in i860.
Funston, who was born at Jerseytown, Jan.
19, 1827, daughter of Thomas A. and Hannah
(Schooley) Funston, and died in Bloomsburg
Sarah
Dec. 29, 1902. Their children were
:

Adeline, born Oct. 16, 1847, married Charles
A. Knorr; Susan Blanche, born ]\Iay 3, 1850,
died Sept. 21, 1852; Alvin Hill, born May 7,
1853, died July 22, 1859; Emma Jane, born
Jan. 13, 1856, died ^larch 2, 1856; Clara
Adelia was born March 14, 1857; -Martha
Elizabeth, born April 4, i860, died May 4,
1896; Henry Funston, born Oct. 25, 1862,
married Laura B. Dieterich Hervey Edmund
Harriet Hannah, born
is mentioned below
Dec. 4, 1869, married O. T. Weidman.
Hervey E. Dieffenbach attended the 'Tort
Noble" school at Bloomsburg, then went to
the old Academy, later to the Fifth street
school, to the Normal school, and finally
to the West Third street school.
He then
;

;

packing in their storehouses.
Generally the
supply of natural ice is sufficient for their
trade, but of late years it has been found necessary to import
to

Mount Pocono

natural ice

keep up with the rapidly growing patron-

age.

Mr. Dieffenbach

Democrat

in political

but has not sought or held office.
He was reared under the discipline of the
Reformed Church, but now attends the United
Evangelical. He is a charter member of Theta
Castle, No. 276, Knights of the Golden Eagle,
of Bloomsburg.
George Edmund Dieft'enbach, son of Hervey E., graduated from the Bloomsburg high
school and then took a thorough business
course in Garner's business college, Harrisburg, Pa. Since graduation he has been employed in the office of the superintendent of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Haraffiliation,

risburg.

Mrs. Jennie C. (Rhoads) Dieft'enbach was
born in Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 19, 1869, and
obtained her education at the Harris Park
school.
She remained at home until her marriage.

Lewis Rhoads, grandfather of Mrs. Dieffenwas born Feb. 19, 1820, in Newville,
Cumberland Co., Pa. His father, Lewis
went to live on his father's farm and Rhoads, was a native of Reading, Pa., and a
assisted him in the manufacture of brooms, well-to-do contractor, having built numerous
his
father
being the. largest maker of houses in that city. His wife was an Oberbrooms in the county. After this he was en- sheim. Lewis, Jr., received a common school
gaged in selling tea for about five years, when education and learned the trade of carpenhe sold the business.
On July i, 1891. he ter. He also worked in sawmills. Moving
married Jennie C. Rhoads, daughter of George to New Cumberland, Cumberland county, he
W. and Alary Anna (Long) Rhoads, of Har- engaged in contracting until his death, in Derisburg, and they had these children
George cember. 1879. He married Catherine Dock,
Edmund, born Sept. 19, 1892 Oliver Hill, who died June i, 1888, and their children
Sept. 21, 1894; Mary Anna, May 29, 1895; were
George Wilson, mentioned below EdHarriet Jennie, July 20, 1900; Clyde Alarcus, ward Obersheim, who died young and is
Dec. 22, 1902 Jacob Grier. July 28, 1905
buried at Newville
William D., living in
Martha Claire, Feb. 4, 1908; and Frederick Harrisburg; Charles B., residing in Sanford,
Carroll B., ]\Iay 26, 1910.
Fla.
Hannah May, living in Newmarket,
In July, 1 89 1, Mr. Dieffenbach went to Sun- York county; and Eva,
living in Cumberland,
bury to work in the planing mill of \\Mtmer, Pa. Mrs. Rhoads was a daughter of Jacob
Driesbach & Rhodes, and then changed to the Dock, of Philadelphia, and Eliza Bricker, of
Hern don Manufacturing Company's planing Newville.
In 1897 he returned to
mill, at Herndon.
George Wilson Rhoads, father of Mrs.
Bloomsburg and entered the ice business with Dieffenbach. was born Aug. i. 1845. in Newhis brother. Henry F., under the firm name of ville, Cumberland
county, and attended the
Dieffenbach Brothers.
For six years they public schools of that town. At the beginning
continued the partnership, and then Hervey of the Civil war he enlisted in
Company I,
E. assumed entire control.
In 1897 they 28th Regiment, Pennsylvania \'olunteers. unbought five acres of land between Eleventh der General Geary, and at the end of his short
and Fourteenth streets, which is flooded by term reenlisted, in the same
company. Jan. 24,
means of springs, thus guaranteeing a con- 1864, serving until the close of the war. On
bach,

;

stant

supply of pure ice in the winter

for

his return he took

up the trade of carpenter,

COLUMBIA AND AIONTOUR COUNTIES

835

finally entering the

planing mill of Pancake, bury, where he taught school and later bought
where he was made fore- and operated a gristmill. In 181 1
Benjamin
man. He remained in Harrisburg from 1872 Sharpless came to Catawissa, and in
partnerto 1888, during that time serving on the board ship with
John Clark bought the old Shoeof school control, of which he was president maker gristmill. It seems that
Benjamin had
in 1884.
In 1888 he came to Bloomsburg and made a trip to Ohio to see his brother and
took the position of superintendent of desk found him amassing wealth in the manufacwork for the Bloomsburg School Furnishing ture of paper. This induced him to start a
Company. In 1891 he was made superintend- paper mill in Catawissa. With some remodelent of the mill of Witmer, Driesbach & ing the gristmill was adapted to the new
purRhoads, at Sunbury. He served in the State pose and a fine quality of handmade rag paper
This mill was later supplanted
Legislature as representative from Northum- turned out.
berland county for two terms, and is now in by a modern wood pulp mill, built on the same
the office of the secretary of internal affairs, site, but now dismantled.
Benjamin SharpTrullinger

Co.,

tS:

married Hannah Bonsell, also a member

at Harrisburg.

less

Mr. Rhoads married Mary Anna Long,
who was born Sept. i, 1846, daughter of Herman and Mary Anna (Parthermore) Long, of
Middleton, Pa.
They have had children as
follows: Jennie C, born Feb. 19, 1869, wife
of Hervey E. Dieffenbach
and Edgar M.,
born June 5, 1871, who died March 12, 1872.
Mr. Rhoads is a Republican and very active in

of the Society of Friends, and their children
were: Mary Ann, wife of Dr. Wadsworth,
of Catawissa Eliza, who lived to a great age,

;

the party.
Church, of

member

of the Evangelical

which he is steward, and is connected with the Masonic lodge at Harrisburg
;

he, has passed the thirty-second degree.

Hannah Dieffenbach, sister of Herwas married Oct. i, 1890, to Oliver T.
Weidman, and is now a resident of AlinneMr. Weidman is manager of
apolis, Minn.
the catalogue and advertising department of
the Janney-Semple-Hill Company, hardware
dealers, and of the Ideal Sales Company, both
of Alinneapolis. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Weidman have
four children
Martha Estelle, born Aug. 30,
1891, and Margaret Elsie, born Nov. 2, 1893,
both trained nurses Allen LeRoy, born June
and
14, 1895, who is buried at Minneapolis
Ruth Funston, born Sept. 6, 1903, at home.
Harriet

vey

E.,

;

ARTHUR

W. SHARPLESS,

proprietor

Bloomsburg Heating Company, was
born in Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Pa., Sept.
5, 1879, a son of Benjamin F. Sharpless and
of

the

grandson of Joseph Sharpless.
This family is of English descent.
John
Sharpless came from England to America
about two months previous to the settlement
of Pennsylvania by the Quakers, and estab-

home

what is now Chester, Delaware county. He was a member of the SoThe next
ciety of Friends, as was his wife.
lished his

member

of the family of

whom

there

record

was Benjamin, a great-grandson of Joseph
Sharpless, who was born in Chester county in
1764 and died in 1857. \A'hen a young man
he crossed the mountains and settled in Sun-

;

unmarried; Edward, who married Betsey
Roth and (second) Nancy Pancoast, of
Alarion, Ohio; William, three times married,
who resided in Catawissa Joseph, who married Mary E. Foster; John, married to Sally
A. Harder; Harriet, wife of George Reifsnyder Sarah, wife of Louis Yetter Kersev,
who married ]\Iary M. Harder; and two children who died in infancy.
Joseph Sharpless, grandfather of Arthur
W., was born Dec. 6, 1808, in Catawissa, and
learned papermaking with his father. He remained in his father's mill until his twentysixth year, when he went into business on his
own account at Bloomsburg.
For thirty
years he operated the Sharpless Foundry,
finally selling to his son and retiring. He died
March 12, 1900. He was a Republican, and
served as a member of the council and school
director. By his wife Mary E. (Foster), who
was born July 18, 181 7, and died April 23,
Harriet R. was
1901, he had nine children:
born Feb. 23. 1837; Lloyd T., born ^^larch 18,
1839, married Hattie Wagenseller; Benjamin
F. is mentioned below; Loretta A., born Jan.
4,
1843, married Jefferson ^^anderslice, of
Ford county, Kans. Clara, born Nov. 12,
1844, died April 4, 1849; Elizabeth A., born
Sept. 7, 1846, married Wesley Eyer, of
Bloomsburg Araminta E., born Nov. 24,
1848, married Jasper Wilson
Mary Ellen,
born Oct. 16, 1852, died Sept. 9, 1855 and
Harry F., born Oct. 4, 1863, lived in Ford
county, Kansas.
Benjamin F. Sharpless, father of Arthur
W., was born May 22, 1841, in Locust townAt the age of twenty-one he enlisted in
ship.
Company A, 6th Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, was sent to the front, and participated
in the following engagements
Dranesville^
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

836

Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, FredNew
ericksburg, Gettysburg, Bristoe's Station,
Hope Church, and the battles of the Wilderness. He was mustered out on June 13, 1864,
returned to Bloomsburg, and learned the trade
of iron molder. In April, 1868, he formed the
firm of Sharpless & Harman, and bought the
Three years
old Joseph Sharpless foundry.
later the firm dissolved and Mr. Sharpless
conducted the business alone under the name
of the Eagle Iron Works. In 1866 he married
of
Sophia, daughter of Charles Hartman,
children:
four
had
and
they
Catawissa,

L.. Charles H., Ray F. and Arthur W.
Mr. Sharpless was a member of the Methodist
Church and in politics a Republican.
Arthur W. Sharpless was educated in the
attended
of
schools
Bloomsburg,
public
Chafifee's Phonographic Institute, Oswego, N.
Y.. and took a course in bookkeeping in the
Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie,
N. Y. He held the position of stenographer
with the B. F. Goodrich Company, Akron,
Ohio, in 1900, and then returned to Blooms-

Joseph

burg

open a brokerage

office.

Later he be-

Jeremiah Franklin Hertz, son of John, was
born in Dauphin county, Pa., and died at Berwick, Columbia county, April 21, 1904, aged
seventy-two years. He enlisted in the Union

army

Regiment,

member

Pennsylvania

Company C, i6th
\'olunteers, which
at Alechanicsburg,

company was recruited
Cumberland Co., Pa., by Capt. Jacob Dorsheimer, and was mustered in April 20, 1861,
It was the first
for three years, or the war.
company in Pennsylvania that volunteered for
the long term.
After the war closed Mr.
Hertz returned to this place, later moving to
Beach Haven, and subsequently to Berwick,
where for twenty-five years he engaged in
He married
business as a merchant tailor.
Elizabeth Donnelly Hart, who died at Beach
Haven, Pa., Aug. 29. 1877, aged thirty-one
William
vears, the mother of four children
Frank, who died in the Klondike gold
J.
"fields, having been one of the earliest prospectors on the Yukon river and president of a
mining company (he was so favorably known
in Masonic circles and elsewhere that noted
:

;

men

officiated as his pall bearers,

one of these

came manager of the steam heating plant of being the late Joaquin ^liller, the poet)
the Bloomsburg Heating Company, and in Clara, who died at the age of fifteen years;
1907 purchased the entire plant. Under his and Charles, who died in the city of Washskillful management a large patronage has ington. D. C, when fifteen years old.
;

been acquired, and he has exerted himself to
give thorough satisfaction to his customers,
besides building up the plant mechanically.
On July 10. 1905, Mr. Sharpless married
Carrie R.^ daughter of Frederick and Jessie
Smith, of Catawissa, and they have had two
Helen Louise, who died young,
children
:

and Phyllis Elenore, born Aug. 10, 1909. Mr.
Sharpless is a RepubHcan, but has never held
office.

In religion he

a Methodist.

Jacob Hart, the maternal great-grandfather
of William J. Hertz, came from Lancaster
county. Pa., was one of the early settlers of
Wilkes-Barre, and was sheriff of Luzerne
county. He was one of the first men to boat
coal

was

WILLIAM

HERTZ,

photographer, of

Berwick, Columbia county, was born at Beach
Haven, Pa., a son of Jeremiah Franklin and
Elizabeth Donnelly (Hart) Hertz.
In the early part of the nineteenth century
three Hertz brothers came from the Hartz
mountains, in Germany, and settled in Dauphin county, Pa., and there John Hertz, the
grandfather of William J. Hertz, was born.
As a young man he entered upon business life,
but later he became a minister of the Evangelical Church, and moved to Snyder county,
where he lived into old age. He had the folCatherine Priscilla Jerelowing children
miah Franklin; Elijah, and Rev. John. He
died at the age of eighty-five and his wife died
at the age of seventy-six. They are buried at
:

;

Richfield, Juniata county, Pennsylvania.

down

the

Susquehanna

river.

He and

wife are buried at Wilkes-Iiarre.
William Montgomery Hart, son of Jacob,
was born in Lancaster. Pa., Sept. 16, 1792.
The family moved to Wilkes-Barre when he

his

now

a small boy, the home being at what is
the corner of Northampton and Wash-

ington streets. He served in the war of 1812,
and also in the Florida and Indian wars. He
held several public offices in Luzerne county,

was

elected to the General Assembly, and followed politics the greater part of his life. He
was engaged in the coal business at \\'ilkesBarre and Pittston, and was the owner of
the Hart farm near Wapwallopen, Luzerne

county, but never operated it himself. He was
a lover of fine trotting horses. Mr. Hart was
a member of the Baltimore Company, operating boats on the old Pennsylvania canal, and
was one of the first in that business. On Jan.
22. 1828. at Beach Grove, he was married to
Eliza Parmilla Myers, who was born in Sunbury. Pa., and they had the following children: Elizabeth Donnelly died Aug. 31. 1877;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Martha Grant died July i8, 1880; Agnes Ann
died July 27, 1896; Orlando Porter died Oct.
24, 1892; Mrs. Frances E. Scott is now residLate in life Mr.
ing in Washington, D. C.
Hart moved to his farm near Wapwallopen,
where he died Sept. 6, 1849. He was buried
with military honors at Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
His wife is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery,
Berwick. In politics Mr. Hart was a Democrat.

He was
and

member

of the Masonic fra-

and

wife were
members of the Presbyterian Church.
William J. Hertz passed his childhood days
at Beach Haven and at Washington, D. C.,
ternity,

both

his

attending school at Beach Haven, and later
became a student in the public schools at Berwick. From boyhood he has been interested
in photographic work, and as early as he could

make arrangements began

training in this
line, completing a course in the studio of Harvey & McKillip, of Bloomsburg, well known
He also took a course in
photographers.
photography under Reutelinger, of Paris. In
1885 he embarked in business for himself at
Berwick, and is now one of the oldest photogMoreover, he has deraphers in the place.
veloped artistic talent along other lines, and
is a decorator of some note.

Mr. Hertz married Mary Louisa Wilson,

who was born

Berwick, Pa., a daughter of
Dr. James and Elizabeth (Macartney) Wilat

son.

Dr. James Wilson, father of Mrs. Hertz,
located at Berwick in early manhood and entered into medical practice there, which he
continued until his death, in 1865. He married Elizabeth Macartney, who was born in
Virginia, and died at Berwick, Pa., in 1897.
She was a daughter of Rev. Francis Macartney, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, at Baltimore, Md., and he was a
brother of Lord Macartney, whose home was
in London, England.
Mrs. Hertz is one of
two children born to her parents.
Her
younger sister, Gertrude, is the wife of Leroy
Wolf, a merchant in Luzerne, Luzerne county,

Pennsylvania.

Mr. Hertz

member

of the State and

National Photographic Associations, and of
the Brush and Lens Club of Boston, Mass.
Mrs. Hertz is a member of the Presbyterian
Church at Berwick.

The Waltons

are of Scotch ancestry, and
grandfather of Harry E.
Walton, was a native of Luzerne county,
Joseph Walton, the great-grandfather, died

Enoch

Aug.

Walton,

185 1, aged seventy-five years, eight
He was a member of the Society of
Friends. He entered and cleared the land on
3,

months.

which

his

WALTON,

who

conducts an
embalming and undertaking establishment on
Second street, in Berwick, was born in Salem
township, Luzerne Co., Pa., July 8, 1865, son
of the late Rev. Morris Walton.
E.

grandson.

Rev.

Morris

Walton

died.

Enoch Walton was born Nov. 29, 1805, i^
Salem township, Luzerne county, and lived
and died there, owning and operating a farm
of 120 acres at Beach Grove. He engaged in
general farming, and was very prosperous,
owning five hundred acres, all ia Luzerne
county. His death occurred Nov. 24, 1885, on
the farm on which he always lived. His first
wife, Juliann

and

his second

17,

(Lunger), died Jan. 29, 1834,
marriage was to Rachel Gar-

born March 22, 181 1, who died Aug.
Three children were born to the

rison,

1887.

union:

Joseph, Feb. 14, 1830; Anna,
1832; and Ellis, Sept. 15, 1833. By the
second marriage there were five:
Morris,

first

Jan.

born June 9, 1837; Almira, Aug. 17, 1841
Rosanna, Nov. i, 1843 (died Aug. 3, 1851);
Mary Jane, July 6, 1847 (died July 21, 1850)
George E., May 9, 1854. Ellis and George
;

;

are the only survivors of the family,
Morris Walton, born June 9, 1837, followed
farming, living on his father's 120-acre tract
above Beach Haven, all of which was cleared
and under cultivation. He continued to enin general agriculture until about twentynine years old, when he became a minister of
the Evangelical Association, preaching on the
Columbia circuit. His wife, Rosanna Caroline
(Kline), born Oct. 4, 1836, was a daughter of
George and Sophia (Malthaner) Kline, both
Three
of whom were natives of Germany.
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morris
Walton
Sarah Alice, born Dec. 3, i860,
Mrs. Riley L. Kline Charles N., born May 8,

gage

;

1863,

who

lives in

Monroe, N. Y.

and Harry

The father of this
born July 8, 1865.
family died Aug. 6, 1870.
Harry E. Walton came with his mother to
Berwick at the age of seven years and there
obtained what learning he could in the
borough schools, attending up to the age of
twelve. He then started to work for the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, and
E.,

few years started out as a journeyman
carpenter, working at Nanticoke and WilkesBarre, Pa., and Newark, N. J. From 1891 to
1893 he was engaged in contracting in Berwick. He then went to live at Newark, N. J.,
and while there attended the United States
after a

HARRY

837

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

838

College of Embalming, from which he graduated Dec. 12, 1892. Returning to Berwick he
purchased the picture frame and molding business of W. W. Pursell, and in 1895 he bought
out Klintob Brothers' undertaking establishment and has since been engaged in this business exclusively.
On Sept. 6, 1888, Mr. Walton was married
to Jennie Kingsbury, born Eeb. 24, 1868,
daughter of Daniel H. and Esther (Chapin)
Kingsbury; the former died July 4, 1908.
Mrs. Kingsbury is now eighty-two years of
age. Harry E. Walton and his wife have had
children as follows: Fred M., born June 18.
1889, now in the employ of the Alultiplex
Manufacturing Company, of Berwick, married Alargaret Oliver, of Berwick; Eudora,
born Aug. 24, 1891, is a public school teacher
in Berwick; George W., born Oct. 9, 1892, is
a student at Lafayette College; Daniel K.,
born Feb. 15, 1895, is a graduate of Feirce's
Business College and now employed as bookkeeper in Philadelphia; Lena E., born May 28,
1897, and Caroline, born Sept. 28, 1899, are at

home.
Mr. Walton and his family are members of
the United Evangelical Church, in which he
has long been prominent, having served a
number of years as trustee and several years
as superintendent of the Sunday school; at
present he is a class leader. Fraternally he is
a member of Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A.

M., Berwick; Berwick Lodge, No. 246. I. O.
O. F., and the encampment and canton of
that order; Washington Camp, No. 105, P.
O. S. of A., and W. T. Sherman Commanderv,
No. 23, P. O. S. of A. He has served his
fellow citizens nine years upon the school
board, and as burgess for one term.
He is
decidedly independent in politics.

OSCAR

BOWER,

farmer and

fruit

Briarcreek township, not far from
Berwick, was born June 29, 1861, in that
township, son of George M. and Matilda
(Mosteller) Bower.
George M. Bower, the paternal grandfather

grower

Oscar

^l.

Bower,

was born

Berks

county, Pa., Oct. 24, 1781, and died Dec.
1862.

died

Mary,

May

his wife,

25, 1857.

was

He was

bom

in 1782, and
a successful agri-

and spent his last years in Briarcreek
township, Columbia county, where he was the
owner of a valuable tract of land.
George M. Bower, son of George M. and
father of Oscar M. Bower, was born on the
homestead in Briarcreek township, and remained with his father until the latter's death,

culturist,

which time he engaged in huckstering from
Evansville to Hazleton.
During the twentyseven years that he carried on this business he
continued to operate the home property, and
there he is now living a quiet retired Hfe, having reached the remarkable age of ninety-one
years (1913). Mr. Bower has been married
at

twice, his first union being to Matilda

Mos-

daughter of successful farming people
of Berks county. Pa., who had three sons and
teller,

three daughters. She died Sept. 2j, 1871, the
mother of three sons and two daughters,
J., deceased, married Adam
farmer of Briarcreek township,
and had eight children Celestia E., born Feb.
6, 1853, who died July 5, 1888, was the wife
of James L. Stout, of Berwick, who was with
Jackson & Woodin, car builders Pierce W.
died July 13, 1882, aged twenty-seven years;
Norman H., with the American Car & Foundry Company, at Berwick, married Deborah
\\ enner, and had one son, Elvin, born in
1901
Oscar M. completes the family. By his second marriage, to Mary Ann Mosteller, Mr.
Bower had three children
Mattie married C.
C. Whitmire, a farmer of Centre township;
Warren, a farmer of Briarcreek township,
married Bertha Sitler, and has had two children, one of whom died at the age of five

namely

3klichael,

^lary
a

;

years; Gertrude, living at Scranton, Pa., is
the wife of Isaac Jones, a machinist, and has

one child, Ruth.
Oscar M. Bower, son of George M. Bower,
received his education in the local schools, and
his father's farm until twenty-eight
years of age, in the meantime marrying. He
then moved to the farm which he now occupies, and has continued to follow agricultural lines to the present time, although for
fourteen years he worked for the .American
Car and Foundry Company, as a side issue.
He has developed his tract of sixty-four acres
into one of the most valuable of its size in this
locality, and the greater part of it is now devoted to fruit and berries. ^Ir. Bower has
been successful in his ventures because he has
obeyed the laws of industry, perseverance and

worked on

integrity in carrying on his operations, and
because he has ever traveled along a well

defined path.
man of energy and public
spirit, he has cooperated with others in their
eftorts to better the community, and personally he is popular with a wide circle of ac-

quaintances.
On Sept. 26. 1885, Mr. Bower was married
to Mary J. Grasslcy, daughter of Oswald and
Christiana (Nangle) Grassley her fatlier is
a contractor and builder of Briarcreek town;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Thirteen children were in the Grassley
family: Mary J., Lavina E., Matilda, job,
William, Lewis, Isaac, lunanuel, George,
Flora and Laura, twins, Clarence and Elmer.
The parents of ]\Irs. Bower both survive.
Three daughters and two sons have been born
to Mr. and Mrs. Bower, as follows
Cora,
born June 7, 1887, was married June 29, 19 12,
to Fred Saunders, of Berwick, employed by
the American Car and Foundry Company as
Olin Erath,
a machinist, and has one son
born Oct. 16, 1891, married Scott Dietrick,
and has one child, Mary Ellen; Loan Elliott,
born Sept. 28, 1893, died in infancy; Theresa,
born March 16, 1896, married George Pifer;
Jason M. was born March 6, 190 1.
Mr. and Mrs. Bower attend the Evangelical Church, of which he is a trustee, and they
have reared their children in that faith. In
Bower has
political matters a Democrat, Mr.
served as constable for nine years, and at the
present time is an inspector on the election
board.

ship.

;

ORRIN VIRGIL HOUTZ,

one of the
Berwick
of
the
department
managers
Store Company, w^as born in West Buffalo
of

township, L^nion Co., Pa., April 16, 1868. He
is a son of Jacob L. Houtz and grandson of
John Houtz, who was of German ancestry.
John Houtz was a resident of Adamsburg,

Snyder

Co., Pa.,

and was engaged in farming
He and his wife are

during his active life.
buried at Adamsburg.

years at the coach painting trade, also workBeing there as a journeyman for a year.
sides, he learned the trade of decorating and
house painting with E. J. Gutelius, of the
same town. After following his trade in various parts of this State he settled in Johnstown,
two years before the flood of 1889. In 1891
he began business for himself in Johnstown,
contracting, painting, decorating, paper hanging and sign writing. Owing to failing health
he gave up business and returned to Mifflinburg, where he soon started in the same line,
continuing it for five years. He then entered
the store of W. H. Steadman, dealer in wallpaper, stationery, novelty goods, china and
He remained there for two
like articles.
to
years, when, his health failing, he went
Somerset county, residing there till the spring

Regaining his health, he opened a
store at Rockwood, Somerset county, similar
Here he
to the store of W. H. Steadman.
remained until his removal in August, 1906,
to Scranton, where he purchased a business in
one of the suburbs. The coal strike compel-

of 1902.

his store, he came to
ling him to discontinue
Berwick and entered the employ of the Berwick Store Company, and was made buyer
and manager of the department handling wall-

lace curtains
paper, pictures, picture framing,
all draperies, which position he still holds.
On Nov. 28, 1889, Mr. Houtz was married
Frances Benford, daughter of John
to

and

Mary

1833, in

Adamsburg, Snyder county, and was a tanner
He was married to Lydia
all his active life.

Ann Lohr, born Oct. 26, 1838, in Center
county. Pa., a daughter of Jacob Lohr. She
Ida R., rebore him the following children
siding at Williamsport, is the widow of George
Eastman; Alma M. is the wife of Arbor
Katherman, of \\^illiamsport Byron L. marOrrin
ried Lillian Harris, of Norfolk, Va.
Nellie is residing at
A', is next in the family
Williamsport, Pa.; Harriet E. is the wife of
Curtis Foster, of Norfolk, Virginia.
Mr. Houtz was a Republican, and he and
his wife were members of the Methodist
Church. Mr. Houtz died in November, 1907,
from injuries, at the hospital of Williamsport,
and was buried at Mifflinburg. Mrs. Houtz
died at Norfolk, Vr., April 19, 1910, and was
buried by the side of her husband.
Orrin V. Houtz attended the public schools
of Mifflinburg, and while a young man entered the employ of Thomas Gutelius, of that
of .three
place, and served an apprenticeship
:

;

Isabella Catherine (Garey) Benford,
They have one child,
Johnstown, Pa.

H. and
of

Jacob L. Houtz was born July

839

is a
Jan. 8, 1896, who
student at the Moody Bible Institute. Chicago,
musical course.
111., taking the evangelistic

Harry Benford. born

Mr. Houtz is independent in politics. He
served in the official capacities of councilman
and tax collector at New Centerville, SomerHe is a member of the Methodist
set Co., Pa.
Church of Berwick, is now serving as steward,
and has ever taken an active interest in church
He is a memaffairs, wherever he has been.
Modern
No.
11082,
Berwick
ber of
Camp
Woodmen of America, and is a past officer of
that body.

lohn H. Benford, the father of Mrs. Houtz.
born July 8, 1832, and was one of the
He
Pa.
largest contractors of Johnstown,
born
Catherine
Isabelle
April
married
Garey,
ten
26, 1839, and their family consisted of
Mr. Benchildren, of whom seven survive.
Avas

ford

one of the most prominent Masons of

his section.

He was made

Huntington, Pa., and

member

of this lodge.

Royal Arch Chapter

Mason

861 at

1870 was made a

He
at

member

Johnstown;

life

of the
of the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

840

Commandery, Knights Templar, of Johnstown
and of
(of which he is a Hfe member)

efforts of three generations to clear it
For this land he paid $20 an acre, and

Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic

mained on

;

member). PolitiRepublican, and has served

Shrine, Pittsburgh (a
cally he is an active
as councilman.

life

away.
he re-

farm until his death, Jan. 18,
married] Elizabeth Saeger, who
was born Sept. 2, 1773, and they had these
children
David, who married Sarah Siegfried
Daniel, who married Mary Shellhammer John, who married a Miss Evans and
(second) Hester Fleckenstein Solomon, mentioned below
Hannah, wife of David Herring; Mary, wife of Samuel Dreschler and
Susan.
The mother died Aug. i, 1823, and
is buried near the Briarcreek church.
Mr.
Neyhard's second wife was Elizabeth Kolb,
and she is buried at Hidlay Church, in Centre
township. John Christian retired some years
before his death and lived on the old homestead. He was a Democrat, but held no office,
and was a member of the German Reformed
Church.
He is buried at the Briar Church
in Briarcreek township.
Solomon Neyhard, father of Samuel Neyhard, was born May 8, 1799, in Allentown,
Pa. He was reared on the farm and in youth
went to a nearbv town to learn stocking
weavmg. which he followed for ten years.
this

1847.

;

SAMUEL NEYHARD,

late of Bloomsburg, veteran surveyor of Columbia county,
was born June 24, 1833, in Bloom (now Centre) township, at Half Way House, on the

main road between Berwick and Bloomsburg.
He was a son of Solomon Neyhard and grandson of John Christian Neyhard, and the fam-

German extraction.
the Pennsylvania Archives, page 138,
Vol. XVII, 2d Series, the following notes are
taken
Among the passengers of the ship "St.
ily is

From
:

Andrew's Galley," John Steadman, master,
from Rotterdam, Sept. 24, 1737. we find the
Michael Neihardt, George Fredfollowing:
Neihardt,
George Neihardt, whose
names were subscribed to the oath of allegiance taken Sept. 24. 1737.
warrant for 200 acres in Whitehall townerick

Northampton (now Lehigh) Co., Pa.,
was issued Feb. i. 1743, to George Frederick
ship,

Neihardt, and patented to

Andrew Deshler

;

During the intervals he was engaged in farmand once while plowing with three horses
he was thrown down a bank and so injured
ing,

On Nov. 28, 1746, Neihardt
and purchased 250 acres from
John Eastburn in \\niitehall township, adjoining the land of William Allen, the founder of Allentown, upon which is now located

as to necessitate his relinquishing the confining work of weaving. He had very little education, but possessed a natural gift for musi-

the old Neihardt mill

mill), at

composing a book on music, which passed

Clapboardtown, just north of the present city
Allentown. Here George Frederick
Neihardt lived and died, leaving nine children
Christian, Frederick, Lawrence, Daniel, Peter,
Julianna. Sophia Margaret^ Elizabeth Barbara
and Salome.
Lawrence Neihardt was born in 1740 and
died Aug. i, 181 7. His wife, Maria Magdalena, born in 1746, died Nov. i, 1815.
Their
children were:
Frederick, John Christian.
Elizabeth, John Jacob, Anna 'Maria (married
Peter B. Smith). John D'avid, Salome (married Daniel Little).
John Christian Neyhard was born Oct. 5,
1769, in Allentown, Whitehall township, Lehigh Co., Pa. He was educated in the common schools and served an apprenticeship

into the possession of his son, Samuel.
He
taught classes in music and instructed the
choirs of the churches in Hidlay, Briarcreek
and Mifflinville. After his injury, about 1846,
he took up surveying, of which he made a
success, was appointed a justice of the peace,
and did conveyancing. Prior to taking up surveying he taught school. On Nov. 19, 1829,
I\Ir. Neyhard married
Sarah, daughter of

May 5, 1751.
sold the tract

(now Strauss

limits of

to the miller's trade in the
family mill at Clap-

boardtown. After growing to manhood he
bought a farm of 200 acres one mile north of
Half Way House, now owned by C. M.
He was offered land at $2.50 an
Creveling.
acre, but chose this site owing to the timber
on it, which was so dense as to require the

cal composition.

spent twenty-four years

and Susannah (Hahn) Auchenbach.
Mrs. Neyhard's mother died in February,
1822, and from that time she was raised by
Mr.
John Conner, of Briarcreek township.
and Mrs. Neyhard had children as follows:
Esther, born Feb. 5, 1831, who died Jan. 2t^,
1835; Samuel, born June 24, 1833; Henry,
born April 4, 1837, who died June 24. 1837;
and Daniel, born Dec. 19, 1843. ^^'ho died
Philip

April
crat,

15,

and

Mr.
1844.
religiously a

Neyhard was

member

of the

DemoGerman

Reformed Church at Hidlay.
Samuel Neyhard spent his childhood
house

above the Pennsylvania
canal, the construction of which had just belittle

fifty feet

CUA:L

TILC

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

841

gun. While helping his father build a fence
he was so seriously injured that for years he

city engineer, having- been retained without
solicitation on his part all those twenty years.

sutYered from the effects. The place on which
they lived had been bought from Benjamin
Boone in 1830. Samuel attended what was
known as the Kieffer's Lane school, about two
miles from his home, and helped his father in
his surveying work by carrying the chain in
1847, i" the following year carrying the comHe was then but a little over fifteen
pass.
of
During 1856-58 he worked for
age.
years

Joseph Swartz

Bloomsburg, and purchased

his business, but in 1858 he took charge of the
surveying business, which he continued to fol-

low, associated with his father until the latter

He enlarged his father's field
blind.
of operations, fifteen miles north and south
of the Susquehanna, to cover the counties of
became

Snyder, Montour,
Luzerne, Wyoming and Lackawanna, and extended his work into the States
of Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and
Arkansas. Mr. Neyhard saw the Pennsylvania
canal built, developed into one of the greatest
highways of the East and finally lapsed into

Union.

Northumberland,

1870 he prepared the official map of
Bloomsburg, at the instance of an act of the
General Assembly the first and only official

—

of this town. In 1883 the sanitary regulations of Bloomsburg were in deplorable con-

map

dition,

and Mr. Neyhard (who had

settled

there in 1882), taking charge of matters, had
an ordinance passed and secured contributions from the State Normal, the county and

some private concerns, with which he engineered and worked out the sewerage system
which

still

in use.

His influence for the

betterment of the town was directed into various other channels, with notable success. He
served three terms as justice of the peace.
In January, 1857, at Lime Ridge, Air. Neyhard married Henrietta, daughter of Reuben

and Margaret (Gross) Neuhard, who was
born Oct. 9, 1836, and they had children as
Solomon Dallas, born Dec. 30,
follows
( I )
1857, married Emma Cook, and lives in Williamsport.
(2) Reuben F., born March 13,
1859, married Jennie Yohe, and lives in
He Shamokin. (3) Mary Margaret, born Feb.
disuse and eliminated by the railroads.
saw the telegraph introduced and brought to 25, 1 86 1, married to B. I. Price, lives in Denits present tremendous importance, and he saw
ver, Colo.
(4) Sarah Ellen, born Feb. 21,
the engineers who were building the Lacka- 1864, married to George S. Sterling, lives in
Emma
wanna & Bloomsburg railroad in the fifties Mifflinburg, Union Co., Pa.
(5)
hooted at and abused by the people who Amelia, born May 30, 1867, married F. M.
(6) John
thought the stagecoach good enough for them. Everett, and lives in Bloomsburg.
Mr. Neyhard w^as connected with F. C. Rutter, born Aug. 29, 1869, married Nettie
(7)
Eyer, a rodman, in running the lines of the Campbell, and lives in Bloomsburg.
Northern Branch railroad, and in 1872-73 he Chritsian Frederick, born Aug. 30, 1872, marand D. J. Waller had charge of the corps ried Minnie Rider, and lives in Milton. (8)
making the preliminary survey for the rail- Cora Rebecca, born Nov. 18, 1874, married
to Burt R. Henrie, lives in Bloomsburg. (9)
road between Catawissa and Wilkes-Barre
work he had never before done. This enter- Benjamin David Waller, born Feb^ 26, 1881,
married Carrie Scott. Mrs.
prise was squelched in the panic of 1873. Mr. now of Shamokin,
in
Neyhard was also a member of the pioneer Neyhard died Sept. 24, 19 12, and is buried
Mr.
where
Rosemont
which
ran
the
from
Dancemetery, Bloomsburg,
corps
trolley line
ville to Berwick.
This work was fought by Neyhard also rests. He passed away Oct. 27,
the people, but went through. His success was 1914, in his eighty-second year, dying of pneumonia. All of his nine children were by his
all the more commendable in view of his limited educational opportunities.
He went to bedside during his illness and death.
Mr. Neyhard was confirmed in the German
school for two or three days a week during
several winters, and had seven weeks of Reformed Church, but later joined St. MatHe
schooling in the old Arcade building, at thew's Lutheran Church, Bloomsburg.
to 1882, with hired
from
1862
farm
a
ran
in
But
he
the
of
winter
Bloomsburg,
1852.
was always in demand by the neighbors to help, but relinquished it. He served five terms
do odd jobs, so he had to carry on his studies as county surveyor, continuing at his profesHe was
in later life. For the last forty years Mr. Ney- sion until shortly before his death.
hard was engaged in preparing abstracts of a Democrat, active in party affairs, and stood
title, and he perfected a system and completed
high in the esteem of the community in every
thousands of abstracts of unrecorded as well respect, being welcomed wherever he w-ent.
as recorded properties. He settled a number No one was more familiar with the history of
of estates. From 1871 to 1891 he was official the town.
Schuylkill,

—

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

842

Early in the seventies Mr. Neyhard became
with the Patrons of Husbandry, as a

allied

member, and was always active in its councils.
Almost immediately after joining he commenced to organize an insurance company to
meet the needs of the farmers' communities,
and through his efforts the Briar Creek Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company was formed.
For sixteen years he served as its secretary,
and built up a strong organization, which today represents one of the substantial insurance companies of the country. To Samuel
Neyhard belongs the credit.

WILLIAM

LEMON,

general

con-

tractor and builder of Bloomsburg, Pa., was
born Feb. 7, 1854, in Fishingcreek township,
Columbia county, and gained his education in
the State Road schoolhouse. He worked On a
farm until the age of seventeen, attending
school between times. He took up the trade of
carpenter, and came to Bloomsburg in 1881.
For three years he worked on his father's farm

and then returned to his trade, taking building
contracts and doing a general carpentering
business. By his marriage to Alice, daughter
of Samuel and Sarah (Unangst) Shive. he
has had the following children
Mary Ellen,
wife of Anthony Menzebach, of Bloomsburg
Bertha Edith, who died when six weeks old
:

;

Warren

A., married to

Lulu Belong and

resid-

ing in

Bloomsburg; Bessie Pearl, living at
home; and Mabel L., who died at the age of
six years. Mr. Lemon is a Democrat, but has
held no offices. He is a member of Lavalette
Commandery, A. I. O. K. M., and of Lodge
No. 91, Knights of Malta, of which he is past
commander.
Michael Lemon, father of William M., was
born and educated in Fishingcreek
township,
where he farmed and worked as a carpenter.
He owned a tract of seventy-five acres, which
he ran for three years, and then
employed
labor while he worked at
His
carpentering.
first marriage was to a Miss
McHenrv, who is
buried in the graveyard of Stillwater Christian
Church. By this union he had six children
:

Jane, wife of Peter Pealer; Elias, who died
the Civil war; Daniel, who died in the
West; Mary, wife of William Andrews;
Sarah, wife of Hiram Bittebender, residing

Michigan; and Elizabeth, wife of Martin

of Fishingcreek
Mr.
township.
Lemon's second wife was Martha A.,
daughter of Luther Trescott, and their children
were:_ Elliott L., who married Mary Hess
and lives in Fishingcreek
township; Edward
Bruce; William Mcldon Berenice Chrysilla,

Robbins,

;

wife

of Alfred Eveland, of Fishingcreek
township; and one child that died in infancy.
Mr. Lemon is buried near the Christian
Church at Stillwater, and his wife lies in the
Zion Reformed churchyard.
Alice Shive (Mrs. William M. Lemon) was
born m Bloomsburg Nov. 13, 1854, attended
the Button wood (or Forks) school in Fishingcreek township, and resided at home until
her marriage.
She attends Zion Reformed
Church. Her grandfather, who was a native
of Philadelphia, had these children
Tobias,
Simon, Samuel, David, and a daughter whose
name is unknown. All of the sons were mechanics.
Simon was a cabinetmaker, and
:

Samuel, Mrs. Lemon's father, followed the
same occupation.
He built a sawmill and
added a gristmill to it later. He ran a turning lathe and made posts, handles, etc., besides
handling the grain for the entire neighborhood
of Fishingcreek township, until illness compelled his relinquishment of the mill work.
He married Sarah, daughter of Philip and

Anna M. Unangst, and

they had children as
follows:
Melinda, born April 8, 1850, died
at the age of five; Mary Catherine, born Oct.
3. 185 1, married H. M. Evans, of Berwick;
Alice was born in 1854; Frank, born Oct. 3,
1856, married IVIamie Burke, and lives in Ber-

born

i860, marWilkes-Barre
Charles H., born Aug. 9, 1862, married Stella
Mr.
Herring, and lives in Wilkes-Barre.
Shive was a Democrat, and a member of
Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., and

wick;

Albert,

July

Eva Trump, and

ried

the

Odd

31.

lives in

Fellows.

Reformed Church and was an

;

attended
active

the

worker

same.
He is buried in Zion churchyard,
Fishingcreek township.
Sarah Unangst, mother of Mrs. Lemon,
was born March 29, 1827, and died Feb. 21,
Berwick.
She is buried in Zion
11)13. i'l
Her father, Philip, was born
churchyard.
Sept. 14, 1793, and died March 14, 1880, in
Fishingcreek township, at the age of eightysix.
His wife, Anna M., was born Oct. '5,
1797, and died Sept. 23. 1881. in Fishingcreek
township.
They are buried in Zion churchin

yard.

Mrs. Martha A. (Trescott) Lemon, mother
M. Lemon and daughter of Luther
Trescott, was born Feb. 18, "1820. and died
of William

March 5. 1907. She was a member of the
Asbury Methodist Church, and is buried in
the Zion cemetery in
Fishingcreek township.

JOSHUA OPDYKE BOYLES.

known

resident

Berwick.

a 'well

Columbia

Co.,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

843

where he has long held positions of imand responsibility with large industrial enterprises, was born there March 7,
1870, son of William Moore and Margaret
(Ruch) Boyles.
lames Boyles, the grandfather of Joshua
Opdyke Boyles, was a local preacher and also
followed horse training, and for many years
was a resident of F'oundryville, Columbia
county. His children were as follows Nancy,
who married Alonzo Suit May, who married
Charles Merkel; Dora, who married Michael
Boyle; Cordelia, who married John White;
and W'ilLloyd, who married Delilah Bower;
liam Moore.
William Moore Boyles, father of Joshua
Opdyke Boyles, was born in 1845 ^t Foundrya good
ville, Columbia county, and was given

Reuben; Henry, who married
Fowler; Marcus, who married
Anna Roemick Maria, who married a Dennison and (second) a Caldwell; Katie, who married Isaac Hinckley and Fannie. By his third
wife Mr. Ruch had two children: Priscilla;
and Margaret, who married Mr. Van Rouk.
A fourth wife bore him one son, William,
John Ruch, the maternal grandfather of
Joshua Opdyke Boyles, was born at Berwick,
Pa., where he conducted a saddlery establishment for a great many years, and was also
prominent in political and civic affairs, serving

education in the public schools, so that when
laid aside his studies he was qualified to

parents of the following children
who married William W. Boyles

teach, an occupation at which he was engaged
for several vears. He also learned the trade

married Louise Kurtz

Pa.,

portance

;

of blacksmith at the Jackson & Woodin plant,
where he continued to work until about two

years prior to his death, in 1901, becoming
foreman of the blacksmith department. He
was also a member of the Berwick Band,

Herring;
Catherine

;

in the capacity of

postmaster under the adminBuchanan. He was a

istration of l^resident

and active Democrat and a consistent
of the Methodist Church. Mr. Ruch
married xA.nna Herring, and they became the
lifelong

member

Margaret,

;

Sam, who

James, who served in
Pa. Vol. Cav.,
i6th
E,
Regiment,
Company
during the Civil war, and married Elmira
Evans W' ill, who served in the 84th Regiment
during the Civil war, married D. Swank and
;

;

Ola Andrews; Fannie, who marH. Rush; Alice, who married Thomas

(second)
ried A.

Mr. Boyles married Margaret Ruch, a daugh- Welliver; Ella, who married Albert Waltman
of John and Ann (Herring) Ruch, of Jane; Annie, who married Charles (jcorge;
AUentown, Pa., and they became the parents and Laura, who married Oscar McBride.
of the following children
Isadore, who marJoshua Opdyke Boyles received his educaried Wallace Stout and had two children, tion in the Market street school, Berwick,
Mary and Mildred Beatrice, who married under Miss Amelia Armstrong, principal, and
Charles Hammond, and had a child. Mar- during the summer months worked at the
& Woodin. He started to
garet; Oscar, who married Edna Whorley; plant of Jackson
and Joshua Opdyke, who married Elizabeth work in the blacksmith shop of that company
Mr. and Mrs. Boyles were devout under William M. Boyles, foreman, his father,
Faust.
members of the Methodist Church. In pol- and then went to the wheel foundry of the
same company and installed machinery for
itics a Republican, he took an intense interest
in civic affairs, and for some time served new equipment.
Subsequently he took charge
His f ra- of the machinery for handling molten metal,
efficiently as burgess of Berwick.
ternal affiliation was with Berwick Lodge, No. cranes and rope dr>'ers, a position which he
to the
246. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and held for about one year, and then went
Berwick Castle, 249, Knights of the Golden upper machine shop to install machines for
Returning to the
rope power transmission.
Eagle.
Lawrence Ruch, the maternal great-grand- blacksmith shop for about two years, he next
father of Joshua Opdyke Boyles, was born in took charge of the bicycle business of the
Germany and in young manhood emigrated to Berwick Store Company for a like period,
the United States, settling at Black Creek, and then went back to the blacksmith shop
Luzerne Co., Pa. Subsequently he moved to under James Hempstead, Frank Faust, superthe Nescopeck turnpike, between Berwick and intendent, and before long was given charge
Hazleton, where he became a tollkeeper, and of dies and experimenting, under the same
About the year 1907. Mr.
for a number of years was also a hotelkeeper superintendent.
at Berwick.
Mr. Ruch was an immense man, Boyles went to the steel plant and entered the
of
weighing four hundred pounds at the time of coach erecting department to take charge
his death.
He was married four times, and building underframes. In 1913 he was made
by his second wife, who was named Parish, assistant foreman of the department, and in
had these children: John, who married Ann 1914 was made foreman of the passenger
;

ter

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

844

coach construction and erection department,
a position which he has since filled with signal
Mr. Boyles is known as a master
ability.

workman, and who gives to his labor his most
conscientious efforts. His promotion has been
gained through individual merit and ability
and not through favoring influences or circumstances.
Politically he is a Republican, his
Methodist
religious connection is with the
Church, and fraternally he belongs to Berwick
Lodge, No. 246, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and the Rebekahs. He is a talented
musician and is leader of the Berwick Band.
Mr. Boyles married Elizabeth Faust in
1905, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Keen)
She is a member of Wilkes-Barre
Faust.
Chapter, No. 90, Order of the Eastern Star,
and of the Daughters of Rebekah.
William and Rebecca Faust were born in
Locust Valley, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and had
thirteen children as follows

John Henry
George; Joseph, who married Rebecca
Keen William, who married Mary Smith
Eliza, who married Daniel Schipe Catherine,
Mrs. Mellen; Rose; Rebecca' Mrs. Mauger;
Ann, who married David Walburn; Amos;
and Lucetta. Of these. Will and Joseph came
to Berwick, the former in 1857 and the latter
in 1859.
Joseph was a carpenter and contractor, while Will engaged with the Jackson
:

;

Eli;

;

& Woodin Company,

in the

wood

car shop,

where he spent the greater part of his life.
He married Mary Smith, and they became the
Charles

;

Prudence Mendenhall

;

parents of

Frank, who married
and Emma, who mar-

W. S. Johnson.
Joseph Faust was born

ried

died

Feb.

13,

1899.

and
married Rebecca

May

15,

1835,

Keen, who was born April 8, 1840, daughter
of Peter and Hannah Keen, of Briggsville,
Luzerne county, and they had the following
children
Will and Atta, who are deceased
and buried at Pine Grove, Berwick; A. H.,
who married Etta Snyder, and Eliabeth, who
married Joshua O. Boyles. Mr. Faust was a
prominent and influential Democrat, and
served as burgess of Berwick and as tax collector and assessor.
In his religious belief he
was a Methodist. His fraternal connections
were with the Masons; the Odd Fellows (of
which he was a past grand)
Susquehanna
Commandery, No. 18, Knights of Malta the
Improved Order of Red Men, and the Junior
Order United American Mechanics.
The children of Peter and Hannah (Keen)
Keen, the maternal grandparents of Mrs.
Boyles, were as follows
Evan, who married
Elizabeth Everard; Edward, who married
:

;

Alex, who married Matilda
Bason; Rebecca, who married Joseph Faust;
Martha, who married Aaron Harter; and
Ellen, who married Ross Smith.

Mary Sigmund;

ALEXANDER JAMESON LEARN,

merchant of Bloomsburg, Columbia
Co., Pa., was born Dec. 11, 1855, in Hanover
township, Luzerne county, near the city of
retired

Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
George P. Learn,

He
of

is a son of the late
Briarcreek township,

Columbia county.
Jacob and Andrew Earner, immigrants
from Germany, settled at Tannersville, Monroe Co., Pa., and took up land.
They were
among the chief suft'erers in those early days
from the depredations of the Indians, for in
the history of Monroe county published in
1845 there appears the story that on July 3,
1
78 1, a band of savages attacked the cabin of
the brothers, killed Andrew, and tortured the
wife of Jacob by burning, her death resulting

Andrew's son, John, succeeded
one of the Indians by a ruse. This
John Earner afterwards settled in Westmoretherefrom.
in killing

land county. One of his descendants. Frank
H. Learn, is now a prosperous merchant of
Other descendants of the two
Indiana, Pa.
brothers are still residing in the little town of
Tannersville.
After the death of his wife Jacob Earner

removed

Northampton county.

engaged in farming
ber and names of

until his death.

Pa.,

and

The num-

children are not ob-

his

tainable, with the exception of George, grand-

Alexander

Learn.

father

family

name was changed

When

Learn

the
not

known.
George Learn was born

in August, 1788.
county.
Coming with his father
to Northampton county, he lived there until
he was twenty-six years of age, working on
the home farm.
He then went to Luzerne
county, where he farmed until his death, at
the age of sixty-two years. He married Mary
Catherine Dreher, an aunt to Judge Dreher,
of Monroe county, and they had these children
Mary Ann, wife of Evan Gress. of
Sarah, wife of Charles
Edgerton, Wis.
Drake, of East Stroudsburg, Pa.
Lavina,
wife of Mr. Keller, of East Stroudsburg. Pa.;
Catherine, who married a Mr. Xash Adam;
Levi; Charles; Simon; Lee; Michael; William Heller and George P.
George P. Learn, father of Alexander J.,

Monroe

;

was

born

Hanover

county, Feb.

during his active

18 19,
life.

township. Luzerne
and followed farming
When he was forty-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
seven years of age, in November, 1866, he
Briarcreek township, Columbia
to
county, and lived there until his death, Aug.
15, 1893, at the age of seventy-four years,
On March 21, 1850, he married Leonora Keller, who died Dec. 24, 1906, at the age of

moved

They had five children: Henry
eighty-one.
Clinton, who was married to Rosa Laubach;
John M., married to Mary Jane Mowrer;
Alexander Jameson; Mary S., wife of William S. Ash, of Briarcreek township; and
Augustus Frederick, married to Lizzie Wert,
of Bloomsburg. Mr. Learn was an overseer
of the poor and a school director of his township, and he and his wife were members of
the Reformed Church.
Alexander J. Learn attended the schools of
Briarcreek township and for many years followed the occupation of farming in Centre
and Hemlock townships and the vicinity of
In 1907 he
Bloomsburg, Columbia county.
opened a store at Bloomsburg, at the corner
of Sixth and Iron streets, and in spite of
active competition built up a fine trade through
his cheerfulness, courtesy and fair dealing,
In 1914 he sold out the business and retired,

much to the regret of his many
who were also his sincere friends.

customers,

In 1879 ^^^- Learn married Ida C. Hess, a
daughter of Reuben and Lavina (Knorr)
Hess, and they have had children as follows
Lavina H., wife of Morris Hauck, living near
Dixon, 111. Leonora, a trained nurse, in the
government service at Yuma, Ariz.; and
:

;

845

shoes on a large scale all of his life,
dying at
the age of lifty.
He left a wife, Elizabeth
(Waite) Dickson, and ten children: Arch-

James, Margaret, Robert, Janet, John,
Alexander, Jessie, William and Elspeth.
James Dickson, father of Duval and grandfather of Clark L., was born in Kelso, Scotibald,

land,

Oct.

23,

1821,

and received

his

early

education in the normal School at Glasgow.
In 1843 ^^^ went as a missionary to the West
Indies, where he remained for ten years.
At Brownsville the point of his mission in
the Island of Jamaica, w^as stationed Rev.

Warren Carlisle, whose daughter, Mary, was
a teacher in the mission school. In the course
of their work the young missionary and the
girl teacher fell in love, and were married
June 9, 1844. These children came to bless
their home: Elizabeth Agnes was born
June
29, 1847; Mary Carlisle, born Feb. i, 1849,
is now the widow of C. N. McFarren
Agnes
D. was born July 8, 1850; Warrand C., born
;

Jan. 7, 1852, and James Irving, born Jan. i,
1853, died young. In 1853 Mr. Dickson sailed
for America, and on the voyage the wife died
and was buried at sea, at the age of twentysix.
The family being broken up, the father
sent the children to Scotland, and they were
educated in that country and in France. He
landed at Philadelphia after a long quarantine
owing to fever, and remained in that city for
some years, being first made associate pastor
of the Fourth Presbyterian Church after his
ordination into the ministry, Sept. 13, 1854.

Reuben H., who is attending school in Blooms- He then went to Harrisburg, Pa., and while
Mr. Learn is a member of the Patriotic there married Jeanetta Hoffman, daughter of
Order Sons of America and of the Knights Michael Duval, a native of Normandv, France,
a
and Ladies of Honor lodges at Bloomsburg, and Eleanor (Hatfield-Maize)
Duval,
and he is an active member of the Methodist native-born American. By this union there
Ellen Duval, born Nov.
Church.
Politically he is a Democrat, and was seven children
takes a keen interest in current events, but 27, 1856, is unmarried and residing in Berdoes not aspire to official honors of a public wick; William Sterling, born Aug. 18, 1858,
character.
residing in Berwick, president of the Berwick
Savings and Trust Company, married Lillie
CLARK LONG DICKSON, a rising young Baucher, and has two children, Conway and
attorney of Berwick, was born in that town David; Alexander W^iilden. born Dec. 12.
married
July 22, 1891, son of Duval Dickson, and 1859, a merchant of \\'illiamspo_rt,
grandson of Rev. James Dickson, a minister Sallie Freas, by whom he had six children,
of the Presbyterian Church, who lived to the Edna J., James H., Freas, Pauline, Alexander
W. and Dorothy (who died in infancy), and
advanced age of ninety-two years.
Archibald Dickson, the elder, was a native his second wife was Martha Helmrich Conof Kelso, Roxburghshire, Scotland, and was way Phelps Wing, born Dec. 20, 1862, a resa shoemaker.
He was the father of four ident of Scranton, and traveling auditor of
children
Robert. lane. Elizabeth and Arch- the Connell Mine and Lumber Company, marHe and his' wife died at the age of ried Sylvia Dieffenbach and has one chdd,
ibald.

burg.

;

seventy years.
Archibald Dickson, the younger, enlarged
upon his father's trade and manufactured

Eleanor; James, born Oct. 7, 1863, real estate
broker, residing in Milton, Pa., married Annie
B.

Low, and had one

child,

Myron

L.,

who

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

846

died in December, iQii; Duval is mentioned
below; Archibald, born March IQ, 1867, member of the Baldwin-Zeigler polar expedition of
1904, is now located in Portland. Oregon,
where he conducts a shorthand school, teaching a system invented by himself.
Rev. James Dickson served as pastor in

various charges from 1853 until 1890. From
the last date till 1892 he did missionary work
and then retired to live in Berwick, and at any
time prior to his death, which occurred July
16, 191 3, could be found at home in his study,

deeply engrossed in Greek and Hebrew
ature and research.
Duval Dickson, father of Clark L.,

born

liter-

was

Northumberland, Pa., Jan. 22, 1865,
coming to Berwick with his parents about
He beg-an the strugeighteen months later.

Woodin Store Company
this position

and removed

Berwick.

held

thirty years, when he resigned
to Danville again, where he still

lives retired at the age of seventy.
In 1866
he married Elizabeth Werkheiser, daughter of
Peter and Susan (Hess) W^erkheiser, formerly of Northampton county, and four chilEmma Amelia, wife
dren came to this union
of Duval Dickson, born July 6, 1868; John
Frank, born Sept. 14, 1870, local auditor of
:

American Car and Foundry Company, at
Berwick; Linda, born Sept. 8, 1872, married
to E. B. Kepner, a merchant at Oaklane, Pa.
and Jane Gertrude, born Jan. 15, 1876, wife
of Valentine Chester Trout, secretary and
treasurer of the Knickerbocker Lime Comthe

;

pany of Philadelphia.
Emma Amelia (Long) Dickson, mother of
gle of life at the early age of twelve years, ob- Clark L., was graduated from the public
taining employment in the blacksmith shop of schools at Berwick, Pa., in 1886, and the folthe Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Com- lowing year received her diploma as a gradpany, and at the age of eighteen was removed uate of the Bloomsburg Normal School. She
to the lumberyard of the same company and taught school four years prior to her marriage,
made assistant foreman. In his spare time one year at Buckhorn and three years at Berhe studied telegraphy, and resigned his posi- wick.
tion to become operator at the Delaware,
Clark Long Dickson was born in Berwick,
Lackawanna & Western depot at Berwick, and Pa., July 22, 1891, and began his education in
was shortly afterward promoted to be station the Berwick public schools, graduating from
In the fall of the
agent. In 1898 he purchased the S. E. Smith the high school in 1909.
farm and cultivated it until 1903, then cutting same year he matriculated at Dickinson School
it up into town lots, of which over four hunof Law, located at Carlisle, Pa., of which
dred were sold. He was the pioneer in estab- Dr. A\'illiam Trickett, noted legal text-book
lishing the thriving community of North Ber- writer and instructor, is the dean, graduatAt
wick, which now has a population of about ing from this institution in June. 1912.
two thousand. He is now living retired in the time of his admission to practice the press
Berwick and is a director of the Berwick made the following comment
"Columbia county enjoys the signal distincSavings and Trust Company and a trustee of
the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Ber- tion of having within its boundaries the youngwick.
On June 12, 18^0, Mr. Dickson mar- est licensed attorney in the commonwealth.
ried Emma Amelia Long, daughter of Charles Clark L. Dickson received official notification
C. Long, of Danville, Pa., and they are the to-day that the result of his final examination
Clark Long, born before the State Board of Law Examiners for
parents of four children
July 22, 1891 Frederick Duval, born March admission to the bar of the Supreme court of
10, 1894, who died in infancy; Jeanetta Duval,
Pennsylvania was satisfactor}-. and he is furborn Aug. 12, 1903, and Duval, Ir., born Sept. ther informed that additional credentials are
in transit to him, recommending his admission
11, 190,=;.
Charles Clark Long was born on a farm before the local Common Pleas court.
Mr.
near Buckhorn, in Columbia county, Pa., Aug. Dickson will in all probability be admitted at
22, 1845, and in early youth attended Green- Bloomsburg this week.
The young man. who
wood Academy, at Millville, Pa. he remained is aged twenty-one years, is a son of Duval
on the farm of his grandparents until he was Dickson, of East Front street.
He enters
about eighteen years of age, when he secured upon his career as a
disciple of Blackstone
a position as school teacher and taught school with
unusually fine prospects of success. Mr.
several years. He then served as superintend- Dickson was
graduated in June of 19 12 and,
ent of the store conducted by the National
owing to the fact that his extreme youth preIron Company, in Danville, Pa., and upon vented him from
being eligible to take the
the destruction by fire of this store was called final law examination in
July, he further purto take up the managership of the Jackson & sued his law work under the
preceptorship
:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

847

of Attorney William E. Elmes and Justice
of the Peace F. R. Kitchen, gaining thereby
While
practical experience in his profession.
at Carlisle Mr. Dickson was prominently identified in almost every spirit of school activHe was a member of the Carlisle Bachities.
elors' Club, the College Glee clubs, the Delta
Chi Legal Fraternity, and president of his
Mr. Dickson has
class during his junior year.
not announced his plans for the future, but if
he concludes to practice in Berwick he is certain in a short time to attract a large clientele,
as he enjoys a wide acquaintance and is peculHis many
iarly fitted as a legal advocate.
friends will join in extending their congratu-

Franklin Ferris, a retired farmer, of Briarcreek township, and they have four children.
John M. is mentioned below. The farm on
which John Fairchild first settled in Luzerne
county, and which he owned, is now cut up
into town lots, forming part of Nanticoke.
John M. Fairchild, the father of Wesley
Bowman Fairchild, was born and reared on
this farm, and remained with his parents until
they died, after which he became the owner
of the homestead place, living there until his
removal to Columbia county, in the spring of
1886. Here he bought 148 acres in Briarcreek
township, not far from Berwick, to the cultivation of which he since devoted practically

lations."

all

his time.

Mr. Dickson is a member of Knapp Lodge,
No. 462, F. and A. M., Berwick, and of
Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O. S. of A.

now owns

WESLEY BOWMAN FAIRCHILD,

Having added

where

his energy

and

thrift

have won him

him.
He
has become thoroughly associated with the
best interests of his adopted county, and has
taken considerable part in the administration
of the local government, having served four
the high respect of

who

to his holdings,

186 acres, and he has been one
of the most successful farmers in his vicinity,
all

who know

in the employ of the Berwick National Bank,
was born in Briarcreek township, Columbia
county. May 9, 1886, son of John M. Fairchild, grandson of John Fairchild, great- years as member of the West Berwick council.
In 1878 Mr. Fairchild married Nettie Curgrandson of Solomon Fairchild, and greatwho died April 7, 1882, leaving no chilFairchild.
of
tis,
John
great-grandson
John Fairchild, the first ancestor in Amer- dren. On Jan. 27, 1884, he married Clara B.
Wolfe, and they have had four children Wilica, emigrated from England, and settled in
is

After the Wyoming massacre,
Connecticut.
in 1778, the family moved to Luzerne county,
Pa. John Fairchild had five children Abram,
:

Peter, John,

Solomon and Polly (or Mary).

Solomon Fairchild, great-grandfather of
Wesley Bowman Fairchild, was born Oct. 17,
On Jan. 19,
1788, and died Sept. 16, 1857.
1806, he was married to Elizabeth Lutsey, who
was born May 23, 1789, and died July 26,
1871. They had thirteen children, as follows:
Polly, Anna, Margaret, John, Rosana, WilElizabeth, Priscilla, Solomon, Isabella,
Martha, Emily and Abram.
John Fairchild, son of Solomon, was born
On
Feb. 19, 1813, and died Sept. 17, 1879.
Feb. 7, 1836, he was married to Martha Line,
who died Jan. 23, 1883, and they had six chilAnna E., bom Sept. 12, 1837, died in
dren
1883; she married William Fairchild, who is
also deceased, and had five children, two of
whom survive. Henry S., born March 18,
1839, married Louisa Robbins. of Nanticoke,
and had three children, two of whom are livAlfred, born May 16, 1841, now a reing.
tired farmer, living at Three Rivers, Mich.,
married Euphemia Garringer, and they had
liam,

whom

are living. Andrew,
six children, four of
in i8'45, died the following year. Mar-

born
tha,

born July

13,

1847,

the wife of Olaf

born Jan. 8, 1885, married Mary
Croup, daughter of the late A. B. Croup (a
farmer, who died in the spring of 1913). and
has two children, John Allen and William
Donald; Wesley B. was born May 9, 1886;
Minnie M., March 20, 1890; and Laura C,
Jan. 9, 1892, both the daughters at home. Mr.
Fairchild and his wife attend the Presbyterian Church at Berwick.
Wesley Bowman Fairchild had the educational advantages of the public schools, and
liam

J.,

later entering the

Wyoming

College of Busi-

commercial course.
After his graduation he entered the employ
of the Berwick National Bank, where he has
On June 26,
received gradual promotion.
1913, he was married to Edith S. Cooke, who
was born in Shamokin Sept. 4, 1885, a daughter of Edwin Henry and Alice (Salter) Cooke.
Mrs. Fairchild received her education at
Shamokin and in Rush township, Northumberland county, and is a graduate of the
ness

was graduated

in the

Bloomsburg State Normal School,
She taught school three years
1904.

class
in

Rush

township, five years in West Berwick, Columand one year in Akron, Ohio.
Edwin Henry Cooke. Mrs. Fairchild's

bia county,

father, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and was
a coal inspector and shipper at Shamokin, Pa.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

848

in from Buffalo, and he acRush township, North- shipping them
extensive interests in that business,
umberland county. He married AHce Salter, quired he carried on the rest of his active life.
which
m
who was born
daughter of Michael Salter,
Shortlv after he started he was bringing from
New England, and Lucy (Gillinger) Salter,
carloads (averaging twenty to
to

now farming

Salter

Michael
of Northumberland county.
was
was a soldier in the Union army, and
service.
the
in
while
wounded
Edwin Cooke, father of Edwm Henry
and
Cooke, was born in Shropshire, England,
Cathenne
was
Casey.
wife
His
was a farmer.
Mr Fairchild is a Republican, and has been
a member of the council of West Berwick,
of that body for three
serving as president
as Republican comterm
one
years He served
Bermitteeman of the Second ward of West
of
member
a
a
is
he
Mason,
wick
Socially
F. and A. M., BerNo.
_

462,
Knapp Lodge,
wick, and Caldwell Consistory, thirty-second
Pa. He is
degree, A. A. S. R., Bloomsburg,
First
the
Presbyterian
of
member
an active
Church at Berwick, and takes an active part
the best interests of West Berin

promoting
wick, where he

resides.

KUHN

(deceased) w^as for
man of
a
prosperous business
many years
in 1855,
moved
he
town
which
Bloomsburg, to
He
of his life there.
remainder
the
passing
Pa.,
Co.,
of
Easton, Northampton
was a native
born in 1830, son of Andrew and Matilda

ISAAC

(Brutsman) Kuhn, both parents descended
from farming people of that county whose
ancestors settled there at an early day, coming
from Germany.
Andrew Ku'hn brought his family to Bloomsback of
burg in 1832, and bought a farm just
w^hat is now the site of the Normal school,
Later he
operating same for some years.
moved to Akron, Ind., where he and his wife
died and are buried. They were members of

fifty

sixty

of cattle to the
twenty-four head per car)
market every season, and his transactions increased steadily until he had built up a busiHe also acness of important proportions.
did conand
interests
local
property
quired
Center
siderable toward the improvement of
houses
built
he
many
in
Bloomsburg;
street,
in the borough.
Though he gave close attenlocal

was too
tion to his private affairs ^Ir. Kuhn
which
those
to
citizen
neglect
good a man and
an
concerned the general welfare, and he was
some
for
council
town
the
of
efi:'ective member
He was also an earnest worker in the
time

religious

field,

member

the

Lutheran

Church and particularly devoted to the Sunas superintendent
day school, which he served
he

for thirty-one years, in all of w^iich time
and
missed attendance only once or twice,
In pohtics he
then on account of sickness.
was a Democrat. Mr. Kuhn died in November, 1892, and was buried
tery at Bloomsburg.

On March

15, 1856,

Rosemont ceme-

Mr. Kuhn married Su-

san Dengler, of Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill

and surCo., Pa., who was born Jan. 29, 1838,
vives him, continuing to reside at the homeFourth and Center streets,
she has lived for over
where
Bloomsburg,

stead,
fifty

corner

years.

She, too,

member

of the

Lutheran Church. Six children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn; Alvaretta \\, who mardied
ried John Bittenbender; Ehza M., who
marwho
Emma
D.,
aged twenty-seven years;
married Dr. Stewart Kirkby; May D.. who
ried Robert C. Butler; Lottie L., who married
Bessie R., who died
Joseph G. Wells; and

Children as follows when
Church.
twenty-seven years old.
them: Isaac S., Catherine, HenDaniel Dengler, Mrs. Kuhn's grandfather,
rietta (married John Pursel), Alvaretta (mar- came from Holland, and settling in Schuylkill
of his life
ried Samuel Wood) and James (living in
county. Pa., passed the remainder
David City, Nebraska).
His children were: Charles, Isaac,
there.
Isaac S. Kuhn passed most of his boyhood Frank, Eliza, George and Daniel.
at Bloomsburg, but went to Easton to learn his
Daniel Dengler, son of Daniel, was born in
trade, harnessmaking, which he followed for Schuylkill county, Pa., and there engaged in
about ten years. He was then employed on the the sawmill and powder business.
He was
canal for some time, and returning to Blooms- accidentally killed at St. Clair, that county, by
burg in 1855 established a butcher business in an explosion of powder, when thirty-four
partnership with Fred Dreyer, later becoming years old. He married Eliza Shappel, whose
associated with Zeb Grass. After the latter's family was
French, and four children were
death he continued the business alone, being born to them: Sarah, who married Charles
engaged therein for about thirty years in all, Bolick; Elizabeth, who married Elias Bartlett;
and his subsequent activities were in an allied Susan, widow of Isaac S. Kuhn and John K.,
About 1855 ^^ began dealing in cattle, who died young.
line.

the Lutheran

were born

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

FRANK FAUS, who operates an auto-bus
between the hotels and railroad depots in
Bloomsburg, was born in Pine township, Columbia county, Jan. i8, 1867, son of Thomas
The
Fans, and grandson of Henry Fans.
is of German stock.
Henry Fans was born in Lehigh

family

county,

where he lived and died, having been a
farmer all his life.
He married Elizabeth
Hepler, who after his death came with her
children to Columbia county, and still later
moved to Michigan, where she died. For her
second husband she married a Mr. Krisher,
and after his death she took as her third
husband Joseph Snyder. Henry Fans and
his wife had the following children: Thomas;
Henry; Polly, who married Peter Whitney;
and Eliza, who married Abraham Krauss.
• Thomas
Fans, son of Henry Faus, and
father of Frank Faus, was born in Lehigh
county. Pa., and coming to what is now Pine
township, Columbia Co., Pa., bought a farm
In time he cleared off this land and
there.
operated it until his death, which occurred
on his property July 5, 1875, when he was
Pa.,

seventy-one years, seven months, twenty-one
days old he is buried at Faus Church, in
Pine township. Mr. Faus gave the land on
which the church was built, and did much to
;

gather other contributions. He was a Methodist, and was glad to do all in his power
to get a church of his denomination in the

to Rachel
Joseph Robbins, of
ville, and she died July 28, 1863, aged
five years, six months, twenty-eight
Their children were Elizabeth J., who
:

days.

mar-

;

and Cyrus, who

For his
second wife Thomas Faus married Susan
Bacon, a daughter of Lyman Bacon, and by
this union had children
Harriet, who married Lewis Kile
Frank Rebecca, who married Howard Shultz and Charles W., who is
;

deceased.

;

on the old homestead in Pine township.
Frank Faus attended the schools of Pine

living

township.
54

As he

Lucy, Hester, Clyde

ness life, being a man of many excellent traits
of character, and deserving what he has secured in the way of material prosperity.

GEORGE

MOOMEY,

a substantial cit-

in the car erecting shop.

;

line

and Frank. Mr. Faus is a Republican in political faith, and the Methodist Church holds his
membership. He is highly esteemed in busi-

Jackson

deceased Josiah, deceased Mary, who married Michael Kessler; William P., who is living in Pine township Thomas, living in Texas
Matilda, who died in childhood Theodore, a
Methodist minister, in charge of the church at
Millville, Pa. Martha, who married John Sanders Rachel, who married Rev. John Beish;

the following children

Mill-

;

191 3 Mr. Faus embarked in his present bus
and moving business.
Mr. Faus was married to Mary Kile, a
daughter of Wesley Kile, and they have had

fifty-

ried Lafayette Unger; Henry, who is living
in Michigan Joshua, who is deceased John,
;

useful manhood.
Until 1902 Mr. Faus continued to farm, in that year going into the
lumber regions in Sullivan county. Pa., where
for three years he worked as a lumberman.
At the expiration of that period he came to
Bloomsburg and embarked in the livery business with Mr. Ammerman, under the firm
name of Ammerman & Faus, the firm having
stables conveniently located near the "Exchange Hotel." They kept fifteen horses for
hire, as well as a full equipment of carriages,
wagons and other vehicles to meet the demands of the public, operating one of the
largest establishments of its kind in the city,
and the firm controlled a fine business. In

Rob-

lived.

Thomas Faus was married

he remained with his widowed mother, assisting her with the farm work and growing up to

izen of Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., was born
there April 7, 1867, son of Daniel Moomey.
The latter was born in 1832, and died in the
native of Beaver Valley,
spring of 1903.
Columbia county, he farmed in that neighborhood until 1872, and then engaged with the

neighborhood, and after it was established
continued to give liberally to it as long as he

bins, a daughter of

849

lost his father in childhood,

& Woodin Manufacturing Company,
His son being

same employ, Mr. Moomey taught him all
he knows about this important branch of car
the

Daniel Moomey married Amanda
E. Schlaubach, who was born Aug. 12, 1839,
of
daughter of Daniel and Maria Schlaubach,
Columbia county, the latter deceased Dec. 30,
nine months,
1855, aged thirty-nine years,
four days. Mr. and Mrs. Moomey have the
following children: Lizzie married Joseph
Eckert; Mary married George Nichols; WilWalter married
liam married Anna Sitler
Mattie M. Sutliff, who was born March 5,
S. is
1870, and died Jan. 20, 1910; George
Shultz
married
Edith
below
mentioned
John
Emma married William Hixon Pursell died
young, and is buried in Pine Grove cemetery,
Berwick. Daniel Moomey was a strong advocate of prohibition, and gave the principles
He was a
of his party efficient support.
member of the First Methodist Episcopal
building.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

850

Church, and of the Berwick Beneficial Association.

George S. Moomey was educated in the
Market street school at Berwick. In 1881 he
began working in the car erecting shop of the
Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company,
of which William Faust was general foreIn May, 1900, he engaged with the
man.
same company in the steel coach department,
under L. E. Hess, general superintendent of
that department.

Mr.

Moomey was

married to Blanche E.
Sutliflf, daughter of Sterling D. and Mary A.
(Killian) Sutlifif, the former of whom died
Dec. 22, 1910, aged sixty-eight years, and is
Mr.
buried at Waterton, Luzerne Co., Pa.

Moomey have had two children, the
younger, Sterling J., born April 27, 1897, dying in infancy he is buried in Pine Grove
cemetery, Berwick.
Daniel Ray Moomey, only surviving child
of Mr. and Mrs. George S. Moomey, was
bom Nov. 9, 1893, and received his education at Berwick, graduating from the high
school in the class of 1912. Since July, 1912,
he has been employed as a stenographer in
the office of the mechanical inspector's department of the American Car and Foundry
Company, under W. E. Williams, mechanical
engineer. He is a member of the First Methodist Church, and of Washington Camp, No.
105, P. O. S., of Berwick.
Socially George S. Moomey holds membership in Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M.,
Berwick; Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O.
F. Washington Camp No. 105, P. O. S. of
A., of which he is a past master and is now
treasurer and the Berwick Beneficial Associaand Mrs.

;

tion.

Mrs. George S. Moomey finished her educaHuntington Mills Academy, under Professor Clark, passed the examination and received a teacher's certificate, and taught four
terms of school in Huntington township,
Luzerne county.
She is a member of the
Ladies' Aid Society of the First Metohdist
Church at Berwick.
Mrs. Moomey belongs to an old New England family of English origin.
Her greatgrandparents. Miles and Phoebe (Culver)
Sutliff, were natives of Connecticut.
Their
son Abel Sutliff was born in Pennsylvania,
was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1867.
His wife. Lydia (Brader). who was born in
Pennsylvania of German extraction, died in

tion in

1887.
They had a family of fourteen children, eight still living, of whom Sterling D.,
the eighth in order of birth, was born
Sept. 21,

1842, in Huntington township, Luzerne Co.,
Pa. Reared on a farm, he obtained a common
school education and from boyhood was
familiar with agricultural work, which he has
always followed. On Aug. 18, 1862, he joined

Company F, 143d Pennsylvania \'olunteers,
under Captain Tubbs, and served to the close
of the war, taking part in the battles of Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Weldon Railroad, Spottsylvania, and a
number of minor actions he was disabled at
Fort Slocum.
Mr. Sutliff received his dis;

charge June 12, 1865, ^t Hart Island, N. Y.,
and returning to his native township purchased
a tract of forty-seven acres one mile from
Waterton postoffice, where he has carried on
On Dec. 25,
general farming ever since.
1866, he married Mary A. Killian, who was

born Jan.

13, 1849, the fourth in the family
of fourteen children of John and Amy (\'an
Children as follows were
Horn) Killian.

born to

Blanche E., born Nov.
marriage
the wife of George S. Moomey;
Mattie M., born March 5, 1870, married Walter Moomey and is deceased (she is buried in
Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick)
Annie A.,
born April 24, 1872, married Benjamin
Winans Charles W., born Oct. 14, 1875
(member of the I. O. O. F.), married Ida
Winters and has four children, Gertrude,
Bertha. Margaret and Daniel Cora A., born
Oct. 31, 1878, is the wife of E. Bruce Hoyt
and has had three children, Irma Ruth, living,
this

19, 1867,

;

and two deceased, who are buried at Waterton; (Mr. Hovt is a member of Knai)p Lodge.
No. 462, F. & A. M., lierwick the Odd Fellows, at Shickshinny, and the Jr. O. U. A. M.
at Pond Hill, Luzerne county)
Grace W,
born Nov. 4, 188 1, is married to Charles
Markle Mason B., born Oct. 24. 1883, is
married to Vergie Andreas, and their children are Roland and Donald. Mr. and Mrs.
;

;

Sutliff.

the

parents,

are

members

the

Zwingle Reformed Church, and he is serving
as steward of that church.
He is a Republican in political sentiment.

GEORGE WASHINGTON MYERLEY.
of Danville, was born June 5. 1836. at
in Liberty township. Montour
county, son of Jacob and Mary (Herring)
^klyerley. who were long residents of that
late

Mooresburg.

section.

Jacob ]\Iyerley, the father, was born near
Reading, Berks Co.. Pa., and coming to
Mooresburg remained the rest of his life, living near that town.
By occupation be was a
shoemaker. To his marriasre with Marv Her-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Samring were born the following children
carpenter, married Lydia ISright Rebecca married James Piatt, a tailor; George
:

uel, a

;

mentioned below

Lydia

;

Ann married

Daniel Marsh, of Milton, a saddler; Henrietta married John Hedding, a farmer of

851

and Mrs. Yeager are active members of the
Baptist Church, and she is deeply interested
in its work as a member of the Ladies' Aid
Society and of the Willing Workers' Society.
William Hoops Garrett, father of Mrs.
Harriet S. Myerley, was born in Chester
county. Pa., son of William Garrett, who lived
in that county for some time, came thence
to Danville, and eventually to Gearhart township, Northumberland Co., Pa., where he
bought a large farm and followed agricultural

Northumberland county; Jeremiah, a shoemaker, married Mercy Best, who lives at Watsontown and is the only one of all these now
surviving.
Politically Jacob Myerley was a
Democrat. His wife was a Lutheran of the
General Council branch, and active in church pursuits the rest of his life. He died there.
work.
He married a Garrett, and they were buried
George Washington Myerley was educated in the Presbyterian cemetery, now Memorial
at Mooresburg, attending school until nine
Park, Danville.
He then worked among farmers
William Hoops Garrett came to Montour
years old.
up to the age of seventeen years, when he county from Chester county when a young
came to Danville, in 1853, and learned his man, and finished his education in the Dantrade of carpenter with Robert McCoy.
He ville Academy. He taught school for a numfollowed it all his life, engaging in contract- ber of years in Danville and in the townLater he became ening and building at Danville, where he made ships of the county.
his permanent home.
For twenty-nine years gaged in soap boiling and the manufacture
he was employed as house carpenter for the of candles. During the Civil war he enlisted
Waterman & Beaver Rolling Mills Company. from Turbotville in Company D, 7th PennHe was a skilled workman, thrifty and enter- sylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and served four
prising, and had the respect and good will of
years, proving a good soldier and particularly
all who came in contact with him.
His death, helpful in caring for the sick. He acted as
which occurred Dec. 5, 1902, was caused by nurse during the smallpox epidemic in Danan attack of heart trouble brought on while ville. His death was caused by a stroke of
he was attempting to shovel snow. Mr. Myer- paralysis at Haskins, Ohio, where he is buried.
On Aug. 26, 1845, Mr. Garrett married
ley was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery,
having belonged to Myrtle Lodge, No. 858, Margaret Cornelison, who was born Alay 5,
at Danville, of which he was a past grand.
1822, and died Alarch 31, 1857. She is buried

He was
Fire

member

also a

Company.

he w^as active

and singing
Democrat.

Reared
in its

of the Washington

in the Baptist

Church,

work, serving as trustee
Politically he was a

in the choir.

On March

14,

1872, Mr.

Myerley married

Harriet Susan (Garrett), who was born at
Danville Oct. 10. 1847, daughter of William
Hoops and Margaret (Cornelison) Garrett, of

Four children were born to Mr. and
Airs. Myerley: Cora B., born Jan. 5, 1873,
wife of George Haze Haley, of Waterville,

Danville.

Ohio, has four children, Herbert, Laura,
Ernest and Lotta May Edwin Herbert, born
Aug. 30, 1878, who is a carpenter by occupation, married Rosa Getz, and they have
three sons, George, Carl and Luther; Bertha
and Stella, twins, were born Aug. 2J, 1880,
the latter dying Aug. 25, 1905; Bertha is the
wife of Frank Yeager, who was born Nov. i,
;

Snydertown, Northumberland Co.,
Pa., son of Jacob and Sarah (Chamberlain)
Yeager, farming people, of Riverside, Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Yeager have one child,
Sherman Foster, born Nov. 13, 1904. Air.
1

881,

Old Grove cemetery, now Memorial
Her parents, William and

the

Park, at Danville.

Susan Cornelison, w^ere born Feb. 10, 1792,
and Sept. 12, 1794. respectively. The father
was blind for thirty years before his death.
To Air. and Airs. Garrett were born children
as follows: Jacob H.. who was killed by the
cars when a young man Lydia Jane, who died
Haryoung William Albert, who died young
riet Susan, Airs. Alyerley and Edwin Foster,
;

;

living in Waterville. Ohio.

was a
belonged to the

Air. Garrett

politics.
Republican
G. A. R., and was a member of the First

Baptist Church of Danville.

EAIERSON

ADAAIS,

practical painter

and paper hanger, of Danville, Alontour Co.,
Pa., was born in that borough Jan. 12, 1855,
son of John Adams.

Thomas Adams, the first of this branch of
the Adams family of which we have definite
mention, was the grandfather of Emerson A.
Adams.
John

Adams was born

Northumberland

Dark Hollow,

Co., Pa., April 15. 1819.

and

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

852

He was married
died April 19, 1892.
Lucinda Vastine, who was born Nov.

to
15,

1 818,
a daughter of Thomas Vastine, and
Six sons were born of
died Dec. 27, 1881.
this marriage, but only two survive: Benneand Emerville Krim, San Francisco, Cal.
;

son Ambrose.

During all of his active life John Adams
was a heater in the iron works at Danville
and a farmer. He spent his declining years
He and his wife
at Danville, where he died.
are buried, in the Rush Baptist Church cemetery in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania.

Emerson Ambrose Adams w^as born and
grew up at Danville. He was still a lad when
he secured employment in the planing mill
there, where he continued working for several years, until he went into the employ of
There he rethe National Iron Company.
mained three years, and then when eighteen
years old

commenced learning paper hanging

in which line he found his life
Eventually he became a contracting
painter and paper hanger and is doing some
of the best work in that line in this section.

and painting,
work.

Mr. Adams married
who was born Sept.
14, 1859, at Danville, Pa., a daughter of John
B. Hartzell. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have had
children as follows
Rella May, who was

Mary

Aug.

31,

1879,

Elizabeth Hartzell,

born July 22, 1883, married

Howard

Mac-

Hattie Lois married
Laine, of Milton, Pa.
John C. Hoover, of Danville, who is a
painter and a trained nurse Harry. Edward
Wesley and William Emmons all died in in;

;

fancy.

Adams

Mrs.

has been a

member

of the

Church of Danville since she was
twenty-one years old, at which time she was
married and united with the church.
Mr.
Baptist

Adams

also belongs to this religious organ-

having joined when he was twelve
Fraternally he belongs to the
Knights of the Golden Eagle, Montour Castle,
No. 186, of Danville, and was formerly financial secretary of same
he was a trustee of

ization,

years

old.

;

the

Friendship

Fire

Company

Danville.

Although a public-spirited man, Mr. Adams
has not devoted either time or attention to

As a business man and expert in
he stands high, and holds the confidence of all who know him.

politics.
his line

John B. Hartzell, now deceased, was a
farmer of Northumberland county. Pa. He
was born March 15, 1835, in Lower Augusta
township, that county, son of Solomon Hart-

Conrad Hartzell, his grandfather, was
Northampton county, Pennsylvania.
Solomon Hartzell, son of Conrad, was born
in Bedford county. Pa., July 29, 1792.
He
married Anna Maria Baker, born in Lower
Augusta township, Northumberland county,
Pa., Sept. 17, 1796, daughter of George Wilhelm Baker, a native of Germany who came
to the United States at an early day. Solomon
Hartzell and his wife are buried in the Reformed Church cemetery at Snydertown,
Northumberland county.
John B. Hartzell married ]\Iarella Elizabeth
Shull on Dec. 23, 1858. She was born April
27, 1834, in Shamokin township, Northumberland county. Pa., daughter of Peter (Sr.) and

zell.

born

Elizabeth (Krick) Shull, both natives of
Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hartzell is buried in Fairview cemetery, at Danville, having died Nov.
2.%,
1904, while Mr. Hartzell passed away

The children born to John B.
Jan. I, 1908.
Hartzell and wife were: Mrs. Adams Israel
Wesley, who is employed in the Danville iron
mills
and John Addison, also in the Dan;

ville

iron mills.

WILLIAM

ILES, ex-chief of

the Danville

Department, and an employee of the
Reading Rolling Mills, was born Oct. i, 1874,
at Danville, Pa., and is a son of George and
Fire

Ellen (Hunt)

lies.

William and Rhoda lies, the grandparents
of William lies, were natives of Wales.
On emigrating to this country Mr. lies secured employment at the Danville ore mines,
and there continued to work until his death.
George lies, son of William lies, was also
born in Wales, in February, 1853. and was
still a lad when brought to this country by
his parents.
Following in his father's footthe ore mines,
steps, he became connected with
later was boss roller at the Reading Iron
He
Company's plant, and is now retired.
married Ellen Hunt, who was born in 1855,
daughter of John and Sarah Hunt, and they
had eleven children, of whom eight are livWilliam; Sarah, who being at this time:
came the wife of Hurley Mover; Rhoda, who
married Charles Shiffner; Edward, of Danville; Nellie, the wife of John Bookmiller;
Mary, at home; Alfred, and Keturah.
William lies, son of George lies, was educated in the public schools of Danville, and
at the age of sixteen years entered the Reading Rolling Mills, where he has been employed
for the last two years in
to the present time

—

the steel mills.
For nineteen vears

Mr.

Ties

has been

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
member

of the Good Will Fire Company, and
1912 was elected chief of the Danville
fire department, which comprises four companies, the Good Will, Continental, FriendHe; served faithfully,
ship and Washington.
possessing the courage, enthusiasm and execin

utive capacity necessary to the management of
a band of fire fighters, and enjoyed the confidence of the public and the respect of his men.
He is a member of Montour Castle, No. 186,
Knights of the Golden Eagle, in which he has
numerous friends his religious connection is
with Christ Episcopal Church, which he is
now serving as vestryman. In 1909 Mr.
lies was elected on the Republican ticket to
represent the Second ward in the borough
council, and was re-elected in 1913 for four
;

more years of service.
In 1901 Mr. lies was married to Margaret
Cook, who was born Feb. 12, 1876, at: Danville, Pa., daughter of Benjamin and Ann
(Phillips) Cook, the former a native of DanThree chilthe latter born in Wales.
dren have been born to this union
Ethel,
born Aug. 3, 1902; William, born Nov. 22,
1904; and Edwin, born Oct. 11, 1908.
ville,

Sarah and Martha, twins, born
Sept.

22, 1848,
died in 1884, the latter
Thomas J.; Ira Foster, born Oct. 2,
1854, who died in 1885, at the age of thirty
years; and John, born Nov. 17, 1857, who
died in 1864, at the age of seven. Mr. Swank
died June 19, 1893, and his wife died
Jan. 23,
1900, at the age of eighty-one. Both are buried
in the Rush
township Baptist cemetery.
Thomas J. Swank was educated in the
schools of Rush township and worked on a
farm until the age of twenty. He then
began
to learn the trade of
bricklayer, and after
the completion of his term worked as a
journeyman for six years. He went to the West,
working at his trade in Chicago and Council

the former of

supervisor of the State Hospital for the Insane,
Danville, Pa., was born in Rush township,

whom

in 1877;

and also worked one year on the farm
Orlow Norton, in Ogle county. 111. Returning to Danville, he worked for a year for
Grove Brothers in their blast furnaces, and
Bluffs,

then went to the eastern shore of Maryland
and worked in the sawmill of Gruber & Klotz
for nearly two years.
In 1880 he was engaged as nurse attendant in the State Hospital for the Insane at Danville, and after a
service of but nine months was made super-

visor.

THOMAS JEFFERSON SWANK,

853

has held this position ever since.

Mr. Swank is an adherent of the Republican party and has served for one term as
councilman from the Second ward.
He is
past noble grand of Myrtle Lodge, No. 858,
I. O. O. F., and was treasurer for two
years.
He married Sophia Elizabeth Delanty, and
they have had children as follows Clyde Colkett, born June ii, 1884, married Gertrude
Flickinger, of Danville; Harry Delanty, born
Jan. 18, 1886, lives in Johnson City, Tenn.
Walter Shultz, born July 4, 1888, lives at
home; Ira Foster, born Dec. 30, 1890, is at
home; Edith May, born Jan. 21, 1894, died

Northumberland Co., Pa., Aug. 2, 1850. He
the son of Samuel Swank and grandson of
John Swank, both of whom were farmers.
John Swank, the grandfather, was a
farmer, and came from Bucks county, Pa., to
Rush township at an early date. He was
married twice, and by his first wife, Mary
Preune, who died in 1823, had four children:
By
William, Samuel, Benjamin and Sarah.
his second wife he had
David, John, Julianna,
Mary Ann and Hannah. He was a Repub- when five days old.
Sophia Elizabeth Delanty was born in Danlican, and a member of the Lutheran Church.
He died in November, 1857, and is buried in ville Jan. 23, 1856, and is a daughter of John
the Creek churchyard, in Rush township.
Delanty and granddaughter of John Delanty.
Samuel Swank, the father of Thomas Jef- She was educated in the schools of Danville
ferson Swank, was born March 2, 1819, in and worked as nurse and cook at the State
Rush township, and worked at farming all of Insane Hospital until her marriage. She is a
his life.
After he grew to manhood he ac- member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Danfarm
of forty acres, upon which he ville.
a
quired
resided until his death. He was a Republican
John Delanty, Mrs. Swank's grandfather,
and a member of the First Baptist Church of was born in the northern part of Ireland, and
He married Hannah Colkett, born lived and died there. After his death his
Danville.
Dec. 2, 1819, daughter of John and Elizabeth widow came to America with the children and
in Easton, Northampton Co., Pa. There
(Vastine) Colkett, and their children were: settled
the rest of her life, and is buried
she
Melwife
of
born
passed
EHzabeth,
July 17, 1843,
anchthon Unger, of Union Corners, North- in the Episcopal cemetery. Her children were
umberland county; Alary A^, born Feb. 12, James John Isabelle, who married a Duffy
and Mary.
1846, widow of Samuel ]\Iills, of Danville;
is

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

854

John Delanty, father of Mrs. Swank, was
born and educated in the North of Ireland.
He was a butcher by trade, but after he came

America

worked

at Phoenixville, Danville and
in the Milton Car Works.
before his death he retired.

copalian,

rolling mills
Alilton, Pa., and

the

About ten years
He was an Episa member of Christ Church at Dan-

He died in 1893, at the age of seventynine, and his wife died at the age of fiftyHe is buried in the Episcopal cemseven.
at Danville, while she lies in the Foil-

ville.

etery

cemetery, in Limestone township, MonMrs. Delanty was Elizabeth,
tour county.
and Sophia (Smith) Fix,
Michael
of
daughter
natives of Berks county. Mr. and Mrs. Delchilanty were the parents of the following
died
born
i,
June
dren
1850,
Isabella,
May

man

1851

ried

;

Mary

marJane, born Jan. 20, 1852,

John Springer; Anna Maria, born Nov.

1854; Sophia Elizabeth is mentioned above; John Henry, twin
of Sophia Elizabeth, born Jan. 2^, 1856, married Ida Former Rebecca Ellen, born March
Wilham Thomas,
5, 1858, died Feb. 14, i860;
born Sept. 20, i860, died Jan. 5, 1862; Michael
30,

1853, died Sept. 22,

;

Emma
Jeremiah, born Oct. 21, 1862, married
Feb.
born
22,
Washington,
Tallerday George
;

1866, married Laura Blanchard and lives in
Spring Valley, N. Y. Sarah Minerva, born
June 20, 1870, married Andrew Roat.
;

WEBSTER

DANIEL
RANK, of Limestone township, Montour county, now living
retired, was for many years a practicing lawyer and at one time district attorney, but even
during

his professional life

in agriculture, residing
sake of his health. Mr.

he was interested
his

farm for the

Rank was born

Feb.

was twice married, the first time to Catharine
Heckel, who was the mother of all his children, namely
Joseph S. Daniel, who died
in Union county. Pa. Andrew H., of Centerville, Ind.
Hiram, who died in infancy Lambert, who died at White Deer Mill. Union
Co., Pa., in December, 1886; ]\Iary, who married William Chamberlain; and Catharine,
who married Martin Mackey, both dying in
Union county.
Joseph S. Rank, eldest of the family of
Daniel Rank, was born Dec. 20, 1807, and
:

;

died in Limestone township Jan. 3, 1893. He
was always a farmer, and in April, 1836, came
to the property in Limestone township, now

Montour county, which was his home for
over fifty years; it belonged to his wife. On
Dec. 30, 1830, Mr. Rank married Catharine
McGinness, of Union county, who died Dec.
31, 1879, «^'^*i they were the parents of six
children, namely
James C, a farmer, who
settled in Fillmore county, Minn.; John M.,
who died in Central City, Colo. Daniel Webster; Hiram William, who died in infancy;
in

;

Henry Clay, who died unmarried ajid Elizabeth Catharine, now living in Limestoneville.
In the maternal line Daniel W. Rank is of
ancient lineage. About 450 B. C. according
to the chronology of the "Fair of Carmen,"
Milesius was a king in the northern part of
In that year eight sons of ]\Iilesius,
Spain.
with a fleet of one hundred and sixty vessels,
set out from what is now Corunna. on the
north coast of Spain, and contjuered Ireland.
Five of the sons were drowned in effecting
;

a landing. Heber, Heremon and Amhugin surHeber took Munster. Heremon had
viving.
Leinster and Connaught, and to Eimh-Ir, son

of the brother

Ir,

was assigned the part now

1835, in Union county, Pa., and belongs
to a family which has been settled in this
country for nearly two centuries, his emigrant
ancestors having come to these shores from

known

Alsace in 1728. Their son Philip was a resident in Earl township, Lancaster Co., Pa.,

in the

early in the eighteenth century.
Philip Adam Rank, son of Philip, was the
next in the line of descent. His father sold
him some land in the township mentioned in
1770, as shown by an old writing now in the

Ireland for the Continent.
Many also emigrated to America, and in the colony of Pennsylvania one of the first Irish settlements was
made, both father and mother being known
as Huguenots. At the present time the family
is represented by the Lord of Iveagh.
Daniel Webster Rank worked at home on
the farm until 1849. meantime acquiring a
good foundation for his education in the local
common and academical schools. Then he be-

16,

possession of Daniel W^ebster Rank.
Adam Rank, son of Philip Adam,

1790 to a farm he bought, in
Union county, Pa., and there he
Daniel Rank, son of Adam,
1789 in Union county, where

moved in
is now

what
died.

was born in
he lived and

died, his death occurring in 1854.

pation he was a farmer and blacksmith.

occu-

It is
is

as Ulster, anciently

from

this

known

first

known

as Ultonia.
the family tree
are informed that the

grandson,

Ir,

to date.
Irish settlements in

America were made
At this period
mostly from Ulster, left

Commonwealth

thousands of

Irish,

gan reading law

period.

at Muncy, Lycoming Co.,
Pa., in the oftice of Robert Hawley, was admitted to the bar April 21, 1859, at \\'illiams-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
same county, and from there went to
Millersburg, Dauphin Co., Pa., where he was
He began practicing there,
also admitted.
continuing until Aug. 31, 1861, when he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a private
port,

Company D,

7th Pennsylvania Cavalry,
of the Cumberland, and he remained in
the service over three years. On Oct. 9, 1861,
he became sergeant of his company; on Nov.
i8th. sergeant major of the regiment; and on
June II, 1864, by order of the Secretary of

Army

War, "was mustered back

to July i, 1863, as
lieutenant of Company M, same regAt the retreat from the battle of
iment."
Chickamauga he had command of the rear
guard at Rossville Gap, and was the last officer to turn his back to the enemy on the 22d
first

day of September, 1863. On Aug. 31, 1864,
he was made Acting Assistant AdjutantGeneral for the detachment of the ist Brigade,
2d Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland, then at Columbia, Tenn., and later was
appointed to the command of the detachment
to guard Sherman's line of transportation,
As such he was engaged until Dec. 16, 1864,
when he was mustered out on account of ill
health, declining the commission as captain
which had been sent him. He has the distinction of being the highest retired Civil

Montour county.
On his retirement from
came back to his old home

war

of-

ficial in

the
in

army Mr. Rank
Montour county,

Avhere he remained for several years, recuperating, being unfit for any sustained effort at
business of any kind. Early in 1872 he went

where he practiced his profession for ten years, during which time he

to Scranton, Pa.,

was commissioned (by Governor Hartranft)

—

attorney of the mayor's court the
only commission issued by a governor which
had to be confirmed by the Senate. Returning to his old home in Limestone township in
1882, he continued practice there very sue-

district

cessfully, maintaining his office in Danville.
In the fall of 1884 he was elected district at-

torney of Montour county, for three years,
the duties of which office he filled during that
term with the highest efficiency, giving excellent satisfaction. He has also had agricultural
In 1898 he was elected a justice of
interests.
the peace of Limestone township, Montour
Co.. Pa., and has been re-elected, filling that
In politics he is a
office at the present date.
Republican.

On May
to

12, 1875, ^f^- Rank was married
Mary Catharine McKune, who was born

June

II,

McKune,

1846, daughter of Hon. Robert H.
then mayor of Scranton. Pa.
She

855

died July i8, 1881, the mother of two children, both of whom died in infancy,
Personally Mr. Rank has always been a
man of unassuming character, but his intellect
and the ability of which he has given evidence
in every work with which he has been connected have gained his opinions respectful regard, and he has always exerted an influence
for the good of the community wherever his
lot has placed him.

ROBERT

SWIFT PATTEN, M. D., a
physician and surgeon who has been in practice several years at Danville, was born there
Sept. 17, 1874, son of James Augustus and
Laura (Razore) Patten, the former a merchant of New York City,
Dr. Patten attended public school in Bloomsburg, Pa., and the State normal school at that
place, being graduated from the latter institution in 1895.
For the following two years
he was in a drug store at Picture Rocks,
Co., Pa., as assistant pharmacist,
1897 entering Jefferson Medical College,
at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1901. For the following four years
he was in general practice at Washingtonville,
Pa., in 1905 coming to Danville, where he
has since continued.
Professionally he belongs to the Montour County Medical Society,
the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and
the American Medical Association, and is an

Lycoming
in

ex-president of the first named organization,
Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows,
Knights of Pythias and Heptasophs. He and
his wife are members of Trinity Lutheran
Church. While living at Washingtonville he
served as burgess for two years,
On June 11, 1902, Dr. Patten was married
to Sarah L. Miller, of Limestoneville, Pa.,
born Aug. 26, 1873. daughter of Andrew and
Dr.
Ellen (Andy) Miller, farming people.
and Mrs. Patten have had one child, Lucile
Miller, born

Nov.

8, 1903.

BEVERLY W. MUSSELMAN,

deceased,

several members of whose family still reside
in Danville, was years ago master mechanic
at what is now the Reading Iron Company,
He was a native of Northumberland county,
Pa., but spent practically all his life at

Dan-

ville.

Daniel Musselman, father of Beverly W.
Musselman, was a native of Alsace Lorraine,
now part of Germany, and his wife's maiden
name was Elizabeth Ephlin. After Mr. ]\Iusselman's death she married Thomas Clark.
Beverly W. Musselman was reared and edu-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

856

cated at Danville, and was employed most of
life in the rolling mills there, and by
faithful and satisfactory service attained the
responsible position of foreman and master
mechanic at the plant now known as the Reading Mills. His death occurred Feb. 21, 1875,
when he was in his prime, but forty-two years
of age, and his wife Anna (Clark) also died
his

when

nearly forty years old, in September,
She was a native of Danville, born in
1873.
December, 1833, daughter of Thomas and

Frances (Flanagan) Clark, and granddaughter of "Billy" Clark, in his day well known
as keeper of the tavern called "Jackson Inn,"
He received a pension for his
at Danville.
services in the Revolutionary war, in which
he had fought under Washington. Thomas
Clark, Mrs. Musselman's father, was employed
Five of his
at the rolling mills in Danville.
sons formed a drum corps and served in
the Mexican war.
Mr. and Mrs. Musselman had a family of
seven children: Thomas B., deceased; Bushrod W., who is in Philadelphia; Frances F.. a
teacher in the Col. W. Parker school in Chicago, 111. Anna C, wife of H. C. Hoover, a
merchant of Shamokin, Pa.; Beverly W., of
Danville, mentioned elsewhere in this work
;

;

Elizabeth L., living at

home

in Danville

Sarah C, who began teaching school

and
Dan-

;

when but seventeen years old, continuing
her work until 1910, when she retired (she
was a grammar school teacher in the First
w^ard school, later principal of the Third ward
ville

& Foundry Company's

plant at Berwick for
forty-nine years.
Colonel Seely was born at Berwick, ^lay
of
Nathan and Catherine
1842, son
5,
(Krischer) Seely, and grandson of Samuel
and Margaret (Cortright) Seely.
Samuel
Seely resided at Stroudsburg, ^klonroe Co.,
Pa., nearly all his life, engaged in farming and
teaming. \\'hile hauling a load of goods from
Philadelphia to his home town he was killed

runaway accident. He married Margaret
and they had five children, namely
John, Nathan, Hannah, Huldah and Andrew.
Mrs. Seely later married Samuel Santee, and
Samthey were the parents of three children
uel, Isaac and Robert.
Nathan Seely was born May 10, 1812, in
New Hampshire, and came to Berwick in an
early day, before the town was so called.
There he served an apprenticeship to the trade
of blacksmith in the shop of Thomas Cole, and
later moved to Orangeville, Columbia Co., Pa.,
where he engaged in business on his own acin a

Cortright,

count.
Returning to Berwick, he followed
his trade there for the rest of his active days.
He assisted in the organization of the town
and took considerable part in its public affairs
held the office of constable; and was particuHe was
larly interested in military matters.
captain of the Light Horse Artillery, which he
organized, inspector of the 2d Brigade of the
State militia, and attained the rank of major
in the militia. His death occurred Jan. 16, 1865,
;

and he is buried in Beach Grove cemetery. At
Berwick he married, on Feb. 22, 1838, CatherMr. Musselman never took an active part in ine Krischer, who was born in Columbia counpolitics, but he was a Union sympathizer dur- ty, Aug. 15, 181 5, and she survived him, dying
The following children were
ing the Civil war and enlisted for service. Feb. 22, 1881.
He served as a regimental musician in the born to ^Ir. and Mrs. Seely Theodore W.,
2ioth Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, and born Sept. 28, 1839, who died Feb. 2, 1840;
the family still treasure his silver bugle. He Frances Elmira, born Sept. 29, 1840; and Anwas a charter member of Stoe's Silver Cor- drew Dingman, who is mentioned later. The
net Band, and in fraternal connection was a daughter, Frances Elmira, attended private
Mason and a past master of his lodge.
school at Mauch Chunk, and afterwards married George D. Jacoby, a resident of Berwick.
COL.
D. SEELY, of Berwick, ]Mr. and 5lrs. Jacoby had the following chilColumbia Co., is undoubtedly the best known dren
Warren; Boyd; Kate, who is ^Irs. H.
citizen of that town and section, where he has S. Williams ^lary, deceased Sally, Mrs. H.
passed all his life with the exception of ab- T. Sitlcr Annie, ^Irs. G. F. \'andoozer; and
sences necessitated by military service.
His Henrietta, who married Robert E. P. Suit, and
long and creditable connection with the State has two children, Robert E. P., Jr., and EdMrs. Frances Elmira Jacoby died
militia, the services he has rendered the com- win B.
munity in responsible public positions, and, Feb. 8, 90 1. Nathan Seely was a Democrat,
above all, his high personal character, make and a member of the Lutheran Church.
Andrew D. Seely had such advantages as
him worthy of the high estimation and confidence of his fellow citizens, which he holds the public schools of Berwick aff'orded. and
to an unusual degree.
He has had charge of later attended the select school in Bloomsthe painting department of the American Car burg which was taught by Joel E. Bradley. He
school).

ANDREW

;

A^^^-z^ ^< xi

--rrr\

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
went to learn marble cutting with Capt. A. H.
Rush, of Berwick, remaining with him until
he sold out, about which time the Civil war
broke out, and the young man went to the
support of the Union. On April 20, 1861, he
enlisted,

i6th

becoming a member of Company C,

Pennsylvania

\'olunteer

InfantryH-the

857

He saw
and Hazleton,
at which place he was on Major General Oshorn's staff.
In 1877, on the reorganization
of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, he
was made aide de camp of the 3d Brigade
under General Siegfried; he was also made
aide de camp on Governor Pattison's staff,
at the

Susquehanna depot

1874.

active service at Wilkes-Barre

company in the State sworn in for three
with
It was assigned, however, to a three
years.
first

regiment, and having served that
length of time was permitted by the governor
Three months later young
to return home.
Seely reenlisted, this time joining Company
H, of the 84th Regiment, which on account
of the great loss of men was later merged
into the 57th Regiment, 3d Corps, Army of
the Potomac, under Gen. Daniel E. Sickles,
After the battle of Gettysburg, the 3d Corps
was consolidated into the 2d Corps, under
Gen. Winfield S. Hancock. Under his second
enlistment Colonel Seely served three years
and four months, receiving his discharge June
25, 1865, at Washington, D. C. At that time
he was sergeant of his company. He took
part in many battles, including Bull Run,
Gettysburg, Chancellorsville (where his regiment lost 265 men and eleven officers), the

months"

Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Spottsylvania,
on through to the surrender of Lee. At Chancellorsville he was taken prisoner, but was
recaptured by the ist Corps of the Army of
the Potomac.
Returning to Berwick at the close of his
army service. Colonel Seely entered the employ of the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, and on April 5, 1866, became
engaged in the painting department, of which
he became foreman July 4th of that year,
He has continued to be head of this department ever since, the plant now belonging, however, to the American Car & Foundry Company.
Colonel Seely has long been associated with
the administration of borough affairs, and he
is still serving on the board of health, of which
he has been a member for a number of years;
he was a member and chief of the fire department for several years, and has served
as burgess of the borough. On purely political questions he is a stanch Democrat.
Colonel Seely is one of the well known officers of the National Guard in Pennsylvania.

the rank of lieutenant colonel, serving
four years. Colonel Seely did eft'ective work
during the riots at Homestead, Pa. He has
assisted in quelling all the riots in the State in
his time, and has won the highest praise for
the good judgment he displayed. He holds a
commission on the retired list of the National
Guard of Pennsylvania, and is entitled to be
the guest of the governor of Pennsylvania
upon all State occasions. He has served as
marshal of the day at Berwick on Decoration
Day for the last thirty years,
The Colonel was one of the first directors
of the Berwick Water Company, and is now
president of the Berwick Building & Loan
Association, having held that office for a
number of years.
The Colonel has numerous social connections.
He is a prominent member of Capt.
C. G. Jackson Post, No. 159, G. A. R., at Berwick, of which he has been quartermaster for
an honorary member of
twenty-five years
Col. A. D. Seely Camp, No. 25, Sons of Veterans, which was named after him member of
the Union Veteran Legion (Camp No. 32,
Bloomsburg), made up of three years' men of
the Civil war; of the Society of the Army of
the Potomac; and was the first president of
the Columbia County Veterans' Association,
which is composed of Union soldiers of the
county. He is a Knight of the Golden Eagle;
a charter member of Susquehanna Commandery, No. 18, of the Knights of Malta, and a
member of Berwick Lodge, No. 11 38, B. P.
O. Elks. In religious connection he is a memFor many
ber of the Presbyterian Church.
years he had charge of the Christmas entertainments of the First Methodist Sunday
;

;

school.

On March
Miranda

25, 1878, Colonel Seely married
C. Stackhouse, a native of Berwick,

born March 31, 1841, who died Nov. 28, 1899.
She was a member of the Woman's Relief
Corps and an active worker in that organizaOn Aug. 27, 1870, he was made lieutenant tion. On Feb. 25, 1903, the Colonel married
of the Jackson Guards, serving in the riots (second) Mrs. lona May (Arnold) Lynch,
was subsequently who was born June 9, 1865, in Wilkes-Barre,
at Scranton, Pa., in 1871
Dec. 31, 1871, Pa., and first married Frank R. Lynch, of
on
and
made captain
major;
was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Wilkes-Barre, who died Jan. 29, 1891. ColoMrs. Seely reside at No. 317 Front
T7th Regiment, and served during the riot nel and
;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

858

street, in a substantial modern residence, one
of the finest in the borough. As one of the
oldest residents in the town, and who has
been notably active and efficient in its upits most
building. Colonel Seely is one of

honored

citizens.

MRS. MATILDA

(WATERS) SHER-

IFF, one of the oldest residents of Danville,
was born in Northumberland, Northumberland Co., Pa., April 14, 1829. daughter of
Dennis Waters.
Dennis Waters was born in Northumberland county and died in 1878, aged seventysix years.
During all of his mature life he
was a saddler at Northumberland, Pa. He
married Matilda W^elker, who died in 1862,
aged fifty-four years, the mother of six children, of whom Mrs. Sherifif is the only sur-

One of her brothers, Gilbert, was killed
at Shelbyville, Tenn., while in the Union service during the Civil war.
vivor.

John Welker, father of Mrs. ^Matilda
(Welker) Waters, was a native of Germany,
and located near Philadelphia prior to the
Revolutionary w^ar. A merchant of some note,
he had the misfortune to lose a large stock of
goods during the hostilities, and moved his
family to Northumberland county to avoid
further trouble. There he and his wife died.
Mr. Welker was a man of large means, and
possessed many comforts and luxuries unknown to his neighbors, among them a piano,
the first to be taken into Northumberland
county. This he felt was a necessary article
in his household, for he was a fine musician,
well known in his section for his talent in

that line.

Mrs. Matilda A. (Waters)
to useful

S^herifif grew up
womanhood, attending school and

learning the duties pertaining to housekeeping
and homemaking, remaining with her parents
until her marriage, on Oct. 18, 1849, to John

Sheriff.

John W. Sheriff was born

Waterford,

Erie Co., Pa., Sept. 12, 1822, and died March
26, 1896, aged seventy-three years. When he
was sixteen years old he came to Danville.
Pa., to attend to the business affairs of his
uncle. Major Colt, who was a merchant during the days when the canal was in active
service.
Later he established a stage and bus
line, operating between Williamsport, Pottsville,

Wilkes-P.arre.

NorthumlKrland

and

Blossburg until the building of the railroad.
He also ran a packet boat on the canal. With
the coming of the railroad, however, he established himself as a merchant at Lewistown,

Miftlin Co., Pa.,

teen years, later

where he remained for thirmoving to Danville, where he

was head bookkeeper for Robert Wooley,
wholesale and

retail coal dealer, for

twenty-one
he
was an Odd Fellow, and in politics he was a
Democrat.
His parents were William and
Margaret (Colt) Sheriff, natives of Montour
county, Pa., and most excellent people.
Mr. and Mrs. Sheriff had children as follows
William Waters, born Aug. 11, 1852,
died March 7, 1913, was a druggist of Williamsport, Pa. he married Sarah Fender, and
their son. John W., attended school in Ohio,
graduating in 1914. Margaret W., born Nov.
24, 1850, married Addison G. ^Nlarr. and is
deceased they left two children \\'illiam P.,
who is a manufacturer of Racine, Wis., married Helen Stocking, and has three children,
Helen Winifred, Catherine and Jeanette
Isabelle and Graham Marr, who is an architect of London, England, is unmarried. Mayears,

until

his

retirement.

Fraternally

;

tilda

Jane, the third child of

]\Irs.

Sheriff',

born Nov. 23, 1858, married Harry Rupert,
a clerk of Philadelphia, Pa., and has three
children
Mary, who is a practicing physician
of Philadelphia; Sarah, who married Edward
Fisher and has two children and Lillian, who
was married in ]\Iay, 1913. to Porter Benson
and lives in Buffalo, N. Y. Anna Turner,
born Nov. 23, 1861. is the widow of James K.
Clemens, who died in March, 1910, and re:

;

sides in Philadelphia.

Mrs. Sheriff' belongs to the Mahoning Presbyterian Church. She has been a resident of
Danville since 1862, and has witnessed many
changes in the borough since coming here.
lady of kindly sympathy and high character,
she is held in the highest respect by all who
have the honor of her acquaintance.

ALFRED

SEIDEL,

late

of Derry town-

Montour county, was

a lifelong resident
of that section, having been born in the town^^^is great-grandfather.
ship March 2, 1844.
John Seidel. was the founder of the old "Seidel
Iim" at Washingtonville, the ownership of
ship,

which was in the Seidel family contiiniously
for one hundred years without change of
license until Lucy C. Seidel, widow of .Mfred
F. Seidel, persuaded her husband to close
it some
twenty years ago. In the day of the
early settlers in this region the old fort used
in time of Indian warfare stood on the Seidel
homestead.
William Seidel, son of John, and grandfather of Alfred F. Seidel, was one of the
oldest residents of

Montour countv.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
William Seidel, father of Alfred F. Seidel,
in Derry township and passed all
He inherited the farm and
his life there.
hotel from his father, conducting the hotel
previous to 1870, and was one of the substantial and respected citizens of this locality
in his day. He married Catherine Saul, daughter of Jacob Saul, and member of one of the
oldest settled families of Strawberry Ridge.
Alfred F. Seidel passed all his life in Derry
township, and like his father and grandfather
before him followed farming and hotelkeepOn Feb. 10, 1870, he married Lucy C.
ing.
Wagner, who was born Oct. 10. 1847, in Turbut township, Northumberland county, and

was born

died Sept.

The following

1913.

children

were born to this union Arren E., a farmer
of Derry township, married Edna Martz, and
they have five children, Allen, Naomi, Elmer,
Rodman and Harold Clarence W. is unmarried and resides in his mother's home in Washingtonville Claude A. was born Dec. 17, 1875
William D., born Aug. 9, 1885, unmarried, is
engaged as a farmer, roofer and lime burner
in Derry township
Ada G., born April 9,
:

;

the wife of Clay Martz, of Trenton,
1887,
N. J. Mr. Seidel was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the General Synod
at Washingtonville, to which his widow also
In political sentiment he was a
belonged.
Democrat, and he was an acti\'e worker in the
He farmed until his
interest of his party.
death, which occurred July 3, 1892, at the
He and his wife are buried
old homestead.
is

Washingtonville Lutheran cemetery.
Mrs. Lucy C. Seidel made her home

Washingtonville at the time of ner death. Her
grandparents, Michael and Elizabeth (Snyder)

Wagner, came to Montour county in 1804
from Berks county. Pa., making the journey
by team. Michael Wagner, the father of Mrs.
Seidel, was born in Berks county, and was
a mere child when the family settled in Montour county.
He farmed on the old home
place until his death, and was very prosperous,
being the owner of five farms. He also built
and operated a distillery near his place, which
he subsequently sold to a man named George
M. Oyster. He married Letitia Dieffenbacher,
who came hither from Berks county with
her parents, Philip and Rosannah (]\Iauser)
Dieffenbacher.

who

settled in

Mrs. Wagner died

ship.

Limestone town-

in 1881, at the age
W^agner in 1872, at

of seventy-six years, Mr.
the age of seventy-two years.
They had a
family of ten children, of whom the followLevi, who is a farmer in Mising survive
souri George, living in McEwensville, North:

;

umberland

859

Pa.; and Daniel, of WashMay 22, 1913; Mrs.
Lydia Gresh, of Washingtonville, died in February, 1914; Mrs. Lucy C. Seidel died in September, 1913; Fayette, wife of J. Miller, died

ingtonville.

Co.,

Charles died

Washingtonville in July, 19 13.
E. Si-:iDiiL, eldest son of Alfred F.
Seidel, was born on the old Seidel homestead

Arren

He received
16, 1872.
early education at Strawberry Ridge, in
that township, attending public school until
in

Derry township Oct.

his

he was fifteen years old, when he entered
Greenwood Seminary, Millville, Columbia
county, and took a two years' course. Following that he became a student at the Lycom-

normal school, at Muncy, Lycoming
and qualified as a teacher. He also
attended Potts Shorthand College, at Williamsport, and took a fourteen months' course,
graduating as a stenographer and typewriter.
ing

Co., Pa.,

He followed that line of work in Williamsport for one and a half years, when he entered
the United States railway postal service, and
was assigned to the run between Elmira, N.
and Baltimore, Md., remaining in the servfourteen months. At that time he married, May 18, 1902, Edna Martz, and they
live on his farm of thirty-nine acres, located
in Derry township, near Danville, all of which
is cleared and under cultivation. Mr. Seidel has
Y.,

ice for

made a specialty of the training of bird
dogs, at present having dogs in training whose
value amounts to six thousand dollars
he
has trained this kind of dogs for the leading
sportsmen in the United States, Canada and
]\Iexico.
Since its organization he has been
president of the Game and Fish Club of Montour county, which has three hundred members, and its object is to protect and increase
the game and fish of the country. The members have practically the same powers as game
wardens. Mr. Seidel is a Democrat, and has
served his township as tax collector and school
He is a member of the Danville
director.
Aerie, No. 338, F. O. E., of the Modern Woodmen of America at Washingtonville, and a
charter member of Danville Nest, No. 1240,
Order of Owls.
Mrs. Edna (Alartz) Seidel was born May
27, 1882, daughter of Jacob and Clara (SnyMr. and ]\Irs. Seidel have had
der) Martz.
five children, born as follows
Allen, Aug. 19,
1903; Naomi, Oct. 31, 1905; Elmer, Sept. 15,
since

;

1907; Rodman, Nov. 20, 1910; Harold, April
]\Ir. Seidel and his
family are members of the Evangelical Church at Washing9, 1912.

tonville.

Clarence W. Seidel, second son

of Alfred

COLUAIBIA

860

AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

now engaged

as a contractor at WashingDerry township, was born on the old
Seidel homestead Jan. 27, 1874. He attended
school at Strawberry Ridge until seventeen
years old, and then entered the general store
of Casper Howe, at Strawberry Ridge, as a
clerk.
His next position was at Danville,
where he was bar clerk in the "Mansion
House" for seven years. Returning to the
old homestead, he had charge of the stone
quarries and limekilns on the place for five
years, and since that time has been engaged in
contracting, painting, cement bridge and stone
work. At the present time he holds the appointment, from the county commissioner, of
F.,

tonville,

contractor in charge of all the bridges in the
county of Montour. Politically he is a Democrat, and he was a delegate to the State Democratic convention held at Harrisburg in 1902.

Church

member

of the Evangelical Lutheran

at Washingtonville.

CHARLES

MELLIN

painter and archaeologist, of

was born

JOHNSTON,
Danville,

Pa.,

McEwensville, Northumberland

By his first marriage, to Sarah
Hazlett, his children were: James; William,
a justice of the peace of Danville and MarThe second wife was Sarah Clark,
garet.
and her children were Robert C, who married Rebecca Nesbit, of Chillisquaque Sarah
Ann, wife of John Craig, of Sturgis, Ind.
Charles, who was drowned at the age of
cemetery.

;

eighteen; and John M.
James Johnston, father of Charles M.. was
born Sept. 28, 1808, in Anthony township.
He learned the trade of tailor w-ith John
Lundy, of Danville, in 1825, and then made a
journeyman tour of the State, going as far as

Canandajgua, N. Y. Returning he settled in
Milton, Pa., and then went to McEwensville,
where he remained until the spring of 1859.

There he became prominent in politics, as a
member of the Whig party, and was made tax
collector and constable.
He was an active
member of the Methodist Church and enter-

many of the traveling preachers who
to the town. He left McEwensville for

tained

Danville,

until

work

at the trade of tailor had
remained with Grove Brothers
1870, when he received an injury which

resulted in his death, ]\Iay 12, 1871.
his wife are buried in the Lutheran
cemetery at Danville. He was a member of
the Republican party at the time of his death.
finally

He and

James Johnston married Lydia Mellin,
daughter of Isaac and Leah (John) Mellin.
She was born in August, 1809. They had
children as follows
Sallie Ann, born Dec.
:

1829, died

8, 1832; Clarissa Jane,
born ]\Iarch 24, 1832, died Feb. 14, 1900;
Harriet, born July 3, 1835, married Joseph C.
Oaks, and died" Aug. 22^, 1876; Margaret Viola,
born May i, 1837, married WiUiam H. Hunt,
and died July 2, 1882; David, born Feb. 18,
1840, died May 2. 1840; a child born Dec. 25,
1840, died at birth; William Hirst, born May
a child born
20, 1842, died April 25, 1843
June 6, 1844, died at birth IMary Ellen, born
March 10, 1847, married Ilif H. Pershing, of
Shamokin, Pa., and died Jan. 8, 1914; Charles
Mellin is mentioned below.
Charles M. Johnston came to Danville with

20,

June

;

Co., Pa., May 17, 1850, and is a son of James
Johnston, a native of Montour county.
James Johnston, his grandfather, was of
Scotch-Irish ancestry and resided all of his
life in Anthony township, then a part of
Northumberland county. He was a farmer,
a Whig in politics, and a member of the Derry
Presbyterian Church. He lived to a great age.
He and his two wives are buried in the Derry

came

Brothers, as
declined.

where he went to work for Grove

his parents at the age of nine, and attended
school in that town.
In 1869 he completed
the course in painting in the local shops, and
since then he has followed this occupation con-

tinuously, with the exception of a few years
spent as overseer of laborers for the firm of
Grove Brothers. In 1885 he went to Kansas to
visit his father-in-law, expecting to make his
home there, but he lost all of his money and

He married Emma A. Vasborn Sept. 19, 1852, daughter of BenneK. and Anna (Levers) \'astine, of
Northampton county, and their children are:
Benneville V., born Nov. i, 1884. living in
Waterloo, Iowa and Alice Goldie, born Oct
9, 1 88 1, who married Fred Lewis and has two
children, Pearl Edith, born March 9. 1908,
and Frederick, born Dec. 22, 1910.
After his return from Kansas Mr. Johnston
returned in 1887.

tine,
ville

;

followed his trade for a time, but

now

liv-

He is a Republican
ing practically retired.
and has been a member of \\^ashington Fire
Company, No. 2, of Danville, since 1867.
In 1868 he was a member of the Danville Fire
Zouaves, an organization that had many veterans of the Civil war in its memliership. He
has been foreman, president, vice president,
secretary and assistant secretary of the fire
company, and is now a member of the relief
committee. He is also a member of the State
Firemen's Association. At present he is writing a history of the Danville fire department
covering the last fifty years. He is a deacon

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and Sunday school teacher of the First Baptist Church of Danville, and has held all the
other

having served as clerk for fifteen

offices,

years.
In his spare moments IVIr. Johnston spends
the time with his rare and complete collection

of Indian relics. He is something more than
a mere collector, he is an archaeologist of
note, and has made the subject a profound
study.
During his three years' residence in
the West he studied the Indians of the present age at first hand, and this helped him in
the classifying of his immense collection,
Most of the relics are of his own gathering,
and he is very expert in unearthing from the
debris of the streams the remains of the past
possessors of this continent. He has an old
Bible, printed in London in 1669, which he
inherited through a line of ancestors from
William Harvout, a son-in-law of Griffith
John, a famous Welshman of the county in
the first days of settlement. He also has an
extensive collection of almanacs, published
between 1777 and 1850, among them being
three copies of Benjamin Franklin's "Poor
Richard's Almanack."
Lydia Mellin, mother of Charles Mellin

Johnston, was born in August, 1809, in the
Her
southeastern part of Pennsylvania.
father, Isaac Mellin, born in 1771, died in
Danville in 1833. He was a blacksmith, and
to Valley township when his daughter
Lydia was but nine years of age, later moving
to Danville and living near the foot of Pine

came

street.

followed blacksmithing

all

of his

Mr. Mellin married Leah John, born
in 1772, daughter of Griffith and Sarah John,
and they had children as follows John, born
in 1797, died in infancy; Johanna, born in
1798, married William Van Horn, who died
life.

South Wales, landing at
Philadelphia Feb.
ii,
1709.
Settling in
Uwchlan township, Chester county, he became
a prominent preacher.
He was minister of
the church for over seventy years, dying May
He mar29, 1778, at the age of ninety-five.
ried Ann Williams, daughter of Robert WilHams, called the "King of Goshen," and to this
marriage were born twelve children, of whom
All except Grifall but one reached maturity.
fith, Jr., removed to other parts of the State,
Griffith John, Jr., was born in Chester
He inherited his
county Aug. 26, 1729.
father's farm. During the Revolution he was
left unmolested, although both armies were
frequently near his home. He married Sara,
daughter of Humphrey Lloyd, and they had
the following children
Abiah, born in 1761,
died in 1838, who married Martha John, his
Pembrokeshire,

cousin, and emigrated to Elysburg,
Northumberland county, in 1795 Rachel, who
married John Bernholtz and emigrated to
Lycoming county Leah, wife of Isaac Mellin
Mary, wife of Nathaniel Bennett Grace, wife
of William Davis; Hannah, wife of David
Phillips; and Rebecca, born in 1777, who married William Harvout and (second) Thomas
first

;

Davis.

William Harvout settled upon a tract in
Cooper township, Montour county, now known
as the Yorks homestead. At the time of the
Wyoming massacre he and his family buried
their valuables and fled to Chester county.
There the husband died. Some ten years later
Mrs. Harvout returned to Montour, where
she married Thomas Davis, and among her
children was Squire David Davis, from whom
Charles M. Johnston inherited the old Bible

and the almanacs mentioned above.

Thomas
M.

1804, married Jane Quick,
died in 1849, and is buried in Grove cenietery;
Lydia, born in 1809, married James Johnston.
Isaac Mellin and his wife are buried "in the old
Peterkin graveyard, adjoining the old Grove
cemetery, now part of Memorial Park.
Griffith John, the grandfather of Mrs. Mellin, was a member of the Society of Friends.

old,

;

He was

born about

1683,

and came from

Vastine,

grandfather

Mrs.

Johnston, settled at Union Corners,
Northumberland Co., Pa., where he owned a

Charles

Enoch, born

;

April 7, 1855, she dying Oct. 26, 1864; Sarah,
born in 1800, died in 1857, married David
Davis, born in November, 1794, died Aug.
24, 1884, who left $400 to keep the Methodist
cemetery where his wife and himself are
buried in order (it is known as the Hendrickson cemetery and is in Valley township)
Gideon, born in 1802, married Sarah Gaskins,
died in 1848, and is buried in Grove cemetery
;

861

farm. He was a contractor, doing bricklaying
and stonemason work, and made a special business of the construction of furnaces, having
the reputation of being the best furnace
builder in his section of the county, where his
work was in great demand. In politics he was
a Democrat.

and he and

lived to be over eighty years
his wife are buried in the

in
graveyard of the Rush Baptist Church
Northumberland county. Her maiden name
was Ellis, and they had a large family, viz.
Benneville Keim was the father of Mrs. Johnston Rufus married Mary Lambertson, and
they had children, Florence May (Mrs. John
Super), Ada (Mrs. Arthur Myerley), Judson (who lives at Wilmerding, Pa.), Welling:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

862
ton B.

(who married Sarah Cook and

lives at

and Benneville (unmarried)
Thomas Judson married Susan Fisher, and
their children are Virgie, Dr. Harry (of Harrisburg), Dr. Herbert (of Reading, Pa.), and
Annie; John had one daughter, who married
Herbert Hobbs; Lucinda married John
Adams, and had children, Thomas, Alonzo,
Benneville Keim,
Clarion,
Sylvester and
Emerson Ambrose; Mary is unmarried; Ann,
who was killed by lightning in 1852, was the
wife of George Pensyl and had two children,
Helen and Ellis; Jane married William Bird,
and they had children, Rufus, Malissa (marVVilmerding),

;

ried Clarence Gearhart),

Howard

(of HarrisMatilda married a Van-

burg) and Judson
sant and had one child, Anna (Mrs. James
Campbell); Gasilla married Henry ]\Iartin
aud had one child, Addison, who was married
and had three children, Anna (Mrs. Francis
Crowl), Dora, and Addison (married Sarah
Ryan) Samantha married William McLain
and had two children, George Leslie and Flora
;

;

May.
Benneville Keim Vastine became a contracting bricklayer, following that business all his
life, and like his father built a number of
furnaces.
Going west to Kansas, he carried
on business there until his death, which oc-

curred June 28, 1887, when he was sixty-three
His wife, Anna (Levers),
years of age.
daughter of William Levers, died in October,
Mr. and Airs. Keim are buried at
1886.
Augusta, Kans.
They were the parents of
the following children
William
married Alice Corman
:

;

Thomas, who

Emma

A..

Mrs.

Charles M. Johnston
Elizabeth, who died
when eleven years old Arthur T., a prominent mason of Deweyville, Texas, married to
;

;

Mary

Myerley;

Davis John,
Joseph; and
;

who married Sarah
Archibald

V.,

un-

married.

JAMES
tural

RISHEL, foreman

Tubing Works,

at the Struc-

Danville,

born at Mechanicsville. Pa., March

Pa.,
9,

was
1855,

and is a son of John R. and Elizabeth Ann
(Richard) Rishel
John R. Rishel was born near Danville, Pa.,
and as a lad was engaged in common laboring
until he learned the trade of
carpenter, which
he followed at Mechanicsville. He became a
contractor.
In 1860 he opened a general
store at that place, and at the same time
operated teams to haul ore to the rolling mills,

the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted
F. 178th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out at Harin

Company

risburg Oct. 21, 1862, shortly after which he
took sick. He died at Yorktown, Va., in January, 1863, and his body was brought home
in the Reformed cemetery at Danville.
brave and faithful soldier, his
valiant services won him promotion to the
rank of corporal. He was a devout member
of the Mechanicsville ^lethodist Church.
]\lrs. Rishel, born Jan. 20, 1816, died March
i, 1880, at the age of sixty-four years, the
mother of ten children: Fannie, who is now
the w-ife of John D. Cook, of Renovo, Pa.,
has six children; James P. is mentioned below;

and buried

C. F., residing at Utica,

John

N. Y., married

Clara Kessler and they have five children Charlotte died young Elizabeth married Alfred Roberts, and had two children;
Alice married John ^I. Sechler; Leander married Jennie Curtis and has four children
Wood died in infancy, as did two other chil-

Mary
;

;

dren.

James P. Rishel, son of John R. Rishel,
completed his schooling when fifteen years
old, at which age he secured employment with
the National Iron Company of Danville, remaining with that concern two years. He then
entered upon an apprenticeship at the Burgess
planing mill at Danville, where he served three
Folyears, learning the trade of carpenter.
lowing same until 1876, he secured employment with the North Branch Steel Company
of Danville, and upon the request of the William Wharton Jr. Company, of New York,
for the services of an expert mechanic, was
transferred to that city, where he became
superintendent of construction on the Third

avenue

street railway.
Subsequently he filled
a like position in the construction of an electrie railway in Philadelphia.
Since 1897 Mr.
Rishel has been a foreman at the Structural
RepubliTubing Works at Danville, Pa.
can in politics, he has served one term as
representative of the Second ward in the city

of the Odd Fellows,
and the Elks. Danville Lodge. No. 754. and has been a lifelong
member of the ]^Iahoning Presbvterian
council.

member

Montour Lodge No.

109.

Church.
On Dec. 27. 1887. Mr. Rishel was married
to Annetta Alock. who was horn Sept. 14,
T853. daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Mau-

Mock, the latter a daughter of John
and Susan (Yocum) Mauger. farming people
of Berks county. Pa.
Mrs. Rishel's paternal
grandparents were John and Barbara (Fritz)
Mock, of Montgomery county. Pa. She has
one brother, Daris. who resides in Berks
Mr. and Mrs. Rishel have two chilcountv.
gcr

)

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
dren

James Normand, born Jan.

15,

i8go,

engineer at the State Hospital and
Annetta Viola, born April 12, 1892, a graduate of the high school and the- Russell business college. Miss Rishel is a member of the
Mahoning Presbyterian Church, where she is
a teacher in the Sunday school, and belongs
also to the Presbyterian Christian Endeavor

now an

;

Society and the Presbyterian
Mrs. Rishel is also a
sion.

Sunbeam Mismember of the

Mahoning Presbyterian Church.

RUSH

YERRICK, a retired citizen of
Danville, Pa., was born there April 7, 1837,
son of John and Isabella (McFalls) Yerrick.
John Yerrick, the father, was born in
Baden, Germany, and was a lad of twelve
when he emigrated

to America, locating
He was employed
Philadelphia, Pa.
at painting, and being industrious and ambitious saved his earnings, which he brought
with him in a bag to Reading, Pa., when he
was sixteen years of age. He married in

years
first

Reading, and subsequently came to Danville,
w^hen still a young man, here engaging in various occupations. At one time he helped to
build the old

dens House."

"Henry House," now

the

His death occurred

"HedDan-

ville in 1865, when he was
old.
married Isabella

seventy-eight years
McFalls, a native
of Muncy, Lycoming Co., Pa., and of Irish
ancestry. They became the parents of eleven
children, of whom Rush is the only survivor.
Rush Yerrick. son of John Yerrick, attended
the Hartman school in Danville. At the age
of thirteen years he secured employment at
the old Allen & Grove mills, where he continued to be employed for forty-eight years. In
time he became boss roller, and as such continned in the rolling mills until 1898, when,
believing that he had earned a rest by his long
and persevering labor, he retired. He has

never been a politician, and prefers his home
to any fraternal organization or club.
His religious connection is with Christ Episcopal
CTiurch.
His long and honorable career has
been passed entirely in Danville, where he has
the full confidence and esteem of a wide circle
of friends.

Mr. Yerrick was married to Sarah Jane
Smith, who was born on the same street in
Danville as her husband, Feb. 15, 1841, and
to this union there have been born children as
follows
Anna, deceased, married Joseph
Schwartz; Adella, deceased, who was the wife
of Edward Polgrean, left one son. Rush H.,
now of Los Angeles, Cal. Frank, who is unmarried, is a resident of Indianapolis, Ind.
:

;

863

Charles R., master mechanic for the Westinghouse Electrical and Engineering Company,
at

Brooklyn, N. Y., married Janet Graham,

and

their children are

Margaret Elizabeth and

Charles Rush.

MONT

DERR, master mechanic at the
State Hospital for the Insane at Danville, was
born Aug. 4, 1874. in White Hall, Anthony
township, Montour Co., Pa. He is a son of
Thomas Derr and grandson of John Derr,
the family being one of the oldest in Montour
county, Pennsylvania.
John Derr, the grandfather, was born
May 10, 1807, and died Oct. 10, 1897. He
owned several farms in Anthony township,
aggregating four hundred acres, and was a
successful tiller of the soil. He later entered
the hotel business at Washingtonville for a
time, but sold out and returned to farming, finally removing to White Hall and retiring. He
married Elizabeth McKee, who was born Sept.
22, 1809, and had children:
Thomas; James,
killed in a hunting accident at the age of
forty William, who married Margaret Hendershott, and both are deceased; Alem, who
married Sarah Dildine, of Bloomsburg, and
John. Air. Derr was a Democrat and had held
all of the township offices, being at one time
treasurer of Montour county. He was an active
member of the Derry Presbyterian
Church, his wife also being an attendant,
They are both buried in the Derry cemetery.
;

Thomas Derr was born Nov.

22. 1836. in

Washingtonville, Derry township, Montour
county, and attended the schools of Hughesville and White Hall.
He learned the trade
of carpenter and became one of the best

mechanics in his district, and many specimens
of his thorough and careful workmanship are
He married Isastill standing in the county.
bella Jane Deer, and they had one child, William, born Oct. 8, 1861, who died Oct. 12,
1869,

from the

efifects

of a kick of a horse,

Mrs. Derr is buried in Derry cemetery. Mr.
Derr married (second) Sarah Samantha,
daughter of Wesley and Margaret (Taylor)
Johnson, and by this marriage he had three
children: Charles W., born Nov. 12, 1870,
married Mary Jane Beitler; Isabelle, born
July 3. 1872, married William Gouger. expostmaster of Danville; Mont is mentioned
below.
Air. Derr built a fine home in \Miite Hall
and planted an orchard beside it, but after the

death of his

last

wife he sold the property

and now has been retired about ten years,
He has a good war record, having served in

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

86i

the Civil war during the Peninsula campaign,
and he did scout duty near Washington, but

never participated in any engagements he was
mustered out at Harrisburg. He is now livHe has always been
ing with his children.
his life has been
and
his
in
habits,
temperate
and
prolonged beyond the allotted threescore
;

His w'de, who died in December, 1913,
She was an
is buried in the Derry cemetery.
active member of the Derry Presbyterian
Mr. Derr was formerly an Odd
Church.
Fellow at Exchange, but has now withdrawn
from membership.
Mont Derr was educated in the schools of
White Hall and then learned the carpenter's
trade under the eiificient tutelage of his father.
ten.

In addition to the common school course he
took a preparatory course in Millville Academy, and a three-year course in the Bloomsburg State normal school. From 1898 to 191 1
he taught school in Anthony township, Montour county, Madison township, Columbia
county, and the high school in Turbotville,
Northumberland county. He taught school
in the winter and followed his trade in the
summer, working with his father for twenty
He has been master mechanic at the
years.
State Hospital for the past three years.
Mr. Derr married Elizabeth, daughter of
John W. and Harriet (McFall) McWilliams,
and they have had these children
Eleanor,
born Dec. 7, 1900; James McKee, born April
12, 1902; Charles W., born Aug. 14, 1907;
Carrie Isabelle, born Sept. 19, 1909; William

in 1834 and died in August, 1913.
By
union there were eight children
John
W., mentioned below Elizabeth Amanda, deceased, wife of Jonathan Faust, of Liberty

born
this

;

Hannah L., widow of Fred Schell
who married Elizabeth Bell and lives
Nebraska; Mary Alvaretta, wife of George
Runyon, of Hughesville; William D.. who

township

;

Michael,
in

married Catherine Cramer, living in Milton;
Alartha, deceased, wife of George Harenty, of
Pottsgrove and Susan Jennie, wife of John
Montgomery, of Pottsgrove. Mr. and Mrs.
McWilliams were members of the Lutheran
Church, under the General Synod. He was
a Democrat. Both are buried in the town of
;

Milton.

John W. ^IcWilliams, father of Mrs. Derr,
was born in Chillisquaque township, educated
in the country school, and worked on the home
farm until his twenty-fifth year. He then
went out to work for a time until his marriage,
after which he operated his wife's farm of

born May 20, 191 1; and Robert
Thomas, born June 5, 191 3. Mr. Derr is a
Democrat, and served one term as auditor of
Anthony township. He is a Presbyterian in
David,

religious leanings.

Elizabeth

McWilliams

(Mrs.

Derr)

was

in Liberty township, Montour county,
Jan. 9, 1879, and was educated in the schools
of White Hall. She remained at home until

born

her marriage.
Her great-grandfather was
John McWilliams, a settler in Northumberland
county. His son, John Cruiser McWilliams.
was the first of the family of whom definite
record

John

to be had.

Cruiser

McWilliams

was born

Northumberland
Chillisquaque
township,
county, carried on farming, and died there at
the age of sixty-eight.
He had the usual
limited schooling afforded in that day and
worked in his youth for a short time at carpentering, but soon returned to the old home-

He
stead, where he farmed until his death.
married Susan Jane, daughter of Jacob Sanders and Elizabeth (Diehl) Rishel, who was

acres for fifteen years.

fifty
"

then sold

and moved to White Hall, where he
bought the old Carey farm of 127 acres, which
He married Harriet,
he is still operating.
daughter of Daniel S. and Margaret (Ireland)
IMcFall, and they had children as follows:
Elizabeth, wife of Mont Derr; and Margaret,
wife of Reeder Albeck. of Jerseytown. Mr.
McWilliams is a Democrat, but has held no
He and his wife are active members
offices.
of the Derry Presbv-terian Church, she being
a teacher in the Sunday school.
The Ireland family eame from Scotland and
out

the Sunbury neighborhood when
was but a fort. Robert Ireland setnear Pleasant \'alley and took up about

settled

that place
tled

one thousand acres of land there. He built
the first schoolhouse there and also the first
Sunday school. It was agreed that each member of the Sunday school should pay one cent
a year to Robert Ireland or his heirs for
ninety-nine years, this to be the total payments

made

for the building

and grounds.

JOHN H. TAYLOR, who has been in the
employ of the Berwick Store Company for
nearly half a century, was born in Northumberland, Pa., Jan. 11, 1845. His father, Washington Taylor, was born in Columbia county,
and was a classmate and personal friend of
His grandfather, George
Bishop Bowman.
Taylor, was a miller by occupation, and a resident of Briarcreek township, Columbia county.
Records show that this is the branch of the
Taylor family to which Gen. Zachary Taylor,

JWW

^.'^'^^ar-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

865

belonged.

have gained him the respect and confidence of
the various managers to the
present time.

Washington Taylor received his early education in the public schools of Columbia county,
where he learned the building trade, which he
followed in various parts of Pennsylvania,
erecting many well known buildings in the
While a young man he was
various cities.

G. CLOUD, chief clerk of the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company,
stationed at Danville, Pa., was born
May 20,
1870, in Milton, Northumberland Co., Pa.,
son of William Johnson Cloud.

married to Margaret Renninger, whose family
was one of the oldest in Northumberland

ville,

county, numbering among its members many
well known citizens.
Mrs. Taylor's father
was a soldier in the War of 1812. Politically
Mr. Taylor supported the Whig party, and on
the formation of the Republican party became
one of its members. He and his family were
members of the Methodist Church in PhilaPie died in 1862, and was buried in
delphia.

brakeman, working himself up

who became

president of the United States,

CHARLES

William Johnson Cloud was born in BernBerks Co., Pa., and attended the schools
of the town.
His father was a boatman on
the old Union canal and William followed the
same occupation, having a boat of his own
in the carrying trade between Bernville and
After a few years he entered
Philadelphia.
the employ of the Philadelphia &
Reading
Railroad

Company

at Milton, Pa., as freight
to the posi-

After his death Mrs. Taylor
Northumberland, where she died

tion of conductor.
He followed railroading
for twenty-eight years, until he was caught

in 1864, and was buried in the family plot in
The following children were born
that city.

between two cars and so badly hurt as to
necessitate his retirement from the service.
This injury later developed into hip disease,
from the effect of which he afterward died.
He tried to enter the grocery business, and
carried it on for two years at Milton, but his
disease caused him to give up the struggle,
and on April 12, 1892, he died at the age of
He was a Republican and a memfifty-three.
ber of the Lutheran Church, under the General Synod.
He married Elizabeth E., daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Stutzman, and they
had children as follows Addison Marr, who
died at the age of three years; William John-

Philadelphia.

removed

to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor: John H.; William
and Emma, both of whom died while young;
Frank, residing in Berwick; and Alice, who

married Cornelius Best.
John H. Taylor attended the public schools
in Philadelphia, and while still a very young
entered business life. He worked for a
time in Philadelphia, later in Northumberland,
and in 1868 entered the employ of the Jackson

man

& Woodin Company,
at Berwick,

ent depot of the

as salesman, in their store

which was situated near the pres-

Lackawanna

railroad.

Mr. Taylor was married
J. H. Hoyt, who
conducted a hotel on the site now occupied by
the "St. Charles."
One child, Garrick Malhe was
lery, was born to them June 6, 1891
graduated from Syracuse University in 1914.
Mr. Taylor is one of the charter members of
Knapp Lodge, No. 246, F. & A. M., and was
to

June

16, 1875,

Bena Hoyt, daughter of

;

master.

member of

the Presbyterian Church at Berwick, and one of the oldest of that society.
In politics Mr. Taylor is
a member of the Republican party, whose
its first

principles he has always supported.

Mr. Taylor has been in the employ of the
Berwick Store Company and its predecessors
consecutively for forty-seven years, beginning
first as general salesman, and
continuing in
that capacity until the department store was
He now has charge of the domestic
started.
department, and is well and favorably known
its many patrons.
His faithful service, unquestioned integrity, and loyalty to his .employers, through his long period of service,

who died at the age of three; Homer F.,
who married Kitty M. DeGraff and lives in
Hackettstown, N. J. Mamie E., widow of
son,

;

Sylvester J. Monroe, living in Philadelphia
Charles G., mentioned below Carrie Elizabeth, who married James T. Gaskin, of Baltimore, Md. ; Lewis Franklin, who died at the
age of six Laura May, deceased, who married John B. Shafifer, of Sunbury, Pa. Kurt
;

;

Ray,

who married Mary

McClintock, and
Pa.
and Calvin

at Jersey
Shore,
Clemens, residing in xA.tlantic City,

lives

;

New

Jer-

sey.

Charles G. Cloud was educated in the public
schools and the high school of Milton, and
when not quite fourteen years of age entered
the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading

Railroad

Company

to study telegraphy.

was operator at Milton until December, 1888,
when he came to Danville, and acted as operator until August, 1890. He was then made
chief clerk, and has since continuously held
that position.

married Elizabeth, daughter

of John and Sarah (Kelly) Marshall, and they

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

866

have had children: Bertha, born April ii,
A. Kase,
1891, who is the wife of Prof. James
of Bloomington, Ind., and has one child, :\Iiriam Frances; and Sara, born June 29, 1893,
who died at the age of four. Mr. Cloud is a
for
Republican and has been borough auditor

nine years. He is a member of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, and is connected with
the veteran and the relief associations of the P.
& R. Railroad Company. He is a member of
Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., of which
he was worshipful master in 1912; of Danville
exLodge, No. 754, B. P. O. E., having been
alted ruler in 1912-1913; and Lotus Conclave,
No.
Improved Order of Heptasophs, of

property in Danville. He was a trusted citizen of his community for sixteen years, holding the office of overseer of the poor, and
for ten years that

of school director.

was a prominent member of the Lutheran
Church, serving seventeen years as deacon and
years as elder, resigning when old age
his duties too onerous. In political opinIn 1880 the W'ashion he was a Democrat.
five

made

ingtonville and Northern Montour Agricultural Society began to hold its fairs on his

at that place July 26, 1849, son of

Gideon P.

German

origin, his

home place, and continued to do so for
over twenty years.
In 1848 Mr. Dietrich married Susanna
Moser, who was born Oct. 6, 1819. and died
Dec. II, 1898. He died Feb. 12, 1898. They
had a family of four children: Peter M.;
Mary Ann, born Jan. 25. 185 1, wife of George
Miller, of Derry township (they settled on one
of her father's farms)
Sarah, born Aug. 18,
1853, wife of Daniel Wagner (also settled
on one of her father's farms in Derry townand Caroline, born Aug. 9, 1857, who
ship)

Jacob Dietrich, having
great-grandfather,
come to this country from Germany and settled in Berks county. Pa., where he lived and

died in April, 1864.
Peter M. Dietrich was reared on the home
farm and obtained his education in the local

127,

which he

a past archon,

and

now

serving

as financier.

PETER
is

M. DIETRICH, who lives on what
now known as the old Dietrich homestead
Derry township, Montour county, was born

Dietrich.

The family

died.

John Jacob Dietrich, son of Jacob, was born
in Greenwich township, Berks county, where
he passed all of his long life, dying at the age
He married Christina
of eighty-four years.
Peiffer, who survived him several years, and
they had eleven children, eight sons and three
daughters, of whom only one now survives:

Samuel

P. lived

on his father's farm

Berks

county Solomon was a miller, of Greenwich
township, that county; Charles lives in Reading, Pa. Mary was the wife of Charles Green;

;

Greenwich township Sarah was the
wife of Peter Kline, of Reading; Caroline
was the wife of Peter Krouse, of Greenwich
township; the others were Gideon P.. Moses
P., Henry, Jacob and Daniel.
Gideon P. Dietrich was born April 22, 181 5,
in Greenwich township, Berks Co.. Pa., and
remained at home until twenty-three years
old.
He was reared to farming and also
learned the trade of miller, which he followed
for seventeen years
fourteen years after he
wait, of

;

—

what is now Montour county, settling at Strawberry Ridge, in Derry townIn 1854 he gave up that calling, buying
ship.
the farm of his father-in-law in Derry township, where he afterward made his home until

came

followed farming for a quarter of a century, retiring in 1879. and prospered to such an extent that he was able to
buy two other farms, as well as residence
his death.

old

;

public schools. He afterward continued farming for his parents until his marriage, in 1880,
when he settled on the home property and
worked on his own account. He is a typical member of the Dietrich family, indus-

ambitious, and persevering in carrying out his undertakings, and he has earned
a high reputation among his fellow citizens.
He is business-like and trustworthy, and has
held responsible public positions in the township, having served twelve years as member
of the school board and six years as overseer
of the poor. Politically, like his father, he has
been associated with the Democratic party,
and he was reared in the faith of the Lutheran
trious,

Church, he and his family belonging

Wash-

ingtonville.

Dec.

30,

1880,

Mr. Dietrich married

Anna A. Yoder, who was born
in

Union county,

Dec. 31, i8Cx3,
Pa., daughter of Benneville

Keim Yoder, and granddaughter of Samuel
and Esther (Reppart) Yoder. all of Berks
county, who later moved to Union county.
B. Yoder was a native of Berks county, and
died

March

11. 1888, aged seventy-nine years.
a millwright, and himself operated a
His wife, Margaret
sawmill.
(Keefer),

He was

W'elker)
daughter of John and Margaret
Keefer. died in 1865, at the age of tliirty-five.
Eight children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Dietrich: Emma, born June 14, 1882.
is the wife of Kent Butler, and lives at Stevens
(

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Mills, near Hackettstowii, N. J.; Charles G.,
born Aug. 4, 1884, now manager of a stock
farm at Allamuchy, N. J., was married in
1910 to Anna Love, daughter of Ambrose and
Rebecca (Hartman) Love, of Anthony townborn
ship, and has one child, Erma; Mabel,
Aug. 25, 1886, is a nurse in the Children's
Seaside Home at Atlantic City, N. J. Elwood,
born July 9, 1888, manager of a dairy farm
at Dover, N. J., married Pearl Umstead;
Clara, born June 29, 1891, a graduate of
Strawberry Ridge high school, has taught for
three terms in Montour county, two in West
Hemlock township and one in Derry township; Alice, born May 7, 1892, is the wife
of Amos Leighow, of Point township, Northumberland Co., Pa.; Dorothy, born Aug. 28,
are at
1900, and Mildred, born Oct. 9, 1906,
;

school.

JOHN MOWRER

retired

Dan-

number of years before his death.
His widow, Mrs. Annie S. Mowrer, daugh-

William and Margaret (Sechler)
Kocher, was born July 10, 1841, in the house
where she now lives, No. 623 East Market
She attended the First
Street, Danville, Pa.
ward school and the high school of Danville
and remained at home until her marriage, in
By this union she
1866, to John Mowrer.
had one child, William Kocher Mowrer. Mrs.
Mowrer is an attendant of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church, a member of the Ladies' Aid
Society, and teaches in the Sunday school.
John Mowrer was born in Mahoning townof

ship Feb. 24, 1837, attended the country
schools, and worked for Ijis father on the
home farm until he was of legal age. He then
served an apprenticeship to the trade of plas-

and mason, which he followed until his
marriage in 1866. He then bought a farm
terer

Gearhart township,
Northumberland county, on which he lived
and farmed for twenty-four years. He also
bought a farm of eighty-three acres in the
In 1890 he moved to Dansame township.
of

eighty-six

acres

from her husband, and which are beHe is a Democrat,
ing operated by tenants.
and a member of the Mahoning Presbyterian
herited

Church. Mr. Mowrer married Rosa Dodson,
born Jan. 19, 1880. daughter of Charles and
Palmetto (Smith) Dodson, and they have had
these children
Anna Margaret, born Feb. 22,
1901, and Mildred June, born Sept. 20, 1905.
^Irs. Mowrer is a native of Jerseytown, Columbia Co., Pennsylvania.
John Kocher, grandfather of Mrs. Annie S.
Mowrer, was a farmer from Northampton
county, Pa., and settled on 100 acres of land
in Mahoning township, on which he built a
log house and barn and began his domestic
life.
His wife was Sophia, daughter of Christian Mauser, and by this union he had six
children
John, who died unmarried Jacob,
who married Racie Heberding; George, who
married Jane Aloore Catherine, wife of Eli
Reed William, mentioned below and Jonas,
who married Lydia Bennett. Some years be:

;

lived

ville for a

ter

867

ville, rented his farms, and lived retired for
twenty-two years, dying Nov. 6, 1912. He
was a Democrat, and served for a time as

He
school director in Mahoning township.
was a member of the Mahoning Presbyterian
Church, and is buried in the Fairview cemetery at Danville.
William Kocher Mowrer was born

July
21, 1876. and was educated in the schools of
After farming for a time on his
Danville.
father's place in Northumberland county he
took charge of his mother's properties, in-

;

fore his death Mr. Kocher retired and thereafter lived with his son Jonas.
He and his
wife lived to advanced ages. He is buried in
the Episcopal cemetery at Danville and she in
the cemetery at Ridgeville.

William Kocher, father of Mrs. Annie S.
Mowrer, was born and educated in Mahoning
township, working on his father's farm until
he reached his majority.
He served an apprenticeship with Charles S. Barnes, a carpenter, and followed that trade all his life,

mostly in Danville. He was carpenter at the
Danville Iron Works for thirteen years and
assisted

He
building of the mill.
married, and built the house in

the

finally retired,

Danville where his daughter now lives. His
wife was Margaret, the daughter of George
and Ann (Cox) Sechler, and they had but one

Mr. Kocher was a Democrat,
child, Annie S.
and an attendant of the Mahoning Presbyte-

He is buried in the Episcopal
rian Church.
cemetery at Danville.
Margaret (Sechler Kocher, mother of Mrs.
Annie S. Mowrer, with whom she resides, was
born June 12, 1822, in Mahoning township.
She is the daughter of George and granddaughter of John Sechler, one of the oldest
)

settlers in Danville.

at the

age of

Her

father died in 1837,
while the grandfather
24, 183 1, at the age of

fifty years,

passed away Dec.

ninety-two.
John Sechler was born in 1739, came to Mahoning township, cleared a large tract of land
and built a substantial log house and barn on
it.
This land was held by the descendants for
some years, and comprises most of the terri-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

868

in the southwestern part of Danville,
above Church street. While John was plowthe Revolution was
ing one day the news of
the lines
brought to him. He at once dropped
and going to the house told his wife, "WashI must go."
ington has called for men, and
During his service in the Continental army he
suffered many hardships, and on his return

tory

family that he often awoke in the
morning in camp and found his hair frozen
to the ground. He became one of the prominent men of Danville, was a Democrat and active in party affairs, and he was one of the
first to donate land to the town for use as sites
for schools, churches, cemeteries and parks.
He donated the ground for the present Memorial Park, where he and his wife are buried.
Both of them were members of the Grove
Presbyterian Church, the ground for which he
had given. He died Dec. 24, 1 831, aged ninetytwo years, nine months, one day.
John Sechler was married to Christina
Goodman, born Jan. 11, 1750, died Oct. 5,
1825, and their children were John, who died
Jan. II, 1844, at the age of seventy-two years,
two months, twelve days Jacob, who married
Barbara Reese Rudolph, who was one of the
first postmasters of Danville and a justice of
the peace George, mentioned below Herman,
who married Hannah \'anderbilt, and died
Jan. 7, 1829, at the age of forty-three Sophia,
Mrs. Peter Culp. who died June 5, 1845, at the
age of seventy-four years, eleven months,
told his

;

twenty-two days.
George Sechler was a farmer in Mahoning
township, where he owned ten acres and leased
a large tract. He cultivated these tracts until
his death. Dec. 22, 1837. He and his wife are
buried in Memorial Park, Danville. He was
a Democrat and a member of the Reformed
Church. His wife, Annie Cox, who died June
29, 1857, at the age of seventy-four, was the
daughter of John and Catherine (Buck) Cox.
The children of George Sechler and wife were
Dorothy, wife of Michael Karschner; Christina, wife of Henry Snyder; William, who
:

married Mary Hoover; Levi, who disappeared
in the West
Margaret, Mrs. Kocher, mentioned above; and John, who married Esther
Haas.
;

F. LECHNER has been engaged
plumbing business at Danville for about
twenty-five years, for some time in partnership
with his brother, latterly on his own account.
He is a native of Montour county, born Aug.
17. i86r, in Frosty Valley, son of Francis and

JOSEPH

in the

Mary

(Miller) Lechner.

The

father,

who was

a hotel keeper in Danville, died at the age of
sixty-six years, and the mother now makes

home at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.
Joseph F. Lechner received a public school
education. In his early life he went to Iowa,
where he lived eleven years. Since 1890 he
has been engaged in plumbing, he and his
brother, George M. Lechner, doing business
together for six years, after which he bought
out the entire business, which he has been con-

her

ducting in his

own name

for a

number of

His work is reliable and thoroughly
years.
up-to-date, and he commands a large patronHis establishment is at Nos. 12-14 Mill
age.
street, and is well equipped with modern stock

and appliances.
Mr. Lechner's

first marriage was to Edith
Evans, of Atlantic, Iowa, by whom he had
two children Alary, now the wife of George
Neid, a stove molder of Danville; and Frank,
:

who is engaged at plumbing in Richmond. \'a.,
married to Agnes Kmicinski.
The mother
died in 1887. I" 1896 Mr. Lechner married
(second) Anna Gerstner. of Danville, daughter of John F. and Mary Gerstner, the fonner
of whom was a brewer. Three children have
been born to this marriage, Edith. Anthony
and Albert. The family home is at Xo. ^2^
Lower Mulberry street. Mr. Lechner is a
member of St. Hubert's Catholic Church. He
is a Democrat in politics, and in social connection belongs to the B. P. O. Elks. Lodge
Xo. 754. of Danville. He is* highly respected
in the borough for his substantial qualities and
upright life, and is one of the straightforward
business men of his community.

CHARLES LEOXARD FOULK,

assist-

ant

manager of the Danville Foundry and
Machine Company, was born May 21, 1S70.
at Buckhorn in Hemlock township, Columbia
Co., Pa., son of Benjamin F. and Margaret

Bomboy) Foulk. the former of whom is a
patternmaker with the same company that em(

ploys his son.

Charles Leonard Foulk received a fair educational training in the public schools of Danville.
When he left school he entered the Ma-

honing Rolling Mills, where he learned his
trade of patternmaker.
In 1893 ^^^- Eoulk
became an employee of what is now known as
the Danville Foundry and Machine Company,
passing with this concern through its various
changes, and those in authority have given
signal appreciation of his sen-ices and faithful ability
position.

On May

by promoting him
21. 1893. ^^^-

to his present

Foulk was married,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
at Danville, to

Mary A.

Miller, born

March

1869, a daughter of Jacob C. and Sarah
(Diehl) Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Foulk have had
five children: Helen Frances, born Nov. 2^,
1894, died Nov. 8, 1902; Margaret Elizabeth,
born Oct. 17, 1895, graduated from the Danville high school in the class of 1914; Marian,
born March 22, 1898, died Sept. 22, i89<);
Sarah, born Dec. 8, 1901, is attending the
lO,

Fourth ward school; Paul was born

May

18,

1908.

For some years

Air.

Foulk has taken an ac-

His son David, father of George L.,
in Wurtemberg, Nov. 27, 1808.
He
obtained a good education and was apprenticed
his life.

was born

to the

trade of his father, that of sawyer,

which he followed until his emigration to
America in 1840. Landing at New York, he
later came to Danville, where he followed the
occupation of teamster until he retired and
went to live with his son George L.
Air.
Rowe was married in the Lutheran Church in
Wurtemberg to Christina Bott, who was born
May 18, 1818, and died in Danville, in the

tive interest in educational matters as a school

month of her

from the Fourth ward. He
Shiloh Reformed Church,
is a member of
which he is serving as deacon and choir leader,
Fraternally he belongs to Alontour Castle, No.
186, Knights of the Golden Eagle, is a past
chief of his castle, and was district grand chief,

Her husband

director, serving

having charge of the castles -in Alontour
county he is also a member of Lotus Conclave,
No. 127, Improved Order of Heptasophs.
;

WILLIAM HENRY ORTH,

official chief
clerk at the Danville Hospital, was born at
Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 6. 1854, and there educated in the public and high schools, of which
he is a graduate. For the succeeding seven
years he was a bookkeeper in the city of his
birth, and then came to Danville, in 1878, as
clerk and bookkeeper for the Danville Hospital, rising from that to his present position,
Mr. Orth has always been active in educational matters, serving as a school director

For fourteen years he has
for many years.
been secretary of the board, and he still has
For the last
five years to serve as a director.
five years he has been a director of the First
National Bank of Danville.

On March

18, 1880, Air. Orth was married
Lucy Stucker, of Harrisburg, Pa. He is
an elder in Shiloh Reformed Church, and very
active in its church and Sunday school work,

teaching a class in the latter organization and
giving much time to its conduct. Fraternally
he belongs to Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. &
A. AL, and enjoys his association with that
body.

GEORGE

ROWE,

general foreman of
the rolling mill department of the Danville
Structural Tubing Works, was born in that
borough Sept. 11, 1855. He is the son of
David Rowe and grandson of Jacob Emanuel
Rowe, all of German descent."
Jacob Emanuel Rowe, grandfather of
George L., was a native of Wurtemberg. Germany, and followed the trade of sawyer all
L.

869

age of eighty-five.
died April 12, 1889, and they
are both buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery
at Danville. The children of this union were
John D. (deceased), born in 1840, died in
1913, married Elizabeth Baer; Gottlob married Harriet Gearhart, and resides in White
birth, at the

Deer township. Union county; George L. is
mentioned below. Air. Rowe was a Democrat
and was a member of St. John's Lutheran
Church at Danville, of which he was a deacon.
George L. Rowe attended the schools of
Danville until he was fourteen, and then entered the employ of Hancock & Foley, operators of the Rough and Ready mill, where he
developed into an all-around rolling mill workman. After a service of eight years in this
mill he entered the Danville Structural Tubing Works, serving the company so well that
he was made general foreman of the rolling
mill.
On May 11, 1880, he married Alvaretta
Snyder, who was born May 11, i860, daughter
of Alvy and Agnes (Burke) Snyder. To this
union there was born one child, Ralph. Airs,
Rowe died March 14, 1905, and is buried in
Air. Rowe is a
the Odd Fellows cemetery.
Republican, a member of the Lutheran Church
and of Alahoning Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M.,
of Danville.

Ralph Rowe was born Jan. 27, 1884, and attended the public schools of Danville until he
was nineteen. He then entered the rolling mill

and worked as heater in the brazing department for four years. Having studied telegraphy, he left the mill and became an operator
on the Reading road for eighteen months. He
then returned to the mill as heater, but after
a time passed a civil service examination and
the first parcel post carrier at
Danville, a position he still holds. He married
Alargaret May Davis, born Alay i, 1886. the
same pastor performing the service who married his father and mother— Rev. M. L. ShinAir. Rowe is a Republican, a member of
die.
the Lutheran Church, and of Myrtle Lodge,
I. O. O. F., of Danville.

was appointed

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

870

Alvaretta Snyder (Mrs. George L. Rowe)
was educated in the public schools of Danville
and remained at home until her marriage. She
was a daughter of Alvy Snyder, a native of
Northumberland county, who died at the age

His children were: Joseph H.,

of sixty-tive.

Flora Hughes, of Danville Marof
wife
tha,
Digler Aloyer; Cordelia, widow of
Lafayette Van Gilder; Alvaretta; and John

who married

;

F., who married Ada Hartman, of Riverside.
Mr. Snyder was a miller by trade, a Republican, member of the Lutheran Church, and

member

of the Knights of Pythias.

EMILE JOHN

Le DUG, proprietor of extensive greenhouses at Danville, Montour Co.,
Pa., was born in France, Dec. 23, 1874. son of
Pierre L. and Theressa (Glodone) Le Due.
The father brought his family to the United
States in 1882, and in 1883 located at DanHe had two sons, Navier P. and
ville. Pa.
Emile John Le Due. The former, the elder,
worked in the iron mills for a few years, and
then in 1889 established himself in the greenhouse business, building two houses 16 by
This original plant has been increased
until now there are 12,000 square feet in the
52

feet.

estate plant,

and the same amount of glass-

covered space in the individual plant owned
establishment being
J. Le Due, the entire
In conjunction
in the borough of Danville.
six acres are operated as a truck farm.
Xavier P. Le Due conducted the greenhouses

by E.

until his death, in 1894.

Emile

Le Due was educated

in the

Dan-

and grew up with

his
public
brother. In 191 1 he built his individual plant,
adjoining the one of the estate.
In June, 1899, Mr. Le Due was married to
Anna Hayden, of Danville, a daughter of John

schools

ville

and Margaret Hayden. Mr. Hayden was an
ironworker. Mr. and Mrs. Le Due have three
children. Alary P., Margaret M. and Josephine

The family

all belong to St. Joseph's CathChurch, and Mr. Le Due holds membership in St. Joseph's Total Abstinence Society.

olic

JOHN

HIXSON

has been a lifelong
resident of Danville, where he has been engaged in business as a tinner. Mr. Hixson
was born at Danville. July 12, 1856, son of
F.

John and Rebecca (Hartzel) Hixson. His
father was a shoemaker by occupation.
Mr. Hixson was educated in the public
schools at Danville, and during his early vears
worked in the iron mills there.
He then
learned the trade of tinner and has ever since
followed that business, for a short time in

In
partnership with William C. Bowyer.
1893 he opened his own place of business, and
by honorably executing all his contracts, and
square dealing in every transaction, has built
up a profitable patronage. He has a reputation for integrity and high class work wherjVIr. Hixson is a thirty-second
ever known.
degree Mason, a member of Mahoning Lodge.
No. 516. F. & A. M., of Danville; Danville
Chapter, No. 239, R. A. M. Calvary Commandery No. t;], K. T., of Danville and Caldwell Consistory (thirty-second degree), of
Bloomsburg, Pa. He also belongs to Beaver
Lodge. No. 132, Knights of Pythias, of which
he is a past chancellor; to Lodge No. 754, B.
P. O. Elks; and to Lotus Conclave, No. 127.
Improved Order of Heptasophs.
;

;

MRS. MARY (SECHLER) TRUMBOW'ER. who is now living a quiet, retired
her comfortable home at Danville. Pa.,
in her present home, Dec. 20,
1846,
daughter of William and Mary Ann (Hoover)
life in

was born
Sechler.

Jacob

her paternal grandfather,
early settlers of Danville, where

Sechler.

was one of the

he spent the last years of his life.
William Sechler. son of Jacob Sechler. and
father of Mrs. Trumbower, was born in 1814.
at Danville, Pa., and became one of the earliest
shoemakers of the borough, where he died at
the age of forty-four years.
He married

Mary Ann Hoover, who was born in Northumberland county, Pa., daughter of Jacob
Hoover, a farmer, and she died Dec. 11, 1882,
at the age of sixty-five years.
They became
the parents of four children

George. Jacob
(deceased). Marv, and William (of Shamo:

Pa.).
Sechler, daughter of William Sechler.
was married at the age of seventeen years to
Samuel Maul Trumbower, who died Dec. \,
He is
1905. at the age of sixty-three years.
buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery.
Mr.
kin.

Mary

Trumbower was born in Berks county,
to Danville when a voun"; man.

and came

Pa.,

here
of his

following contracting and building all
He was a son of Joseph and Barbara

life.

After completing a
(Maul) Trumbower.
public school education he enlisted in the three
months' service during the Civil war. He was
subsequently drafted into the United States
nav3\ but was taken sick on reaching Philadelphia, and never went bevond the receiving

Mr. and Mrs. Trumbower had six chilFrank, now (1914) aged forty-eight
years, a veteran of the Spanish- American war.
and a resident of Buft'alo. N. Y.. married Toship.

dren:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
sephine E. Schlump, and has one child, Frank
Samuel Lillie Elsie resides with her mother
at Danville
Carrie E. married Ralph Foulk,
of Danville; Mary Eva. William and Xellie
are deceased.
Mrs. Triimbower is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been active in religious and charitable work, being associated
with the Ladies' Aid and Missionary Societies
and the Y. M. C. A. Club. Mr. Trumbower
always took an interest in fraternal work,
;

;

holding membership in Montour Lodge. Xo.
log. I. O. O. F., and Alnemoloton Encampment, No. 40, of Danville, and he was a trustee
of the Odd Fellows Cemetery association. He
also belonged to Goodrich Post. Xo. 22, G.
A. R., of Danville. Like his wife he took an
active interest in religious work, and at the
time of his death was a member of the board

of trustees of
Danville.

Mahoning Presbyterian Church,

JAMES RYAN,

proprietor of the

"Ryan

Hotel" at Mill and Center streets, Danville,
was born in that borough Oct. 27, 1866, son
of James and Bridget (Conley) Ryan.
James Ryan, the father, was born in Ireland, and going to England in boyhood learned
the trade of puddling in that country. When
he was about twenty-three years old he came
to America, and after a year at Trenton, X^. J.,

moved

to Danville,

Montour

Co., Pa., in 1855.

Eventually he became puddler boss at the
Reading Iron Works in Danville, where he

His
died at the age of seventy-seven years.
wafe, whom he married in England, was the
same age when she passed away.
James Ryan, son of James Ryan, above,
was educated in the public schools at Danville, and began working in the iron mills as
From that position he worked up
a helper.
until he became a puddler and rougher in the
bar mill.
In 1893 he opened the "Ryan
Hotel," at Mill and Center streets, and has
continued to conduct it ever since, having
held a steady patronage by faithful attention
to business.
For seven terms he was chief
of the Danville fire department.
Being appointed county commissioner to fill a vacancy,
he served so capably for three and a half years
that in 191 1 he was elected to the same office,
for a term of four years, and is still holding it.
On Oct. 14, 1888, ]\Ir. Ryan married Sarah
Snyder, of Ashland, Pa., a daughter of

George and Catherine (Metz) Snyder. ]\Ir.
Snyder is a blacksmith by trade. Mr. and
Mrs. Ryan became the parents of the following children

Thomas

G.,

who

now

State

871

fire marshal, was graduated from the Danville
high school and also took a course in Lafayette College; James M., Jr., is a barber at Danville; Mary K., Joseph, Elizabeth. Ellen and
William are at home. Mr. Ryan belongs to St.
FraterJoseph's Roman Catholic Church.
nally he holds membership in Danville Lodge,
Xo. 754, B. P. O. Elks, and Danville Aerie.
X^o. 338, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and has
been treasurer of the latter organization since
its

inception.

SAMUEL CRESSMAN REBMAN,

sales

agent for the Danville Structural Tubing Company, of Danville, Montour Co., Pa., was born
in that borough March 15, 1873, son of John
and Amy (Sechler) Rebman.
John Rebman was born in Stuttgart, Ger-

many, and came

to the United States when
thirteen years old.
For some years he was
an athlete and became interested in the circus
and theatrical business, but eventually became
a wholesale merchant and has since so continued.

Samuel Cressman Rebman was educated

the Danville public schools, and then entered
the employ of the Mahoning Rolling Mill
Company as a machinist, but later was with
the Reading Iron Company.
For the next
three years he was traveling salesman, and in
1890 went with Howe & Polk for the purpose
of learning the sales end of the business.
Having perfected himself, upon the organization 01 the Danville Structural Tubing Company he was ofifered and accepted the position of their sales agent, and is still acting as
such, being one of the company's most efficient
and successful men.

On May

15, 1890,

Mr. Rebman was married

to Jessie L. Askins, of Danville, a

daughter of

George W. Askins. Mr. and Mrs. Rebman
have had one child. Amy, who is a high school
Mr. Rebman belongs to Danville
graduate.
Lodge, No. 754, B. P. O. "Elks; to the
Royal Arcanum to Mahoning Lodge, X'o. 516,
and to
F. & A. M. (he is a past master)
Beaver Lodge, X^o. 132, K. of P.
;

;

WILLIAM JOHN ARMES,

of Danville.

Montour Co., Pa., a retired telegraph operator,
was born at Danville March 9, 1844, son of
John Armes.
John Armes was born in the vicinity of
Reading, Pa., and died in t86o, when fortyIn young manhood he learned
six years old.
to be a cabinetmaker, and combined work at
his trade with undertaking for a number of
years, being one of the first to engage in the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

872

In Pottsville, Pa.,
he married Elizabeth Byerley, a daughter of
Jacob Byerley, an old resident of near PottsArmes
ville, Schuylkill county, where Mrs.
was born. Air. and Airs. Armes had four
children, but William John is the only survivor; Alary Jane, the eldest, died in western

John Jacob Hartlein, as the name was then

New

Appolonia Dressier, born July 4, 1694. They
came to America in 1732, and settled in Earl
township, Berks Co., Pa. They became the

latter business at Danville.

York; the other two died young.
William John Armes attended school in
Danville and afterward assisted his father in
tlie undertaking and furniture business until
the latter's death.
Subsequently he was employed by the estate, making collections, and
while thus engaged was persuaded to study
telegraphy by Bonham Gearhart, who was then
agent for the Catawissa Railroad Company

& Reading)

(now

the Philadelphia

ville.

Though he picked up

his

Danknowledge of
at

the business at odd times he developed into a
first-class operator.
In 1863 he secured a position as clerk in Conkling's book store, and
also acted as operator for the North W^est

Branch Telegraph Company, whose office was
in the store. In 1864 he was drafted for service in the Civil war, and left for Washington,
D. C, where he was transferred to a military
being stationed for three
Williamsburg, Va. Then he was
sent to Bernard Alills, to open an office at
that point, and thence to Suffolk, Ya., where
he was stationed at the time President Lincoln
was shot. Later he was changed to Norfolk,
Va., and then returned to Washington, where
he was discharged after eleven months in the
telegraph

months

post,

Returning to Danville, Air. Armes
engaged with the Reading Railroad Company
as night operator, and six months later was
transferred to Williamsport, where he remained eight months. Coming back to Danville, he was employed by the Western Union
Telegraph Company, continuing with same
service.

until his retirement, in 1909.
Air. Armes has never married.

belongs

the

DANIEL SCHOLLEXBERGER HARTLINE, A.

AL, professor of biological science
State Normal School,
Bloomsburg, Pa., has been associated with
that institution as a member of the faculty
for a number of years and has been one of
the efficient factors in its development along
at

the

( I )
John Jacob Hartlein was born Sept. 8,
1699, "^ Saxony, Germany, son of Nicholas
and Dorothy Hartlein, as indicated by the
Hill Church records.
On Sept. 28, 1726, he
married Julia, daughter of John Christian and

parents of six children, as follows
John
Jacob and Jacob, both of whom died young
Alargaret, born in 1729 George, born in 1732
Anna Dorotha, born in 1734, who died in
1736; and Nicholas, born in 1736, who died in
:

;

Bloomsburg

approved modern lines. The family to which
he belongs is an old one in Pennsylvania, and
of German origin, founded in this country by

;

1741.

(in George Hartlein, son of John Jacob,
was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1732, shortbefore the immigration of his parents to the
World. In 1750 he was a taxable in District township, Berks county, Pennsylvania.
In the year 1755 he married Alaria Cath-

New

erine Boehm, who was born in 1730. daughter of Conrad Boehm, a native of Fehrfeld,

Wurtemberg, Germany (born about 1705),
To George
to America in 1732.
Hartlein and his wife were born the following

who came

children: Jost (or Yost), born Jan. 8, 1767,
died Dec. 21, 1852, aged eighty-five years,
eleven months, thirteen days, and is buried at

Oley Church by his side is buried Sarah
Hartlein. born Oct. 18. 1780, died Sept. 24,
1873, aged ninety-two years, eleven months,
six days (it is not known whether she was
his wife or his sister).
George. Jr., was born
Jan. II, 1 78 1. There were perhaps other children, but the names of these two alone are of
;

certain record.

(Ill)

died

Jr., son of George,
Earl township, Jan. 11. 1781, and
19, 1865, aged eighty-four years,

George Hartlein,

was born
Feb.

one month, eight days.

Elks at Danville, the United States
Alilitary Telegraph Corps, and the Old Time
Telegraphers' Association.
to

spelled.

Dilleplane

(properly

married Alaria

spelled

Plaine),

daughter of Frederick Dilleplane, of French
extraction and of an early settled family in
Oley township. She was born April 29. 1784,

and died Aug.

10, 1853, aged sixty-nine years,
three months, eleven days. Both she and her
husband are buried at the Oley Churches.
Their children were: Daniel; Solomon: Mary,
married Elijah Clouser, of Oley township
;

Harriet married Enoch Boyer Josiali married
Anna Hoffman (1828-1899); Joel married
Alary Auche Susanna married Isaac Smith
Elizabeth married Alichael Brandt Joshua D.
and Ezra, a
married Elizabeth Clouser
weaver bv trade and a veteran of the Civil
;

;

^o^ajulL

c^A^dcA.^^-^'-^

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
war, married Catherine Focht, and resides in
Earl township.
(IV) Joel Hartline, son of George, Jr., was
born Nov. i8, 1818. He made his home in
Earl township, and died Feb. 12, 1909, aged
ninety years, two months, twenty-seven days,
and is buried in Oley Churches cemetery. He
earned a good reputation for industry, engaging all his active life in day's labor, farming and wood chopping. He was also an expert basketmaker, and worked as such for
many years. He was a man of great strength
and large build, over six feet in height and

During his
weighing two hundred pounds.
last years he made his home with his son.
George A., in Exeter or Oley township. He
married Mary Auche, who died July 9, 1892,
aged seventy-three years. They became the
One that
parents of five children, namely.
died in infancy James A. George A. Amnion, a laborer at Shanesville, who married
and Sarah, who married
Sallie Hartman
Peter Yoder, of Fleetwood.
(V) James A. Hartline, father of Prof.
Daniel S. Hartline, was born May 30, 1841,
in Earl township, near Woodchoppertown, and
;

;

873

and has done notable work

in the promotion
best activities, the broadening of its
scope of influence, and the awakening of popular interest in its objects. He organized the

its

Department of Biology and has continued in
charge of same.
During 1901-02 Professor
Hartline gave considerable time to study
abroad, at the Universities of Heidelberg and
Bonn, taking up work necessary to obtain a
doctorate.
He is an able scholar, and his
and conscientious preparation
have made him highly proficient in his chosen
line.
His efforts are much appreciated by his
students and fellow educators, who recognize
the worth of his work.
On Aug. 26, 1897, Professor Hartline married Harriet Franklin Keffer, daughter of
concentration

Prof. Washington Keffer, of Lancaster, Pa.,
and they have one son, Haldan Keffer. Professor Hartline is a Lutheran in religious connection.

;

learned cabinetmaking and carpentry, following his trade in Oley township, at Reading,
and in Earl and Douglass townships, Berks

He is now living in Oley township,
county.
his post office being Spangsville.
During the
Civil war he served in the Union army, and
now receives a pension. Mr. Hartline has
His first wife, Esther
Schollenberger, daughter of
Benjamin Schollenberger, died Jan. 30, 1896,
Albert
the mother of children as follows:
Melissa Pruella
McClellan S. Daniel S.
Tilghman Foster Mary Matilda and Sarah
Catherine.
Mr. Hartline's second marriage
was to Mrs. Kate Hartman, widow of Amos

been twice married.
(Hettie)

Anna

JOHN HARRISON HUNT,
was born April

Pa.,

of Danville,
1840, at Sheelsburg,

10,

Pa., son of George W. and Hannah (Smith)
Hunt.
George W. Hunt, father of John Harrison
Hunt, was born at Cumberland \^alley, Pa.,
and was engaged in wagon building at Sheelsburg for many years. In 1855 he went to
Urbana, Ohio, and in i860 came to Danville,
where his death occurred in 1864, when he
was sixty-eight years of age. Mr. Hunt married Hannah Smith, who was born in Bedford
county, Pa., and they had a family of ten

children, of

whom

the following are

now

liv-

Hartman.
(VI) Daniel

McKinley, a resident of Canada
John Harrison; Mary, who is the widow of
a Mr. James, and resides at No. 385 South
Crea street, Decatur, 111. and Cora and Elizabeth, widows, who also reside at Decatur.
John Harrison Hunt received his education
in the public schools, after leaving which he

16, 1866, in

started to

;

S. Hartline was born Sept.
Reading, Berks Co., Pa., and attended public school there, as well as in Oley,
He then enEarl and Douglass townships.
tered the Pottstown high school, and subsequently taught public school four years in
Berks and Chester counties. Then he entered
the West Chester Normal School, from which
he was graduated in June. 1890, in September of the same year coming to Bloomsburg,
where he organized the manual training deIn September, 1893, he began a
partment.
course at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., graduating from that institution in 1897. Return-

ing then to the Bloomsburg State Normal
School, he has since been on its teaching stafif.

ing

;

work

in his father's

wagonmaking

In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, 14th
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for State
service, and on the expiration of his term re-

shop.

enlisted

Williamsburg,

178th regiment, 4th Corps,

Company

Army

of the Poto-

mac, under General Keyes. In August, 1863,
Mr. Hunt was wounded during a stampede
of the 139th New York Volunteers, and received an honorable discharge, returning to
Danville, where he was in his father's shop
For one year followuntil the latter's death.
In a. mercantile
ing he was engaged as clerk
establishment, and then became chief clerk of
the Farmers' department of the Waterman

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

874

Beaver Company store. In October, 1876,
he entered the United States revenue service
From 1877 to
as an inspector and ganger.
1887

was employed in the Opera House
Kramer & Company, and in the
year was elected city tax collector, a

1^^

Store,
latter

position he held until 1893. He has since been
employed in the drug business with his son,
at Danville.
Air. Hunt was married to Alalinda C. Long,

Montour county. Pa., daughter of John and Phoebe Long, and one child
has been born to this union, G. Shoop. The
son is a graduate of the Philadelphia Pharma-

who was born

ceutical Institute, and now engaged in the drug
business at Danville; he married Almira Wills,

Woodbury,

New

Jersey.

Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are members of

St.

E. Church.
Politically he has always been a Republican, and was formerly an
active worker in the interests of his party.
He is a charter member of Goodrich Post,
No. 122. Grand Army of the Republic, DanHe has
ville, and was formerly commander.
led a long and useful career, and his record
has been such as to gain for him the universal
respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen.
Paul's

CHARLES

E. SHIRES, farmer and jusof the peace, of Derry township, Montour
Co., Pa., was born in Liberty township, that
county. Sept. 14, 1845. son of Samuel and
Catherine (Boyer) Shires.
Jacob Shires, the paternal grandfather of
Charles E. Shires, was born in Dauphin county. Pa., where he spent the greater part of
his life.
In 181 5 he came to Anthony township, Alontour county, and lived with his son

tice

1817. when he was sixtyHis wife was Anna Eweg.
Samuel Shires, son of Jacob Shires, was
born in Dauphin county, Pa., July 14. 1799.
and died Jan. 12, 1887, in Montour county,
while his wife, who was born Oct. 16, 1806,
in Berks county. Pa., died April 14. 1888.
He came to Alontour county in 181 5, and from
that time until his death was engaged in shoemaking in Anthony township, where he was
one of the oldest settlers. He and his wife
had seven children, Charles E. l)eing the only

until his death, in
five years of age.

survivor.

Christopher Boyer, the maternal greatgrandfather of Charles E. Shires, emigrated
from Germany to the United States and founded the family in Berks county, Pa. His son,
Jacob Boyer, was born April T2, 1780. in
Berks county, and died March 3. 1868. He
married Mary King, who was born Jan. 28,

1780, and died Aug. 9, 1857, and they were the
parents of Airs. Catherine Shires.
Charles E. Shires spent his boyhood in farm
work and continued to be so engaged until
1876, when he moved to Washingtonville.
There he was employed as a jeweler and sewing machine agent. In the year 1889 he came
to his present property, which he purchased,
and here he has carried on farming to the

present time, his persistent and well-directed
etitorts having gained him a full measure of
success.
Air. Shires was married Jan. 9, 1873. to Eva
Amelia Klingler, who was born Alay 24, 1848,
in
Beaver township, Union county (now
Snyder), Pa., daughter of Joel and Nancy
(Benfer) Klingler, and granddaughter of
Peter Klingler. Joel Klingler was born Sept.
12, 1803, in Union county. Pa., and died Jan.
For many years he was a school
29, 1895.
teacher and farmer. His wife was born Dec.
They had
14, 1807, and (lied June 29, 1890.

whom

eight children, of

five

survive:

Airs.

William Joseph; Henry; Ada, the
widow of Daniel Snook, of Beaverton, Pa.
and Alary Amanda, wife of George Oldt, of
Shires;

;

Benfer, Pennsylvania.
Airs. Shires's great-grandfather on the maternal side served as a soldier in the Revolutionarv war.
Henrv Benfer, her maternal
grandfather, was born in Berks county. Pa.,
and died in November, 1866, aged ninety-one
He married Eva Amelia Malick, who
years.
was born Jan. 24. 1781.
Six children have been born to Air. and
Airs. Shires:
Laura Nancy and Elizabeth
Alice are deceased Charles Edward, of Derry
townshi]), married Elmira Heilman, and has
four children. Edwin B., John Af.. Beulah C.
;

and Dorothy C. Samuel Joel, of Derry township, married Alary Turner, of Geneva. N. Y.,
and has three children. Carrie Alay. Delia
Laura and Robert Calvin L.. of Derry township, married Alartha Jane Gray, and has three
children, Eva Alay. \\'illiani Erwin and Harold C. Winifred Eva married Ray Winter;

;

West Hemlock township. Alontour
county, and has three children. Charles T..
Alartha Pauline and Alabel Alarie.
With his family Air. Shires attends the
Lutheran Church at Washingtonville and has
been an active and lil^eral supporter of its
movements. He has taken some interest in
fraternal work, being a member of Turhotville Lodge. No. 342. Knights of the AlaccaIn political matters Air.
l)ees of the World.
Shires is a Democrat, and at various times has
l^een honored by his party with election to
steen, of

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

875

offices of trust and responsibility, in which he
has capably and faithfully performed every
h'or thirty-tive years he has been a
duty,
the oldest living justice
justice of the peace
in either Montour or Columbia counties.

at Danville; Martha married Boyd
Fisher and has one child; Fred I., who resides
in Washington, D. C, married Tillie Rickards, and they have one child, born March 17,

boss roller at the Danville Structural tul)e mills, was born Dec. 13,
Afon, South Wales, a son of
1852. at

Welsh

served

that

strong

and

—

resides

1914.

Mr. Evans was reared

JOHN

EVANS,

Cwm

David Evans.
David Evans was born in South Wales
June 20, 1S26, and brought his family to Dan\'ille, Pa., in 1855, here spending the remainder
of his life. He worked in the old Rough and
Ready Mills as a puddler. He married Alary
Morris, also a native of South Wales, and
they had children as follows:
John D.
;

Thomas M.. who resides at Danville; Margaret, who married George Stillwell, a heater,
of Xo. 14 Grand street, Danville and William,
who is a laborer of Danville, all living, and
five who are deceased.
John D. Evans became a water boy after
leaving school at the age of twelve years, and
later was engaged at different kinds of work
in the roller mills, thus continuing until November, 1 87 1, when he entered the Cooperati^e mills as head night roller.
He held that
position until 1873, in December of which
year he went to the rolling mills at Northumberland, Pa., where he worked for five
years.
Returning to Danville he was at the
Cooperative Mill until 1882, at which time
he went to South Chicago, as a roll hand.
Once more he came back to Danville, and
was employed in the National Iron Company's mills. For a short time he worked in
South Williamsport, also in the rolling mills
at Berwick, and then went to Harrisburg,
Pa. In 1887 he returned to Danville to enter
the tube mills, with which he has since continued, having charge of the rolling department.
In all of his different lines of work
he has displayed faithful adherence to duty
and appreciative comprehension of the importance of doing well what he undertook.
Mr. Evans married Ann Evans, of South
Wales (no relation, though bearing the same
name), daughter of Thomas and Mary
;

(Thomas) Evans. Mrs. Evans came to Danwhen twenty-one years old. Mr. and
Mrs. Evans have had the following children

ville

the wife of Charles Dietz, and they
have two children David, chief of Danville

Mary

;

fire

department, married Louisa Horton

;

Mar-

is at home; Thomas J., who resides in
Danville, married Grace Williams, and has
two children John married Mabel Eberly and

garet

;

in the

faith of the

Beaver Lodge, No.
132, K. of P., has held his membership for
many years, and for sixteen years he has
C. Church.

as a trustee.
enthusiastic
Progressive, Mr.
Evans served as a Roosevelt delegate to the
State convention of the Republican party in
1912, and is very proud of the fact that he
is a Bull Moose.

organization

SIMPSON

WILLIAAI
SIDLER, of Derry township, JMontour county, where he operates a farm of 190 acres, was born on that
place Sept. 17, 1876, son of John Sidler.
Jacob, the great-grandfather of William
Simpson Sidler, spelled the name Sittler; he
was a native of Germany, and on coming to
this

country

and

his son

first settled in

New

Jersey.

Jacob moved to Montour county,

Pa., then a part of Columbia county, and
purchased a tract of land in \'alley townshij)
which later became the propert}' of Emanuel
Sidler, and there the father carried on general farming the remainder of his active
He passed from this life at an addays.
vanced age and was buried in the grounds
of the old log church in Mahoning township.
He had four children, as follows Philip,
David, INIartha and Jacob.
Jacob Sidler, the grandfather of \\'illiam
S. Sidler, was born in Lehigh county, Pa.,
He learned the
supposedly at AUentown.
trade of carpenter, which he followed for
some time, and then engaged in farming on
the old homestead, which consisted of 140
acres of highly cultivated land. He had come
to Montour county with his wife and father.
By the time of his death he had also acquired
another farm, of 210 acres. He died at the
age of sixty-two years. His wife, who was
Elizabeth Benfield, also a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas Benfield, died
aged fifty-two years. They are interred in
the Straub l)urial ground in \'alley township.
They were the parents of the following children: John, ]Mary, Jacob, Emanuel, Sarah,
Lavina, Franklin nnd Elizabeth, Emanuel
:

Mr. Sidler was a
being the only survivor.
as superv^isor
served
and
Democrat,
strong
for many years. In religious views he was a
Lutheran, a member of Straub's Church. Of
his children Emanuel, born Alarch 26, 1829,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

876

served a term as county treasurer and two as
commissioner, and also held minor

as one of the

county

township.

ofifices.

No.

Sidler, son of Jacob, was born Jan.
and when a young
3, 1820, in Valley township,
man of nineteen came to the place where his

John

There he farmed
son William now lives.
the rest of his active Hfe, dying there Dec.

He was thoroughly interested in
1896.
the general welfare and served his township
as tax collector and overseer of the poor.

He was

twice married, his second wife being
Mrs. Sarah Ann (Farnsworth) Wintersteen,
a native of Lycoming county, Pa., born Aug.
20, 1838, daughter of John and Effie (Smith)
Farnsworth.
She, too, had been previously
married, her first husband being John WinMrs. Sarah Ann Sidler died March
tersteen.
12, 1897.
By her marriage to Mr. Sidler

she had six children, of whom three survive,
W^illiam S. and two sisters
Nora, born Dec.
of WashK.
wife
of
Geo.
Heddens,
7, 1872,
:

ingtonville. Pa., and Anna, born Jan. 3, 1878,
wife of Philip Ikeler, of Moselle, Mississippi.
William Simpson Sidler grew up on the
home place and had common school advanHe farmed with
tages^ in the neighborhood.

father until twenty years old, after
which he took the property, buying it and
cultivating it on his own account for eight

his

He then sold out his personal propyears.
erty but retained his real estate and rented his
farm and during the period of the exposition at
St. Louis located in that city.
Subsequently
he went to California, expecting to establish
himself there as a fruit grower, but after a
year he removed to the State of Washington.
There he took up the scientific study of farming as well as its practical work, attending
every agricultural convention which would
help him held in the Western States during
that time, in order to perfect himself in the
details of the scientific cultivation of the soil.

When

twenty-nine years old, Mr. Sidler engaged in copper mining, at Butte, Mont., following that line four years, at the end of
which time he returned to his old home
in Derry township, Montour Co., Pa.
He
owns 190 acres, devoted to general farming and stock raising, giving special attention to fruit, with which he has been particuHis thorough study of scilarly successful.
entific methods has enabled him to work out
various ideas which have proved profitable,
and he has found constant use for the knowledge he gained while spending so much of his
time at agricultural conventions and institutes.

deserves the reputation he enjoys

most progressive men of
is

member

184, P. O. H.
Nov. 24, 1908,

nie Roberts,

his

of Valley Grange,

Mr. Sidler married Min-

who was born May

16, 1885, in

Valley township, Montour county, daughter
of Edward and Alvaretta (Lewis) Roberts,
farming people of Montour township, Columbia county, both now deceased. ^Ir. Robin Valley township,
yiv. Robserved many years as supervisor and
Mr. and
also held other township offices.

was born

erts
erts

Mrs. Sidler have had two children
John
Emanuel, born Jan. 26, 1910, and PhiUp Alton, born Dec. 21, 1912.
Politically Mr. Sidler is an active Democrat,
and he has served a number of years on the
election board and as election judge in Derry
:

township.

PHINEAS HOLDREN, a venerable resident of Anthony township, Montour county,
now

living retired, was engaged in farming
and carpentry there for many years and by a

of industry gained the respect of
He was born May
fellow citizens.
13, 1833, near Whitehall, in what is now
Montour county, son of Adron Holdren. a
native of New Jersey, born in 1785, who cajiie
to Whitehall and farmed there the rest of his
His
life, dying at the age of eighty-four.

long
all

life

his

Abigail (DeMott), was also born in
Jersey, Sept. 22, 1794. and lived to be
They were Baptists
eighty-four years old.
in religious connection, and he was a Whig
in politics.
They had a large family (of
whom Phineas is now the only survivor),
wife,

New

Mary, born
George Bradshaw)

May

viz.:

16,

(married

1813

Elizabeth, April 29. 1815
Jackson); Sally, Sept. 20,
;

(married Andrew
1817 (married Jackson Carnahan) William,
Nov. 17, 1819 (married Sarah Derr) Richard, March 17, 1821
Benjamin. Feb. 10,
1823; John, Feb. 4. 1825; David. Aug. 4,
Matthias,
1827 (married Lucretia Macoy)
Dec. II, 1830; Phineas, May 15. 1833;
George, April 29, 1835 (married Jalena
;

;

Crawford).
Phineas Holdren was given no chance for
schooling in his boyhood, being oliliged to
help witli the work at home as soon as he
could give any assistance, and the facilities for
education were limited at that time in the
When eighteen years old he
neighborhood.
was apprenticed to learn the trade of carpenter and cabinetmaker, and while serving
his time received twelve cents a day for two
years he was thus engaged at Millville. Co;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Some time later he went
lumbia county.
West, and he was an early settler in the State
of Minnesota, taking up a farm near St. Paul
upon which he remained for nnie years. During that period Eittle Crow, the Sioux Indian
chief,

commenced

the hostilities of 1862-63 in

and he was subsecjuently captured and shot for his misdeeds. Returning to
Pennsylvania in 1862, Mr. Holdren enlisted
Oct. 21, 1862, in Co. G, 178th Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, under Capt. Wm. G. Adams,
that

section,

for nine months' service, receiving his discharge July 27, 1863, at Camp Curtin, HarrisHe went back to Minnesota, and
burg. Pa.
the carpenter's trade, and also spent
in Illinois.
Selling his farm in the
West, he returned (1866) to Anthony township, Montour Co., Pa., where he bought part
of his father's land. He operated same and
also engaged in work at his trade, being suecessful in both lines, which he continued until
his retirement, in the year 1897.
Since then
he has done no hard work, enjoying a well
earned rest. Mr. Holdren has always been a

worked at
two years

and public-spirited in his support of measures for the welfare of the community, but he has taken no direct part in

good

citizen,

public affairs.

has been a Republican in
and stanch in his support
is a member of the G. A.

political connection,

of the party. He
R. post at Millville.
On April 6, 1857, at Milton, Pa., Mr. Hoi-

dren married Phoebe Crawford, who was
born Sept. 7, 1835, at Milton, Northumberland Co., Pa., daughter of Jacob Crawford,
an old resident of that vicinity; his wife's
maiden name was Troy. Mrs. Holdren died
Nov. 21, 1909, aged seventy- four years. Nine
children were born to this union, but only
four survive at this writing: (i) Sarah Jane,
born Feb. 26, i860, married Frank Dilldine,
of Schuyler, Pa., and they have eight chil-

Some of these are married, and Mr.
Holdren has six great-grandchildren in this
connection.
(2) Olive Priscilla, born March
26.
1863, is married to Charles B. Cox
and living in Bloomsburg.
She has two
children: John Clyde, of Bloomsburg, who
married Pearl Horley and has one child, Ruth
M., and Homer Holdren, attending school in
Bloomsburg.
(3) George B., born April 6,
dren.

1866, a carpenter, of Washingtonville, Montour county, married Clara Snyder, who was
born July 10, 1869, and they have nine children. born as follows: Marian, May 31, 1895;

Alfred

1897; Caroline B., Jan.
6, 1899; Phebe D., Aug. 8, 1901
John Wesley, July 15, 1904; Charles Phineas, Aug. 27,
S.,

April

;

877

1905; Erma Alvesta, May 28, 1907; George
William McConnell, Feb. 8, 1910; Stewart
Crawford, Sept. 26, 1911. (4) Mary Ellen,
born April 16, 1872, is the wife of Arthur
Wilson, of Geneva, N. Y.
They have no
children.
Of the deceased children of Mr.
and Mrs. Phineas Holdren, Abbie was born
Jan. 2, 1857; John T., Nov. 14, 1857; and

Emma

The family was
F., Feb. 10, 1871.
reared in the faith of the Baptist Church,

JAMES CHARLES FINNIGAN,

roller

Reading Iron Works, Danville, Mon-

at the

tour Co., Pa.,

Nov.

is a native of that place, born
1858, son of William and Mary (Div-

vers) Finnigan.

William

Finnigan was born in Ireland,
the United States he settled at
Danville, Pa., where he worked in the blast
furnace the remainder of his life, passing

Coming

at the age of forty-two years.

away

He mar-

Divvers, of Exchange, Montour
Co., Pa., and they had the following children:
Alice, who died at the age of thirteen years
William, who died when eleven years old and
James Charles.
James Charles Finnigan, son of William
Finnigan, was educated in the public schools
of Danville.
He began his business career
with Waterman & Beaver, in the iron works,
there learning his trade and working up to
be a roller, and he has continued with the
ried

Mary

;

same plant through
ent,

changes to the presas the Reading Iron
natural leader of men, Mr. Finnibeen called upon to discharge the

being

Works.
gan has

all its

now known

of numerous offices, having been an
inspector of elections, borough auditor and
councilman. He was elected to the latter position in 1905 and still holds it, having been reelected in 1913 for two years.
He has been
on various committees while serving in the
council, was chairman of the finance committee, and of those on light and printing,
and a member of the public safety and water
duties

committees.

Mr. Finnigan was married

to Rose Powers,
daughter of James and
Catherine (Conlin) Powers, the former a
blast furnace worker. Mr. and yirs. Finnigan

Danville,

Pa., a

are the parents of five children: Mary C.
was graduated from the Danville high school
James P., who was also graduated from the
Danville high school, is manager of the Castle
;

Grove greenhouses and lives at home; Joseph
G. was graduated from the Danville high
school; Maurice H. and Alice C. are still students.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

878

A devout Catholic, Mr. Finnigan has been
one of the most active and el^ective workers
St. Joseph's Church for
belongs to the choir and is connected with various church organizatipns, belonging to the Total Abstinence Society (of
which he was an organizer and its first presof the A.
ident), the Montour County Society
O. H. (of which he was also an organizer
and first county president), and the St. \'incent de Paul Charitable Association (which

and members of

years.

serving as treasurer).

CHARLES

LE\'AX,

a retired farmer

of Limestone township, Montour county, was
born there Aug. 15, 1837, son of Charles
Levan, who passed all his mature life in the

township.

The family

France

of French

Huguenot
America from
pre-Revolutionary days, and set-

origin, four brothers

coming

the lower part of Pennsylvania, in
(One accounty.
count says the ancestor was one of three
brothers, another that he came with three
tling

what

now Northampton

brothers, and another that five brothers came.)
Solomon Levan, grandfather of Charles D.

Levan, came

from Northampton county

now Montour

county, settling here
permanently, and he died near Limestoneville
in 1828.
His wife, Mary (Balliet), long survived him, dying in 1868, and they are buried
in the Paradise Church graveyard in North-

what

Housel, and died at \'icksburg, while visiting
her husband, who was serving in the Union
army Henry died when one year old.
Charles D. Levan was educated in the
schools of the home locality, and though his
opportunities were limited he acquired sufficient education to enable him to teach, being
thus engaged for seven terms between the
ages of sixteen and twenty, in Northumberland and Alontour counties.
He has been
trained to farming from early boyhood, and
after giving up teaching followed that work
altogether, in 2\lontour county, in the winter
season also doing threshing.
Thus he continued until 1875, when he bought his present farm, a tract of 192 acres, which under
his able and intelligent management has become one of the most modernly conducted
;

He carproperties in Limestone township.
ried on general farming and stock raising
throughout his active years, and the burden
of his work is now attended -to by his son.
Mr. Levan has always been considered one of
the worthiest and most desirable citizens of
his locality, where his industrious and useHe
ful life has won him deserved esteem.
has held township offices, including that of
member of the school board, giving faithful
service.

died Feb. 13, 1881, at the age of eighty years,

Mr. Levan married Sarah
Watson, who was born Nov. 9,
1852. in Northumberland county, and they
have had five children, namely: Anna, born
June 10. 1877, was well educated, finishing
the three-year course at lUoomsburg normal
school, and in 1899 married Daniel Montgomery, a merchant, of Hazleton, Pa., by whom
she has two children, Edward Watson and
Robert; John, born April 23. 1879, a farmer
of Limestone township, married Ada Faust;
Mary, born July 17, 1881, took the three-year
course at the Bloomsburg normal school and

and was buried in the Paradise Church cemHis wife, Mary (Follmer), afterward
etery.
lived at Watsontown with her daughter, Mrs.
Mowrey, dying July 2, 1892, aged ninetyone years. She was a daughter of Henry and
Mary Follmer, natives of Berks county, and
the Follmers have been in this country for
several generations. Eight children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Levan, of whom but two
now survive, Susan L. and Charles Daniel,
the former the widow of Morgan Mowrey, of

taught for six years in Montour county before her death, which occurred June 29, 191 1
Grace, born June i, 1886, took a two years'
course at the Bloomsburg normal school and
also attended Millersville (Pa.) normal school,
and she has taught five years in Limestone
William, born
township, ]\Iontour county
March 7. 1888. lives at home. This family
has been reared in the teachings of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Levan and his
family are members. Politically he is a Dem-

Williamsport, Pa. Of the others, John lived
in Shelbyville, Shelby Co., Mo.
Margaret J.
married Oscar Craig, of Anthony township;
Jacob died in Michigan Catherine married
George Price; Elizabeth married Benjamin

ocrat.

umberland county, Pennsylvania.
Charles Levan, eldest son of Solomon, was
born in 1800 in Nortliampton county. Pa., and
was but seven years old when he moved with
his parents to Northumberland county (now
Montour). After reaching maturity he came
to Limestone township, in what is now Montour county, where he established a home and
passed the remainder of his life. Mr. Levan

;

Jan. 26, 1875,

Catherine

;

In 1862 Mr. Levan enlisted from Montour county for nine months in the Union
armv, joining Company G, T78th Regiment,
Pennsvlvania militia, mustered in Oct. 21.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
He

879

under Capt. William G.
William Johnson, being mustered out July 2"], 1862, at Harrisburg. His

the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Watson was
one of the progressive men of his
township,
and assisted in securing the location of the

connuand was attached to the Army of the
I'otomac, and was engaged in operations in
Air. Levan was orderly sergeant.
\'irginia.
"Jlie Watson family, to which Mrs. Levan
belongs, is descended from old Pennsylvania
stock, her great-grandfather, John Watson,
having come from the vicinity of Muncy Creek

Watsontown

1862.

served

Adams and

Col.

with his parents, who lived in the neighborhood of Jerseytown, Columbia county, until
they died. John Watson removed to what is
now Anthony township, Montour county, in
the early part of the last century and located

where Samuel Watson

later lived.

Here John

resided until his death in 1837, his wife having preceded him by several years, both being
buried in the Derry churchyard.
Hugh Watson, son of John, some years
after his marriage removed to Anthony township, and bought 200 acres of land, afterward
owned by Mr. Gearhart, a foundryman of McThence he removed to Muncy
Ewensville.

Creek township, Lycoming county. Pa., bought
land, and resided there for the remainder of
his days.
He and his wife are buried in the
Muncy cemetery. They were the parents of
seven children Eliza, John, Sarah, Jane, Margaret, Mollie and Allen.
John Watson, Mrs. Levan's father, was
born May 15, 1830, in ]\Iadison township,
Columbia county, and made his home with
his parents until twenty-three years of age.
He then moved to Dewart, Pa., renting land,
taking an interest also in the building of the
York & Erie railroad, which was surveyed
through his farm. He bought a farm near
Milton in 1862, removed to it in 1863, and
lived on it until 1869. The first piece of land
he ever owned was that part of Turbotville
now occupied by the fair grounds, but he
never occupied it. In 1869 he sold the farm
near Milton and bought one of 250 acres in
:

]\Iontour county, for $20.000.
He also at that time owned fifty acres
of timber and pasture land in the same town-

Anthony township,
ship, which he
to his largest

afterwards sold.

He removed

farm the year after he bought
married at Jerseytown Dec. 15,
1852, to Louisa Catherine, daughter of John
and Julia Ann (Levan) Steiner, the former
it.

He was

of whom died Sept. 3, 1883, and the latter
Dec. 27, 1910.
Air. and Mrs. Watson were
the parents of eight children
Sarah Catherine (Mrs. Levan); Harriet; Julia Ann;
Mary Jane Emma Clara Blanche, and Hugh
All of the family were members of
Allen.
:

;

& North Mountain
which passes through his farm.

railroad,

ELI
farmer and stock dealer
of Derry township, Montour
county, belongs
to a family which has been settled in that section for eighty years, his father
having come
here in 1832.
His grandparents, Baldy and
Mary (Melick) Appleman, were natives of
Pennsylvania and of German and Dutch descent, respectively.
They had a family of
eight children.
Baldy Appleman was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his wife's
father,
Peter Melick, served in the Revolution.
Caleb Appleman, sixth in the family of

APPLEMAN,

Baldy and Mary (Melick) Appleman, was
born April 12, 1812, in Erosty Valley, Columbia Co., Pa., and received his education
at Bloomsburg, that county.
In 1832 he came
to \'alley township, in

what

now Montour

county, and for many years was successfully
engaged in farming, retiring from active pursuits in the year 1885.
He subsequently made
his home in Danville, where he died in 1894.
Air. Appleman not only looked after his
private affairs well, but was active in church
work and other matters affecting the public
welfare, being a school director for six years
and constable twenty-seven years, serving part
of the time when his township was included
in
in

Columbia county, and later when it was
Montour county. At one time a member
the Episcopal Church at Bloomsburg, he

served

many

years as superintendent of

When

its

Church
in Valley townsliip was erected, he was a
member of the building committee, and though

Sunday

school.

the Alethodist

never a member of that church he served as
one of its trustees for many years at Bloomsburg. Politically he was a Democrat. In 1831
Mr. Appleman married Alary AI. Rishel,
daughter of Henry Rishel, who was of German origin, and ten children were born to
them Elmira, deceased, was the wife of John
Carr Sarah Ann, the widow of Charles A.
:

;

Rentz, lives at Williamsport, Pa. Agnes is
the widow of James AI. \^an Devender and
lives in Northumberland county. Pa.
Mary
E., deceased, was the wife of John C. Patterson, of Danville
Alargaret J., deceased,
was the wife of Hon. Jesse C. Amerman, a
prominent farmer Amos B. served in the
Civil war, in the I32d Pennsylvania Volunteer
Infantry; Harriet, deceased, was the wife of
;

;

Peter E. Rentz

;

Eli

mentioned below

;

Car-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

880

Linis the wife of George Gilmore, of
The
den, Pa.; Franklin Pierce is deceased.
mother was a Lutheran, becoming a member
oline

of the church at Milton

when about nineteen

advanced age.
Eli Appleman was born Feb. 7, 1847, in
received his eduValley township, and there

She

years old.

lived to

cation in the common schools. Assisting his
father with the farm work at home until he
attained his majority, he afterward farmed
with him on shares until twenty-four years

Then he came to Derry township and
old.
where he has
bought the old Brittain farm,
since carried on .general farming and stock
the prosperous resiraising, ranking among
Modern methods and
dents of his locality.
have been reintelligent attention to detail
warded with steady success, and his personal
character has made him many warm friends
He has held the office of
in the township.
has served three terms
and
one
assessor
term,

daughter of John Buck, and to them
were born: Jonas, Elizabeth, John, Jacob,
Anna and David. All reared families except
Anna, who died of smallpox.
John Kisner, father of Samuel B. Kisner,
was born Dec. 9, 1800, at Maidencreek, Berks
He
county, near the foot of Blue mountain.
grew up in Madison township, Columbia
county, where he married Susan Battin Dec.
They had five children: Sarah,
30, 1824.
wife of J. P. Smith, of Rohrsburg; Elizabeth, wife of Phineas Welliver, of Madison
township; Samuel B. Anna C, wife of James
Welliver, of Greenwood; and Henry, who
beth,

;

died at the age of twenty-four years.
Samuel B. Kisner was born March
1828, in

16,

Madison township, Columbia county,
1846 moved to Greenwood township,

and in
where he learned the trade of blacksmith.
In 1849 I'^e began business for himself, and in
1851 settled at ]\lillville, where he operated a

own

In political
as judge of election.
From youth he has athe is a Democrat.
tended the Methodist Church.
Mr. Appleman married Theresa Dildine,
who was born in 1852 in Madison township,
Columbia county. Pa., daughter of William
and Elizabeth (Sheep) Dildine, and granddaughter of Clark Dildine. of Columbia
born to Mr.
county. Four children have been
and Mrs. Appleman Elizabeth is the wife of

shop of

Clark Benfield, of Limestone township,
tour county; Clyde married Mary Wintersteen, who died in September. 1908. and they
had four children, Walter, Howard, Myrtle
and Glen William is at home Rebecca, who
lives at home, is engaged in teaching school.

of Millville
Susan, wife of Alfred B. Cole, of Philadelphia; Mary, wife of G. McHenry. of Benton;
Kate, who died at the age of seventeen and
Amos, who died when one year old. In politics Mr. Kisner was a Republican.
He died
June 10, 1897, and is buried amidst the evergreens of the little Millville cemetery.
Henry W. Kisner, son of Samuel B., was

association

;

RALPH KISNER,

the present solicitor for
the borough of Danville,

one of the leading attorneys in this
and has a large and successful genHe has the honor of being the
eral practice.
chosen to the office of district
Republican
only
attorney since 1878, and his services in this
and other public offices have won him high
esteem in the county. He is a native of Columbia county, born April 6, 1878. at Millville, son of Henry W. Kisner and a grandson
Pa.,

district

of Samuel B. Kisner.
The founder of the Kisner family was a
native of Germany, of the Rheinpfalz section,
and came to America by sailing vessel, the
voyage lasting over six months, owing to the
inclement weather. On the voyage over
Leonard Kisner was born. He lived with his
father in Berks county. Pa., where they had
settled.

until

Henry entered

Martha, daughter of Amos and Mary Parker,
and they had nine children John, residing in
Millville and in partnership with his brother
:

Henry W. Elijah, deceased; Henry W., mentioned below Roy. employed in the American
;

;

& Foundry Co., residing
Mon- Sarah, wife of W. W. Heacock

Montour county and

his

his death.
In 1878
into partnership witli
him, the firm then being S. B. & H. W. Kisner.
Dec. 9, 1847, Mr. Kisner married
his son

After his majority he married Eliza-

Car

Berwick

;

born at Millville June

6, 1854. and followed
the occupation of his father, later inheriting
the blacksmith shop.
He has been a prominent and active citizen of Millville. and has
served seventeen years as councilman of the

He married Mary
who was born April 9, 1856,

A. Shoemaker,
in Pine township, one of a family of three sons and two
daughters. To Mr. Kisner and his wife was
born but one child, Ralph, who is mentioned
In 1898 Mr. Kisner took his brother
below.

borough.

John

into

partnership, the

now H. W. Kisner

fimi

Even

name being

age of
capable of doing any kind
of blacksmithing and works at the forge from
day to day.
Ralph Kisner attended the public schools of
Millville and the Friends' Academy there, folsixty

Mr. Kisner

iS:

I'ro.

at the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
lowing which he took a course in the State
normal school at Bloomsburg, from which he
was graduated in 1895. ^^^ next attended
the Peirce school at Philadelphia, and for two
Takyears thereafter taught country schools.
ing up the study of law he read in the office
of James Scarlet, of Danville, was admitted
to the bar Oct. 6. 1900. and has since been
^engaged in general practice in Mr. Scarlet's
]\Ir.
Kisner has had many public
office.
In 1902 he was elected district athonors.
torney, which office he held for three years.
In 19 1 2 he was elected solicitor for Montour
county and the borough of Danville, in which
position he is giving the highest satisfaction,
For ten years he has been the attorney for
the Danville school board, has been legal representative for a number of business interests
in Danville, and has assisted in many of the
noted cases of recent years. His fellow Re-

have shown

publicans

substantial- apprecia-

tion of his ability and worth by twice nominating him for representative in the State

The last time, 1910, he declined
Legislature.
because of the demands of his law practice.
Mr. Kisner is a speaker of ability and forcefulness and is in demand upon all important
occasions, having won an enviable reputation

He is
F. & A.

in this section of the State.

member

Danville Lodge, No. 516,
M.. of which
he is a past master; of Danville Chapter No.
239, R. A. M., and Calvary Commandery, No.
^y, K. T. he is also a member of the Knights
of Pythias and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
On June 19, 1912, Mr. Kisner was united
;

marriage to H. Marie Fetterman. daughter
W. and Sarah (Rugh) Fetterman, of

of R.

Danville.

JOHN FRANKLIN HENDRICKSON,
farmer, residing in Valley township on the
old homestead of his father, which he now
owns, was born here June 6. 1858, son of
John Hendrickson and a grandson of Abram

Hendrickson.
Abram Hendrickson, the grandfather, was
born in New Jersey, where he grew to manhood and married Mary Catherine Vandling,
who was born in 1774 and died Oct. 28. 1852.
They left New Jersey and came to Liberty
township, in what was then Northumberland
(now Alontour) county. Pa., and were early
settlers there. Mr. Hendrickson acquired much
land, owning at one time 600 acres, a great
deal of which he cleared, and which he improved with log structures. He and his wife
lived to old age. and were buried in Old Grove
56

881

now Memorial Park. Tliey were
of the Presbyterian Church. Their
children were as follows
Peter, born Oct. 10,
1798, died Feb. 17, 1823; Margaret, born
March 6, 1803, died at the age of seventy-five
cemetery,

members

March 16, 1805, marThomas Courson William, born May 15.

years; Elizabeth, born
ried

;

1807, died Feb. 2;^, 1849; John; Adam was
born Sept. 7, 181 1
Abram, born May 15,
1816, married Matilda Shultz, and died Aug.
20, 1850; Sarah, wife of John Voris, died
May 11, 1874; Anne, wife of Michael Shires,
;

died Aug. 16, 1853.

Hendrickson, son of Abram and
Franklin Hendrickson, was
born near Mooresburg, Pa., Aug. 31, iSio.
While young he worked on his father's farm
and then learned the blacksmith's trade, and
after he married had a shoj) in Mooresburg
and carried on blacksmithing for some time,

John

father of John

buying a farm of three hundred acres,
Until his health failed he continued the operation of this land, but when his attacks of bronchitis and asthma became severe he turned his
responsibilities over to his son, who continued
to farm according to his father's wishes for
the next ten years, during which the father
later

lived retired.

John Hendrickson was a man of local importance and during his active years was recognized as a leading Democrat in his section.
He served many years as a school director
and as justice of the peace, holding every
township office with the exception of supervisor.
In every relation of life he was respected and esteemed and his sterling qualities were recognized.
He was a faithful member of Zion Methodist Church and served in
all the church offices, and as superintendent
of the Sunday school.
Mr. Hendrickson was twice married, first
to Grace Gibson, who was born near Mooresburg. She died leaving one child, Oliver, who
was born July 23. 1836, and died June 17,
1870; he married Sarah Zehnder, who died in
Oregon. John Hendrickson's second marriage
took place Sept. 26, 1839, when he was united
to Mary Ann Davis, by Rev. Robert T. Nixon,
She was born Feb. 3. 1819, only child of David
and Sarah (Mellen) Davis, the latter of whom
was born March 26, 1800, and died March 25,
David Davis settled near Mooresburg,
1857.
in Liberty township, and there carried on
farming. He and his wife were members of
the Methodist Church and were buried in
Zion's graveyard. The children of Mr. Hendrickson's second marriage were as follows:
Sarah, born June 10, 1840. married George

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

882

is deceased; David, born March
married Clara Childs and (second)
Sarah Hendrickson Wilham, born March 26,
1845, niarried Lucy CreveHng, and they reside at Riverside; Abram, born June 27, 1847,
married AngeHne Runyan, who is deceased
Rebecca, born Nov. 5, 1852, married Wilham

Surver,

who

13, 1842,

voter,

C. Wilson, like herself a native of Valley
township, and they moved to Paradise, Oregon; Alice, born April 16, 1855, married H.
A. Thomas, and both are deceased
John
Franklin is next in the family Harvey E.,
born Jan. i, 1861, lives at Paradise, Oregon;
George McClellan, born Aug. 31, 1863, also
of Paradise, Oregon, married first Nellie
Reavis, and second Nellie Lyman. The father
of the above family died Feb. 13, 1882, the
mother April 10, 1876, and both were interred
;

;

Valley township, Monare still kindly remembered by old neighbors.
John Franklin Hendrickson attended the
Hendrickson school in Valley township and
early began to make himself useful to his
father on the home farm.
Later, as stated
above, he assumed charge when his father's
health failed, and after the latter's death
bought the interests of the other heirs and
now owns the old homestead, a tract of 110
acres, twenty-five of which is in timber.
in

Zion cemetery

tour Co., Pa.

They

On June 6, 1883, John F. Hendrickson was
married to Margaret Wintersteen. a daughter of John and Sarah A. (Farnsworth) Wintersteen, and five children have been born to
them: Jesse W.. born June 10, 1884. married
Edith Rogers, of X'alley township, and they
have one child, Margaret May George L.,
born May 17, 1887, is a graduate of the Danville high school and of Cornell University,
and is a civil engineer with Chester & ]""lemSarah Efifie, l)orn
ing. of Pittsburgh, Pa.
March 17, 1892. is a teacher, now engaged in
New Brunswick, N. J. ]\Iary Edna, born
Sept. 5, 1893, is a graduate of the Danville
high school, taking the highest class honors
in 1912. and first honors in the
graduating
class of 1 914. at the Bloomsburg normal
school; ^Miriam Lois, born Aug. 26. 1901. is
a student in the Hill school in \'alley town;

;

ship.

Mr. Hendrickson values education and has
afforded fine privileges to his children, and
has reason to be gratified with their appreciation of the same.
He and family are members of Zion Methodist Episcopal Church in
Valley township, which he has served as class
leader. Sunday school superintendent, steward
and trustee. In politics he is an independent

warm

advocate of tem-

Margaret (Wintersteen) Hendrickson, wife

;

and he

perance.

of John Franklin Hendrickson, was born Oct.
10, 1862, in Franklin township, Lycoming Co.,
Pa., daughter of John Wintersteen and a
granddaughter of Benjamin Wintersteen.

Benjamin Wintersteen, who spent his life
seventy years near Pine Summit, Pine
township, Columbia Co., Pa., followed farmHe married Sarah Welliver, and they
ing.
had children as follows \'alentine, who died
of

Michigan; John, father of ]\Irs. Hendrickson; Margaret, widow of Phineas Whitmyer;
Jane, widow of John Whitmyer, both sisters
living near Pine Summit and Sarah, deceased,
who was the wife of Adam Renn, also deceased.
Benjamin Wintersteen was a strong
Democrat all his life. He and wife were
active members of the United Evangelical
Church.
She died at the age of sixty-five
years, and they are buried in the Methodist
graveyard at Pine Summit.
John Wintersteen, father of Mrs. Hendrickson, was born in Pine township Aug. 16. 1823.
In boyhood he attended the Cotner school
near Pine Summit, and afterward worked
on his father's farm and operated his father's
sawmill. He married Sarah Ann Farnsworth,
bom Aug. 20, 1 84 1, and they had the followEmma Jane, born Oct. 3. 1858,
ing children
married Ira Chatham, of Lock Haven. Pa.
Howard Smith, born April 3, i860, now deceased, married Mary Lyons, of Pine Summit
Margaret is the wife of John F. Hendrickson
Mary Ellen, now deceased, born July 27,, 1864,
married Homer Runyan, of Montgomery,
;

;

Pennsylvania.

John \\'intersteen and his wife moved from
Pine Summit to \ alley township and spent
one year on land that is now the poorhouse
farm. Then they moved to Moreland township and lived for a while with John Farnsworth, Mrs. \\'intersteen"s father, thence to
the old Wintersteen homestead in Pine township, where John Wintersteen died, after having been in poor health for several years. He
was l)uricd at Moreland. He was a member
of the Baptist Church.
Sarah Ann
(Farnsworth) \\'intersteen,
mother of Mrs. Hendrickson. was born Aug.

Her
20, 1841, and died March 12, 1897.
father. John Farnsworth, came, after his marriage, from Philadelphia to Moreland township, Lycoming county, where he bought
nearly three hundred acres of heavily timbered
He died there aged fifty-four years.
land.
The Farnsworths were kindred of the ("irants

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and the Simpsons, distinguished people of
these names being Ulysses S. Grant and

until his death, in 1890.

buried in the

married Leah Jayne, born
and their children were:
Thomas, who married twice, both of his wives
being deceased

Edward William Roderick was born
Blaenavon,

March

Alississippi.

The mother of Mrs. Hendrickson was a
member of the Baptist Church and by the

ing at the muck rolls in the Waterman &
Beaver Rail IMills. On the breaking out of
the Civil war he enlisted, in April, 1861, in

Zion

Company C, 14th Regiment, Pennsylvania
\^olunteer Infantry, being mustered in at HarAfter the short term of his enlistrisburg.
ment had expired he re-enlisted, in Company
A, I32d Regiment, became fifth sergeant, and
for good service was promoted to orderly
sergeant and second lieutenant. He took part
in many important engagements, among them
those at Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg and

MORGAN

DAVID
RODERICK, who has
charge of the '12-inch guide rolls at the Reading Iron Company (formerly the ^Montour
Iron Works), Danville, was born in Syracuse,
N. Y., Nov. 19, 1870. He is a son of Edward
William Roderick and grandson of William
Roderick, the family being of Welsh ancestry.
Mr. Roderick resides at No. 639 Bloom street,
just outside the limits of Danville, in

Mahon-

ing township.

William Roderick was born in 1800 in
Wales, where he followed the trade of coal
miner. In 1850 he emigrated to America and
settled

1852, working at the
obliged by age to cease

Danville in

iron ore mines until
his labors.
After the death of his wife, in
1881, he made his home with Mrs. Sarah Ann
Evans, and later resided with his son John

28,

Monmouthshire, South Wales,
1840, and had very little education,

knowledge of the iron business, working as
roller, at the age of sixteen work-

(Hendrickson's) Church
graveyard in \^alley township.
]\Irs. Hendrickson attended school at Farrandsville, Clinton Co., Pa., and afterward,
prior to her marriage, which occurred when
she was twenty years of age, lived with her
mother and stepfather. She is an active member of Zion's AI. E. Church, teaching in the
Sunday school, and belonging to the Epworth
League.
in

;

puddler and

Henry Monroe, was bap-

confirmed, twice married and buried.
rests

)

attending the free school until seven years
old.
At that age he went to work as a trap
door tender in a coal mine, and he was so
small that his father carried him to work on
his back.
In 1850 he came with his father
to America, and w^hen they settled in Danville in 1852 he obtained work in the rolling
mill, dragging out in the puddle mill.
During
the winter of 1857 he attended school three
months at Danville. He rapidly acquired a

;

She

death occurred in 1901

Ohio.

tized,

(iiis

Edward W., mentioned below; and John, who
married Jane Gough, now of Canal Dover,

;

minister. Rev.

lie and his wife are
Fellows cemetery at Dan-

in this vicinity.
in Wales in 1812,

;

same

Odd

ville.
Both were members of the Welsh ConMr. Roderick dug the
gregational Church.
well on the old Grove Mansion property, now
the Bennett Mansion, one of the first wells

Bishop Simpson.
John Farnsworth married Effie Smith,
whose mother's maiden name was Effie Simpson. They had the following children
Sarah
Ann, Mrs. Wintersteen Effie Mary, who
married Fred Kramer, of Los Angeles. Cal.
Margaret, who died in 1913; Jonathan Smith,
who married Susan Lyons, of Lycoming
county and George Simpson, who married
Hester Smith.
Mrs. John Farnsworth died
when aged sixty-nine years, and she and her
husband were interred in the Moreland graveThey were members of the Baptist
yard.
Church.
After John W'intersteen's death his widow
lived with her father, John Farnsworth, and
later was married to John Sidler, by whom
she had the following children
William S.,
born Sept. 17, 1876, married Minnie Roberts,
of Valley township; Nora, born Dec. 7, 1872,
married George K. Heddens Annie, born Jan.
3, 1878, married Philip Ikeler, of Moselle,
;

883

Antietam. Upon being mustered out in 1864
he returned to Danville, where he was married the following year to Alargaret D. Mor•

gans, daughter of David and Hannah (Reese)
Morgans, both of Caermarthenshire, South

Wales. Mrs. Roderick was born Aug. 6, 1840.
They had children as follow^s John, born at
:

Danville in June, 1865, died at Catasauqua
Feb. 2"], 1867; John W., born at Catasauqua
Sept. 28, 1867, died Alarch 22, 1875, at Skan-

David Morgan is mentioned
eateles, N. Y.
below Thomas C, born at Newark, Ohio, Oct.
;

;

25,

1873,

now

consulting

Grand Rapids (Mich.)

engineer

Electric

for

street

the
rail-

ways, married Eldora Holmes, and has one
child, George
they reside in Grand Rapids,
Mich.) Hannah, born at Poughkeepsie, N. Y.,
Feb. 26, 1877, died in infancy; William E.,
(

;

884

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

born at Poughkeepsie June 30, 1878, died at
Massillon, Ohio, in 1882 Edward W., Jr., born
at Lockland, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1881, died at Canal
Dover, Ohio, Oct. 10, 1884; Elizabeth, born
at Danville, Pa., July 19, 1884, died at Canal
Dover April 15, 1886.
;

After his marriage Edward

Roderick

Danville and worked at rolling mills in
Catasauqua, Pa., Syracuse, N. Y., Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Columbus, Ohio, and Massillon,
Ohio. He then returned to Danville and took
charge of the Glendower Iron Works (now
the Structural Tubing Works) for two years.
In 1899 he went to Canal Dover, Ohio, and
with the exception of a short time in Danville has been there ever since.
He is now
He is a Republican, and has
living retired.
been councilman four years, member of the
board of education six years, and in 1896 was
candidate for Congress on the Republican
Mr. Roderick was
ticket, but was defeated.
formerly a member of the Odd Fellows. He
is a member of the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M..
of Canal Dover (Master Mason), the Royal
Arch Chapter at New Philadelphia, Ohio, and
Massillon Commandery, No. 4, K. T.
David Morgan Roderick was educated in the
schools of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Danville, Pa.,
and Canal Dover, Ohio. At the age of fourteen he left school and went to work in the
lO-inch finishing mill with his father, learned
the trade of roller, and went to Cambridge,
Ohio, where he worked at sheet heating for
one year. When the Spanish-American war
began he went to Gate City, eight miles from
Birmingham, Ala., and worked in the 16-inch
bar mill for one and a half years. He then
returned to Canal Dover and became assistant to his father in the guide mill for two
In 1901, when the big steel strike
years.
occurred, he went to Canton, Ohio, worked
in the sheet mill, and in 1902 returned to Bessemer, Ala., to work in the 16-inch bar mill
of the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company, remaining there for two years. From there he
went to Elmira, N. Y., had charge of the 10inch guide mill for eight months, next worked
in the tin mill at Canal Dover as heater for
two years, and then returned to Danville,
where he has had charge of the 12-inch guide
rolls ever since.
In
1893 Mr. Roderick married Anna
Salmon, daughter of Osmond and Ellen
(Ault) Salmon, and their children are: Edward, born Aug. 24, 1895, an apprentice in
the rolling mill; and Jessie, born Oct. 5, 1896.
a student in the Fourth ward grammar school.
Mr. Roderick has built a fine home in the
left

outskirts of Danville, and has been very liberal
in giving his children all the educational adHe is a Republican and
vantages possible.
a member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal
Church, of which he is steward and trustee.
He has also served as assistant superintendent
of the Sunday school.
He is a member of
Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., Dan-

Chapter, No. 239, Royal Arch Masons,
and Calvary Commandery, No. 37, Knights
Templar; of Montour Castle, No. 186, K. G.
E., and Montour Commandery, K. G. E., of
ville

Danville.

Mrs.

Anna (Salmon) Roderick was born

Jan. 28, 1876, in Canal Dover, Ohio, and was
educated in the grammar and high schools,
but was obliged to leave the latter before

graduation owing to an attack of diphtheria.
She then remained at home until iier marriage.
She is a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, of Danville, is first soprano in
the choir, and has taught in the Sunday school.

She is secretary of the Ladies' Aid Society,
has been treasurer of the Epworth League
two years, and represents her church in the
Women's Benevolent Association of the borough of Danville. Her grandfather, William
Salmon, was a native of England, and died
when his son Osmond was but ten years of
His wife had died two years before.
age.
Osmond Salmon, father of Mrs. Roderick,
after the death of his parents went to live
with an aunt in Somersetshire, England, for
a time.
He had but limited schooling, being
engaged in coal mining from childhood. He
was quite young when he came to America, and
landed in New York with little money. For
a time he made a living by doing odd jobs,
and finally drifted into the hard coal regions
of Pennsylvania.
He later went to Canal
Dover, Ohio, where he opened a mine for a
man named Boady, working for him until he
had enough money to open a mine for himself.
Since 1888 he has continued mining

and buying land, now having three veins
He
opened and being worked under lease.
married Ellen Ault. and they have had six
children
Mary, Cora, Alice and Harry, who
died in infancy Anna, mentioned above and
Chandler O., who married Emma Mazelle.
Mr. Salmon was a Republican for many years,
:

;

but

;

now an adherent

of the Prohibition
has been treasurer of Canal Dover
two terms, councilman, school director and
supervisor of roads. He is a member of the
Odd Fellows lodge at Canal Dover, and is
at present secretary of that organization.
He
is

party.

a choir leader of the

Moravian Church and

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
treasurer of the Sunday school. His wife is a
member of the EngHsh Lutheran Church and
has been alto singer in the choir for a number
of years.
John Ault, father of Mrs. Salmon, was born
in Ohio, his father being one of the early setHe lived in the county, near
tlers there.
Canal Dover, and after the children were born
he moved to town and ran the engines of the
old Croxton furnace for many years.
His
death was caused by a fall from the top of the

He married Eva Demuth, daughter
cupola.
of Philip Demuth, owner of the great crockery works of East Liverpool, Ohio. To Mr.
and Mrs. Ault were born five children Alfred,
deceased, married Ella Frey, of Cambridge,
Ohio; Frances married Henry Crismore, of
:

Canal Dover; George, deceased, married Kate
Hoover, who lives in Lincoln, Neb. Ellen
has been previously mentioned; Jesse, former
;

owner of Ault's Steel Foundry and Machine
Shops of Alliance, Ohio, is now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Ault were members of the
Methodist Church, and they are buried in
the Canal Dover cemetery near the church.
He was a Republican in politics.
H. ALFRED SNYDER, who is a merchant
Strawberry Ridge, Montour Co., Pa., was
born Feb. 5, 1867, in Valley township, same
county, at the old Snyder homestead, son of
William M. and Carolina (Bloom) Snyder.
John Snyder, the grandfather, was a Hfelong resident of Valley township, where he
followed farming, owning a farm of 150 acres.
A few years before his death he sold this
property and built a home at Mausdale, where
at

last years of his life, dying when
His wife, Susanna
nearly eighty years old.
(Ware), died at the age of sixty-eight years.
They were members of St. John's German
Reformed Church at Mausdale, where they are
buried.
Originally a Whig in political opinion, he later became a Republican, and was

he spent the

active in the party. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder had
children as follows:
John S., who married
Sarah Long; Mary, wife of Joseph Crossley;

Christianne, Mrs. Pursel; Peter K., who married Catherine Snyder and (second) Sarah

Geringer

;

Michael K.,

who married Mary

Shaffer; Sarah, Mrs. Geringer; Henry, who
married Elizabeth Berger; Catherine, wife of

Lafayette Raup; William AL
Jacob; and
Larry, who married Clara Keefer.
William M. Snyder was born Sept. 20, 1840,

885

subsequently spent four years at

Morgantown

as an iron worker, then farmed for five
years
for Peter Baldy, and in 1867 took charge of
the quarry of Phil Maus, of Mausdale. Later
he moved to Hemlock township, where he

was engaged in farming two years, and then
went to Anthony township, being there engaged

farming

for

Edward Baldy

for

twelve years. At the expiration of this period
he retired and went to Derry township. Mr.
Snyder married Carolina Bloom, who died on
her birthday, Dec. 20, 1912, at the age of
seventy-four years. She was born near Nazareth, Northampton county, daughter of Jacob
and Catherine (Smith) Bloom, and as a girl
rode on the first train of the Catawissa (now
the Reading)

Company that passed through
Eight children were born to Mr,
and Mrs. Snyder, of whom four are living:
Martha Jane, the wife of J. Wesley Jackson,
of Frosty Valley Amelia, wife of D. Wesley
Diehl Sarah Clara, wife of George B. Holdthis section.

;

and H. Alfred.
Hannah, the eldest
of the family; Benjamin F., who married
Amanda Saul and had two children; William
Wallace, who died in infancy; and Minnie,
ren, of Washingtonville, Pa.

The four deceased

who

are

;

died young.

Alfred Snyder attended the district
schools of his native locality, and for fifteen
years was engaged in farming, then moving

Strawberry Ridge, where he opened his
present store. He carried a full line of general merchandise, as well as all kinds of farm
implements, groceries and hardware, and has
the only establishment of its kind in his section of the county.
On Feb. 28, 1888, Mr. Snyder was married
to Lizzie A. Rovenalt, who was born Aug.
to

in Derry township, Montour Co.,
daughter of Charles and Clara (Seidel)
Rovenalt. Mr. Snyder and his wife belong to

1866,

Pa.,

the

German Reformed Church

Ridge.

Strawberry

belongs to the Patriotic Order

Sons of America. Camp Xo. 365, at Washingand to Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. &

tonville.

A. M. Politically a Republican, he has served
three terms as supervisor, and has ever been
an active worker in behalf of his party, acting as committeeman of his district. He was
one of the promoters of the People's Ideal

Telephone Company.

;

Valley township, and as a lad started to
in a lime quarry, but later went to
Frosty Valley, where he was a miner. He
in

work

JAMES JEFFERSON

ELLIS,

late

Anthony township, Montour county, was one
of the respected citizens of that locality and
belonged to one of its oldest and most subHe was a descendant of
stantial families.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

886

Stephen

the

Ellis,

first

of the

name

to settle

one of the early residents of
Anthony township. Rev. Milton Lightner, the
first regular pastor of St. James' Episcopal
Church at Exchange, made his first visit to
the place to preach at the funeral of Stephen
in this region,

When

Ellis.

the latter died he left a verbal

$200 toward the erection of an
Episcopal Church at Exchange, "should there
will giving

ever be a disposition to erect such a build-

The church was commenced in 1848,
ing."
on land purchased for that purpose, the cornerstone was laid that year by Bishop Alonzn
Potter, and the completed building dedicated
by the Bishop, assisted by Rev. Milton LightProminent among the conner and others.
tributors to the work were the estate of
Stephen Ellis, William Ellis, Stephen Ellis
(son of Stephen, deceased), Catharine Ellis,
Jane, William, Isabella, Ellen and John C.
EUis, Milton Lightner and Amos Heacock.
The first officers of the church were: William Ellis, Stephen Ellis, John C. Ellis and

Amos
Amos

Heacock, vestrymen William Ellis ard
Heacock, wardens. In 1887 the ofticers
were: Charles Reeder, William Ellis, John
Caldwell, John D. Ellis, Robert Caldwell,
Stephen C. Ellis, vestrymen Charles Reeder,
;

;

senior

warden;

Stephen

Ellis,

junior

warden,

Stephen

Ellis, the

IVIontour county,

pioneer of the family

was born

Ireland,

and

came from Londonderry, that country, to
America in or about 1770. His father, who
was a sea captain, when he retired from the
water took up land near Baltimore, Md.. but
finally went back to Donegal, Ireland, where
he died.

Stephen

Ellis assisted his cousin at

Juniata, Pa., before

coming

to this section, ar.d

then settled permanently near Exchange, in
Anthony township. Here he and his wife
spent the remainder of their long lives in the
vicinity in which they first located, he farming
until his death, which occurred in 1845, ^^lii-'n
he was eighty-two years old.
He married
Eleanor Cunningham, like himself a native
of Ireland, and she survived him a few years,
and they were buried in the EpiscopaJ graveyard at Exchange. They were the parents of
twelve children.
Stephen Ellis, son of Stephen, above, was

born
in

May

Montour

1807, in Anthony township, now
county, and there passed all his

He followed farming until his retirement, about 1876, and he passed his closing
years at Exchange, dying March 17, 1889.
He married Sarah Bull, who died Feb. 15,
life.

1890, aged seventy-four years, and they hacl

a family of nine children, the sons being William, John and James Jefferson, of whom
William, a farmer of Anthony township, is
the only survivor.
There are also two sisters living, Isabella, wife of Daniel Bomboy,
of Anthony township, and Elizabeth Eleanor,
widow of Jacob Snyder, of Anthony township.

John Bull, father of Mrs. Sarah (Bull)
was born Feb. 2, 1770, in Derbyshire.
England, and came to America in 1801, locating in Elkland township, Lycoming Co.. Pa.
He was married there, later removing to
Anthony township, in what is now Montour
county. Pa., where he passed the remainder
of his fife, dying Nov. 5, 1855.
His wife,
Eleanor (Bird), was a native of Norfolk, England, came to America with her parents when
about twelve years old, and died April 13.
Ellis,

1862.
Jeft'erson Ellis was born Sept. 27,
Anthony township, Montour county,
and when a boy moved to Exchange with

James

1855, in

He learned the tanner's trade
parents.
Jersey town, Columbia county, and when
twenty-five years old built a tannery at Exchange which he operated successfully until
1896.
Selling out he moved to a farm near
that town, and continued to follow agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred
Nov. 19, 1902. Mr. Ellis served several terms
as member of the school board of Anthony
township, and was a well known Democrat of
his section.
He was reared in the Episcopal
Church, in which the family has always been
his
at

prominent at Exchange.
On Dec. 22. 1880, Mr. Ellis married Annie
I^^lizabeth Bardole, and a family of nine children was born to them, viz.: Sarah Isabella,
l^orn April 10. 1882. is married to Charles
Bortz, of Watsontown. and has six children.
James, Grace. Mary. Anna, Dorothy and
Leroy Stephen Andrew, born Aug. 12. 1883.
of Anthony township, married Ocey Neufer
and has two children. Harvey and Edith
James Jeft"erson. born Jan. 30. 1885. died Aug.
Elizabeth h^leanor. born Nov. 2.
12. 1901
1886, married George Snyder, of South Bend,
Ind., and has three children. Albert. Irene
and Carl; John William, born Oct. 12, 1888,
is
associated in business with his mother
Mary Catherine was born March 17, 1890;
Anna Jane, born Oct. 13, 1895, operates the
telephone switchl-)oard at Exchange; Lloyd
Cunningham, born March 11, 1897. and Oscar
Ethelbert. bom March 6, 189^. are at home.
After her husband's death Mrs. Ellis remained on the farm for a few years, looking
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
after

its

cultivation,

and she then returned

when she opened

the general mercantile store which she has since carIt is one of the most successful in
ried on.
this part of the county, and Mrs. Ellis has
given ample proof of her good business qualHer well directed
ities in its management.

Exchange,

in 1910,

etTorts to keep the stock complete and to give
customers satisfactory service have brought a
large patronage. Her son Stephen now operMrs. Ellis also manages the
ates the farm.
operating office of the People's Telephone
Company, whose headquarters are at Exchange, and her daughter operates the switch-

board.

was born June 17, 1864, in Anthony township, Montour county, daughter of
John Jacob Bardole and granddaughter of
Mrs.

Ellis

Paul Bardole.

The latter, a native of Berks
came to Anthony township in

county, Pa.,
the early days, dying at the age of seventy, in
He was a lifelong farmer. His wife,
1863.
Rebecca (Lutz), died in 1876, at the age of
seventy-six.
John Jacob Bardole was born Oct. 28, 1828,
in Columbia county, and died Jan. 18, 1910,
in his eighty-second year.
By trade he was a
carpenter, and he followed farming in connection with that work, after his marriage

where he had
married IMary
Leidy, who was born Jan. 14, 1832, one of the
six children of Peter and Catherine (Erness)
Leidy; her grandfather, Paul Leidy, was born
in New Jersey, and settled in Columbia county,
Mrs. Bardole died Feb. 14, 1902. She was

the age of ninety-two years. His wife's

name was

887

maiden

Silvers.

George Oyster, father of George N. Oyster,
died in Turbut township in 1849, when
fifty
years old.
He, too, was almost a lifeloncr
farmer, but having met with an accident a
couple of years before his death, losing part
of his foot while cutting down trees, he
gave
up that work and went to boating on the
Pennsylvania canal, which work he followed
for two years.
His death was caused by
an abscess under his arm. He married Elizabeth Nicely, daughter of John
Nicely, and
they had a family of seven children:
Ann,
who married William Sechler, and died in
South Dakota; George N.; Caroline, deceased,
wife of Hiram Dye; ^lary, Mrs. iJillmeyer,
late of Philadelphia Porter, of Turbut township, who married Catherine Garnhart; Elizabeth, who died young; and a son that died in
infancy.
George N. Oyster worked on the farm during his boyhood, and was about sixteen when
his father had the accident which caused him
to give up hard work, after which he farmed
for eight years in Limestone township, Montour county. Meantime, at the age of eighteen,
he began to learn the trade of tanning, and
he also drove horses for two years on the
;

carrying merchandise to Philadelphia
He recollects seeing a number of men who served in the Alexican war
from this section returning by way of the
canal.
In 1866 he bought the farm property

settling in Anthony township,
his home until his death.

and Baltimore.

the mother of nine children, six of

in Derry township, Montour county, where
he has ever since lived, and which he cultivated until his retirement. The same year he

living:

Emma

J.,

whom

are

Mrs. William Straub, of

Miss Mary Ellen; Catherine,
Mrs. Harry Oaks, of Watsontown, Pa. Mrs.
Ellis Cyrus, of Williamsport, Pa. and Ellis,
of Watsontown, Pennsylvania.
In 1861 Mr. Bardole enlisted in Company
G, 178th Pennsylvania Volunteers, for a period
of nine months. His regiment was attached to
the Army of the Potomac.
Philadelphia;

;

GEORGE

OYSTER,

of Derry town-

ship, the oldest living citizen of his part of
Montour county, has been living at his pres-

ent

home

since 1866,

and for forty years was

successfully engaged in distilling as well as

Mr. Oyster was born in Turbut
farming.
township, Northumberland county, July 11.
183 1, son of George Oyster, and grandson of
John Oyster, who moved to Northumberland
He
county from Berks county, this State.
farmed all his life, and died about 1846, at

canal,

built his first distillery in

Derry township (one
had been opened there before), and later
built a new still, and he ran the business for
forty years, delivering his product by team it
was all sold in the vicinity. Before the tax
was put on whisky it sold for from seven to
Mr. Oyster continued
eight dollars a barrel.
;

the distillery business until 1906. when he
sold part of the stock and plant and destroyed
the balance. For a few years longer he con-

tinned farming, retiring in 1910. Mr. Oyster
has always attended strictly to his business
affairs,

which prospered steadily under

his

careful and capable management, and he takes
no part in public matters, never desiring office
or similar honors.
However, he has been a
faithful member of the Democratic party,
which he has sensed well by promoting its
He is a member of
interests in his locality.
the Lutheran Church at Washingtonville. ]\Ir.
Oyster is considered one of the most sub-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

888

stantial residents of the township, where his
steady industry and thrift won him the re-

spect of all who know him.
On Jan. 12, 1854, Mr. Oyster married Eliz-

abeth Cotner, daughter of Conrad and Mary
Ann (Dye) Cotner, both of whom died Feb.
22, 1892, he in the morning, she in the evenThey were buried in the same grave.
ing.
Mrs. Oyster died May 30, 1903, aged sixtyShe was the mother of seven
eight years.
Eva died in infancy Laura
children, viz.
is the wife of Henry A. Beyer, of Missouri,
and has nine children, five of whom are married William was drowned when nine years
:

;

John, who lives in Nebraska, married
Alice Gilbert and has three sons and two
Elizdaughters Catherine died unmarried
abeth, deceased, was the wife of A. L. Dye;
Edward is farming the homestead. The last

old

;

named married Nora Bell Moser, and they
have three children, Ord (born April 18. 1895,
a graduate of the Derry township high school ),
Robert C. (born July 17, 1905), and Gladys
Maxine (born July 31, 191 1). The Mosers
came from Berks county, and Aaron Moser,
Mrs. Oyster's father, was formerly for twenty
years proprietor of the "Eagle Hotel'' at
Washingtonville he married Mary Steiner,

Harris, was for a number of years a successful
business man in Wales, conducting a large
tailoring establishment at Grinville.
William James Harris was a child when he
came to the United States to join his father,
and his early education was secured in the
]^larket street school at Berwick,
following
which he attended the Berwick high school.
He found his first employment in the rolling
mill in that city, but he felt the need of still
further education, and accordingly took private lessons in a business course under Archibald Dickinson, at night, while pursuing his
duties at the rolling mill during the day.
It
was in 1889 that Mr. Harris entered the employ of the Jackson & Woodin Company, securing the position of shipping clerk in the
rolling mill, and following this became bookkeeper in the rolling mill office of the American Car & Foundry Company, his business
course having thoroughly fitted him for work

Faithful service and capability
have won ]\Ir. Harris consecutive promotions,
and at the present time he holds the responsible position of purchasing agent in the Berwick
district of the concern.
He married Bertha
Shoemaker, the daughter of William and
Frances (Ebert) Shoemaker, of Bloomsburg,
Columbia county.
who is now sixty-six years old.
Mr. Harris is a Republican in his political
Mr. Oyster is the grandfather of twentyviews and for some vears has taken an interest
four children.
in public affairs at Berwick.
His publicWILLIAM JAMES HARRIS, who has spirited and helpful citizenship has won the
been a resident of Berwick since his sixth confidence of his fellow townsmen, and at the
year and is now accounted one of the sub- present time he is ably discharging the duties
of the office of town auditor. Fraternally he is
stantial citizens of that place, was born April
26, 1874, at Swansea, Wales, son of Levi and connected with the Knights of Malta, at Berwick, in which organization he has numerous
Mary (Davis) Harris.
Levi Harris was born in 1853 in Wales, friends. Mr. Harris is a Baptist in religious
where he early adopted the calling of iron- connection and has been active in church
worker.
He was industrious and energetic affairs, serving at various times as deacon and
and was not satisfied with the opportunities of member of the board of church trustees. Mrs.
his native land, so, hoping that he could find Harris is a ^Methodist and, like her husband,
better conditions in America, he emigrated to has been active in church matters, belonging
this country in 1878, his family
following two to and being a helpful worker in the Ladies'
years later. He secured employment at Ber- Aid Society and the Home Missionary Sowick, Pa., with the Jackson & Woodin Com- ciety.
\Villiam Shoemaker, the father of Mrs.
pany, as a puddler, and this position he continued to hold vmtil the time of his retirement. Harris, was born in Greenwood township, CoHis death occurred in March, 1902. when he lumbia Co., Pa.. May 31, 1844. Educated in
was but forty-nine years of age. Mr. Harris the public schools, he learned the trade of
was married to Mary Davis, also a native of wheelwright under his father, and as a young
Wales, born at Pontypridd, and they became man moved to Bloomsburg and secured emthe parents of two children,
Company.
namely: John ployment with John K. Lockard
Charles, who married Harriet Young, and is Following this he came to Berwick and was
now a resident of Newark, N. J. and William made a patternmaker for the American Car
& Foundry Company, by whom he is still emJames.
John Davis, a brother of Mrs. Mary (Davis) ployed. He and his wife live with their daughof this nature.

;

(S:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ter

and son-in-law on East Front

street,

Ber-

wick.

Shoemaker married Frances Ebert,
daughter of Samuel and Alary (Harris) Ebert,
and two children were born to this union
Mr.

Michael Ellsworth, born

1871,

who

died

is buried in Rosemont cemetery, Bloomsburg; and Bertha, who became Mrs. Harris.
Mr. Shoemaker is a Republican in his political
views, but though he has taken a good citizen's interest in matters of a public nature, he
has never been a seeker after personal preferment. In his religious belief he is a Alethodist, and Mrs. Shoemaker also subscribes to
His fraternal connection is
the same faith.
with Washington Lodge, F. & A. M., of
Bloomsburg.

and

F. FOULK, patternmaker in
the employ of the Danville Foundry & Machine Company, was born June 10, 1845, ^^
Exchange, Anthony township, which was then
included in Columbia county. Pa., of an ancient
and honorable pioneer family of Berks county.

BENJAMIN

John Foulk, his grandfather, was born in
Berks county, and was a miller by trade. Coming to Bloomsburg he operated a gristmill
near there for a short time. He sold out the
mill and removed to Exchange, where he
bought another gristmill, which he carried on
during the grinding season for a number of
Later he bought a farm of 150 acres
years.
and followed general farming until his retirement, after which his son Joshua ran the
farm, and Reuben and Solomon Geise ran the
Mr. Foulk was a veteran of the
gristmill.
war of 1812, having enlisted from Berks

He was a member of
Reformed Church. He died in

county.

the

German

1859, at the
at the age of

age of eighty-nine, his wife
eighty-seven, and they are buried in Union
graveyard, at Turbotville, Northumberland
Their children were
Joshua, who
county.
married ]\Iary Troxell Caroline, wife of Solomon Geise; Lydia, wife of Joseph Geise; a
Catherine, Mrs.
daughter, Mrs. Shuman
Knoebel and Reuben.
Reuben Foulk was born in December, 1810,
in Berks county, and educated in the German and English schools. He came to Bloomsburg with his parents, and when he left home
clerked for a storekeeper at Buckhorn, Columbia county, a number of years. There he
married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and
:

;

Sarah
were:

(Miller) Russell, and their children
Robert, Sarah. Martha and Amelia,
who died in childhood two who died in infancy unnamed John Clinton, deceased, who
;

;

married Jane Bomboy, and
Glaze; and Benjamin h\

889
(second)

Mary

When his father came to Exchange Reuben
h^oulk assisted him at the gristmill, and later
bought a mill of his own, which he operated
until 1852.
He then moved to Coluniljia
county and lived on his father's farm until
1857, when he bought a tract of ninety acres.
He lived on this place until 1867, and then
sold

and moved

to Turbotville,

Northum-

berland county, buying a farm of sixty-one
acres which he operated until his retirement,
in 1880.
His son John Clinton then took it
over. Mr. Foulk was a member of the State
militia, a Democrat, and held the offices of
supervisor, school director and overseer of the
poor. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church, and held all the offices in that
body. He died in 1887, at the age of seventyseven, and his wife died in 1890, at the age
of seventy-three.
Both are buried in the

Union cemetery at Turbotville.
F. Foulk attended the schools of
^ Benjamin
Columbia county and one year at Turbotville
Academy, of which Cornelius A. Reimensnyder was principal. When he was sixteen
years of age he left school, and worked on
his father's farm until his nineteenth year.
Going then to Pittsburgh, he took a business
course in the Iron City Commercial College,
and after graduation worked for three months
in the cork and bung factory there.
But a
natural aptittide for mechanics caused him to
enter the millwright's trade, and he served an
apprenticeship in the State of Michigan, working in Constantine. Three Rivers and White
Pigeon. Returning to Turbotville, he worked
at his trade for a time and then married and

moved to Buckhorn, remaining there for a
year, and thence going to Danville in 1871.
There he worked for the National Iron Company as patternmaker for fourteen months,
and afterward did miscellaneous jobs, assisting in the building of the Danville Opera
House. Finally he entered the employ of the
Cruikshank & Aleyer Company, in their Enterprise Foundry, as foreman of the pattern shop.
When the Mahoning Rolling Mill Company
absorbed the foundry he still retained his position, and when that company was in turn
merged into the Danville Foundry & Machine

Company he continued to be foreman until
1908, when his son Charles L. became foreman, and later was made a member of the
firm
another son, Arthur, was made fore;

man.
Mr. Foulk married Margaret C. Bomboy
July 3, 1869, and their union was blessed with

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

890

the following children Charles Leonard, born
May 21, 1870, married Mary A. Miller, of
Danville; Clinton Leroy, born Sept. 15, 1871,
:

married Catherine Freas, and is living in Williamsport; Fannie, born May 5, 1873, died at
the age of twenty-one years Arthur, born May
4, 1876, married Mary Toy, of Danville;
Sarah Elizabeth, born Alay 2, 1878, married
Joseph Gerringer, and lives at home Ralph,
born Alay 9, 1890, married Caroline Trumbower; Olive Belle, born Aug. 7, 1883, married Walter Marshall, of Danville Jennie R.,
born Aug. 17, 1885, married Dan Bert McClure, of Danville. Mr. Foulk is a Democrat,
;

;

but has Progressive leanings. He has served
as school director of the Third ward for three
terms, as judge of election, county auditor,
and was a member of the board of health for
two years. His family attend the German
Reformed Church.

Mrs. Margaret C. (Bomboy) Foulk was
born Nov. 16, 1844, near Buckhorn, in Hemlock township, Columbia county, and when
two years old was brought by her parents
to Bloomsburg.
There she attended the public schools until the age of eighteen, when
her family returned to Hemlock township.
She resided at home there until her marriage.
She is a faithful member of Shiloh Reformed
Church at Danville, was formerly a teacher
in the Sunday school, and is now treasurer of
the Ladies' Aid Society.
Henry Bomboy, grandfather of Mrs. Foulk,
resided in Hemlock township, where he
farmed and raised his family. His wife having died, he moved to Muncy, Lycoming Co.,
Pa., where he married again, and then returned
to Bloomsburg about the second year of the
Civil war. He remained in Bloomsburg about
a year and then returned to Hemlock town-

spend the remainder of his days with
Benjamin. His children by his first
wife were:
Reuben, who married Isabella
Bomboy Nathan, who was twice married
Isabella
HanJacob, who died unmarried
nah, wife of Robert Hagenbuch
Benjamin,
father of Mrs. Foulk; and Phoebe, wife of
Isaac Johnson. By the second marriage there
was one child, (jeorge. Mr. Bomboy was a
Democrat. He and his first wife are buried
in the old Union
churchyard at Bloomsburg,
while his second wife is buried near Muncy.
Benjamin Bomboy was educated in the
ship, to
his son

;

schools of Hemlock township, learned the
trade of carpenter, and followed it until fifteen years before his death.
He then bought
10 acres in Hemlock township, ten acres" of
1

which was

in timber,

and carried on farmiuir

his death, which occurred March 19,
1884, at the age of sixty-five years. He married Sarah Wagner, who was born May 18,
1 82 1, and died at the
age of ninety-one years.
Their children were: Amelia, born Oct. 28,
1842, married Austin Correll, of Buckhorn;
Margaret C. is the wife of Benjamin F. Foulk ;

until

Leonard

R.,

Betz, of

Bloomsburg

born Jan.

14, 1846, married Jane
Phoebe, born April 20,
1849, married Norman Sheep, and died in
October, 1871 Hannah, born Aug. 28, 1853,
married Isaiah Hartman, of Williamsport
Franklin J., born Jan. 15, 1856, married Clara
Hartman of Bloomsburg; William G., born
June 18, 1859, married Ellen Foulk, from
Dutch Hill, Columbia county, and died April
;

;

Mr. Bomboy was a Democrat but
1902.
not active in politics.
Both hei and his wife
were members of the German Reformed
Church at Bloomsburg, in which he served as
deacon, and both of them were earnest workers in the cause of Christianity.
They are
buried in the Dutch Hill Reformed church24,

yard

Madison township, Columbia county.

ULYSSES R. ADAMS, who is engaged in
general farming near Exchange, in Anthony
township, Montour county, belongs to a family which was established there by his greatgrandfather, Thomas Adams, and has been
represented in the township contiiuiously since.
The latter came into this region in pioneer
He farmed
days, and settled near Danville.
a large tract of land, between three hundred
and four hundred acres, which he divided
among his three sons, Thomas, William and

John.

Thomas Adams, son of Thomas, above,
to what is now Montour county with his

came

parents,

and after

his

marriage settled on his

share of his father's property, the place where
his
son Benjamin F. afterward settled.

Thomas Adams married 2klary McGonigle,
and they had a family of eleven children
Margaret J. Hannah N. Samuel and Benjamin F.. of Anthony township Mary E..
Mrs. Peter Moyer, of Kylertown John, de:

;

Houtzdale, Clearfield county;
Sarah, Mrs. Henry Soserman, deceased, of
White Deer Mills, L'nion county; Capt. W.
A., at Lock Haven, Center county; Susan A..
Mrs. John Brittain, of Muncy. Lycoming
ceased,

county Thomas and Daniel, of fiercer county.
111.
The father died Nov. 26, 1846. and the
mother survived until June 18. 1874. Both
are buried in Derry churchyard.
Benjamin F. .\dams was born April 14.
1842. in what is known as Fox Hollow, in .\n;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

tion in his district, and is thoroughly interested
in the prosperity of the Democratic party.

thony township, and was reared to farming,
whicli has been the principal business of his
hfe, though (hiring his earher manhood he followed various pursuits. After his marriage
he lived at his father-in-law's for a year, teachone term
ing school one term at Vandine and
at Ball's schoolhouse, and then removed to beyond Hughesville, where he also lived for a
Erie
year, railroading on the Philadelphia &
Thence he removed to the other side
road.
of Hughesville, where he resided for three
and in 1875
years, farming for Peter Reader,
he removed from that location to the farm in
Anthony township formerly owned and occuinto his
pied by his parents, and which came

In 1896 Mr.

Adams married Mary Brown,

who was born

Sept. 27, 1877, near Danville,

Mason and Clara (Gilger)
Brown, deceased, who had four children, onl\two now living, Mrs. Adams and Ella J., the
Both were
latter married to Edward Bush.
reared by foster parents, Mrs. Adams being
brought up in the home of James L. Brannen,

daughter

of Exchange, from the time she was six years
Mr.
old. and living there until her marriage.
and Mrs. x\.dams have had seven children
James Brannen, born Oct. 11, 1896; Benjamin
:

"Franklin, Sept. 19, 1897 (died Sept. 4, 1898)
John R., April 8, 1900; Daniel O., July 26,
1905; \'incent A., Aug. 31, 1907; William
;

possession in 1875. He still owns it, though
he is not residing there now. The property
comprises 163 acres near Exchange, and Mr.
Adams engaged profitably in farming, being
one of the prosperous agriculturists of his
tax
township. He served his fellow citizens as
collector from the spring of 1886 continuously
until 1895, giving the utmost satisfaction to all
concerned, for he is a man of the highest inreliable in business
tegritv and thoroughly
In politics he is a Democrat, and
matters.
P. O.
belongs to Aloreland Grange, No. 775,
H., of which his wife was also a member.
In 1868 Mr. Adams married Elizabeth
Caroline Renn, born Jan. 30, 1846, a native
of Lycoming county, Pa., daughter of Barnard
and Catherine (Focht) Renn, the latter of
whom died July 10, 1883. Mrs. Adams died

Nov. 9, 1912, at the age of sixty-six
She was the mother of eight children, of

891

years.

whom

Franklin, Oct. 11, 1910; Ulysses
19 14. The family have been
faith of the Catholic Church,
members of St. James' Church,

JOHN SHALTER,

now

Grant, March
reared in the
and they are
at

Exchange.

living retired in

Limestone township, Alontour county, has
been a resident there for over thirty years, and
in his active days was engaged as a farmer
and carpenter. The Shalter family has long
been settled in Pennsylvania, and his father,
Jacob Shalter, lived for a number of years in
Berks county, he and his wife Henrietta
(Goetz) moving thence in 1854 to Turbut
township, Northumberland county. By occupation he was a farmer. He was born Jan. 5,
1813, and died Aug. 20, 1861. His wife, born

June I, 1818, died May 11, 1888.
John Shalter was born March 25, 1837,
near
Reading. Berks county, where he was
in
is
Thomas Fought; Timothy Oliver, who
reared, and removed with the family to NorthDaniel McGonigle, in North Dakota
Illinois
umberland county. He learned the trade of
of
Estella Blanch, wife of Myron Van Lewen,
and carpenter, which he followed, and also worked
Pittsburgh; Ora Mabel, of Pittsburgh;
In 1868 he settled in
at the lumber business.
William P., of Dubois, Pennsylvania.
Northumberland
Turbut
county,
township,
Ulysses R. Adams was born June 13, 1870,
he made his home for a period of fifwhere
in Aloreland township, Lycoming Co., Pa.,
teen years, in 1883 removing to Limestone
and was reared at the family home in Anthony
Montour county, where he continued
township,
his
for
After school he farmed
township.
to
engage in carpenter work, later also operatsubsegrandfather until twenty years old,
a chop mill and cider press, until 1897.
ing
at
Strawberry
quently farming for himself
is now living retired, making his home with
He
Ridge one year. For the three years follow- his son Edmond.
in Aning he farmed the John A. Ellis place
In August, 1862, Mr. Shalter married Sarah
setand
married
he
then
and
thony township,
Ann
He
Hoft'a, who was born Jan. 2. 1836. in
in
that
tled on his present place
township.
Turbut township. Northumberland county,
is one of the successful farmers of the townand died Nov. 4. 1907. She was the mother
ship, and by his upright as well as prosperous
of whom Harry, born April
career has gained the respect of all his fellow of three children,
Nov.
died
his
4, 1890; Anna ^Nlay,
all
1873,
has
devoted
He
13,
citizens.

seven lived to maturity
Ulysses Renn John
Brittain. deceased; Catherine Mary, wife of
:

;

practically

time to his work, taking little active part in
other affairs. He has served as judge of elec-

10. 1867. is the wife of E. F. BalLimestoneville, and they have four

born Sept.
liet,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

892
children,

Sidney,

Ralph

E.,

Sarah

and

Catherine.

The Hoffa

family, to

which Mrs. Sarah

Ann

(Hoffa Shaker belongs, is of German origin,
and well known in Montour county. She was
a granddaughter of Henry Hoffa, at one time
sheriff of Berks county, Pennsylvania.
Michael Follmer, great-grandfather of Mrs.
Sarah Ann (Hoffa) Shalter on her mother's
side, was one of the first settlers in what is
now Montour county, coming to Limestone
township in 1768; he was one of the first three
white men in Pleasant Valley. John Follmer,
son of Michael, married Sarah Ann Bower,
and their daughter Rachel (Regina) became
the wife of Jacob Hoffa and the mother of
Mrs. Sarah Ann Shalter.
Jacob Hoffa, father of Mrs. Shalter, was
born May 20, 1800. When a boy he went to
live in Northumberland county, and he learned
the carpenter's trade under John Deeter, of
Chillisquaque, that county, and followed it
many years, in time becoming an extensive
contractor. He had an active business career
covering fifty-seven years, during which he
also engaged in farming, his wife having inherited a large landed estate from her father.
For over twenty years he was interested in the
manufacture of lumber on a large scale, hav)

ing purchased extensive timber tracts in Clinton and Lycoming counties, Pa., where he
erected sawmills and did a profitable business.
He amassed what was a large fortune in his

As above

he married Regina (she
was baptized Regina, but called Rachel) Follmer, and we have the following record of
day.

dustry and capability enabling him to accom-

stated,

their children who grew to maturity
John
lived in Turbut township, Northumberland
county; Samuel F. was a resident of Milton,

Jan. 14, 1897, Mr. Shalter married Mary
Alice Phillips, who was born Sept. 11, 1868,
in Lewis township, Northumberland county,
daughter of Daniel and Rachel (Derr) Phillips,
farming people of Berks county, the
former born Oct. 28, 1839, the latter March
Adam Phil28, 1837, died ]\Iarch 13, 1913.
lips, grandfather of Mrs. Shalter, came from

Berks county in 1846; he married ]\Iary Wertman, of Northumberland county. The greatgrandparents were Jacob and Sarah ( Barnhart) Phillips, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Shalter have had one
child, Nellie Regina, who was born April 9,
1898, has graduated from grammar school
and is now a student in the Milton high school.
Mr. Shalter was reared in the Lutheran
Church, to which he and his family belong.

CYRUS
zen and

that county
Sarah Ann married John Shalter; Cyrus lived at Lewisburg, Union county;
Reuben lived at Reading, Pa. The father died
;

15,

1882,

second birthday

being buried on his eightythe mother died Aug. 26,
;

1867, ageci sixty-three years.

Edmond H. Shalter, son of John Shalter,
was born Dec. 27, 1863, at Reading, Pa. From
the age of seven he has been totally blind,
nevertheless he attended the home schools
regularly until eleven years old, when he entered the Pennsylvania School for the Blind,
at that time located in Philadelphia it is now
at Overbrook, Pa.
He remained in that institution for seven years, when he rejoined
;

his parents at Limestoneville, and has since
his home there.
He learned carpet

made

weaving, cane seating and broom making,
and has always followed such work, his in-

F. STYER, a highly respected citiretired farmer of West Hemlock

township, Montour county, was born Feb. 25,
1843, i" the same township, son of Cornelius

a grandson of Leonard
German spelling of
the name), a great-grandson of Jacob Steger,
and great-great-grandson of John Stephen

Tyson

Styer.

Steger (the

last to

use the

Steger, whose parents. John Nicholas and
Catherine Steger, never came to America, living and dying in Germany. They had six children Catherine, born in 1686; John Stephen,
born in 1688; Maria, born in 1694; Catherine
(2), born in 1697; Michael, born in 1701 and
Peter, born in 1705.
:

;

John Stephen Steger, who went by the name

May

much.

plish

Stephen,

the

great-great-grandfather

Cyrus F. Styer, was born in Germany in
1688, and was the first of the family to come
to America. He selected a home in the United
States, settling near Germantown, Pa., in
what was then Worcester township, now included

in Montgomery county.
In old family
papers mention is made of his neighbors, the
Kayer and Rittenhouse families. To John
Stephen Steger and his wife Gertrude the
Edwina, bom
following children were born
in 1712; Anna, born in 1715; Nicholas, born
in 1717; Jacob; Stephen, born in 1720; Daniel,
born in 1723; and Gertrude, born in 1729.
:

Jacob Steger, the great-grandfather of
Cyrus F. Styer, was born in Worcester township, Montgomery Co., Pa., in 1719, and died

March 13, 1777. After the death of his
father he bought the interests of his brothers
and sisters in the old homestead. He was a
religious man and gave a portion of his farm

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
church site. In 1768 he moved
Whitpain township, in the same county, and
In 1746 he
there spent his remaining days.
married Christianna Spare, and they had the
following children: Susanna, born in 1747;
Stephen, born in 1750, who married Dorothy
Ellis; Mary, born in 1753; Henry, born in
1755; John, born in 1758, who married Tacy
Conrad; Jacob, born in 1762; David, born in
1765, who married Elizabeth Gregar; and
Leonard, born in 1768.
Leonard Steger, grandfather of Cyrus F.
Styer, was born in Whitpain township, Montgomery Co., Pa., March 18, 1768, and there
In young manhood he
became a farmer.
moved to Newport township, Luzerne Co.,
Pa., with his wife, and they died there, and
are buried in Pine Grove cemetery, at Berwick, Pa. He married in Montgomery county
Mary Tyson, born April 18, 1776, and they
had the following children
Elizabeth, who
married John Hoffman David, who lived at
Burlington, N. J.
Joseph, who settled at
Bucyrus, Ohio; Henry, who lived at Towanda,
Pa. Cornelius Tyson and George W., who
married Catherine Hartman and (second)
Rebecca Arnwine.
Cornelius -Tyson Styer, father of Cyrus
Fairchild Styer, was born in Montgomery
county, Pa., Sept. 18, 1807, and was eight years
old when the family moved to Luzerne county,
and he grew up in Newport township, about
one mile from Lily Pond. He worked as a
farmer there until after his marriage and the
to be used as a

;

birth of his first child,

Hemlock township,

;

when he moved
in

what

West

now Mon-

tour county, settling on his tract of 150 acres
of land, which he had bought previously. In
the cultivation and improvement of this propHe
erty he spent the remainder of his life.
was a man of sound principles and good judgment, and w^as the first school director elected
when the public school system was installed
in Newport township.
In politics a Whig, he
later became a Republican, and served as
overseer of the poor and as supervisor.
He
was an earnest member of the Columbia Presbyterian Church in West Hemlock township
and at different times held all the church
offices.
His death occurred March 20, 1872,
and he was buried in the Columbia Presby-

West Hemlock township.
Cornelius Tyson Styer was married in New-

terian graveyard in

port township to Rosanna Fairchild, who was
born ]\Iay 21, 1815, and died May 26, 1892,
a daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth (Lutzy)
Fairchild.
Ezra
They had seven children
Leonard, born April 14, 1835, died Feb. 14,
:

893

1882; Tacy Elizabeth, born March 25, 1837,
married Sylvester B. Flick Mary, born June
29, 1839, died Jan. 6, 1881, the wife of Jacob
;

Karns Cyrus F. is mentioned below Emily,
born Nov. 19, 1846, died Dec. 28, 1866; Ellen,
born Dec. 19, 1850, is the widow of Joseph
Crim; and Anna Martha, born Nov. 8, 1853,
died Dec. 3, 1900, the wife of Arthur Spear,
of Centre township, Columbia county.
Cyrus Fairchild Styer attended the Styer
school in West Hemlock township and later
the Millville Academy, where he continued his
studies until he was twenty years old. While
assisting during the summers on his father's
farm, for eight winters he taught school, one
term at White Hall, in Madison township
one term at the Bright schoolhouse, in Valley
township and six terms in the Styer school
;

;

West Hemlock township. In the spring of
1866 he went to Shannon county, Mo., where

—

he took up 320 acres of land two quarter
and engaged in general farming for
four years, after which he returned to the old
homestead, on which he has remained ever
since.
When his father died he bought the
farm of 150 acres, three acres of which he
has sold, and cultivates all of his 147 acres
with the exception of thirty-five acres still in
timber. Until recently Mr. Styer has carried
on his industries personally, but now the farm
sections

—

operations (since his retirement) are in the
capable hands of his youngest son, Charles
Cornelius Styer.
During the Civil war Mr. Styer saw six
weeks of military service. He was a member of Company A, 13th Regiment Pennsylvania Militia, under command of Capt. John
A. Winner. In 1863 this company was called
out to repel the invasion of Pennsylvania by
the Confederates. The regiment was made up
of companies from different parts of the State,
two companies going from Danville some men
were from Philadelphia, but none were en;

listed in the United States service, although
they participated in the battle of Antietam as
bravely as veterans and in that battle some
were killed. The regiment went from Carlisle to Hagerstown, reaching there on the
evening of the day on which the enemy had
After the battle of Anleft, in the morning.
tietam the regiment went to Chambersburg
and remained a few days, and then the soldiers dispersed to their homes.
In his political views Mr. Styer is a Prohibitionist and with pleasure sees the great
wave of temperance sentiment now surging
over the country. For fifteen years he served
as a justice of the peace, being then succeeded

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

894

by Daniel Crossley. He is an elder and trustee
of the Columbia Presbyterian Church and is
a teacher in the Sunday school, of which he
has been superintendent.

On Sept. 2^, 1873, Air. Styer was married
to Harriet L. Brugler, who was a daughter of
Samuel and Jane (Everett) Brugler, and had
educational advantages, attending
school in Hemlock township and
later Professor Kelso's school at Danville.
Mrs. Styer died May 19, 1914, and is buried

excellent
the Doll

Columbia cemetery in West Hemlock townMr. and Mrs. Styer had the following
children
George Rufus, born Jan. 2, 1877,
married Sarah B. Deighmiller, and is a resiin

ship.

dent of

Pa.

Berwick,

;

Peter Brugler,

who

was born June 13, 1878, is in Washington
State; Samuel Tyson, now of Philadelphia,
born March 3, 1880, married Nellie Ohl, and
they had two children, Martha and Cyrus Eli,
both deceased; Paul Jones, who was born
June 29, 1885, married Margaret Moore, and
lives in Medina county, Ohio; Charles Cornelius, born Dec. 16, 1888, married Emily
Crossley.
The original settler of the Fairchild family
to come to America was John Fairchild, who

emigrated from England and settled in ConAfter the Wyoming massacre, in
necticut.
1778, four brothers and one sister, Abram,
Peter, John, Solomon and Mary, probably
children of John, moved to Luzerne county,

Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Rosanna (Fairchild) Styer, mother of
Cyrus F. Styer, was born at Xanlicoke, Luzerne Co., Pa., daughter of Solomon Fairchild, who was born at Xanticoke Oct. 17,
He was a
1788, and died Sept. 16, 1857.
farmer all his life in Luzerne county, and

owned 325

acres of land, his

home

tract con-

married

Elizabeth
Lutzy, and they had children: Mary, Anna,
Alargaret, John, Rosanna, William, l-'lizabeth,

taining

125

acres.

Priscilla,

Solomon,

Abram.

The parents were buried

Isabel,

Martha,

luiiily

and

in the Pres-

byterian graveyard near Xanticoke.
Harriet L. (Brugler) Styer, wife of Cyrus
F. Styer, was born in Hemlock township, Columbia county, March (), \><4S. a daughter of
.Samuel Brugler and a granddaughter of Peter
Brugler.
Peter Brugler was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was married in New Jersey
and had two children when he moved to Chillis(|uaque. Pa., in 1788, where he cleared a
tract of land, later on account of poor health
moving first to near Jerseytown and then to

Frosty Valley,

Columbia county, where he

He was

died.

in spite of

ill

a hunter as well as farmer and
health lived to the age of ninety

His wife died
dying Dec. 5, 1843.
4, 1852, aged eighty-six years.
They
had children as follows: Mary, born Aug. 15,
1785, married William White; Samuel was
born July 29, 1787; Sarah was bom March
21, 1790; Catherine, born Oct. 10, 1792, married John Snyder, of Burdett, X. Y.
John,
born March 21, 1795, married Mary Kinney;
Elizabeth was born Xov. 8, 1798; Anna, born
Aug. 20, 1801, married Aaron Blue. Both
years,

March

;

members of

parents were

the

Presbyterian

Church, and in politics Peter Brugler was a
Democrat. They were buried in the Columbia
in West Hemlock township.
Samuel Brugler, father of Airs. Styer, attended the country schools in Columbia county
when opportunity ofifered and grew up on the
farm, and also developed great aptness in the

cemetery

use of tools. He constructed many of the implements used on the farm and even made
In
threshing machines and cider presses.
1820 he located on a tract of 200 acres in
West Hemlock township, a part of which he

and on
dence and barn.

cleared,

Democrat
served

this

place built a fine resi-

Like his father he was a
]iolitics. and for a long time he

in the office

of school director.

Samuel

Brugler was married to Jane
Everett, born in 1806, died September 8, 1870,
a daugiiter of James and Isabella (Aloore)
Everett, and they had a family of ten children
Sarah .Ann, born Sept. 2/, 1828, is the
widow of William C. Young; Isabella Jane,
born Dec. 2. 1830, died Xovember 5, 1854;
Alary Elizabeth, born July 19, 1832, died
:

Alarch

185 1 Lucy Wintersteen, born Sept.
died July 2, 1857; Peter Snyder,
born Aug. 15, 1837, married Christianna Everett, and died March 30, 1913; James Everett,
born Feb. 10, 1840, died Dec. 25. 1861 Lydia
Catherine, born Oct. 2S, 1841, is the widow
of Rev. John Thomas, and lives at Coolidge.
2,

;

1834,

;

Kans. John Hudson, born Aug. 16, 1843. married a Alorgan Harriet L. is the wife of Cyrus
F. Styer; Alartha Alatilda, born Sept. 10,
;

1847, died July 24, 1869. The parents of this
family were members of the Columbia Presbvterian Cinirch, where they are buried. The
father died Alarch 9, 1868.

REUBEX BOYER,

Danville.

Pa.,

was born Alarch 10, 1840,
Penn township, Snyder county,

plasterer by trade,

near Salem,

this State, and
of that section.

educated

in the public schools
a farm until

He worked on

the age of nineteen and then went to

Dan-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
learn the trade of plasterer, with his
After completing his apbrother Franklin.
prenticeship he formed partnerships successively with Jesse Klose, a Mr. Kramer and a
Mr. Baker. He then went to work as a journeyman in VVilkes-Barre, and has been so
ville to

engaged from

1904 until the present time,
a Republican, and member of the council
of Danville from the Second ward.
Mr. Boyer married Serena, daughter of

Jacob C. and Sarah A. (Ranch) Walter, and
they have had children as follows Anna Sarah,
born July 21, 1874, died at the age of seventeen years; Edna May, born May 17, 1877,
died when seventeen months old; Dr. Walter
Ernest, born Feb. 9, 1879, married Elizabeth
Shannon, and practices medicine in Williamsport; Ruth Mabel, born Jan. 29, 1882, is the
wife of Adam Wagner, and they have two
children, Guy Boyer, born Aug. 8, 1909, and
James Wilson, born Nov. 30, 1913.
:

Mr. Boyer is a past chancellor of Beaver
Lodge, No. 132, K. of P., and has been vestryman for twenty years of Trinity Lutheran
Church, Danville, as well as superintendent of
the

school.

Sunday

Jacob Boyer, father of Reuben, was born in
November, 1803, in Penn township, Snyder
county, and was a son of George Boyer, one

He attended
of the pioneers of the county.
school in the winter and worked on the farm
in the summer, until he attained manhood,
He then bought a farm of sixty acres, built a
home on it, and cultivated that place until he
was sixty-eight years of age. After that time
and the death of his wife he lived until his
own death with his daughter Catherine. He
married Mary Aurand, born March 9, 1809,
daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Aurand, and
Reuben Samuel,
they had these children
who married Ann Gemberling and lives at
Franklin, who married GatherSelinsgrove
ine Boyer, both now deceased
Henry, deceased, who married Sarah Luck Catherine,
wife of Jonathan W\ Rowe, both deceased;
Caroline, wife of Adam Fisher, both deceased Hannah, wife of George Rowe, both
deceased; and Sophia, wife of Daniel Boyer,
:

;

both of

whom

are deceased.

Air.

Boyer was

an active member of the Lutheran Church, of
which he was deacon. He died in 1890 at the
age of eighty-seven, and his wife died at the
lioth are buried in
age of fifty-nine years,
Salem Lutheran churchyard.
Serena Walter, wife of Reuben Boyer, was
born Dec. 31. 1851, near Middleburg, Snyder
county, a daughter of Jacob C. Walter and
Jacob
granddaughter of Christian Walter.

the

895

Walter, her great-grandfather, was born Jan.
15, 1729, in the kingdom of Wurtemberg,
Germany, and he married Maria Kauft'man

on July 24, 1757. His parents were very poor
and he had a hard struggle to support liimself.
He learned the tailor's trade, at which
he labored long hours to keep his family in
the bare necessaries of life.
Having heard
that there were millions of acres in America
to be had for a small sum, and needing only
the touch of the i)low to bring forth abundant
harvests, he sold all his effects and managed
to get together enough to carry them to the
promised land. On the voyage over one of the
children died and they had to bury it at sea.
They landed in Philadelphia and proceeded to
Lancaster county, Pa., but later moved to Snyder county, where he secured a large acreage
under the homestead laws. He first lived in
a tent while building his log home and barn,
and then commenced to clear the land for
cultivation.
Twelve sons and two daughters
came to bless the home, and with the aid of
these many hands the father did well.
He
erected the first linseed mill, for the manufacture of oil, in his part of the State.
His
was a busy household. They cut down the
forest trees, cleared the land, burned the
brush, cultivated the soil, raised and harvested the flax and seed, expressed the oil
and wove the fibre into garments.
The
father utilized his spare time in making the
then fashionable buckskin pantaloons for the
pioneers in the surrounding territory.
By
this community system of labor the family
in time became wealthy.
When the father
made the trip to Reading to pay ofif the last
lien held against his property, being a Godfearing man he decided to celebrate his safe
journey through the country infested by the
hostile redskins by purchasing a Bible for
each of his ten living sons. He paid the price
of ten dollars apiece for the books, but it was
a good investment, for l^esides giving them
a course whereby to guide their way through
the evils of life the books were a source of
instruction in reading and spelling, the textbooks of the time being greatly limited in

number and

One

quality.

the perils of the time in which
Jacob Walter lived was the danger of aggressions from the wandering tribes of Indians
that roamed the forests.
Once when he had
been warned of an incursion of the Redmen
he decided to try to harvest his crops, which
were in ripening condition.
Posting some
of his sons at vantage points to watch for
the savages, he and the others garnered the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

896

the return
grain without interference. Upon
of the neighbors, who had fled at the first
of having
report of the raid, he was accused
not
conspired with the Indians, as he had
He
his
or
molested
been
crops destroyed.
soon convinced the neighbors of his innocence
his

unswerving
always a stanch
member of the Lutheran Church.
We have the following record of the children of Jacob Walter by his marriage to
Maria Kauffman: David, who married Susanna Everhart; John and Joseph, who married the Kern sisters; Philip, who married
a Bowersox; Henry, a Miss Mertz Jeremiah,
a Miss Price Christian, a Miss Swartz Jacob,
a Miss Laurer; Michael, a Miss Rarick;
Elizabeth, the wife of Daniel Hassinger and
Mary, Mrs. Straub. The father gave them a
farm apiece upon the marriage of each child.
Jacob Walter, Mr. Hassinger and Mr. Maurer
were the committee which had charge of the
building of a log church upon the site of
what is now the store of the HassingerChurch-Snyder Company. Mr. Walter spent
his last years with his son Christian, who inherited the homestead. He died Jan. 23. 1803,
and is buried in the Hassinger cemetery.
Christian Walter inherited the homestead
and continued to farm like his father before

and ascribed

his

safety

He was

faith in the Creator.

;

To him and

him.

his

wife,

whose maiden

name was Swartz, were born

children

Isaac
Jacob
Catherine; Sophia; Judith, wife of Benjamin
Mittenmeyer; Mary, wife of Aaron Stetler;
Amelia and Malinda, wife of Jacob A. Smith.
The father died in 1834, and is buried in the

follows

Christian

;

John

;

The mother is buried
Hassinger cemetery.
at Middleburg. Snyder county.
Walter, father of Mrs. Reuben
Jacob
Boyer, attended the county schools and
worked on the farm with his father until the
latter's death.
He then left home and took
up the trade of mason, following that occupa-

tion for several years, until his brother divided

the

home farm, when he took the southern
now occupied by his son Ira. On Dec.

part,

h^ married Sarah Ranch, born Aug.
daughter of John and Catherine
(Heilman) Ranch, the ceremony being performed by Rev. J. P.' Shindel. By this union

13, 1849,
2.

1826,

there were thirteen children, three of whom
now survive Serena, mentioned above Ira
R., born Dec. 11, 1854. married to Emma
:

;

Diehl and Adelia Maria, born April 10, 1853,
married to William Dreibelbiss, of Mount
Carmel, Pennsylvania.
Jacob C. Walter was baptized by Rev. Con;

rad Walter into the Lutheran Church, and in
his after life became very active in the financial affairs of the church, assisting in the
erection of a new edifice. The night before his
He was an
death he was elected an elder.
Four years before his
active Democrat.
death he moved to Swineford, Franklin
township. He was the originator of the Walter family reunions, the first of which was
He died Feb. 10, 1897, while
held in i'89i.
on his way to visit a sick friend, Jacob
He and his wife are buried in
Steininger.
the cemetery at Middleburg.

THOMAS EMMET HYDE,

of Bloomsof
"Edgemont Farm."
proprietor
burg,
was born Dec. 2, 1865, in Pittsburgh, Pa. He
is a son of Joseph Hyde and grandson of
Joseph Hyde, and the family is of English
Pa.,

origin.

Joseph Hyde, the grandfather, came to
America from London. England, in 1830, and
settled in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he operated
In 1840
a carpet and woolen goods factory.
he took a prize for his woolen carpets. In
1850 he moved to Wurtemburg, Pa., where he
carried on the car[>et business until his death,
1865. He married Eliza Winter, daughter of
Rev. John Winter, of Beaver, Pa., and they
had children as follows: John W., bom in
1832, married Sarah White and resides in

Mahoningtown, Pa.; Joseph, born in 1836.
married Christine Lievendorfer (he is buried
in Oakwood cemetery, at Sharon. Pa., and his
widow lives in Sharon) Thomas W., born
in 1845, married Martha Aiken, and is buried
Mr. Hyde
in Oakwood cemetery, Sharon.
;

was

church

was ver>^ active in the
Wurtemburg. of which he was

Baptist and
at

deacon.

Joseph Hyde, father of Thomas E. Hyde,
in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1836. and

was born

gained his education

the schools of that

and the town of Wurtemburg. Graduating, he engaged in merchandising with his
elder brother. John W.. under the name of
John W. & Joseph Hyde. In 1867 he went to
Beaver Falls. Pa., and in 1870 he located at
Sharon. Pa., and entered the cattle business.
In 1890 Mr. Hyde had his arm crushed at the
shoulder and was obliged to retire from business, and this injury was finally the cause of
Mr. Hyde married Chrishis death, in 1896.
tine, (laughter of Michael and Eliza (Frew)
Lievendorfer. Mr. Lievendorfer was a native
of Wurtemberg, Germany, and after he came
to Pennsylvania was instrumental in naming
the town of \\'urtemburg. Pa., which he

city

AS
r

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Chilhelped to found, after his home city.
dren eis follows were born to Mr, and Mrs.
Hyde: Mary Matilda, born Nov. 6, 1861,
married Prof. J. P. Armspoker, and is buried
in Oakwood cemetery, Sharon, Pa.; John Irvine, born Aug. 4, 1863, married Elizabeth
Cunningham, and is buried in Oakwood ceme-

Lucy Ashton (Mrs. Plyde) was born Aug.
1875, and has one sister, Elizabeth, wife

16,

of Philip A. Higgs, assistant cashier of the
First National Bank of vSharon. Mrs. Hyde's
father is a Republican and has been treasurer
of Mercer county.
Her mother died when
Lucy was but two years old. Mrs. Hyde is
an active member of the Baptist Church, is
connected with the Ladies' Aid and Missionary Society, and is also a member of the Protected Home Circle (No. i) of Sharon,

Thomas E. is mentioned
Mr. Hyde was a Prohibitionist and

Sharon, Pa.;

tery,

below.

an active member of the First Baptist Church,
of which he was deacon. He also belonged

Odd

Fellows lodge at Sharon.
E. Hyde was educated in the public schools of Sharon, from which he gradHe then taught school one
uated in 1883.
intermediate
in
the
grades and two years
year
lie next
in the district schools at Sharon.
became cashier in the store of the Sharon Iron
Company, a position he held for ten years.
to the

897

Pennsylvania.

Thomas

JOSEPH S. ACOR, retired farmer, at
present serving as auditor of Anthony township, Montour county, has long been esteemed
as one of the most substantial and reliable
His entire life has
citizens of that section.
been passed in Montour county, where his
family has been settled from pioneer days.
The Acor family originated in Germany,
and the name was formerly spelled Acher.
The first in the line here under consideration

became manager and part owner of the Leader Department store, which dealt in carpets, rugs, groceries and general merchandise, continuing

Coming then

to Bloomsburg, he

that connection for three years. He sold out
and, with H. V. White and others, built the
mill and formed the White Milling Company,
of which he was vice president and a director,
for three years attending to the outside selling

of the company.

Mr. Hyde is considered the "father" of
Guernsey cattle breeding in Columbia county,
owniing 280 acres of land located between
Bloomsburg and Danville, upon which he is
engaged in raising Guernseys. He has carried
on this industry for ten years and has shipped
Guernseys to half the States in the Union.
He is frequently called upon to address the
Grange meetings in the county upon the subject of cattle breeding.
land is devoted to peach

His property
Farm."

On May

known

22, 1895,

large tract of his

and apple growing.
as

the

"Edgemont

Mr. Hyde married Lucy

Ashton, daughter of C. A. and Emma (Bowman) Ashton, of Sharon, and three children
have been born to them Pauline, born May
22, 1896; Joseph Ashton, born May 3, 1900;
and Warren Philip, born Oct. 26, 1904.
:

Mr. Hyde
attends the

independent

Baptist Church

politics.

Bloomsburg,
and has been chosen its deacon, moderator
and trustee, and superintendent of the SunHe is a member of Rebekah
day school.
Lodge, No. 250, F. & A. M., of Sharon
the Commandery, Knights Templar; and Irem
;

Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre. He is also a member of the Protected Home Circle (No. i) and
of the Bloomsburg Grange.
57

come to what is now Montour county
brought his family from New Jersey. Andrew Acor and his wife Henrietta, grandparents of Joseph S. Acor, lived in Liberty
township, Montour county. Their son, Andrew, father of Joseph S., was born in Valto

township, this county, was a lifelong
farmer, and died Jan. 14, 1879, aged sixty
He married Ellen
years, eleven months.
Marr, who was born Dec. 16, 181 5, in Columbia county, this State, near Bloomsburg, and
eight children were born to them, three of
whom survive Elizabeth, widow of Samuel
H. Smith, of Williamsport, Pa. James E.,

ley

;

who
The

lives at Pottsgrove, Pa., and
mother died in 1908, aged

Joseph S.
ninety-two

years.

Joseph S. Acor was born Feb. 26, 1841, in
Valley township, Montour county, and attended the local public schools during his boyhood.
Subsequently he gave all his time to
helping with the farm work on the home
he began
place until nineteen years old, when
He always
to learn the carpenter's trade.
continued farming in connection with that
work until his retirement. In 1862 he enlisted at Washington, D. C, as a carpenter
in the United States government service, in
which he remained nine months. Returning
home at the end of that period he followed
_

trade at Danville and also worked at
farming a short time. In the fall of 1864 he re-

his

Company H, 93d Regiment,
Pennsylvania Volunteers, for nine months,
during which he was with the Army of the
enlisted, joining

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

898
Potomac,

He did
under General Meade.
and took part in the actions at

picket duty,

Petersburg.
On his return

from the army Mr. Acor
moved to Muncy, Pa., where he remained
four years. The next year he lived at Montgomery, Pa., where he had built a home, but
having been persuaded to go farming by his
he moved onto one of the latter's
farms, in Moreland township, Lycoming
In 1874 he
county, living there three years.
moved to Anthony township. Montour county,
where he was a tenant farmer three years,
at the end of that time buying his present
place, a fifteen-acre tract, which he has occupied ever since a period of thirty-seven
years. He erected the house and other buildfather

—

and was actively engaged in farming
1900, since which year he has lived
retired. He has always been interested in
local doings, became well known in the capacity of constable, which office he held for
ten years, and is now serving as auditor.
ings,
until

He has been zealously interested in the suecess of the Republican party in his vicinity,
and although not an office seeker has given
good service in every position to which he
has been chosen.

named Isaac Ranck, was a lifelong
farmer of Union county. The latter had the
following children Jonathan, John, Leonard,
Peter, Isaac, Alartin, George, Mary, Catherine
and Rebecca.
Isaac Ranck, son of Isaac, was educated
in Union county, and learned the trade of
blacksmith.
Going to Danville, he was employed by Grove Brothers, and in time became weighmaster. As justice of the peace
at Danville for many years he became well
known. He held other local offices, and in
politics was associated with the Republican
party. He married Elizabeth Heller, who was
born Jan. 5, 1810, and they had the following
also

member

of the

Musser Post. No. 66, G. A. R., of Muncy,
and of the Methodist Church.
On Jan. 26, 1864, Mr. Acor married Anna
C. Ranck, who was born Feb. 2^, 1844, at
Mausdale, Montour county, and they have
had ten children, eight surviving: Andrew,
born March 31, 1866, died Aug. 21, 1868;
Elizabeth E., born Aug. 2, 1867, died March
Pa.,

1869; Ellis R., born July 28, 18(^)8, a
farmer in New York State, married l.aura
Kirkner and has five children; Frank II.,
born Oct. II, 1870, a farmer in Anthony
township, Montour county, married Mary
Kiefer and has two children; Isaac L., born
Aug. 10, 1872, of Exchange, Montour county,
married Belle Houghton, and has four children; Samantha Plarriet. born Oct. 17. 1873,
is the wife of Jeremiah G. l^.lack, of
Anthony
township; Harry B., born ^larch 26. 1875. a
farmer in New York State, married Libl)v
Lohr and has two children William E., born
July 18, 1877, is a resident of Geneva. N. Y.
Joseph Lawrence, born June 8. 1880, is
located at Rochester, N. Y.
Norman R.,
born Aug. 20. 1887, a farmer at Washingtonville, Montour county, married Emma Moser.
and has one child.
Isaac Ranck, father of Mrs. Joseph S.
Acor, was born in May, t8i I. on White Deer
Mountain, Union Co., Pa., and his father,
26,

;

children
Norman L., of Frackville. Pa., now
a widower, had one child, Nettie, ^Irs. RobEllis H.,
erts. who died leaving two children
a contractor, of Danville, a veteran of the
:

;

married Mary Hunter and (second)
Colder, ha\ing one child by his
first marriage and two by his second; David
H. went West; Mary Elizabeth married
Stephen Johnson Anna C. is the wife of
Joseph S. Acor. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Ranck
were members of St. Paul's Methodist EpisCivil war,

Elizabeth

;

copal Church at Danville. He died at the age
of seventy-two years, she at the age of sixtytwo, and they are buried at Riverside, North-

umberland

Co., Pennsylvania.

WILLIAM

ENTERLINE

has been on
Limestone township, Montour county, since 1901, and he has come to
be regarded as one of the thrifty agriculturHis intelligent manists in his neighborhood.
agement and progressive methods entitle him
G.

his present

farm

to a place

among

the reliable residents of the

locality, those who are keei)ing up high standards in their work and also useful as citizens,

He is a native of Rush Township, Northumberland Co., Pa., born March 10, 1863, son of
Simon P.
Simon

Enterline.
Enterline

was born

Dauphin

county, Pa.. July 20, 1829. and lived to the
age of nearly eighty-three years, dying in
In 1858 he settled in NorthuniApril. 1912.
berland county, later moving to Montour
county, where he was engaged in farming and
as a saddler until his death.
Mr. Enterline
was married three times. His first wife, Eliza
(Ressler). died in 1867, when thirty years
old.
Wer father was a farmer of Northumberland county. She was the mother of three
sons and two daughters. John (of Sunbury,

Northumberland county), James (of Rush
township, same county). \\'illinni G., Ellen
(married David Cardell. of Rush township),

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

899.

and Jennie (married Orlie Haughawout, of
near Sunbury).
For his second wife Mr.
Enterline married Martha Gilhnger, of Rush
township, Northumberland county, by whom
he had no children. After her death he mar-

1814, married Mary.
9, 1818.
They were
the parents of Mrs. Ella V. (Fiester) Bitler
and grandparents of Mrs. Enterline.

Rush townsiiip, by whom
he had four children: May, wife of Norman
Reed, of Northumberland county; Irwin;
Theora, wife of Amos Geary and Rosa, who
married Fred Linker.
William G. Enterline obtained a good edu-

maker and weaver, of Liberty township, Montour county, was born March 7, 1851, near his
present residence, son of George Auten. The
family is of Holland descent. The original pa-

ried Harriet Ely, of

;

cation in the local public schools, and during
his young manhood did farming and taught
school, being engaged as a teacher for nine
For fifteen years he was employed
terms.
at the State Hospital for the Insane which
is located at Danville, in the capacity of assistant supervisor, and in 1901 he settled at
the place in Limestone township where he has
since carried on farming and stock raising.
He and his wife have been active in Exchange
Grange, No. 65, P. O. H., of which both are
Politically Mr. Enterline is a
past masters.

Republican, and he has been somewhat promHe served one
afifairs.
Mahoning township. In
religious connection he is a member of the
Reformed Church, in the faith of which he
was brought up he was formerly a member
of Shiloh Reformed Church at Danville.
On Oct. 4, 1893, Mr. Enterline married
Alta- V. Bitler, a native of Lycoming county,
inent in local party
term as assessor of

;

born March 30, 1873, and they have had
children: Arthur G., born Sept. 28,
1894; Emily V., July 9, 1896; Ralph D., July

Pa.,

seven

1898; Myers B., Dec. 8, 1900; Elmer E.,
Sept. 8, 1904; Forrester F., Oct. 9, 1906 (died
April 8, 1910) Charles D., Feb. 18, 1912.
Mrs. Enterline is a daughter of the late
Daniel Bitler, a farmer.
Her mother, Mrs.
Ella V. (Fiester) Bitler, born Nov. 8, 1846,
is now living in Turbotville, Pa.
She and her
II,

;

husband moved

Anthony township, Mon-

tour county, March 28, 1877, and Mr. Bitler
died Oct. 8, 1904, aged sixty-three years.
Their familv consisted of six children
Charles H., Harry D., Alta V. (Mrs. Enterline), Myers, Mame (wife of Charles Derr),
:

aiid
.

Sherman.

Gottfried (later written Godfrey)

Mrs.

Enterline's

earliest

maternal

Fiester,

ancestor

country, was born in Germany, June
26, 1746, came to America Dec. 24. 1772, and
served as a soldier in the Revolution.
His
in this

Jacob Fiester, born Nov. 2^, 1782, marMary' R. Robb, who was born Feb. 17,
1789, daughter of Capt. JohnRobb, a Revo-

soil,

ried'

lutionary

soldier.

Henry

Fiester,'

son

Jacob,, born

Jan.

Moyer, and died March

ROBERT

AUTEN,

ternal ancestor in America,

retired

harness-

Adrian Hendrick-

sen Aten, came from Holland and settled near
Flatbush, L. I., in 165 1. The original spelling
of the name has since been changed to

"Auten."
John Auten, a descendant of the Hollander
above, came to Montour county jjetween 1780
and 1800, and settled on Chillisciuaque creek,
about nine miles from its mouth. Here, in
181 2, he built a small sawmill, and cut the
lumber for his house and barn. In 1814 he
added a gristmill. These mills have never
been replaced.
John Auten married Jane;

Morden, a native of Greenwood township,;
Columbia county, and they had several chiL^
dren, George Auten, father of Robert C, be-;
ing one.

George Auten was born on the old homewhere he died in November, 1851,
about the age of forty years. He was a carpenter and farmer, and resided in Liberty
township all of his life. He married Mary,
daughter of John and Annie (Rhodenbach)
Vandling, of Liberty township, and they had
stead,

seven children, three of whom are now livRobert C. Caleb H., a farmer of Libing
erty township; and Catherine, widow of Alex
:

;

Ager.
Robert

Auten

attended the country
learned
He
harnessmaking.
worked at the trade in difl:'erent places for
schools

and

and in 1871 came to his present
home, taking up the occupations of broom
making and carpet weaving. He still follows
fifteen years

the latter trade.

cultivating nine acres

and does general farming. On Dec. 24, 1872,
he was married to Ellen Boyer, born Dec. 7,
1853, daughter of Christopher and Lucy
(Strauss) Boyer, natives of Lancaster county.
this union there were four children
George B., born Jan. 8, 1874, married Hattie
Crawford, and has four children Cora Belle,"
born Nov. 19, 1875, wife of William Robbins, of Liberty "township, has nine children ;'
Mary Jane, .born March 25, 1879. wife of
Elmer ZettlemOyer.- of "New York State, has
three children; John Clarence, born Oct. 28,
1884, married Esther Parker and resides in.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

900
Rochester,

Nov.

N. Y.

Mrs.

Ellen

Auten died

1884, at the age of thirty-one years,
On Dec. 2}^,
months, twenty days.

2.^,

eleven

1889, Mr. Auten married (second) Mrs. Margaret Alice Dwyer, widow of William Dwyer
and daughter of Frank and Mary (Pollock)
Cromley. She was born Oct. i, 1857. To this
union there came one son, Peter Cromley,
born Dec. 23, 1890, who married Mola Dietrich of Mooresburg, where he is now operator for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad

Company.
Mr. Auten

is a Democrat and has been jury
commissioner for one term. He was elected
justice of the peace in 1878 and has held the
position until the present time, having been
reelected in the fall of 1913 for a term of six
It is stated he is the oldest justice in
years.

northeastern Pennsylvania.

ANDREW JACKSON WINTERSTEEN,
an enterprising farmer and dairyman of
Cooper township, Montour county, was born
in Valley township. Sept. 6, 1867, and is the
son of John W. Wintersteen and grandson of
Henry Wintersteen, all farmers of this township.

William Wintersteen, great-grandfatlier of
J. Wintersteen, lived and died in
the State of New Jersey, and he and his
wife are buried there.
They had children
as follows: Jane married James Hann, of
Scott township, Columbia Co., Pa.; Hannah
married John Blue, of Valley township Mary
married John Campbell, of Bradford county,
Pa.; Elizabeth died unmarried; Dr. Williain
moved out to Ohio; Henry is mentioned

Andrew

;

below.

Henry
born

W^intersteen, son of

Sept.

10,

1798,

New

William, was
Jersey,

and

was reared and educated there, though he
was still a boy when he came to Valley township, in what is now Montour county. Pa.
The country was then covered with forests,
and he assisted in clearing away the timber,
and barns, and engaged in
the other occupations typical of the times.
In the winter time, being earnest in his de-

built log houses

to acquire an education, he walked to
Mausdale to school, and often saw wolves
on his way. As he grew older he bought
about six hundred acres of land, and as he
sire

cleared

it of timber started to till the
soil,
following farming up to within two years of
his death.
His brother William, being a crippie, could not do hard manual work, so he
studied medicine and became a doctor, in time
settling in the State of Ohio. Henry Winter-

steen first married -Mary Gingles, of Jerseytown, Columbia county, and they had two
children
William, who married Mary Sidler,
and Reuben, who married Phoebe Wilson,
:

The mother died in Valley township, and was
buried at Jerseytown.
Mr. Wintersteen's
second marriage was to Lydia Ebner, daughter of Conrad and Catherine (Wertman)
Ebner, the latter from Lehigh county, Pa.
Ten children were born to this union, namely
Harriet, wife of Alexander Carr; Rachel,
wife of Nathaniel Bennett; James, who died
in infancy; John W., who married Catherine
Crossley Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Yeager
Henry, mentioned elsewhere; David, who
married Catherine Moser; Jacob, who married
Martha Blee Lydia Jane, who married Levi
Moser; and Dr. George, who married Hannah
Roat.
Henry Wintersteen, the father, died
at the age of sixtv-eight years, Dec. 24, 1866,
and his wife was 'seventy-six years old at the
time of her death, Aug. 29, 1886. They are
buried in Straub's cemetery in Valley township, and were members of Straub's Lutheran
Church, of the General Council, in whose
work he was very active. He was a lifelong
Democrat, and held all the township offices,
giving satisfaction in the discharge of every
He was a
responsibility intrusted to him.
member of the Danville Cavalry Company,
Mrs. Lydia (Ebner) Wintersteen, second
wife of Henry Wintersteen, was born March
:

;

1810,

15,

Northampton

county,

Pa.,

daughter of Conrad Ebner, a farmer, who
came to Montour county from Lehigh county.
Pa., and settled in Derry township, where he
died.
He and his wife, whose maiden name
was Catherine Wertman, are buried at StrawOn political
berry Ridge, Montour county.
His
questions Mr. Ebner was a Democrat.
children, besides Mrs. Wintersteen, were as

follows:

and

John,

who married Rebecca Bennett

Lycoming county, Pa. George,
who
New York State Jacob, who
married Lydia Cooper; David, who was twice
lived in
went to

;

married; a daughter who married George
Cooper I\Iary, who married William Robbins and Daniel, who married Leah Crossley.
John W. Wintersteen was born on the old
homestead in \'alley township, in November,
He
1835, and attended the country schools.
worked on his father's farm during early
youth, later taking charge of one of the other
farms owned by the father. When the father
died the farms were sold to the higiiest bid;

;

der, the boys being the ones to

were knocked down.

whom

they

bought the
iio-acre farm, which he retained and culti-

John

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

901

vated all of his life, making a specialty of
horse raising, being considered a hne judge

pany F, I2th Regiment, National Guard of

of horses.

battalion

Wintersteen was married in
Catherine Crossley, born Sept. 22,
She was a
1841, who died Sept. i, 1910.
of
and
H.
daughter
Joseph
Mary Ann (SnyTheir children were: (i)
der) Crossley.
Mary Ann, born April 16, 1S62, deceased,
wife of Benjamin Shultz, of West Hemlock
township; (2) Joseph H., born Oct. 12, 1863,
who married Mary DeLong, of West Hem-

John

1861

lock township; (3) Phoebe Jane, born Oct.
8, 1865, wife of John T. Blue, of Valley
township; (4) Andrew Jackson, born Sept.
6, 1867, mentioned below; (5) Norman D.,
born March 19, 1869, who married Susan
Fishman and lives in Illinois; (6) W^illa May,
born July 30, 1873, living on the old homestead in Valley township; (7) Charles A.,

born Sept. 25, 1876, who married Dora Bogart, of Liberty township; (8) Samuel C,
born Aug. 9, 1878, who married Irene Cook,
residing on the old homestead, which he
owns; and (9) Conrad F., born ]\Iay 28,
1 881,
who married Jennie Waite, of Danville, Pa.
John W. Wintersteen worked on
his farm until four months before his death,
which occurred June 9, 1910, at the age of
seventy-four. He and his wife are buried in
the Straub Lutheran churchyard, in Valley
township.

Andrew

Wintersteen was educated

the Sidler schoolhouse in Valley township and
worked for his father on the farm until he
was twenty-one years of age. He was an
attendant at the State Hospital for the Insane,
Danville, for three years and five months, and
then worked for William R. Pursel, on his
farm in Frosty valley, for a year. When he
married, Sept. 27, 1892, he moved to Danville and had charge of the Montour Iron
& Steel Co. stables for one year and three
months.
Then he took charge of R. H.
Wooley's stock farm, in Montour township,
Columbia county, and when his employer died
he was retained by the next owner, T. E.
Hyde, of Bloomsburg. He remained on this
farm for five years, and then bought the
Jacob Hartman farm of forty acres in

Cooper township. This farm he now cultiwhile his two sons operate the dairy
and milk route.
Mr. Wintersteen married Jessie Belle Gibson, born Oct. 31, 1869, daughter of James
H. and Sarah E. (Miller) Gibson, and they
have had three children
Andrew LeRoy.
born Nov. 4, 1893, was a member of Comvates,

Pennsylvania,
of

now
the

attached to a separate
National Guard of Penn-

sylvania, Company F, having qualified in
191 3 as an expert marksman (he is a member of Danville Council, No. 116, Jr. O. U.

A. M.)
Helen, born Sept. 8, 1894, died in
infancy; James Walter was born Feb. 27,
Mr. Wintersteen is a Democrat and
1896.
has been supervisor for three years.
He is
;

a member of Beaver Lodge, No. 132,
of Pythias, and is a trustee of the
Lutheran Church, under the General
John Gibson, grandfather of AFrs.

Knights
Lazarus
Council.

Winter-

steen, was born in Valley township, and died
in Mahoning township, from the effects of
at the age of twenty-five years.
married Nancy Smith, who was born in
December, 1813, and died at the age of
Their children were: James
eighty-seven.

sunstroke,

H., deceased; Jeremiah, who died at the age
of eighteen William, deceased, who married
Sarah Chappell, of Lewisburg; and John, deceased, who married Barbara Kersteter.
After the death of her husband Mrs. Gibson worked in the fields for twenty-five cents
a day to support her children. Later she went
out nursing.
Finally they grew old enough
to assist her and she lived with them to a
peaceful old age, dying at the home of her
daughter, the late Mrs. Sarah Gibson.
He is
]Mr. Wintersteen was a Democrat.
buried in the cemetery of the Memorial Park.
His wife was a Methodist, and is laid at
rest in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Danville.
James H. Gibson, father of Mrs. Wintersteen, was born Feb. 28, 1832, in Valley township, attended the country schools and learned
the trade of blacksmith. Later he worked as
He
roller for the Reading Iron Company.
was compelled to give up work three years
before his death, owing to illness. He was a
Democrat, a member of the Odd Fellows and
of Trinity Methodist Church. He died April
28, 1885, and his wife died on March 21, 191 1.
Both are buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery.
James H. Gibson married Sarah Elizabeth
Miller Sept. 17, 1857, and their children
were: (i) William John, born Dec. 7, 1858,
married Annie Cromwell, of Easton, Pa. ;
(2) W^infield Scott, born June 18, 1861, died
;

born Aug.
3, 1863; (3) Joseph Miller,
1863, married (first) Jennie Wands, deceased, and (second) Hannah Sechler, of

April
22,

(4) Edward Willard, born Nov.
1866, married Lydia Knapp, of Danville;
(5) Jessie Belle was born Oct. 31, 1869; (6)

Danville

;

James Auld, born Nov.

1871, married Ida

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

902

Morrison, of Danville (7) Jennie Hall, born
12, 1874, married Samuel Warth, of
;

June

Philadelphia.
Sarah Elizabeth Miller, wife of James H.
Gibson, and mother of Mrs. Wintersteen, was
born in Danville Sept. 7, 1834, and was a
daughter of William G. Miller, a native of

Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.
George Miller, the grandfather, was born
in Lancaster county.
His father was the first
sheriff of that county in the days of its forma-

George learned the trade of gunsmith,
a very necessary business in those days of
He came to Danville and
plentiful game.
bought a residence and shop on the site where
"the Opera House now stands.
Here he carried on the business of gun repairing and
locksmith until his death, in 1842, at the age
He married Sarah B.
of sixty-five years.
tion.

Myers, and their children were John, ElizaWilliam G., Margaret, Levi. Mary,
George, Julia Ann and Jacob H. IMrs. Miller
:

beth,

died at the age of eighty-five, and is buried
in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Danville.
William G. Miller was born in Lancaster
county, learned the gunsmith trade from his
father, inherited the shop and business and
followed the occupation for the whole of his
life.
He married Martha, daughter of Robert Walker, a native of County Derry, Ireland, and they had these children: Sarah E.,
Robert C, William H.. Joseph W., Elias

Swartz,

Mary

Jane, Luther,

James

S.,

Maria

^Ir.
A., Isabella B. and Emma.
Miller died in 1882, at the age of seventythree years, six months, and his wife passed
away at the age of seventy-seven years.
B.,

Martha

MRS. JENNIE B. JORDAN, supervisor
of the female department of the State Hospital, Danville, Pa., is a daughter of David
and Maria Louisa (Stauter) Weikert.
John Weikert, her paternal grandfather,
was born in Adams county. Pa., where he
spent all his life engaged in farming.
David Weikert, son of John Weikert, and
father of Mrs. Jordan, was born in FebruAdams

county, Pa., and was engaged in merchant tailoring up to the time of
:his death, which occurred in
August, 1878,
ary, 1818, in

when he was

belonged

He
sixty-first year.
Fellow's lodge at Gettvsat the time of his death was the

to the

burg, and

his

Odd

oldest Odd Fellow in Adams
He
county.
married Maria Louisa Stauter, a native of
Hanover, York Co., Pa., born Jan. 21, 1818,
daughter of John and Ruth
(Mohler)
Stauter, who were married in
1814. tlie

former also born at Hanover, York county

;

was the oldest
]\Iason in Hanover.
Mrs. Weikert died May
She was the mother of nine chil3, 1902.
Emma Jane mardren, of whom six survive
the time of his death he

ried

William D. Yingling, of Washington, D.

in October, 1913, who was in
post ofiice department for twenty-five
years, engaged as inspector of locks Athalia
Eliza is the widow of Sylvester Harner Lucy
is the widow of J. Shaunessy. of Philadel-

C, deceased

the

;

phia A. W. makes his home in Washington,
D. C. M. C. is also in Washington, D. C.
;

;

Jennie B. lives at Danville. Pennsylvania.
Jennie B. Weikert, daughter of David
Weikert, grew to womanhood in Littlestown,

Adams Co., Pa., and was married in Baltimore, Md., to Francis Jordan, who was born
in England, April 10, 1839, and was brought
to America in infancy by his parents, the

He was a
family settling in Philadelphia.
graduate of the Pennsylvania State Pharmaceutical Institute, and opened a drug store at
Pottstown, from which place he enlisted for
the Union service during the Civil war. remaining in the army nine months. In 1874
he came to Danville and bought the Cottage
Drug Store, and this he conducted until his
death, Dec. 3, 1881.

He was

always a stanch

Republican, working actively for the interests
of his party.
After his death Mrs. Jordan
continued to conduct the pharmacy until .\pril
1. 1895, when she disposed of it, and on May
6, 1895, was appointed supervisor of the female department of the State Hospital, a position she has continued to hold to the present
time.
She is known as an efficient, painstaking and conscientious official, amply able to
discharge the important duties of this posiShe has been interested for some years

tion.

in charitable work, and is an active member
of the Ladies' Aid Society of St. Paul's
^Methodist Episcopal Church and of the Danville

Benevolent Society.

Three children were born to ]\Ir. and Mrs.
Jordan: Edna Waugh, born Oct. 19, 1874.
died Jan. 2, 1895 Lela Stauter. born March
Marian Mayfield.
2, 1876, died Aug. 11, 1881
born Sept. 6, 1877, died Nov. 9, 1877.
;

;

WILLIAM

ROBINSON,

a farmer of
that part of
Montour county all his life, and his father
before him was a farmer there also.

Derry township, has

lived

Thomas
in the

C. Robinson, the father, was born
lower part of Pennsylvania, and com-

ing to this section settled in Derry township,
in what is now Montour countv. where he fol-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Me

died

age of seventy-five years.

lowed farming the
in 1888, at the

rest of his Hfe.

Ellen Nesbit, of Xorthumberdaughter of I'leming and
Anna (Flemming) Xesbit. and they had a
family of four children, two of whom survive,
William R. and Wallace C, the latter a retired

married

Mary

land county.

Pa.,

farmer now living at Washingtonville. Arthur died at the age of twenty-one years
Thomas X. died when fifty-four years old,
unmarried,
William R. Robinson was born July 15,
i860, in Derry township, and here received an
excellent education in the public schools. He
then taught in Derry and West Hemlock townships for three years. He had been trained to
;

903

There
ing county, Pa., born Aug. 6, 1857.
are no children l)y this marriage,
John Crist, Mrs. Robinson's grandfather,
came from Berks county, and settled in Franklin township, Lycoming Co., Pa.
By occupation he was a tarpcnter and farmer.
Ilis
wife was Catherine Snyder, daughter of Jacob
and Catherine (Boml)arier) Snyder, and they
are buried at Lairdsville, in Franklin townMr. Crist was a Democrat, and in reship.
connection an old school Lutheran.
His family consisted of seven children Jacob
B. Joseph T., who married Euphemia Wit-

ligious

;

moyer

(l)oth are

deceased)

who

Daniel V.,

;

married Mary Berger (he is deceased) John
Samuel, who married Margaret Brittain both
Peter O., who married Effie
are deceased)
;

(

farm work from boyhood, and after farming
here two years on his own account went to Witmoyer (she is deceased) George T., who
West Hemlock township, Montour county, and married Margaret Stackhouse (both are defarmed there for three years. Returning to ceased) and Susan, who married WashingDerry township he continued agricultural ton Reed (both deceased),
work until 1901, when he moved to WashingJacob B. Crist was born Jan. 11, 1830. in
tonville and engaged in the bakery business,
Franklin township, Lycoming county, where
carrying it on for four years. Selling out he he was engaged as a farmer and lumberman,
resumed farming, with which he is still oc- remaining there until about five years beHe is one of the well known resi- fore his death. He then removed to Pine
cupied.
dents of his locality, for he has not only been Summit, Columbia county, where he passed
;

;

successful in his various private undertakings,
but has proved useful in every capacity. He
lias served his fellow citizens nine years as a
member of the school board, and for the same
length of time has been census enumerator.
He has been active in politics as a member
of the Republican party, and has worked
faithfully in

its

interest, as a

member

of the

the rest of his days, dying Sept. 19, 1891.
Republican in politics, he was active in the
interest of the party, and his religious connection was with the Methodist Episcopal

His wife, Sarah H. Brittain. born
Sept. 29. 1834, died April 19, 1897, and they
are buried in the Methodist graveyard at
Pine Summit. They had two children, Jennie
Church.

county committee and several times as delegate
to conventions. He belongs to P. O. S. of A.
Camp No. 365. at Washingtonville. Mr. Robinson was reared in the Presbyterian Church,
he and his wife attending at Washingtonville.
Mr. Robinson's first marriage was to Anna
Mary Shultz. daughter of John Kinney and

M. (Mrs. William R. Robinson) and Rhoda

Rebecca (:\lc\^icker) Shultz, of Derry "townShe died April 23. 1890. when twentvship.
three vears old, the mother of four children:
John C., born June 5, 1883, who is employed
at the State Hospital for the Insane Dan1,
T
r
c
A .u
ville, married Lydia Suber. and they have
„.-^,^
-n
e
00two children; Walter R., born Sept. 29, 1885,
IS at home; Merrill, born Nov. 14, 1887, is deceased; Anna R., born Nov. 20, 1889, is engaged in_ dressmaking. For his second wife
Mr. Robinson married Ida R. Shultz. daughter of Peter Shultz. and cousin to his first
wife.
She, too, died on July 4, 1893, when
but twenty-three years old, and he has since
married (third) Jennie M. Crist, of Lycom-

sey.
in

•

A.,
the latter born Nov. 29. 1854. now the wife
of Wilbur W. Eves and living near Berwick,
Columbia county,
The Shultz family was founded in this
country by Philip Shultz, who came from
Germany and settled on a farm in New Jer-

His son Jacob was born
to
came
and
Jersev
Montour_ county

where he

New
I790.

year later

died.

settling first at
he came to the

Limestoneville.

farm

later occupied

^^'^ graridson. John K. Shultz, and resided
there until his death in 1804. when, with
.,,
„^^:^a o,7.o„ k,, f^rt^i-ir^'ri
other settlers, he was carried awav by tvplioid
j^^ ^^^^^ ^j^^ ^^^1^^^ ^^ ^j^l^^ children;
^^^^^
^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ survive was Ehzabeth. wife of
j^^^^jg] ^[ostellar, who in 1887 was a resident
^f ^^^^^t Hemlock township, at the age of

eightv-seven.
Peter Shultz. son of lacob. was three years
old when his parents came to Montour county,
He was reared on a farm, and after his marwhere he
riage moved to the farm adjoining,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

904

resided fifty years, dying July ii, 1862, at
the age of seventy-five. He was an elder in
the old Derry Church for many years and
His wife was Sarah
politically a Democrat.
Robbins, of Columbia county, and their children were William, a resident of Columbia
county; Jonathan P., who died in Northumberland county in 1886; Jacob and Vincent
:

West Hemlock township, MonJames, of Rush township, Northumberland county; Benjamin F., a physician
of Danville
Peter, of Anthony township
Mary K., wife of Benjamin Crossley, of
Michigan; and John K. Airs. Shultz died in
R.,

hving

tour county

;

1872 at the age of eighty-one years.
John K. Shultz was born in the old home
on March 5, 1825, and lived with his father
until his marriage, when he moved to the
adjoining farm, in West Hemlock township,
which he owned until his death, Dec. 4, 1893.
There he lived for nineteen years, when, having previously bought the old homestead and
erected thereon a fine house, he removed to
it in October.
He was married Oct.
1874.
II, 1855, to Rebecca, daughter of James McVicker, of Anthony township. She was born
in that township June 6, 1826, and died in the
spring of 1894. Seven children blessed their
union, the eldest and youngest dying in infancy. The others were: Anna M., deceased,
wife of William R. Robinson Sarah C.. deceased
Charles W., who married Sarah J.
;

;

Watts; Clarence J., living at Mooresburg;
William Barber, residing on the old homestead
in Derry township.
Mr. Shultz held several township offices, including that of justice of the peace, and was
a Democrat politically.
To his farming he
added the vocations of cattle raising and horse
He and his wife were members of
dealing.
the Derry Presbyterian Church.

ARTHUR COOK AMESBURY,

seven children.

William Amesbury, the father, was born
England Nov. 26, 1825, and was the second

son of his parents.
When but eight years
old he ran away from home rather than atschool. He first found employment with
tend_
a railroad construction gang, making himself

useful

carrying tools

for

the

navvies,

America, landing at New York. He made
only a short stay in that city, after which he
came to Danville, Pa., working in the iron
mines for one year. His next move was to
St. Louis, Mo., where he was employed by
a company to travel in search of lead and
copper veins, in which work he was occupied
for some time.
During that period he made
several important discoveries of paying leads,
which were later worked. He traveled extensively while following that business, visiting all the States and Territories, as well as
to

South

America. Canada, England, Ireland,
Scotland and Wales, crossing the ocean from.
He exAmerica to England four times.
all the ore and coal
slopes around Danville, and was regarded as
an authority on mining and ore propositions.
He carried on mining and prospecting in
Montour county on his own account, employing from forty to fifty men, and made a
marked success in that field. From 1880 to

plored and sunk nearly

1893 he was in business on Church street,
He retired in
Danville, as a coal merchant.
1893 to enjoy the leisure he had so well
earned.
His death occurred in 1901, and he
was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery,
where his wife also rests.
In 1854 William Amesbury married Maria
Cook, daughter of Richard Cook, a native of
England, and five children came to bless
their

union:

and

William,

who married Mary

Gloucestershire, England, resides
at Wilkes-Barre; ]\Iary is the wife of Thomas
Cromwell Adaline is the wife of William
Dyer, a retired farmer of Montour county ;
Foster,

one of
the prominent business men of Danville, and
the leading coal dealer there, continuing the
business established manv vears ago bv his
father, was born in Danville March 21, 1873.
He is the son of William Amesbury, and
grandson of Richard Amesbury, whose wife
was Hattie Perncll. They had a family of

His
soon became a pet of the workmen.
wages were but twenty-five cents a day, but
were ample for his simple wants, and he
labored at this work until he was twelve years
He then went to Scotland and worked
old.
with railroad men for two years, at the end
of the time returning to England to work in
There he remained
the mines of Yorkshire.
until he was twenty-two. when he emigrated

;

Jennie is also married Arthur Cook is mentioned below. Mr. Amesbury was a meml)er
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his wife
also belonging to that denomination. He was
independent in politics, served the borough as
a councilman, and held other offices of honor
;

and responsibility.
Arthur Cook Amesbury received

his edu-

cation principally in the pulilic schools of Danville, graduating from high school in 1890.
He then took a course at the Peirce business
college,

Philadelphia, graduating in 1891.
to Danville to enter the coal

and returned

•I

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
business with his father.

After an associa-

two years he bought the business, in
1893, and has since successfully conducted it,
having made it one of the most important
establishments in Danville.
His thorough
knowledge of the business and fairness in
every transaction have attracted and held a
patronage of the most substantial kind, which
tion of

constantly increasing.
In 1909 Mr. Amesbury was elected mayor
of Danville, assuming the office the following
January and serving until the expiration of
his term, January, 1914.
During his term as
executive his reputation as a public-spirited
citizen
and trustworthy guardian of the
rights of the people in nowise suffered, and
he left the office with enhanced reputation.
In party allegiance Mr. Amesbury is a Democrat. He is a member of the local volunteer
fire department and did much to develop the

He is
organization to its present efficiency.
a prominent ]\Iason, belonging to Mahoning
Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M.; Danville Chapter, No. 239, R. A. M.
Calvary Commandery, No. yj, K. T. and Irem Temple, A. A.
O. N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre is a past noble
chief of Montour Castle, No. 186, Knights
of the Golden Eagle
member of Beaver
Lodge, No. 132, Knights of Pythias; and a
past exalted ruler of Danville Lodge, No. 754,
B. P. O. Elks.
In 1895 Mr. Amesbury married Leota
Marian, daughter of Lamar and Agnes
;

;

Amanda Hahn, and
liam Penn, now a

they have one son, Wilstudent at the Danville
Mr. Amesbury attended the
high school.
Methodist Church while a young man, but is
now a member of the Episcopal Church. He
is
deeply interested in the welfare of his
native city and gives substantial encourage-

ment

every

movement

for

its

advance-

ment.

OLIVER

has for

KAUFMAN,

now

living re-

years been one of the
prominent residents of Limestone township,
Montour county, where he followed farming
during his active days and held a number of
important public positions. His trustworthy
character and well directed energies have won
him a high place in the regard of all. which
he has sustained by the most honorable conduct in every relation of life.
Lie is a son
of John and Margaret (Huller) Kaufman.
John Kaufman, the father, born at Little
York, Pa., moved to IMilton, Pa., with his
widowed mother. He learned the shoemaker's
trade, which he followed throughout his active
tired,

many

905

years, and lived to the age of ninety, dying
in 1895.
He was in the service in the war of
1812-15. His wife died in 1892, aged seventyeight years. They were survived by three sons

and four daughters
Alilton,

Pa.,

Bennett, who lives at
served three years in the Civil
:

war, as did also Adolphus, who lives at Philadelphia; Oliver 1. is mentioned below; Mary
is the widow of Michael Norokonk, of
Milton,
Pa. Harriet also lives at Alillon Christiana
was married to Sylvanus M. Wenk, of Northumberland; Sarah married Adam Batdorf, of
;

;

Milton, Pennsylvania.
Oliver I. Kaufman was born March 20,
1847, 'it ]\Iilton, and after receiving his
schooling worked at shoemaking with his
In 1865 he enlisted in the Union
father.
service during the Civil war, serving seven

months

Company K,

74tli

I'ennsylvania

For a time before his marriage he worked with his brother-in-law as
house painter at Milton, and after his marriage
settled down to farming on the place in Limestone township where he has ever since resided,
engaging in general agricultural work until his
retirement in 1906. Mr. Kaufman has always
been enterprising and ambitious, looking after
his own interests well, but at the same time
he has been a useful and public-spirited citizen,
Volunteers.

fdling several township offices of trust with

Republican on political issues,
connection a memljer of the
German Reformed Church at Paradise, Northis a
ability.
and in religious

umberland county.

On Oct. 26, 1871, Mr. Kaufman married
Anna Matilda Kramm, who was born June
II, 1847, "1 Limestone township, daughter of
William and Margaret (Billmeyer) Kramm.
Mr. and Mrs. Kaufman have had two children; (1) Clyde Benton, born Aug. 6, 1872,
married Harriet Martin, of Williamsport, Pa.,
and they have one child, Dorothy Margaret,
born April 24, 1898, now attending high
school at Jacksonville, Fla. (2) Myron Francis, born Jan. 7, 1874, married Sarah Reed,

of Williamsport.

The Kramm

family

descended

from

David Kramm, wdio was
vania, born in

1793.

a native of PennsylHe was a farmer all

his life, and also followed tanning.
He lived
to a great age, dying in September, 1882. ITis

of Allentown, Pa.,
daughter of Jacob Brunner,
a captain of guards in the State
militia; while a gun was being tried it exploded, and he was struck, later dying of lockjaw as the result of his injury. Mrs. Mary
(Brunner) Kramm died in 1872. She and her
wife,

Mary (Brunner),

was born
who was

in 1800,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

906

husband came with their family to Limestone
township in the early days, in 1S35, ^^^^ he
bought a large farm there, living on that place
imtil his retirement, when he moved to Milton,
Pa., remaining there until his death.

William Kramm. son of David, was born in
Lehigh county. Pa., and came with the family
to Limestone township in early boyhood. He
married Margaret Billmeyer, daughter of
George and Annie Himmelreich Billmever.
and to them were born three children Anna
Matilda, Mrs. Oliver I. Kaufman; Ada Virginia, widow of James Wilcox, of Williamsport and William Hammond, deceased, who
married Hulda Fisher, the widow living at
(

)

;

Anglesea, New Jersey.
Mrs. Annie (Himmelreich) Billmeyer was
the daughter of Peter and Mary Withington)
Himmelreich, and granddaughter of Peter and
Eve (Albert) Withington. Mrs. Eve (Albert)
Withington came from England; her enjoyment of novels was well known, and "The
Children of the Abbey" was one of her favorite books.
Peter and Mary (Withington)
(

Himmelreich had three children Annie, who
married George Billmeyer Fannie, wife of
John Reedy; and George, who lived in Ohio.
:

;

A. Donaldson, Sept. 26, 1835; and
18, 1903)
Samuel, in 1837 (died Dec. 19, 1862).
Theophilus Farley was born in Jamestown,
;

Lycoming Co., Pa., Oct. 21, 1821, and was
reared to farming. When his son Robert was
eight years old he went to Stonytown, Columbia county, and worked in a stone quarry until
Robert was twelve. Then he moved to the
Deitrich farm in Montour township, Columbia
county, and tenanted it for five years, next
renting the farm of William W. Wintersteen
for two years.
He then moved to Danville,
where he worked in the \\'aterman & Beaver
mills and for some time later was a coachman
for A. C. Creveling.
He next moved to
Bloomsburg and worked for his son William
until h>s death.

Theophilus Farley was married to Margaret
Wellshans, and they had children as follows
Robert M. is mentioned below Emma, born
June 29, 1852, married Thomas Morgan and
died Dec. 21, 1912, leaving four children, Robert, Margaret, Annie and Sadie; Miles married
Susan Dietz and had seven children, Margaret.
Jennie. .Annie, Edward, Robert, Harriet and
Thomas; Sarah Jane, born Aug. 9, 1857, mar:

;

the latter county.
George Farley, the great-grandfather, was
born in Shamokin, Pa., and is buried in the

Edward Hallman, and died Oct. 11, 1902;
William H., born June 29, 1867. married Ida
Dawson, and had four children, Francis, Jesse,
Harry and Carlton.
For many years Mr. Farley was a Democrat, but after attending a political meeting
where the speaker a Republican did not
speak ill of the Democratic party he decided
thereafter to vote the
Republican ticket
He was a member of the Pine Street
entirely.
Lutheran Church, of the General Synod. He
and his wife are buried in the Odd Fellows

Limestone

cemetery.

ROBERT MARTIN FARLEY,
agent for the Philadelphia

& Reading

freight

Railroad
Company at Danville, Pa., was born above
Pine Creek, near Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co.,
Pa., Sept. 29, 1848, and is a son of Theophilus.
grandson of George and great-grandson of
George Farley, all of whom were farmers of

cemetery,

Nippenose

\'alley.

Montour county. His wife, whose maiden
name was Fisher, was born in England, and is
buried near Antes Fort, Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania.

George Farley, the grandfather, was born in
in 1780, and was a farmer,
having a
tract of about
twenty acres near Jamestown,

Shamokin

Lycoming county. He was a soldier in
Mexican war. a Whig, and a member of
Lutheran Church.

the
the

died June 2^, 1856, and
They are buried

his wife died April
19, 1884."
in the Lutheran
in

Limestone townMr. Farley married
ship, Lycoming county.
Elizabeth Anderson, born in Trenton, N. ^.,
in 1798, and
they had these children: Caleb,
born March 9. 1817; Pembcrton. Nov.
19, 1819
(died April 11. 1908); Theophilus. Oct. 21,
1821 Mary Ann, March 28, 1824; Jane,
Aug.
cemetery

;

1826; Catherine, July

10,

1828 (died Dec.

ried

—

Robert M. Farley attended the schools in
Stonytown. Mifflin township. Montour townFor
ship, Columbia county, and Danville.
about four years he worked as a farmer, and
then entered the employ of Waterman &
Beaver, later working in the Danville Steam
hlour Mill. He next drove a delivery team for
the National Iron Company, and for the firm
of Kramer & Co.
He has now been freight
agent for the Philadelphia (^ Reading Railroad

for thirty-two years. He is a memof the Pine Street Lutheran Church (General Synod).
Mr. Farley is past sachem of
Mahoning Tribe. No. "j"], I. O. R. M., and has
been a trustee of the Tribe for fifteen years;
he also I)elongs to the Red Men's Fraternal
Association of S])ringfield, Massachusetts.
Forty years ago. while Mr. Farley was a
resident of Milton, Pa., a tramp applied at his

Company

l^er

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
home for assistance, and he took him in and
To comgave him food and a night's lodging
!

pensate him for his kind treatment the tram[)
gave Mr. Farley the prescription for a liniment. He died the next day, at the almshouse.

Mr. Farley gave the prescription no thought
a year later, when he had a sprained
back. He had the prescription filled and used
the liniment, which gave him such prompt reuntil

lief that

he decided to give others the benefit

its good properties.
Starting the manufacture of it on a small scale, he has since found
a steady market for the liniment wherever it is

known, having many regular customers who
would not be without it. Except for giving
out sample bottles he has never advertised it
He has many testimonials from
in any way.

907

of Danville and resided at home until her
marriage. She is a meml)er of the missionary
society of the Pine Street Lutheran Church
and has taught in the Sunday school before
and since her marriage.
(

Henry Forney was born

1813

Lebanon,

Pa., and was placed among strangers when a
child.
The only book he had to learn from

was the

and he had very little opportunan education.
He came to Jersey
Shore, Lycoming county, and worked as a cabinetmaker, but he lost on many accounts of
persons for whom he did work and who defrauded him of the payment. He was a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran
Church. He died Feb. 26, 1880, and he and
his wife are buried in the Lutheran cemetery
at Danville.
He married at Jersey Shore,
went to Chulasky and worked in the furnaces
there, and a few years later moved to Danville
to work in the Waterman & Beaver rolling
mill, continuing thus until his death. His wife,
Sarah (Barto), was born Jan. 19, 1819, and
died May 17, 1897.
Their children were:
who married Christina Slack;
William,
George, who married Alahala Lutz (both are
deceased) Catherine, who died yoiing; Samuel, who married Louise McClure (she is deceased); and Ella Elizabeth, Mrs. Robert M.
ity

Bible,

for

who have benefited from its use.
Mr. Farley married Ella Elizabeth, daughter
of Henry and Sarah (Barto) Forney, and
their children are: (i) Emma E., born Sept.
26, 1S73, married John H. Dietz April 14,
1896, and they have two children, Charles
Earl, born Sept. 9, 1900, and Edna Anna,
born Feb. 23. 1907. (2) Stella M., born Dec.
20, 1876, married Wilson I. Richard on June
5, 1900.
(3) Laura G., born Feb. 27, 1881,
married Charles E. Harder on July 9, 1902,
and has three children, Harold LeRoy, born
Dec. 9, 1904, Lillian May, born Aug. 21, 1905, Farley.
and Charles Roland, born Jan. 26, 1914. (4)
Walter T., born Dec. 27, 1886, married CathBITLER. The Bitler family is one which
erine S. Harper on June 19, 1912. (5) Robert has long been known in Montour county. Pa.,
where representatives of the name have been
F., born Dec. 28, 1888, married Harriet Fegley
on June 9, 191 1, and they have one child, Mary prominent in business, professional, military
Elizabeth, born Nov. 29, 1913.
(6) Edna E. and public life.
was born July 9, 1892. All of this family were
Thomas Bitler, the founder of the family in
educated in the public schools of Danville. Pennsylvania, was brought to this country in
Stella is a graduate of the Danville high school.
infancy by his parents from his native EngWalter T. Farley after his schooldays spent land, and was an early settler in Schuylkill
one year in the Speedometer Works and since county. Pa., the family still having claims upon
then has been clerk in the Pennsylvania rail- a large tract of coal land in that region. He
road station at Riverside, Northumberland followed farming, lumbering and sawmilling
countv.
He is a past sachem of Mahoning all of his life, was successful in his ventures,
and died in 1882, at the age of seventy-two
Tribe', No. -jy, I. O. R. M., and of the P. O. S.
of A. Camp at Riverside. He is a Republican, years. His wife, Elizabeth, had two children
and a member of the Pine Street Lutheran by her first marriage, and to her union with
Church at Danville.
Mr. Bitler were born seven, of whom but one
Robert F. Farley is a miller with the Dan- is living, Henry, a resident of Lycoming
people

;

Milling Company. He is connected with
Tribe, I. O. R. M., and is assistant
superintendent of the Sunday school and deacon in the Pine Street Lutheran Church.
Ella Elizabeth Forney (Mrs. Robert M.
Farley) was born at Chulasky, Point township,
ville

Mahoning

Northumberland county, June 27, 1853, and
was a daughter of Henry Forney, of Lebanon
county, Pa. She was educated in the schools

county, Pennsylvania.
Daniel Bitler, son of

born

in Schuylkill

Thomas

Bitler.

was

county. Pa., Sept. 15, 1842.
As a boy he assisted his father on the home
place, and worked at teaming and sawmilling.
He was but nineteen years of age at the time of
the outbreak of the Civil war, and responded
to the President's call for troops by enlisting
in Company F, 84th Pa. Vol. Inf., for three

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

908

At the expiration of this term he reenand while serving his second term was
wounded while on picket duty. He participated in Sherman's famous march to the sea,
prior to which he had been taken prisoner at
the battle of Antietam and had escaped with
years.

listed,

three other prisoners, but only after a wait of
fifty-two hours in ambush and a long and tedious journey thereafter. During his service his

wide

practice, but also has gained the reHe
spect and esteem of his fellow citizens.
is
a valued member of the Pennsylvania
State A'eterinary Medical Association and
the
United
Medical
(Ontario,
Canada)
Association, and takes a keen and active
interest in the work of these organizations.
As a citizen Dr. Bitler has always been known
as one who has had the welfare of his com-

were frozen, and this incapacitated him munity deeply at heart, and any movement
When mustered out he located at making for progress and development has his
Clarkstown, Pa., and after his marriage en- hearty support.
Fraternally his connections
are
v.-ith the Odd Fellows and the Maccabees.
In
Anin
he
came
to
farming.
1878
gaged
Dr. Bitler is married, and lives with his
thony township, where he continued to be enin their comfortable home at Turbotmother
time
in
to
the
up
pursuits
agricultural
gaged
of his death, Oct. 8. 1902. In 1878 Mr. Bit- ville.
ler was married to Ella V. Fiester, who was
born March 8, 1847, at Clarkstown, Pa.,
JACOB MARTZ, late of Washingtonville,
Montour
Fiesof
and
county, was an old established liveryMary
(Moyer)
Henry
daughter
man there and also ran the mail stage between
ter, the latter a daughter of Jacob and Mary
Moyer, of Berks county, Pa. At the time of that place and Strawberry Ridge. He was
the building of the Lewiston & Niagara Falls born Oct. 28, 1843, at Strawberry Ridge, son
railroad Henry Fiester and his family w'ent by of Jacob Martz. His father was also a native
emigrant w^agon to Niagara Falls, N. Y., but of the State of Pennsylvania, where he passed
when he had completed his serv^ices with that all his life, dying in 1851, when fifty-two years
road they returned to Clarkstown, Pa., and old. Bringing his wife (they had no children
there Mr. Fiester died in 1889, when seventy- then) to Montour county, he located first in
six years of age, his wife passing away in Anthony township, later moving to Strawberry
1892, at the age of seventy-four. To Mr. and Ridge, in Derry township, where he passed
Mrs. Daniel Bitler there were born six chil- the remainder of his days engaged in farming.
dren Sherman E. Charles H., wdio married He married Elizabeth Schuck, of Turbotville,
Northumberland Co., Pa., who was born in
Miss A. Fague and lives in Lycoming county
Harrv D., who married Ivv Abbott and lives at that county, and died when past sixty years of
Fulton, III; Aha V., theVife of William G. age.
They had ten children, three of whom
Enterline, a farmer of Limestone township; are living: Eliza, wife of Jacob St. Clair, of
A. Myers, a farmer of Anthonv townsliip and West Point, Nebr. Henry, a farmer of MonMary J., who is the wife of Charles Derr, of tour county and Jacob.
The Martz (or Mertz) family is quite nuWashington, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Sherman E. Biti.er, son of Daniel Bit- merous in Berks county, Pa., where in Longler, was born Sept. 4, 1886, on the old homeswamp township the first ancestor to come to
stead place in Anthony township, Montour America from Germany made a settlement.
Co., Pa., and was there reared. After attain- The name is perpetuated there by the town of
ing his majority he was for one year engaged Mertztown, in Longswamp township, and
in farming the home place in partnership with
Mertz's Church in the same section.
Johis brother, and then sold out his interest and hannes Martz (or Maertz), the founder of
left for the West, being there in the teaming this family in America, was one of the 242 pasbusiness for one year. Returning to Pennsyl- sengers of the ship "Ann," which sailed from
vania at the end of that time, he became a resi- Rotterdam, last from Cowes. He was a son
dent of Turbotville. and not long thereafter of Johannes Maertz, of Stockhausen, Wurbegan his studies for a professional career at temberg, about thirty-five miles northwest of
the Ontario Veterinary College, Toronto, Can- Frankfort-on-the-Main,
miles
and
forty
ada.
He was graduated therefrom (honor- northeast of Coblentz, in Germany. Johannes
ary) with his degree in 1909, and immediately Maertz, the emigrant, landed at Philadelphia
entered practice at Sunbury, Pa., but after five Sept. 28, 1749.
He settled in the vicinity of
months moved to Turbotville, where he has Lyons. Berks county, and the church located
since centered his activities. He is thoroughlv near his home was named Mertz's Church in
versed in his profession, keeps well abreast of honor of him.
The births of his first four
the times, and has
not only attracted a children are recorded there.
On May 24.
feet

for

life.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
1756, he married Rosina Hase, daughter of
Their children were JoMelchior Hase.
hannes, born July 17, 1757; Anna Maria, Dec.
2, 1760; Maria Salome, May 24, 1763; Melchior, April II, 17O5; and Peter, March 9.

1769.

The connection between the above and Jacob
Martz, father of Jacob, is not definitely known.
Jacob Martz, son of Jacob and Elizabeth
(Schuck) Martz, began life as a farm boy,
working at home until twenty-two years of
age, after which he farmed for himself two
He then lumbered and hauled timber
years.
for twenty-two years, in the pine districts of
In 1880 he engaged in the
livery business at Washingtonville, which he

Montour county.

909

learned the trade of miller, operated a
Roaring Creek, and also the mill of

gristmill at

James Boyd,

at Boyd's

Station.

After two

years at the latter place he came to Danville
and entered the rolling mill, taking contracts
to supply the rail mill with puddle iron.
He
was compelled later in life to select a less
laborious occupation, so he entered the old
Cock Robin mill of William Fox, as night

watchman. While this mill was being dismantled, to remove the machinery to Colorado, he
was injured in helping move some heavy machines, and died later from the etlects of
this injury.

continued to conduct until his death, in April,
1913, and from 1893 he ran the mail stage be-

Mr. Snyder was united in mafriage with
Agnes Buck, an orphan, and they had the folIsaac, born Aug. 3, 1853,
lowing children
died Sept. 26, 1854; Martha, born March 17,

tween Washingtonville and Strawberry Ridge.
He was one of the substantial men of the town,
and had the thorough confidence of his fellow
citizens, who respected him for his useful and

1855, married Bigler D. Moyer, of Danville;
Cordelia, born Dec. 28, 1857, married Lafayette Van Gilder; Alvaretta, born May 11, i860,
married George Rowe, of Danville; John F.,

industrious

born Dec. 29, 1862, married Ada Hartman;
Esther, twin of John F., died Dec. 21, 1863;
Grant Ellsworth, born Aug. 19, 1865, died

life.

Mr. Martz married Clara Snyder, a native
of Berks county, Pa., daughter of Henry and
Eliza (Kelichner) Snyder, the former the original proprietor of the Washingtonville gristmill, which he built, and which is the only inTwelve children
dustrial plant in the place.

were born to Mr. and Mrs. Martz Alice is the
wafe of Joseph Warner, of Norristown, Pa.,
and has six children Miley is the widow of
A. Gault and lives with her mother in Washingtonville; Mazie is married to Harry Hoffman, a farmer of Limestone township, and has
two children; Dora is the wife of J. Messersmith, a carpenter, of Pottsville, Pa., and has
one child Edna is the wife of Arren E. Seidel
and has five children Atwood, of Trenton,
N. J., is married to Maude Strouse; Clay married Ada Seidel, of Trenton, N. J. Hard is at
home Elmer is in Pottsville, Pa. Isadore is
at Trenton, N. J.
two are deceased. This
:

;

family has been reared in the faith of the

Lutheran Church.

Politically

Mr. Martz was

a Democrat.

HENRY

SNYDER, puddler, emJOSEPH
ployed by the Reading Iron Company, at Danville,

Pa.,

was born June

1852, at Roaring

Creek, in Mayberry township, Montour Co.,
Pa., son of Alby C. Snyder and grandson of
Henry Snyder, natives of Northumberland
county. His grandfather was one of the pioneers of that county, and is mentioned in several old documents as a man of substance.

Alby C. Snyder was born in Rush township,
Northumberland county, about the year 1822.

Aug.

19, 1865.

Alby C. Snyder was a Republiwas a member of Trinity EvanHe was
gelical Lutheran Church at Danville.
past president of Washington Camp, No. 35,
Politically
can, and he

P. O. S. of A.; a member of Beaver Lodge,
No. 132, K. of P.; and of Muncy Lodge, Odd
Fellows, of Danville. He died in 1877, and
his wife died in November, 1902, at the age
of seventy years. Both are buried in the Lutheran graveyard at Danville.

Joseph H. Snyder attended the Hog Hollow
schoolhouse near Boyd's Station, Northumberland county, and the graded schools of Danville.
At the age of seventeen he entered the

employ of Frank P. Stuchell, to learn the
trade of painter, but had to give this up during
the panic of 1873. He then went to the rolling
mill at Danville, and learned the trade of puddler, which he has followed ever since, with
the exception of a short term in the Frick nail
mill.
He has been in the employ of the Reading Iron Company for the last twenty-five
years. For a short time he was a member of
the Danville police force, and was councilman
from the Second ward for three years he is
a Republican in political matters. He has been
district deputy of the Odd Fellows fraternity,
;

member

of Myrtle Lodge, No. 858,
is a past grand.
He is a
member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and has
been librarian of the Sunday school.
Mr. Snyder married Flora Ravilla Hughes,

being a

Danville, of which he

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

910

daughter of George Alexander and Barbara
(Snyder) Hughes, and they have had children
as follows: Alby Herbert, born Jan. 30, 1875,
died in infancy; Harry E., born Aug. 20, 1879,
married Minnie Gump, and has one child, Florence Ella, born May 7, 1912; Ella Ravilla was
born Oct. 30, 1883; Clyde Eugene Hughes,
born Jan. 30, 1885, married Desna Hughes and
has one child, Gretchen Ravilla, born Dec. 28,
1910.

Flora Ravilla Hughes, wife of J. H. Snyder,
was born Aug. 16, 1856, in Butler township,
Luzerne county, was educated in the country
schools, and after her father's death went to
live with her grandfather until her marriage.
Jacob Flughes, her grandfather, came to America from England when five years old with

who

five
they had no children. Mr. Shultz was
a fireman on the Pennsylvania railroad, and
was killed at the weighing scales near ShamoAfter his decease Mrs. Shultz lived
kin. Pa.
with her children in Harrisburg until her
;

death, at the age of seventy-two. She is buried
graveyard of the Lutheran Church on
Pine street, Danville, of which she was a

in the

member.

JOHN WELLER,

Anthony township,

Montour county, now

living retired, was for
in farming at the place

many years engaged
where he now resides with his daughter, and
to which he came about forty-seven years ago.
He was born March 25, 183 1, in Berks county,
Pa., son of Peter W'eller, also a native of

Berks

Butler township,
Luzerne county. He became a sawyer and
contractor, cutting mine props for Cecil Pardee and George B. Markle, from their timber
lands, and shipping the bark to the tanneries
About ten years before his death
in Reading.

county. Peter Weller farmed all his life in
He married Suthat county, where he died.
sanna Drellinger, of Berks county, and they
had a family of nine children, seven sons and
two daughters, of whom John is the only sur-

where he passed
His
of
at
the
eighty-eight years.
age
away
wife died at the age of seventy-five, and both
are at rest in St. John's cemetery, in Luzerne
county. He was an active Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belonged

John Weller had rather limited educational
The schools were scarce and not
conducted regularly, and his help was needed at
home. From the time he was ten years old,
after his mother died, he hired out to do farm
work, continuing thus until his marriage, which
occurred in Berks county. Then he came to
Northumberland county, located near Turbotville. and began farming on his own account.
Thence in 1867 he came to his present home in
Anthony township, and he cultivated the property until he sold it to his daughter and son
in 191 1, since when he has lived retired, making
Mr. Weller was an inhis home with them.
dustrious and capable worker, and he was

his parents,

he retired to

settled

live in Danville,

Odd Fellows Order. He married Susanna Daut, and they had these children
George Alexander; Hetty, wife of Charles
Reed, of Minnesota Mary, wife of John Shaffer, of Easton, Pa.
Angeline, wife of O. B.
Churchill, of Elizabeth, N. J. Evan, living in
Everett, Wash. Thomas, who married Anne
Edwards, and lives in Elizabeth, N. J. CatherMinnie, wife of
ine, wife of William Jones
William Wilson, of Edwardsville, Luzerne
county Alice, wife of Wesley Hess, of Elizabeth, N. J. and Jacob and William, who died
to the

;

in infancy.

George Alexander Hughes, father of Mrs.
H. Snyder, was born in Butler township,
Luzerne county, about 1831, and died in 1863,

after a protracted illness of two years.
He
was a teacher and bookkeeper. He married
Barbara, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth
(Moharter) Snyder, and their children were:
Flora Ravilla, mentioned above Charles F.
and Martha Ella, widow of David Getkin, living in Harrisburg, Pa. Mr. Hughes was a Republican, a member of the Odd Fellows, and
of the Presbyterian Church. He is buried in
the cemetery of St. John's Church, in Butler
;

;

township, Luzerne county. His widow married Philip Shultz, son of John and Catharine
(Fisher) Shultz, who died at the age of thirty-

vivor.

advantages.

considered one of the useful citizens of the
townshi]:) in his active years, having served
many terms on the school board, in whose
work he has always taken especial interest.
He was reared
Politically he is a Repul)lican.
ii^ the faith of the Lutheran Church, and holds
in same at Turlwtville.
In Augu.st, 1853, Mr. Weller was married
to Esther Maul, who was born in Berks county.
Pa., ^larch 26. 183 1, daughter of George and
Elizabeth (Deisher) Maul, and died Jan. 8.

membership

191 1, in Montour county. They had a family
of eleven children born to them. viz. Elizabeth,
born March 10, 1855, died in April. 19 10. She
married James T. Magill. of Danville. Pa.,
who is also deceased, and they had a family of
:

five children.

Frank. John. Elizabeth. Esther

and James. Jacob, born July 2S, 1856, died
Nov. 10, 1909; he married Sarah Albeck, and
to their union were born Mary. Charles. Cora.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
John, Daniel, Elizabeth, Mabel and Samuel.
Susan, born Jan. 28, 1858, died in August,

when twenty years
was a Republican.

1882.
Harry, born June 21, 1859, is engaged
as a manufacturer of dining room and library
he married Sarah
tables in North Carolina
Hester, of Watsontown, Pa., and they have

meml)ers

;

had four children, Grace, Ivy, Warren (deand Nelson. Sarah Ann, born Oct.
ceased
8. 1861, a trained nurse, graduate of the Philadelphia Homeopathic School, still makes her
home at the old place. Esther, born Feb. 2,
the wife of
i8()3. died May 18, 1905; she was
Edward Peers and had children, Susan, Anna,
)

James, born
Ruth, and Amy (deceased).
July 22, 1864, now of Montgomery, Pa., married Hannah Miller, and they have four children, Lester. George, Esther and Benjamin.
Anna, born May 10, 1866, is the wife of Edward M. Reeder, of Turbotville, Pa., and has
three children, Merhng, Charles and Henrietta.
John, born June 21, 1867, died at the
age of six years. Emma, born May 27, 1869,
is the wife of Albert P. Kolby, of Baltimore,
Md., and has eight children, John, Rufus,
Marguerite, Conrad, Casper, Edna, Esther and
Sydney. George, born June 13, 1891, is married to

Pa.

;

Maud Fleming and

lives at

Johnstown,

ISAAC C. LEE, who is well known in business circles at Danville and other points in
that part of Pennsylvania, has been in the
photographic line in this borough for the past
He was

Pa., Oct. 21, i860, son of

a grandson of Richard

The ancestry

born at Pottsville,
Ralph R. Lee and

Henry Lee.

English in both paternal and
The grandfather, Richard
maternal lines.
Henry Lee, was born in England. Prior to
coming to the United States he was a coal
operator, and during the whole of his subis

sequent life was mainly interested in the minHe
ing of coal as an owner and producer.
was one of the pioneer coal men of Pottsville.

His

first

in that city was Benjamin
in whose rolling mills he acted as

employer

Haywood,

bookkeeper for a time. Afterward he bought
a mine at Shenandoah, naming it the Lee
mine, which he operated, but continued to
maintain his home at Pottsville. In England
he had married Martha Fletcher, and they
had the following children
Rioly F. Ralph
R. Isabella, who married Lieutenant Russell,
of the United States army; Elizabeth, who
married a Mr. Snyder; Martha, who married
Daniel Miller Richard Henry, who married
a sister of Hon. Charlemagne Tower, ambassador to Germany and Fletcher, who died
:

;

In politics Mr. Lee
his wife were

old.

He and

Trinity Episcopal Church at
and they are buried in the Charles
Baker cemetery there.
Ralph R. Lee, son of Richard Henry Lee,
was six months old when his parents came to
the United States.
lie attended school in
lottsville and then learned the machinist's
trade in the Snyder foundry there, some years
later acting as foreman of the
shop for a few
years. After the Civil war he went into l)usiness at Port Carbon, his foundry and machine
sho]) being known as the Allison Iron Works.
Later he moved to Mahanoy City, where he
was in the same business, operating under the
firm style of Lee & Wren, who owned and
worked their own mines also, for eighteen
years.
Subsequently he became manager of
the Reading Coal & Iron Company's shops, and
at the time of death was superintendent of
Pottsville,

that important concern.

Ralph R. Lee served under two enlistments
war between the States. First he was
captain of Company B, 53d Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry (militia, known as the
Scott Rifies), and when he re-enlisted became
in the

lieutenant of

they have no children.

twenty-four years.

911

;

Company G, 39th Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry.
He w^as honorably discharged Aug. 2, 1863. Mr. Lee joined Gowan
Post, No. 2S, G. A. R., at Pottsville. of which
he was a valued member. He voted with the
Republican party, but was never active in
His death occurred July 26, 1893,
politics.
when he was almost ftfty-eight years old.
Mr. Lee married Mary E. Cook, daughter
of Isaac and Matilda (Schoener) Cook, and
Alfred
they had the following children:
Edward, who married Elizabeth Keller, resides at Orwigsburg, Pa.
Ida is the wife of
Thomas Chapman, of Naugatuck, Conn.
Matilda, who is the widow of John Thomas,
lives at Elizabeth. N. J.; Richard H. is a resident of Oregon Isaac C. is mentioned below
;

;

Monroe C. who

a resident of Connecticut,

now

married Rebecca Linn,

New

deceased; Martha

Jersey, the wife of Augustus
Sharplie; George Fletcher is station agent at
Douglassville, Pa.; Mary Elizabeth, of Elizabeth. N. J., is the widow- of James Murray;
Caroline lives at Pottsville Bessie died at the
age of three years Ralph R. is a resident of
Nellie is the wife of John Beach,
Pottsville
of New Brighton. Pa. Teenie is the wife of
Alexander Benny, of Pittsburgh, Pa. After
the death of the father the mother built a residence at Port Carbon and made her home there
until her death, which occurred when she was
resides in

;

COLUMBIA AND AIONTOUR COUNTIES

912

Both parents are
buried in the Presbyterian cemetery at Potts-

WILLIAM EDWIN WILLIAMS,

aged seventy-two years.
ville.

Isaac C. Lee

was educated

in the schools of

early displayed an artistic
taste which led him to learn photography,
spending three years under the instruction of

]\Iahanoy City.

Columbia
Engineer with
wick,

Co.,

Pa.,

of Ber-

present

Local

American

Car and
Foundry Company, has acquired most of his
professional experience in practically the same
employ. That is to say, he has been with the
Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company
and the American Car & Foundry Company
the

David Bowman, at jMahanoy City. Later he
went to Louisville, Ky., where he formed a in turn since 1898 shortly after he settled in
After demonstrating his efticiency
partnership with Henry Doerr, and they Berwick.
carried on business for eighteen months, their in more than one department he was placed
work being interrupted by an outbreak of in his present responsibilities. Mr. Williams
yellow fever, causing Mr. Lee to return North. has made a thorough study of the requireHe then went into the photographic business ments of the plant, and he has executive abilTwo years ity which supplements his all-around mefor himself, at Alahanoy City.
later he removed to Evansville, Ind., where he chanical knowledge, a combination of faculties
bought stock in the Sunnyside mine and was thoroughly appreciated by his employers.
]\Ir.
Williams's great-grandfather, Evan
weigh boss of same for three years. Turning
his stock over to his brother, Mr. Lee then Williams, was born Sept. 30, 1780, and came
went to Duluth, and from there to Tower, of old Breton stock. He lived in Flintshire,
Minn., where for eight months he was with North Wales, at a place called Welshpool, and
the ^Minnesota Iron Works, at test-pitting.
belonged to the landed gentry, his estate being
known as Ellsmoor, and there his son John T.
It is quite possible that by this time Mr. Lee
was tired of coal and iron works and felt that Williams was born Dec. 12, 1808. Evan Wila season of travel would do him good and in- liams married Mary Taylor, who was born
struct and inspire hirh for further photographic Sept. 14, 1786, and died April 28, 1859; he
work, and during the three years that he went died Feb. 10, 1837.
at his will from place to place he no doubt
John T. Williams, son of Evan, was the
first ancestor in America.
satisfied himself as to what path he should
He was engaged

—

further follow, having perfected himself in the
At Iron
the profession.
Mountain. I\Iich., he became associated in the
photographic business with Bj organ Eskill,
under the firm name of Eskill & Lee, and remained there for three years. In i8go he came
to Danville and opened his studio, and his
choice of a business field has been abundantly

modern methods of

justified.

the iron business.

Feb.

Dec.

1834, he

Ann Maybury, who was

1817, a daughter of

born

Thomas and Mary

(Morris) Maybury, who died in Danville, he
on May 30, 1872, she Feb. 13, 1871. Mrs.
\\'illiams passed away July 8, 1856, Mr. WilTheir
liams surviving until Aug. 7, 1866.
William Maychildren were born as follows
bury, Feb. 8, 1836 (died Jan. 9, 1842) Maria
:

;

Mr. Lee has demonstrated that he is a man
of personal courage.
He was a member of

Company

7th Regiment, Pennsylvania
Capt. John Schoener and
Colonel Caldwell, of Sunbury, and during the
great railroad strike in 1877 ^^'''^s sent to PittsHe did guard duty in the railroad
burgh.
Militia,

married Mary

under

roundhouse

and

participated

eflfectively

several skirmishes.

In 1892 Mr. Lee was married to Lulu Titel,
who was born Feb. 21, 1874, daughter of Lewis
and Elizabeth (Williams) Titel. They have
four children: Lewis, born Jan. 28,' 1899;
Frances, July 21, 1900; Ralph^ Jan. 14. 1905;

and Robert E., Sept. 2. 1907.
Mr. Lee belongs to the Progressive branch

of the Republican party. He is associated with
Iron Mountain Lodge, No. 388, F. & A.
M., of
Iron Mountain. Mich.
His religious connection is with Mahoning
Presbyterian Church.

Elizabeth, April 4, 1837 (died Aug. 31, 1842)
John Thomas, Sept. 15, 1838 (died June 26,
Sarah Ann, Nov. 6, 1840. died Jan.
1842)

;

28, 1907 (married

March

George Kinn) Mary Eliza,
Aug. 21, 1842) Joseph
;

30, 1842 (died

Henry, Aug.

James Knox
27, 1890;

;

1843 (died Sept. 15, 1843);
Polk, Dec. 11. 1845 (died Dec.
6,

married Sarah Keim)

;

Richard H.,

Emma
April II, 1847 (died Oct. 7, 1891)
Jane, Nov. 23, 1853 (died Sept. 24, 1855).
Richard H. Williams was born April 11,
1847, at Haverstraw. N. Y. He came to Danville when the family settled there, and here
;

his early years

were spent.

manhood he worked
and

Upon

reaching

in the rolling mills there
In 1873 '^^ came to Ber-

at Ilarrisburg.
wick, where he helped to build and start the
He returned to Danville for a
rolling mill.

coming back to Berwick in 1877, and
was engaged in the same occupation until his
time,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
death, which occurred Oct. 7, 1891.
marriage (which took place Feb. 12,

his

1867)

to Hannah Maria Thornton, born in 1845,
who survived until Nov. 14, 191 3, he had

the

children

following-

\\'illiam

Edwin

;

Walter, who died young and is buried in
Harrisburg; Mary, Mrs. F. W. Bush; Gertrude, Mrs. C. C. Paden; and Rozella B., Mrs.
Robert Allen Carse, of Berwick. The father
was a member of the Episcopal Church, the
mother a Presbyterian in religious connection.

1899 became the American Car & Foundry
Company. In 1902 he was transferred from
the mechanical to the steel car department,
being stationed at Detroit, Mich., to learn the
designing of dies. Coming back to Berwick
he was given a place as draftsman in the
steel car department;
in
1905 was made
Assistant Engineer. In 19 13 he was appointed Local Engineer, the position he now
fills.
His duties are varied and responsible,
but he has measured up to them and is ac-

belonged to Susquehanna Commandery,
18, Knights of Malta, and the Knights of
the Golden Eagle, and was associated with
the Democratic party on political issues.
Michael Thornton, the paternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Richard H. Williams, emigrated from England before the Revolution
and settled near V'alley Forge, Pa. After the
war he moved and settled five miles south of
Bloomsburg, where he died. His five children
were as follows
Edward married Ruth Willets; James married Sarah Jackson; Michael
married Rachel Cliffe Nancy married James
Evans Ruth married Samuel Willits.
Michael Thornton, son of Michael, married
Rachel Clifife, and had the following children
Edward married Leah Ernst; Benjamin married Mary Hazlett
Isaiah married Barbara
Ernst Nancy married William Henrie Tamar married Benjamin xA.lward; Hannah married Alem Alarr Peggy did not marry.
Isaiah Thornton, born in 1814, was a business man at Danville, engaged in the shoe
His wife,
trade, and died Dec. 11, i860.
Barbara (Ernst), born in 1816, daughter of
Christian and Elizabeth (Washburn) Ernst,
died in 1885, aged sixty-nine years. They had
children as follows
Leah Ann married
George E. Hunt Mary Margaret married
Will H. Smith Hannah .Maria married Richard H. \\'illiams; Michael Grier married Elizabeth Taylor and (second) Clara Taylor;
Lewis Cass married Caroline Kindt Eva died
young; John Yeomans married Ellen E.
Leahy; Rozella married Deozra Taylor.
William Edwin Williams was born at HarHe obtained his
risburg. Pa., July 29, 1869.
preliminary schooling at Berwick, graduating
from high school under the principalship of
Miss Amelia Armstrong, and later took a
course at Bucknell University.
He took up

History of Sir

the profession of

in 1607.

No.

;

engineer, engaging in
business, and being
elected city engineer of Huntington, \\'.
Va.
Returning to Berwick in 1898, he
worked as draftsman for the Jackson &
civil

a general engineering

Woodin Manufacturing Company, which
58

913

quitting himself creditably. Mr. Williams has
recently been elected to membership in the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
His fraternal connections are with the Ber-

wick Council, No. 1761, Royal Arcanum, and
Lodge No. 246, I. O. O. F., of Berwick. He
is an Episcopalian in religion, a member of
Christ Episcopal Church, which he is serving
as vestryman.
Mr. Williams has done much in the laying
out of lots in the various additions to Berwick,
He laid out the
principally North Berwick.
entire development of the Berwick Land &
Improvement Company, which comprises a
large part of West Berwick.
Mr. Williams married Martha Isabel Wyatt,
of Huntington, W. Va.., Aug. 2;^, 1897, and
they have one son, Wyatt Edwin, born Nov.
19, 1906.

The Wyatt family, to which Mrs. W'illiams
belongs, is of historic Colonial and Revolutionary stock. George Wyatt, father of her
emigrant ancestor, was born in England, a
grandson of Sir Thomas Wyatt, courtier,
statesman and poet, who was born in Kent in
1502 and died Oct. 10, 1542, at Sherborne,

Dorsetshire. He was sent by Henry VIII on
He wrote the
various diplomatic missions.
first English sonnets, and his poems were
printed with Surrey's in 1557.

Sir Thomas Wyatt, "The Younger," was
born about 1520, and was executed at Tower

commanded
Hill, London, April 11, 1554.
at Boulogne, and with the Duke of Suffolk led
the unsuccessful insurrection against Queen
in
]\Iary, and in favor of Lady Jane Grey,
In February, 1554, he led the men
1553-54.
of Kent against London, was captured, and
forfeited his life.
play on the subject by

called "The Famous
Thomas Wyatt," was printed

Webster and Dekker,

George Wyatt, son of Sir Thomas. "The
Younger," was the father of Rev. Haute
Wyatt and of Sir Francis Wyatt (ancestors
of ']^Irs. Williams), the latter bringing the first
Colonial charter to Jamestown, V^a., and under

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

914

its provisions becoming the
the Colony in 162 1. By his

first

governor of
wife, EHza-

Rev. Mr. Wyatt had three children,
Thomas, George and Edward. His second
wife, Ann, was the mother of two children,
Anna and John.
John Wyatt, grandson of Rev. Haute
beth,

Wyatt, born in 1684 in Gloucester county,
Va., married Jennie Pamplin in 171 1, and had
William, born
nine children by this union
in 1713, who married Elizabeth Eggleston
married
John, who died young; Ann, who
John Starke; Richard, of the direct line to
:

;

Mrs. Williams;

Henry

Gilbert;

Mary, who married Capt.
Thomas; Henry; Lucy, who

married Captain Mills; and John, who married Elizabeth Smith and
(second) Ann
Starke.

Richard Wyatt, son of John, born May 20,
His marriage
1720, died in November, 1803.
to Amy Chiles took place Nov. 17. 1752. and
they had a large family, of which we have
the following record: Mary married William
Peatross; Sarah married Matthew Thompson
and (second) Austin ]\IcGhee; Lucy married
Nancy married Anthony
James Hawkins
New; Joseph died young; Richard (maternal
great-grandfather of ]\lrs. Williams), born
Jan. I, 1762, married Nancy Ware Dec. 8,
1796, and died June 12, 1845, surviving his
wife, who passed away A]:»ril 17, 1838; Walter
;

was united in marriage with Elizabeth IJrame
and (second) a Mrs. Bliss; John married
Lucy Richardson and (second) Mrs. Patsy
Barbara married Overton Harris:
William S. (paternal great-grandfather of
Mrs. Williams) married Polly New and
(second) Susan Minor.
W^illiam S. Wyatt. born Aug. 2, 1775, died
Jan. 24, 1839. By his first marriage, Nov. 12,
180T, to Polly, born Oct. 27, 1779, daughter
of Col. Anthony and Mary (Anderson) New,
he had two children
W^illiam Richard Baynham, mentioned below; and \'irginia, wife of
Hugh Chandler. On Nov. 11, 1813, Mr.
Wyatt married (second) Susan Minor, by
whom he also had two children: John, who
married Emma Doggett, and Elizabeth, who
married John G. Coleman.
William Richard P.aynham WVatt was a
native of Caroline county. \'a.. born Jan. 16,
He' was a
1809, and died May 29. 1878.
justice of the peace and member of the legislature.
His first wife.
Martha Frances
(Scott), whom he married Sept. 5. 1832, was
born Dec. 22, 1814. a daughter of Robert and
Ann (Coleman) Scott, and a granddaughter
of Robert and Hannah
IJrunskill
Scott, who
Harris;

(

)

were from Scotland. She died May 19, 1847.
His second wife was Isabel Adelaide Scott,
born April 12, 1823, died June 30, 1898. Six
children were born of the first union Richard \\'., who married Elizabeth Eubank; Joseph Marion; William, who died young; Mary
\'irginia, deceased when young; Ann Eliza,
who died in 1904; and Thomas Barton, who
married Anna Leake, of North Carolina. By
his second marriage there were three daughters
Virginia, Margaret and Willie.
Richard Wyatt, previously listed with the
children of Richard and Amy (Chiles) Wyatt.
was born Jan. i, 1762, and died June 12, 1845.
;

He served creditably in the kevolutionary
war, leaving school and enlisting at the early
(3n Dec. 8, 1796, he was
age of fourteen.
married to Nancy Ware, daughter of Capt.
John Ware and his wife Ann (Harrison)

Ware. Their children were: Elizabeth, who
married Rev. Robert Wilkinson Anne Harrison, who married Samuel A. Guy; Richard
A\'are. who married Harriet King Harris and
Sarah Chiles, who was the second wife of
Samuel A. Guv.
Richard Ware Wyatt, born Dec. 22, 1806,
;

He was colonel of the
and
prominently identified
\'irginia
with the Whig party of the same State in
On Sept. 19, 1833, ^^ ^^'^s married
politics.
to Harriet K. Harris (born Nov. 16, 181 1,
died ]\Iay 24,

1881.

militia,

died Oct.

1887).

Their children were as follows:
Martha
Ann. who married Theodore H. Woodard;
Richard Overton, who died while in the service as a surgeon in the Confederate army;
James Walter, major in the Confederate army
and killed at the battle of Cold Harbor; Evalina Harris; Alice Elizabeth; Ida May (born
]May I, 1846, died April 29, 1904), wlio married Joseph Clarion Wyatt; Mary Nelson and
Kate Harrison, who married Samuel E. Wilson and (second) Rev. John W. Lea.
Joseph Marion Wyatt, father of Mrs. Williams, was born April 24, 1838, and died Aug.
He went to Emory and Henry Col20, 1 891.
lege, in his native State, after which he settled
:

For a number of years

Caroline county.

he was agent at Huntington, W. \'a., for the
Adams Express Comjiany. His religious conHe
nection was with the Episcopal Church.
was a Democrat, and a member of the Knights
of Honor. He served during the entire period
of the Civil war, 1861-1865, in Company E,
30th Regiment, X'irginia Infantry, which was
attached to Pickett's division.
1870, ]\Ir. W^yatt married Ida

who was born May

On March 9,
May Wyatt.

1846, and died

.\]iril

ly^

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
1904. They are buried at Huntington, W. Va.
Four children were born to them: Harriet
James, wife of Henry St. C. Washington;
Martha Isabel, Mrs. William Edwin Williams;
Ida Marion and William Richard.
;

FOUST, general agent at DanReading Railroad Company, in

PFIILIP H.
for the

ville

whose employ he has been for the last forty
was born at Danville. Montour Co., Pa.,

years,

March

1858, son of Philip A. Foust.
Foust, his grandfather, was born in
Berks county. Pa. He emigrated thence to
i,

Philij)

Northumberland county. Pa., and his homestead there, known as Foustown, is included
in the site of the j'jresent city of Milton.
Philip A. Foust, son of Philip Foust, was
born in Berks county, Pa., and died in 1905,
aged seventy-six years. During his boyhood
he worked on his father's farm in the vicinity
of Milton.
Coming to Danville he became a
driver for the brewery operated by Charles
Matchin, now the property of the Germania
Brewing Company, and later Mr. Foust bought
out his employer and managed the brewery
himself until he sold it. In 1858 he built a
hotel

and

opposite the Reading railroad station,
connection therewith also erected a

small brewery adjoining, and continued to
operate the latter until his death, although he
retired from the hotel business in 1900.
Philip A. Foust married Mary A. Strausser,

who was born

in Columbia county. Pa., daughof H. Strausser, and granddaughter of
John Strausser. Mr. and Mrs. Foust became
the parents of the following children H. L.,
who is a resident of Danville, Pa. Emma,
who married F. Heller, of Danville Conley
W., of Danville; Heister, of Danville; Alice;
Curry W., of Danville; Clara, who is the wife
of W^ Godfrey Elizabeth, who is the wife of
John Buckley, of Danville and Philip H.
Philip PI. Foust when only fourteen years
old began learning telegraphy, and as soon as
competent took a position with the Reading

ter

;

Railroad Company, entering its service in 1874.
In 1879 lie was promoted to clerk and day
operator, and held that position until October,
1890, when he was made a general agent, and
has since been retained in that capacity, being

now

the oldest employee of the company in this
section. He is certainly one of the most faith-

and competent.
In 1880 Mr. Foust

ful

was united in marriage
with Marjory V. Fields, who was born at
Danville in July, 1861, a daughter of John L.
and Cecilia (Devers) Fields, the former in
the employ of the rolling mills at Danville,

915

Mrs. Fields died in February, 191 1.
Mr.
and Mrs. Foust are the parents of the following children: Stella May married Frank E.
Kear, who is a foreman in the Danville silk
mills

;

Philip G.,

who

his father;

Grace C.

was reared

in the faith

a stenographer,

with

home. Mr. Foust
of the Lutheran Church,

belongs to the blue lodge, F. & A. M., of
Danville, the Improved Order of Heptasophs
and the P. & R. Railway Veteran Association.
Having been connected with the Reading road
all of his business life, Mr. Foust is naturally
very much attached to its interests, and has
reason to feel satisfied with his efforts, for he
knows he has worked conscientiously and that
his work has been appreciated not only by his
employers, but by the traveling public as well,

WILLIAM
at

the

F. P.

Danville

CHILDS,

Structural

chief engineer

Tubing Works,
13, 1852, in Dan-

Danville, Pa., was born ]\Iay
son of Charles W. ancl Mary E. (Super)
Childs.
The Childs family is one of the oldest in

ville,

Danville, and was founded in Pennsylvania
by the paternal grandfather of William F. P.

who served as a Continental soldier
during the war of the Revolution, first volunteering for service and later being drafted,
Charles W. Childs, father of William F. P.
Childs, was born at Frosty A^alley, in Cooper
township, Montour county. As a young man
he came to Danville, where for more than
thirty-five years he was a clerk in the WaterChilds,

man & Beaver Company

store,

subsequently

becoming a boss in the rolling mills of that
company. His death occurred at the age of
seventy-five years. He was reared in the faith
of the Lutheran Church, and was highly
esteemed by his fellow-citizens, who elected
him to the office of constable. Mr. Childs
married Mary E. Super, who was born in
New Jersey and accompanied her father,,
Andrew Super, a farmer, to Snyder county,^
Four children were born to this union :
Pa.
William F. P. Mary E., whose home is at
Harrisburg. Pa.; Anna, who is the wife of
Harvey Buck, of Harrisburg; and Charles N.,.
;

who

resides at Danville.

William F. P. Childs. son of Charles
received

public school education,,
following which he spent three years in a brickyard and sixteen years at railroad work in
Danville.
Subsequently he passed two years
in working on the canal, but returned to railChilds.

roading, in which he continued to be engaged
That year he became connected
1902.
with the Structural Tubing Works as engineer.
until

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

916

and has

fearing man.

when he was

since risen to the position of chief.
a steady, industrious and thoroughly
competent man, and has the full confidence of
his employers and the respect of his men.
In 1885 Mr. Childs was married to
E. Ross, who was born in her present home in
Danville, which was erected more than one
is

Emma

hundred years ago, daughter of John and Lydia
(Lauteschlager) Ross, the former of whom
was born in Northumberland county and spent
his life in rafting on the river and in the canal
service in his latter days he engaged in butchering and fishing. There were seven children
in the Ross family, namely
Frank P. Mar;

;

garet M., wife of Joseph Geringer; ]\Iary E.,
who married Peter Schutt, of ]\Iilton, Pa.
Emma E., who married Mr. Childs John, Jr.
IMartha, who is a widow and George WashMr. and Mrs. Childs have had no
ington.
children.
They attend the Pine Street Lutheran Church, and their lives have been such
as to win the respect and esteem of all with
whom they have come into contact. Mr. Childs
is a member of
Mahoning Tribe, No. 'j'j Improved Order of Red ]\Ien.
;

;

B. W. JAMES, general merchant and
farmer of Mooresburg, Montour Co., Pa., was
born at Danville, same county. June 6, 1855,
son of Joseph and Mary Ann (Watkins)
James.
John James, the paternal grandfather of
B. W. James, was a native of England, and
came to the United States about the time of
the closing of the war of 1812-14.
He married Sarah White, and in their later years they
returned to their native land, where he died
his wife came back to Danville, where she
passed away.
Joseph James, father of B. W. James, was
a Londoner, and was seven years of age when
he accompanied his parents to America.
Reared to habits of industry, he developed
into a sturdy, energetic man,
capable of handling the problems which his business brought
before him, evidence of which is shown in the
rock tunneling work for which he contracted
all
through Montour county and which still
;

stands as a

monument

to his skill.

He was

hard-headed business man, but did not
foresee the great development that was to be
made in this section, and at one time refused
an offer to purchase for a small sum the
property that is now included between Mill and
Canal streets, in Danville. He alwavs held
the respect of his fellow citizens and those
who were associated in business with him.
and died as he had lived— an honest. Godplain,

His death occurred

1872,

Mr.
James married Alary Ann Watkins, who was
born in England, and she died in 1910, when
eighty-two years of age. She was the daughter
of Jennings and Mary (Smart) Watkins, who
came to Williamsport, Pa., from their native
Britain, and here spent the remainder of their
lives.
Of the children of Joseph and Alary

Ann

sixty-five

years of age.

four are living: B. W^
Airs.
Alary Ann, the wife of C. D.
Lerch; and Grace, wife of Edward Leopold.
B. W. James, son of Joseph James, received

James,

;

Alyrtle Askins

;

a common school education, and for some
years was engaged in the vocation followed
by his father. He eventually embarked in the
general merchandise business at Alooresburg,
and still follows that occupation, although he
also devotes some of his time and attention to
farming. He has made a success of his ventures and

progressive

classed among the substantial,
of his community.
stal-

men

wart Republican in political matters, he ser\^ed
as postmaster of Alooresburg from 1888 until
W^ith his family he attends the Grove
1906.
Presbyterian Church at Danville.
Mr. James was married to Elizabeth
Edwards, who was born in England July 29,
1864. and was brought to this country when
three years of age by her parents. David and
Sarah (Hopkins) Edwards.
Five children
have been born to Air. and Airs. James:
Joseph W. married Rebecca Ritter. and has
three children, Lyman, Florence and Joseph
Orville; Bartholomew J., who resides in Sunbury, married Ursula Bitler. daughter of Dr.
Benjamin E. Bitler, of Pottsgrove, Pa. David,
who married Emma Lose, lives at Sunbury,
Pa. John and Chester are both at home.
;

;

NICHOLAS HAYDEN. who

numbered

the highly esteemed residents of Danville, Pa., was born in the borough, and is a
son of John and Alargaret (Ouinlan) Hayden.
Nicholas
Hayden, the grandfather of

among

Nicholas Hayden, was born at Ballyhane. in
parish of Aflfane, County Waterford.
Ireland, was educated in the parish school, and
as a youth learned the trade of carpenter,
which he followed until within a few years of
his death.
He married Bridget Alahoncy. and
they became the parents of the following children: John, the father of Nicholas; Alichael.
deceased, who married Catherine AlcCaffery,
the

New York

and lived

Catherine,

who married John

City
James and
jjrown. of New
York City, and had a family of twelve children. Nicholas Havden married for his second
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

917

wife Catherine Burns, and they had one daughAlary, who was educated in the schools of

which occurred
a Democrat in

DubHn, Ireland, and

Joseph's Catholic
known and highly respected., He was buried
in St. Joseph's cemetery.
Airs.
Alargaret (Ouinlan) Hayden, the
mother of Nicholas Hayden, was born at Ballyhane, County Water ford, Ireland, Alarch 17,
1829, daughter of Edward Quinlan, who was
born at the same place. He was a farmer by
vocation, continuing as a tiller of the soil all
of his life, was a member of the Roman Catholic Church at Ballyhane, and is buried
by the
side of his wife at Afifane.
Edward Quinlan

ter,

lived to reach

advanced

Mr. Hayden and his two wives were
years.
laid to rest in the cemetery of the parish of
All were consistent members of the
Afifane.

Roman

Catholic Church.

John Hayden, the father of Nicholas Hayden, was born Dec. 6, 1824, at Ballyhane, and
secured an ordinary educational training in
Like thousands of others
the parish school.
of his countrymen, he decided that more liberal opportunities awaited him in the land
across the waters, and accordingly, as a young
man, came to the United States, whither his
brother Michael had preceded him and had
secured employment as bookkeeper for a dry
Air. Hayden went at once
goods concern.

from Castle Garden

to the place of his brother's

employment, secured a horse and dray, and
was given the contract to do all the hauling
for the dry goods house, work at which he

continued until after his marriage. He then
went to New Brighton, Staten Island, for a
short period, but returned to New York City,
and not long afterward moved to Danville,
Pa., traveling by rail to Pottsville and completing the journey by stage line. He arrived
at the old "Cross Keys Hotel," and found
Mr. Hayden
Danville a straggling village.
secured employment in the iron mills of Grove
Later he w-as
Brothers, as a heater helper.
given the position of "lighter up," his duties
being to light the furnaces, and continued in
the same mills under the successive ownerships of Waterman & Beaver and the Reading
Iron Company. Mr. Hayden's first residence

was at No. 6 Alill street, in one of
Grove Brothers' houses, where he remained
a short time, and then moved to the present
home of his widow and son Nicholas, at the
corner of Bloom and Church streets, in his
time known as "Hayden's corner." Prior to
the Civil war and for some time thereafter Mr.
in Danville

He was

December, 1893.

member of St.
Church, and a man widely

politics,

married Alary Jacobs, and they became the
parents of the following children: Alichael,
who came to this country in young manhood
and traveled extensively in the iron districts,
working as a puddler, married Lydia Treas,
and both are deceased, his death occurring in
New Jersey; Joanna was the wife of John
Alorrisey, of East Walpole, Mass. (both are
now deceased), and had four children, Patrick

Thomas, Edward, all living at Canton,
Mass., and Alargaret (deceased)
Alargaret
was the mother of Nicholas Hayden; Patrick

J.,

;

emigrated to America and was last heard from
in Covington, Ky.
Ellen, who never came
to America, married Alichael Hogan (both
are deceased), and had two children John
and Ellen, both living in New York City;
James, employed with his sons at the railroad
;

—

terminal of the Dungarvan &: Cappoquin railroad, at Waterford City, Ireland, married
Alary Cullen, and has five children, Edward,
Alichael, John, Alargaret and Joanna Edward
;

Ireland, where his widow still
lives, at Ballyhane. their children being Alinnie
York City), Ella and Joanna
(living in
(both living in Afifane), Edward, Alichael and
John (all three deceased), and Alary (who

remained

New

married John Brown, and lives in Chicago).
John Brown, husband of Alary Quinlan, came
from the old parish of Ring, in Dungarvan,
County W^aterford, Ireland. He and his wife
Alary had three children, one son a priest, the
other a conductor and the daughter a

Hayden conducted a tavern in the building
Nicholas Hayden now resides in, this being
known as the "Union House." The patronage of this hotel was drawn principally from stenographer.
Airs. Hayden was a young girl when she
among the English, Scotch, Welsh, Irish and
German people who lived in that section, for emigrated to the United States, taking passage
the greater part skilled men who had been on a ship of the Black Ball line and after a
The ore rough voyage of eight weeks reaching Castle
imported for work in the mills.
teams coming from Pursel's Slope also stopped Garden, where Air. Hayden awaited her. They
refreshment. After conducting the hotel for some years Air. Hayden
disposed of his interest therein and returned
to the mill, in which he continued to be employed until a few years before his death.
at this hostelry for

were immediately married. In Danville Airs.
Hayden, with a number of other villagers,
came up to what is now Bloom street crossing
to see the first wood-burning locomotive that
passed through Danville, owned by the old

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

918

Catawissa Railroad Company, now the PhilaShe has been living at
delphia & Reading.
her present address for more than fifty years
and has seen wonderful changes take place in
this thriving borough.
Widely known, she
has a host of friends, attracted to her by her
many excellencies of mind and heart. In her
younger days she was very popular as a jig
•dancer and much sought after, being a great
favorite at all the Irish picnics held in those

road Company, doing clerical work in the
various departments of the general office.
Going out to Seattle, Wash., he became gen-

an expert needlewoman,
on the grounds now occu-

dependent, relying upon his own 'judgment in
the selection of candidates, and at all times
has shown a desire to aid his community, in
various ways. He is a member of St. Joseph's
Catholic Church.
His wide circle of friends

She was

times.

and

also

at a fair held

Joseph's Catholic Church won a
for having made the finest quilt on
exhibition, a "Star of the West" pattern quilt.
She and her husband were the parents of six
children, as follows: Nicholas; ]\Iary Ann,
who died young; James, who married Sophia
Beyer, of St. Paul, Minn. Catherine Annie,

pied by

St.

premium

;

who married Emile John Le Due; and Margaret, who died in 1881, at the age of about
twelve years.
Nicholas Hayden secured his education in
the old Third ward schoolhouse in Danville,
'of

which Mr. Mervine was principal, and

Professor Kelso's private school, which he
attended for several terms. His first employment, while still a schoolboy, was at cleaning
bricks, when the Grove Presbyterian church
was being torn down, and subsequently he was
at general work in the mills of WaterBeaver. Mr. Hayden made a trip to
Baltimore with Charles Alottern. on the Pennsylvania canal, on the boat "Wilderness,"

engaged

man &

Samuel Stahl being the boatman. But boating did not appeal to him and he later secured
a position with the National Iron Company,
at the old

short

Cock Robin

time.

mill, piling iron for a
Following this Mr. Hayden

hooked up the three high rolls in the National
Iron Works for George Rowe, after which he
was employed by the Glendower Iron Company, dragging out six-inch iron with Wesley
Hollobaugh and C. P. Harder, also running the
buggy for a short time in the same mill. Then
he left Danville for the West, going to St.
Paul, Minn., where he became engaged in
theatrical work, for some time as a variety
performer, and later as a member of the
Thurston Stock Company, with which he
spent a couple of years on the road. He then
found a position wnth the St. Paul
Sioux
tl-

City

Railroad

duties

Company

as car sealer, his
the numbers and

including taking
of cars.
While holding this position
he took a course in the St. Paul Business College, and when he changed entered the employ
of the Stillwater, Taylor Falls & Western Rail-

eral agent for the Portland, Seattle

Sound

Railroad

Company.

Puget

After

twentyseven years spent in railroading, in various
capacities, ]\Ir. Hayden returned to Danville
on April i(S, 1906, and since that time has led
a retired life. He is a Republican on national
issues, but in local affairs is inclined to be in-

testifies to his

general popularity.

James Hayden, brother of Nicholas Hayden,
was educated in the Third ward school, and
when a young man became a section hand on
the Catawissa railroad, being subsequently employed in the same capacity on the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western. He then secured a
position in the rail mill of Waterman & Beaver,
his first work being the charging of the furPie was later emnaces, with John Dennen.

ployed as heater helper, and his faithful and
work gained him promotion to heater.
Mr. Hayden continued to work at the mill for
some time after learning the trade. Going
then to Pittsliurgh. he secured a position as
heater in the Pittslmrgh Rolling Mills, where
he remained one year, and when he left that
plant went to St. Paul. Minn., and became
checker in the railroad warehouse of the
Minneapolis &: St. Louis Railroad Company.
Eventually he entered the detective service of

efficient

that line

and rose

to the j^osition of inspector.

Ilayden was married to Sophia Beyer,
and they have become the parents of the folElizalieth. a milliner and
lowing children
dressmaker, who plays the pipe organ at St.
]^Iary's Roman Catholic Church, St. Paul,
Minn.
Margaret, a stenographer, who has
"Sir.

;

talent as a violinist; John, who died at
the age of twenty-eight years, a machinist by
trade, and a talented musician, playing cornet

much

l)eing the leader of the Ancient Order of
Hi1)ernians band and Hilliard's orchestra; and
Mr. Hayden is
twins who died in infancy.
in
his
views.
He is a
political
independent
member of the Ancient Order of Hiliernians
at St. Paul, and he and Mrs. Hayden are consistent members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic
Church of that city.

and

initials

DAMS

L. GUEST selected for his occupaone of the oldest and most useful trades,
that of carpenter, and by putting into his work
tion

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
energy and initiative of which he was
capable has reached the topmost round of suc-

all the

He was born Aug. 20, 1843, ""^ East
Nantmeal township, Chester Co., Pa., son of
John Guest, also a native of that county.
John Guest was educated in the schools of
East Nantmeal township, and served an apprenticeship to the trade of stonemason, which
he followed up to within five years of his
He retired in 1892 and thereafter redeath.
sided with his son-in-law, John Loomis, in
Uwchlan township, Chester county. While
\'isiting his son, James L. Guest, at Downingcess.

ton, Pa., in 1897, he passed

away at the age of
eighty-one years. He and his wife, who died
at the age of seventy-six, are buried in the
graveyard of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church,
in West Vincent township, Chester county.
Mr. Guest was an attendant of the Baptist
Church. He was a Republican, and held the
office of supervisor of Nantmeal township.
He married Matilda, daughter of James
Leighton, and their children were: Elmira,
wife of Thomas Phillips, died in 1875; Elizabeth became the wife of John Hufty, and both
are deceased Davis Leighton is mentioned below George died in Salisbury prison during
the Civil war; Eugene married Annie Biery,
;

;

of Nantmeal township Catherine, deceased,
was the wife of John Loomis, of Uwchlan
township John married Ida Dunlap and lives
in Pottstown
Heber died unmarried at the
age of thirty James Leighton married Ada
;

;

Park and

resides in Philadelphia.

Davis L. Guest was educated in the Squatt
schoolhouse in East Nantmeal township, and
after the completion of his term served an apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter with

Samuel Dillingham.
He then worked as
journeyman until 1871, after which he came to
Danville and clerked in the general store of A.
J.

Ammerman

for four years.

Returning

his trade after leaving the store, in April, 1912,
he was appointed carpenter at the State Hos-

Insane at Danville, a position
which he holds at the present time. Mr. Guest
is a Democrat and has served one term as
school director, from the Second ward. He is
a member of the Carpenters' Union, No. 928,
and attends St. Paul's Methodist Church.
On Nov. 30, 1869, Mr. Guest married Elizapital

beth,

for the

daughter

(Bailey)

Bernard

Ammerman, and

and

Hannah

they have had

chil-

dren as follows
Morris B. married Leona
Corbin and lives in Wabash, Ind. they have
one child, Martha Elizabeth. Claude O. married Viola Henry and lives in Philadelphia
they have one child, Dorothy Lois. Alice J. is
:

919

mentioned below.

Matilda Irene died at the
age of four years, eight months.
Alice J. Guest attended public school in Dan-

and

in 1897 graduated from the
high
For two years thereafter she taught
in the township schools, then
entering the
Bloomsburg State normal school to continue
her education. She has taught seven years in
the third grade and four years in the fourth
grade of the Second ward school, and also in
the First ward school, now teaching fifth and
ville

school.

sixth grades in the latter.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Ammerman) Guest, wife
of Davis L. Guest, was born April 7, 1846,
in Fishing Creek township, Columljia
county,
and attended the Lazarus school, completing

her education in Orangeville Seminary.
She
taught school in her native township and then
in Chester county for a few years.
Her wedding occurred at Light Street, Columbia
county. She is a member of St. Paul's Metho-

Church at Danville.
Bernard Ammerman, father of Mrs. Guest,
was born in 1803 in Schuylkill county. Pa,
where he received his schooling. After his
marriage, in 1828, he moved to Fishing Creek
township, later coming to Danville for a few
years. Returning to Fishing Creek township,
he opened a general store, also keeping the
dist

postoffice.
Finally he sold
his son James, who also ran

out the store to
for some years,

to Orangeville.
Mr. Amunited in marriage to Hannah
Mr. Bailey
Bailey, daughter of John Bailey.
was born in 1801 in Schuylkill county and died
in Lightstreet at the age of seventy-five years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ammerman were born the
Jackson, deceased, marfollowing children
ried Catherine Miller, of Berwick Sarah Jane
married Benjamin Hagenbuch, and both are
deceased; John B., deceased, married Anna
Robinson, of Lightstreet; Mary, deceased,
married Frank Kelly, of Shickshinny, Luzerne Co., Pa. Martha died unmarried James
married Jennie Irvin, of Orangeville ElizaMr.
beth, Mrs. Guest, is mentioned above.
Ammerman died in Bloomsburg at the age of
He and his wife are buried at
eighty-two.

sold out

and moved

merman was

;

Both were
Columbia county.
the Asbury ^lethodist Church.
Mr. Ammerman was a Democrat, very active
in the affairs of his party, and served for a
Lightstreet,
of

members

number of years as school director of Fishingcreek township.

;

WILLIAM

DEUTSCH,

puddler at the
born

Reading Rolling Mills, at Danville, was
in August, 1865, in that borough, son of

John

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

920

Jacob and Catherine (Haney) Deutsch. The
paternal grandfather of Mr. Deutsch was a
native of Germany, and a ropemaker by trade.
He died in his native Fatherland when still

prime of life.
John Jacob Deutsch, father of William L.
Deutsch, was born in Baden, Germany, and
in the

being but nine years old when his father died
was at that time put out among strangers. As
a lad he learned the trade ,of cloth weaver,
but on coming to the United States he took up
the vocation of puddler at the rolling mills in
Danville, and was so engaged at the time of his
He married Catherine Haney, who
death.

Baden, Germany, daughter of
and Catherine Haney.
They
walked from Pottsville to Danville prior to
the advent of the railroads, and Mr. Haney
eventually settled in Valley township, where

was born

Odd Fellowship, being a past grand of
Myrtle Lodge, No. 858, a member of Mnemoloton Encampment, No. 40, and captain of his
canton. He was appointed to complete an unexpired term in the borough council, where he
inent in

was instrumental

in securing the transfer of
the old cemetery to the park on Bloom street
known as Memorial Park, and for this and
other valued service won the election to the
council some time later.
He has always evidenced a commendable interest in all that has
aii'ected the borough's welfare, and withholds
hi? support from no movement which he believes will aid the causes of education, prog-

he spent the rest of his life in farming. Eleven
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Deutsch,

John Jacob, who
lives in Wickes, Mont.; William L.
Mary,
who is the wife of Peter Farley of Bloomsburg; Anna, who is the wife of William Atcn
of Danville; and Martha, wife of Ed. Aten,
of

whom

five are

now

living

;

of Danville.

William L. Deutsch, son of John Jacob
Deutsch, attended public school at Danville
until he was thirteen years of age, at which
time he started to work in the Waterman &
Beaver mills. At the same time he became
connected with the Citizens' band, a musical
organization in which he played the clarinet,
and later identified himself with Stoes' band,
of which he was a member for eighteen years.
He has continued to be employed in the mills,
and at the present time is puddler at the Reading Rolling Mills, his expert knowledge of his
vocation and his long and varied experience
making him a trusted hand.
In 1894 Mr. Deutsch was married to ^Mary
E. Bausch, who was born in 1871 at Danville,
a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Tenner)
Bausch, the former one of the founders of
the Germania Brewery, at Danville, and the
Airs.
latter still a resident of that borough.
Deutsch's paternal grandfather was a blacksmith by trade, and in the old-fashioned manner of shrinking by hand manufactured the
tires for the locomotives of the Reading Company in Danville. Three children have been

born to Mr. and Mrs. Deutsch

who
who

John Tenner,

attending the State College Eleanor,
is a high school student; and William
Harold, a pupil in the graded schools.
Mr. Deutsch was reared in St. John's German Lutheran Church. He has been promis

;

and good

ress

Frederick

citizenship.

LESLIE ELLSWORTH HESS,

a well
responsible citizen of Berwick, connected in a leading capacity with one of the
city's large industries, was born on his father's

known and

farm in Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa.,
Dec. 29, 1869, son of John Isaiah and Almira
(Everard) Hess.
John Isaiah Hess when a young man learned
the trade of butcher, becoming the proprietor
of an establishment in Luzerne county, in connection with which he conducted the "Beach
Haven Hotel" for twelve years. He was also
successful as an agriculturist, having owned
a farm of ninety acres in Salem township, Luzerne county, and although he died at the
early age of forty-two years, in 1889, accumulated a handsome property. He was a man of
substance and worth, conducted his business
afifairs with ability and good judgment, and

some prominence in his locality, being
frequently elected to positions of trust and re-

attained

sponsibility.

Democrat

in politics,

he was

elected to the offices of justice of the peace
and school director, and at all times gave evidence of conscientious devotion to the duties
of his positions. Religiously Mr. Hess was a
Methodist. His fraternal connection was with

Berwick Lodge, No. 246, Independent Order
Odd Fellows. He married Almira Everard,
daughter of Lewis H. Everard and granddaughter of William Everard, who came from
West Haddon, England, and located at a point
in Hollenback township, Luzerne county, being
the only Englishman there.
Airs. Hess died
in April, 1914, and was laid to rest at the side
of her husband in Beach Haven cemetery.
They were the parents of the following children
Florence Everard, deceased, who married H. E. Cain, and is buried in Beach Haven
Louise Everard Charles Robert, who died in
youth and was buried in Beach Haven cemetery and Leslie Ellsworth.
of

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
The public schools of Beach Haven, Pa.,
furnished Leslie E. Hess with his early edu-

which was supplemented by

cational training,

an electrical and

course in Wyoming
Seminary, which he attended for two terms.
In the meantime he took also a commercial

is senior
a popular

921

warden and treasurer. Mr. Hess
of Bergen Lodge, No. 47,

member

A. M., of Jersey City,

New

Jersey.

scientific

PETER
Danville,

ADAMS,

now

a venerable citizen of

living retired, came to
his parents in boyhood.

this

course, and was graduated in 1889. Ele still
further fitted himself for the battle of life with
a course in telegraphy, securing a good, practical training with the Delaware, Lackawanna

borough with
The
family were among the oldest settlers in the
His grandfather, John Adams,
county.

& Western

Robert Adams, father of Peter J. Adams,
was born June 17, 1803, and died in
April,
A shoemaker by calling, he followed
1890.

promoted

Railroad Company, and then was

to the position of chief clerk to the

agent at Kingston, in which capacity he acted
for six months. Air. W. F. Halstead, general
manager of the railroad, next sent him to New

York

as ticket agent at Christopher street and
the North river, but after nine months he resigned to accept a position with the American
Steamship Line, with which he was associated
for ten years, being with that concern when
the International Navigation Company and
the International Mercantile Marine Company

were formed. He left Jan. 21, 1903, at which
time he became connected with the American
Car & Foundry Company, at Berwick, as chief
timekeeper in the steel department under John
Heavener, superintendent. In August, 1903,
John R. Searles was made superintendent and
Mr. Hess was appointed chief clerk to the
superintendent in 1905, being promoted to the
of assistant superintendent of the steel
car department, and in 1908 to superintendent
of that department, which position he still reoffice

Mr. Hess has won promotion through
honest efforts and abilities, and is
accounted one of his company's most valued
men.
Mr. Hess was married to Jennie F. Conover,
daughter of Lewis H. and Martha (Opdyke)
Conover, of Beach Haven, Luzerne Co., Pa.,
June 18, 1896, and to this union there have
come five children, namely: Ruth C, born
March 26, 1897; Dorothy Jennette, Aug. 12,
1898; Helen M., Sept. 13, 1904; Mary Eloise,
Feb. 12, 1906; and Fanny E., Oct. 12, 1910.
Mr. Hess is a Republican in his political
views and has held important positions of
public trust since coming to Berwick, at the
present time being a school director and president of the board of education. He is president of the local Young Men's Christian Association and has had much to do with its success here.
His business interests are important, including a directorship in the Berwick
Savings & Trust Company and the secretaryship of the People's Street Railway Company,
of Nanticoke and Newport. With his family
he attends Christ Episcopal Church, of which
tains.

his

own

followed the

tailor's trade.

his trade at different locations in
Pennsylvania
he located in Danville, where he built the

until

house now occupied by his son Peter and his
Plis wife, Hester (Jodun), was of
French extraction.
She was born Oct. 22,
1795, and died Jan. 8, 1853, the mother of five
children, viz.: Peter J., born June i, 1825;
Martha, July 10, 1827; Rachel, July 13, 1829;
John, Nov. 8, 1831
Robert, May 22, 1838
(he was a trustee of the M. E. Church). None
of this family married except Peter. Mr. and
Mrs. Robert Adams were members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church at Danville. They
are buried in Fairview cemetery.
Peter J. Adams was born June i, 1825, at
daughters.

;

Milton, Pa. He learned the trade of printer,
but in his long and active career was employed
principally in the iron mills and furnaces at
Danville as machinist. His reliable work and
good character won him promotion to the
position of foreman at the Reading Iron
Works, which he held for many years. He
has the record for long service with one concern in Danville, having been engaged at the
Reading Iron Works, doing furnace and mill
work, for a period of sixty years, until his
retirement in 1906. Mr. Adams is no\V (1914)
eighty-nine years old. He has always been a
domestic man and has taken no interest in

lodges and similar organizations.
have long been associated with
Presbyterian Church.
yir.

The family
the

Grove

Adams married Anne Lundy, who was

a native of Danville, born in 183 1, daughter
of John and Mercy (Morrison) Lundy. Her
father,

who came

here from Williamsport

the very early days, was a merchant tailor in
Danville.
]\Irs. Adams died in 1905 at the
age of seventy-four years, and is buried in
Fairview cemetery. She was the mother of
four children: Jenny L., born in December,

1862; Hester G., born Dec. 31, 1866, and
Frances M., born in December, 1870, all of
whom live at home; and Nellie, born Jan. 16,
1874, who died when sixteen years old. Miss

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

922
Frances M.

Adams was

formerly employed

The
the library at Danville for two years.
home which Mr. Adams and his family occupy
was one of the first modern houses erected in
Danville. All the members of this family are
highly esteemed by friends in the borough.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SMITHERS,

who

born

now

living retired at Danville, Pa.,

was

Lewistown, Mifflin Co., Pa., Feb. 7,
1832, son of James and Elizabeth (Wood)
at

Smithers.

James

is the wife of Philip Bruder, of St.
Louis,
Mo., and has five children, Benjamin F., William R., Hazel M., Earl T. and Edward E.
The members of this family are connected
with the Episcopal Church and have taken an
active interest in its work.
In closing this brief review of the career of
one of Danville's greatly respected citizens,
we are allowed to copy an article which was
published in a local newspaper, pertaining to
an exceedingly interesting event which occurred in Mr. Smithers's life
:

Smithers,

father

Benjamin

Smithers, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and
spent his entire life in carpenter work and boatbuilding, his death occurring in 1863, when
he was sixty-three years of age. He married
Elizabeth Wood, who was born in Baltimore,
Md., and she died in 1876, at the age of seventy-two years. Of their eleven children, all
are now deceased with the exception of Benjamin F. and one sister, Amelia, who is a widow.
Benjamin Franklin Smithers, son of James
Smithers, received but few educational advantages in his youth, the greater part of his training being secured in the school of hard work.
As a small lad he worked on farms and did
whatever other honorable labor came to hand,
and at the age of ten years began to learn the
trade of blacksmith, which he continued to
follow until his retirement from active pursuits. He has been a resident of Danville since
1859, and during this period has formed a wide
acquaintance, in which he numbers a large
group of sincere friends. On June 20, 1863.
he enlisted for ninety days in Companv F, 28th
Regiment, Pennsylvania X'oluntcer Infantry,
on July 27, 1863, reenlisting for three years,
with Company C, an independent battery of
He received his honorable dislight artillery.

charge June 30, 1865, at Pittsburgh. He was
a brave and gallant soldier, and at all times
so conducted himself as to win the admiration
of his comrades and the respect of his officers.
Mr. Smithers was married to Mrs. Sarah
(Hill) Layland, widow of J. Layland, and
daughter of Fred and Jane (Hamilton) Hill.
She was born Feb. 25, 1825, in Lycoming
county, Pa., and by her first marriage had two
sons, Hiram and Augustus, who were both
killed while serving in the I'nion army during
the Civil war.
Mrs. Smithers died Jan. 22,
1908. She and Mr. Smithers were the parents
of two children

James J., of Oil City, Pa.,
Bogart, and had three children, Benjamin F., William R. and Hazel ^I.
Elizabeth Ellen married William Cann, of Carbon county, Pa., and had one daughter, Clara,
married

who

Amanda

;

a limited circle the fact is not generally known that Danville has among its citizens one who was the very last to lay his eye

"Beyond

upon

Wilkes Booth before he committed

the foul murder that robbed our nation of one
of its greatest presidents.
Indeed, to show
how intimately the Danville man was brought
into relation with Booth, it should be explained
that the former drank at the latter's expense
just as the assassin was stealthily making his
way into Ford's Theater to fire the shot that
was to echo round the world.

"The Danville man who met with the above
adventure is I'>enjamin F. Smithers, Grand
street, an aged veteran of the Civil war, who

March 17, 1864, enlisted in Capt. J. Thompson's Comi)any (C), Light Artillery.
During
the spring of 1865, Capt. Thompson's com-

mand was stationed at Camp Barry, Washington, D. C, about half a mile from the Capitol.
was during the night of

.Vpril 14, 1865, that
assassinated while attending a performance at Ford's Theatre,
Washington. On the evening of that day it
appears several soldiers of Capt. Thompson's
It

Abraham Lincoln was

command, our townsman, Mr. Smithers, being
among them, strolled away from camp over
into the city.
In the basement under Ford's
Theatre was a famous restaurant and thither
tlie

young

soldiers directed their steps.

"What occurred
tinctly recalls as

there Mr. Smithers as disit took place only a

though

few days ago. The soldiers, along with some
were standing along the side of the bar

others,

pleasant time among themselves,
of a sudden the door ficw oi)on and
in stepped a well-dressed and dignified-looking
man. He swept the room with his eyes and
then, stepping up to the bar, he threw down a
bill, the denomination of which Mr. Smithers
does not know.
"
'Give the boys a drink,' he said, and without taking one himself or even waiting for his
change he stepped to the rear end of the room
and disappeared through a door there, leading
to the theatre above.
At that moment little

having

when

all

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
was thought of the incident. As was natural,
the man being an actor, he was known to some
of those in the room.
"Scarcely had the men swallowed the drink
that, had been paid for by Booth, when the
news flashed through the restaurant that Lincoln had been shot. It was then realized that
the assassin had passed through the restaurant
for the purpose of gaining entrance to the
theatre at a point that would the better enable
him to reach the President's box unobserved.
'Setting them up for the boys' was probably
only a little play to disarm suspicion.
"Realizing that they would be needed, the

923

married Elizabeth Lerch, who passed away

when

fifty-four years of age.
Felix P. Wertman, son of Jacob Wertman,
received a liberal common school education,
following which he learned the carpenter's
trade, in which calling he was engaged for
nearly twenty years. In 1893 he came to An-

thony township, Montour county, and purchased the property on which he now resides,
and which he has brought to a high state of

soldiers at once went back to camp.
They
all detailed to join in the search for the
assassin. The hunt was kept up all night, but
as is well known the assassin escaped from

cultivation.
He is progressive in his methods
and uses modern machinery in his work, and
the appearance of his farm denotes the presence of thrift and able management.
Mr. Wertman was married to Cora A. Koch,
who was born Dec. 4, 1862, in Lycoming township, Lycoming Co., Pa., daughter of Daniel
and Margaret (Litchard) Koch, and to this

the capital."

union

were

FELIX P. WERTMAN, who is engaged in
farming and stock raising in Anthony township, Alontour county, was born Jan. 31, 1854,
in Northumberland county. Pa., son of Jacob
and Harriet (Roat) Wertman.
Daniel Wertman, the grandfather of Felix
Wertman, came to Montour county from
Frosty Valley, Pa., and here passed the remainder of his life engaged as a carpenter and
cabinetmaker, dying in 1855, at the age of
He married Elizabeth
eighty-three years.
Brobst, a native of Schuylkill county. Pa.,
who died in i860, when eighty-three years
P.

old,

and they had a large family of children.

Jacob W^ertman, father of Felix P. Wertman, and son of Daniel Wertman, was born
in Lewis township, Northumberland Co., Pa.,
in 1816, and in early life learned the trade of
carpenter with his father. Later he adopted
the vocation of farmer, and

was so engaged

He married Harriet
1895.
died in 1872, at the age of fifty-six
they became the parents of nine

until his death in

Roat,

who

years, and
William H.,
children, of whom five survive
a carpenter, of Northumberland county. Pa.
G. Wesley, a wagonmaker, of Turbotville,
Pa.; Jacob Z., a carpenter of that place; Felix
P. and Lydia, who is the widow of Ralph B.
:

;

Tweed, of Exchange, Pennsylvania.
Daniel Roat, the great-grandfather of Felix
Wertman, Avas an early settler at Turbotville, Pa., where he was engaged in the blacksmith business all of his life. Daniel Roat, son
of Daniel, and maternal grandfather of Felix
P. Wertman. was a native of Northumberland
P.

county,

dying

and there passed

in 1892, at the

his

entire

career,

age of eighty-five years.

there

have been born

five

children:

Helen Eleanora, born June 30, 1882, who is
the wife of Cyrus C. Mohr, a farmer of Anthony township, with residence at Exchange,
Pa.; Erwin Randolph, born Oct. 4, 1886, who
married Florence Oaks, and has two children,
Catherine and Dorothy; Hazel, born Sept. 10,
1S93, who married W. C. Fuller, of Northumberland county, and has one son, Woodrufi:";
Charles, born Sept. 7, 1896, and Olive, born
May 3, 1900, both living at home. Mr. Wertman is a Democrat in politics, but has taken
only a good citizen's interest in public matters,
With his
having had no desire for olifice.
family he attends the Lutheran Church at
Turbotville, Northumberland county.

FRED WOODRUFF HOWE, who

en-

gaged in the clothing business at Danville, Pa.,
was born at Lockport, N. Y., June 3, 1876, son
of Frank Woodworth and Ella (Woodruff)

Howe.
the paternal grandfather of
born at Danbury, Conn.,
in 1818, and followed the trade of tailor all of
He married Arhis life, dying Feb. 10. 1894.
Ira S.

Fred

Howe,

W. Howe, was

Woodworth.
Frank Woodworth

villa

Howe was

born Nov.

15,

1847, tit Arcade, N. Y., and as a youth learned
the trade of tailor with his father.
He came
to Danville in 1881 as a cutter, and in 1889
opened an establishment of his own, which he

conducted

until

his retirement

from business

married Ella Woodruff, who was
Niagara county, N. Y., and she died
April 18, 1898, at the age of fifty-nine years,
the mother of two children, Fred Woodruff
and Charles Howard the latter is a merchant
tailor of Beaumont, Texas, and married to
Catherine Kreiger, of Danville, Pennsylvania.
in 1910.
born in

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

924

Theophilus P. Woodruff, the maternal
grandfather of Fred W. Howe, was a native
of the Empire State, and during the gold rush
to California in 1849 joined a party that went
to England and purchased a ship, in which to
make the California trip. Later he was killed
at Cayuga Lake, N. Y., and his widow made
her home at Coldwater, Mich., but her death
occurred April 19. 1914, at Three Rivers, that

of Turbotville, Northumberland Co., Pa., who
in that county, and who lived to be
over sixty years old. They had ten children,
two of whom are living: Eliza, wife of Jacob
St. Clair, of West Point, Nebr.
and Henry,
a farmer of ^Montour county.
Another son,
Jacob, died in April, 1913.
The ^lartz (or JNIertz) family is quite nu-

was born

;

merous

Berks county. Pa., where the

first

when she was eighty-eight years of age. ancestor to come from Germany made a settleFred Woodruff Howe, son of Frank W'ood- ment in Longswamp township. The name is
worth Howe, received his education in the perpetuated there by the town of Mertztown,
public schools, and in 1897 started his present in Longswamp township, and Mertz's Church
State,

business at Danville, his original stock conIn 1910
sisting only of men's furnishings.
he added clothing, and a tailoring department,
and the enterprise has been built up until it
is one of the largest of its kind in Danville,
Mr. Howe is thoroughly familiar with every
detail of his business, caters to a representative
trade, and endeavors at all times to give his
customers the benefit of a fair deal. He has
been industrious and enterprising, and the suecess that has come to him has been gained
entirely through the medium of his own efHe is popular with a wide circle of
forts.
acquaintances, and numbers among his friends
many members of the local fraternal bodies,
holding membership in Danville Blue Lodge,
No. 224, F. & A. M. Danville Chapter, No.
239, R. A. M.; Calvary Commandery, No. 37,
K. T., of Danville; Lodge No. 754, B. P. O.

same section. Johannes Martz (also
Maertz), the founder of this family in America, was one of the 242 passengers on the ship
"Ann," which sailed from Rotterdam, last
from Cowes.
Fie was a son of Johannes
Maertz, of Stockhausen, Wurtemberg, about
thirty-five miles northwest of Frankfort-onthe-]\Iain, and forty miles northeast of Coblentz, in Germany. Johannes Maertz, the emigrant, landed at Philadelphia Sept. 28, 1749.
He settled in the vicinity of Lyons, Berks
county, and the church located near his home
was named Mertz's Church in honor of him.
The births of his first four children are recorded there. On May 24, 1756, he married
Rosina Hase, daughter of Alelchior Hase.
Their children were: Johannes, bom July 17,
1757; Anna Maria, Dec. 2, 1760; Maria Sa-

Elks; and Washington Camp No. 364, P. O.
S. of A., of Danville.
In 1899 ^'^^- Howe was married to Mary
Edith Thomas, daughter of Thomas G. and

and Peter, March

;

Mary Ann (George) Thomas. Mr. Thomas,
who is now deceased, was born in Wales, and
accompanied his parents to America, where
he became a roller in the iron mills at Danville,
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Howe: Mary Ellen, born May 28, 1902, and
Eunice Lucile, born April 28, 1904.

MARTZ. The

Martzes have been settled
northern portion of what is now Montour county for three quarters of a century,
and the late John Martz, of Derry township,
was born in that township in September, 1837.
Jacob Martz, his father, was also a native
of the State of Pennsylvania, where he passed
all his life, dying in 185 1. when
fifty-two
years old.
Bringing his wife (they had no
children then) to Montour county, he located
in the

Anthony township, and later moved to
Strawberry Ridge, in Derry township, where

first in

he passed the remainder of his days engaged
in farming.
He married Elizabeth Schuck,

in the

lome,

May

24, 1763; Melchior, April 11, 1765,
9, 1769.

The connection between
Martz, father of John,

John Martz was

the above and Jacob
not definitely known.

lumberman and farmer

10, 1877, he settled on
farm in Derry township where the remainder of his life was passed, and where he
built one of the most modern homes in the
His death occurred when he was
township.
He married Elizabeth
sixty-nine years old.
Girton, who was born Aug. 9. 1842, at Jerseytown, Columbia Co., Pa., daughter of Andrew
and Susan (Reeser) Girton, and they had a
family of four children: Frank is a farmer

his life.

all

April

the

Derry township; Misses Caroline Elizabeth,
Susan Alice and Emma Florence reside on the
old Martz homestead, the place where their
in

father settled in

1877, to the cultivation of

which they attend, being successfully engaged
in general farming and stock raising.
They
were reared in the Lutheran faith and are

members

of that church.
]\L\rtz, brother of the late John
Martz, was born Oct. 15, 1841, in Derry township, Montour county, where he still resides,
being engaged in overseeing the old Martz

Hexrv

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
farm where

his three nieces live.

has been

Umsted, a native of Derry township, daughter
Jesse and Barbara Ann (Ashenfelder).
She died in 1880, the mother of two children:
John Franklin, born Feb. 5, 1868, now of Elkins, W. Va., who married Lumme Polling;
and Ambrose, born Aug. 26, 1870, unmarried,
of

Haines and has three children Charles, who
lives at the "Glendower House" wdth his
father, married Nellie J. Dailey and they have
one child.
Mr. Smith was reared in the faith of the
Church of England, and is now a member of
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church at Danville.
Socially he belongs to Chickalacamoose
Tribe, No. 3C4, Improved Order of Red Men,
;

occupied in farming and lumbering all his life,
following the latter calling in Maryland, West
Virginia and Pennsylvania.
On Aug. 8, 1867, Mr. Martz married Susan

who

at present in Washingtonville, Pennsyl-

vania.

at Altoona, Pennsylvania.

JOHN HENRY GERNERT,
gaged

Henry Martz is a Lutheran in religious conand a Democrat on political questions.

nection,

has never taken any part in public life or
office, devoting himself entirely to his
work. Like all members of the Martz family
he is respected by all who know him for his
held

industry and good character, substantial qualities which have ranked them among the best
citizens of the community.

JOSEPH SMITH,

proprietor of the "Glen-

dower Hotel," at Danville, Pa., was born at
Birmingham, England, Nov. 19, 1858, son of
Joseph Smith.
Joseph Smith, Sr., died in England at the
age of forty-two, in 1874. He was a green
He married a
grocer all his mature years.
Hobbs, and they had two children
Joseph
and Clarice, the latter the wife of George
:

and living in Birmingham, England.
Joseph Smith, Jr., was a clerk in his father's
store until he was fifteen years old and then
worked in different factories until 1891, when,
having married in the meanwhile, he felt that*
he could find wider opportunities in the United
States. His first place of residence was Philadelphia, where he found employment as a
Later he went to Altoona, Pa.,
gardener.
where he was a boiler maker in the Juniata
Boiler Shops, connected with the car shops
Southall,

at that place, being thus employed for seventeen years. In 1907 Mr. Smith came to Danville and bought his present property, which

he has since been operating, having a

925

first-class

hotel.

Mr. Smith married Helen Gittes, a native of
England, a daughter of Leonard and Mary
Gittes.
To this union have been born the following children Joseph, who has his home in
Altoona, Pa., married Mabel Bell, and they
have one child Clara, now a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, is the wife of George Wright and
has four children Caroline is married to Robert Cheese, of England, and has six children
Henry, of Altoona, Pa., is married to Laura
:

;

who is enthe merchant tailoring business at

Danville, Pa., was born at Queckburn, Oberhessen, Province of Grand Duchy of HesseDarmstadt, Germany, March 5, 1845, son of
Jacob and Catherine (Gernert) Gernert.
Jacob Gernert, the father of John Henry

Gernert, was born in March, 1807, in Germany, and in 1859 brought the family to the
United States, settling at Baltimore, Md.,
where he followed the trade of carpenter.
There his death occurred in 1872, while his
widow survived him sixteen years and was

seventy-two years old at the time of her demise.
She was the daughter of Henry and
Catherine Gernert.
Jacob and Catherine
Gernert had ten children, of whom the following survive

Fritz, Joseph, Louis, Christian,
Catherine and John Henry.
John Henry Gernert was fourteen years of
age when brought to this country by his par:

and after learning the trade of tailor
was employed at that vocation until 1861. At
that time he became employed in the Union
ents,

army, during the Civil war, and served in
the quartermaster's department for four years,
in the Army of the Potomac, under Generals
Hooker and Howard, x^fter the war he returned to Baltimore, but subsequently removed
to Louisville, Ky., where he was engaged until
Mr. Gernert's advent in Danville oc1867.
curred in 1 88 1, and for a long period he was
associated in lousiness with F. W. Howe, but
since 1909 has carried on his enterprise alone.
Mr. Gernert now has a flourishing business,
He has devoted
built up strictly on merit.
himself to general tailoring, and the excellence
of his work has given him a reputation that
extends far beyond the limits of Danville.
Mr. Gernert was married to Catherina IM.
Veldner, who was born at Kronach, Bavaria,
daughter of Joseph and Kunigunda Veldner,
with whom she came as a child to the United
States in 1850. Three children have been born
Doris E., the wife
to Mr. and Mrs. Gernert
of Thomas F. Precht, of Danville, Pa., has two
children, Henry Gernert and John Francis;
:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

926

Anna

E. married Henry Smith and lives in
Danville
Louis H., of Danville, married
Susan Keash and has two children, Catherine
;

and John.

Mr. and Mrs. Gernert and their

children are members of the Lutheran Church.
In his political views Mr. Gernert is inde-

pendent.

JOHN B. SMITH, a prosperous farmer of
Derry township, Montour county, was born
there June 5, 1861, son of Stephen Smith and
The grandfather
grandson of John Smith.
was engaged in farming and the distilling of
liquor

all his life.

Stephen Smith was born in Berks county,
and came to Anthony township, in what

Pa.,

now Montour county, before his marriage.
Here he operated a distillery for his father,
working with his parents until he married,
is

when he moved to the homestead now occupied by his son John, farming there to the
end of his active days. His death occurred
Jan. 6, 1904, at the age of eighty-one years, in
Washingtonville, where

he had been living
He married Matilda
retired for two years.
Sponnenberg, who was born at Briarcreek,

Columbia

and died in 1903, aged sixtyMr. and Mrs. Smith were the par-

Co., Pa.,

one years.
ents of four children, three of whom are still
living: Hannah E., wife of Peter C. Moser,
of Derry township; Adam IL, of Washingtonville, and John B.
John B. Smith obtained a common school
education,
the farm

meantime beginning to help with
work at home. From l)oyhood he

has been engaged in general agriculture and
stock raising on the place where he was born,
and he is one of the successful farmers of his
township, his progressive and intelligent methods bringing him well deserved prosperity.

a Republican in i)olitical sentiment. l)ut
has not been active in party affairs or public
is

life.

Mr. Smith married Sarah C. Shultz, who
in Derry township, daughter of the
late John K. and Rebecca
Mc\ icker) Shultz,
and they had one child, Mabel Rebecca, born
March 9, 1893, who is now keeping house for
her father, Mrs. Smith having died Dec. 18,
1904, when thirty-eight years old. Mr. Smith
was reared in the faith of the Reformed
Church, and holds membership at Strawberry
He is a member of P. O. S. of A.
Ridge.
Camp, No. 365, at Washingtonville.
The Shultzes are descended from Philip
Shultz, who came from Germany and settled
on a farm in New Jersey, where he died. His
son Jacol) was born in New Jersey and came

was born

(

'to

Montour county

1790, settling

first

year later he came to the
farm later occupied by his grandson, John
K. Shultz, and resided there until his death in
1804, when with other settlers he was carried

Limestoneville.

fever.
He was the father
of eight children, the last survivor being Elizabeth, wife of Daniel iMostellar, who in 1887
was a resident of West Hemlock township, at
the age of eighty-seven.
Peter Shultz, son of Jacob, was three years
old when his parents came to Montour county.
He was reared on a farm, and after his marriage moved to the farm adjoining, where he
resided fifty years, dying July 11, 1862, at the
age of seventy-five. He was an elder in the
old Derry Church for many years, and politiHis wife was Sarah Robcally a Democrat.
bins, of Columbia county, and their children
were William, a resident of Columliia county
Jonathan P., who died in Northumberland

away by typhoid

county

;

1886; Jacob and \'incent R., living

West Hemlock township, Montour county
lames, of Rush township. Northumberland

;

county; Benjamin P., a physician of Danville;
Peter, of Anthony township
Mary K., wife
;

of Benjamin Crossley. of Michigan; and John
K. Mrs. Shultz died in 1872 at the age of
eighty-one years.
John K. Shultz was born in the old home on
March 5, 1825, and lived with his father until
his marriage, when he moved to the adjoining
farm in West Hemlock townshi]). which he
owned until his death. Dec. 4. 1893. There
he lived for nineteen years, when, having previously bought the old homestead and erected
thereon a fine house, he removed to it in
October, 1874. He was married Oct. 11, 1853.
to Rebecca, daughter of James Mc\'icker. of

Anthony township. She was born

in that township June 6, 1826. and died in the spring of
Seven children blessed this union, the
1894.
The
eldest and youngest dying in infancy.
others were: Anna M.. deceased, wife of Wil-

liam R.. Robinson, of Washingtonville: Sarah
C. deceased: Charles W., who married Sarah
T. W'atts: Clarence T.. living at Moore'=burg:
William Barber, residing on the old homestead
in Derrv township.
^\r. Shultz held several township oftices. including that of ju-^ticc of the neace, and was a
Democrat politirallv. To his farming he abided
the vocations of cattle raising and horse dealHe and his wife were members of the
ing.
Derry Presliytcrian Church.

THEODORE REYNOLDS, retired
has lived at his present

home

farmer,

Anthony town-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Montour county, for fifty years, and he
cultivated that place until 1907. He is one of
Mr.
the oldest living settlers in his district.
in MontOct.
born
was
1837,
30,
Reynolds
gomery county. Pa., in which county his father,
was horn in 1812.
ship,

Henry Reynolds,
Moving his family
Henry Reynolds settled

Montour county,
Anthony township.
He followed shoemaking, and died in 1864.
to

Ann

died about 1876,
(LJarrel
She was a naat the age of sixty-four years.
tive of Willow Grove, Montgomery county,
and her mother, Mrs. John Harrcl, lived to be

His wife, Kitty

Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds

old.

ninety-nine years
had a family of seven children, of whom four
survive Theodore William, who lives in Illinois Harry A., of Turbotville, Pa. and Smith,
a resident of Illinois.
:

;

Theodore Reynolds was given comparatively
few educational advantages as viewed from
the

modern

He worked

standpoint.

out at

farming until his marriage, after which he settled down to the same business for himself,
for two years living in Lycoming county. Then

and in 1864 he settled
Anthony township where he
It contains twenty
has ever since resided.
He was successfully engaged in cultiacres.
vating this land until 1907, when he gave up
work, now enjoying aperiod of leisure to which
Mr. Reyhis years of industry entitle him.
nolds has never held any public offices, but he
has always been a good Democrat and interested in seeing his party in the lead, and he
has taken an active part in the conduct of local
elections, having served two terms as election
inspector and two terms as judge.
Mr. Reynolds married Jan. 5, i860, Mary
Magdalena Cumfer, who was born Oct. 18,
he

moved

to Turbotville,

on the property

1837, in Moreland township, Lvcoming county,
daughter of Peter and Catherine Cumfer. the
Mrs. Reylatter a native of Pottsville. Pa.

She was the
died March 12, i8q8.
mother of seven children Hyman, now in Illinolds

who

married and has one child, a
McClellan, deceased
Mary, dedaughter
ceased Harry, deceased; Sadie C, wife of
Ira C. Shade, of Anthony township; John T.,
nois,

;

who

lives

township,

home in Anthony
Anna Heddens and
Pa., who married Laura

at the paternal

married to

Harry, of Milton,
Harmon and has six children.

was reared
Church, and

the

in
is

tenets

member

Mr. Revnolds
the

Eoi'^copal

of St. James' Church

of Exchange.

WILLIAM H. TAYLOR, retired farmer
and old soldier of Liberty township, was born

927

I, 1 84 1, on the F. W. Davis farm, which
father tenanted, in Limestone township,
Montour Co., Pa., and is a son of Johnston and

April
his

Prudence (Kitchen) Taylor.
David Taylor, the grandfather of William
11. Taylor, was an agriculturist by vocation.
He moved from Nortnumberland county. Pa.,
with his family to Ohio w'hen his son Johnston

was sixteen years old, all traveling afoot.
There he spent the remainder of his life, becoming one of his comnuniit\'s well known
citizens.

Johnston Taylor, son of Da\id, was born
in

Northumberland county. Pa., and came
a lad to what is now Alontour county,

when

here receiving his education.
He served an
apprenticeship to the trade of iron worker and
for some years followed that vocation, but was
unfortunate enough to meet with an accident
which crippled him, and, turning to the occupation of his forefathers, he took up farming,
in which he was engaged until his death, when
he was sixty-four years of age. His wife, who
was a daughter of Isaac Kitchen, of Columbia

county, Pa., ])assed away when aged sixtythree years.
Of their ten children, five are
living, William H. being the eldest. The others
are Frank and Deozro, both of P)erwick, Co:

lumbia county; David, living in Kansas; and
Margaret, who is the wife of H. P. Billman, a
resident of California.

William H. Taylor acquired his education in
the public schools during the winter terms, in
the meantime assisting his father with the work
of the home farm. He had nearly attained his
majority when the Civil war made his country
call for volunteers, and with other young men
of his community he enlisted, Sept. 10. 1862,
becoming a private in Company F, i6th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, in Gen. John Irvin
Gregg's brigade. He was in three days fighting
at Gettysburg, and with his regiment ])articipated in some of the most sanguinary battles

of the war, being known as one of his company's most faithful soldiers until wounded at
Gordonsville, Va., his injury confining him to
When he was
the hospital for five months.
able he rejoined his regiment and served valiantly, receiving his honorable discharge Aug.
II, 1865, at Richmond, Va., with a record of
which no man need be ashamed. He became
sergeant of Co. G, Capt. Fred W. Heslop.
On returning to the pursuits of peace Mr. Taylor took up farming in Limestone township,
but subsequently came to Liberty township,
where he has since carried on successful operations.
Although now retired from the active
affairs of life Mr. Taylor still shows himself

COLUMBIA AND MOxNTOUR COUNTIES

928

the possessor of an alert mind, and those who
reside in his vicinity know him as a man of
pubUc spirit and good business judgment. His
numerous friends testify readily to his general

did not lose the confidence or respect of his
associates.
Such men as he set the standards
of right living, and those who follow their
examples not only do so with profit to thembut with benefit to their communities.
selves,
popularity.
On Dec. 27, 1866, Mr. Taylor was married
Jacob H. Cole, son of Thomas Cole, alterto Frances Billmeyer, who was born Jan. 31, nated attendance at the local schools with work
on the farm, as did so many of the boys of
1844, daughter of George and Abigail ( Bondman ) Billmeyer, and died March 20, 191 2. By his time and locality. When old enough in
this union there were children as follows
years and experience he became superintendent
Frank M., born March 16, 1869, died Dec. 20, of his father's mines, continuing in this re1913; he married Sarah Leibolt and they had sponsible position until he was twenty-eight
At that time he felt free to
three children, Ruth (deceased), Herman and years of age.
Paul.
George Norman, born May 20, 1871, follow his own inclinations, and coming t9
of Limestone township, married Marie Schultz. Danville established himself in the hardware
Edgar Grier, born June 19, 1873, married business, commencing in a very modest way.
Bertha Dyer, and has two children, Frances From the beginning, however, the business exand Kenneth. Walter Charles, born Jan. 16, panded, and at present Mr. Cole has the largest
He
1879, married Delia Hauck, and they have had establishment of its kind in the county.
four children, Bernard T., Harold, William, carries a full and varied line of shelf and
and Helen, the last named deceased. Raymond heavy hardware and farm supplies, and the
William, born Sept. 20, 1880, married Hannah leading agriculturists as well as builders and
Hagenbauch, and has three children, Andrew householders depend upon him for goods. InGrover, Grace Marian and Robert. Clyde IsL, stinctively a good business man. Mr. Cole has
born Dec. 20, 1883, who is now operating the managed all his transactions honorably and
home place, married Bertha Shell, who was uprightly, and is reaping his rewards
born May 9, 1880, and they have one son, Wil- accordingly.
liam David, born Oct. i, 1913.
Jacob H. Cole married Sally B. Hancock,
Mr. Taylor is a valued member of the Union who was born in Danville, daughter of John
:

Veteran Legion, at Milton, Pa. A Republican
in politics, he is serving as supervisor of his
township and as a member of the school board.
He was reared in the faith of the Methodist
Church, and has ever been faithful to its
teachings.

JACOB
ville

COLE,

Montour

Danville,

May

hardware merchant of
was born at Dan-

Co.. Pa.,

son of Thomas Cole.
Cole, born May 20. 1823. was a

12. 1854,

Thomas

native of Columbia county, Pa., and in

manhood came

what

young

now Montour

For a number of years he was en-

county.
as

a carpenter.
In 1846, with his
Jacob B. Cole, he bought land
and began mining ore, meeting with gratifving success in this line of endeavor.
He is still living, although for a number of years he has been retired, as he
is now ninety-one years old.
Mr. Cole married Frances Mauser, a daughter of
Jacob
Alauser, and they became the parents of three

gaged

brother

Jacob H. Mary, who is the widow
and Elizabeth, who married
J. S. Greenawald. of Reading, Pa.
During
his long and useful life Thomas Cole has
been actuated by strictly honorable principles,
and as a result, while he acquired wealth he
children
of T. L.

Krumm

;

and Martha (Moses) Hancock. Mr. and
Mrs. Cole are the parents of two children,
both intelligent and promising young people
William Harry, who is a student in the local
high school and Margaret, who was graduated from the local high school.
The Reformed Church holds Mr. Cole's
membership and benefits by his generosity.
:

;

Fraternally he is a member of Danville Lodge,
No. 754, B. P. O. Elks.
man of keen business sense, thoroughly alive to the possibilities
of his district and understanding the needs of

his trade,

he has forged ahead and built up
from very small
business

flourishing
beginnings.

Mauser.
Nicholas
Mauser resided in
Bucks county. Pa., until the year 1785. when
he settled in Cooper township, in what is

now Montour

county. Pa., buying a large tract
of timberland. which was a portion of the
He
property held by the William Penn heirs.
was a soldier in the Revolution, and on Jan.
4. 1777, was commissioned first lieutenant of
Capt. Christian Buckley's company, of the 3d
Battalion.

Bucks county

militia.

Christian Mauser, son of Nicholas Mauser, was fourteen years old when he was
brought to Cooper township, and lived in the
little log cabin his father built on the land he

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
purchased.

As evidence

the

substantial

which work was done in those early
days, as compared with to-day, that log cabin,
built in 1785, is still standing and is in an

manner

Christian
of preservation.
state
excellent
Mauser lived to be eighty-eight years old, and

died contented with what he had accomplished
during his long and eminently useful life.
Jacob Mauser, son of Christian Mauser, was
He married
a native of Cooper township.

Katherine Krumm, and they had five children,
four daughters and one son, among the former being Frances, who married Thomas Cole,
Aaron C. Mauser, son of Jacob Mauser, was
born on the Mauser homestead in Cooper
township, Montour Co., Pa., July i, 1849. and
grew up in that township, which continues to
He has developed into one of
be his home.
the leading agriculturists of his community,
and is a citizen of prominence. On Feb. 28,
married to Ellen
1874, Mr. Mauser was
The Mauser family is one of the
Keifer.
oldest established in

Montour county.

Some

of its patriotic early representatives served in
the Revolutionary war, and all were interested
in the development of their respective settleIts members have been especially inments.
terested in education, and two of the name
have held responsible positions as educators,
of
I. H. Mauser having been superintendent
schools in Northumberland county, and his
brother William Mauser superintendent of the

Bloomsburg borough

schools.

The Cole family has shown

considerable
of character,
enterprise and sturdy uprightness
and the intermarriage of the Coles and Mau-

combined many sterling traits. None
name has ever failed in duty or
either
bearing
their high
citizenship, and they have shown
effective
of
the
in
many
support
principles
reforms and desirable improvernents. They
sers has

have intermarried with other typical Pennsylvania stock, which is noted the country over
for

its

solidity

and

sterling worth.

JACOB W. MARTZ

(deceased) was a suecessful farmer in Valley township,^ Montour
of the "Pennsylcounty, and also proprietor
vania Hotel," now conducted by his widow,
Mr. Martz died in his prime, but by well directed industry he had attained a comfortable
resident
position, and he was a highly respected
of his township. He was born in Derry towna son ot
ship, Montour county, April i, 1865,
William and Juliet (Girton) Martz. the latter

now

same county.
engaged m farming all
Derry township until he set-

living at Washingtonville,

Jacob

W. Martz was

his life, living in
59

929

tied in Valley township, in 1912, and for a little
more than a year before his death also kept
hotel, having bought the "Pennsylvania
in Valley township, March 19,

House"

He
191 1.
bought a farm of eighty acres with the hotel.
This place is located between Danville and
He did well as proprietor
Washingtonville.
of the hotel, patronage showing well under his
management, and his untimely death, caused by
an accident June 24, 19 12, cut short a useful
career and favorable prospects.
Mr. Martz
was reared in the Reformed Church and belonged to the church of that denomination at
Strawberry Ridge. Politically he was a Democrat.

Nov.

10, 1897,

Wertman were

Mr. Martz and Catherine

married, and he

left four chilLester Edward, born Sept. 28, 1902
Boyd Allen, born Oct. 29, 1906; Margaret
Elizabeth, born June 4, 1909; and Isabelle
Ellen, born Aug, 8, 1912. Mrs. Martz also has

dren

;

an adopted son, John Helwich Wertman, born
May 22, 1895, whom she has reared since he
^as six months old he resides at home. Mrs.
Martz has continued the farm and hotel suecessfuUy since her husband's death, proving
;

herself possessed of ability

and good managing

qualities.

Henry D. Wertman, father of Mrs.
Martz, is now making his home with his
daughter in Valley township, Montour county,
Before his retirement he was a farmer in
Northumberland county. Pa., where he was
^Qj-n Dec. 8, 1845, son of John and Catherina
(Winkelman) Wertman.

The

father, also a

native of Northumberland county, died in 1862,
^^ ^he age of sixty-two years. The grandfather
^^^^^ ^^ Germany and came to Pennsylyania with relatives.
After receiving a limited education, Henry
j) Wertman went to learn the trade of shoemaking, at which he served two years' apprenthe carpenter's
ti^eship, afterward taking up
He resided in
trade, which he still follows.

^^g

Northumberland countv until two years ago,
came to Montour county. He married

^^j^^^^ ^le

L^^jg^ pick,

who was born

Oct. 30, 1845, in

at
ggj-j^g county. Pa., and died Aug. 23, 1900,
Mr. and Mrs. Wert^j^^ ^^^ ^^ ^£j.^_f|yg years.
^^^^ j^^^ five children: John married Rebecca
Allen married
j^^j-^g^^ and has two children
j^^ Connard and has three children; Sarah
has one
^y^^^^^^^^ married William Plotts and
;

Amanda

the wife of Allen Martz.

,^^^;;™:i3:, Catherine's husband, Jacob
^rotlier ot

W. Martz.

vvcru
mr. ^^^^^^^

political questions.

^ Democrat on

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

930

HARVEY

proprietor of the

LIVZIEY,

"Billmeyer Hotel" at Strawberry Ridge, Montour Co., Pa., was born Dec. 29, 1875, at Danville. Pa., son of William and Mary Jane

(Linn) Livziey.
William Livziey was born

in England and
young manhood, locating
at Danville, Pa., where he became a clerk in
the store of the old Rough and Ready steel

came

America

After continuing there for seven years
he drove a wagon for the Adams Express Commills.

pany, and for six years following was engaged
as a shipping clerk by the Danville Foundry
and Machine Company. His death occurred
in 1883, at the age of thirty-seven years.
He
married Mary Jane Linn, who was born in

Pennsylvania and
aged sixty years.

still

resides at Danville, now
their family of seven

children there are five survivors: Benjamin,
Charles, Walter, Lizzie and Harvey C, all residing in Pennsylvania, Benjamin living at
Danville. Lizzie is the wife of J. Livziey, who
is of the same name but no relative.
Harvey C. Livziey attended school at Danville until old enough to become self supporting,
when he entered the Enterprise Foundry at
Danville, working there for two years and
afterward for six years at the Danville Tube
Works.
For the eight succeeding years he
engaged in teaming for the Friendship Fire
Company of Danville. In 1912 he engaged
with the Germania Brewing Company and so

continued until he purchased his present property, the "Billmeyer Hotel" at Strawberry
Ridge, to which he has since devoted his time

and attention.
Mr. Livziey was

first married to Gussie
May
Freeze, of Danville, who died in 1906, at the
age of twenty-seven years. She was a daughter of William and Anna (Wilhelm) Freeze,
the former of whom is deceased, the latter re-

siding at Philadelphia. To this marriage three
children were born
William Franklin. June
:

17,

1897; Walter G., Aug.

1902; and George

The second marriage of
1903.
Mr. Livziey was to Florence Reich, a daughter
of Henry and Lizzie (Conway) Reich, of MonA.,

Nov.

II,

tour county.
Mr. Livziey belongs to the Friendship Fire

Company No.

i, at Danville, and is a member
Castle No. 186, Knights of the
Golden Eagle, at Danville.

Montour

GEORGE EDWARD

RICKETTS. In every industry and business enterprise there are
men selected^ for important positions because
of their particular qualifications for the same
and thus George Edward Ricketts
occupies a

responsible place, as an expert in erecting machinery, with the Danville Foundry & Machine
Company, at Danville, Pa. He was born at
Danville Sept. 30, 1865, a son of Edward and
Anne (Everdale) Ricketts.
Edward Ricketts, father of George E.
Ricketts, was born in Wales June 14, 18 19, and
died at Danville June 28, 1900, aged eighty-one
years, fourteen days, from the effects of an
accident while crossing the railroad tracks near
Shamokin. He was buried in the Odd Fellows
cemetery. Mr. Ricketts came to Danville when
a young man and secured employment with the
Waterman & Beaver Company, as rail sawyer
in their mill.
Later he was employed by the
Reading Iron Company in the same capacity,
and when grown too old to work as sawyer
continued with the company in other capacities,
during the last eight years of his life being
saw sharpener in the mill. He was a fairminded man and good citizen, never very active
in politics but voting the Republican ticket.
He
was a member of Trinity Alethodist Church.
Edward Ricketts married Anne Everdale,
born in November, 1839, and they had the following children
Joseph, of Danville, married
Annie Watkins; Mary, wife of Peter Fox, lives
at Shamokin, Pa.; one child died in infancy;
George E. is mentioned below Ida is the wife
of Albert Paugh, of Danville Malissa is de:

;

ceased; William is deceased; Jesse is residing
with his mother at Danville
lulward is a
member of the Jth U. S. Cavalry, now stationed
;

at Manila, Philippine Islands.

George E. Ricketts attended the Welsh Hill
school in Danville for a time, but his industrial
life began when he was a lad of only ten years.
He went into the Waterman & Beaver mines
and worked there at cutting ore until he was
seventeen years of age. Afterwards, for three
months, he worked in the Patterson & Llewellyn coal mines at Shamokin, and it was while
there that a mine explosion caused him to
lose an eye.
Returning to Danville after this
accident he found employment in the nickel
plating department of the Danville Stove
Works, where he remained for ten years, when
he met with another serious accident, entailing
the loss of the thumb of his left hand. It was
on March 24, 1890. that this accident occurred,
in the elevator at the works.
During the next
year, while recuperating. Mr. Ricketts kept the
"Oak Tree Hotel," in Vallev township. Feeling able to resume work in the line of industry
he had chosen, he entered the Mahoning machine shops for three months, from there going
to the Nathaniel Taylor mines in Northumberland county, where for four years he had charge

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
It was
of the pumps and other machinery.
while there that the terrific storm came sweeping over that section, well remembered by all
residents of that time, driving his family and
many of the neighbors into the mines in order
After he returned to Danville
to find safety.
Mr. Ricketts was waterman in th.e Reading
Iron Company's mill for eleven months, and
then entered the employ of the Curry & Vannan Company, which later became the Danville
Foundry & Machine Company. Mr. Ricketts
is an expert in erecting machinery and for the
last three years has been sent out on contracts
calling for the erection, in difl'erent sections,
of stairways and all other similar work done

by the company. Through persistent industry
Mr. Ricketts has won his way, and he enjoys
the full confidence of his employers and the
respect and esteem of his fellow workmen. He
has had his full share of discouragements, but
has kept right on and has overcome obstacles
which would have thoroughly disheartened a

931

I. O. O. F., Danville, and Lotus
Conclave,
No. 127, 1. O. H.
John L. Flick, the grandfather of Mrs.
Ricketts, was born Jan. 11, 1815, in Madison
township, Columbia Co., I'a., a son of Daniel
Flick and a grandson of John Flick, of IMiila-

858,

When a young man he moved to
Muncy, Lycoming county, where he taught
school and later learned the carpenter's trade,
dclphia.

Subsequently he bought a small tract of land
West Hemlock townshij). lie engaged here
in farming and in his shop put up a small turning lathe with which he made stair rails, which
he disposed of in Danville. He was handy with
tools and could do all kinds of wood work. On
March 4, 1838, he married l£lizal)eth Schoener
(Shaner), born Aug. 17,, 1824, died March 28,
1895, and they had the following children
Erastus Valerian Charles, deceased, married a
in

;

Miss Russell, who died
ace

who lives
who married

Curtis,

Blanche,

in Philadelphia;
in

Oregon

;

Hor-

Angeline

Ellis Betts, of

Muncy,

now living in Pueblo, Colo. Rol^ert I'ruce, who
courageous man.
At Danville, June 8, 1884, Mr. Ricketts was lives at Williamsport, married to Sophia Casmarried to Emma Jane Flick, daughter of selberry; Sarah Melissa, who is the wife of
Susanna Matilda Levi V. Beyer, of \'alley township William E.,
and
Valerian
Erastus
(Beyer) Flick. Emma Jane Flick was born in of Danville, married to Mary Ann Bloomer;
Margaret
Valley township, Montour Co., Pa., Feb. 14, Daniel, who married Mary Fox
1866. After her mother's death she was taken Jane, who married William Taylor (deceased)
by her aunt, Mrs. Levi V. Beyer, of Valley and (second) Albert W^iedman, of Norristown,
township, with whom she lived until her mar- Pa.
Mary Catherine, who died when eight
Nine children have been born to Mr. years old; and Elizabeth, deceased. John L.
riage.
and Mrs. Ricketts, and we have the following Flick died March 4, 1886, and he and his wife
Walter Clyde, born were buried in the Columbia Church cemetery
record of this family
married
Rishel, and they in West Hemlock township. She was a memRegina
1885,
May 23,
have three children: Emma, born Dec. 13, ber of the Evangelical Church (Shepps) in that
1909; Elsie, born Feb. 26, 191 1; and George, township.
Erastus Valerian Flick was born in West
born Jan. 22, 1913.
George, born Feb. 22,
and
of
Lancaster,
Hemlock
married
Ida
Young,
township. Montour Co., Pa., and died
1887,
have one at Three Rivers, Mich., April 4, 1909. He atthey live at Cambridge, Md. they
Ma- tended the country schools and followed farmchild, Helen Emma, born Oct. 19, 1907.
Fred Trvin ing, acquiring a farm of 165 acres, which he
tilda, born April 2, 1889, married
Evans, who has a government position in the continued to operate until three years after the
bookkeeping and warrants ofiice, at Washing- death of his first wife. He served two enlistthe Civil war.
ton, D. C. they have one child, Ralph Irvin, ments in the Union army during
born March 17,' 1914. A child, born April 12, In 1862 he enlisted for nine months in Comborn April 5, pany F, 178th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infan1891, died in infancy. Howard,
States land try, from Montour county, and was honorably
in
the
United
is
an
employee
1892!
In his
in July, 1863.
office at Washington, D. C.
Georgie Irene, discharged at Flarrisburg
as a substitute,
he
went
enlistment
second
Ruth
born March I, 1894, died Sept. 18, 1895.
his health
was born Dec. 16, 1897. The next child died in When he returned from the army
to give up farming.
had
he
and
was
impaired
infancy. George was born May 18, 1900.
Mr and Mrs Ricketts are members of the For twenty-five years he kept the "Oak Tree
Hotel" in Valley township, which he sold in
Mahoning Presbyterian Church, and Mrs.
Three Rivers, Mich., where
SoAid
Ladies'
1904, moving to
Ricketts is a member of the
lived retired until his death, when aged
he
fraand
is
a
he
In
Republican,
ciety
politics
fourteen days.
sixty-eight years, six months,
is associated with Myrtle Lodge, No.
less

;

ternally

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

932

He was

interred in Riverside cemetery in that

age of eighty-three years:

came

place.

Erastus Valerian Flick was married first to
Susanna Matilda Beyer, a daughter of Philip
Beyer, and they had the following children
Margaret, who married John Cooper, of Danville
Philip Ambrose, who lives in Chicago
Emma Jane, Mrs. Ricketts; Mary Catherine,
who died in August, 1872, aged four years and
Cora Agnes, who is the wife of Abraham Overdorf, of Riverside, Northumberland Co., Pa.
The mother of these children died Oct. 20, 1871,
aged twenty-nine years, and was buried in the
graveyard of the Reformed Church at MausMr. Flick's second marriage was to
dale.
Sarah Jane Beyer, born Sept. 19, 1648, and four
children were born to that union
Bertha, who
died aged fifteen years Harry, who lives in
Colorado Edna, who is the wife of Oyd Purand John, who married
sell, of Three Rivers
Mrs. Flick resides at Three
Bessie Davis.
Rivers, Mich. Mr. Flick was a man of public
:

;

importance during his active years, serving as
supervisor in Valley township and also as a

He was

justice of the peace.

member

of St.

John's Reformed Church at Mausdale, Montour county.
Philip Beyer, father of Mrs. Susanna Ma-

(Beyer) Flick, was a farmer and distiller
of Valley township. He was married twice,
and had the following children by the first
union
Saul, who married Susan Snyder
tilda

Frank

;

Edward, who married Agnes

who married Mary
who married Mary

Stettler

;

Catherine Nevins
Hilkert Margaret,
who married Israel Heller Elizabeth, who
married Henry Snyder, of Three Rivers,
Mich. Susanna Matilda, who married Erastus
V. Flick Sarah Jane, who was the second wife
of Erastus V. Flick Philip, who married Matilda Hower and a child that died young.
By
his second marriage, to Mrs. Phile, there were
no children. Mr. Beyer and his first wife are
buried at the Lutheran Church in W'ashingtonville, and his second wife is buried at the Hendrickson Church, in \^alley township.

John,

Peter,

;

DAVID SMITH,

an old-time farmer of

Anthony township, Montour county, located
just east of Exchange, has been a lifelong resident of this section, having been born in the

Samuel

Smith afterward
lived) Sept. 10, 1844, son of John Smith.
John Smith, father of David Smith, w^as
born about 1800 in Berks county, Pa., and died
in 1881. at the age of eighty-one. He was married in Lehigh county, Pa., to Hannah Stufflick,
also of Berks county, who died in 1887, at the

township

(where

what

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

now Montour county from

Lehigh county, about 1835, settling where
Samuel Smith afterward resided. Mr. Smith
was always a farmer. His first purchase was
two hundred acres, to which he added as prosperity enabled him, owning four hundred acres
at the time of his death, which occurred April
25, 1879. He and his wife, who died in October, 1882, are buried in the Turbotville German
Reformed Cemetery. They were strict church
members. They had a family of twelve children, of whom two survive, David, the eleventh
in the family,

and Levi, now

living retired at

Norristown, Pennsylvania.

David Smith was reared on the farm where
he was born and received his education in the
neighborhood. There he did farm work until
twenty-one years old, when he married and
moved to another place in Anthony township,
at the crossroad schoolhouse, where he followed
agricultural pursuits on his own account for
something over twenty years. He made practically all the

improvements on that

place,

and

put up all the buildings e.xcept the barn, erecting a good house, at a cost of between $2,000

and $2,500, besides the labor. From there Mr.
Smith moved in 1889 to his present location,
east of E.xchange, where he is still carrying on
general farming and stock raising, and he owns
a steam threshing machine which he operates
during the season, finding plenty of work in
the locality. He has always been enterprising
and industrious, and has frequently had other
interests to attend to in addition to his farmIn July, 1885, he was commissioned to
ing.
carry the United States mail daily between
Danville and Exchange, and was engaged at
He
this work for two years and six months.
has served his township five years as supervisor, to which office he was first elected in 1883,
and he has always been active in politics in the
He was
interest of the Republican party.
reared in the faith of the Reformed Church,
and holds membership at Strawberry Ridge,
where his wife also belongs.
On Sept. 26, 1865, Mr. Smith was married to
Ellen C. Dieffenbacher, who was born July 22,
841, in Derry township, Montour county,
daughter of Benjamin and Mary Sophia
Troxel) Diefi'enbacher. Her father, bom in
Derry township May 11, 1812, died ALiy ii,
1900, at the home of David Smith. During his
1

(

later years he made his home with his three
daughters, Mrs. William Berger, Mrs. Joel Bitler and Mrs. Smith.
The mother. Ijorn in Lehigh county. Pa., Oct. 9, 1823, died July 16,
1876, and was buried at the Strawberry Ridge

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
cemetery. Mr. Dieffenbacher was one of the
organizers of that church. He and his wife

were married June 18, 1840.
Eight children were born

whom

Smith, of

May, born Nov.

to Air.

four are living:

and Mrs.
Minta

Ella

the wife of Williams Mills, of Exchange, and has two children
Benjamin Franklin, born Aug. 16, 1875, married Susie Snyder, of Anthony township, and
they have three children; John Edmund, born
Aug. 16, 1875 (twin of Benjamin F.), now
2'6,

1872,

;

farming with

his father,

married

Tillie

Cor-

derman and has five children; David Alfred,
born March 6, 1878, married Ella Cowell, of
Anthony township, and has two children. The
deceased are Mary Magdalena, born July 22,
1866, died Aug. 20, 1866; William Grant, bom
Sept. 27, 1868, died Oct. 6, 1887; Emma Elmira, born

March

Lillie Birdie,

27, 1871, died Sept. 6, 1871 ;
4, 1881, died Aug. 25,

born Jan.

1881.

JOHN

LEIDY, now

living retired at
is the oldPie was born in

Washingtonville, Montour Co., Pa.,
est resident of

that place.

Hemlock township, Columbia

Co., Pa., June i,
1834, son of Peter Leidy, and grandson of Paul
Leidy.
The latter was born in New Jersey, and came
to Columbia county.
Peter Leidv, son of Paul Leidv, was born in
Columbia county. Pa., in 1801. He was a
farmer and carpenter, and spent the greater
part of his life in Hemlock township, Columbia
county, where he died in 1878. His wife, who
bore the maiden name of Catherine Ernest, was
a daughter of Christian Ernest. They were the
parents of six children, of whom John H.,

William J. (of Liberty township) and Hannah
Jane (wife of Nathan Shugart, of Reading,
Pa.) survive.

John H. Leidy assisted his father
first in Hemlock township and

work,

farm

later in

933

work

as a carpenter and painter, which he continned until his retirement, in 1908. He is now
the only veteran residing at
Washingtonville,
and belongs to Goodrich Post No. 22, G. A. R.,
at Danville.

Mr. Leidy was married to Serena Hendera native of Columbia county, born
May 16, 1840, daughter of William and Mary

shot,

(Schooley) llendershot, natives of New JcrMr. Hendershot was a farmer, came to
Columbia county at an early date, and prospered here. Mr. and Mrs. Leidy became the
parents of four children, two of whom are
deceased: James C, bom Sept. 19, 1857, marsey.

ried

Anna

Beckley, of Harrisburg, Pa. ElizaJuly 30, 1867, married 'a. A.
Sweitzer, of Washingtonville, and has a son,
James L., the only grandchild,
Mr. Leidy is a member of Derry Lodge, No.
beth,

;

born

759, I. O. O. F., at Washingtonville, having
joined when the lodg w^as organized there, and
has acted as secretary a number of times. In
politics he is a Democrat, and he has served as
burgess of Washingtonville, and for many
years was school director. He and his wife beto
the
Washingtonville Presbyterian
Church. During his long and useful life here
he has proved himself worthy of conlidence
and respect and commands both from his fellow citizens.

long

JAMES TOOEY,

proprietor of the "Union

Hotel" at Danville. Montour county, was born
in Danville May 18, 1867, and is a son of John

and Margaret (Hannon) Tooey.
John Tooey, father of James Tooey, was
born in County Cork, Ireland, and came to the
United States in young manhood, locating first
in New York State, and later at Danville, Pa.,
where he was employed in railroad construction
work. He subsequently became a puddler in
the Waterman & Beaver rolling mills (later
owned by the Reading Iron Company), and was
so employed until the time of his retirement,

Anthony township, Montour county. Afterward he learned the wagonmaker's trade at about 1900. He now lives at the home of his
Bloomsburg, Pa., where he remained three son, and is seventy-seven years of age ( 1914).
years. He then came to Washingtonville, Mon- He married Margaret Hannon, daughter of
tour county, and worked at his trade until John Hannon, of New London, Conn., and to
1862, when he enlisted for nine months in Com- this union were bom children as follows:
pany G, 178th Regiment, Pennsylvania militia, Catherine, who has lived with her brother since
which was mustered in Oct. 21. 1862, and as- the mother's death; Margaret, wife-of William
signed to the Army of the Potomac, being in McVey, of the Reading Iron Works. Danville
the vicinity of Richmond under General Meade. Mary, a trained nurse Helen, who is engaged
Mr. Leidy was under Capt. W^illiam G. Adams, in teaching school at Danville James Edward,
and was second sergeant of his company. At who makes his home in Cleveland, Ohio John,
the expiration of his term of service he was of Danville and W^illiam and Thomas, who
;

;

mustered out
July 27,

Camp

1863, and

Curtin, Harrisburg, Pa.,

returning

home resumed

reside with their brother James.
James Tooey, son of John Tooey, attended

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

934

public school until 1882, in which year he entered upon his career as an employee at the
Reading Iron Works, and there was promoted
from time to time until he attained a responsiIn 1905 Mr. Tooey gave up his
ble position.
position and purchased the "Union Hotel," formerly known as the "Tittle House," one of the
old landmarks of Danville, built more than
forty-five years ago and first called the "Hud-

Wank, who

(7) Colbert

lives at Milton, Pa.

Orlando died
young. Mr. Smith was a Democrat and a member of Montour Lodge, No. 109, I. O. O. F.
His wife, who died Oct. 29, 1896, lies beside
him in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Danville.
Miles W. Smith was educated in the schools
of Swedeland and Chulasky, and finished his
schooling with two terms in the Danville Acadson River Hotel." He has continued to operate emy. He was obliged to walk every day from
it successfully, and it has become one of the
Chulasky to Danville to attend this school. For
most popular hostelries in this section. Mr. two years after his school days he was clerk
Tooey does everything possible for the comfort in the store of Maltby & Kase at Chulasky, and
and convenience of the traveling public who then worked as a laborer in the furnaces there
patronize his house, and his efforts have been until 1870. Thereafter for four years he was
rewarded by a full share of custom.
employed in the blast furnace of Grove BrothMr. Tooey is a member of St. Joseph's ers, Danville, and for two years with WaterHe belongs to Danville man & Beaver. He also worked for Howe &
Catholic Church.
Aerie, No. 338, Fraternal Order of Eagles, in Samuel, in the Danville Tube Works, for a
which he has passed all the chairs was con- short time. He then went with the Welliver
nected with the German Verein of Danville, Hardware Company, which later became the
now disbanded is a member of Montour Danville Hardware & Supply Company, and
Lodge, No. 1 133, Loyal Order of Moose, of after the first five years was made shipping
Danville; and of Danville Nest, No. 1240, clerk, the position he now holds.
Miles \V. Smith married Margaret C. HoffOrder of Owls. A Democrat in his political
views, he has stanchly supported his party's man, daughter of Daniel Hoffman, and they
have had children as follows: Stella F., who
principles and candidates, but has not desired
is the wife of Walter Bowen, of Danville, and
public office on his own account.
has two children. Miles Stanley and Robert
MILES WILLIAM SMITH, shipping clerk Lawrence; Hiram M., at home; Ethel L., who
for the Danville Hardware k Supply Co., was is the wife of James E. Bennett, and has one
born in Chulasky (Red Point), Northumber- child. James E. Robert, at home Charles,
land Co., Pa., April 28, 1848, son of Hiram who died when two years old; and an infant
that died unnamed. Mr. Smith is a Democrat
Smith.
Hiram Smith, the father, was born May 15, and a member of the Mahoning Presbyterian
181 5, son of David Smith, and died April 23, Church. He is a past grand of Myrtle Lodge,
No. 858, I. O. O. F., and has been recording
1877, ^^ Danville, Pa., where he is buried in
K.

living in Danville.

(8)

;

the Odd Fellows cemetery. By trade he was a
blacksmith.
He left Chulasky when his son

Miles was very young and went to Swedeland,
Upper Merion township, Montgomery county,

where he acted as blacksmith

in the blast fur-

After a short trip to Danville he returned to the furnaces and was made engineer
as well as blacksmith. Later he moved back to
Danville and acted as water man in the Cooperative Mill.
He married Rebecca Hoffman,
who was born Jan. 18, 1820. daughter of Daniel
and Catherine Hoffman, and they had children
as follows: (i) Daniel H. enlisted in Company
F, ii2th Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, served
three years, and was a member of Goodrich
He was
Post, No. 22, G. A. R.. Danville.
naces.

Reading Iron Works at the age
of sixty.
2) Charles died young. (3) Christianna died in infancy. (4) Miles W. is mentioned below.
(5) Warren L. married Annie
Witmer. (6) Hiram, deceased, married Mary
killed in the
(

secretary

for

;

twenty-five

years

;

past

sachem of Mahoning Tribe, No. yy, I. O.
R. M., and has been chief of records for
twenty years and is a past patriarch (and
scribe for two years) of Mnemoloton Encampment, No. 40. I. O. O. F., of Danville.
Daniel Hoffman, father of Mrs. M. W.
Smith, was born in Schuylkill county, and
came to Danville when he was fourteen years
He was a stove mounter by trade. He
old.
was married three times, his first wife being
Catherine Lemberg, who is laid to rest in
Grove cemetery. Xlargaret C. Smith was the
only child by this union. His second wife was
Lucy Fulkerson, and they had these children
Amy F. Robert F. and Mary C. The mother
:

;

of this family

buried in the Presbyterian

Mr. Hoffman's third
cemetery at Danville.
wife was Elizabeth Hart, by whom he had no
children she is buried at Muncy X'alley. Mr.
;

Hoffman was

Republican,

member

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Myrtle Lodge, No. 858,

member

O. O.

F.,

and a

Mahoning Presbyterian Church,

the cemetery of which he

buried.

His life work has been farming, and he has
had a quiet career, taking no part in public
matters.
He
Politically he is a Democrat.

was

JOSHUA HAGERMAN,

farmer and stock

raiser of Anthony township, Montour county,
was born there Dec. 22, 1841, on his present
iTis parents were Mahlon and
homestead.
Catherine (Weidman) Hagerman, his grandparents Joshua and Susanna (Diltz) Hagerman, who had a family of five children. Joshua
Hagerman came to Pennsylvania from New
Jersey with two brothers, settling in Northampton county, where he farmed the rest of
his life.

935

reared

Turbotville

the

Reformed

Church.
In 1876 Mr. Hagerman married Sarah Albeck, a native of Anthony township, born in
She was a
1859, who died Dec. 11, 1893.
member of the Lutheran Church at Turbotville, a charitable Christian woman, and well
liked by all who knew her.
Two children

were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hagerman:
Mahlon, born Oct. 25, 1882, a farmer, married
Stella Lily (born July 21, 1881 ) and has two
children, Lee (born Dec. 8, 1902) and Ruth

Mahlon Hagerman was born May 22, 181 3, (born Oct. 23, 1906) Elizabeth, born March
Northampton county, Pa., and was the II, 1891, is married to Jud. Ford, of Northfourth child in his parents' family. He was umberland county, and has one child, Marie
reared in his native county, and remained there Arline, born March 13, 1913.
until his removal to what is now Montour
Michael and Rosanna (Litchard) Albeck,
county in the spring of 1841. Then he bought grandparents of Mrs. Joshua Hagerman, were
a tract of land in Anthony township including farming people in Wurtemberg, (jcrmany, and
property which is the present home of his son came to this country in 1830. They landed at
Joshua, on which he settled, and which he New York after a voyage of forty-two days,
His original and remained there long enough to buy a
cleared and greatly improved.
purchase was 300 acres, part of which he sold, horse. Then, with a wagon brought from the
168 old country, they set out for I'ennsylvania,
the farm now comprising two tracts
acres.
As he prospered he acquired other and arrived safely on the Muncy Hills with
Mr. Hagerman was active and their eight children, namely
Gottlieb
holdings.
prominent in township affairs, serving his fel- Michael, who lived in Lycoming county. Pa.;
;

—

low citizens one term as supervisor and one
term as overseer of the poor. He lived to the
great age of ninety-two years, dying in February, 1905.
On Oct. 22, 1838, Mr. Hagerman married,
in Northampton county. Pa., Catherine Weidman, daughter of John and Hannah Weidman,
the former of whom died in 1840, the latter
about 1870; they are buried in Northampton
Mrs. Hagerman died in 1895. Six
county.
children were born to her and her husband
Joshua Sarah Ann, widow of Charles Smith,
:

;

living

Anthony township, Montour

Co.,

Susan Ellen, wife of William Weyers, of
Harriet Catherine, wife of
Findlay, Ohio
Clayton Ford, of Findlay, Ohio John, of Turbotville. Pa., who married Amanda Snyder;
and Jacob, deceased.
Joshua Hagerman was reared at his present
home and received his education in the public
Pa.

;

From the age of
schools of the district.
twelve until he was a young man of twentythree he farmed for his father, after that enon his own acgaging
count, and he bought the homestead in 1895.
He has always lived there. He has been a
successful farmer and stock raiser, and is one
of the most respected residents of his section.
in agricultural pursuits

;

George, deceased
John, in Danville, Pa.
Rosanna, deJacob, of Anthony township
ceased Catherine, deceased and Christianna,
wife of Isaac Kisner, of Clarkestown, Lycom;

;

ing county.

thony

Michael Albeck settled

township,

what

An-

now Montour

county, where his son Jacob afterward lived,
buying sixty-two acres, of which five were
cleared, and he remained there until his death,
The mother died Nov. 11,
Dec. 23, 1862.
1866.
Gottlieb Albeck, father of Mrs.

made

his

home

Hagerman,
Anthony township. He

married Catherine Schwartz, and they had a
family of nine children, of whom only two
survive: Michael, who married Henrietta Hill

Moreland township, Lycoming
who married Margaret
Neupher and lives in Anthony townshij), Montour county. Some of the others were Jacob,
John, George, David and Sarah.
and

lives

Co.,

Pa.; and Isaac,

OMER

YOUNG, who

proprietor of a

merchant tailoring establishment at Danville,
Pa., is a native of the State of Maryland, born
He is a son of John D. and
Ian. 21, 1857.
Maria (Keyser) Young.
Dewold Young, the paternal grandfather of

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

936

Omer

F. Young, served in the war of 1812 mand the thorough confidence of the heads of
from Maryland, later became a brickmaker and the concern, and in his wise administration of
contractor, and died at the age of eighty-seven affairs under his charge he has gained the positive respect of every
years.
employee with whom he
was
Dewold
has
son
of
come in contact. Mr. Johnson is, moreD.
Young,
Young,
John
born in Washington county, Md., and when a over, actively interested in the public welfare,
young man adopted the merchant tailoring and and has worked for the good of the town
clothing business as his life work, continuing through various channels. He was born Aug.
to make that his business throughout his active 21, 1 87 1, at Light Street, Colmnbia county, son
career. A stalwart Republican, in i860 he cast of Mason Crory Johnson.
one of the two votes for Abraham Lincoln
Stephen C. Johnson, his grandfather, was
polled in his home town, which had a popula- born in Rhode Island, and settled in Luzerne
He married county, Pa. His wife, Susanna, was the
tion of more than a thousand.
Maria Keyser, also a native of Washington daughter of William Erwine, and they had
county, Md., and they became the parents of the following children
George W. married
six children, as follows
Charles, who is con- Phoebe Weiss Mason Crory is mentioned be:

;

nected with the United States mail service in
the State of Maryland; Omer F.
Howard,
United States government gauger at Clear

low; Stephen died while serving in the Civil
war; Samuel married Augusta Price; Harriet
married Emanuel Ruckle; Sarah married

Spring, Md. Ellsworth, residing at Roanoke,
Adella, living at Clear Spring, Md. and
George B., also a resident of that place.
Omer F. Young, son of John D. Young, completed his education in the public schools of his
native locality, following which he started to
learn the trade of cabinetmaker, but later gave
this up to learn the tailor's trade. He was thus
engaged until receiving his appointment as deputy sheriff of Washington county, Md. When
his term of office expired he resumed tailoring,
which he followed successfully in Maryland

Alexander Kramer.
Mason Crory Johnson was born June 18,
1835, at Beach Haven, Luzerne Co., Pa., and

;

Va.

;

until 1887. That year
Danville, Pa., where he

Mr. Young removed to
embarked in his i)resent

business, an enterprise that has steadily continued to develop until he now controls a large
trade drawn from all over this section.
Mr.
Young is a thorough master of his trade, and
his reputation for high-class work has done
much to extend the area from which his patronage is derived.
In 1889 Mr. Young was married to Catherine
Schuster, and to this union there has been born

one son, Charles O.,

now

twenty-three years of

young business man of Danville. Mr.
and Mrs. Young are members of the Lutheran
age, a

Church. Like his father he is a stanch Re})ublican, but he has not sought preferment on his

own

received his education in the common schools
Huntington Mills. For a number of years
he was employed in the ore mines between
Bloomsburg and Light Street, for the Irondale
at

Company and McKelvey & Neal, working at
the Neal furnace until thirty-five years old.
While thus engaged he lived
During the Civil war he was

2 1 St Regiment, Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, under Captain Kline, which was organized at Harrisburg in 1863, and was discharged
in September of that year at
Harrisburg by
Governor Curtin. In 1879 ^^r. Johnson came
to Berwick and entered the establishment of
the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, continuing with their successors, the

American Car & Foundry Company.

a highly esteemed citizen of Berwick, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and well
known among his fellow employees. He married Laura Smith, who was born in 1845,
and they are the parents of six children William Smith married Emma Faust Catherine is
married to Bruce Johnson; Josephine is the
wife of Ezra Housenick Warren \'ictor mar:

;

Beulah H. Macpherson h>nest married
Pauline McMichael Edith married Roy W.
ried

account.

at Light Street.
in Company G,

;

WILLIAM SMITH JOHNSON

one of

known

residents of Berwick, to which
town he came when a boy, in 1880. Ever
since he began work he has been with the jilant
now owned by the American Car & Foundry
Company, formerly carried on by the Jackson

the best

& Woodin Company.

As general superintendent at Berwick for the last nine years his
duties have been so ably discharged as to com-

Bowman.
Elias Smith, father of Mrs. Laura (Smith)
Johnson, came to this section from Belvidere,
N. J. His death occurred in 1881. His wife's
name was Catherine Stucker, and they had a
family of eight children, Mrs. Johnson's
brother and sisters being: Mary, wife of Gervis Ober; Almira, wife of Andrew Terwilliger Savilla, wife of Jacob Claussen William
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
McK., who married

Emma

Nixon; Catherine,

wife of Joseph Hickman Martha Jane, wife
of William Bahme; and Burnetta, wife of Wil;

Ham

Ent.

The

father was a Presbyterian in

religion.

William Smith Johnson began his education in the common schools at Light Street,
after the family's removal to Berwick attending the Market street school there and later
_

the high school, from which he was graduated
in 1891.
Meantime he had commenced work,
started
as a call boy in the foundry
having
when fourteen years old, and he spent a year
and a half in the machine shop. After finishing his high school course he went to work
in the casting foundry, as coremaker, under
William Scholes, foreman.
From there he
was transferred to the smith shop, under Foreman William Boyles, thence to the rolling mill

under Superintendent J. H. Catterall.
His
next change was to the time office of the upper
and lower works, following which he was clerk
for William

H. Woodin,

Jr.,

the district

man-

937

served his fellow citizens as a member of the
school board, and he has been
particularly interested in the overthrow of the
liquor traffic.
being opposed to the use and sale of intoxicants.
His religious connection is with the
Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a
trustee for eighteen years.
As a member of
the board of managers of the Berwick Y. M.
C. A. he has had a hand in
shaping its i)olicies
and has done all in his power to promote its
work. He is also a member of the Berwick
Benelkial Association, and socially belongs to
Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M., and to the

Berwick Club.
Mr. Johnson was united
1894, with

Emma

marriage Jan.

19,

Faust, and their children
as follows
Clark Faust,

have been born
Nov. i, 1894 Frederick Russell, Jan. 8, 1897;
Albert Mason, July 12, 1898; Richard Monroe,
:

;

6, 190 1
Mary Catherine, July 16, 1904;
Josephine Housenick, Dec. 18, 1906; Ella
Pauline, April 2T„ 1910; William Smith, Jr.,

Jan.

;

Jan. 10, 1914.

After some experience in the forge
Mrs. Johnson is a great-granddaughter of
shops as inspector and cost clerk, under Su- John and Rosena (Hungsinger) Faust, whose
perintendent James G. Hempstead, he became children were: John, George, William, Henry,
blacksmith foreman under Mr. Hempstead in Jameson, Phoebe, Betsy, Jacob and Rosena.
the forge department, and was so employed
William Faust, her grandfather, was a nauntil made shop representative under Mr. tive of Pennsylvania and passed all his life in
Lowry, in charge of the old wood car depart- this State. After reaching his majority he
ment. In 1905 he was made general superin- settled in Locust Valley, Schuylkill county,
tendent at Berwick for the American Car and where he bought four hundred acres of timFoundry Company, which had in the mean- berland and there spent a number of years,
time acquired ownership of the works. Mr. He built a sawmill, cleared his land and folJohnson's varied experience in the different lowed farming. He died at the age of fiftydepartments was excellent preparation for his two years, and his wife, Rebecca (Lindenpresent position, which requires thorough fa- mouth), died July 17, 1897. Their fourteen
Israel, deceased
miliarity with the practical part of the work, a children were as follows
comprehensive understanding of the relations John, deceased; Joseph, who is a contractor in
of the various departments each to the other, Berwick: William; Henry, deceased; Eli, deand executive ability which must be relied ceased; George, a resident of St. Nicholas,
upon to make the best of every situation which Pa. Amos, of Mahanoy City, Pa. Eliza, Mrs.
arises.
That he has measured up to this diffi- D. S. Scheipe, deceased; Ann, wife of J. J.
cult standard is evident from the length of W^elborn, of Mahanoy City; Catherine, Mrs.
time he has been retained in so important a William Allen; Rosanna, Mrs. J. B. KoppenHe has accommodated himself to hoft'er; Lucetta, Mrs. J. R. Thompson; and
position.
the growth of the plant and been a factor in Rebecca, Mrs. H. R. Manger, of New Boston,
its progress to such an extent that he is conPennsylvania.
sidered one of the most valuable citizens of
William Faust, father of Mrs. Johnson, was
Berwick. His agreeable personality has made born July 3, 1845, i" Locust \'alley, where he
When fourteen years old
his relations with his fellow men in every asso- spent his boyhood.
ciation pleasant.
he moved with his parents to Middleport,
Mr. Johnson is a leading worker in the Re- Schuylkill county. At the age of sixteen he
publican party in Columbia county, following enlisted in Conii)any I, 48th Pennsylvania \'olin the footsteps of his forefathers, his grand- unteer
Infantry, as musician, and served
father having been a Whig, his father a Re- through the war, first in the 9th Army Corps,
publican. He is a member of the Republican under General Burnside. He took part in the
State central committee.
Mr. Johnson has engagements at Bull Run (second). South
ager.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

938

Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, had

marked by

a furlough of thirty days, and on his return
With
to the service joined Grant's command.
that he participated in the battles of the Wil-

his profession.

Cold

derness,

Harbor

and

Spottsylvania,
Petersburg, and was discharged June 12, 1865,
with an honorable record. Mr. Faust learned
the trade of cabinetmaker, and in 1867 carne
to Berwick and entered the Jackson & Woodin
Company's plant, where after

Manufacturing
eleven years' employment in the carpentry department he became its foreman, in 1878, with
fifeighty men under him. They turned out

He passed the rest of his life
Berwick, dying at the age of fifty-six years.
He belonged to the I. O. O. F. and took quite
a prominent part in the borough government,
serving several times as member of the town
His wife, Mary (Smith), was a
council.
daughter of John Smith, of Black Creek, Luzerne county.
They had three children:
Frank, who is employed by the American Car
and Foundry Company; Emma, Mrs. William
Smith Johnson; and Charles, who died in inteen cars a day.
in

fancy.

HARVEY

and he

stands, very high in

WAGNER,

of Danville, is in
G.
business as proprietor of a meat market and
liveryman. He was born at Washingtonville, in
Derry township, Montour Co., Pa., Oct. 17,
Michael Wag1880, son of Daniel Wagner.
ner, his grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania his wife was a Miss Dieft'enbaucher.
;

Daniel Wagner, son of Michael Wagner, was
born June 2-j, 185 1, at Washingtonville, Montour county, and has been a farmer all his life.
His wife, born in August. 1854. bore the maiden
name of Sarah Dietrich, and is a daughter of
Gideon and Susan ( Moser ) Dietrich, natives of
Berks county. Pa. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Daniel Wagner had ten children, nine of whom are living:
Lawrence; Iva, who is the wife of Calvin
Cromley, a farmer Harvey G. Homer, who
resides at Youngstown. Ohio David, who resides in Flanders, N. J. Welletta, who married
William Hartline Palmer, deceased Mary, deceased Elmer, who resides with his brother
Harvey G. and John, who also lives with
;

;

RAYMOND JACK HAUSER,
sician

success,

M. D., phyand surgeon of Danville, was born in

Mahoning township. Montour
1886, son of William B.

Co., Pa., July 25,

and Rosa (Brady)

Hauser.
William B. Hauser was born

Harvey.

Harvey G. Wagner attended

the local school

Derry township until fifteen years old. I'>om
that time he worked amono- the farmers of the
township until he was eighteen years old, when
he went to New York State, doing farm work
and later becoming foreman in a nursery.

in Montour
was his wife. He is a bricklayer by When twenty- four years old he returned to his
trade. They have two children. Raymond Jack native county, and settling at Danville oi)ened
and Dorothy Mary, the latter attending gram- his present meat market, which he is operating
In July, 1913. he started
mar school in Danville.
ver}- successfully.
Raymond Jack Hauser was educated in the a livery business, which he carries on in addipublic and high schools of Danville and the tion to his meat market. The livery is located
University of Pennsylvania, being graduated in the rear of the "Montour House."
\\'liile in New 'S'ork State Mr. Wagner met
from the medical department of that institution
in 1910 with honors.
For the next six months and married Mary Brown, who was born Aug.
he was chief resident physician at the West 26. 1879, in St. Lawrence county, N. Y.,
Chester (Pa.) hospital, and then spent six daughter of Kingsley and Elizabeth (Paul)
months more as chief resident physician at the Brown.
They have no children.
Trinity
Chester hospital. In 191 1 he came to Dan\ille Lutheran Church holds Mr. Wagner's memberand established himself in general practice, and ship. Politically he is a Democrat, but he has
later was appointed physician attached to the had no time to enter public life, devoting himMontour county poorhouse and the county jail, self diligently to his business.

county, as

holding this appointment until Jan. I. 1914.
He is physician for the Danville Structural

Tubing Company.
Professionally Dr. Hauser belongs to the
Montour County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and' the American

Medical Association.

WILLIAM GEORGE TURNER,

Fraternally he belongs

Mahoning Lodge. No. 516, F. & A. M.. and
the Loyal Order of Moose.
His career as a
to

medical man, though brief, has already been

of Dan-

one of the oldest active employees in the
mills of the Reading Iron Company, was born
in that borough March 20. 1862.
William Turner, his father, was born in Lancashire, England, and came to Danville with
his parents at the age of eight years.
He was
a brickmaker by trade and during the winter
season was employed at foundry work in Danville,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
He died in October, 1862, at Point LookMd., as the result of being wounded. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company H, 93d
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, which
was attached to the Army of the Potomac.
William Turner married Mary 15ear, a native
of Northumberland county, Pa., born March
ville.

out,

She died
31, 1824, daughter of John Bear.
Aug. I, 1909, at the age of eighty-four years,
the mother of three children, of whom \\ illiam
George is the only survivor.
William George Turner was reared at Daflville in the care of his widowed mother, and
received his education at White Hall, Pa., in
the Soldiers' Orphans' School in Cumberland
county. When a youth of seventeen he commenced to work in the mills, where he has ever
since been employed, formerly by Waterman iS:
Beaver, and now with the Reading Iron Com-

pany. By intelligent atid i^eliable work he has
gained the confidence of all his superiors, being
now boss rougher in the mills. He is a man
of substantial (|ualities, and is one of the good
citizens of Danville.
On Nov. 7, 1888, Mr. Turner married Minnie Lunger, who was born April 23, 187 1, at
Danville, daugliter of Samuel Lunger, and
granddaughter of John and Ann Lunger. Her
father, born at Danville x*\pril 2"], 1841, was a
brickmaker by trade, and died April 16, 1914.
On Aug. 8, 1861, he married Isabelle Paugh,

IVIrs.

939

Turner's father, Samuel Lunger, was
months' service during the Civil

in the nine

war

as memlier of
vania Volunteers.

Company A, i32d

JOHN LEWIS JONES, who

Pennsyl-

charge of

the shipments of the Danville Structural Tubing Company's products, was born at Danville
May 19, 1880, and is one of the native sons
of Alontour county.

Evan Jones, his father, came U) Danville to
enter the North Branch plant of the Steel Company as heater, and held the same position with
the Tube Company. His death occurred

when he was only

May

thirty-nine years old.
He married Ida F. W'are, a daughter of Daniel
and Sarah Ann (Byerly) Ware, the former of
whom, now deceased, was a veteran of the Ci\il
war. His widow still survives. Mr. and Mrs.
Jones became the parents of three children
Walter Edward, who resides at Philadelphia;
8,

1895,

Gordon Franklin; and John Lewis.
John Lewis Jones was only a lad when he had
the misfortune to lose his father, so he was
obliged to leave school and go to work to help

12, 1843, ^•''d is now seventy-one
years old. To her and her husband were born
four children, of whom one is deceased, the
others being: Mrs. Turner; Anna, born July
6, 1864, wife of Harry Stetler, of Johnstown,
Pa. and Thomas, born July 29, 1874, of Trenton, N. J., who married Ida Ritter, of MooresThe following chilburg, Montour Co., Pa.
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner

support his mother. In 1897 he entered the
Price Tube Works as a mill hand, and so proved
his efficiency that in 1900 he was placed in
charge of the shipping department, now supervising the shipping of the entire output.
Mr. Jones has had two children, but only
one survives, John Paul, who was born July 31,
1908. Reared in the Catholic faith, Mr. Jones
became a member of that church, belonging to
St. Joseph's parish in Danville.
He is also a
member of St. Joseph's Total Abstinence Society.
Becoming a member of Friendship P ire
Company No. i, in January, 1899, he was made
its chief on Dec. 7, 1912.
A man of the utmost
reliability, Mr. Jones has proved his worth in
every line of endeavor he has undertaken and
deserves the promotion which has fallen to

Ralph Edward, born March

his lot.

whose

father, William Paugh, was engaged at
the Danville Roller Mills.
Mrs. Lunger was

born March

;

Johnsto\vn

;

Harry

1890, now at
Clinton, born July 21, 1891,
7,

at Johnstown; William Harrison, born
July 21, 1893, at home; Isabelle Marie, born
Dec. I, 1894; Mary Elizabeth, born Jan. 6,
1897 Samuel Ranch, born Feb. 27, 1899, at
home Howard Valentine, born Feb. 14, 1902
and Anna Catherine, born Jan. 26, 1906. The
eldest son, Ralph Edward, has served in the
United States navy, and was on the "Kearsarge" during her memorable trip around the

also

;

world under Admiral "Bob" Evans. Mr. Turner was reared in the faith of the Lutheran
Church, belonging to the Pine Street Church,
and his wife is a member of Trinity Methodist
Church.

MRS. AMELIA (MATUTEWIZZ)

SWENTEK,

a resident of Danville,

was born

Montour

Poland, Russia, Oct. 5,
He
1866, a daughter of Justyn Matutewizz.
was born in Wojnunce, Poland, in 1843, and
came with his family to America in 187 1, locating in Luzerne county. Pa. Although he had
been a farmer in his native land, upon coming
to Pennsylvania he found employment in the
mines, and he lost his life in a mine accident,
a cave-in shutting him off with twenty-five
other miners. Rescue was impossible, the bodies of the unfortunates never being recovered.
This lamentable event occurring on Dec. 18,
Co., Pa.,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

940

1885, Mrs. Swentek lost her father when she of the language and customs in his new home
was nineteen years old. He died in the faith at Danville. Within a short time he engaged
of the Catholic Church. The mother of Mrs. in business for himself and soon took a place
Swentek bore the maiden name of Anna among the leading business men of his adopted
Woysznor and she came of a noble Polish fam- city, where he owned and operated a general
manufactured
Her birth occurred in 1842, and she was merchandise
establishment,
ily.
a daughter of Vincent and Agatha (Kokucin- shoes and engaged in tailoring. Discontinuing
The children born to Justyn this business, he began hotelkeeping in Danias) Woysznor.
Matutewizz and his wife were Amelia, Mrs. ville where the "St. Elmo Hotel" is now conSwentek; Louis, who resides at Carbondale, ducted, and was thus occupied for seventeen
In 1902 he again
and Steptania, w4io married Joseph years, when he retired.
Pa.
entered the hotel business, which he continued
Tratzki, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Swentek attended school during her until Jan. 21, 19 10, at that time selling and
girlhood and proved so bright a pupil that she retiring permanently because of failing health.
had no difficulty in securing a position in the He never regained his normal condition, and
:

;

post office at Nanticoke, Pa., as a clerk. Later
she clerked in a dry goods store for eighteen
months, following which she made a trip to
her old home to visit her grandparents. After
a year's visit she returned to America and
clerked for another year, when she was made
manager and bu\er of the shoe department in
a large mercantile establishment, holding this
responsible position for eight years. She was
married Nov. 6, 1901, to Paul P. Swentek, born
March 17, 1843, "' Krotoschin, Posen, Prussia,
a son of Paul and Agnes (Fuhman) Swentek.
Paul Swentek was a heavy landowner and
served during the Thirty Years' war, in which

he was killed when his son, Paul P., was two
years old. The latter had a brother, who is
also deceased.
Paul P. Swentek had an illustrious record
as an officer in several wars. He held an official position in his native country, but when
the Polish rebellion broke out, although still a

young man, he served with the Polish ])atriots.
Captured, he was exiled to Siberia, but was
fortunate enough to escape into Germany,
where he became an officer in the army and
participated in the Austro-German war in 1866,
and was also an officer in the Franco-German
war.
While residing in Germany, between
1866 and 1870, he had charge of the "Hotel Du
Nord" at Berlin, which is noted as being one
of the old hostelries of that famous capital.
Upon entering the army for service during the
trouble with France he was made orderly to his
general, and was decorated with the Iron Cross
for distinguished bravery during that struggle.
is one that is
appreciated beyond

This honor

anything else by the

army and none

of the German
unless specially de-

officers

attain to

serving of distinction.

After completing his service in the army Mr.
Swentek came to the United States, and with
his brother found employment in the roller
mills until he gained a fair working knowledge

his death occurred July

8,-

191

All of his

he was a devout Catholic, and his widow is
a member of the same church. Mr. Swentek
was a Democrat, and served as a delegate to the
national convention of his party held at St.
Louis. Although he did not care for office, he
was an enthusiastic worker for his party. Mr.
and Mrs. Swentek had one child, Pauline
Patronia, who was born Sept. 21, 1902.
life

CHARLES E. LAZARUS, a leading farmer
and stock raiser of Liberty township, Montour
county, was born Dec. 7, 1876, in Scott township, Columbia county. He is the son of Daniel
T. Lazarus, a Civil war veteran, and grandson
of Samuel Lazarus, one of the oldest settlers
of Columbia county.
Samuel Lazarus was one of the first settlers
of the county, during the period when the
Indians roamed at will along their paths and
scalped an occasional white man whom they

found unprotected and alone. He built the old
log houses on the "Grovania" farm, cleared the
land and brought it under a state of culture.
He donated the plot on which the Lazarus
church and cemetery were located and was a
fine example of the sturdy pioneer whose vigorous strokes hewed from the wilderness the
home in which he reared his family.
Daniel T. Lazarus was born at Grovania,
Columbia county, in 1840, and died in i\)Oj.
His education was gained in the "subscription"
schools of his native village and he early took
up the task of earning a living from the soil.
When the Civil war began he enlisted in Company F. 178th Regiment. Pennsylvania \'olunteers, for a period of nine months, being honorably discharged at Harrisburg, July 2~. 1863.
After that he went to the West and worked on
But
several railroads, in different positions.
the call of home finally brought him back to
Columbia county and he remained there two
years, later buying a tract of 105 acres in

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Liberty township, Montour county, on which
he spent the rest of his long and useful hfe.
His heirs still own that farm.
Mr. Lazarus married Catherine Wertman,

who was born Sept. 14, 1847, "i Montour
county, and now lives with Mrs. N. S. Keefer,
of Liberty townshi]x
Her father, Michael
Wertman, was born Sept. 2, 1812, near Ijloomsburg, and was one of a family of old settlers of
Cooper township who at one time owned large
tracts of valuable ore land and mines near Danville.
Mrs. Wertman was Barbara Mauser,
daughter of Christian and Catherine (Sechler)
Mauser, the Mauser family being one of the
oldest in this county. Of the children born to
Mr. and Mrs. Lazarus two besides Charles E.
are living in Liberty township William H., a
farmer, and Harriet Catherine, wife of
Nathaniel Keefer.
Charles E. Lazarus attended the country
schools and labored on the home farm until
1903, when he went on the present farm, which
is the property of his mother, and took a life
partner in the person of Dora Rae Cotner, born
April 14. 1878, daughter of J. Dallas and
Josephine (Stout) Cotner. To this union have
been born four children Maude, March 9, 1904
:

March

1904) Stanley Edwin, April
23, 1906 Bernice Catherine, Jan. 31, 1908; and
Anna Geraldine, July 13, 191 1.
Mr. Lazarus takes but little interest in political parties, but is alive to the interests of his
(died

14,

;

home county and

participates in

all

movements

having as their objects the improvement of
methods and means for farming and developing the resources of his county. He is a member of the Oak Grove Lutheran Church, of the
General Council, and supports all the Ijeneficences of that organization.
J.

ORVILLE REED,

veterinary surgeon,

of Danville, has been in practice there since
about 1897, and is considered one of the most
reliable men in his line in that part of Montour
Mr. Reed was born Nov. 10, 1874,
county.
in Rush township, Northumberland Co., Pa.,
son of Jacob Miles and Sarah (Fields) Reed,
who are natives of Danville. They now live

Rush township, Northumberland county.
The father has always been a farmer by occupation, though he read medicine for two
in

years.
J.

Orville

public

Reed had the advantages of the
and also attended Danville

school,

After deciding to make veterinary
surgery his life work he entered the Ontario
Veterinary College at Toronto, graduating in
1896, and immediately began practice at x^l-

Academy.

941

bion, Mich., where he was located for one
year. Returning thence to Danville he took up
practice in that borough, where he has ever
since remained.
Mis services are in constant

demand, and

his skill and conscientious attention are recognized wherever he is called.
June 24, 1907, Mr. Reed married Carrie
^^

Danville, who was born there
1880. daughter of William and Martha
(Erwine) Thompson, the former of whom is
an ore miner. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have had

Thompson, of
Oct.

two children, Martha Gertrude, born Jan. 20,
1910, and Mary Elizabeth, born July 31, 191 1.
Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Ma-

honing Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M., Danville
Chapter, No. 239, R. A. M., and Calvary
Commandery, No. 37, K. T.

JAMES

MARTIN, proprietor of a restaurant and confectionery business at Danville,
Alontour Co., Pa., was born at Danville, Dec.
16, 1865, son of Patrick Martin.
Patrick Martin was born in 1823 in County
Westmeath, Ireland, and died at Danville, Jan.
20, 1906, aged eighty-three years. In young
manhood he came to Danville, Pa., where he
found employment in the Danville blast furGrove Brothers, and continued with this concern for many years. In 1853
he was married in Haycock township, Bucks
Co., Pa., to Margaret Reilly, who was born in
1834 in County Cavan, Ireland, and came to
America when fourteen years old. She survives Mr. Martin.
He was a hard working
man, and had the respect of all who knew him.
They had the following family Julia, who was
the wife of Bigler Dean, and is deceased
Kate; Margaret, who married William Goodwin Ella Thomas James Mary, who married Dr. Archibald McBride, of Paterson, N,
J., government meat inspector; Anna; John;
Jennie, who married James Hickey and Elizabeth, who married Thomas Kelly.
James Martin when only ten years old began
working in the old Rough and Ready mills at
Danville and held various positions in Danville
mills until 1897, when he embarked in a grocery business, carrying it on for two years.
Then he engaged in his present line, conducting a restaurant and handling confectionery,
His success has
ice cream, cigars and tobacco.
been steady and he deserves his prosperity.
Mr. Martin was married to Bridget DufTey,
who was born May 29, 1873, in Mahoning
nace, operated by

;

township, Montour county, a daughter of
Owen Duffey, then a mill employee, but now a
Mr. and Mrs. Martin have
retired fanner.

had the following children: James, Emma,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

942

working on the Alexander Billmeyer farm
there three years. Later he was employed at
lumbering for two years, after that experience
Catholic
Roman
to
St.
resuming farming for another three years,
Joseph's
ily belong
Church, and he is a member of the Society of- with Jacob Fry, of Hemlock township, Cothe Holy Name. He is a charter member of lumbia county. In 191 1 he again went to work
Danville Lodge of Elks, No. 754. Mr. ^Martin at lumbering, and in 1913 he settled on the
farm in Limestone township, near Ottawa,
is not interested in politics, devoting all of his
which he is now operating. It contains 175
attention to his business.
acres, and Mr. Lehman is engaged in general
FRANK LEHMAN, who has recently set- farming for Henry Cooper. He is an industled on a farm in Limestone township, Mon- trious and thrifty farmer, and has the respect
tour county, near Ottawa, is a son of John of all his neighbors. He gives all his time to
Lehman and grandson of Michael Lehman, his work, taking no part in politics or other
The latter came to America with his wife and public affairs.
Mr. Lehman is married to Ida Hawk, who
son in 1882 and died May 21, 1893, in Danwas
born Aug. 20, 1885, in Derry township,
His
of
at
the
ville. Pa.,
seventy-two years.
age
wife, Regina Goertz, subsequently returned to and belongs to one of the oldest families of
the township, being a daughter of Joseph and
Germany, where she died Aug. 12, 191 3.
They have had
John Lehman was born in Germany, Aug. Mary (Steinman) Hawk.
four children: John, born Nov. 21, 1902;
II, 1854, and there passed his youth and early
manhood, bringing his family to America in Harry, born Jan. 19, 1905; Fred, born May i,
1883.
They first came to Danville, Montour 1908; and Dorothy, born April 14, 1912. Mr.
Co., Pa., where he found employment in the Lehman was reared in the faith of the Roman
Re- Catholic Church,
blast furnaces and remained until 1885.
moving to Williamsport, Pa., he remained
EMIL GAERTNER, proprietor of the Gerthere for seven months, and then returned to
Danville and resumed work in the blast fur- mania Brewery at Danville, was born in Gernaces, being thus employed for a number of many, in Wagcnstadt, Baden, Jan. 5, 1869, son
For several years he worked on the of Herman and Regina (Mossman) Gaertner.
years.
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad. The father was a landowner in Germany.
Emil Gaertner was reared by Gustave GaertLater he secured work with the Hanover
Brewing Company at Danville, where he has ner, one of the original owners of the brewery,
been employed for the last eighteen years, who was a son of Benedict Gaertner. The latHis home is now in Mahoning township, Mon- ter, rebelling against the government in the
tour county, at what is known as Sidler Hill, trouble with Prussia, came to the United States
On Dec. 2, 1874, he married Elizabetii Leng, in 1848, and in 1849 was in the war with Mcxdaughter of Martin Leng, and she died April ico, being killed in the serv'ice. Prior to leaving
2, 1893, the mother of ten children
Fred, Germany he had been a hotel man of promMargaret, Eugene, Ruth, Isabelle and Lorena
(twins, Lorena deceased), and Paul; the older
ones attend school. Mr. Martin and his fam-

born March 30, 1876, now of Seattle. Wash.
August, born Jan. 4, 1880, of Portland,
Maine; Frank; Jacob, born in November,
1885, o^ Watsontown, Pa.; Anna, born Sept.
8, 1878, of Williamsport, Pa.
Amelia, bom
July 19, 1887, wife of Harry Wertman, of
Danville Paul, deceased and others who died
in infancy in Germany.
The father remarried, his second wife being Christine Letter,
by which union there are three children
Michael, born Oct. 19, 1895; Mary, Dec. 8,
1897; and George, March 9, 1900.
Frank Lehman was born Nov. 8, 1882, in
;

;

West Prussia, Germany, and was only eleven
months old when the family came to America,

obtained

education in the common
schools, after which he worked at the butcher
business for several years, until he went to
Derry township, Montour county, in 1903,
his

inence.

After completing his course in the public
schools of Wagenstadt, Germany, Mr. Gaertner prepared himself for his future work by
taking up fermentology at the Wahl-Henius
Institute, in Chicago, Til., in 1896.
Following
this he was made assistant brewmaster for Enz

Schafer, at Allegheny, Pa., and after four
years was made brewmaster of their establishment, and so continued for four years more.
Then he was made brewmaster of the Lauer

brewery, at Pittsburgh, leaving after a year to
spend three years at the Connellsville brewery.
From the latter he went to Fairmont, W. Va.,
for three years, in the employ of the Fairmont

brewery, and then became one of the organizers of the Cresson Springs Brewing Cotnpanv
in 1903, being its general manager and head
brewer. Selling his interests in 1907, he bought

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Germania Brewing Company's plant at
Danville, and has since conducted it. He belongs to the United States Brewniasters' Association, and fraternally is a member of the Danville lodges of the Elks, Eagles, Heptasophs
and Loyal Order of Moose.
the

On July 24, 1892, Mr. Gaertner married
Fredericka Walburg, of Dalkingen, Germany,
and they have had seven children: Emil A.,
Flora, Adelheid, Albert J., Harry, Theodore
and Anna. The family belong to St. Hubert's
Catholic Church of Danville.

GEORGE RODENHOFFER
ployee of the Danville Foundry

em-

& Machine

well known in the borough,
he held the office of assessor for twelve

Company and
where

He was

years.
ville,

a son of

born in May, 1850, at DanGeorge and Rosanna (Oster-

man) Rodenhoffer.

Adam

the paternal grandfather of George Rodenhoft'er. was a native
of Germany, and following his death in the
Fatherland his widow came to the United
States with her son's family. She died at the
remarkable age of ninety-eight years.
George Rodenhoffer, son of Adam and
father of George Rodenhoffer, was born in

Rodenhoffer,

February, 1805, in Bavaria, Germany, and was
thirty-four years of age when he emigrated
to America, locating at Pottsville, Pa., where
he followed shoemaking until 1845. In that
year he came to Danville, and secured employment in the rolling mill, where he continued
until 1865.
He did other work until 1869,

when- he removed to Liberty township, Montour county, and where his death occurred in
1885, when he was seventy-nine years of age.
He was married to Rosanna Osterman, who
was born in Prussia and came to America with
her father, August Osterman, settling at PottsHer death occurred in 1868, when
ville, Pa.
she was fifty-two years old.
Mr. and Mrs.
Rodenhoffer had a family of eight children, of

943

rolling mills, where for two and a half years
he acted in the capacity of foreman puddler.
Being an expert in his line of work, his long

experience

made him one

and valued men
ployed

of the most valuable

He is now emFoundry & Machine

at the mills.

the Danville

Company's shops.
Mr. Rodenhoffer was married to Elizabeth
Kinn, who was born at Danville, Pa., July 15,
1855, daughter of John B. and Barbara (Dietrich) Kinn, who came from Germany to Danville, where Mr. Kinn was employed in the
mines and rolling mills. Mr. and Mrs. Rodenhoffer have had twelve children, of whom the
following are living Frank Mary, who became the wife of Joseph Lawson, of Scranton,
Pa., and has four children; Harry, who is in
the United States army and is now stationed
in Tampico, Mexico; Mildred T., who lives
:

;

with her parents; Rose, who married Frank.
Faulk, of Pittsburgh, and has one child; and
Coletta, the wife of Raymond Foust, who has
one child (she lives with her father).
Mr. Rodenhoffer was reared in the faith of
St. Hubert's Catholic Church.
In political
matters a Democrat, he has ever been active
in support of his party's principles and candidates, and has held a number of offices, having been borough assessor for twelve years.
He is a worthy example of the self-made man,
having been the architect of his own fortune,

and

esteem

eminently deservin'g of the universal
which he is held.

SAMUEL WESLEY BAKER,

deceased,

former commander of Col. W. H. Ent Post,
No. 250, G. A. R., of Bloomsburg, Pa., was born
July 12, 1844, in Centre township, Columbia
county, son of Melanchthon Baker and a descendant of an English family which settled
in

New York

State in early Colonial times.

Melanchthon Baker was born in New York
State Aug. 28, 181 1, and followed the occupation of bridge building. Coming to Columwhom four now survive Louis, of Buffalo, bia county, I'a., he worked on the Pennsylvania
N. Y., who served in the Union army during canal as boatman, carrying coal to the SouthHe first ran boats for one of
the Civil war, and suffered the loss of a leg at ern markets.
Petersburg, in June, 1864; Rosanna, who is the freight carrying companies, but later owned
the wife of W. Zielenbach
Catherine, who a boat of his own. A few years before his
death he retired and lived with his son, Sammarried W. Stangier, and George.
After completing his studies in the public uel W. Baker. He owned a home and five
schools George Rodenhoffer secured a posi- acres of land in Centre township, which he
His wife, .\senath
tion in the Danville foundry, where he re- cultivated occasionally.
mained up to the age of fourteen years, when (McAllister), was of Irish parentage, and
:

;

he entered the rolling mills.
Following this
he was employed in the coal mines for a year
and a half, and he then spent five years in the
tea business.
Eventually he returned to the

were: Adelia Jane, born March
married Theodore C. Fowler, of
Bloomsburg William Erastus. born Jan. 27,
1835, married Hetty Fenstermaker IMary De-

their children
21,

1832.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

944

born April 21, 1836, died Jan. 5, 1837;
Clarissa Rebecca, born May 11, 1840, died
born Sept. 8,
Sept. 21, 1840; George Milford,
married Alverna Creveling, who lives
1 84 1,
and Samuel Wesley completes the
at
lilah,

Espy;

family.

Mr. Baker died Nov.

1878,

and

wife Dec. 5, 1868, both being buried in
the Creveling cemetery at Almedia. He was
a Republican and a member of the Methodist
Church.
Samuel W. Baker attended the Miller
schoolhouse in Centre township until his fifteenth year, and then went to work on the
After
Pennsylvania canal with his father.
a time he branched out for himself and finally
became captain of a boat. He followed boatthe exceping until 1890 continuously, with
his

tion of the period of his service in the Civil
war, altogether for thirty-two years. He carried coal to Philadelphia, Baltimore and the
Southern markets, and at one time boated on
the Erie canal, carrying coal to Buft'alo and
returning to Albany with a cargo of grain.

On Sept. I, 1864, Mr. Baker enlisted to fill
Scott township's quota of Company E, 209th
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, which
was attached to the 3d Brigade, 9th Corps,
Army of the Potomac. He was mustered in
at Harrisburg, Pa., under Capt. A. C. Mensch,
Colonel Hoffman, and General Hartranft, commander of the brigade, was sent to the front,
and participated in the battle of Petersburg,
later doing picket duty in the winter of
He followed Lee's forces until the
1864-65.
surrender at Appomattox Court House, Va.,
and then went to x-Mexandria, \'a., where the
forces were recruited to full strength in order
to participate in the grand review at Washington, D. C. After that event he was mustered out at Harrisburg, May 31, 1865, and
returned home.
Mr. Baker married Margaret Alice Musgrove, daughter of Isaac and Hannah (Garrison) Musgrove, and the following children
were born to them Charles, born Oct. 6, 1869,
lives in Berwick, and is married to Cecelia
Graham; George Milford, born Feb. 5. 1872,

township for a term of four years, cultivated
it until the end of the lease, and then moved
to Bloomsburg.
Here he followed dift'erent
vocations.
He was sexton for the Methodist

Church for three years and for the Rosemont
cemetery a similar period,

later being sexton
of the First ^Methodist Church at Bloomsburg,
for six years. He was a Republican in politics.
For two vears he was commander of
Col. W. H. Ent'Post, No. 250, G. A. R., and
had served a term in the past as commander.
He was also a member of Odd Fellows Lodge
No. 681, of Espy. He died Alay 30, 1914.
and was buried in the Creveling cemetery at

Almedia.

Margaret

Alice

was born Feb.

Musgrove (Mrs. Baker)

1847, ^^ Light Street, in'
Scott township, attended the country schools
and worked until her marriage. Her father,
Isaac Musgrove, was the owner of a large
farm in Scott township, which he cultivated
until his death.
Mrs. Baker was then a child.
He was a well respected citizen and a member of the Methodist Church.
He married
^Irs. Hannah Heckman, a widow and daughter of Joseph Garrison, of Scott township,
6,

who was born

Feb. 24, 1809, and died March
he is buried at Afton, Columbia
1903
Mrs. Baker was the only child of
county.
this union.
Mrs. Musgrove had four children
by her marriage to Mr. Heckman, namely:
Alfred, who married Maria Hartman, of Espy,
both now deceased Joseph, deceased George,
who married Harriet Bogart, both now deceased and Amanda, widow of Wilson Fox,
of Bloomsburg.
•
20,

;

SMITH

is a business man of
of the firm of Smith BrothHe was born in Morers, general merchants.
ris county, X. J., Aug. 22. 1859. son of Isaac
S. Smith, a former merchant of Stephensburg,

JAMES

Berwick,

member

that State.
On the paternal side

Mr. Smith is descended
from Scotch-Irish stock, the maternal ancestry
being German and Holland Dutch.
Joshua
Smith, the great-great-grandfather of Jame^
married Mary Hopper, and lives in Pittston, E., was born in the Xorth of Ireland, and
Pa.; William Grant, born Sept. 8, 1874, mar- came to America at an early date, settling at
ried Lilian Geiser, and lives in Hemlock town- Great Meadows. Warren Co., N. J., where he
:

ship; Lilly A., born Dec.

12,

1878, married

Gurney Lyons and (second) Byron Chaundy,
and lives in Detroit, Mich. Nora Ella, born
Oct. 24, 1 88 1, married Albert Cox and lives
;

Bloomsburg, beside her mother.
After the end of the Civil war Mr. Baker
returned to the canal and continued boating
until 1890, when he rented a farm in Scott

followed farming.
Isaac, his son, settled at
Blairstown. X. J., and was also a farmer.
He married a Miss Wintermute. of Sussex
county. X. J., and they had these children:
John. Charles. Enoch. Isaac. Henry, Joshua,
Xathan S. and Sarah A. (Cook).
John Smith, the grandfather of James E.,
resided near the old homestead nearlv all his

A3TOR,

TlLD EN

FO'

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
was a farmer, prosperous and well

life,

liked.

He married Katharine Kinney, a native of
New Jersey, and they had the following chil-

945

these children
Peter, Levi, Amy and Matthias H., the latter the fathex of Airs. Smith.
:

Matthias H. Petty was born Nov. 25, 1832.
and on Dec. 28, 1854, married Mary Pell and
set up housekeeping for himself. He farmed
and Rachel.
Isaac S. Smith married Ann Elizaheth, for fourteen years in Hanover township, Ludaughter of James and Sarah A. (Fritts) zerne county, six years in Salem townshij), and
Beatty, of Pleasant Grove, N. J., and to them in 1876 moved to Briarcreek township, Columwere born
James E., Florence, Willard, bia county. He was the father of ten children, all of whom grew up to be important
Mary F., Bertha and Catharine.
James E. Smith has been a merchant ever members of society. They were: Hattie L.,
since he attained his majority, starting in part- Amy, Samuel M., William, Charles M., Margnership with an uncle. Jn 1887 he moved to aret, Mary, Louise, Edith and homily.
Berwick and in March of that year he and
his brother Willard embarked in the merGEORGE HENRY CATTERALL bears a
dren

Margaret, Catherine Sarah, Isaac

succeeding Freas

Brothers.
Mr.
successful business.
Smith has also been connected with Various
other enterprises, having been one of the organizers of the Berwick Savings and Trust
Company, also of the Building and Loan Association, serving continuously since as a dicantile

business,

They have done a

rector in both organizations.
In January, 1884, Mr. Smith married Flattie L. Petty, and they have had three chil-

dren

Roscoe Lee, born

Howard, born May

19,

May

lames
10, 1885
1887; Arthur" Mat;

born April 7, 1893. Mr. Smith is independent in politics and has served on the
borough council several terms, also as president of that body, and for the past fifteen
years has been a member of the school board.
thias,

a ruling elder of the First Presbyterian
Church of Berwick and active in all its organizations, and has served the Y. M. C. A.
is

name

well

known

in I5erwick in various asso-

and he and his brother are tried employees of the American Car & Foundry Company. His father, the late Rev. Ralph C. H.
ciations,

for many years a minister of the
gospel, passed his last years there in honorable
retirement.
The family is of English extraction.

Catterall,

Ralph Catterall, the great-grandfather of
George Henry Catterall, was born in W'igan,
England, and followed the calling of teamster.
He had six children, as follows Thomas,
Samuel, John, Ralph, James and Joseph.
Joseph Catterall was born in Bolton. England, in 1799, and educated in the common
:

schools of the town. He learned the trade of
machinist, which he followed most of his life.
In 181 5 he joined the British army, and he
served one year in the Home Guards, taking
In 187 1 he
part in the battle of Waterloo.

He is a member and past master
where he worked
came to Fall River,
Knapp Lodge. No. 462, F. & A. M., of at his trade until his Mass., in
He and
death,
1874.
member of Caldwell Consistory,
Berwick
officially.

;

thirty-second degree, A. A. S. R., Bloomsburg,
Pa., and of Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.,
of Wilkes-Barre also a member of Berwick

his wife, Alice (Norris), had four children:
Eliza, wife of Emmanuel Etchels
Ralph
;

who

and
Holt
and
married
who
Alice,
(second)
John
CounLodge, No 246, I. O. O. F. Berwick
George Frost.
cil. No. 1761, Royal Arcanum; and SusqueRev. Ralph C. H. Catterall was born in
hanna Commandery, No. 18, Knights of
Malta. He is a leader in the community and Bolton. England, May 3. 1840, and obtained
abvavs willing to assist in the advancement his education in the public schools of IJolton
and Manchester, under Rev. John Martin,
of the interests of the town and its inhabitants.
William Petty, grandfather of Mrs. Smith, formerly missionary to Sierra Leone. At the
was a son of John Petty, a native of Con- age of fourteen he was apprenticed to the
necticut and a pioneer farmer of Northampton carpenter's trade for seven years, but in a short
William engaged in lumbering and time ran away and enlisted in the 6ist Rifles
county.
His mother, however,
in 1827 moved to Luzerne county, where he of the British army.
obtained his discharge, and he returned to his
and
timberland
tract
of
a
purchased
large
erected a saw and gristmill, which he operated trade until the age of seventeen, when he
He died in 1869 began to preach the gospel, also studying
in connection with farming.
His wife, medicine at the same time. After a year of
at the age of eighty-three years.
and these studies at Leeds he returned to his apin
Berks
was
born
Stroh,
county,
Lydia
died in 1883, at the age of eighty-six. leaving prenticeship, completing same with John Ray;

;

Charles Henry

;

Louisa,

died young

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

946

Barlow,

March 28, 1838, died Nov. 8, 1910, and both
are buried in Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick.

Rev. Mr. Catterall married Jan. i, 1861,
Caroline Reed, of Burslem, Staffordshire, a
had eight
place noted for its potteries. They
children, as follows:
(i) Joseph Henry is
mentioned elsewhere.
(2) Ralph Charles
Henry, born March 29, 1866, at Bolton, died
Aug. 3, 1913. He married Helen Tunnicliffe,

George Henry Catterall was boni Nov. 3,
1875, at Lehman Center, Luzerne Co., Pa.,
and began his education in the common

mond, of Manchester, and Dobson

of Bolton.

Macomb,

III,

and Hved

He was

in Illinois.

professor of History at Cornell University.
at
(3) William Henry, born April 10, 1868,
Bolton, married Margaret Fortner, of Nescopeck, and lives at Lebanon* Pa., being superintendent of the rolling mill of the American

Iron and Steel Company at Lebanon.
(4)
Albert Henry, born Dec. 15, 1869, at Fall
(5) Alfred Henry,
River, Mass., died there.
born Nov. 19. 1873, at Mahanoy City, Pa.,

married Eva Fenstermacher and lives in Haw(6) George Henry is mentioned
ley, Pa.
below. (7) James Henry, born Nov. 3, 1877,
at Lehman Center, died near Scranton. Feb.
20, 1887.
(8) Charles G. Henry, born June
6, 1880, at Berwick. Pa., died Nov. 26. 1880.
Rev. Mr. Catterall went to Liverpool in
1862 and to Bolton in 1865. working at carpentering and preaching until 1869. He then
sailed for America, the voyage lasting from
Aug. T4th to Sept. 2Tst. He located at Fall
River, Mass., being first employed at carpenter
work and then at patternmaking. He remained at Fall River until June i. 1873, and
then resumed preaching, lieing stationed at
Mahanoy City four years Lehman, near Harvey's Lake, four years; Plymouth, one year;
Berwick, from Feb. 28. 1880. to April t. 1884;
Packville. until Jan. 11, 1888; Port Allegany,
;

from Jan. 8, 1889, to Sept. 5, 180T Watsontown, until 1894; Wyoming, imtil Sept. 30,
He then went to Berwick to enter the
1899.
;

employ of the American Car

& Foundry Com-

pany, but sustained an injury to his hand and
had to give up work. In April. T905, he left
Berwick to preach in the Presbyterian Church
at Ilawley, where he supplied for a year, and
then served for one year as pastor of the Baptist Church there.
In 1910 he left for Ber-

where he lived retired, occasionally
preaching on request. He died Dec. 28, 1013.
at Scranton. Pa.
Rev. Mr. Catterall was a
Prohibitionist, but not active in the party, although in England he was prominent in politics and voted for Gladstone.
He was a Bapwick,

religious connection, and a member of
Brevard Lodge, No. 113, F. & A. M., of CoHis wife, Caroline (Reed) born
coa, Fla.

tist in

schools. Later he took the scientific course at
Keystone Academy, Factory ville. Pa., and pursued his higher studies at Bucknell UniverComing to Berwick, he
sity, Lewisburg, Pa.
became weighmaster in the rolling mill of the
Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company,
was subsequently made foreman in the scrap
department of the mill, and then placed in the

as assistant superintendent. Some time
he went to Wilmington, Del., where he
held the position of superintendent at the
Wilmington Iron Company for six months.
On his return to Berwick he resumed work
with his old employers, becoming night foreman of the rolling mill, being thus engaged
until he entered upon his present duties, as
His quick perception, precision of
roller.

office,

later

movement and experience in handling the
metal qualify him thoroughly for this posiwhich is one of importance, intelligence
of judgment and prompt action being necessary for the proper performance of the work
He has the thorough conintrusted to him.
fidence of his employers, and deservedly.
Mr. Catterall holds membership in various
tion,

Berwick Lodge, No. 246,
O. S. of A., Washington
Camp, No. 105. and the Berwick Beneficial
he attends the Presbyterian
Association
Church. His political support is given to the
local organizations,

Odd

Fellows,

;

Republican ])arty.
By his marriage to Sarah E. Blank Mr. Catterall has two children. Joseph Jcnkinson, born
Oct. 5, 1902, and Lenore Blank, born Sept. 23,
1908.
Josej)h iUank, Mrs. Catterall's grandfather,
married a Kisner, and they had the following

family: Emma married George Slusser: Levi
married Mamie Clewell Caleb married Mary
Varner; Johiah married Elizabeth Erwine.
Josiah Blank, born in 1844 at Mauch Chunk,
For a time he
Pa., died in Septemljcr. 1904.
was engaged as a lime burner at Martzville.
Columbia Co.. Pa., afterward entering the
;

rolling mill of the

facturing

Jackson

Company.

political belief

& Woodin Manu-

He was

and during the

a Republican in
Civil

for the I'nion. enlisting Oct. ly

war fought

1862. in Com\'olunteer In-

pany H, 178th Pennsylvania
fantry, and serving until mustered out in 1863.
He was a member of the Bower Memorial
United Evangelical Church. To his marriage
with Elizabeth Erwine were born children as

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

947

Byron married Laura Whitman, who
deceased (she is buried in the Pine Grove
cemetery) Sarah E. is the wife of George H.

Clarence Price, father of William R. Price,
born in Danville Oct. 15. 1844, attended the
public schools and a private school conducted

The Erwines are farming people,
and have long been settled in the vicinity of
Mrs. Josiah
Stillwater, Columbia county.
Blank's mother was Sally Sitler. and her brothFrank; Alfred, who
ers and sisters were:
married Alary Rhinard Mary, who married
Newton Robbins Wilson, who is buried in
Michigan; and vSusan, who married Samuel

by Prof. James Kelso.

Rhinard.

Potomac, for guard duty at the fortifications
He was discharged at
before Washington.
Fort Lincoln Jan. 3, 1864. and immediately
reenlisted in the same company to serve for
three years, or until the close of the war. He
took part in the following engagements Wilderness. May 5-7, 1864; Spott.sylvania. May
8-18; Po River, May 16: North Anun.
Mav 23-27; Tolopotomy, May 29-31: Cold

follows:

;

Catterall.

;

WILLIAM RUSSELL PRICE,
and builder, of Danville,

Pa.,

contractor

was born Nov.

and is the son of
13, 1878, in that town,
Clarence Price and grandson of Charles Price,
both of whom were mechanics of ability in the
building

line.

Charles Price, the grandfather, was born in
New Jersey June 4, 1814, and came to Dan-

when

quite a young man, after receiving
an education in the common schools of his
He followed the trade of boat
native State.
builder in Danville and Espy, having a shop
in the former town near the old gristmill,
He worked on the canal for a number of years
ville

foreman for the old Rough and Ready
from Danville to Philadelphia and Baltimore and selling it. After the
canal went into disuse he entered the contracting and building business, at which he was

He enlisted in the
in Company F,
1861,
25,
1 12th Regiment. Heavy Artillery
(also called
the 2d Regiment, Pennsylvania \^olunteers),
under Capt. W. W. McClurc. Lieut. W. J.
Bailey, to serve three years. He was nuT^tered
in at Philadelphia and assigned to the 2d
Brigade, 2d Division, T8th Corps, .Armv of the
Union army Dec.

Harbor, June

12;

Petersburg,

June

i.^-.30;

Mine Explosion. July 30: Fort Harrison, ^ept.
29; Bermuda Hundred. Nov. 17; fall of Petersburg. April 2, 1865; Appomattox, April 9.
1865. While in the servn'ce he was ill for two
months in the hospital, and was finally honorably discharged Jan. 29, 1866, at City Point,

Virginia.

Mill, carrying iron

After his retui-n from the war Mr. Price
followed contracting and building, erecting
many structures in Shenandoah, .^hamokin,
Bloomsburg. Catawissa and ^^'atsontown. Pa.
He assisted in the erection of the Grove
the
Presbyterian Church, of which he built
at
church
Methodist
the
built
and
soire,
Bloomsburg; the Presbyterian church at Watsontown the Lutheran church at Catawissa;
and a bank at Shamokin. He was also superintendent of construction on the old Danville
He is a member of Trinity Methorail mill.
dist Church, of which he was trustee and

very successful, being considered an excelA few years before his death
lent mechanic.
he retired and moved to Asbury. Fishingcreek
township, Columbia county, where he died
Oct. 17, 1896. He is buried there in the Zion
churchyard, while his wife, who died March
25, 1898, is buried in the Fairview PresbyMr.
terian burying ground, at Danville.
Price married Ellen Sechler, born in DanApril 4, 1818, daughter of John Sechler,
her mother being a native of Seneca Lake, N.
Y. Their children were: (i) John N., born
Nov. 29, 1836, married a Miss Keiffer; his
wife is deceased and he is living in Danville.
(2) Sophia, born March 29, 1838. died Jan.
li, 1839.
(3) Jacob P. S., born Feb. 18,
(4) Clarence was
1842, died Nov. 18, 1844.
born Oct. 15, 1844. (5) Christina, born Sept.
18, 1846, died Aug. 3, 1850. (6) Annie, born
July 20, 1851, married (first) Winfield Scott
Springer and (second) George Ferguson,
both of whom are deceased. She died in 1913.
Mr. Price was first a Democrat, but later
united with the Republican party. He was a
member of the Grove Presbyterian Church, of
which he was janitor for some years.
ville

;

steward, is a Democrat in political conviction,
and has served two terms as councilman from
the Third ward. He belongrs to Goodrich Post.
No. 22, G. A. R., Danville, and the Union
Veterans' League at Bloomsburg.
On Dec. 28. 1869. Mr. Price married Matilda Pealer, born Dec. 25, 1843, who died
Feb. to. 1914, and is interred in Fairview
cemetery. She was a daughter of George and

Rebecca (Hampton) Pealer.

They had

chil-

dren as follows: Ida Rebecca, born Dec. 31.
of
1870. who married Walter Pennington,
Danville; Dora Gertrude, bom Jan. t, 1873;
Annie, born Oct. 21. 1875. who died Jan. 25,
1877; William Russell, born Nov. 13. 1878;
and Carrie Mav, born Oct. it, t88t. who married William Longenberger, of Danville.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

948

William R. Price was educated in the pub- land Post, G. A. R. He also held membership
schools of Danville and spent four years in the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained
in the private school of Prof. John M. Kelso, the thirty-second degree, Caldwell Consistory.
He worked one year on the farm of Dallas His religious association was with the PresCotner, near Washingtonville, and then two byterian Church.
Mr. Eshleman married Elizabeth Pott,
years in the Danville Tube Works, straightwas born March 4, 1830, the first
his
who
with
to
work
then
went
He
ening pipe.
father and learned the carpenter's trade, and white child born in Port Carbon, being a
has been a contractor and builder for the last daughter of Abraham Pott and granddaughHe married Florence Rishel, ter of John Pott, the founder of Pottsville,
twelve years.
who was born at Mechanicsville, Pa., June 21, Schuylkill county. Abraham Pott made the
1881. daughter of William E. and Martha first discovery of coal in Schuylkill county,
(McMullin) Rishel, and died June 13, 1910, built the first canal in that county, and was
at Danville. She is buried in the Odd Fellows the father of Freemasonry in there; he himHe
cemetery. She was the mother of four chil- self was a thirty-third-degree Mason.
dren, all born at Danville, as follows: Anna died at Port Carbon in 1880, when ninety-six
Margaret, Dec. 2, 1902 Ruth Winifred, Oct. years old. Mrs. Eshleman died in December,
2, 1906; Dora Elizabeth, April 12, 1909; and
1893, at Bloomsburg, whither the family had
removed from Schuylkill county," Pa. Of the
Williams Edward, June i, 1910.
Mr. Price is a Progressive Democrat and is fifteen children born to herself and husband
now a candidate for the nomination for the two died in infancy, and we have the followlie

;

State Legislature. He is a member of Montour Castle, No. 186, Knights of the Golden
Eagle, and of Beaver Lodge, No. 132, Knights
of Pythias. He is a trustee of Trinity Methodist Church and has taught in the Sunday
school.

BENJAMIN

ESHLEMAN,

L.
head of the
firm of B. L. Eshleman & Son, plumbers, etc.,
of Berwick, Columbia county, has been a resident of that place for the last seventeen years,
He is a native of Schuykill county, and belongs
to an early settled family of Lancaster county,
Pa., where his grandfather, Benjamin L.
Eshleman, was born and farmed all his active
life.

married Martha Martin.

Benjamin L. Eshleman (2), father of Benjamin L. Eshleman, of Berwick, was born Feb.
TO, 1826, in Lancaster county, where he spent
his early life.
Moving to Schuylkill county,
he settled at Port Carbon for some years, later

He was a coal
operator, doing an extensive business in that
vicinity, where he was established for some
From that
time, and where he died in 1872.
place his family moved to Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Pa. Mr. Eshleman was a veteran
of the Civil war, having enlisted and raised
a company at Port Carbon.
He was afterwards quartermaster of the company and
later ranked as colonel of the regiment to
which his company was attached, the 147th

living at Ashland, that county.

Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He served
three years, three months, and took part in
many battles. He became a meml)er of the
G. A. R.. first at Port Carbon, where he was
post commander, and later belonged to Ash-

ing record of the others:

Cora, the eldest,

born April 11. 1848, was married Oct. 11,
1866, to Charles Miller, of Bloomsburg, and
died Aug. 4, 1913; Anna is the widow of Dr.
O. P. Piper, of Atlantic City, N. J. Laura,
deceased, was the wife of H. R. King, formerly of Phillipsburg, Center Co., Pa.; Norton entered the Union service during the Civil
war. when fourteen years old, being a member
of the jth Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment,
and subsequently entered the medical profession
being the youngest student up to that
time to graduate from Jefferson Medical College), being a practicing physician at Ashland. Pa., at the time of his death Ella became the wife of Frank Rogers, and died at
Berwick, Pa.; Ada married Frank Turner,
of Port Carbon, and both are deceased Harry
;

(

;

Bloomsburg; Benjamin L. is mentioned below Elizabeth is the wife of William
lives

;

Pursel, of Easton, Pa.; Edith is the wife of
Sherman Peacock, of Bloomsburg; Louise,
born Oct. 31, 1866, is the wife of Alfred McCollum. of Bloomsburg; Abraham is a resident of Mift^in, Juniata Co., Pa.; Edward lives
at Atlantic City, New Jersey,
Benjamin L. Eshleman (3), son of Benjamin L. (2) and Elizabeth (Pott) Eshleman.

was born Feb.

15. 1861, in Port Carbon,
Schuylkill Co.. Pa., and obtained his early education in the public schools of that place,
Later he attended school at Ashland, that

county, and at IMoomsburg, to which place
he removed with his parents. His school days
over, he entered the employ of the Ohio Central Railroad Company, and also worked on
other roads in Ohio, being engaged in the com-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
missary department, attached to the construcRetvirning to Bloomsburg after
five years of this work, he remained for some
time, learning the pkimbing and heating business, which he followed as a tradesman for
about twenty years, though he was in business
on his own account a short time during that
Coming to Berwick in 1898, he beperiod.
came an employee of the American Car &
tion corps.

Foundry Company, with which concern he
continued for eight years, having charge of
In 1906 he comthe air brake department.
menced business at Berwick in his old line,
in partnership with his son Harold, under
the firm name of B. L. Eshleman & Son.
They do a general plumbing and heating, tin-

949

Dickinson School of Law at Carlisle, and graduated in the class of 1903. He never followed
the practice of law, however, and in
1909
was selected as deputy under Freeze Quick,
prothonotary and clerk of the Courts of Columbia county.

On Sept. 14, 1910, Mr. Watson was married to Miss Carrie, daughter of Jessie and
Helen M. Klase, of Danville, Pa. Politically
he is a Democrat.
DR.

CLAUDE

SWEPPENHISER,

Berwick, Pa., was born

dentist, of

in Mifilin

township, Columbia county, Oct. 18, 1883, son
of Eleazer and Dorothy A. (Waters) Sweppenhiser.

The Doctor's

ning and roofing business, and control a good
share of the local patronage, being known for
reliable and substantial work.
Mr. Eshleman

paternal grandfather was born
same township and county, of German
ancestry, and as a young man adoj^tcd the

a member of Berwick Lodge, No. 246,
O. O. F.
In 1884 Mr. Eshleman was married, at

vocation
of
farmer, which he followed
throughout his life.
Eleazer Sweppenhiser, father of Dr. C. E.
Sweppenhiser, was born in Mifflin township
and reared to manhood on his father's farm.
Later he engaged in merchandising and for

is
I.

Danville,

Isabel Jacobs, a native of

Pa., to

Shamokin, Pa., though a resident of BloomsHer father, Eckart
burg for many years.
Jacobs, is now living with his son-in-law and
daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Eshleman he is a retired baker, and was in business in Bloomsburg for several years. His wife, Mrs. Annie
(Young) Jacobs, died in 1894 at Bloomsburg.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Eshleman Harold Robert, now a student at
;

Lafayette

;

College,

Easton,

Miriam, Vidas and Benjamin,

Pa.
at

;

Eckhart,

home.

Harold Eshleman,

eldest in the family of
Benjamin L. and Isabel (Jacobs) Eshleman,
was born March 11, 1887, at Bloomsburg. He
received a public school education, and is now

junior member of the firm of B. L. Eshleman
& Son. On Nov. 15, 1907, he married Elizabeth Slusser, a native of Pond Hill, Luzerne
Co., Pa., and they have two children, Charles

and

Isabel.

are

members of

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Eshleman
the Lutheran Church, and

fraternally he

connected with the P. O.

of A.

WATSON

was born at JerseyJOHN F.
town, Columbia Co., Pa., Nov. 25, 1870. He
is the son of David A. and
Mary Watson,
deceased. He is of Scotch-Irish descent.
His early education was received in the public schools of his native
village, and after
following various pursuits he entered the

in the

years was the proprietor of a general store,
being associated with Mr. J. E. Snyder, of
Mifflinville.

active

and

influential citizen

he served for twenty-one
member of the school board of his
township, and was widely known for his pubin

public
years as a

afifairs,

His widow still survives.
Lawrence Waters, the maternal grandfather
of Dr. C. E. Sweppenhiser, was a native of
England and emigrated to the United States
in young manhood, locating in Mifilin township, Columbia Co., Pa., when a youth of
eighteen years. During his younger years he
lic spirit.

followed the vocation of educator, but

in later

became a farmer in Mifilin township,
where his death occurred.
Claude E. Sweppenhiser secured his early
life

education in the public schools of Mifilin township, following which he took a course in the
State Normal school. After leaving that institution he taught school four years, and at
the end of that period began the study of
dentistry in the Philadelphia Dental College.
Graduating in 1908, he at once entered upon
the

practice

his

profession

Berwick,

now

and now maintains well-appointed

Bloomsburg Normal, from which

the First National Bank building.
He is in
the enjoyment of an excellent practice, his
skill in his calling having attracted a large
and representative number of patients. He
belongs to the Alumni Association of the Philadelphia Dental College, and to the Susquehanna Dental Association.

he was graduated

institution

in the class of 1894.

For a number of years Mr. Watson followed
teaching, after which he was admitted to the

offices

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

950

On Jan. 3, 191 1, Dr. Sweppenhiser was
married to Mabel Bennett, who was born
at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., daughter of Calvin and
Ellen Bennett,
that citv,

who

still

make

their

home

Mr. Bennett being one of the oldest

druggists there.
Dr. Sweppenhiser was one of the most popular members of his class while at college,
and at the time of his graduation was secreHe
tary of the Xi Psi Phi college fraternity.
now holds membership in the Odd Fellows and
the Patriotic Order Sons of America.

GEORGE

of Bloomsburg, Cothe leading undertaker of
that place, commanding the largest patronage
He also has other
in this part of the State.
business connections, and is active in various
local afifairs, being a leading church worker
and member of a number of fraternal bodies,
Mr. Baker belongs to an old Pennsylvania
G.

lumbia county,

BAKER,

family, his grandfather. Henderson Baker,
having been born in one of the lower counties

of the State.

Coming

Luzerne county,

he lived and died there.
By occupation he
was a farmer. A large family was born to

him and his wife, whose maiden name was
Hartman, viz.: Frederick H.; Elsie; George;
Maria, wife of Dr. Rhoan brother of Judge
(

Rhoan. of Wilkes-Barre) Emma, who marEstas Bangs; Arthur; Katie. Mrs.
ried
Trucker Christina. Mrs. Bogart and John,
Frederick H. Baker, father of George G.
Baker, was born in Cambria. Pa., and there
He married
followed farming and milling.
Jane Seward, who was born Oct. 20. 1843.
at Fairmount Springs, Luzerne county, and
survives him, residing in Luzerne county. Mr.
Baker died in 1893. ^^ and his wife had
the following children
George G., Chester,
Stratton, Thomas. Lettie. Ralph, Cleon and
;

;

Lee.
at

George G. Baker was born Oct. 20, 1864.
Huntingdon. Luzerne Co., Pa., and was

After reaching
his majority he went to Shickshinny. Luzerne
county, where he learned undertaking and cabinetmaking, serving his apprenticeship with
John L. Pealer. In association with his uncle
John Baker, he started a business at Pleasant
reared on his father's farm.

Hill. Luzerne county, disposing of his interest
in the same at the end of two years, and

forming a partnership with P. P. Copeland.
with whom he carried on business at Shickshinny until the latter's death. Removing to
Bloomsburg he bought out the business of
E. R. Furman, which he has conducted since
Nov. 29, 1887. Mr. Baker has always taken

pride in having his equipment up to date and
in first class condition, and his patrons have
the benefit of the most advanced ideas in his
line, for he has taken two special courses to
broaden his knowledge of his work and keep
him abreast of the times. On Jan. 15, 1892,
he graduated from the Oriental School of
Embalming. His skill and conscientious attention to details have commended his service
to a wide circle of patrons, and his business
is the largest in this section.
He is now assisted by his son Charles W. Baker. To meet
the demands of his customers in other parts,
Mr. Baker has established a branch ofiice at
Berwick, on the corner of Arch and Orange
streets, from which he handles considerable
of his trade.
Mr. Baker patented the
bed spring, "the

most perfect spiral bed spring made," and
was in partnership with the late John N.
Wanich, of Bloomsburg, under the firm name
of Baker & Wanich. engaged in the manufacture of same, in all styles and sizes. He is
a director of the Bloomsburg Brick Company,
which has one of the leading industrial plants
of the town.

Mr. Baker was one of the founders of the
Christian Church of Bloomsburg and has always taken an active part in its work he was
a member of its first board of elders, held
the position of trustee and all the minor offices.
and is now serving as superintendent of the
Sunday school. He has numerous social connections and has been an efficient worker in
all the bodies in which he holds
membership,
being a past grand of the I. O. O. F.. a past
captain in the Sons of \'eterans. a past president in the P. O. S. of A., and a past master
workman in the A. O. U. W. He is a Mason,
as such belonging to Washington Lodge. No.
;

265, F. & A. M.. and Caldwell Consistory
In politics he has
(thirty-second degree).
always been a Democrat,

On June 12. 1890. Mr. Baker married Lenora C. Sterling, daughter of Clinton B. and
Lucy (Loreman) Sterling, of Bloomsburg.
and the following children have been born to
them Charles \V.. who graduated from Eckels School of Embalming Nov. 2^, 191
Lucy,
Robert Mary Paul Gertrude, and Oren.
:

;

FRANK
creek

;

TAYLOR,

a resident of Briar-

farmer and justice of the
peace, was born Feb. 28>. 1858. in Limestone
township. Montour countv. son of Johnston
and Prudence (Kitchen) Taylor. Tlie father
was also a native of Limestone township, a
farmer by vocation, and met his death in a
township,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
railroad accident in Cooper township, Montour county, Aug. 27, 1890. when he was
seventy-two years of age. The mother was

horn

Greenwood

townshij),

Columbia

county, daughter of William Kitchen, a farmer
of that township, and was one of eight children. three sons and five daughters. She died
in June, 1879, aged fifty-seven years, and is
buried with Mr. Taylor in the Chillisquaque
cemetery in Montour county. They had children as follows: William; Kate; Elizabeth;
Isaac; Margaret; David; Charles; Deozro;

Frank M. Clara, and Miles.
Frank M. Taylor obtained his early education at Limestoneville, and began work on
his father's farm, where he was employed
;

until

twenty-three years old.

Entering the

works of the Montour Iron &. Steel Company
at Danville he was employed as a rail finisher
For another
in the rail mill for three years.
three years Mr. Taylor was an attendant at
the Danville hospital, and then went to farming in Liberty township, Montour county,
working for Alexander Billmyer on the old
Saniuel Blue farm, a tract of 170 acres, where
After that
he remained for twelve years.
he settled in Briarcreek township, where he
has been farming on his present place (the
old Francis Evans farm) for eleven years,
having 128 acres under cultivation.
On April 29, 1886, Mr. Taylor was united
in marriage with Malinda Fields, daughter of
Alexander and Sarah (Lambert) Fields, of
Danville, the father an engineer; he died
March 19, 1872, aged forty-seven years, and
the mother died Sept. 21, 1887, aged fifty-one
Mr. and Mrs. Fields are buried at
years.
Three children have been born to
Danville.
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor: Otto J., born Aug. 12,
1887, who was employed as an air hammer
man at the plant of the American Car &
Foundry Company, married Louise Gibbs and
died Jan. 4, 1914; Harold A., born June 23,
1890. now manager on the W. S. Johnston
farm, married Edna Duke and has two children, Evelyn and Audrey; Gertrude P. was
born Aug. 25, 1902.
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the
First Presbyterian Church of Berwick, and
socially he belongs to the Artisans Order of
Mutual Protection, at Pottsgrove. He has
held the

ofifice

of justice of the peace for six

years.

WILLIAM

BRITTAIN,

Berwick,

951

Joseph Brittain, his paternal grandfather,
in Birmingham, England, and came
to the United States as a youth, first
locating
at
There he engaged
Binghamton, N. Y.
in farming until his
migration to Luzerne
county, this State, where he and his wife
were the first settlers in what is now the town
of Register,
lie continued to carry on agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his
active career, and was known as one of the
substantial citizens of his community. lie and
his wife were the parents of eight sons and
five daughters, of whom the living are: William, of Register; and Jo.sephine, the widow
of Wilson Melich, of Luzerne county,
Michael Brittain, son of Joseph and father
of William C. Brittain, was born on his father's farm in Luzerne county. Pa., Dec. 10,

was horn

1825, and during his boyhood and youth followed agricultural pursuits on the old homestead, in the meantime securing the educational advantages afforded by the district

schools of his vicinity. Upon reaching manhood he embarked upon his independent career and located on a property near Light
He was
Street, not far from Bloomsburg.
married there and had a family of six daugliters and three sons, later removing to Briggsville, Luzerne county, where he died Dec.
Of his family, Sarah is the wife
18, 1895.
of George Troy, of Wyoming, Pa. Clara is
;

deceased; Charles is a farmer of Stillwater;
Joseph is a resident of Beach Haven, a
farmer; William C. is mentioned below; Leona is deceased May E. is also deceased
Anna is the wife of Harry Eddie, of Beach
Haven; Agnes is the wife of Frank Barrett.
;

;

of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania.
Joseph Coleman, the maternal grandfather
of William C. Brittain, was born in Germany,
as was also his wife, Margaret, and they emigrated from the Fatherland shortly after their
marriage, locating first in Philadelphia, Pa.

From

that city they

made

their

way on

foot

newly opened region of what is now
Easton. Pa., there taking up 300 acres of land
from the LTnited States government near the
banks of the Lehigh river. At what is now
Easton. Pa., Mr. and Mrs. Coleman operated
the first ferry across the Delaware river, and
to the

the reputation that they gained as substantial
them when some years later
they came to Columbia county, where they
built and operated what was known as the

citizens followed

Hogtown

gristmill

Briarcreek

township.

was born near Bloomsburg, Columbia now Fowlerville. Centre township. The Colecounty, April 12, 1865, son of ^lichael and mans were pioneers at Stillwater, operating
the first sawmill in that vicinity, and there
Caroline (Coleman) Brittain.
Pa.,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

952

they continued to reside during their declining
in 1873, and the
years, the grandfather dying
grandmother three years later. They reared
a family of nine children, of whom the living
are: Charles, who now resides in Benton,

connected with the Columbia County
He is
Association, at Bloomsburg.
councilor of the Junior ^Mechanics,
served twice, and is popular with his

Pa.; and Caroline, Mrs. Brittain.
Reared in the vicinity of Bloomsburg, William C. Brittain secured his education in the
country schools, in the meantime being trained
to honest toil on the home farm, and being
taught the virtues of industry and perseAt the time of his marriage he
verance.
adopted the vocation of carpenter, and for
two years followed that occupation at Nanticoke, then returning to Berwick, where he
secured employment as a puddler with the
Jackson Woodin Company. During the twenty
years which covered the period of his em-

Like her husband Mrs. Brittain is widely
and favorably known. She is a daughter of
Silas and Sarah (Warnes) Mensinger, the
former of whom became engaged in carpentering and contracting after a period spent in
Both the parents are
agricultural pursuits.
now deceased. Six children were born to
them
John F., who resides in Luzerne
county William J., deceased Ida A., Mrs.
Brittain; Albert P., residing in Columbia

ployment with

concern Mr. Brittain had

this

interested himself
vation of flowers.

members

more or

little

less

building, 8 by 10

This enterprise has been built up

merit.
No adventitious cirthrough
cumstances have combined to give Mr. Brit-

sheer

tain his position among the substantial men of
his community, for he has worked steadily,
perseveringly and intelligently along well-

defined lines calculated to bring success in any
venture.
Such men may be relied upon to
advance the interests of their community.
On March 29, 1884, Mr. Brittain was married to Ida A. Mensinger, and eight children

have been born to

now

this union,

John

namely:

deceased
Newton, also deceased
Jennie G., the wife of Claude Fetter, of West
Berwick, who has three children, Sylvester,
Mae and Wana John, deceased, who was
twice married, first to Beulah Levan, of West
Berwick, by whom he had one child, Marie,
and (second) to Mrs. Jennie Lorvena Linden,
widow of George Linden, of West Berwick
Edward J.; Ethel M.; and two who died in
A.,

;

infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Brittain are members of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church, and have numerous friends in the congregation at Berwick.
An enthusiastic fraternity man. Mr.
Brittain has been a member of Berwick Lodge,
No. 246, I. O. O. F., for the last fourteen
years, is a charter member of Berwick CounNo. 698, Junior Order of the United
cil,
American Mechanics, at Berwick, and holds
membership in the Improved Order of Red

Men, Pewaukee

Tribe, No. 240.

past

having
fellow

in the lodge.

;

county; Jennie E., who is the wife of Edward
Sponeyburg, of Luzerne county and Anna
J., who is now Mrs. George Hosier, of W'ilkes;

Barre, Pennsylvania.

in the culti-

feet in size, formed the nucleus for his present
handsome structure, which now has five thousand square feet of glass, and which is the
handsomest greenhouse of its size in the

county.

Burial
a

also

JOHN FRANK

LONG, of Berwick, local
auditor and cashier for the American Car &
Foundry Company, has been with that concern and its predecessors since 1891, when he
commenced work in the counting room of the
Jackson & Woodin store. Mr. Long is a native of Danville, Montour county, born Sept.
His father, Charles Clark Long, for
II, 1870.
a number of years a resident of Danville, is
of old Columbia county stock and a native of
that county, where a large portion of his early
life was spent, and where he still maintains a
summer home.
The Long family
and the

first

its

country settled in

sterdam

in early

originated in Germany,
members to come to this
what was then New Am-

Colonial days.

Later they

removed to Philadelphia, and thence to Northampton county. Pa., where Joseph Long,
grandfather of Charles Clark Long, was born.
In the early days of the settlement of Columbia county, Pa., he bought a large tract of land
here, extending from the eastern part of the
site of
Bloomsburg toward Light
Farming was always his occupation.
John Long, eldest son of Joseph, was bom
in Northampton county, Pa., came with his
father to Columbia county, and when a young
man went to Kentucky, where he made his

present
Street.

home

for about thirteen years, having charge
of a plantation there. Returning to Columbia
county, he conducted his father's farm for a
number of years, and later settled in what is
now West Hemlock township (now included
in Montour county), where he purchased a
farm near Swenoda. His death occurred there

when he was

eighty-six years old. While living in Columbia county, near Bloomsburg, Mr.

Ar-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the widow of Henry L. Gearand children as follows were born to
them besides Charles Clark
Sarah, Martin
Vanburen, Martha, Phoeba, Ellen, Evelina,
Susanna, Harriet, Emily and Melinda. The

Long married

hart,

father was a Democrat of the Jacksonian
school and took an active interest in politics.
He was a member of the Methodist Church.

Charles Clark

Long was born Aug.

27, 1845,

Columbia county, and there received comschool advantages. At the age of seventeen he was granted a certificate to teach, and

mon

followed the profession for a number of years,
in Columbia, Northumberland and Montour
counties.
Merchandising has, however, been
When a young man he
his principal pursuit.
became a clerk in the general store of Shoop
& Hullihen, of Danville, with whom he remained in that capacity for a period of seven
years. He then engaged with Young & Roat,
of the National Iron Company, in charge of

employ for
continuing
three years, and by this time he had established
such a high reputation for conscientious and
efificient devotion to his work, and for executive ability, that his services were sought by
merchants who had to intrust the management
of their store to other hands than their own.
His next position was with what is now the
Berwick Store Company, the leading general
merchants of Berwick, Pa., for which he became manager in the year 1874, holding the
position for the twenty-two years following,
and the increase of the business, its expansion
their

store,

their

and development along modern lines, and improvement in operations during that time, were
largely
ideas.

the

result

of the application of his
so wonderful that the

The growth was

building had to be enlarged greatly to accommodate the trade, and Mr. Long gained prestige and high standing for his able administra-

of this important business.
He left it
after a long and creditable career, and removing to Danville erected the comfortable dwell-

tion

ing in which he

now

resides

most of the time,

his

summers, however, being spent in his naHazel Bottom cottage, in Madison township. Business has always engrossed
his attention, though he takes the interest in
tive county, at

public affairs that a public-spirited citizen
should, but he is not an active partisan in
politics, being a Republican in his views but
independent in his support of candidates. For
years he has attended St. Paul's Methodist

Church.
On Dec. 2^, 1866, Mr. Long married Elizabeth Werkheiser, daughter of Peter Werkheiser, formerly of Northampton county. Pa.,

953

and they have four children: Emma Amelia,
wife of Duval Dickson; John Frank; Malinda
D., wife of Edward B. Kepner; and Jennie
Gertrude, wife of V. C. Trout, of Philadelphia.
John Frank Long came in boyhood to Berwick, where he began his education in the Market street school.
He graduated from high
school and later took special courses
part
scientific and part Latin— at the Dickinson
Preparatory School, Carlisle, Pa., and the
Bloomsburg Normal. Then he took a business

—

Eastman college, in Poughkeepand in April, 1891, entered the employ of the Jackson & W'oodin Company at

training at the
sie,

v.,

Berwick, in the counting room of their store.
i, 1896, he resigned and was transferred to the Jackson & Woodin Manufactur-

On March

ing Company, and was engaged in the same
capacity when the company was changed to
the American Car & Foundry Company,

March i, 1899, ^oi" one year. He was then
made clerk in the auditing department, on
March i, 1900, becoming local auditor and
acting cashier, and a year later cashier.
still is filling these
positions.

Alay 28, 1897, Mr. Long was married
Fannie Housenick, daughter of Martin L.
and Anna M. (Hosier) Housenick, and their
three children have been born as follows
Clark Cecil, Aug. 2^^, 1900; Marian Francis,
June 10, 1906; Malcolm Luther, Nov. 10,
191 1. Mr. Long is a Republican in politics and
has always supported the policies of the party,
is a Presbyterian in
religion, and in fraternal
connection a member of Berwick Lodge, No.
246, I. 9. O. F.
Martin Housenick, Mrs, Long's greatto

grandfather, was a native of Northampton
county. Pa., after his marriage moving to Luzerne county, where he bought a farm near
Butler, residing there until his death.
Solomon Housenick, son of Martin, was
born in Northampton county about 1819, and
spent most of his life in Columbia county, residing in Bloomsburg about fourteen years,
and on a farm. In 1875 he removed to Berwick and thence to the farm where he died in
1904, at the age of eighty-five. All his life he

His wife, Mary
cabinetmaking.
(Miller), was like himself of German descent
and a native of Pennsylvania. Of their three
children I\Jartin Luther is the sole survivor.
followed

Martin Luther Housenick was born April
1840, in Columbia county, and reared principally at Mift^inville, where he received part
2,

of his education.

also attended school at

Bloomsburg and Union Seminary,
Berlin.

When

New

fourteen years old he entered

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

954

Abe

the store of

Miller, of Berwick, as clerk,

and remained there until twenty-nine years of
to a farm of 100 acres
age, in 1869 removing
in Briarcreek township, where he resided until
his removal to Berwick.
During that time he
was successfully engaged in general farming.
On April i, 1906, he came to Berwick and entered the employ of the American Car &

Foundry Company, taking charge of the paint
While
department under Col. A. D. Seely.
]Mr. Housenick
Briarcreek
in
township
living
became a member of the Methodist Church at
he served the township as auditor
He has no political ties,

Fowlerville

;

and school

director.

member of the
voting independently. He is a
M.
U.
A.
O.
Jr.
In November, 1862, Mr. Housenick married
Anna Mary Hosier, daughter of John L. and
Elizabeth (Beam) Hosier, from Foundry ville,
Columbia county. They have had the following children

John Solomon married Anna

Thompson Elizabeth married Bruce B. Freas
and is deceased (she is buried at Briarcreek
;

church) Fannie is married to John F. Long;
Ezra S., to Josephine Johnson; Alta L., to
Fred Wasley"; Freas B., to Lillie Heimbach;
Charles G., to Vera Hemingway; Ruth E. is
unmarried.
;

ABNER

WELSH, the oldest living employee of the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, now the American Car & Foundry Company, at Berwick, Columbia county,
was born at Orangeville, that county, Dec.
14, 1836, son of Isaac and Sarah (Kline)
Welsh.
Isaac
videre,

deceased, is buried in the
Lavina, who married
Mcis buried in the
Henry cemetery; Rebecca, wife of Isaac PhilPa. Abner is the
lips, is buried at Millville,
only survivor.
Abner Welsh, son of Isaac Welsh, grew
up at Orangeville, where he secured an exHe did agricellent public school education.
tery;

Margaret,

AIcHenry cemetery
Alexander AIcBride,
;

;

cultural

work

until April 16,

1856,

when he

began learning the trade of machinist with
the Jackson & Woodin Company at Berwick,
Columbia Co., Pa. He had begun to make
his worth felt with this company when the
Civil war broke out, but in spite of the fact
that he was needed there he was not willing
country to his material betterment, so he enlisted on July 16, 1862, for the
Union service. He joined the 84th Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, from Berwick,
Pa., and was mustered into service at Harristo sacrifice his

burg on July 24, 1862, serving under Captain
Bahan, of Philadelphia, who was succeeded
by Captain ]\Iinninger, of Carlisle; the company was commanded by Capt. C. G. Jackson
when mustered out. Mr. Welsh was discharged from the service Jan. 12, 1865. He
participated in the second battle of Bull Run,
was made color corporal on Sept. 27, 1862.
and fought at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, and 14.
1862, being

made duty

had the misfortune
Chancellorsville
fined

until

sergeant.

]\lr.

Welsh

be taken prisoner at
3, 1863, and was con-

May

1863, in Libby prison.
Being exchanged, he returned to his regiment

July 30,

time to participate in the battle of Mine
in the winter of 1863, and also
the battle of the Wilderness. May 5 and 6,
1864: and was at Spottsylvania Court House.
May 10, II and 12. 1864; North Anna River,
May 23 to 27, 1864 Cold Harbor, June 6, 7
and served all through the
and 8. 1864
Petersburg campaign, being discharged as first
sergeant.
During all of his service he was a
gallant soldier, and his children have everv
reason to be proud of the record he made.
Like most of his comrades Mr. Welsh returned to his duties as a private-citizen, taking
up the life he had left, and made such j^rogress that in 1868 he was promoted to be forein

Welsh was born Oct. 2, 1795.
N. J., and died in July, 186 1.

at Bel-

Edu-

cated in the public schools of Orangeville,
he worked on the farm owned by his father
until he met with an accident which resulted
in the loss of a hand in a threshing machine.
This necessitated his seeking- other employment, and he moved to Berwick, where he secured the position of lock tender on the Pennsylvania State canal. His political faith made
him a Democrat and he was active in local
affairs.
His religious home was in the PresIsaac Welsh
byterian Church of Berwick.
married Sarah Kline, who was born in 1798,
and died in February, 1875. They had the
following children: John, who married Sarah
Everett, is buried at McIIenry schoolhouse
cemetery, of Orangeville Beulah, who married Daniel Keller, is buried in the same cemetery as John Hiram died young and is also
buried in the McHenry cemetery
Diana is
deceased and is buried in the McHenry ceme;

;

Run, early

;

man of the machine shop
Woodin Company, which

of the Jackson &
position he filled

capably until 1870, when he was made a master mechanic.
In i()03 he was made a master

mechanic for the American Car & Foundry
Company, successors of the Jackson & Woodin

Company, but within
burned by gasoline

year

was severely

an explosion and was

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

955

confined to his home because of his injuries
for a considerable period.
Recovering, he

own unaided

resumed his former position, which he still
holds, to the general satisfaction of all, for
he is a skilled man in his line. Politically Mr.
Welsh is a Republican, and has been chosen
by his party to the office of school director, lie

with election to the offices of school director
of his district and councilman of Berwick,
consistent member of the Presbyterian
Church of Berwick, he was very active in its

holds membership in Susquehanna Commandery. No. 18, Knights of INlalta, and he also
belongs to the Union Veteran Legion, No.
32, of Bloomsburg.
On Dec. 21, 1865, Abner Welsh married
Lucy Augusta Owen, a daughter of Jrludson

ternally he belonged to Berwick Lodge, No.
246, I. O. O. F., and he was a charter member
of Knapp Lodge, Xo. 462, F. & A. M. Mrs.

efforts.
I'oliiically he was a
Democrat, and he was hunored by his party

work and

liberal in the

Welsh, daughter

support he gave.

]>y liis first

Fra-

marriage and the

and Emily (Jackson) Owen. Mr. and Mrs.
Welsh became the parents of the following
children:
Sarah E., Robert G., Jayne G.,
Hudson and William. The two last-named

only surviving child of that union, is naturally
proud of her connection with the two substantial families of Owen and
Jackson, which
have furnished Columbia county with some
of its most representative men and women.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Welsh have

died in childhood, both being buried in Pine

an excellent heritage

Grove cemetery

Berwick.

HuDSON Owen, father of Mrs. Welsh, was
born at Middletown, N. Y. In 1837 he married Emily Jackson, so that Mrs. Welsh is
connected with a distinguished family in the
maternal line.
Growing up at Middletown,
Hudson Owen was educated in the schools
there and worked on the Delaware & Hudson
canal. In young manhood he came to Berwick
to engage with the Pennsylvania Canal Company, and proved so efficient that he was made
a

later becoming superintendent
charge of the entire fifty-seven miles
from Nanticoke to Northumberland.
The
death of this most worthy man occurred Feb.
in

supervisor,
full

Hudson Owen and his first wife,
1898.
Emily Jackson, had the following children:
Frances, who married Robert Gilroy, is deceased and buried in Pine Grove cemetery,
Berwick Harriet, who married Jerome S.
Wolcott, of'Coldwater, Mich., is deceased and
buried in Pine Grove cemetery Sarah, who
married J. S. McMurtrie, is buried at Philadelphia; Lucy Augusta is Mrs. Welsh; Helen,
who married H. D. Albright, is deceased and
buried in the Lewisburg cemetery at LewisThe mother of this family died
burg. Pa.
8,

;

April 24, 1856, Hudson
Owen married Elizabeth Jackson, who died
Aug. 24, 1904. The children of this marriage
were: William H., deceased, is buried in Pine
Grove cemetery, Berwick George J., deceased,
is also interred in Pine Grove
cemetery: Fred
S. died young and is interred in Pine Grove
Sept. 15,

1855.

;

Kate R., who married Augustus
Shuman, is buried in Pine Grove cemetery;
Annie married Ellis Thrush.
Hudson Owen was an excellent example of
the self-made man, having attained a position
of responsibility and ample means through his
cemetery

;

in the high character of
their forefathers, and may take
pride in tracing back their ancestry in the different lines,
for they have nothing to hnd that needs con-

cealment.

FRANK

DENTLER,

Columbia county, was born

tax collector of

in Parkville,

Mich.,
185 1, but in the course of his career
has returned to the home State of his ancestors, who were of the old substantial Pennsylvania German stock.

March

George Dentler, grandfather of Frank, was
in Turbotville, Northumberland county. Pa. He was a farmer and had
a tract of sixty acres, which he lived on and
cultivated until his death. He had four children: John, William, Franklin, and Maria,
wife of Solomon Rote.
P^ranklin Dentler was born Oct. 22, 1818,
in Turbotville, and moved to White Pigeon,
He worked on the farm in
Mich., in 1838.
youth and attended school at intervals. When
he went to Michigan he bought a farm of Hx>
acres, upon which he lived until his death. He
married Mary, daughter of William and Mary
(Burrows) Cathcart, and their children were:
Bruce B., who married Ella Cox William
C. Emma, who died young; Frank D. Flora,
who died young; Mary L.. wife of Harley
Monger; James 1].; Nettie, wife of Frank
Gounod; and John G., who died young. Mr.
Dentler was a Democrat, and an active memborn and raised

;

ber of the Presbyterian Church.
Frank D. Dentler was educated in the publie schools of White Pigeon, and after graduation went to Schoolcraft. Mich., to clerk for
a general storekeeper. He worked for I. W.
Pursell, at that place,

and went

Iowa

for a

year to work in the store of his uncle, Joseph
Cathcart. Coming to Bloomsburg he married

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

956

Mary, daughter of Sylvester and Jane (Emmet Pursell. She died Jan. 31, 1913, and is
Their only
buried in Rosemont cemetery.
child, William C, died Nov. 11, 1913, and is
buried beside his mother. In 1874 Mr. Dent)

ler entered the general store of I. W. McKelvey, of Bloomsburg, and remained until 1881.
He then bought the shoe business of William

McKinney, which he conducted until 1903,
and for five years thereafter he was agent for
the New York Life Insurance Company. His
career has been successful, and he is the owner
a valuable
First National

business

block adjoining the

Bank on Main

street,

Blooms-

burg.
In 1910 he was appointed tax collector
by President Judge Evans, was elected for
the term following 191 1, and in 1913 reelected
Mr. Dentler has
for the term ending 1918.
also served as member of the town council,
He attends the
Politically he is a Democrat.
In MaEpiscopal Church at Bloomsburg.
sonic circles he is a member of Washington

Lodge, No. 276, F. & A. M., Bloomsburg
Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M., Caldwell Consistory, Crusade Commandery and Zerubbabel
Council.

FRANK PERSON ZARR, secretary and
manager of the Bloomsburg Water Company,
was born Jan. 19, 1884, in that city, and is a
son of B. F. Zarr. a prominent attorney of
Columbia county. The Zarr family came to
this country originally from the eastern part
of France and settled in America at an early
date in its history. The original French spelling of the name was Scar.

George and Catherine (Keifer) Zarr came
Columbia county from the county of Berks,
Pa., where they had resided for some years,
They settled on a farm located where the

southern part of Catawissa now stands.
Benjamin Zarr, son of George, was born
in Berks county in 1810 and spent all of his
life on a farm.
He married Hannah Reninger, and they had several children, but we
have record only of the one mentioned below.
Benjamin Franklin Zarr, son of Benjamin,
lived on the farm until his eighth year, and
then went to work in the Catawissa paper mill,
But his term of service at this occupation was
short, for he became entangled in some of
the machinery and was so badly injured as to
necessitate the amputation of his right arm at
the .shoulder. This changed the whole course
of his life, for he had to seek an occupation
adapted to his condition. With great exertion
and perseverance he managed to get a good

education, passing through Greenwood Seminary and the Millersville State Normal school,
He took up the work of school teaching, studying law in the meantime, and in 1869 entered
the office of Col. J. G. Freeze, at Bloomsburg.
He was admitted to the bar in 1872. He had

previously been appointed deputy prothonotary under Gen. W. H. Ent, serving twentythree months and soon after his admission to
the bar he was elected prothonotar}-. He was
the youngest candidate ever chosen to the

and he was reelected in 1875, serving
He
continuously six years and one month.
then resumed his practice, which was one of
office,

the largest in the coimty in later years.
In 1866 Mr. Zarr was united in marriage
to Fanny C. Person, and they had three chil-

Robert Rush, Josephine and Frank PerMr. Zarr was president of the town
council, member of the school board and deputy superintendent of schools of Columbia
He was an elder in the Lutheran
county.
Church and superintendent of the Sunday
dren

son.

school.

Frank Person Zarr completed the term in
the public schools of Bloomsburg and then
took a general scientific course at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg.
Returning to
Bloomsburg he entered his father's office, and
began the study of law. But he had no taste
for the legal profession, so he entered the
office of the American Car & Foundry Company, at Berwick, in 1905, later being transferred to the Bloomsburg plant.
He served
as assistant to Supt. W. V. Johnson and had
charge of the correspondence. In February,
191 2, he was made secretary of the Bloomsburg Water Company, and since then has had
entire charge of the plant, doii>g the office
work and attending to the collections.
In 1907 Mr. Zarr married Mabel Lorraine
Hartzel. daughter of W. C. and Martha (Wintersteen) Hartzell, of Mifflinville, and they
have had three children: Jean Lorraine, born
June 9, 1908; Benjamin Franklin, born Feb.
and Lucille, born Nov. 29. 1913.
19, 1911
Mr. Zarr is a member of the Episcopal Church,
and of Washington Lodge, No. 265. F. and
A. M.. of Bloomsburg. He is a Democrat in
politics, and has been secretary- of the town
;

council for the last six years,

Robert Rush Zarr, brother of Frank Person Zarr, was born in Columbia county and
obtained his preparatory education in the publie and normal schools, later attending Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg. After studying law with his father he was admitted to
the bar, and practiced with his father for a

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
time, later being appointed deputy prothonotary under W. H. Henrie, and serving for six
He then entered the
years in that capacity.
Bloomsburg National Bank as bookkeeper,
and after six years in that institution, in the

of 1908, was elected cashier of the Farm& Miners' National Bank at Forest City,
In 191 1 he was elected cashier of the
Pa.
People's National Bank of Edwardsville, Pa.,
fall

ers'

where he remained until July, 1913, when he
assumed his present position, having been
elected cashier of the Nanticoke (Pa.) NaMr. Zarr is a member of Washtional Bank.
ington Lodge, No. 265, F. and A. M., a Presbyterian in religious connection and a Democrat in politics. He married Maud Burns, and
they have a family of four children, Frances
M., Robert Rush, George and David.

JACOB

SMETHERS,

deceased, for a

number of years a contractor of Berwick, was
born in Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa.,
Dec. 26, 1854, and was a son of Henry, and
Lucinda (Cope) Smethers, of the same
county.

Henry Smethers, the father, was born in
1830 and died in i860. He owned a farm of
160 acres in Salem township, upon which he
resided the whole of his life.
His wife, Lucinda, daughter of Jacob and Elsie (Garrison) Cope, after his death married George
Harmon, and died in January, 1914. To her
union with Mr. Smethers were born three
children Lamon, now residing in Rockland,
Texas Jacob C. and George, deceased, who
married Harriet Edwards. He is buried in
:

;

Beach Grove cemetery, Salem township. Mr.
Smethers was a Democrat and a member of
the German Reformed Church.
The mother
had the following children by her second marriage:
Nathan; Michael R., wdio married
Hattie Garrison; Amos, who married Mary
Edwards and Sarah, who died young and is
buried near the Stone Church.
Jacob C. Smethers attended the Stone
Church schoolhouse in Salem township, but
was obliged to leave school at seventeen to
work on his mother's farm. He started to
;

learn the trade of carpenter at eighteen, later
worked as foreman for different contractors,
and did a general building business he assisted in the erection of the Bower Alemorial
;

church and parsonage and several other prominent structures.
On Oct. 12, 1876, he married Alice M., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Harter) Hess, and they had children
as follows: (i) John H., born June 29, 1877,
teller of the Berwick National Bank, married

957

Margaret Dodson and has two children, Ritter
Dodson, born May 22, 1903, and fohn Jacob,
born Aug. 11, 1914.
(2) Aaron H., born
April 7, 1879, employed with the American
Car & Foundry Co., married Edith Phillips,
(3) Amy B., born April 19, 1883, is a teacher
the Market street school, Berwick.
(4)
Nora E., born July 25, 1884, is a trained nurse
in the Hahnemann
hospital, Philadelphia. Mr.
Smethers died Feb. 4, 1914, and is buried in
in

Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick.
He was a
Democrat, a member' of the Evangelical
Church, and of the P. O. S. of A. and the
Odd Fellows at Berwick,
Jeremiah Hess, grandfather of Mrs. Jacob
C. Smethers, was born in Easton, Northampton Co., Pa., and went to W'apwallopen, Luzerne county, with his parents at the age of
He
trade of miller and
he operated for some

learned the
eight.
built a mill there, which

years, finally trading it for a farm, upon which
he lived retired for twenty-five years.
He
died in 1880 at the age of eighty-five.
His

wife died in

i860, and they are buried in
Beach Haven cemetery, Salem township, Luzerne county.
They were members of the

Reformed

Church.

Their children were:
Lavinia Smethers Susan,
wife of John Fenstermacher; John, memtioned below; Jeremiah M., who married Maria Pohe
EHzabeth, wife of Charles Hill;
Mary, wife of Thomas Brady; Nathan, who
married Zenith
Reuben, who married Lavina Knorr, who survives her busband at the age of eighty; Catherine, wife of

who married

Philip,

;

Reuben

Amanda,
Hill, of Lee county. 111.
died young; and Aaron \\'.. who married
Esther Bittenbender.
John Hess, father of Mrs. Jacob C. Smeth;

who

was born March 10, 181 9, in Salem townLuzerne county, and attended the common schools. He owned a farm of 130 acres.
He
thirty acres of which was in timber.
learned the shoemaking trade and followed it
in the intervals of farm work.
He was a
member of the Reformed Church and a Democrat.
He died in 1881 and is buried in the
Beach Grove cemetery. To his marriage with
Elizabeth Harter were born children as folers,

ship,

Xorman \\'., who married Delilah
Urias, who married Fannie Edwards
Rachel M., who died young; Deborah A., who
also died young; Lydia C.. deceased, who marlows:

Seely

;

Wesley Smethers and (second) Chester
(she is buried in Pine Grove cemetery) Alice M.. born March 8, 1855, widow
of Jacob C. Smethers; and Lizzie, wife of
Frank Hess.
ried

Harmon
;

COLUMBIA AXD MONTOUR COUNTIES

958

Jacob Harter, father of Mrs. John Hess,
in Berks county about 1795 and died
about 1870. He was a tailor by trade, but in
later life bought and cultivated a farm at
He married
Council Cup, Luzerne county.
Rachel Hess, of Northampton county, and
they had eight children William, who married Lydia Robert
Michael, who was acciin
killed
childhood;
Kate, wife of
dentally
John Keller Elizabeth John, who married
Roxanna Gruver; Jacob, who married May
Hart Aaron and Mary K. Mr. Harter was
a Republican and a member of the Lutheran
Church.

was born

;

ROLAND

miller

and coal

Mount

Pleasant township, Columand is a son of Andrew Jackson
The ana farmer of that township.

Ikeler,

cestors of the Ikeler family (originally spelled

Oeggler or Oggler) were from Germany and

came

America

1760.

The

great-great-

grandfather of Roland R. was Joseph Ikeler,
who settled in Belvidere, N. J. He was a
farmer, and participated in the Revolutionary
war.
Andrew Ikeler, son of Joseph, was the founder of the family in Columbia county. He was
married in New Jersey to Christiana Johnson,
and he and his wife rode horseback across
the wilderness to their destination in Greenwood township. There he took up one thousand acres of land, most of which still remains in the hands of his descendants. He
became a leading citizen of the county and

For a long
1835 ^^'^^ elected magistrate.
time he was colonel of militia and in the
war of 1812 raised a company which he led
in

into the

Andrew was born

field.

April

18,

His wife
1773, and died Nov. 24. 1850.
Christina was born in 1771 and died Dec. 29,
Both are
1865, at the age of ninety- four.
buried in the family plot on the old homestead in Greenwood township.
The children

who married
Sarah Kitchen
Isaac, who married Mary
Taylor Andrew, who married Mary Ann
Titma Johnson, who married Maria Lemmon Elizabeth, wife of Daniel McCarty;and

of this couple were: William

J.,

;

wife

Albertson.
]\Ir.
Ikeler was a Democrat and of the Quaker
~

Margaret,

Upon

from the Lancaster Land Company.
farm he raised his family to ma-

this

age of
married Sarah, daughter of William Kitchen, whose wife was a
ChrisHixon, and they had these children
tianna. wife of Perry Christian; Hicks, who
married Sarah Mathers and lives in Ohio
Andrew' Jackson, mentioned below Eri, who
married Caroline Grouse Eliza Ann. wife
of Hiram Thomas; Elmira, wife of Edward
Albertson
Sevilla. who died at the age of
and ^laria, who died at the age of
fifty
turity, passing to his final rest at the

eighty-five years.

;

sixty-five.

Andrew Jackson

IKELER,

Bloomsburg, Pa., was born Sept.

dealer of

21, 1858, in
bia county,

a tract

Elijah

Ikeler

was born

Mount

Pleasant township and followed farming until
his death, owning a tract of 160 acres, part
of which was in timber. He and his wife are
buried in the Ikeler graveyard. He married

Mary, daughter of Xehemiah and Hannah
(Mathers) Reece, and they had children as
follows.
David, who married Anna Creveling and lives in Brooklyn. N. Y. Charles and
Anderson, who died in infancy Roland R.,
mentioned below; Clara, widow of I. M. Dennen of Mount Pleasant township; Adeline,
living on the old homestead Anna O., wife of
Samuel Kester, of Bloomsburg and Serena,
wife of J. H. Ruckle of Mount Pleasant townMr. Ikeler was a Democrat and conship.
;

;

nected with the Quakers.
Roland R. Ikeler was educated in the country schools of his birthplace and worked on
the home farm until his seventeenth birthday.
He then went to Millville and served five
years in the gristmill of McHenry & Heacock,
after which he worked in the mill of John W.
Hofifman, at Light Street, for a year. After
a short time in I. W. McKelvy's mill, on the
Buckhorn road, near Bloomsburg, he came
to Bloomsburg and built his present mill,
which he has successfully operated for eighteen years. It was the first electrically-driven
flour and feed mill established in Columbia

county.
On Jan. 29, 1889. R. R. Ikeler was united
in marriage to Jessie Fisher, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Conner) I'isher. and to
their union have been born two children: Donald F.. a student at Gettysburg College and
;

Rebecca,
is

who

living at

Democrat, but not an

home.

Mr. Ikeler

office seeker.

faith.

William

Ikeler

was born

Greenwood

township, there received his education, and
followed farming all of his life. He moved
in later life to Mount Pleasant
township, after
selling his

farm

Greenwood, and bought

LAZARUS. The Lazarus family is one of
long standing in Montour township. Columbia Co., Pa., and has been associated with
much of the welfare and development of the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Leonard Lazarus, the founder of the family
Columbia county, has the distinction of beHe was born in
ing one of its pioneers.
Maxatawny township, Berks Co., I'a., and
came to Columbia county in young manhood,
locating in what later became Montour townHere he bought 240 acres of land,
ship.
the greater portion of which he cleared, develin

oping the wilderness into fruitful acres. Later
on in life he divided this farm into three portions, one going to Dr. George Yost, one to
Joseph Mauser and the third to Samuel Lazarus.
Being a public-spirited man, he donated
the ground for the old Lazarus cemetery and
the church in ^Montour township.
For years
he was a leading factor in his section, and

was always given to the betterment of existing conditions. Leonard Lazarus married Mary ]\I. Krumcrine, and their
his influence

children were: John, Emanuel, Samuel, Stephen, Lydia (who married a Mr. Fisher and

second Eli Krum), and Kate (Mrs.

Edward

Heimbach, died in young womanhood).
Samuel Lazarus, son of Leonard Lazarus,
was brought upon his father's homestead, and
spent his life engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Like his father he became a prominent
man in Montour township, and dying left an
honored name behind him. Samuel Lazarus
married Rebecca Krum, a daughter of Henry
Krum, and their children were
Henry
Emanuel, who is living at Bloomsburg; Daniel,

959

Mrs. Lazarus became the parents of two children: Elizabeth J., who married George Y.
Mowrey, is now deceased Lydia S., who married Calvin D. Garrison, lives with her venerable father, she and Mr. Garrison ministering to his wants. Mr. Lazarus is a Democrat
in politics, has served as a school director, and
has held other township offices, b'or years he
has been a member of the Lutheran Church,
of which he has been an elder for a long
For many years he was connected
period.
with the Odd Fellows and the Grange, but his
;

years make it advisable for him to discontinue
outside efforts as much as possible.
Those
who are now walking in the valley of endeavor, approaching their linal home going,
are able to feel that during the years of
this life they have done their full duty and
tried to live up to their ideals of upright manhood and honorable citizenship, should enjoy
great satisfaction. That all this has been accomplished by the venerable Mr. Lazarus none

who

who knows him

will deny.

Calvin D. Garrison, postmaster and merchant at Grovania, Pa., son-in-law of Henry
Lazarus, was born at Almedia, Columbia Co.,
Pa., in April, 1855, son of

Montour township Leonard, who
died young
Harriet, who married Thomas
Crossley Elizabeth, who married Peter Handshaw Lydia, who married Jeremiah Beaver

Jackson Garrison.
of Mr. Garrison was spent in attendance at the schools of his district, and he
supplemented his early studies with a course at
holthe Bloomsburg State Normal School,
lowing this he began his business career as a
clerk for D. A. Creasy, at Bloomsburg, Pa.
For several years he continued to clerk, thus
gaining a thorough and intimate knowledge of
mercantile business, so that when he came to
Grovania and founded a business of his own

Mary, who married John Eifert; Phoebe, who
married Milton Diehl and Sarah, who died in

coming here

who

died at Pottsgrove, Pa.
in

living

;

William,

;

who

;

childhood.

Henry

Laz.\rus, a retired farmer of Alontour township, was born on his present farm
March 23, 1829, and is now the oldest resident of the township, and one of the most
highly respected men in his part of Columbia
county. He was associated with his father in
operating the homestead until he purchased it
in 1874.
It comprises 115 acres of valuable
land, on which in 1880 he built the residence
which he has since occupied. Although he retired in favor of his son-in-law, George Y.
Mowrey, he still lives on the farm and is interested in its proper conduct.

On Nov. 30, 1854, Henry Lazarus married
Annie Mauser, a daughter of Joseph and Lydia
(Frey) Mauser, the latter a daughter of Jacob
Lazarus died in 1901, and is
INIrs.
Frey.
buried in the old Lazarus cemetery. ]\Ir. and

The boyhood

he knew
ship

how

with

Wample &

to operate

it successfully.
L'pon
Garrison formed a partnerB. G. Wample, the firm being
Garrison, and they conducted a

^Ir.

general store until Mr. Wample died in 1901,
when Mr. Garrison bought his interest, and
now does business alone.
Prior to 1882 there was consideral)le agitation over the establishment of a post office at
The firm of Grove Brothers,
this point.
operating a quarry here, wanted a post office,
to be called Grove City.
However, as there
was already an office of that name in Pennsylvania, a compromise was made on the name
Grovania. B. G. Wample was made the first
postmaster, and ^Ir. Garrison was his assist-

When the postmaster died, in 190 1. !Mr.
Garrison quite naturally succeeded him. and
G. Y. Mowrey. a
he still holds the office.

ant.

was made his assistant.
Mr. Garrison married Lvdia S. Lazarus, a

brother-in-law.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

960

daughter of Henry Lazarus.
children.

No. 1681,

member

O. O. F.

They have no P. C. Wadsworth, justice, of Townhill, LuEspy Lodge, zerne county, Pennsylvania.
Joseph D. Thompson was born Nov. 7,
1

HUGH THOMPSON,

a substantial busiis a member of the
his
family resident

ness man of Berwick,
fourth generation of
at that place, the great-grandfather, Paul
Thompson, having settled there and built the
first

pottery.

Paul Thompson was a native of County
Derry, Ireland, born March i, 1754, and his
wife, Nancy, was born May loth of that year.

July 9, 1792, they sailed from Ireland to
America, and first located at Dillsburg, York
Co., Pa., remaining in that county until their
removal to Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., in
By trade he was a potter, and he put
1798.
up the first pottery at Berwick. He owned a
flatboat, with which he took his crocks and
jars to points along the

Susquehanna for sale.
died in Berwick July 8, 1807, his wife surviving him many years, until Sept. 16, 1823.
In religious faitji he was a Presbyterian. His
five children, two sons and three daughters,
were all born in Ireland, as follows: Hugh,

1780; Jane, Nov. 21, 1781 (died April 14.
1807) Margaret, Jan. i, 1783 (died April 15,
1855); Alexander, May i, 1790; Ann, Jan.
6, 1792 (died Nov. 29, 1856).
;

Hugh Thompson,

eldest of

the family of

Paul Thompson, was born in 1780 in Ireland,
and was therefore a boy when the family came
to America.
He worked with his father,
learned the trade, and eventually inherited the
business, in which he prospered to such an
extent that he was able to add a farm to his
possessions

;

part of

it is

now

included in the

town of Berwick. During the war of 18 12
he was one of the emergency men. He joined
the Methodist Church, and was one of the
zealous members of the denomination in this
region,

its

ministers

who

occasionally visited

Berwick making his home their stopping place.
To him and his wife Ann (Dodson) were
born the following children
Paul died in infancy Richard, born June 14, 181 1, a farmer
and potter, died May 25, 1895; Alexander,
born Oct. 6, 1813, a potter and foundr}'man at
Tunkhannock, Luzerne Co., Pa., where he also
:

;

served as justice of the peace, died Dec. 12.
1881 Susan, born Feb. 22, 1816, married Rev.
;

Mr. Egc, a Methodist minister, of Baltimore,
Md., and died Dec. 2-j, 1895; J^"c, bom Dec.
t8i8, became the wife of Dr. Burkett;
5,
Joseph D. was the father of Hugh Thompson
Elizabeth Ann, born March 5, 1828, married
;

82 1,

received

ordinary educational advant-

and was trained to his father's business,
working with him until he reached his maHe was then in partnership with his
jority.
ages,

brother Richard, after their father's retirement, until 1853, 'ind for the next ten years
continued in the pottery alone, closing it in
1863 because the demand had fallen off so
much as to make it no longer profitable. After
farming for a time he became engaged in
hauling sand for the Jackson & Woodin Company, using four teams. In this work he continued until his death, which occurred in the
fall of 1899, in Berwick.
By his first marriage, to Mary Bonham, which took place in
1846, Mr. Thompson had one child, Almira,
who died in infancy. The mother died Dec.
On Feb. 2},, 1858, he married
21, 1850.

(second)
children,

Mary Hull, by whom he had two
Hugh and Annie E., the latter, born

in November, 1867. married to J. S. Housneck. of Shenandoah. Pa., treasurer for the

Armour

plant at that point.

Mrs. Thompson's father, Aaron Hull, was a
millwright by trade. He came to Berwick in
1840, from Easton, Pa., to take the position of
collector on the bridge across the Susquehamia. His death occurred in 1867, when he

was sixty-nine years of age, and his wife,
Elizabeth McPherson), passed away in 1858,
(

when fifty-six years old.
he was a Methodist. Five

In religious belief
children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Hull:
Esther, deceased, who
was the wife of Samuel E. Smith, of I'erwick
William, who was a dispatch bearer in the
Civil war and died at Fort Schuyler, N. Y.,
in
1864: Edward, of Shickshinny, Pa., a
;

butcher; Mary, Mrs. Joseph D. Thompson:
and Kale, wife of J. H. Mears, a contractor
of Berwick.
Hugh Thompson, only son of Joseph D.
at Berwick Sept. 12.
i860, and attained his education there at the
old Market Street Academy, under Miss Sue
Thompson. He is now one of the prosperous
business men of his native town, and as gen-

Thompson, was born

eral contractor

closely associated with

many

eviphases of local progress, his work giving
dence of his ability to keep abreast of modern
He furnishes sand for
ideas and methods.
and
concrete
building purposes, and
general
is under contract with the American Car and
Foundry Company to furnish sand for their
Mr. Thompson has a farm of
foundry.

L-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
twenty-four acres, all under cultivation, which
he carries on himself.
Mr. Thompson was married to Charlotte
Van Houten, who was born July ii, 1863,
daughter of Adrian and Margaret (Thomas)
Van Houton, the former a painter by occupaThe Van Houtens came to this region
tion.
from a Quaker settlement in Philadelphia.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Thompson: Charles R., Feb. 18, 1888; and
^

George E., April 19, 1901. The family home
Mr.
is at No. 1 148 Walnut street, Berwick.

a Methodist in religious connecHe is a Republican on political question.
tions, and fraternally holds membership in
Berwick Lodge, No. 1138, B. P. O. Elks, and

Thompson

Berwick Council, No. 698,

Jr.

O. U. A. M.

PHILIP McCLELLAN SMETHERS was
born Nov.

15,

1861, in Berwick, Pa., where
He is a son
well known.

the family is
of John and Ehzabeth
(Fenstermacher)
Smethers.
John Smethers, the father, was born in 1821
in Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa., where
he lived for some time. In early life he followed farming, and by trade he was a blacksmith, coming to Berwick to enter the employ
of the Jackson & Woodin Company, with
whom he continued during the remainder of
His death occurred in Berhis active years.

961

tinuously employed for over forty-four years
with that company and its successor, the

American Car & Foundry Company, and

for
the last thirty-three years has been running a
planer. He married Mary Elizabeth, daughter
of William S. and Martha J. (Tubbs) Harris,
of Salem township, and their children are:
Frank Earl, born Dec. 29, 1890, married May
Potter and has one child, Geraldine Elizabeth;
Robert Scott was born Nov. 11, 1892 Walter
;

Leo,

born

Sept.

13,

Warntz and has one child,
Rollo G., was born Oct. 8,
born

married Mary
Frances Elizabeth;
1897; Bruce Diet-

1894,

20, 1901, died young and
Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick;
Fred Arlington was born Oct. 29, 1904; Mary
Ehzabeth was born March 31, 1908.
Mr.
Smethers is a Progressive in politics and

terick,
is

buried

May

actively interested in the success of his party,
He is a member of the Bower Memorial

United Evangelical Church, and of Camp No.
105, P. O. S. of A., and Berwick Lodge, No.
246, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mary Elizabeth Harris was born in Salem
towmship, Luzerne Co., Pa., Sept. 21, 1869,
and educated at the Moore and Long schoolhouses, the latter in Fairmount township. She
resided for a time on a farm, went to Scranton
in 1886 and remained for three years, then
came to Berwick, where she was married May
2,

1889.

Columbia county, May 15, 1894. DurWilliam Scott Harris, father of Mrs.
ing the Civil war he enlisted in support of the Smethers, was born in Salem township and
Union, being a member of the 52d Regi- educated in the country schools. He taught
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, from school for one term and then took up the vocaColumbia county, and after taking part in tion of farming, acquiring two farms of sixtymr.ny battles and skirmishes was discharged four and fifty acres, respectively, in Salem
on account of disability; he returned to Ber- township. In January, 1870, he started to
wick at the close of his service. His wife, work for the Jackson & \\^oodin ManufacturElizabeth (Fenstermacher) was born Nov. 19, ing Company, with whom he remained until
In 1865 he enlisted in the Union
1819, in Mifflin township, Columbia Co., Pa., his death.
a member of one of the oldest families in the army for one hundred days, served the full
county, and died in Berwick March 11, 1895. term, and was discharged at Philadelphia. He
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. died Feb. 12, 1880, in Salem township, and is
His wife,
Smethers: Sofarus, who lives at Berwick, is buried in the Moore cemetery.
married to Catherine Edwards; John A. is ]\Iartha Jane TTubbs) was born May 8, 1846,
a business man of Berwick, Pa.; Mary is the and their children were: Fannie Rebecca, born
wife of Charles Berlin, of Berwick James is Dec. 18, 1867, married Harry J. Clewell; Mary
a resident of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Savilla mar- Elizabeth, born Sept. 21. 1869. married Philip
ried Rev. F. S. Vought, of Berwick, Pa.; Wil- McC. Smethers: Emma Jane, born March 12,
Ham lives at Berwick; Philip McClellan com- 1871, married Elmer Klinger: Anna Jemima,
born Sept. 6, 1872, died young; Earl Clark,
pletes the family.
Philip McClellan Smethers attended the born Aug. 13. 1873. died Oct. i. 1884, and is
Market street school. At the age of nine he buried in Moore's cemetery, Salem township
went to work in the machine shop of the Martha Ellen, born Oct. 17, 1875; rnarried
Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, Richard Jackson Alargaret Evelyn, born Dec.
on general work, and served an apprenticeship 2. 1877, married Charles Pace
Arminda
to the machinist's trade.
He has been con- Ritter, born Aug. 31, 1879, married Ray MacM^ick,

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

962
Donald.

was born

member

the occupation of miller in Light Street. He
married Rebecca, daughter of Peter and Susanna (Hilborn) Oman. She died in Scott
township at the age of sixty-three, and her
husband at Rohrsburg at the age of sixty-two.
Their children were
Norman, living in
Rohrsburg, is a veteran of the Civil war;
Susanna, widow of William Swentrell, is liv-

Mr. Harris was a Republican and a
of the Evangelical Church.
William H. Harris, grandfather of ^Irs.

Smethers, was born in Salem township and
educated in the country schools. He owned

and operated the homestead left him by his
father, and completed the clearing of the land,
devoting himself to this

work

until his death.

married Fannie Scott, a native of Scotland,
he had children as follows
PhiHp,
by
who married Alice Hall Mary, wife of Yost
Clark
Driesbach; Frances, who married
Frederici and (second) William Clewell; William S., who married Martha Jane Tubbs;
Jacob, who married Ella Keller; and James,
who died young. Mr. Harris' second wife was

whom

;

Elizabeth Hall, and they had two sons, Lloyd
and Floyd, and a daughter, Frances, who died
in infancy.
Earl Church Tubbs was born Dec. i8, 1799,
in

Huntington township, Luzerne Co.,

Pa.,

and

He farmed
the country schools.
there for a time and then moved to North
attended

Mountain, where he followed lumbering. He
married Rebecca Parks, who was born Sept.
17, 1812, and they had children as follows:
Elias married Elizabeth Blaine Earl married
a Miss Monroe; Daniel married Felicia Ann
;

Keck

Joseph was killed while serving in
the Civil war William married ]\Iaria and
(second) Cordelia \^an Home Simon married
Emma Crispell and (second) Fame Allen;
Nathan married Emma Barley; Jemima is the
wife of Milo Hoyt ^Martha J., born May 8,
;

;

Ellen
1846, married William Scott Harris
who died young. Elias, Earl, Daniel and
Joseph were all killed in the Civil war.
:

HARRY

farmer and bank diBenton township. Columbia
county, was born at Rohrsburg, that county,

KLINE,

rector, residing in

The Kline family came origAbraham Kline, the
Virginia.
ancestor of the Columbia county Klines, setApril 24, 1867.
inally

from

tled near Orangeville,

Orange township and followed

ing at Bloomsburg; Amanda married Samuel Bogert and both are deceased; Ruth, wife
of James Gillespie, is living in Danville;
Francis is deceased; Clara J., wife of Benjamin Karns, lives in the State of New York;

Peter A.,

who married

Sallie Dreibelbis, lives

Bloomsburg.
Harry H. Kline attended the public schools
of the home township and worked around
among farmers for a number of years. For
a time he was employed by ex-sheriff J. Boyd
McHenry, under whom he served three years
In 1901 he purchased
as jailer and deputy.
the old Dildine farm of seventy-one acres, on
the State road below Benton, erected new
buildings and made vast improvements on the
For four years he ran a dairy, selling
place.
the products in Benton, but this he has now

He
discontinued.
the First National

was
Bank

elected a director of
in the spring of 1913.
Since 1901 he has been a rural route carrier
out of the Benton post office.

In 1889 Mr. Kline married Dora, daughter
James Shultz, of Sugarloaf township. Columbia county, and they have children as
follows
Robert, a member of the class of
1914, in the Benton high school; Helen, a
graduate of the township schools and now attending the high school; and Lee, also in
of

school.

Mr. Kline

member

of the Christian

Church and an adherent of the principles of
the Democratic party.
He takes a great interest in the cause of education and has progressive ideas.

where he acquired pos-

session of a very large tract of land.
Morris Kline, great-grandfather of Harry
H. Kline, was a farmer of Orange township,
and devoted his life to agriculture. His wife,
Elizabeth Lee, was of the famous Southern
family of that name. After rearing his fam-

Mr. Kline moved with his wife
where they died. Most of their
children moved west.
The family was as
follows: Eli, Abraham, Margaret, Jackson,
David, Lucinda, Jane, James, Ruth, and
Enoch.

there,
to Illinois,
ily

Abraham

Kline, grandfather of

Harry

H.,

JONATHAN LOREMAN, fruit grower
and general farmer of Franklin township,
Columbia county, was born Jan. 18, 1840, son
of Samuel and ^lary (Everett) Foreman, and
grandson of John Loreman.
John Loreman moved from Berks county,
Pa., to Franklin township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
and spent the remainder of his life clearing
and developing the farm he acquired in this
He died upon his property, and is
locality.
buried in the Reed Station cemetery in Westmoreland county. He and his wife had childred as follows: Jacob; Samuel, who mar-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

963

ried Mary Everett;
Frederick, and
Anthony Adams (2), son of Anthony of
Andrew.
Albany township, was born about the year
Samuel Loreman, son of John Loreman, 1736, and was a resident of the adjoining
was a farmer in Franklin township. He served township of Windsor in 1758. He married
as poor director, school director and overseer Rosena Dunkel, widow of Vincent Lesher, of
of the poor, to which offices he was elected Richmond township, and by this union he had
on the Democratic ticket. He and his wife four known children Peter, of Windsor townbecame the parents of the following children: ship, born Oct. i, 17C5, died July i, 1849, "i^rJohn; Andrew; Samuel; Daniel; Catherine, ried Catherine Hausknecht;' Anthony (3), of
who married Jacob Metz; Margaret, who Briarcreek township; Jacob, of Berks county,
married Joe Zarr; and Jonathan.
married Susan Kline, of Richmond township;
Jonathan Loreman was born and reared in Abraham, of Briarcreek, born Oct. 7, 1779,
Franklin township, where he still resides. Un- died July 6, 1855, married Susan ^liller.
til he was eighteen years old he assisted his
Anthony Adam (2) served during the Revolufather, and then began working for neighbor- tionary war as a private in Capt. Jacob Laing farmers, thus continuing until 1884, when dich's company, Col. Samuel Ely's battalion,
he moved on the property which he is still Berks county militia, and was in the service
He has found that he gets best sixteen days in 1781. In 1799 he received
operating.
from the State a patent for a tract of 307 acres
results from fruit and a general line of crops,
of land called "Manheim," on Briar creek, in
and is devoting himself to their production.
Northumberland (now Columbia) county, and
Air. Loreman married Catherine Setler, of
Franklin township, who is now deceased. She in 1806 received another patent for a tract of
bore him children as follows: Samuel is as- 426 acres, called "Quincy," on the same
creek.
These lands he conveyed to his four
sisting his father in the work of the farm;
John lives in Mayberry township, Montour sons. His death occurred in April, 1809.
Anthony Adam (3) established the Adams
county; Mary married William Hoover; Lucy
married C. Sterling; Elizabeth married Peter homestead in Briarcreek township, Columbia
He was born Dec. 25, 1767. He
Schlee.
county.
Mr. Loreman has been poor supervisor and served as private in Capt. Christian Madery's
school director, and has served faithfully in company of Berks county militia, which was
;

other township offices, giving public affairs
the same conscientious attention that he does
man of means, he
to his private concerns.
has reached his present prosperous condition

through hard work, intelligently directed, and
judicious investment of his savings.

SAMUEL WARREN ADAMS,

farmer,

of Berwick, was born Feb. 2, 1853, in Briarcreek township, son of Enos L. Adams and
grandson of Samuel Adams, his ancestors being traced through many generations to a
remote German ancestor.
Anthony Adam (Adams), a potter by trade,
was the founder of the^amily in America. He

came from Germany, landing in Philadelphia
Oct. 26, 1 75 1, from the snow "jMolly," commanded by Capt. John Cranch. His age was

given on the passenger list as twenty-five. He
settled in Albany township, Berks Co., Pa.,
receiving a grant of over 136 acres from the
He was a man of prominence
proprietaries.
in the Colonies, participating in the French
and Indian wars, and acted on two occasions
The name of his
as administrator of estates.
wife and the date of his death are not known,
but it is recorded that he had four sons:

Abraham, Anthony, Bernhard and

Peter.

ordered to the front in 1787, arrived at Fort
Allen Nov. 21, at Wyoming Nov. 26, and was

discharged Jan. 6, 1788. He probably settled
in Briarcreek as early as 1792, for in October
of that year a warrant was granted him for
278 acres of land, for which he received a patHe purchased a parcel of sevent in 181 1.
enty-five acres in Fishingcreek township, a

307 acres was deeded to him by his
father in 1806, and in 181 1 he received a deed
from his brothers for his fourth interest ( 106
acres) in the tract called "Quincy." He married Catherine Glass, born Dec. 30, 1766, who
died Aug. 12, 1845. ^is death occurred April
29, 1822, and he and his wife are interred in
the Briarcreek Reformed Church yard, five
miles west of Berwick. The children of this

tract of

couple were: Hannah, born May 10, 1790,
died Sept. 3, 1870, married Daniel Zaner, of
Briarcreek; William, born Dec. 15, 1791, died
April 26, i860, married Susanna Hess (he
served in the war of 18 12, in Capt. George
Heidler's company, 1 12th Regiment, Columbia
County ^Militia, under Col. Andrew Keller)
Samuel is mentioned below; Anthony (4) mar;

ried Elsie

Engel and removed to Rock Island,

Rachel, born Nov. 29, 1797, died April
1852, married William Traugh, of Berwick,

111.

;

8,
in.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

964

Abraham married a Miss Goble and
moved to Rock Island, 111. (he ser\'ed in
1817;

re-

the
Eliza-

as his brother William)
12, 1803, died Sept. 26, 1840,
unmarried; Mary Magdalene, born in 1806,
died June 17, 1879, married Enos Leidy, of
and moved to Manayunk, Philadel-

same company
beth, born

;

May

Berwick,

phia; Sarah, born

May

29, 1808, died

March

married Jacob Aloyer, of Berwick.
Samuel Adams, grandfather of Samuel W.,
was born in 1793 and resided all of his life in
the township of Briarcreek on the old homeOn June 27, 1819, he married Esther,
stead.
daughter of Capt. Frederick Hill, proprietor
of the old Fort Jenkins Inn, his wife being
Catherine Conner.
They had the following
children: Anthony, born Feb. 26, 1821, died
in infancy; Mary Ann, born Jan. 31, 1822,
died March i, 1877, married Louis Traugh, of
Berwick, who died March 5, 1850, and (secend) Warren Vanderhoven Enos Leidy is
mentioned below. Samuel Adams died Nov.
17, 1872,

;

29. 1846.

Enos Leidy Adams was born July 28, 1824,
and died in August, 1887, aged sixty-three
years. He was the fourth of the Adams generation to cultivate the homestead. He added
to his holdings until at his death he owned
265 acres of land, and two houses and lots in

He married, March 13, 1847, Marborn April 21, 1827, who died
Kisner,
garet
May 19, 1872. She was the daughter of
John Kisner and granddaughter of Maj. John
Kisner, a Revolutionary officer, of New Jersey. They had ten children: Alice Lydia, born
Feb. II, 1848, married James Knox Polk
Freas, of Berwick, who died Oct. 16, 1898;
John Kisner, born April 8, 1850, died March
Berwick.

Samuel Warren; Enos
Kinney, born July 8, 1855, died in November,
1889, married Clara Miles; Anna Mary, born
Nov. 4, 1857, married Joseph Turnbach, a
hardware merchant, of Philipsburg. Pa., and
15,

1880, unmarried;

died Dec. 30, 1903; W'illiam L., born May
27, i860, married Lizzie A. Davis, of Colon,
Mich., and has four children (they now live
in Hoquiam, Wash.); Charles Elliott, born
Jan. 26, 1863, married ]\Iary E. Albertson and
has four children Margaret Ida, born Oct. II,
1866, married Leoni H. Cryder, of Berwick;
Frances L., born Oct. 14, 1869, married James
L. Evans, of Berwick; Edwin Orison, born
March 12, 1872, died Aug. 6, 1872.
Samuel Warren Adams was educated in the
public schools and has spent all of his life on
the farm. On Oct. 4. 1881, he married Eliza
Harmon, daughter of Nicholas D. and Catherine (Gearhardt) Harmon, of Catawissa.
;

Mrs. Adams is one of four children, her
brothers being Alfred, Thurman and Nicholas
Mr. and Mrs.
B., all of whom are dead.

Adams have had

only one child, Fannie Marborn April 4, 1870, now the wife of
Taylor Wright, of Martzville, Pa. Mr. Adams
and his family are members of the Martzville
Lutheran Church. Socially he belongs to Order of Owls. He has been judge and inspector
garet,

elections,

and school director for three

years,

CHARLES STEWART FORNWALD,

Bloomsburg, a retired blacksmith, and commander of Col. W. H. Ent Post, No. 250,
G. A. R., was born Aug. 22, 1842, in Catawissa, Columbia Co., Pa., son of Michael
Fornwald and grandson of Peter Fornwald.
The latter was the originator of the famous
Fornwald apple, and a well known hatter of
the city of Reading, Pennsylvania,
Peter Fornwald, the first of the family on
record in this State, was born March 10, 1771,
in Reading, Pa., and died Feb. 4,
He
1847.
is buried at Catawissa.
He gained a fair
education in the schools of Reading and there
learned the trade of hatter, later having a
shop on what is now Water street. He took
a great interest in the cultivation of apples,

and succeederl in developing the famous apple
which bears his name. Part of the old house
in which he lived is still
standing. He came to
Catawissa before 1795, and there continued to
follow his trade. He was a Democrat, and a
member of the Lutheran Church.
Peter Fornwald married Ann Elizabeth
Rupert, daughter of John Philip and Catherine
Rosch Rupert, and they had ten children:
Catherine, born July 28, 1796, married Jacob
Eyerly (both are buried in Rosemont cemeMichael is mentioned betery, Bloomsburg)
(

)

;

low; John, born Jan. 23, 1800, died July 26,
1825, and is buried at Catawissa Sarah, born
July 24, 1802, married Stephen Baldy, and
died March 7, 1879 (both are buried at Catawissa); Eliza, born Nov. 18, 1804, married
Daniel Kreigh, and died April 13, 1836;
Rebecca, born Dec. 30, 1806, died March 26,
1876; Daniel, born Nov. i, 1808, married
Catherine Eidler Feb. 7, 1833, died April 14.
1891, and is buried at Falls Church; Susanna,
born Feb. 7, 181 1, married William Pursell,
died Dec. 10. 1897. ^"^ is buried at Frosty
\'alley; Mary, born Dec. 24. 1813. died Dec.
29, 1885, is buried at Catawissa
Peter, born
Feb. 3, 1816. is buried in Catawissa.
^lichael Fornwald was born Jan. 2', 1798,
in Catawissa, attended the common schools,
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and learned the trade of hatter from his father.
He worked at that calHng as a journeyman
until 1835, when he bought his father's hat
shop, carrying it on until 1841, when he opened
For a time he
a general store at Catawissa.
and
then in 1850
and
of^ce
the
store
post
kejit
went to Danville, as weighmaster at the ReadBetween 1852 and 1870 he
ing Iron Works.
worked at odd jobs in Philadelphia and taught
a German and English school in Beaver township, Columbia county. Returning to Bloomsburg in 1870 he retired, dying on March 26th
of the following year. He married Jane Melroy, born April 11, 1803, who died Sept. 23,
1851. Their children were: William Rodman
married Kate Budd, of Virginia, and both are
deceased Amanda Ada, who married James
;

Reed,

buried in

Kurtz,

who

Philadelphia

;

Rhoda

1836, married Martin L.
buried at the Soldiers' Home,

Ann, born Dec.

19,

Dayton, Ohio, and she lies in Rosemont cemetery; Eliza Jane married William T. Pedrick,
and is buried in Philadelphia Charles Stewart
is mentioned below.
Charles S. Fornwald attended the private
schools conducted by the Misses Bradley and
I vers, at Texas, a suburb of Philadelphia, and
then, in September, 1851, came to Hemlock
township, Columbia county, where he was
bound out to a farmer for five years. He received but three months' schooling in that
time.
After working for a time on a farm
for himself he put in two years at the blacksmith's trade with Amos B. Hartman, of Hemlock township. On April 22, 1861, he enlisted
in the "Iron Guards," Company A, 6th Pa.
Vols., for three years or during the war.
After the expiration of his term he was mus;

tered out, June I, 1864. He participated in the
battles of Drainesville, Va., Bull Run, Va.,
South Mountain, Md., Gettysburg, Pa., Bristoe
Station,

Va.,

Mine Run, Va.,

New Hope

Church, Va., Spottsylvania Court House, Va.,
the Wilderness, Va., Anna River, Va., Bethesda Church, Va. He was wounded three
times at the battle of Bull Run, and at the
battle of South Mountain was wounded in the
ankle by a minie ball and sent to the hospitals
in Middletown, Frederick City and Baltimore.
He then spent two weeks in the Convalescent

camp near Alexandria,

Va., rejoining his com-

27, 1863, at Fairfax Court
the battle of South Mountain

pany Feb.

House,
he had
the tops of his shoes shot away, and when he
came out of action found seventeen bullet
Va.

holes in his clothing.
On his return from the war Mr. Fornwald
worked on the railroad at Catawissa for four

965

months and

as a- blacksmith for one year with
Miles Abbott, in Bloomsburg. He then married and moved to Bagdad, Montour county,
rented a shop and worked at his trade for a
He next worked in the iron mines at
year.
Frosty Valley for five months and acted as
weighmaster at the Irondale Furnace for two
years.

I^^inding the latter

work

too confining,

he rented a shop at Bloomsburg and worked
at blacksmithing for two years. He was then
on the Pennsylvania canal for two years, in
the Sharpless Foundry twelve years, in the

Robbins Car Works, and

in the foundry of
Hassert. In the latter place he was
attacked by sunstroke and compelled to retire

Harman &

from active work.
Mr. Fornwald married Anna Beidlemann,
who was born in Bloomslmrg, and died July
she is buried in Rosemont cemetery.
6, 1902
They had children as follows
Jennie Pursell, born June 27, 1866, died Jan. 2, 1870;
Kate Edgar, born Sept. 5, 1867, died Dec. 3,
1869; Matthew, born Nov. 10, 1869. died
young; Elisha Scott, born Nov. 24, 1870, died
in December, 1912; Sophia, born Jan. 8,
1872,
died Sept. 5, 1877; George Augustus, born
June 3, 1877, married Chrissie M. Farley, and
has three children Charles Melroy, born June
3,
1877, married Alary R. Moyer; Clara
Augusta was born June 16, 1879; Edward
Roscoe, June 18, 1881 Paul, July 25, 1883
;

;

(died in infancy)
Harriet Lenore, Jan. 18,
1885; Nina, April 21, 1888 (died in child;

hood).

Mr. Fornwald is a Republican and was appointed sheriff of Columbia county in May,
He was as1876, by Governor Hartranft.
sessor of Bloomsburg for six years and member of the State Board of Health for three
He is a member of the Reformed
years.
Church, and has been secretary of the board
of deacons. He was a charter member of Post
No. 152. G. A. R., and of Post No. 250, which
succeeded it, and has been post commander;
he was adjutant for twenty years.

GEORGE AUGUSTUS FORNWALD,

Bloomsburg, quartermaster-sergeant of Company G, 1 2th Regiment Pennsylvania National
Guard, and an employee of the United States
postal service, was born June 3, 1877, in
Bloomsburg, Pa., son of Charles Stewart
Fornwald. He comes from a line of ancestors
who have made their mark on the history of
this

State.

George A. Fornw^ald attended the public
schools of Bloomsburg until his sixteenth year.

then, Jan.

1893, entered the printing

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

966
office of

Deemer Beidelmann;

at Shickshinny,

and a
half years.
Returning to Bloomsburg he
worked on the Sentinel. During the SpanishAmerican war he enlisted in Battery F, 4th
Light Artillery, Nov. 11, 1898, and was mus-

where he served

at the trade for three

tered into the service at Wilkes-Barre. being
assigned to duty at Fort Adams, R. I. The
officers of the battery were
Capt. Sydney W.
Taylor, First Lieut. Lawrence S. Miller, Sec:

Mr. FomLieut. John W. Kilbreth, Jr.
wald remained at Fort Adams until April i,

ond

1899, when he was sent to the Philippines,
•embarking at San Francisco April 20,\ 1899,

and arriving in Manila May 23, 1899. During the period of his service in the Philippines
Aguinaldo was captured.
Returning to the United States July 4, 1901,
he was detained in the hospital for eleven
weeks because of a general breakdown, while
the battery was in the Vancouver barracks,

Washington State. Just previous to his disin November, 1901, the battery was
merged into the 8th Field Battery, and he
was promoted to corporal just before his disin

charge

Coming back to Bloomsburg, he
worked on the Morning Press for about
Then he was occupied at
twenty months.
various employments until his appointment,
June I, 1912, to the position of letter carrier,
after having "subbed"' for eight years and two
charge.

191 1, aged sixty-seven years, ten
are buried in the new Rosemont
cemetery at Bloomsburg. Mr. Farley was a
carpenter, but after working at the trade for
some years lost a hand and turned to farming
for a livelihood.
Sept.
days.

27,

They

NELSON WEBSTER BLOSS, who has
been connected with the manufacturing life of
Ber\\ack for some years, was born in that city
The
Nov. 3, 1875. son of Nathan Bloss.
latter was born at Holly Springs, Pa., Aug. 5,
1829, and died at Berwick, Pa., Dec. 6, 1877.
He married Mrs. Elizabeth (Harmon) Rabert,
widow of Samuel Rabert, and daughter of
John A. and Sarah (\"arner) Harmon, of
Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa. ]Mrs. Bloss
was born in Salem township, Sept. 2, 1837,
and died at Berwick June 3, 1904. The children of her first marriage were: Clara L.,
born in Beach Haven, Sept. 9, 1865; and
Samuel L., bom in Beach Haven, Sept. 21,
1867.
By her second marriage she also had
two children Eva May, born at Berwick,
Dec. 6, 1870, who died there June 30, 1872;
and Nelson W. A carpenter by trade, Nathan
Bloss was well and favorably known in Holly
Springs and Berwick and throughout the surrounding country. For a number of years he
served Berwick as a policeman, and stood
:

very high in the public esteem.

belonged

Red Men and the Odd Fellows
(Lodge No. 246). The Lutheran Church

months.

In 1912 he enlisted in Company G.
1 2th
Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard,

to the order of

at first duty sergeant, and is now quartermaster-sergeant.
On Feb. 16, 1902, Mr. Fornwald married
Chrissie M. Farley, daughter of Joseph and
Sarah ( Culp) Farley, of Riverside, Northumberland Co., Pa., and they have the following
children: Mildred, born Jan. 12, 1903; Oran,

held his membership and received his earnest
support.
Nelson Webster Bloss was educated in the
Market street school and the high school,

was

born Aug. 11, 1907; and Reber, born Aug. 26,
1908. Mr. Fornwald is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and socially of Van Camp
Lodge, No. 140, I. O. O. F., and Encampment No. 210, of Espy; and of Capt. C. B.
Brockway Camp, No. 270, Sons of Veterans,
of which he is a past commander.
Mrs. Fornwald was born March to, 1883.
in Roaringcreek township, and educated at
Riverside, Northumberland county. After her

worked in Danville for a year,
and then married. She is a member of Marie
Knapp Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah. and Pocahontas Tribe. Her religious membership is
with the Presbyterian Church.
Joseph Farley, father of Mrs. Fornwald.

•schooldays she

died Feb. 3, 1909, at the age of seventy-six
years, nine months, two days. His wifedied

from which he was graduated in 1894. During
worked for the Jackson &
Woodin Alanufacturing Company, and was
He then went to
under Gideon Beishline.
Wyoming Seminary and took a business trainReturning to Berwick in 1896,
ing course.
he taught one year in the Market street school,
and two years in the high school. In 1899 ^^
the next year he

entered

the

paymaster's

department of the

American Car & Foundry Company, under
S. W. Dickson, paymaster, and after about
two years in that department went into the
drafting room, under H. P. Field, mechanical
engineer. About 1909 he left that position and
bought a farm at Hicks Ferry which he cultivated for two years, until he went to New

York

City to take a position in the export department of the American Car & Foundry
Company. After nine months there he returned
to Berwick and entered the mechanical inspection

department of the company.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Mr. Bloss married Grace Clewell, daughter
of I. B. and Lucinda (Rheinard) Clewell.
There are no children of this marriage. Mr.
Bloss is independent in his political views.
He belongs to the Bower Memorial United
Evangelical Church of Berwick, and fraternally

Mason, holding membership

Knapp Lodge, No.

462, F.

A. M., of Ber-

wick, Caldwell Consistory (thirty-second degree), A. A. S. R. of Bloomsburg, and Irem
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre.

ALEM BRITTON WHITE,

deceased, was
Fishingcreek township, Columbia
county, May 9, 1833, son of Joseph and Lydia
Ann (Robins) White. His death occurred
May 15, 191 1, and he is interred in the ceme-

born

tery at Light Street.

Peter White, grandfather of Alem B.
White, was a prominent farmer in Scott township, Columbia county, and was yet a young
man when he died in 1815. He married Elizateth Britton, by whom he had eight sons and
five daughters:
Harry; Mary Maud, Mrs.
Garrison
Zebeth
John Joseph William
Samuel Peter Catherine, Mrs. Oman Sarah,
Mrs. Melick; Elizabeth, Mrs. Emerson; Isaac;
.

967

Ashland, Schuylkill county, and finally returned to Light Street, where he clerked for
H. W. Creasy until the latter's death in 1871.
He then purchased the general merchandise
store of Peter Ent and carried on the business
until 1895, when he retired in favor of his
brother Joseph. He had previously purchased

upon which the store was situated.
engaged in the lumber and
fertilizer business, dealt in coal, and acted as
agent of the Bloomsburg & SuUivan Railroad
Company and of the United States Exj^ress
Company.
On March 23, 1S69, Mr. White married
Esther E. Geisinger, a native of Luzerne
county and a daughter of Samuel Geisinger,
and they had but one daughter, who was taken
from them in infancy. They then adopted a

the property

Mr. White

also

daughter, Bessie,

who

took the place of the

She married Amos Oman, an advertising man, of Philadelphia, and they have two
children
Howard White, now aged five years,
and Mary Esther, two years old.
Mr. White was a stanch supporter of the
Prohibition party. Fraternally he was a member of Locust Mountain Lodge, I. O. O. F.,
of Ashland, Pa., and Washington Lodge, No.
He supand tjenry.
265, F. & A. M., of Bloomsburg.
Joseph White, the father of Alem B. White, ported the tenets of the Methodist Church and
was born March 15, 1800, and after attaining was for many years superintendent of the
his majority became an agriculturist on his Sunday school. Mrs. White survives her husown account. He was a member of the band, residing in Light Street, honored and
Methodist Church and very prominent in his beloved by all who know her.
day.
By his first marriage, to Lydia Ann,
ELIAS HOPPES, a well known and redaughter of John Robbins, he had eight chilSarah C, wife of John Johnson, of spected resident of Berwick, was born March
dren:
Greenwood township Alem Britton Melissa 16, 1836, in Luzerne county. Pa., son of
a car- George and Catherine (Benscoter) Hoppes.
J., who married Henry Miller: John A.,
George Hoppes was born in Luzerne county,
penter, living in Ohio Mary E., who married
David Oman, now dead Anna A., widow of where he followed farming and spent his life.
Samuel White, of Fairmount township. Lu- He married Catherine Benscoter, of the same
zerne county; Harriet M., wife of Thomas county, and they had eight children Hannah,
Wright; and Eliza R., wife of S. B. Forn- Elias, Rose, Ann, Jonah. Sarah, (jeorge and
wald, of Washington, Ind. Mrs. White died Emma. Of these Hannah, Elias, George and
Mr. Emma survive. Jonah served in the Civil
Dec. 7, 1835, aged thirty-eight years.
White's second wife was Deborah Fowler, and war.
Elias Hoppes came to Columbia county in
they reared two children: Florence P., wife of
N. H. White, of Columbia county; and boyhood and when the Civil war broke out
was a resident of Summer Hill, Briarcreek
Joseph, a merchant of Light Street.
Alem B. White was reared on the home township. On Oct. 22, 1862, at Camp Curfarm, attended the common schools, and grad- tin, he enlisted for service in the Union army,
uated from Greenwood Seminary, Millville, being mustered in Oct. 28th as a member
of Company H, 178th Pennsylvania \'olunPa., after which he began teaching school, at
the age of sixteen.
He was assistant in the teer Infantry, under Capt. Theodore McD.
Bloomsburg high school and taught six months Price and Col. James Johnson, and after a
in Greenwood Seminary.
For a short time he faithful service of nine months was honor;

;

lost one.

;

was engaged as a clerk in stores in Light
Street, before going into business for himself

ably discharged at Harrisburg, Pa., July 27,
During this time he took part in many
1863.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

968

but escaped without any serious inthen returned to Columbia county
and settled at Berwick in 1864 entering the
employ of the Jackson & Woodin Company
now the American Car & Foundry Company,
in whose employ he has continued ever since,
being one of the oldest in point of service as
well as one of the most valued employees of
Mr. Hoppes was one of the
this company.
He is a memfirst policemen in the borough.
ber of Capt. C. C. Jackson Post, No. 159, G.
A. R., and of the Berwick Beneficial Associabattles

jury.

tion.

Feb. 19, 1873, ^^^- Hoppes was married
Mary (Kramer) Smith, who was born
Sept. 18, 1832, in Luzerne county, a daughter
of Abram and Permilla (Santee) Kramer,
natives of Luzerne county, where they spent
their lives the father was a farmer and stockman. They have six living children George,
who is a resident of Berwick Maude, who is
the wife of George Schrader, of Bridgeport,
Conn.; Jennie, who is the wife of Reuben
Craver, of Freeland, Pa. and Clarence, Elizabeth and Sterling, all of whom reside at Berwick. Mr. and Mrs. Hoppes are members of
Mrs.
the
Methodist Episcopal
Church.
Hoppes is a charter member of the Woman's
Relief Corps of Berwick,
liy her first marriage, to Hiram Smith, a native of Luzerne
county, she became the mother of four sons:
Davicl, of Scranton, Pa. Frank, of Berwick
Daniel, of Wayne county, and Charles, of
California. The father died in Luzerne counHe was a veteran of the Civil war.
ty.
to Mrs.

;

THOMAS GOODALL

VINCENT, of
Danville, has been holding the office of prothonotary and clerk of the courts of Montour
county since 1902 and is one of the most
popular officials of the county. He has been
one of the most active local workers of his
Mr.
generation in the Democratic party.
\^incent is a native of Danville, born April
18, 1873, son of Henry Vincent, and grandson

portunities in his youth, as at the age of ten
he commenced work in the rolling mills, be-

ing thus employed until he was thirty-two
He worked on contract for
years of age.
several years and during that time also found
opportunity for studying law, taking a course
at

New York
He was

Columbia College,

he graduated

City,

where

admitted to

1878.

New York, and the same year in
Montour county. Pa. Subsequently he commenced the practice of law at Danville, in
the bar in

1879, ^"d entered into a partnership with
James Scarlet which continued for two years.
Mr. A'incent then conceived the idea of es-

the Danville Stove ^^lanufactory,
organized a stock company, and was elected
The success of this busiits first president.
tablishing

ness was largely due to his energy and determination.
It is now known as the Dan-

Manufacturing Company. In
married Sarah Taylor,
1863
daughter of \\'illiam Taylor. She was also a
native of England, born near the birth-place
of her husband, and came to America the
same year as Mr. \'incent. both locating the
same year at Danville, where they met for the
first time and were afterward married.
Eight
children were born to their union, namely:
ville

Stove

^ incent

^^^-

now

Elizabeth,

Danville

;

^Irs.

Thaddeus

;

Henry

;

Gregory,

Thomas

of
G.
;

Mrs.
Methodist

Mctor; Robert; Walter, and William.

Mncent

member

the

Church.
Mr. Vincent served as a member of the
In 1862 he enlisted in
council of Danville.
Company A, I32d Pennsylvania \'olunteer
Infantry,
battles,

and participated

several

great

among which were Antietam, South

Fredericksburg and Chancellorsmany minor engagements and
skirmishes, having several narrow escapes.
Five balls entered his clothing, and at the
battle of Antietam his coat sleeve was com-

Mountain.

ville,

as well as

pletely shot

ofif.

children.

\'incent was educated in
the public schools of Danville, and began work
there as a molder in the Danville Stove
After four years' work in that
\\^orks.
plant he took up the insurance business, which
he has since carried on, continuing it at presIn
ent in connection with his public work.
1902 he became prothonotary and clerk of
the courts of Montour county, in which
position he has since been retained, now serv-

Henry Vincent, eldest in the family of Job
and Lydia Vincent, was born in England
Dec. 25, 1844, and came to America with his
parents. Lie had but limited educational op-

ing his fifth term, which expires
three elections he had the honor
more votes than had ever been
other candidate in the county.

of Job Vincent.
Job Vincent was born in England, as was
also his wife, Lydia (Roberts), and they
were married in that country. By trade he

was a mason.
He brought his family to
America in 1852, landing at New York City,
and soon afterward settled in Danville, ]\Iontour Co., Pa. The family consisted of seven

Thomas Goodall

At
1916.
of receiving
cast for any
in

His person-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
undoubtedly accounts for much of this
popularity, but he also has the solid (|ualities
which make him deserving of the favor and
good wishes of his fellow citizens, whom he
has served with the utmost intelligence and
He is influential in the councils of
fidelity.
his party, has been a delegate to State conality

ventions many times, and on two occasions
has been delegate to the national convention,
the first time as a Bryan man at Denver, the
other as a Wilson supporter at Baltimore.
He is well known in the fraternities, belonging to Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M.
Lodge No. 754, B. P. O. Elks; the Eagles;
;

Beaver Lodge, No. 132, K. P.; and Montour
Lodge, No. 109, I. O. O. F.
On Feb. i, 1894. Mr. Vincent married Deborah Shultz, of Danville, daughter of Dr.
She died April 21,
B. F. and Mary Shultz.
1907, the mother of three children, Mary
Dorotha and Sarah ]Margaret, twins, and
Catherine.

SHARPLESS. The

Sharpless family of Col-

descended from John Sharpless, a native of England, who emigrated to
America about two months before the first
coming of William Penn and settled in what
became Chester county, in the Province of
Pennsylvania. There the family continued to

umbia county

live

for generations.

Benjamin Sharpless, great-grandson of
John, was the first of the family to come to this
part of Pennsylvania. Born Aug. 7, 1764, in
Chester county, he passed his early life there,
learning the trade of miller after he reached
man's estate. When young he had learned the
saddler's trade, but he never followed

Columbia county except to make harness for
In 1795 he crossed the mountains,
himself.
and first located in Sunbury, Northumberland
Co., Pa., where he invested in a mill, operating the same for two years in partnership with
Robert Coburn; later he was associated with
Enos Sharpless. He also taught school there
for some time.
In 1805 he disposed of his
business interests at that place and moved to
Catawissa, and the farm which he purchased
and operated, adjoining the village, has since
been laid out in town lots. Four years after
his arrival he bought a gristmill which he carried on successfully until 1812, when in company with John Clark he erected a paper mill
on the same site. The paper was manufactured by hand, from rags, and Mr. Sharpless

paid as high as nine cents a pound for white
He prospered, and had a fine home in
His
Catawissa which he erected in 1835.

rags.

969

death occurred when he was
third year.

May

28, 1857.

in his ninetyIn 1782, in I'hila-

Mr. Sharpless married Hannah Bondaughter of Edward Bonsall, and like

del])hia,
sall,

himself a

member

of the Society of h^riends,
members of the Sharpless
family belonged. Mr. and Mrs. Sharpless are
buried in the h>iends' cemetery at Catawissa.
They became the parents of eleven children,
two of whom died young, viz. Mary Ann
married Dr. Wadsworth, of Catawissa; Eliza
died unmarried when ninety-four years old;
to

which the

earlier

Edward married Ilotsy Roth and (second)
Nancy Pancoast, who lived at Marion, Ohio:
William, who resided at Catawissa. was married three times; Joseph

mentioned below;

Bonsall died in infancy; John married .Sarah
Ann Harder; Harriet became the wife of
George Reifsnyder; Sarah married Louis Yetter; Kersey J. married Mary ^Margaret Harder; another child died young.
Joseph Sharpless was born Dec. 6, 1808, at
Catawissa, Columbia county, and there grew
to manhood, working with his father until
From that time he
twenty-six years old.
was in business for himself, meeting with such
success that he became one of the most substantial citizens of his section, ranking high
among business men and winning the esteem
of all his fellow citizens.
His active business career covered the period when Blooms-

burg began to develop into the enterprising
borough it has since become, and it was Mr.
Sharpless and other men of his kind who promoted her advancement so materially. In 1841
he went from Catawissa to Roaringcreek, this
county, where he did business as a general
merchant for five years. He was next at >erwick for two and a half years, conducting a
foundry, and the end of that period became
interested in the manufacture of charcoal and
pig iron at Foundryville, being thus engaged
until his removal to Bloomsburg, in 1849.
There he purchased the Hayhurst & Boone
foundry, which then occupied the site on Center street, where Mr. Rawlings" house was
afterwards erected, and he continued in busi1

ness for thirty years, until his retirement in
1879. Stoves, coal breakers and similar goods
were turned out of the establishment, which
yir. Sharpless managed with such success that
it
became one of the important industrial
in its
plants in the town and a real factor
of the reone
was
considered
He
prosperity.
markably successful self-made men of Bloomsburg, and was highly respected for his achievements and the honorable methods by which he
accomplished his rise in the world. After re-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

970

tiring in 1879, he was not actively associated
with any business, though he retained his
financial interest in several concerns.

Feb. 4, 1836, Mr. Sharpless married
Ellen Foster, of Catawissa, who was
born July 18, 1817, daughter of John F. and
Eleanor (Hollingshead) Foster. Mr. Sharpless died March 12, 1900, Mrs. Sharpless on
April 22,, 1901. They attended the Methodist
Episcopal Church for many years and were
among its liberal supporters. Nine children
were born to their marriage, namely Harriet
R., born Feb. 23, 1837, remained at home with

Mary

her parents; Lloyd T., born March 18, 1839,
formerly in the grocery business at BloomsBenjaburg, married Alattie Wagenseller
min F. is mentioned below; Loretta A., born
Jan. 4, 1843, married Jefferson Vanderslice
and lived most of her life in Bloomsburg;
Clara, born Nov. 12, 1844. died April 4, 1849;
Elizabeth, born Sept. 7, 1846, married Wesley
Eyer, of Bloomsburg; Araminta E.. born Nov.
24, 1848, married Jasper Wilson; Mary Ellen,
born Oct. 16, 1852, died Sept. 9, 1853; Harry
F., born Oct. 4. 1863, lived for some time in
;

Ford county, Kans., later moving to Pueblo,
Colo., where he was an extensive real estate
dealer and residing now in Washington State,
in the real estate and bond business.
The
Sharpless

occupied a fine home on
which Mr. Sharpless erected in
was a Republican in politics, and

family

Main

street

1854.

during the Civil war a Union sympathizer.

frequently held local

offices,

serving as

councilman and school director.

Sharpless was born May 22,
1841, in Locust township. Columbia county. A
youth of twenty when the Civil war broke out.

Benjamin

he enlisted in 1861 in Company A, 6th Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, with which he
served three years, being mustered out June

He took part in the battles of
13, 1864.
Dranesville. Second Bull Run. South ]\IounAntietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg,
Bristoe Station. New Hope Church, and the
Wilderness.
He was wounded at Antietam.
but the force of the bullet was spent striking
his belt and accoutrements, which prevented
it
passing through his body.
Returning to
Bloomsburg at the close of his army service,
tain,

Mr. Sharpless six months later, in January,
In
1865. began to learn the trade of molder.
April, 1868. he became one of the firm of
Sharpless & Harman, Bloomsburg. upon his
father's retirement, succeeding to the sole ownership of the establishment tliree years later,
and operating it as the Eagle Iron Works,
There he continued until 1893, when he re-

modeled the foundry building, which is at the
corner of Sixth and Center streets, fitting it up
for store and residence purposes. During his
active years he was considered one of the most
and useful citizens of the
enterprising
borough. He was president of the Bloomsburg Land and Improvement Company. I\Ir.
Sharpless has been a Republican in politics,
his religious connection is with the ^leth-

and

odist Church.

In 1866 Benjamin F. Sharpless married
Sophia Hartman, daughter of Charles Hartman. and they had a family of six children,
namely: Joseph L., who is in the grocery
business at Bloomsburg: Charles H., a prosperous grocer at Bloomsburg Ray F. Arthur
W. and two children who died in infancy.
;

;

The mother died Oct. 13,
years, and was buried

1914. aged seventy-

in Rosemont cemeBloomsburg.
John Sharpless, son of Benjamin and Hannah (Bonsall) Sharpless, was born at Catawissa and there passed his early life. In his
youth he was employed in his father's paper

two

tery,

mill, later erecting the building known as
"the corner drug store.'' in which he did business until his death in 1868, keeping a stock
of general merchandise.
He is buried in
(ireenwood cemeter}\ Catawissa.
His wife,
Sarah Ann (Harder), died in 1852 and is
buried in the Quaker cemetery there. She too
was a native of Catawissa. Mr. and Mrs.
Sharpless were members of the Society of

b'riends.

Gkorge H. Sharpless. son of John and
Ann (Harder) Sharpless. was born
May 29. 1852, was reared in Catawissa, and

Sarah

received his early education in the schools of
In 1861 he entered the Kingston
that place.

Seminary, where he spent two years, and his
nineteenth year became a student at the \\'est
Chester Classical Institute, where he also spent
two years. He then returned to Columbia
county and commenced business in a store
])uilding on what was then known as the "WilIctts farm." but now as the "Sharpless farm."
He continued in this place doing business for
three years, when he came to Catawissa and
entered the employ of C. F. Harder, with

whom

he remained until taking his jiresent

position with A. S. Truckenmiller. in May.
1S86. He was married at Catawissa. Nov. 23.
1873. to Miss Ella Schmick. a native of Xorris-

town. Pa., daughter of Daniel and Catherine
Baldy) Schmick, natives of Catawissa. where
the latter still resides, the former having died
in 1855 '^t Norristown. where he was general
manager of the canal. Mr. and Mrs. Sha'-pless
(

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

971

have four children: John, Gilbert, Kate and years old until he reached the age of twenty
Anna. The parents are members of the Luth- he lived with William Rittenhouse. In 1862
eran Church. In politics he is a Republican- he enlisted in Company D, ist Regiment,
United States Regular Army, witii which he
Democrat.
served until wounded at the battle of Fred-

WILLIAM R. RINGROSE,

superintendent

of Rosemont cemetery, at Bloomsburg, Columbia county, has held that position for the last
twelve years and has done good work, proving
himself competent not only to keep the property up to the mark, in the way of intelligent
care, but also awake to the improvements
necessary from time to time. He has benefited

by experiments made elsewhere, and by his
experience, until he is regarded as one
of the most reliable men in his line in this
Mr. Ringrose is a native of Luzerne
section.
county, Pa., born at Nescopeck Aug. 21, 1841,
son of Aaron Ringrose.
Aaron Ringrose, the father, was born Dec.
20, 181 3. in Naseby, England, was reared in
his native land, and there learned the trade
of butcher, which he followed until he came
to America, in 1837.
He first settled at Nescopeck, in Luzerne county, Pa., and was a
resident of that county the remainder of his
hfe, following butchering and droving. Later
he removed from Nescopeck to Sloyersville,
where he was similarly engaged, also buying
a farm.
His death occurred in Nescopeck
Dec. 19, 1857, and he is buried at Berwick, in
Pine Grove cemetery, where his wife Catherine
(Fowler) also rests. She was born June 14,
1817, in Columbia county, Pa., and died Oct.
21, 1899.
They were married in Luzerne
She came of an old settled family
county.
of this part of the State, being a daughter
of William and Susannah
(Rittenhouse)
To Mr. and Mrs.
Fowler, of Nescopeck.
Ringrose w'ere born eight children, namely
Delilah, born Sept. 19, 1838, married William
E. Sterner, of Bloomsburg, Pa. Mary S., born

own

;

died in Philadelphia July 27,
1902, unmarried, and is buried at Berwick
William R. is mentioned below Sarah, born
May II, 1843, married William Stackhouse,
of Berwick, and died March 7, 1900 (she is
buried at Berwick)
Ellis J., born July 9,
Elisha, born
1844, lives at Espytown, Pa.
Sept. 13, 1845, i^ow a resident of Fowlerville,
has held township office and also served as
county commissioner of Columbia county

July

1840,

;

ericksburg, being discharged shortly afterwavd, in 1863, on account of disability. In
1864 he again enlisted, becoming a member of

G, 2d Artillery, Pennsylvania \'oland serving until the close of the war.
saw considerable active service, and made

Company
unteers,

a creditable record for fidelity to
In
duty.
1865 he came to Columbia county, and has
been a resident of Bloomsburg ever since.

After the war he learned the trade of carJohn S. Sterner, and continued to

l)enter with

follow that work until 1892, gaining a good
reputation for thorough mechanical work and
trustworthiness.
For about twelve years,
to injuries, he had to give up work.
In 1902 he took his present position, as superintendent of Rosemont cemetery at Blooms-

owing

burg, Columbia county, and under his management vast improvement has been efTccted, his
intelligent direction of afifairs and tireless industry being well rewarded in the present fine
appearance of the property. In this connection he has become well known to many residents of the county, his conscientious work
having attracted the attention of all whose interest has led them to some knowledge of it.
Mr. Ringrose was one of the organizers of
Ent Post, No. 250, G. A. R., of Bloomsburg,

and

is still active in its work, at present serving as treasurer of the post. He has also been
a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1871, and has
belonged to the Methodist Church since 1849.

Dec. 25. 1873, Mr. Ringrose was marBerwick, Pa., by Rev. Mr. Cattell,
pastor of the Baptist Church, to Mary A.
Hartman, of Fowlerville, this county, daughter of the late Edward Hartman, of Berks
county. Pa., and his wife Sarah (l»ombay),
who is now living at Espy she is over ninetyone years of age. Mrs. Ringrose was born
ried,

;

March 4. 1855, and died April 3. 1903. She is
interred in Rosemont cemetery. Mr. and Mrs.
Ringrose had one daughter, Harriet, who is
now the wife of John W. Knies, of Hazleton,
Pa., and resides in Bloomsburg they have one
daughter, Alice P.
;

Jesse W., born Aug. 30, 1847, lives at No. 219
North Third street, Philadelphia Henry, born
Dec. 23, 1849, died Nov. 20, 1862, in Briarcreek township, Columbia county.
William R. Ringrose attended public school
at Nescopeck.
From the time he was seven
;

HARRY FRANKLIN

HESS, of Berwick,
a native of that borough, born May 16,
1875, son of the late Thomas Barret Hess.
The ancestors of the branch of the Hess family
is

from which he

Huntington,

descended long ago settled
Luzerne county. Pa. His

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

972

Thomas Hess, was born at the
old homestead in Fairmount township, that
county, and farmed at Harveyville, in his
native township. The family eventually moved
to Berwick, Columbia county, where he died
when eighty-eight years old. His children
grandfather,

were
Nelson, who married Mary Dodson
Hannah, wife of Frank Brittain; Thomas
Barret and Jacob, who married Sarah Kline.
Jacob went into the army during the Civil war
and was never afterwards heard from.
Thomas Barret Hess was born December,
1847, and died March 29, 1913. He was found
drowned in the Shickshinny outlet. Coming
to Berwick, he had learned the molder's trade
;

;

in the plant

of the Jackson

& Woodin Manu-

facturing Company, and followed it for a
Then
of years in the same employ.
he began the freighting business in the borough
which he carried on about fifteen years, after
which he worked in the woods for a while,
and subsequently at the hotel at Shickshinny,
Luzerne county, until his death. He was a
member of the Presbyterian Church, and one
of the substantial and respected residents of
the borough.
Politically his sympathies were
with the Republican party. On Aug. 2j, 1870,

number

he was married, by Rev. James Dickson, to
Margaret Alice Moyer, daughter of Silas E.
and Rebecca Jane (Bower) Moyer, of Briar
Creek, and the only child of this union is

Harry Franklin.
Harry Franklin Hess had

excellent school
the old
Market Street Academy and the Third street
When he left school he comhigh school.
menced teaming on his own account in the
borough, and did well at the business as long
as he continued it. Then he entered the employ of the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing
Company, in the soft core shop, where he had
charge of the sand screening under Superin-

advantages

Berwick,

attending

William Cruikshank and Foreman
William Scholes, remaining in that position
about one year. For the two years following
he was in the rolling mill ynder Jesse Hunsinger (foreman) and Joseph Catterall (superintendent), and then for a year he worked
at Smith Brothers' match factory in Berwick.
Returning to the employ of the American Car

tendent

& Foundry Company,

successors to the Jackson & Woodin Company, he was placed in the
smith shop under John Fullon (foreman) and
Superintendent William Boyles, changing after
a time to the department looked after by Frank
Faust and R. B. Carey, and he is now under
Superintendent John B. Landis. Mr. Hess is
considered a thoroughly reliable employee, and

highly regarded among all his friends and
acquaintances in Berwick. He is a member of
Berwick Lodge, No. 246 I. O. O. F., and the
Reliance Fire Company, No. i, of which he

had been chief, foreman, assistant foreman,
and trustee. His religious connection is with
the Presbyterian Church, in whose work he
has an active interest; he is a member of the
Ushers' Association. In politics he holds to
the principles of the Progressive party.
On Nov. 29, 1895, Mr. Hess married Sadie
Elizabeth Sitler, and they have had three chilLulu May Ona, May
dren, born as follows
16, 1898; Howard Chauncey, ^larch 5, 1902;
:

Margaret

Alice,

Aug.

18,

1906.

]\Irs.

Hess

has lived at Berwick since she was nine years
old, received her education in the ^larket
street school, and lived at home until her marShe is a member of Mary Frantz
riage.

Lodge, No. 370, Daughters of Rebekah.
John Sitler, grandfather of Mrs. Hess, was
born in Centre township, Columbia county,
and had a farm of sixty acres there. While
he lived on the farm he carried on shoemaking
in connection with general agricultural purHe
suits for a period of twenty-one years.
married Elizabeth Dietterich.
Freeman Sitler, son of John, was born Feb.
9. 1837, and died Oct. 6, 1912. in his seventysixth year.
He farmed in Centre township
until twenty-seven years old. subsequently
doing general teaming and freighting on his
own account, at Fowlerville, Columbia county,
where he also carried on a coal business.
Though most of his time was given to his
own affairs he served as road supervisor.
Politically he was a Democrat, but a Union
sympathizer during the Civil war. having enlisted in Company H, 199th Pennsylvania
he was mustered in at Harris\'olunteers
;

belonged to the Bower Memorial
United Evangelical Church at Berwick and to
the Capt. C. C. Jackson Post, No. 159. Grand
Army of the Republic, of Berwick.
On Dec. 27. i860, Mr. Sitler was united in
marriage with Lucina Wright, who was born
April 3. 1844, daughter of Jonas and Elizabeth (Smith) Wright, of Briar Creek, and
The children of this
died Nov. 20, 1909.
union were as follows: Jonas M., born Aug.
17, 1861, married Ella Thomas; John II.. born
Aug. 14. 1864, married Sally Jacoliy Charles
M., born Sept. 4. 1866. married Isabella Green
Simon W.. born Jan. 28. i86(). married Pearl
Gingher; Lctitia Alvcrta. born Dec. 2. 1871.
married John W. Polk Sadie Elizabeth, born
Aug. 10, 1874. married Harry F. Hess: Mattie
Celeste, born Feb. 2?^, ^S/J, married Grier
burg.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Hixon, and died July i6, i8y8 (she is buried
Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick) William
R., born June 8, 1881, married Gertrude Philin

;

lips,

of Danville, Pennsylvania.

HYSSONG

AUSTIN

has carried on a
Bloomsburg for over
twenty years, during which time he has had to
enlarge his original plant to accommodate the
profitable trade he has built up in stoneware,
stovepipe collars, flower pots and similar
His father, Elisha B. Hyssong, folgoods.
lowed the same calling.
Elisha B. Hyssong was a native of Franklin
county, Pa., and was there bound out in boyhood to learn the potter's trade, serving four
years as an apprentice. Later he went to Cassville, Huntingdon Co., Pa., where he first
worked as a journeyman, and there, he married Rachel E. Green, a native of Huntingdon
pottery

L.
business

When he built a pottery of his own
he had to clear the location, and that plant
was carried on by the Hyssong family for
nearly sixty-five years, Elisha B. Hyssong concounty.

tinuing to operate it until his death, in 1873,
after which his son Bruce took it, running the
Mr.
business until the spring of 1912.
Hyssong was a much esteemed citizen of his
neighborhood, w^here he was very well known
not only in his business relations but also because of his activity in politics, the administration of public affairs and church work.
He
was a justice of the peace for over twenty
years, a stanch Republican in political sentiment, and a lifelong member of the M. E.
Church, which he served officially for over
forty years, being deacon, elder, class leader
and Sunday school superintendent.
In his
prime he was a noted singer, and music afforded him one of his chief sources of enjoyment. He died beloved by all w^ho knew him,
and his wife, who still survives, continues to
make her home at Cassville. Twelve children
were born to their union, ten reaching maturity,

namely

Annie,

who

living in Pit-

Pa.
Martha,
Jennie, now deceased
widow of Oliver Beaver, of Altoona, Pa.
Bell, at home with her mother Margaret, married and living in Philadelphia
Austin L.
George, of Altoona, Pa., who became a potter
(he is married)
Bruce, also a potter, now
engaged in the crucible factory at Philadelphia,
cairn,

;

who married Jennie Horton Russell, who
learned the potter's trade, now employed as
a guard in the reformatory at Huntingdon
and Alice, who died unmarried.
Austin L. Hyssong was born Dec. 25, 1851,
;

;

at Cassville,

Huntingdon

Co., Pa.,

where he

acciuired a

common

973

school education in youth
to learn the potter's

and early commenced

trade with his father, and he has
always fol-

lowed it. Remaining with him until he attained his majority, he then went to Lewistown, Pa., where he was located most of the
time for the next twenty years, for several
years running the Dipple pottery there.
He
was at Lewistown for the four years following his marriage, spent the next year at Petersburg, Pa., returned to Lewistown for two
years, and then did business in Huntingdon
for three years. Going back to Lewistown he
formed a partnership with J. & C. Dipple, with
whom he was associated four years. In 1891

he came to Bloomsburg and purchased from
John Rchm the plant he has ever since operated.
During his ownership it has been considerably enlarged, and many valuable improvements have been made in the property.
Mr. Hyssong's patronage has been extended
steadily, his wares being sold in various sections, and besides manufacturing he deals
quite extensively in terra cotta sewerpipe. for
which he has found a good demand in the
local market.
His substantial position in the
community has come as a recognition of solid

worth.
Though his activities have not extended into public life he is well known, and
like his father is a stanch Republican and an
earnest member of the Lutheran Church, in
whose work he is thoroughly interested, hel])ing it along zealously. Socially he is a member of the P. O. S. of A., having belonged to
the camp at Lewistown, No. 462, for over
twenty years.
In 1875 ^I^- Hyssong was married to Anna
Margaret Dipple, daughter of John and Mar-

The
Dipple, of Germany.
a potter by trade, settled at
Lewistown and operated a pottery there until
his death, in 1872. He was killed while crossing the Pennsylvania railroad track, on his
way to dig clay. His wife, who survived until
1903, ran the business he established for several years after his death.
Mr. and Mrs.
Anna ^Margaret,
Dipple had six children
Mrs. Hyssong; Anna, widow of James Irwin,
of Lewistown, Pa.; Ida, who married William
]\Hller, of Lewistown
John, deceased, who
was a potter and worked with his father;
Andrew G. C, who owns the old pottery his
father established at Lewistown and Charles,
who was formerly in the grocery and confectionery business, now a mail carrier at Lewisgaret

father,

(Peters)

who was

;

town.
Five children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Hyssong Charles has always worked as
:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

974

a potter and is engaged with his father John,
a carpet weaver, now settled in Philadelphia,
married Nettie Cashner, and they have four
children, Robert, ]\Iartha, John and Ruth;
Walter, who died when twenty-fours year old,
learned the trade of potter, but afterwards
worked as a machinist at the locomotive works
of the Standard Steel Company, at Burnham,
Pa.; Irwin, a resident of Bloomsburg, who
also learned the potter's trade, married Mary
Beagle, and they have three children, Robert,
Edna and Esther; Wilbur, who worked with
his father in the pottery until twenty years
old, and has been a machinist in the government employ at Washington, D. C, for the
last two years, married Estella Knepp and ha?
;

two

children, ]\Iargaret

SAMUEL

and

CONNER,

Estella.

farmer and stock

raiser of Centre township, Columbia county,
was born on a farm in that township, Sept.
29,

son of John and Sarah

1838,

(Know)

Conner.

of Dr. L. Grove, and the mother of
four children Pierce Fowler, a lumber dealer,
;

of Trenton, N. J., who married Lettia Scherr,
and has four children Martha Jane, librarian
at State College, Center Co., Pa. Ada Grace,
of East Orange, N. J., wife of George Witmore, connected with the Westinghouse electric works
Susan, who died in infancy Samuel Ray, a jeweler of Schenectady, N. Y. ;
;

;

who

;

married

Katherine

Wadsworth;

Arthur Bruce, who died of typhoid fever at
the age of twenty-three years and Stanley ].,
engaged in the lumber business with his
brothers at Trenton, N. J., who married Genevieve Cole, of that place. The golden wedding
anniversary of the parents was celebrated
Christmas Day, 191 2, when all of the children
living were present, and it was also the occasion of the wedding of the youngest daughter.
The family is connected with the Methodist Church.
The father and all of his sons
and sons-in-law are members of the Masonic
;

fraternity.

John Conner, father of Samuel J. Conner,
was born in Columbia county, Pa., of Irish
Reared to agricultural pursuits, he
descent.
followed farming throughout his life in Briarcreek and Centre townships, and died at the
age of fifty-six years, a successful and highly
respected citizen. By his second wife, Sarah
(Know), who was of German parentage, and
lived to be seventy-seven years of age, he
had eight children, as follows Susan, deceased Samuel J. Joseph, deceased Scott
Theodore John, deceased David W. and
:

;

one that died in infancy.
Samuel J. Conner, son of John Conner,

re-

ceived a public school education, and was
reared to farming, which he has made his
life work.
He has been successful in his
ventures because of his qualities of inherent
ability,

widow

energy,

enterprise

and

progressive
times mani-

and because he has at all
fested a desire to keep his dealings honorable and aboveboard.
At this time he is the
owner of the finest property between Bloomsburg and Berwick, on the river.
Mr. Conner was married Dec. 25, 1862, to
Elmira Fowler, who was born in Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa., daughter of Gilbert
H. Fowler, and to this union have been born
eleven children, as follows: John G., a lumber
dealer of Trenton, N. J., who married Carrie
Sciple, of Easton, Pa. W. Smith, of Madera,
Cal., a farmer, who married Carrie Eickofif;
Sarah May, wife of Charles Petty, of Medera,
and the mother of three children
Cal.,
Frances C, of Renfrew, Butler Co., Pa., the
ideas,

;

BRUCE
tial

KEPNER,

and respected

one of the substan-

citizens of Berwick,

whose

continuous association with one of the city's
largest industrial concerns has covered a period of twenty-two years, was born Dec. 19,
1874, at Wapwallopen, Luzerne Co., Pa., and
was educated there and in the Market street
school at Berwick, under Professor Smith.
His parents were James Harvey and Emma
Frances (Frease) Kepner, and he is a grandson of Daniel and Leah (Christ) Kepner.
Daniel Kepner was born Jan. 9, 1825, in
Perry county, near Newport, and died at

Millerstown, Pa., at the home of his eldest
son, in igoo. He was an Evangelical minister
at Salem, Mt. Zion and surrounding points,

and traveled over much of the country. He
married Leah Christ, and their children were
James Harvey; Levi, who married Anna
Black, now deceased and buried at Millerstown Anna, wife of Charles Hass John C,
who married Lydia Myers (deceased) and
(second) Ella Stackhouse Daniel A., a minister, who married Jennie Hoch Harriet, wife
of Nicholas Frey Norah, wife of Adam Stettman William, who married Maria Shelley;
Jacob, married to Mary Dwcftlcr, and George,
married to I\Iary Seeley.
James Harvey Kepner was born June 12.
1850, in Juniata county. Pa., and died March
After his school days
4, 1889, in Berwick.
he learned the carpenter's trade and worked
:

;

in the powder mill at
Wapwallopen. In 1882
he came to Berwick and entered the wood car

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
shop of the Jackson

& Woodin

WilHam Faust was

superintendent,

plant,

when

retiring

from active labor in 1888. He married Emma
Frances Frease, born Oct. 17, 1853, daughter
of Samuel and Catherine (Sloyer) Freas, the
Frease family coming from New Jersey. Mr.
and Mrs. Kepner had children as follows:
Bruce A.; Samuel F., who married Emma
Kisner; and Laura Mabel, who married AdelThe parents were membert R. Kingsbury.
The father
bers of the bAangelical Church.

was a Republican in politics and fraternally
was connected with Susquehanna CommandNo. 18, Knights of Malta, at Berwick.
Bruce A. Kepner began working when fifteen years of age, being employed through the
summer in the soft foundry of the Jackson &
Woodin plant, under William Scholes as foreman, C. H. Zehnder then being superintendent,
When he was eighteen years old he entered the
wheel foundry, under Superintendent WilHam Fenstemacher, was transferred thence to
the erecting shop of the steel freight car department, under D. W. Whelan, as superintendent, and at present is connected with the
passenger coach department under Foreman
Ray Deitterick and Superintendent L. E.
ery,

Hess.

Mr. Kepner is interested in athletic sports
and has taken part in many contests. He is

known

all over the State as a football enthushaving for six years played full back on
the Berwick football team and other teams
against the University of Susquehanna, Bucknell University, Wyoming Seminary and the
Bloomsburg State Normal teams. In 1898
and 1899 he was squad captain and during the
His
latter year the team was never defeated.
average weight is 184 pounds. He is almost
as well known in baseball, having been catcher
on the Berwick baseball team during the
series of big games between his team and
the Bloomsburg Normal and Wyoming SemiClean, wholesome sports have
nary teams.
always appealed to him as they generally do
to the typical American young man.

iast,

in politics Mr. Kepner is a Progressive. He
in the Evangelical Church, while
his wife is a Methodist.
He belongs to the
Grand Fraternity Life Insurance Company of

was reared

Philadelphia, to Washington Camp, No. 105,
P. O. S. of A., at Berwick, and to Berwick
Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F.
In 1905 Mr. Kepner was married to Bertha
Hess, daughter of Jacob Millick and Sarah

(McKamey) Hess, and they have two children: Paul Hess, born Jan. 18, 1906; and
Sarah Frances, born March 26, 1908.

975

Henry Hess, the grandfather of Airs. Kepwas born April 7, 1818, and died at Philadclphia Nov. 20, 1901. He was a carpenter,
cabinetmaker and lumberman. His wife was
ner,

Catherine Richart, a daughter of William and
Nancy Richart, and they had four children
Thomas L., born July 2, 1842 William Richard, born ]\Iay 12, 1845 Jacob M. and Lloyd
Benton, born Nov. 4, 1850. The last named
occupies a very important position with the
Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, attending
:

;

and repairs. From the grandthe members of the Hess family have belonged to the Methodist Episcopal

to its real estate

father on

down

Church,

Jacob Mellick Hess, son of Henry and
father of Mrs. Kepner, was born April 20,
1847, at Port Carbon, Pa., where he had
school privileges and afterwards learned the
milling business.
Subsequently he moved
from Port Carbon to Beach tiaven, and from
there to Espy and finally to Berwick.
Here
he entered the plant of the Jackson & Woodin
Company, where he continued until the age
limit was reached, after which he was
appointed a member of the police force maintained by the American Car & Foundry Company, successors of Jackson & W^oodin. His
death occurred April 10, 1910, and he is
buried at Almedia. He married Sarah jane
McKamey, a daughter of Isaac and Mary
(John) McKamey, and they had one daughter,
Bertha, who became the wife of Bruce A,
Mr. Hess was a Rej)ublican in
Kepner.
politics, and was associated with the Knights
of Malta and with the Berwick Beneficial
Association.
While living at Espy he waS'
librarian of the Lutheran Church,

HARRY

S. BRINK, engaged in the baggage business at Bloomsburg, was born in
that city, Nov. 16, 1874. son of Denison and
Sabina (Raubt) Brink.
Benjamin Brink, grandfather of Harry S.
Brink, was a farmer, and owned property at
Fishingcreek, about two miles above BenHe died upon his farm, and was
ton. Pa.
buried at St. Gabriel's Church.
Mr. Brink
married a Miss Hess, and they had the foUowLewis, John, Joshua (known
ing children:
as "Doc"), Clark, Denison, Mana, Libby and

Angelina.

Denison Brink, or "Tanner" Brink, as he
was familiarly known, son of Benjamin and
father of Harry S. Brink, was born Aug. 16,
1837, near Benton, Pa., and as a lad came
to Bloomsburg, where he was employed by a
Air.

Snyder, with

whom

he learned the tan-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

976

This he followed for many
ning business.
years, subsequently engaging in farming near
Forks,

Columbia county.

disposing of

his property he returned to Bloomsburg and
engaged in working at the molder's trade

with Milton Hess, and later was employed
at the "Central Hotel'' stables.
During the
last five years of his life he lived in retirement. He was the owner of a fine property
at Bloomsburg, w^hich was divided between
Mr.
his children at the time of his demise.
Brink was married Oct. 30, i860, to Anna
Maria Raubt, who was born Oct. 20, 1828,

and died Nov.

8, 1867, aged thirty-nine years,
She was the mother of two
nineteen days.
children
Alvaretta, who married George
Girton and now lives in Bloomsburg; and
Emma, who died in infancy. ]\Ir. Brink's
:

second marriage was to Sabina Raubt (a
cousin of his first wife), who was born in
1840 and died Nov. 30, 1891, aged fifty-one
years, eight months, one day. They had chilCharles W., born March
dren as follows:
20, 1869, now engaged in the livery business
in Bloomsburg, who married Fannie S. Lee
and has one daughter, Margaret Jane Delia,
who married Josiah Bidelman and resides in
Bloomsburg; and Harry S. The father of
this family died Nov. 4, 1906, and was laid
to rest beside his wives in Rosemont ceme;

Brink is a member of the Knights of the
Golden Eagle and the Knights of the MaccaIn political matters he is a Republican,
bees.
and the family religious connection is with the
Reformed Church.
Nicholas Myers, the grandfather of Mrs.
Brink, was a sea captain,

owned two

ships, the

"Sunrise" and the "Sunset," and was widely
and favorably known in his home city of
Baltimore.
By his wife Susan he had children as follows
Margaret, ^lar}', Anna
Mary, Eleanora and Nicholas N.
Nicholas N. Alyers, son of Nicholas, and
father of Mrs. Brink, was born in the city
of Baltimore, Md., and after the death of his
father, when he was still a small child, ac:

companied

his

mother

Columbia county,

Subsequently he lived at W'ashingtonville, ]\Iontour Co., Pa., where he followed
carpentering and cabinetmaking, but his death
occurred at Bloomsburg, Feb. 3, 1909, and he
Pa.

was buried in Rosemont cemetery. He and
wife were the parents of the following
children:
Susan, who married Henry Halderman Anna M., who married Harry Williams Lynda, who became Mrs. Brink; Cora
Bessie, who
G., who married Frank Evans
became the wife of Cleveland Keller; and
William, Tillie, Lillie, Eleanora and a son
unnamed, all of whom are deceased.
his

;

tery.

THEODORE C. HARTER. M. D., of
Harry S. Brink, son of "Tanner"' Brink,
was educated in the schools of Fishingcrcek Bloomsburg, Pa., stands high in his profestownship and Bloomsburg. As a youth he sion and is known as a man of remarkable
gave evidence of his interest in horses and business ability as well. He is of German
was employed for some time by Peter Bell- descent, and was born Nov. 10. 1851, in Nesmeyer, and later by Mrs. Hintershof. Subse- copeck, Pa., son of Jacob and Margaret (Dietquently he became the driver of a bakery rich) Harter.
Martin Harter, the Doctor's great-grandwagon for Mrs. Mary Phillips, and following
this was employed by R. C. Buckalew, who
father, came to America with his older brother
was the owner of a livery business. In Sep- from Rotterdam, Holland, about the time of
tember, 1907, Mr. Brink engaged in business the Revolutionary war, and was ordered to
on his own account, and since that time has fight in the British army, but refused. The
become widely known among the traveling family became sharply divided on the quespeople, meeting all trains on the D. L. & tion of independence, ^lartin and Jacob enterW. railroad. He has built up an excellent ing the service of the Colonies and ^lichael
So embittered
business, and is known to be thoroughlv re- taking the side of the British.
liable and trustworthy.
He owns a comfort- did Michael become at his brothers' action
able residence at No. 17 East Third street, that he later made a will appointing the Engand by his industry and good management glish crown as trustee of his property for
has

placed himself

independent circum-

stances.

Mr. Brink was married to Lynda Myers,
daughter of Nicholas N. and Harriet (Hutchinson) Myers, and they have children as follows: Miriam C, a member of the class of
191 5, Bloomsburg high school; Charles Denison
Mr.
Josiah W'illiam, and Nicholas.
;

ninety-nine years, thus depriving the surviving
brothers from participation in the division of
the estate.
The children of Martin Harter
were: Martin, Jacob and Michael.
Martin Harter. the grandfather of Dr. Harter, was born in Lehigh county. Pa., and was
a successful farmer there, owning a large tract
of land. Moving to Nescopeck township, Lu-

m
/

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
zerne county, he bought a farm of 600 acres,
which he cuhivated until his death. He married Catherine, daughter of Jacob I)ittenl)ender, and their children were:
Jacob marrietl

Margaret Dietrich
ler and is buried

;

John married Lydia Rad-

Shaffer Church, Nescopeck; Lydia, wife of George Karshner. is
buried near the Turnpike Church, Nescopeck;
Martin left home with a horse to sell and has
never since been heard from Elizabeth, wife
of Samuel ]\liller, is buried at Shaft'er Church;
Michael lived at Briarcreek, Columbia Co.,
Pa., followed boating on the Pennsylvania
at

;

canal, and was injured on the canal at the foot
of the thirteen-mile level, one mile from North-

umberland, dying three weeks later, Sept. 21,
1867 (he was buried in Berwick cemetery)
Samuel married Eliza Bloss, and is buried in
the Shaffer Church yard.
Martin Harter,
father of this family, is buried at WapwallHe was an old-time
open, Luzerne county.
in
and
ari
elder
the
Lutheran Church.
Whig,
;

Jacob Harter, father of Dr. Harter, w^as
born Nov. 25, 1809, in Nescopeck township,
attended the subscription schools of the time,
and worked on the farm with his father. Later
he took up the work of stonemason, and in
time became extensively engaged in lumbering, his sawmill in Luzerne county being considered one of the largest in the Commonwealth.
In 1862 he enlisted in Company A,
178th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and
served about nine months, until he received a
wound at the battle of Yorktown which incapacitated

him for further

service

and

re-

In 1863
sulted in his honorable discharge.
he married Margaret, daughter of John and
Catherine Dietrich, and they had fourteen
children:
(i) Martin married Plester Larrish, who is buried at Otsego, Mich., and he
lives in Plainville, Mich.
(2) Jacob married
Fannie Shelley and (second) Mrs. Anna

Creasy, lived at Mifflinville. Columbia county,
and is buried in Berwick cemetery.
(3)

Aaron married Martha Keen,
peck, and died Oct.

lived in Nesco-

1914; he is buried in
Berwick cemetery, and his funeral services
were conducted in the church whose cornerstone he had laid. On Aug. 24, 1862, he enlisted at Harrisburg for three years' service
in the Union armv, served until Lee surrendered, and

2T,,

was discharged

Bladensburg.

1865, returning home in the fall of
that year. As a member of Company F, 147th
Pennsylvania Infantry, he fought at Loudon's
]\fd.,

Heights. Bolivar Heights, Dumfries and Aqua
Creek, was at Chancellorsville, with General
Thomas at Chickamauga, stood guard on the
62

977

outermost post at Lookout Mountain, was in
the charge up Missionary Ridge and
participated in the capture of nearly a whole Confederate brigade, at Gettysburg, followed
Sherman on his march to the sea, and returned
to Raleigh, N. C, when word of Lee's surrender came.
(4) Catherine died young.
(5) John 11., who married l-llizabeth llond,
lives in Nescopeck.
(6) Lucinda married
William Kester and (second) Albert Smith,
and died at Bloomsburg Dec. 24, 1913; she is
buried at Muskegon, Mich.
(7) Sarah M.
died in youth. (8) Hannah, deceased, was the
wife of Samuel Smith.
She is buried in
Stillwater churchyard, Columbia county,
(q)
E., who married Thomas Bond and
(second) William Gottschall, resides in Berwick.
(10) Delila died at the age of twentysix years, and is buried at Shaffer's Church.
(11) Dr. Theodore C. married Martha A.
Snyder.
(12) Margaret A., wife of Stephen

Esther

Miller, lives at Conshohocken.
(13) Mary A.,
wife of William E. Patterson, is living at
Nescopeck. (14) Amnion Luther, who married Mattie Rough, lixed at Xanticoke, Pa.,
died at the age of forty-four years, and is
buried at Berwick.
Jacob Harter was first a Republican, but

became independent in j)olitics. He was
supervisor of Nescopeck township for a number of years, and was an elder in the Lutheran
later

Church.

buried at Shaft'er Church, Nes-

copeck.

Theodore C. Harter obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of Nescopeck township and supplemented these
studies by courses in Dickinson Academy and
the State Normal at Bloomslmrg. Having decided on the profession of medicine, he became a student under Dr. V,. F. Gardner, then
one of the foremost physicians and surgeons
in Columbia county, in whose office he laid the
He
foundations of his successful career.
graduated from the College of Physicians and
Surgeons of Baltimore, Md., in 1881, with the
degree of M. D., and immediately began acLater he
tive practice in his native town.

moved to Bloomsburg. where he since has
been permanently located.
In the general practice of his profession
Dr. Harter has not only achieved a high degree of success, but he has established a reputation which extends far beyond his immediate
Of late years he has made a spelocality.
heart and lung diseases, and
of
throat,
cialty
has been remarkably successful in these lines.
He was a candidate for recorder in 1899. and
in 19 10 was a candidate for Congress, lacking

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

978

In 1900
only a few votes of being elected.
he was elected physician of the Bloomsburg
Alms Hospital, which position he has filled
with ability and satisfaction to all.
Dr. Harter's success and reputation as a
physician are equaled by his prominence as
an enterprising business man and public-spir-

ited citizen.

extensively interested in

real estate,

owning several houses in Bloomsburg, including the handsome brick residence
in which he lives.
In 1901 he was elected
president of the Keystone Copper and Mining
Company, which owns a large tract of rich
mineral land in New Mexico, the mine being
within fifteen miles of the Denver & Rio
Grande railroad. At the main office in Bloomsburg the company has some very rich specimens of minerals taken from its mines. Dr.
Harter

the promoter of a new process of
smelting ore by natural draft, using crude oil
for fuel, and also of a process of
smelting ore

electricity.

Personally Dr. Harter is popular among all
and enjoys a wide acquaintance. He
bears a remarkable resemblance of General
classes

Grant

weight and general appearance,
of geniality and keen sense of humor.
By liis integrity of character he has always
retained the confidence and respect of the community. He is a past master of Washington
Lodge, Xo. 265. F. & A. M.. of Bloomsburg,
a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of Calwell Consistory, thirty-second
degree, Ancient
is

in size,

man

and Accepted

Scottish Rite Masons; is a
of the I. O. H., the P. O. S. of A.,
the Sons of Veterans and the Jr. O. U. A. M.
He is a Democrat in i>olitics, and in religion
a Lutheran.
In 1881 Dr. Harter was united

member

marriage to Martha A., daughter of Daniel
Snyder, of Bloomsburg, Columbia county.
They have no children.

CHESTER FRANKLIN CRISPELL,

mason in the employ of the American Car &
Foundry Company, at West Berwick, was
born July

1869, at Bowman Creek. Wvoming Co.. Pa., son of Severn B. Crispell. grandson of William Henry
Crispell and greatgrandson of Thomas Crispell.
8,

The

Crispells are a New York Dutch famof ancient origin, and from the New York
Genealogical and Historical Record (Volume

ily

XXI. Pages

83-86.

New York

Genealogical

and Biographical Society, established at No.
226 West Fifty-eighth street. New York
city)

taken the following
regarding the Crispell
family of Ulster county, N. Y., by Thomas G.

Evans

Artois, an ancient province of France, now
comprising a portion of the Department of
Pas-de-Calais, lies in the extreme northern
part of the country, near the borders of Belgium. It is a fertile and well watered tract,
producing grain and hops, and has much rich
In the middle of the sevenpasture land.
teenth century it was greatly harassed by the
long and devastating wars of the Fronde, and

many

its

inhabitants, chiefly small farmers,

The majority of
Lower Palatinate, among them being a stalwart young
farmer, Antoinne Crepel. or, as the name is
now spelled, Anthony Crispell. In Mannwere forced to emigrate.
these went to Alannheim,

heim

in the

married Marie, daughter of
Blanshan, another refugee from
France, and soon afterward April 27, 1660
set sail with his young wife and his father-inlavv' for the X'ew World, in the ship "Gilded
Crispell

]\Iathew

Otter."

—

arriving at X'^ew

Amsterdam they

proceeded immediately to the little village of
Esopus, then just struggling into renewed existence after the Indian war and massacre of
Here they settled and took up land.
1659.
On May 2, 1661, after the village had been
enlarged by Stuyvesant. Cris])ell was allotted
Xo. 12 of the new lots into which the added
part was laid out. though he did not build
afterthere, but removed to the X"ew \'illage
ward called Hurley a short distance southwest of Esopus. On June 7. 1663. when the
Indians destroyed the Xew \'illage and nearly
succeeded in surprising and massacring the
inhabitants of Esopus. the wife and infant
daughter of Crispell were carried into capOn June 17,
tivity, but were soon rescued.
1666. Crispell was granted a parcel of land
"near unto the Xew \'illage"' in 1670 he

—

;

was granted sixteen acres in Hurley.
April 5. 1670, he was one of the Hurley

On
sol-

diers appointed to be present at the rendezvous at Marbletown, a village then recently
In
laid out some distance beyond Hurley.

1677

Crispell,

Abram

Hasbrouck.

Hugo

Freer, and other French Huguenots to the
number of twelve, were granted a large and
fertile tract of land lying some miles south of
Esopus, to which they gave the name of New
Paltz. in honor of the Pfalz (or Palatinate),
the hospitable region which had given them
shelter in time of need.
Crispell, however.
seems never to have lived in the new settle-

ment, but remained at Flurley. on his farm.
His wife, Marie Deyo. having died, he married
about 1680 Petronella La ^lan. or De Mon
(the name is spelled both ways in the records).
Her, too, he survived, and after her deaths

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
having divided most of his property among his
children, he spent the remainder of his days
with his daughter Maria Magdalene, the wife
of Mattys Slecht.
His will, dated Nov. 6,
1707, and probated June 10, 1708 (thus showing that he died between those two dates),
was written in Dutch and is recorded in the

Ulster county clerk's office in

Book AA, Page

425.

of Alarbletown)
Mary Magdalcna, baptized
April 5, 1702; Elizabeth, baptized April 15,
1705 (married Sept. 19, 1731, Marinus Van
Aken) and Sara, baptized Feb. 11, 1709.
;

;

Sara, baptized June 18, 1671, married

(5)

Huybert Suylandt.

Children:

Marie, bap5, 1696;
Johannes, July 20,

tized Sept. 18, 1692; Cathrynte, April

Leona, Aug.

14, 1698;
1701 Elizabeth, May 7, 1710.
(6) John, baptized July 21, 1674, married
May 25, 1701, Geertje Janse Roosa, probably
daughter of Jan Roosa and Hillegond Van
Burcn. Children: Marytje, baptized March
;

Children of Anthony Crispell and "Maria"

Blanshan

baptized Feb. 12,
Slecht
(Sleight),
Tryntze Tyssen Bos. Children: Maria Magdalena, baptized Aug. 28, 1681 Tryntje, baptized Jan. 27, 1684 (married March 5, 1704,
Mattys Mattyssen Van Keuren, baptized April
1681, son of Mattys Mattyssen Van
24,
(ij
1662,

Mary

Alagdalena,

married

Mattys

;

Keuren and Raatje DeWitt) Mattys, bapJune 13, 1686 (married Catalyntje Kip,
daughter of Hendrick Kip and Anna Janse
;

tized

Van

979

Cornelius, baptized Sept. 7, 1683
Antony, baptized May 25, 1690
(married Nov. i, 1715, Meeltje Bogaard, baptized Jan. 9, 1695, daughter of Hendrick Bo-

Patten)

(died young)

;

gaard and Janetje Martens)
Jan, baptized
Nov. II, 1694 (married Aug. 6, 1716, Elizabeth Smedes, baptized Nov. i, 1696, daughter
;

of Benjamin Smedes and Magdalena Louw)
Cornelius, baptized Oct. 10, 1697; Petrus,
Hendricus, baptized
baptized Sept. 21, 1701
Dec. 22, 1706 (married Jan. 3, 1736, Sara
Kierstede, baptized Sept. 8, 1704, daughter of
Hans Kierstede and Ariaantje Tappan).
;

;

(2) Pieter, baptized Dec. 21, 1664, married
Meeltye Gerritse Newkirk, daughter of Gerrit
Cornelissen Newkirk and Hendrickje
Paulus.
He died in 1695 or 1696, and his
widow married Feb. 18, 1697, Johannes
Schepmoes, baptized April 7, 1672, son of
Dirck Janse Schepmoes and Maria Willems.
Children: Anthony, baptized April 17, 1692
(married Sept. 11, 1719, Lea Roosa, baptized
Sept. II, 1698, daughter of Hyman Aldertse
Roosa
and
Anna Margaret Rosevelt)
Ariantje, baptized June 3, 1694; Johannes,
baptized Oct. 2y, 1695 (married Dec. 15, 1725,
Anna Margaret Roosa, baptized Dec. 22, 1706,
daughter of Aldert R. and Aagie Krom one
of his descendants was the late Dr. Peter Cris;

for many years a well known physician
of Ulster county).
(3) Lysbet, baptized Oct. 3, 1666, died
pell,

young.
(4) Lysbet (2), baptized Oct. 15. 1668,
married Elias Eau.
Children:
Mary, baptized Aug. 8, 1697; Jan, baptized Feb. 18,
1700 (married Feb. 9, 1735, Geertje Roosa,

15, 1702, married (first) April 28, 1725, Jacob
Fleermans, baptized Feb. 2, 1701, son of Jan
H. and Annatje Van \'agenen, and (second)
Dirck Van Vliet, baptized Jan. i, 1701, son of
Dirck Van X'liet and Annatje Andriesse;
Hillegond. born April 17, 1704, died Feb. 22,
1774, married Feb. 26, 1726, Abraham Van
\\'agenen, born Feb. 5, 1699, died June 7,
1787, son of Jacob Aartsen Van Wagenen and
Sara Pels; Rebecca, baptized March 17. 1706,
died young; Antoinne, baptized Oct. 12. 1707,
married Catrina Van Banthuysen
Helena,
baptized May 7, 17 10, married April 4, 1731,
Tewnis Van Steenberg, baptized April 17,
1702, son of Mattys Jansen Van Steenberg
and Marritje Tavinisse Ellison; Jan, baptized
Sept. 21, 1712, married (first) Dec. 10. 1736,
Sara Jansen, of Marbletown, daughter of
;

Thomas Jansen and Maylee Bogard, and
(second) Dec. 29. 1753, Dorothea Maria
Kraft, born in Germany, living in Shandaken
(Jan Crispell settled in Shokan about 1747)
Rebecca was baptized April 7, 1717; Petrus,
Jan. 24, 1720; Sara, Nov. 26, 1721.
Children by the second wife, Petronella:
(7) Jannetje, baptized June 4. 1682, died
;

young.
(8) Jean,

baptized

Oct.

1684.

12,

died

young.
7. 1686, marHoffman, son of
Martinus Hoft"man and Emmerentje DeWitt.
Seven children:
Martinus, baptized March

(9) Jannetje, baptized Feb.

ried Dec. 30, 1704, Nicholas

17,
1706 (married, 1733, Tr)^ntje Benson,
daughter of Robert Benson and Cornelia

Antje, baptized
Roos)
Anthony, baptized March

Feb.

11.

1709;
(married
\"an
Catrina
6,
Gaasbeck)
1738,
Jan.
Zacharias, baptized Dec. 6, 1713: Petrus, baptized Dec. 22. 1716; Hendricus, baptized June
7, 1 7 19; Annatjen, baptized Dec. 3, 1721.
;

18.

171

;

Thomas Crispell, great-grandfather
Chester Franklin Crispell, was born Sept.
1795,

and came from

New York

of
10,

State to cen-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

980

He married Eunice
Pennsylvania, locating in either Wyoming on general farming.
or Luzerne county, and continued his agri- Harris, a daughter of James Harris and they
had children as follows
Chester
cultural operations, having been a farmer in have
his old home.
On Dec. 24, 181 5, he married Franklin is mentioned below; James, who
Sarah Weckes, by whom he had the follow- married Ann Brown, lives at Noxen, Pa.
William Henry, born Dec. 20, Sarah married Charles Smith, of Noxen, Pa.
ing children
1816; Mary Eliza, Feb. 8, 1819; Gity Mariah, Frederick married Olive ^Miner, and (second)
Feb. 22, 1821 Solomon Stites, Sept. 4, 1823. Daisy Kocher, and lives at Noxen, Pa. Elmer,
The mother, born April 20, 1795, died Sept. who married IMargaret Jones and (second)
Delia Ide, lives at Noxen George, who mar12. 1823, and was buried before Mr. Crispell
left New York.
On Feb. 10, 1825, he mar- ried Marian Walton, lives at South Run,
ried Emilia Devoe, who was born April 20,
Wyoming Co., Pa. Ira, who lives at Kingston,
Luzerne Co., Pa., married Olive Traver;
1806, and they had children born as follows
John Devoe, Feb. 5, 1826 (died Feb. 15, Albert, who married Bertha Jones, lives at
1859) Sarah Jane, Sept. 13, 1828; Abraham, Newberry- Grace, who married William Race,
Mrs. Crispell died and
Dec. 17, 1831 (died Dec. 18, 1831); Phoebe lives at Newberry.
Catharine, April 3, 1834; Rachel Ann, April was buried at Orcutts Grove, and Mr. Cris28, 1837; a son, April 5, 1839 (died April 23, pell married (second) Mrs. Lydia (Newberry)
1839) Samuel C, May 11, 1841 (died May Race, widow of David Race, and daughter of
Charles Thomas, Aug. 12, 1842; Chauncey Newberry, whose wife was a \'an
26, 1841)
One child, Floyd, has been born of
George, May 19, 1845 (died June ir, 1846). Allen.
Thomas Crispell, the father, died Dec. 22, this marriage, and he is now engaged in farmhe married Edna
1861, and was buried at Orcutts Grove, in ing on his father's land
Monroe.
Wyoming county.
William Henry Crispell, son of Thomas,
Severn B. Crispell is a Democrat, and has
was born in Ulster county, N. Y., and until served as a school director and supervisor
twelve years prior to his death was engaged for many years. He was a member of the
in farming. His death occurred near
Harvey's Beaumont Lodge of Odd Fellows, but is no
Lake, Luzerne Co., Pa., July 22, 1902, in his longer connected with that order. Mrs. CrisHis first wife was Sarah pell is a member of the Methodist Protestant
eighty-sixth year.
Wright, daughter of John Wright, and their Church.
children were: Severn B., who is mentioned
Chester Franklin Crispell grew to manhood
below; Ziba (deceased), who married Nina on his father's farm, and attended school at
Dexter, and lived at Sweet Valley, Luzerne Beaumont until he was sixteen years old. He
sensed a three years' apprenticeship at the
Co., Pa. Gertrude, now the widow of Hamilton Honeywell; and Mary, who married mason's trade with Joseph Anderson, of
Pulaski Kocher, of Harvey's Lake.
When Luzeme county, and followed this trade durthe mother of this family died, she was buried ing the summer, working in a tannery in the
at Orcutts Grove.
The second wife of wintertime for seven years. Mr. Crispell then
William Henry Crispell was Priscilla Honey- went to \\'yoming county and continued workwell, widow of Neeley Honeywell, and their
ing at his trade and on a farm in that county
children were
John, who married Catherine for some time. On March 17, 1903, he came
Moore, lives at Dallas. Luzerne Co.. Pa.; to Berwick, and found work as a mason, with
William, who married Lilly May, of Harvey's dififerent contractors, among them such well
Lake; Correy, who married Carrie Turner known men as William Krug and Mr.
(deceased), lives at No. 153 Beach street. Fahringer. For the last five years Mr. Crispell
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. I\Irs. Priscilla Crispell is has been in the employ of the American Car
also deceased, and lies
by the side of her first & Foundry Com])any. under E. M. Kocher.
husband at Dallas, Pa., while I\Ir. Crispell is Politically Mr. Crispell is a Democrat. Forburied at Orcutts Grove. He was a Democrat merly a member of the Methodist Protestant
in politics, while in
Church at \\>st Berwick, he was treasurer of
religious matters he was
a Baptist.
its boards of trustees; he and his wife are
Severn B. Crispell. son of \\'illiam
Henry now members of the West Berwick United
tral

;

Crispell,

was born

April

1848.

at Dallas. Luzerne Co., Pa..
His entire life has been spent
rural districts and he has devoted his mature
0,

years to farming, now owning a property of
100 acres near Noxen. Pa., where he carries

Evangelical Church.
Chester F. Crispell married Clara Anderson, a daughter of Joseph and Matilda
Hettner) Anderson, and they had one son. Bruce
Belles, born Oct. 20. i8<)i, who married Ger(

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Hoover and

lives at Laketon, Luzerne
After the death of his first wife
Mr. Crispell married (second) Annie Eveline
Harris, daughter of Clark and Elizabeth
Mrs. Crispell
Emillia (Thompson) Harris.
was born at Noxen, Wyoming Co., Pa., April

trude

Pa.

Co.,

20, 1S75, ^"tl was there educated,
Mr.
at home until her marriage.

have

had

remaining
and Mrs.

the

following children:
Clinton Crandall, born Aug. 15, 1895; Thomas
B., born Aug. 14, 1896; V^iola Arvilla, born
Sept. 20, 1898; and Clara Edith, born Jan. 7,
Crispell

981

until they came to America.
They had
three children, Herbert Henry, Emily Fania,

bury

and Frederick William. The eldest son, born
Nov. 19, 1869, is engaged as superintendent
by the T. W. Wall Company, London, purveyors; his wife's name is Carrie. Miss Emily
Fania Bush, born Feb. 11, 1870, is matron in
charge of the Queen Elizabeth hospital
England, a boys' orphanage supported by the city; it has been in existence for
full

Bristol,

two hundred years. Mr. Bush was a Liberal
in politics and an ardent admirer of Mr. Glad-

belonged to the Congregational

1903.

stone.

Clark Harris, the father of Mrs. Crispell,
born March 20, 1846, at Mahoopany, Wyo-

Church and to the I. O. O. F. in England,
James Coward, father of Mrs. Bush, came
from Timsbury, and followed general farmHis five children were: George, who
ing.

Co., Pa., and there educated. He owned
and operated a farm of 100 acres at that place,
and there he died Sept. 10, 1883; he is buried
in the Bowman Creek cemetery, in Wyoming
county. His wife, Elizabeth Emillia Thompson, born Sept. 7, 1855, now lives at Noxen,
Pa.
They had but one child, Mrs. Crispell.
Mr. Harris was a Democrat, but did not aspire
In religious faith he was a
to public office.

ming

Methodist.

FREDERICK WILLIAM BUSH
connected with the Berwick Store

has been

Company

since his arrival in the

borough in 1896, at
present being at the head of the clothing deHis experience in merchandising
partment.
covers all his business life, and his abilities
are appreciated by the firm in whose service
his best years have been spent.
Mr. Bush is
of English birth, and his ancestors for several
generations have been engaged in this line of
work.

John Bush, his grandfather, was born in
England and did business at Pennard, Somersetshire, all his life, being a merchant tailor,
He had all the best trade in his locality. His
children were: Herbert, Charles, Jane (Mrs.
John Bennett, of Bristol, England, who died
Jan. 13, 1902, aged sixty-five years); and

Thomas Tabor.
Thomas Tabor Bush was born

at Pennard
became a merchant tailor,
establishing himself in business at Timsbury,

and

like his father

in Somersetshire.

In the year 1894 he

America and located
Luzerne Co., Pa., he and

West

came

Pittston,

his son Frederick

carrying on a clothing business at East Pittston under the firm name of Thomas T. Bush
& Son. Mrs. Bush dying Feb. 17, 1894, Mr.
Bush retired shortly thereafter and returned

He and
to Bristol, England, where he died.
his wife, Mary Coward, born April 5, 1844,
were married in Pennard and lived at Tims-

buried at Pittston, Pa. (his wife's
Henry, who married Carrie
Underwood, of Pittston, is buried at Fortyfort, Luzerne Co., Pa. (he was traveling salesman for a house which dealt in imported dry
married,

name was Mary)

;

goods) John was killed in the mines at Timsbury, England, and is buried at that place
Martha married Henry Brimble, deceased, who
was in the harness business at East Pittston,
Pa.; Mary was the wife of Thomas Tabor
Bush.
Frederick W'illiam Bush, son of Thomas
Tabor Bush and Mary (Coward) Bush, was
born Feb. 25, 1871, in Timsbury, Somersetshire, England, and had the ordinary educa;

;

advantages of the vicinity, attending
Laurel Cottage Academy, a private school. In
1888 he came to this country, and locating at

tional

Pittston, in Luzerne county, Pa., was
there for eight years, eventually engaging in
the clothing business with his father as already
related.
Upon his father's return to England

West

he went to Scranton, Pa., as salesman in a dry
goods house, where he remained three years,
in 1896 coming to Berwick as dry goods salesman for the Berwick Store Company. That
year the establishment became a regular department store, and Mr. Bush was given
charge of the clothing dei)artmcnt and shoes;
he now devotes all his time to the clothing
department, which under his efficient management has become one of the most important in
His natural ability has been dethe store.
veloped by thorough training, and he has conscientiously given his earnest efforts to buildunder his
ing up this branch of the business
care, with results highly satisfactory to his

Aside from his business he has
employers.
become very favorably known in Berwick
through his activities in furthering the temperance cause especially, though all good move-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

982

sympathy and support. As
he has
secretary of the Anti-Saloon League
been a prominent worker against the Hquor
He is a member of tlie Y. M. C. A.
traffic.
and has been on the board of directors for
ments have

HARVEY LEWIS CREASY,

his

ten years.
leading member of the Presbyterian Church, he is vice president of its board
of trustees and has been serving with that body
fourteen years.
Fraternally he belongs to
No.
462, F. & A. M., and his
Knapp Lodge,
support is given to the Republican
political

party.

June 17, 1896, Mr. Bush married Mary
Nelson Williams, who was born April 27, 1873,
at Danville, Pa., has lived in Berwick since
the high school in
1878, and graduated from
the first couple
were
Bush
Mrs.
and
Mr.
1891.
to be married in the new First Presbyterian
Church at Berwick, Rev. George H. Stevens,
had two children Dorothy
pastor. They have
Nov.
born
23, 1897, who died May
Thornton,
in the Williams family
4, 1899, and is buried
and Richard
Grove
Pine
in
cemetery;
plot
Tabor, born Dec. 15, 1904.
Mrs. Bush's grandfather, John T. Williams,
came to this country from England, where he
was born and reared, and was engaged in the
His wife's maiden name was
iron business.
Maybury, and their children were: William
Maybury, Maria Elizabeth, John Thomas,
Sarah Ann (married George Kinn), Mary
Eliza, Joseph Henry, James Knox Polk,
Richard H., and Emma Jane.
Richard H. Williams was born April 11,
1847, at Haverstraw, N. Y. He came to Danand
ville, Pa., when the family settled there,
here his early years were spent. Upon reachmills
ing manhood he worked in the rolling
there and at Harrisburg, and in 1873 came to
Berwick, where he helped to build and start
the rolling mills.
Returning to Danville for
a time, he came back to Berwick in 1877, and
was engaged in the same capacity there. His
death occurred Oct. 7, 1891. By his marriage
to Hannah Thornton, born in 1845, who survived until Nov. 14, 1913, he had the following
William Edwin Walter, who died
children
young and is buried at Harrisburg Mary Nelson, Mrs. F. W. Bush Gertrude, Mrs. C. C.
Paden and Rozella B., Mrs. Robert Allen

;

Carse, of Berwick. The father was a member
of the Episcopal Church, the mother a Presbyterian in religious connection. He belonged to
the Knights of Malta and the Knights of the
Golden Eagle, being a charter member of both
lodges at Berwick, and was associated with
the Democratic party on political issues.

who

oper-

and dyeing establishment at the
"Creasy Hotel," Mifflinville, Pa., was born in

ates a cleaning

On his father's
that place, March 13, 1872.
side he is descended from the noble Creasy
family of England, and on his mother's side
from a family of German emigrants who came
here in the early days of colonization and settlement of Columbia county.
Sir Edward Creasy came from England during the founding of the settlements in Pennsylvania and was granted a large estate by the

One of his descendants was David
who came to Columbia county and

king.

Creasy,
settled

owned

in the Catawissa valley, where he
a large farm. Shortly before his death

He
1872 he moved to Mifflin township.
reached the age of seventy-two years.
Stephen Creasy, father of H. Lewis Creasy
and son of David Creasy, was a cabinetmaker
and followed that occupation all of his life.
He resided for a short time in Berwick, but
in

during most of his life was a citizen of Mifflinwhere he died March 4, 1900. His wife,
Barbara Frantz. who died in 1878, was a

ville,

native of

Wurtemberg. Germany, whence

she,

her mother and eleven brothers and sisters
came to America, the father having died in
To Stephen Creasy and his
the Fatherland.
wife were born si.x children: Anna, wife of
John Bastuscheck, of Mifflinville: EH, deceased George E. M. Clymer. proprietor of
the "Creasy Hotel": H. Lewis; and one child
;

;

that died in infancy.

H. Lewis Creasy attended the schools of
and after graduation went to
Wilkes-Barre to enter the manufacturing busiHe remained in that city ten years and
ness.
then went to Harrisburg. for two years serving an apprenticcshi]) at the Imsinoss of cleaning and dyeing according to the most modern
methods. For a time he resided in Shenandoah, Pa., and then opened a cleaning and dye
He carried on the
shop in Hazleton, Pa.
establishment for four years and then came
to ]\Iifflinville and bought the stand where he

Mifilinville,

now located in the "Creasy Hotel." The
building is one of the oldest in this part of
the State, having been erected over one hunis

dred years ago.
Mr. Creasy was married Sept. 23. 1903, to
Teresa Coakley. daughter of Thomas and
Anna Dormedy) Coakley, both her parents
being deceased. They were natives of Ireland.
Mrs. Coakley's mother. Mrs. Catherine Dor(

medy. lived to the great age of 117 years.
Mrs. Creasy was boni April 7. 1872, in Pottsville, Pa., and had the following brothers and

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and followed the trade of

Catherine, of Shenandoah, Pa.; Patof Shenandoah, who was killed in the
mines
Maria, wife of James Carroll, of
Shenandoah; Savina, deceased; Celia, wife of
William Broderick, of Shenandoah Annie,
wife of Matthew Leary, of Norristown;
Malena, wife of Austin Gahan, of Shenandoah Thomas, of Shenandoah; Elizabeth,
wife of James Smith, of Shenandoah; Sarah,
Mrs.
wife of John Pursel, of Shenandoah.
Creasy and two of her sisters were school
teachers before their marriage she taught for
ten years in Shenandoah.

sisters:

;

and they are buried in Pine
Grove cemetery. Their children were: Alniira, wife of James Rouck; Lunetta, wife of
Wesley Brobst; Jennie, wife of Samuel Heller;
John E., who married Cora Belford; Oliver
E. Mary, wife of John Harmon and Ephraim,
Lizzie and Katie, all of whom died young.
Oliver E. Evans attended the schools of
Briarcreek and worked on the farm up to the

To Mr. and Mrs. Creasy have been born
George E., July
1906; and Lewis

26,
F.,

24,

sixty-six years old,

;

14,

Nov.

wood sawing and milling until 1876, when he
retired to his farm, dying there in 1904.
His
wife, Clarinda (Lockhard), died when over

;

[ohn C, June

miller.

Company

E, I52d Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, and served three years
and twenty-four days. He was at the battle
of the James river, and was commissary sergeant at Portress Monroe. In 1864 he returned
to Evansville, and followed the occupations of

rick,

three children:

861, he enlisted in

983

1904;

March

;

Mr. Creasy is a member of the B. P. O.
Elks Lodge, No. 1 138, of Berwick, and Washington Camp, No. 684, P. O. S. of A. Mrs.
Creasy is a faithful attendant of St. Mary's age of eighteen years. Then in the summer of
Roman Catholic Church at Berwick.
1878 he secured employment on the farm of
M. L. Housenick. In 1879 he went to BloomsOLIVER E. EVANS, retired molder, of burg and entered the foundry of G. M. & J. K.
Berwick, Pa., now devoting his time to market Lockhard, to learn the trade of molder, regardening, was born in Evansville, Columbia mained with the firm for seven years, and
county, March 31, i860. He is a son of Wil- then moved to the Lockhard farm in Scott
liam, grandson of Ephraim and great-grandson township, which he operated for three years,
of James Evans, all natives of Pennsylvania.
Returning to Berwick in the spring of 1889,
James Evans came from Bethlehem, Pa., to he worked as molder eleven years for the
Evansville, Columbia county, and took up a Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Co., after
mail
large tract of land. He built the first log mill which he held the position of rural
In 1904 Mr. Evans
in the village, which was later replaced by a carrier for two years.
in Berwick, and has since
larger one, the latter still standing, and in use erected a greenhouse
He ran the largest overshot devoted all of his time to plant growing and
as a dwelling.
wheel in Columbia county. Altogether he built market gardening, utilizing to the fullest capac-

•8,

1908.

of eight acres,
1882, Mr. Evans married
born Feb. 4, 1858,
J. Brooks, of Bloomsburg,
daughter of Benjamin F. and iMary (Walters)
Brooks, of Frosty Valley. They have had one
ity his limited plat

twenty-three of the largest of the old mills in
the county. He married a daughter of Ezra
Hess, of Fishingcreek, and their children were

Feb.

Emma

George; Tames; Ephraim, who married Nancy
Evans; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Solomon
Bower; Ann, wife of George Zehner; and child, Jennie May, born Feb. 24, 1883, \yho
William. Air. Evans died in 1829, and he and married Allen Edgar Smith. Mr. Evans is a
his wife are buried at the Old Stone Church Democrat in politics, but formerly supported
in Briarcreek township.

Ephraim Evans was born June

21, 1796, in

Evansville, attended the schools of the village,
and learned the trade of millwright. He died

Dec. 21, 1873. He married Nancy Evans, of
Catawissa, and they are buried in the Evansville
they had these children
cemetery.
Susanna,
Elizabeth, wife of William Yohe
wife of Samuel Hagenbuch Oliver, who married Margaret Webb; Mary, wife of William
Dietterich Lucinda. wife of Toseph Lilly; and
William, who married Clarinda Lockhard.
William Evans was born in Evansville, July
16, 1828. and died there Feb. 20, 1904. He was
educated in the public schools of Evansville
:

;

He is a member of
Prohibition principles.
the International Bible Students' Association,
of the Berwick Beneficial Association, and of
Washington Cam\\ Xo. 105. P. O. S. of _A.,
lining held membership in the latter organization for twenty-four years he has been president of the camp twice.
;

FRANK BAKER. D. D. S., one of the
most successful dentists of Bloomsburg, Pa.,
and a progressive citizen of that borough, was
born Jan. 7, 1881, in Espy, Scott township,
He is a son of G. M.
Columbia county.
Baker and his wife. Margaret A. (Creveling).
The father was born at Espy, Columbia

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

984

county, and married Margaret A., daughter
of Eli and Jane (Heidlay) Creveling. They
had children as follows: Harry, Creveling,
Mary, Frank, and Eli A. Mrs. Margaret A.
(Creveling) Baker was born in Espy, and
after receiving a common school education atShe then retended Wyoming Seminary.
mained at home until her marriage to G. M.
Baker.
Thomas Creveling was a farmer of Scott

He married
township, residing near Espy.
Elizabeth Ruckle, and they had nine children
:

mentioned below Isaac, who married
Rebecca Hagenbuch, died in 1884; Eliza, wife
of Harry Trembly, died in 1879; Rebecca and
John, died in infancy; Lavina, wife of H. L.
Gearhart, died in 1875 Thomas. Jr., died unmarried in 1881 Alfred married Mary M.
Worman, and lived in Harrisburg; George \V.,
a merchant of Afton, married Frances M.
Eli

;

Millard.
Eli Creveling was born in Scott township
and followed the vocation of farmer until his
death in 1866. He married Jane Heidlay, and
Cora, wife of John
they had these children
C. Cryder; Mary, wife of Ellis Trembly;
Carrie, wife of Charles Brown Margaret A.
and one that died in infancy.
Frank Baker attended the public schools of
:

;

Almedia, passed through Temple University,
Philadelphia, and graduated from the Philadelphia Dental College with the class of 1908.
He had a thorough course in operative and
mechanical dentistry, and when he came to
Bloomsburg in 1908 he soon built up a large
practice among the best and most exacting
patrons. He is a progressive citizen and takes
a great interest in the upbuilding of the town.
In politics he is a Republican, but thus far
has held no office. He is a member of Van
Camp Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Washington
Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Caldwell ConIn 1909, Dr. Baker
sistory, of Bloomsburg.
married Pearl Isora Kline, daughter of James

M. and Abia (Sutliff) Kline, and they have
two children: Frances Alverna, born Aug. 13,
1910; and Robert James, born Oct. 14, 1912.
James M. Kline is a native of Jonestown, and
his wife, Abia Sutliff, is a native of Shickshinny.

WILLIAM
the Columbia

was born

WATTERS,

Steam Laundry

proprietor of

Bloomsburg,
Columbia Co.,
1873, son of John S. and Maria

in Mifflin township,

Pa., Feb. 8,
C. (Hess) Watters.

Lawrence Watters, grandfather of William
A. Watters, was a native of England, and

came

country when a young man. His
Thomas Watters, never left his native

to this

brother,

land. Air. W'atters was a school teacher, noted
for his penmanship, and became one of the

well

known

where

educators

his death occurred.

Alifflin

township,

married Sarah

Brown and

they became the parents of the
following children
( i ) Dorothy, born Sept.
28, 1844, married Eleazer Schweppenheiser,
who died April 7, 1901, his widow surviving
and residing at Mifflinville; they had children:
:

Myra, who married Luther Snyder; Sallie C,
married to R. R. John; Margaret A., who
married John Hosier; and Claude AL, a dentist
of Berwick, Pa.
(2) John S. is mentioned
below.
(3) David B. died at Wilkes-Barre,
Pa., leaving four children, Lawrence, Harry,
Thomas and Byron. (4) Margaret is married
to Samuel Drumm.
She has one son by a
former marriage.
(5) Ervin.
(6) Thomas
died in 1872, at the age of twenty years. The
father of this family died June 7, 1876, aged
se\enty-three years, and the mother when
seventy-two years of age, Sept. 9, 1882.
John S. '\\'atters, son of Lawrence and
father of William A. Watters, was born in

Columbia Co., Pa., April 10,
and died Nov. 19, 1904. He followed
farming in Scott township, and subsequently
engaged in the butcher business in that locality,
Mifflin township,

1846,

retiring therefrom several years prior to his
death. He maintained the family's reputation
for honesty and integrity, and was esteemed

and respected throughout his community. Mr.
Watters married Maria C. Hess, who was born
Feb. 23, 1845, and died Feb. 3, 191 2, and they
became the parents of three children: Sadie,
who died when a child Dorothy, who married
Norman Hess and resides in Bloomsburg; and
William A.
^
William A. Watters, son of John S. Watters,
attended the public schools of Espy. Pa., and
;

with his father learned the trade of butcher,
which occupation he followed for about three
At the end of that time he started
years.
to learn the laundry business, at which he was
employed for seven years, and in 19CX) went
to Sunbury, where he established the Keystone
Laundry. Three years later, receiving an advantageous offer, he sold out to Miller & Fassold and returned to Bloomsburg. where he
purchased his present establishment, located
on Pine street, near Center. This has become
one of the leading business plants of its kind
in the city, due to Mr. Watters's able
management. He employs five men, uses wagons for
collection and delivery, and personally supervises each order that leaves his establishment.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Mr. Walters married Miss Myrtie E. Wagdaughter of Jacob Wagner, of Evansville,
She died Feb. 15, 1910, leaving one
Pa.

ner,

Florence

L., a graduate of the
school, class of 1912, and a
student of the State Normal school, now teachMr.
ing at Newfoundland, Wayne Co., Pa.
Watters is a member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Golden
Eagle, the Independent Americans and the
Modern Woodmen of America. He has served
two terms as alderman of Bloomsburg, and
is recognized as one of the rising business men

daughter,

Bloomsburg high

of the city. His religious connection
the Lutheran Church.

with

SAMUEL

M. KNORR, a farmer of Briarcreek township, was born Sept. 2'], 1861, in
Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa., son of
Henry Jackson Knorr, and a descendant of
Leonard Knorr, a pioneer of this State.
Leonard Knorr, the pioneer of this family,
came from Germany in the year 1782 and
located in Centre township, where he cleared
land and established the old homestead.
Henry Knorr, son of Leonard, was also a
farmer, a member of the Reformed Church
and prominent in the affairs of his native
county. He married Margaret Dietrich. His
brother John also had a large family, one of
his descendants being Mrs. Ann Hess, of
Fishing Creek.
Henry D. Knorr, grandfather of Samuel M.

Knorr, was a tanner by trade, but later in life
devoted himself exclusively to farming. He
married Sarah Kelchner, and they had seven
children: Henry Jackson (deceased), Samuel
(deceased), Eli M., Francis (deceased), Wesley (deceased),

Mary and Margaret.

J-Ienry Jackson Knorr was a farmer by occupation and lived to the age of seventy-six years.

He married Rebecca Herring, and they are
buried at the Brick Church in Briarcreek township.
They were the parents of ten children
Margaret was killed in infancy, in 1853, by a
runaway horse; James M., a builder of Berwick, married Elizabeth Hagenbuch and had
one child, Frank, deceased John, a shoemaker,
deceased, married Mary Peeler, and had four
children Clara is living in Centre township
Samuel M. is mentioned below Harvey E., a
farmer of Centre township, married Elizabeth
Burket, and has four children living (one is
:

;

deceased); Emma resides at Wilkes-Barre
George, who is employed by the American Car
& Foundry Company at Berwick, married
Maude Strowbridge, and has two children
Henry T. was next in the family; Elizabeth,
;

;

985

wife of Josci)h Sitler, a farmer of Centre
township, has two children living (one is deceased).
Samuel M. Knorr was educated in the public
schools of Centre township and look up the
vocation of farming.
On Feb. 14, 1893, he

was married to Gertrude Rittenhouse, who
was born July 28, 1865, daughter of Morris

Rittenhouse, a farmer of Briarcreek townand granddaughter of Henry and Rachel
(Hutton) Rittenhouse, who are buried at Berwick. Mr. Rittenhouse married J-!tVie Brittain,

ship,

whose great-grandparents settled in Germantown, Pa., later moving to this section, where
they cultivated the farm now owned by Boyd
Freas, which was in the Brittain family for
several generations.
She was a daughter of
Col. William A. J. Brittain (son of Henry
Brittain), who owned a farm, but worked as
collector on the old canal for many years he
and his wife are buried at Berwick. Mrs.
Morris M. Rittenhouse is buried at the Brick
Church in Briarcreek township. She was the
mother of four children, one dying in infancy;
Henry, a farmer of Briarcreek township, married Nora Davis and they have had eight children, two of whom are deceased Gertrude is
the wife of Samuel M. Knorr; Mary married
Milton Freas, and both are deceased (they had
;

;

one son, Morris).
Three children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Samuel M. Knorr: Ernest H., Feb. 12,
1894; Margaret C, April 9, 1895; Charles J.,
Feb. 13, 1897 (died May 6, 1907).
The
parents are members of the Zwingli Reformed
Church at Berwick, in which ]\Ir. Knorr has
been a prominent worker, having held the office
of deacon six years and served seven years
as trustee.
sentiment.

EDWARD

He
H.

Democrat

SMETHERS,

political

practical

molder, thoroughly competent in his line, has
been foreman of the soft foundry in the

American Car & Foundry Company's plant
(formerly operated by Jackson & Woodin) at
Berwick since October, 1910. He was born
May I, 1865, in that part of Berwick under
the hill which was then called the "Shoddy,"
and has practically made his own way in the
world from early boyhood.

The Smethers family is of English origin,
and the name originally was spelled Smithers.
It

prol>able that the great-grandfather of

Edward H. Smethers was

the pioneer of the
family in this section.
Tohn Smethers, the grandfather, was bom
in Luzerne county and lived and died at Ber-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

986

He was a laborer on farms in his earlyand began work for the Jackson & Woodin
people in their early days. He married Betsey
at
lived
whose
Fenstermacher,
people
Foundryville, Columbia Co., Pa., and they had
the following children
Sopharus, who married
Catherine Edwards; John A., who
married Alvaretta R. Classon; James, who
married Mary George; Savilla, who is the
widow of Rev. Freeman S. Vought, who is
buried in Pine Grove cemetery, at Berwick
Mary, who married Charles Berlin William,
who married Dora Houch and ]\IcClellan,
who married Mary Elizabeth Harris.
Sopharus Smethers. father of Edward H.
Smethers, was born July 31, 1840, in Salem
He started to
township, Luzerne Co., Pa.
work when very young, hence had but few
wick.
life

;

school advantages, subsequently learned the
trade of molder with the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company, and had charge of
He married Catherine, widow
the patterns.
of Augustus Pierce, and daughter of Edward

and Patty (Holloway) Edwards, from Summer Hill. By her first marriage she had four
children ]\Iary \'an Houten, Angle Witman,
James Pierce and Jennie Melvin. To her
second marriage, with Mr. Smethers, were
born:
John T.. who married Delia Yost;
Maizie, who died young and was buried at
Pine Grove
and Edward H.
Sopharus
Smethers belongs to the Evangelical Church.
:

casts his political vote with the

Republican

party.

Edward H. Smethers started to work when
he quit school, at the age of nine years, at that
time entering the foundry of the Jackson &
Woodin Company at Berwick, where he remained for seven years his foreman was
William Fenstemacher and the superintendent
William Barnes.
In 1882 he went to the
Freas Brothers' planing mill and for two years
carried sidings.
In 1884 he entered the
machine shop of Jackson & Woodin and ran
a bolt header under Tom Van Tassell for a
time, and then went back to the small casting
factory and made cores, also worked at molding part of the time. When twenty years old
he began to learn that branch of the business,
which he has followed ever since. As mentioned above he has made rapid progress, and
for the last four years has been foreman of
the soft foundry, which makes all sorts of miscellaneous castings. Through hard work and
faithful service !l\Ir. Smethers has advanced
his fortunes and brought himself a com;

petency.

Mr. Smethers was united

marriage with

Emma

a daughter of Tobias and
(Garrison) Henry, of Bloomsburg,
Pa., and they have had the following children:
Catherine May, born July 27, 1889, married
Alvin Drescher, and they have two children,
Audrey and Berlyn Alvin, who was born
Nov. 25, 1890, married Lilly Lowe, and they
have a daughter, Beatrice Claud Tobias was
born June 27, 1893 LeRoy was born Sept.
28, 1895; OHver Evans, born Aug. 18, 1898,
died Dec. 19, 1899, and was buried in Pine
Grove cemetery Arthur James was born Nov.

Henry,

Drusilla

;

Mr. Smethers and his family are
members of the Bower Memorial United
He is a pronounced
Evangelical Church.
temperance man and is active in the Pro22, J904.

hibition party.

Socially he belongs to Wash105, P. O. S. of A., of

Camp, No.

ington

Berwick.

Samuel
of
]\Irs.
Henry,
grandfather
Smethers, was born at Sloyersville, Luzerne
Co.. Pa., and died at Berwick in August, 1889
In his early years he was a boatman on the
Pennsylvania canal and later was associated
with \\'. H. \\'oodin, at Foundryville, in the
manufacture of stoves, plows, castings, etc.
After dissolving this partnership he engaged
farming, owning loo acres of land at
^loore's Church, back of Foundryville. Later

he retired and came to Berwick, and
Tobias took charge of the farm. He
married Margaret Rough, whose family bein

life

his son

longed around Sloyersville, and they had children as follows:
Job; Salinda. wife of
Manuel Garrison Tobias and Hannah, wife
of Norman Garrison. They were all members
of the Evangelical Church in religious faith
;

and Democrats
father

;

GrandMasonic lodge

in their political views.

Henry belonged

to the

Shickshinny, Pennsylvania.
Tobias Henry was born April 16, 1838.
When young he was a boatman on the PennAfterwards
sylvania canal, like his father.
he carried on farming in Salem township.
Luzerne county. He married Drusilla Garrison, daughter of Mathias and Mary (White)
Garrison, from Almedia. and the following
children were bom to them:
William, who
married Anna Gallagher Martha, deceased
wife of Herbert McBride (she is buried in
Pine Grove cemetery) Margaret, who is the
wife of Abram Smith Emma, who is the wife
of Edward H. Smethers
Harriet, deceased
wife of Wesley Pollock; Newton, who died
young, and is buried with his sister at Moore's
Church
Minerva, who married
Myrtle
Clarence Bower; and Edith, who is the wife
of Arthur Seelev. Mr. ITcnrv and faniilv be;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
long to the United Evangelical Church.
supports the Prohibition party.

WILLIAM AHLERS, rose grower, of
Bloomsburg, Columbia county, was born in
Germany, Jan. 20, 1877, son of William
Ahlers.

William Ahlers, Sr., his father, was a
farmer early in life, but later became a distiller, selling his product at both retail and
wholesale,

thus

continuing

for

thirty-eight

His life was s})ent in his native land,
where he died in 1901.
William Ahlers, son of William Ahlers,
above, grew up in Germany, where he was
educated, and served in the German army
years.

from 1897

to 1899, being in Battery 9, 9th
regiment of the field artillery, under the noted
Graf von Waldersee. Following the expiration of his period of service Mr. Ahlers spent
one year in traveling over Germany, and then

came to the United States, landing in New
York City in August, 1901. After some time
spent in New York State he went to New
Jersey, and thence came to Pennsylvania, settling at Danville to take

charge of the Castle
Grove greenhouses, as he was an expert florist.
For two years he filled this position most ably,
and then came to Bloomsburg and became
manager of the rose department for Mrs.
holding this position until May 15,
1913. On Dec. 6, 191 1, he purchased the present plant from Sheriff William P. Zehner.
Mr. Ahlers has over sixteen thousand plants
housed under forty-three thousand feet of
Dillon,

output being red, white, pink and
yellow roses, which he retails in neighboring
towns and ships to New York wholesale
houses. He employs during the year an average of eight men, all of whom are experts in

glass, the

their line.

In 1903,
a native of

]\Ir.

Ahlers married

Anna

Zscjack,

Germany, then residing in Passaic,
N. J., and they have the following children
Mr.
Anna, George, Walter and Elizabeth.
:

Ahlers

member

of the local lodges of

Knights of Pythias and B. P. O. Elks, and in
religious faith is a Lutheran. He is a patriotic
German, but has a warm interest in the prosperity of America, where all of his home ties
are centered, and where he has built up a
reputation as a rose expert equal to the greatest in the State.

JAMES E. SPONENBERG, a farmer of
Briarcreek township, was born in Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa., June 19, 1862, son
of Philip and Sarah (Eckroch)

Sponenberg.

987

His paternal great-grandfather came to
America from Germany.
George Sponenberg, the grandfather, was
born in Dauphin county. Pa., and was a contractor in Briarcreek
township, Columbia
He married
county, where he settled early.
Elizabeth Hawse, and they hail thirteen
children.

Philip Sponenberg, father of

born

James

E.,

was

Centre township, Columbia county,
June 22, 1838. On Sept. 4, i860, he married
Sarah Eckroch, and they had eleven children,
as follows:
James E. is mentioned below;
Daniel H., born Nov. 3, 1864, a jeweler at
Muncy, Pa., married Carrie Heath, and they
have two children; George W.. born Nov. 12,
1866, now with the American Car & Foundry
Company, at Berwick, married Anna Naugle,
and they have had seven children; Mary E.,
born Feb. 27, 1869, married 'Albert
Widger,
who is a farmer and lumberman of Briarcreek
township, and they have five children William
F., born April 5, 1871, served three years in
the United States army, mainly in Cuba, and
now lives at Scranton Ella, born ]\Iarch 10,
1873, married Daniel JMarkle, who is in the
in

;

employ of the American Car & Foundry ComBerwick, and they ha\e five children;
Martha A., born Feb. 21, 1875, married Harry
H. Case, of Millersburg, and one of their two
children survives; Harry E., born Jan. 7, 1877,
a butcher doing business in Briarcreek township, married Bertha Ashton, and they have
six children; Lewis R., born Jan. 7, 1881, with
the American Car & Foundry Company, at
Berwick, married Rebecca Smith, and they
have two children; Edward H., born May 12,
1882. now farming in Briarcreek township,
married Minnie Curtis, and they have six
children; Lehla May, born Feb. 4, 1890, married John Warner, who is farming on his
father-in-law's farm in Briarcreek township,
and they have three children.
James E. Sponenberg was reared on the
home farm and obtained his education in the
On Sept. 5, 1888, he was
]uil)lic schools.
married to Sarah A. Boston, who was born
in Luzerne county. Pa., Oct. 8, 1869, daughter
])any, at

of Simon P. Boston. Her grandfather, Peter
Boston, was born in Scotland, and lived to be
Simon P. Boston
ninety-three years of age.
was born Feb. 26, 1832, and became a farmer
in Fairmount townshij), Luzerne Co., Pa.
He
and his wife, Julia (Lockard), are now deceased, and they are buried at Lime Ridge,

Columbia county. She was bom May 9, 1838,
daughter of Joseph and Sophia (Evans)
Lockard, the former of Scotland, the latter

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

988

came
probably born in Ireland. When they
United States they settled in NorthumMr. and Mrs. Boston
berland county, Pa.

to the

had the following children: Chester, who is
a decorator by trade, resides at Detroit, Mich. ;
he married Clara Baldy, and they have one
Ellen is the wife of Lawson
son, Frederick.

Albertson, a lawyer residing at Berwick, and
George,
they have one daughter, 2>klildred.
who worked in a steel corrugating plant at
Wheeling. W. Va., is now deceased he is survived by his wife and three children, Arthur,
Sarah A. is the wife of
Charles and Ella.
E.
William, who is a
Sponenberg.
James
of Pittsburgh;
resident
a
is
painter by trade,
;

he married Stella Cain, now deceased, and
they had three sons. Rue, Harvey (deceased),
and Morris. Anna, who is the widow of
John Miller, a puddler in the iron works at
Berwick, resides at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Bertha
is the wife of John Knorr, and they have
three children, Alfred, Rue and Ella. Brooks

schools of Danville afforded, but he was
only nine years old when he began work. He
was employed at the iron mills two years and
then at the blast furnaces for six years, after

mon

which he began railroading, following that

He started as brakefor forty years.
in turn fireman and conducHe was
tor, being thus engaged until 1903.
Lackawanna
&
on
the
Bloomsburg
employed
(now the Delaware, Lackawanna & Westem)
Since giving up railroad work he
railroad.
has been with the Danville Structural Tubing
Company, where he is a trusted employee. He
a well known and respected citizen of
is
work

man and became

the borough.

GUY

WILLIA:\IS, member of

the firm of

Williams & Evans, coal and cement dealers,
of Berwick, Pa., was born in that city Aug.
A.
19, 1 88 1, son of Fillmore and Dorcas
(Almedia) Williams, and grandson of SuverWilliams.
Suverhill Williams

hill

Alinnie Florence, the second daughter,
7, 1891, is the wife of Adam Gebhart, who is in the employ of the American
Car & Foundry Company, of Berwick, and

was born in Connecticut,
Luzerne county. Pa., at an early day,
and locating in Huntington township became
a farmer, and so continued until his death.
Fillmore Williams was bom in Huntington
township, Luzeme Co., Pa., and like his father
followed the occupation of farming. He married Dorcas A. Almedia, who was born in
Huntington township, daughter of Joseph
Bilby Almedia, a farmer of that township,
and both parents still survive. They had three

they have one daughter, Sarah Louise, born
The two other daughters,
June 2}^, 1914.

Berwick and

died at the age of fifteen years.

Mr. and Mrs. Sponenberg have four children
Daisy May, the eldest, was born Oct.
married Doil Myers, who is a
5, 1889; she
machinist employed by the American Car &
Foundry Company, at Berwick, and they have
one daughter, Helen, who w^as bom June 11,
:

1909.

born Nov.

Pearl, born Oct. 12, 1895, and Gertrude,
29, 1898, both reside at home.

May

bom
^Ir.

Sponenberg and his family are members of
Grace Lutheran Church, of West Berwick.
In politics he is a Democrat, but has never
been willing to accept any public office.
Socially he is a member of Washington Camp,
No. 105, P. O. S. of A.

GEORGE W. LENHART,
now employed

Danville,

by the Danville
Structural Tubing Company, was born in that
borough Sept. 2, 1844. His father, George
Lenhart, born May 9, 1819, learned the trade
of tailor, and worked at it all his life, and he
was an early settler at Danville and the first
merchant tailor in that place. He died April
2, 1905, and his wife, Margaret Jane (McCollister), born Oct. 9, 1824, died at the age of
She is buried in the Odd
sixty-eight years.
Fellows cemetery at Danville.
For a few years during his boyhood George
W. Lenhart had such advantages as the comas inspector

came

children

;

Guy

who

Sebert,

;

Ijeach,

who

a resident of
on the farm,

living

assisting his father in the work.

Guy

\\'illiams

grew up

Huntington town-

attendance at school with
ship,
farm work. When he was seventeen years old
he came to Berwick and entered the employ
of the American Car & Foundr>- Company,
continuing with this concem for twelve years.
Having saved his money, at the expiration of
this period he was able to establish himself
in a coal and cement business, which he is
still continuing, having headquarters on Canal
street, opposite the Delaware. Lackawanna &
Western freight station. The business is now
conducted by the firm of Williams & Evans.
On Oct. 12, 1905, Mr. Williams was maralternating

ried,

Bloomsburg, to Myrtle M. Bower,

who was born Aug.

18,

1882. in

Briarcreek

township, Columbia county, daughter of Jonas
Milton and Emma (Schechterly) Bower, both
of whom are deceased
they were farming
Mr. and ]\Irs. Williams have had
people.
three children: Ruth Almedia. born May 13.
1908; Ray Allen, born Feb. 7, 1910; and
;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Lawrence Edward, born Jan. 2, 191 2. Mr.
and Mrs. Williams are members of the North
Berwick United Evangelical Church.

JOHN

L. ^lORGAN, an employee of the
Structural Tubing Company, and city councilman of Danville, Pa., was born Aug. 24, 1859,
at Tredegar, Monmouthshire, Wales, son of
David and Charlotte (Davis) Alorgan.
David Morgan, the grandfather of John L.
Morgan, followed mining all of his life and
died in his native Wales, as did also his wife,
who bore the maiden name of Eliza Owles.
David ]\Iorgan, son of David and father of
John L. Morgan, was born in Wales, where
he followed mining until his death, in 1865, at
the age of twenty-six years.
Following this
his wife, with her two children, emigrated to
the United States and settled in Danville, Pa.,
where she became a domestic in the home of
Thomas Beaver, of the Waterman & Beaver

Submills, in order to support her family.
sequently she married Robert Davis, a foundryman, and had two children Edward, who
is now deceased
and Harriet, who became the
wife of Harry Welliver, of Hazleton, Pa. By
her first marriage Mrs. Morgan had three children John L. William, who is now deceased
and David, who died in infancy. Her death
occurred in 1884, when she was forty-seven
years of age.
John L. Alorgan, son of David Morgan, attended school until he was ten years of age,
and at that time was employed in the "Cock
Robin" Alills, at Danville, where he continued
to work until their removal. His next employment was at the Cooperative Works, w^here he
continued ten years, and he spent the next
seven years in the capacity of heater at Northumberland. For one year he worked with the
:

;

same company at Pittsburgh, and also spent
six months at Youngstown, Ohio, after which
he returned to Danville and was employed in
the Reading iron mill until the explosions

On May

989

1S80, Mr.

to Harriet E. Pensyl,

Morgan was married
who was born Aug. 27,

1862, a daughter of Daniel K. and Rebecca E.
(Mowry) Pensyl. Daniel K. Pensyl was born
in 1829, in Northumberland county. Pa., son
of John and Elizabeth (Caseman) Pensyl, and
was a member of a family that originated in

Holland and was founded about 170 years ago
America.
The maternal grandfather of
Mrs. Morgan died in 1870, at the remarkable

age of 107 years. From the age of ten years
until he was twenty-one Daniel K. Pensyl

worked on a farm, his wages going to his
parents during this time, and on attaining his
majority he learned the trade of shoemaker,
at which he spent four years.
During the
next five years he worked on farms, and in
1858 he came to Danville, where he was engaged in farming for two years, subsequently
For twenty-three
entering the iron mills.
years he was janitor of the Second ward
school, and is now living retired he is known
as the oldest citizen of Danville who still retains his full faculties,
yir. Pensyl was the
;

of five children, of whom two are
Catherine, a widow, who makes her
home with her father; and Rosa, the wife of
Isaiah \'ought, of Northumberland county.
The old Pensyl home, erected in i860, still
stands, and is pointed out as one of the landfather

living:

marks.
political

i\Ir.
Pensyl is a Lutheran, and in
matters is active in his support of

the Democratic party.

Mr. and Mrs. IMorgan have two children
Elizabeth May, born April 15, 1888, the wife
of George W. Funk, has had three children,
John Eugene, Harriet Leona and Daniel
David, who died Dec. 29, 191 1, aged twentytwo years, four months, twenty-eight days,
:

;

married X^irdie Hocher, and had two children,
Helen and Daniel. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are
members of the United Evangelical Church.
He has ever been faithful in his support of
Republican principles and policies, and in

which destroyed that plant, five years later.
Mr. Morgan's abilities did not leave him long
unemployed, for he became a heater in the
Danville Bessemer Steel Company's plant, and
one year later became the first heater for the
Franklin plant of the Cambria Steel Company,
with which he was connected for seven years,

191 1 his fellow citizens elected him to the city
council, where he is still capably serving the
best interests of his community.

severing his connection therewith to enter the
employ of the Structural Tubing Company,
by which he has been engaged ever since.
His steadiness, thorough knowledge of his
vocation and keen interest in his work have
won him the confidence of his superiors and
made him a trusted employee.

Pa., June 29, 1838, son of William Gilmore.
\\^illiam Gilmore was a native of Connecticut, and learned to be a surveyor prior to his
removal to Philadelphia. After his arrival in

WILLIAM
the Civil war,
life at

II.

now

Bloomsburg,

GILMORE,

a veteran of

living retired from active
was born at Philadelphia,

that city he became commissioner's clerk, serving as such during 1843 ''^"'J 1^44- Following
that period he assisted in surveying the line of

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

990

Isaac Ikeler, the grandfather of Samuel W.
was a farmer by vocation, and spent
the greater part of his life in agricultural

the Schuylkill canal, and later went to some
of the Western States, but finally returned to
Philadelphia, where he died in 1870. He married Hester Kruger, who died in May, 1893,
the mother of children as follows
Lillie, who
married Martin Verdy and died in her

Ikeler,

and Frederick,
eightieth year; William H.
who is living retired at Bloomsburg.
William H. Gilmore was sent to the public
;

schools of Mount Pleasant, Columbia Co., Pa.,
receiving but few educational advantages. In
1856 he came to Bloomsburg, Pa., and for
some years drove the stage from that point
to Wilkes-Barre for Mr. Rupert. Feeling that
he ought to give his services to his country',
when the full horror of the Civil war was im-

pressed upon him, ]Mr. Gilmore enlisted in
Company E, I32d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the great engagements of Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, as well as others less important,
his period of service extending over ten
months. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Bloomsburg, where he embarked in
a restaurant business, buying the establishment

Briggs estate, which he still
In July, 1910, upon
street.
his retirement, he sold the restaurant interest

owned by

the

owns, on Main
to his sons.

Mr. Gilmore married Emma Wicht. a
daughter of William Wicht, of Allentown, Pa.,
and she died in 1909 at the age of sixty-five
years, the

mother of the following children

who married William Taylor; William
Charles, who
S., who resides in Missouri
lives at Bloomsburg; Mary, who is the wife
of Charles Wilson and Harry, who lives at

Lillie,

;

Bloomsburg.

Mr. Gilmore's second marriage

to Hannah Barkley. He belongs to Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., Caldwell
consistory of Bloomsburg, and I rem Temple,
Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He was
one of the organizers of the Friendship Fire
Company, in 1867, and has acted as its treasurer ever since. Mr. Gilmore is also a member of the State Fireman's Association, and is
much interested in its work. The family belong to the Episcopal Church, and are prominent in its work.
man of decided convictions, Mr. Gilmore lives up to them, and exerts
a strong influence among his associates.

was

Greenwood

township, Columalthough he died in Alount
Pleasant township, and there he and his
wife were buried in the Ikeler cemetery. He
was a Democrat in politics, but never desired
public office, always being content with the
rewards that came to him through his indus-

pursuits in
bia county,

]\Ir. Ikeler
honesty and upright living.
married a Miss Taylor, and they became the

try,

parents of five children, as follows
George,
deceased, who was long a resident of Blount
Pleasant township, where he was engaged in
farming; Elijah, who is also deceased; Andrew T., the father of Samuel W. Margaret,
deceased, who was the wife of Lott Johnson,
of Orange township, Columbia Co., Pa. and
Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of William
Shingle, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.
Andrew T. Ikeler, son of Isaac Ikeler, and
father of Samuel Willett Ikeler, was born May
20, 1835, in Mount Pleasant township, Columbia Co., Pa. He received his education in the
public schools of his home vicinity, and passed
:

;

youth and young manhood in agricultural
When he
pursuits, working for his father.
was ready to enter business on his own account
he invested his capital in the "Hotel Benton,"
at Benton, Pa., which he conducted for many
years, making it one of the most popular hosHe was an
telries of this part of the State.
and
his
host,
personality
entertaining, genial

his

much to attract a full share of the travelAt the time of his
ing public to his house.
retirement, when he had reached advanced
years, he went to live with his daughter, Mrs.
Arabella Carey, in West Virginia, who cared
for him in his declining years, and at whose
home he died in April, 19 1 2. The mother
preceded him to the grave, passing away at
Benton, April 14, 1904, and both were buried
in the Benton cemetery.
Mrs. Ikeler was a
did

consistent

member

of the Methodist Church,

and her husband supported its work. In politics he was a Democrat, but like his father
he never cared for public office. Mr. and Mrs.
Ikeler were the parents of the following children Isaac, born May 3, 1857. now a resident
of Battle Creek, Mich.
Arabella, deceased,
:

;

SAMUEL WTLLETT IKELER,

employed
works of the American Car & Foundry
Company at Berwick, was born Dec. 10,
1864, in Mount Pleasant township, Columbia
county, son of Andrew T. and Rachel (Oman)
in the

Ikeler.

born Aug. 14, 1858. who married George
Carey, and resided in West \*irginia Mary
Catherine, born Nov. lo. 1859. widow of
Henry Kindt, of Mordansville. Pa. Sarah
Elizabeth, born March 13. 1861, deceased wife
Samuel
of Bruce Carey, of West \'irginia
:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
VVillett

and Chatincey Burr, born

;

May

who married Sadie Kramer,

of Benton,
Samuel Willett Ikeler, son of Andrew T.
Ikeler, received his education in the public
schools of Benton, and as a youth learned
harnessmaking, at which trade he spent seven
years. He then came to Berwick and accepted
a position in the forging department of the
1867,

American Car & Foundry Company, with
which concern he has been associated to the
For five years he was labor
present time.
boss, subsequently was shipping clerk for eight
years, and has acted in various other capacibeing at this time a clerk in the department under Superintendent John B. Landis.
His long experience makes his services esties,

pecially valuable, and his employers have the
greatest confidence in his abilities. Mr. Ikeler
His fraternal connections are
is a Democrat.
with Washington Camp No. 105, Patriotic
Order Sons of America, and the Fraternal
Order of Eagles, Berwick, in both of which
he has many friends.
He is possessed of
much musical talent and is solo cornet player
in the Berwick band.
With his family he attends the Baptist Church.
Mr. Ikeler was married to Catherine Hea-

who was born

1865, at Hazleton, Luzerne Co., Pa., daughter of William
and Adeline (Henry) Heacock. She was educated at Sloyersville
Briggsville), in that
cock,

Feb.

(

county, but

when her parents

died she went

991

and he was only two years old when his
mother died. All her children are deceased.
Her maiden name was Pollock. The father
was a man of intelligence and high standing,
one of the most respected citizens of his day.
He served as a colonel in the war of 1812,
and he held the position of associate judge in

riage,

Montour county.
I""rom

tomed

Joseph Dean was accusfarm work, which he continued to

lioyhood

follow
his

After
throughout his active years.
marriage he removed to Greenwood, liv-

ing there five years, and thence nio\ ing to
Liberty township. ^lontour county, where
his wife died.
He remarried, and farmed
for another six years, until his retirement, in
the year 1892, taking up his home in WashHe was a successful man, and
ingtonville.

highly esteemed by
he served faithfully

all

who knew him, and
both Derry and Lib-

erty townships as school director.
Politically
he was a Democrat.
In religious belief he
leaned toward the doctrines of the i'resbyterian Church.

Mr. Dean was twice married, his first union,
on Sept. 27, 1849, being to Alary Ann Geringer
of Liberty township, Montour county, who
died there in January, 1883.
She was the
mother of three children, namely: Joseph Elwood, born May 12, 1855, died aged eight

years Margaret Catherine, born July 23, 1859,
is the wife of James B. Pollock, a farmer of
;

live with her grandmother, Mrs. Sarah
Derry township, Montour county John WalHenry, until she was twelve years of age. She lace, born Oct. 8. 1861, married I-Llla Foust,
then went to Philadelphia and learned dress- and lives in Limestone township, same county,
making, remaining in that city until her mar- Mrs. Dean was a member of the German Reformed Church.
riage, although that ceremony took place at
On Oct. 17, 1886. Mr. Dean married (secShe has been enDanville, Montour county.
gaged in dressmaking in Berwick for twenty- ond) Margaret B. Cornelison, who was born
two years, and still carries on a profitable busi- Oct. 31, 1849, i" Liberty townshij). Montour
ness there.
Her father, William Heacock, county, and five children were born to this
was a native of Lancashire, England, and is union: Calvin H., born Sept. 3, 1887, died
buried at Danville, Pa., while the mother was April 2, 1907; Jo.seph. born Jan. 13. 1889, a
born at Briggsville, Luzerne county, where harnessmaker, lives at home, and is the only
her remains were interred.
They had four survivor of the family Frank H.. born March
children Mary, who married Charles E. Ross, 9, 1890, died Nov. 28, 1908; Alartha, born
of Berwick; Alice, who married George Cris- June 11, 1891, died March 14, 1894; Myrtie
man. also of Berwick; George, who made his B., born May 6, 1892, died May 3, 1910. The
home in Montana, and Catherine, who is now mother is a member of the Presbyterian
Church. ]\Ir. Dean died Feb. 6, 1902.
Mrs. Ikeler.
The Cornelisons, Mrs. Dean's family, were
JOSEPH DEAN, whose widow resides at early and prominent settlers at Danville, now
Washingtonville. Montour county, was born in Alontour county. Joseph Cornelison located

;

Montour county, of

Irish an-

there

Joseph Dean, having
been a native of Ireland.
His father, also
named Joseph, was twice married. Joseph
being the youngest child by the first mar-

ment,

July

1823. in

cestry, his grandfather.

when Danville was but
in

a small
settjestriking contrast to the now thriv-

ing business center widely known throughout
the State for its up-to-date establishments and
He and his family associated
institutions.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

992

of its first industrial enterprises,
and to such of her early residents as these
does Danville owe its present standing. With

with

many

wonderful foresight and pride they had faith
in the success she would attain, and none who
have had the good fortune to see Danville in
recent years can doubt the correctness of their
Joseph Cornelison was born in
predictions.
Holland, and upon coming to this country settled first in the State of New Jersey, but soon
afterward moved to Danville, Montour Co.,
Pa., where he established the first blacksmith
shop.

mainder of

followed that line of work the rehis life, died in the town, and was

His wife,
to rest in Grove cemetery.
whose maiden name was Martin, was a^so
buried in Grove cemetery. To their marriage
were born the following children Joseph, who
was the first male white child born in Danlaid

ville;

William; Jacob, grandfather of Mrs.

Dean; Isaac; Cornelius; James; Massey;
Mary, Mrs. Torks; and Anna, Mrs. Best.
Joseph Cornelison, the first male white child
born in the vicinity of Danville, was the orig-

owner of the "White Swan" hotel in that
He had two children by his first wife
(whose name we do not know), viz.: John,
born July 24, 181 1, and Mary, born Feb. 7,
181 3. His second marriage was to Letitia Cousart, by whom he had four children Rebecca,
inal

town.

1819, died May 3, 1890, married
John Sperring; Jacob, born June 17, 1822, died
July I, 1865, married Phoebe Eckart; Sarah,
born May 19, 1825, died Sept. 13, 1852, married Jefferson Adams Susanna, born June 29,
The father of this
1829, died Aug. 9, 1831.
born
May 17, 1789, died Aug. 18,
family,

born Sept.

;

1851; the mother, born Aug. 9, 1788. died
Both the wives of Joseph
Sept. 16, 1863.
Cornelison are buried in the Odd Fellows

cemetery at Danville.
Jacob Cornelison, grandfather of Mrs.
Dean, disappeared, and nothing was ever afterward heard of him. He married Mary McCalment, a native of Ireland.
William Cornelison, son of Jacob, was born
near Danville, Jan. 8, 1820, and all his life
followed the trade of stonemason in Montour
county. He died March 2, 1899. In October,
1848, he married Jane H. Bond, who was born
April,

28,

1825,

what

now Montour

daughter of Charles and Margaret
(Hunter) Bond, natives of the North of Ireland. Mrs. Cornelison died July 2, 1882.
By
this union there were four children, of whom
three survive: Charles, born Dec. 10, 1852,
died Aug. 16, 1856; Robert, born May 3, 1856,
of Valley township, Montour county, is a car-

county,

and farmer; William, born July 6,
1859, living on the old homestead in Liberty
township, same county, is also a carpenter and
farmer; Margaret B. is the widow of Joseph
Dean.
penter

SCOTT

FENSTERMACHER,

of Ber-

wick, has shown commendable enterprise in
the development of the two lines of business
in which his success has been made. His modern jewelry store in that borough is without
doubt the largest and most popular establishment of the kind in the county, and his foresight in entering the automobile trade in its
early days, when it was still in the experimental stage, has been well rewarded.

Mr. Fenstermacher was born July i, 1873,
Luzerne Co., Pa., second son of
Michael W. Fenstermacher. Until seventeen

at Scanlin,

years old he resided at his birthplace, attending public school, and spending odd hours in
He
assisting in his father's general store.
then moved to the farm with his parents, his
father having retired from the mercantile
business, and remained there two years, taking
advantage of school privileges in winter and
farming summers. After spending some time
in Dickinson College he took a position with
the G. B. -Markle Coal Company, of Jeddo,
Pa., and a year later went with the Lehigh
Railroad Company, of Wilkes-Barre, with
superintendent O. O. Esser. Being mechanically inclined and not fascinated with office
duties he decided to become a jeweler, and
coming to Berwick in 1893 served an apprenticeship of three years with L. J. Townsend.

His

first

position

following this experience

was with William lUocher, of Chambersburg,
Pa., and later he was with Charles Blocher, at
Gettysburg, Pa. On Feb. 17, T897, he married Laura B. Snyder, of Wapwallopen, and
intended to return and settle at Gettysburg.
seeing an opjiortunity in Berwick for a
store he made a location there
and has been in business in the borough conIn 1908 he began to see the
tinuously since.
opportunities in the autoniol^ile l)usiness and
took the first agency in the town.
By hard
work he has built up a business which in the
current year will reach a, quarter of a million
dollars, having contracts for two hundred cars
of one make, besides various truck contracts.
F.
He has been associated since 191 1 with
McMichael, under the name of the C )verland Sales Company, and they are distributors
for southern Luzerne, Columbia, Montour,
I*)Ut

modern jewelry

Northumberland. Snyder and Union counties.
Three children have been born to Mr. and

ILL

COLUMBIA AND MOxNTOUR COUNTIES
Mrs.

Fenstermacher; S. Leroy, born June
1898; Lolita Elizabeth, May 29, 1901 and
Edna May, Nov. 15, 1910 (died when seveni6,

;

teen months old

)

Mr. Eensterniacher
well Consistory,

O. N. M.

S., at

Michael W.

is a Mason,
belonging to
462, F. & A. M., to Cald-

and

rem Temple, A. A.

Wilkes-Barre.

•

FKNSTiiRM.\ciiiiR,

now

living

has been a lifelong resident of Luzerne county, Pa., as business man, justice of
the peace and valued worker in religious enterprises, being one of the most esteemed citiThe family is one of
zens of his section.
retired,

long standing in Pennsylvania.
of
Fenstermacher,
Philip
grandfather
Michael W., was born near Easton, Northampton Co., Pa., was a farmer, and while a young

man removed

to Luzerne coimty, where he
a large desirable property lying along
the Susquehanna river. He cleared his land
and improved it greatly, putting up the substantial brick dwelling which still stands there.
He married Gertrude Harter, also from
Easton, Pa., and they had a family of four

owned

John married Sarah Hess Hannah
married Philip Hess William married Rebecca
Hess; Elizabeth married William

children

wallopen, Luzerne county.

war he
dred

enlisted

days'

During the Civil
that place for one hun-

from

.service,

joining an independent
infantry from Harris-

company of mounted

Knapp Lodge No.

993

;

Meixell.

William Fenstermacher, son of Philip, was
born in Hollenback (later Conyngham) township, Luzerne Co., Pa., and died in Salem
township, that county. By occupation he was
a farmer, carrying on general agricultural
He married Rebecca Hess, daughter
work.
of William and Mary (Weiss) Hess, of near
Allentown or Easton, and by this marriage
Aaron died young
there were eight children
and is buried at Wapwallopen Catherine married Peter H. Good
Polly married Daniel
:

;

Snyder; Savilla married Jacob Hippensteel;
Sarah married Aaron Bittenbender Permelia
married Philip Peters Michael W. married
Josephine Everard Maria married Philip F.
;

;

burg, under Capt. E. i;. Sanno.
After servllagerstown, Ihaniber.sburg and on the
Potomac river he was put on reserve
duly,
and was mustered out in
iH<)4 at Camp Curice at

tin,

Towards the close of the
liarrisburg.
enlisted again anil was .sent to Scran-

war he

news coming of the surrender of Lee
was returned lnjine and resumed work with
the powder company.
Some time later Mr.
Fenstermacher started a general store at
Powder Glen, and jjuilt up a good business,
contmuing it for twenty-three years.
For
thirteen years he was
engaged in farming in
Hollenback township, Luzerne
county, thence
moving to Xescopeck to spend his years in
ton, but

retirement.

His

life

has been a busy one.

and he has earned the rest he is now
enjoying and merits the unqualified respect in which
he is held. While in Hollenback
township he
held the office of justice of the
peace to the
fellow citizens.
in the Metho-

thorough satisfaction of all his
He has been a zealous worker
dist Iipiscopal Church,
serving
chorister, and giving his best
l)romotion of Sabbath school

League

interests.

as trustee and
efforts to the

and l-'pworth
in symmovement and

thoroughly

pathy with the Prohibition
Sogives his political support to the jjarty.
cially he belongs to the Knights of Malta (at

Hobbie, Luzerne county) and Senior O. U.
A. M.
He is secretary of the Xescojieck
Mutual Fire Insurance Company, in which
position he has served for thirteen years.
On July 5, 1866, Mr. I'enstermacher married Josephine Everard. of Hollenback township, Luzerne county, and their three children
are: Edgar A., married to \'erdi McCune;
Scott E. and Carrie I., wife of Charles E.
Andreas.
;

The parents are buried at WapThe father was a member of the
wallopen.
German Reformed Church, and in politics he

The Everard family came to this county
from England. George Everard, Mrs. I-'enstermachcr's father, was a miller by trade, ran
a general store and gristmill, and also carried

supported the Republican party.
Michael W. Fenstermacher was born Uct.

;

Peters.

Salem township, Luzerne county.
had a good education for the time, attending Orangeville Academy and the Kingston
Seminary, at which latter he took the comFor three
mercial course and graduated.
terms he taught school in Hollenback townThen for a short time he farmed, and
ship.
for the five years following was in the employ
of the Du Pont Pow^der Company at Wap-

24, 1844, in

on farming. He died in Hollenback township
the age of sixty years, and he and his
there.
Politically he was
originally a \\ hig, afterwards a Republican,
and his religious connection was with the M.
K. Church, of which he was an active member.

wife are buried

who was from
and they had children as

married Louisa Bertran,

Xew York

State,

follows: Anna; Elizabeth, who married Evan
H. Keen; Martha, who married Ellis Grover:
Rebecca, who married John Cauley and (sec-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

994

ond) William Reed; John

;

Edward in 1848. Mr. and
had the following children;
Mary A., born Oct. 22, 1862, married .\lfred
Runsley; an infant died unnamed; James H.
was born April 2, 1866; John, born May 9,
1868, is living in Hemlock township; Martha,
born July 20, 1870, married Clinton Rhoads;
1844, their son
Airs. Gulliver

Mary, Mrs.
Michael \V.

Josephine, ^Irs.
Fenstermacher William, who married Abbie
who
Small; Almira. Mrs. Isaiah Hess; Frank,
died
who
and
married
Jessie,

Cicero Hines

;

Mary Grover;

young.

JAMES

GULLIVER,

Edward

farmer of Hernin

John

born

1873,

living at

;

1883,

living at Berwick.

James H. Gulliver received a public school
education. Even when a boy he worked in the
ore mines, so that from an early age he was
self supporting. For sixteen years he was a
fireman at the Danville Hospital for the Insane, and later began farming on a portion of
the Peter Appelman estate in Hemlock townThis property contains 135 acres of
ship.

about 1842, bringing his family with him, and
that the Ivey
it was during this period also
Both these
Columbia
to
came
county.
family
families have borne an imporrepresentative

tant part in the subsequent development of the
section their founders chose as a place of resiGulliver was influenced in his
dence.

and was formerly owned by James Gulwho bought it from William Ivey.
Since becoming an agriculturist Mr. Gulliver
has made a specialty of raising truck and fruit,
and visits the Bloomsburg market, where he
finds a ready sale for his produce.
He is an
excellent farmer and knows how to make his

land,

John

choice because of the ore mines in Hemlock
He settled
township, as he was a miner.
therefore in this township, and spent the re-

liver,

mainder of his life in the mines here, being
one of the men who opened up some very deHis remains were laid to rest
sirable veins.
Fraterin Rosemont cemetery, Bloomsburg.
He married
Fellow.
nally he was an Odd
Mary Cathern, who was born in 181 7, and
their children were: Mary A., born in 1840,
who married James Runsley James, born in
1842; Elizabeth, born in 1845, who married
Henry Hodge; Benjamin, born in 1846: MaWiltilda, born in 1848, who is unmarried;
liam, born in 1850, who is living in Center
county. Pa.; Hannah, born in 1852; Jonathan,
born in 1854, who is living in Centralia, Pa.
Rebecca, born in 1856, who married William
Cadman; Emma, born in 1859, who married
William Pooley and John W., born in 1862,
;

;

living in Center county.
James Gulliver, son of John Gulliver,

born March

;

Gulliver, was a native of England,
his
1812. Finding opportunities too limited
own country he came to the United States

who

F.,

Bloomsburg; George H., born Jan. 14, 1876,
Rufus was born
is living at Danville, Pa.
May 6, 1878; Rebecca, born Feb. 26, 1881,
married Charles Moore Clark, born Oct. 6,

lock township, Columbia Co., Pa., was born
that township April 2, 1866, son of James GulGulliver.
liver, and grandson of John
H.
Gulliver, the grandfather of James

work pay.
In addition to his agricultural
holdings, he is a stockholder and director of
the Frosty Valley Telephone Company.
In August, 1890, Mr. Gulliver was married
to

Mary

Deibert, daughter of George F.
J. (]\Iillheim) Deibert, both of
whom survive, making their home in Moutour
county. Mr. and Mrs. Gulliver have had children as follows: Myrtle M., married to Ray-

and Martha

mon Huntington; Merlin

S.,

who was gradu-

ated from the public schools, Buck Horn high
school and the Bloomsburg State Normal,
class of 191 1, and is now
teaching school in

Montour township. Columbia Co.. Pa. (he
resides at home); Clyde R.
William H.
Harry R. Clarence, and Ruth D. Mr. Gul;

was

;

liver is a Republican,
in England Feb. 16, 1842, and was three
holding stanchly to party
weeks old when brought to the United States. ties, and has given much of iiis time and attenHe followed in his father's footsteps, becom- tion to local educational interests, having
ing an ore miner, and was engaged in this served on the school board in Mahoning townIn 1902 ship, Montour county, and in
line of work until he began farming.
191 1 was elected
he retired and is now making his home among to the same office in Hemlock township, still
his children, having lost his wife on June 2d holding it. Fraternally he
belongs to the Odd
of that year. She is buried at Staub's Church Fellows, being connected with Myrtle
Lodge.
Xo. 858. The family
in Frosty valley. James Gulliver married Dorbelong to the Lutheran
in
was
born
who
a
Church
cas Jones,
and are active in its good work.
1841,
daughter
of Edward Jones of England, born in 1809,
who married Martha Davis, and they came to
CLAUD CALVIN PADEX. time inspector
America in 1852, the trip consuming .seven at the plant of the American Car &
Foundry
Their daughter Delila was born in Company, Berwick, Columbia
weeks.
county, has with

bom

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the exception of one year been employed in
that estabhshment ever since he commenced
work. He belongs to an old family of Columbia comity, his maternal grandfather, Samuel
W. Schweppenheiser, having been well known
here as a carpenter and house contractor; he
built houses all over the county.
His wife,

Elizabeth

(Bason), was from Mifflin town-

Thomas, Sarah Ann (married George Kinn)
Mary Eliza, Josei)h Henry, James Knox I'olk'
Richard H. and J^mma Jane.
Richard H. Williams was born
April 11,
1847, at Haverstraw. N. Y.
He came to
Danville. Pa., when the family settled there,
'

and there
reaching

his early years

mills

there and at

David Francis Paden, father of Claud C.
Paden, was born in 1850 at Forks, Columbia

came

After obtaining a common school
he learned the carpenter's trade,
which he followed until he settled down to
farming,

now

cultivating a

very productive

tract of sixty acres in Mifflin township.
He
is a citizen of standing and a man of unim-

peachable character, a
gelical

member

of the Evan-

Church and a Prohibitionist

sympathy.

married

penheiser, daughter of

in political

Mary Elnora SchwepSamuel and Elizabeth

(Bason) Schweppenheiser, of Mifflin townand they have had children as follows:
Henry W., married to Effie Bower; Claud Calvin
Barton B., who married Margaret
Graham; Roy I.; Ernest F., married to Maud
Zehner; Conroy D., married to Ella Spencer;
and Grace.
Claud Calvin Paden was born Sept. 5, 1873,
in Mifflin township, Columbia county.
He
ship,

;

took a course in the high school at Berwick,
graduating in 1891, and then began work
with the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing
Company. Five years later he went to New
London, Conn., to take a position with the
Eastern Ship Building Company, with whom
he remained one year, at the end of that period
returning to his old employers at Berwick.
He continued with the concern when it passed

hands of the American Car & Foundry Company, for whom he is time inspector.
His reliable work and substantial qualities
have won him the thorough confidence of his
superiors. He is a member of Berwick Lodge,
No. 246, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and also belongs to the Presbyterian Church.
In politics he supports the Democratic party,
Mr. Paden married Gertrude Williams, who
was born Sept. 11, 1875. and they have three
children, as follows: Madeline Lenore, May
II, 1900; Eleanor May, April 21, 1907; and
Fred Thornton. Aug. 18, 1908.
John T. Williams, grandfather of Mrs.
Paden, came to this country from England,
where he was born and reared. He was engaged in the iron business. His wife's maiden
name was Maybury. and their children were:
William Maybury, Maria Elizabeth, John
into the

were spent.

manhood he worked

ship.

county.
training

995

llarrisburg,

Upon

the rolling

and

iS;^

Berwick, where he helped to build
and start the rolling mill. Returning to Danville for a time, he came back to Berwick in
1877, and was engaged in the same capacity
there until his death, which occurred Oct.
7,
1891.
By his marriage to Hannah Thornton',
born in 1845, who survived until Nov. 14,
1913, he had the following children: William
Edwin Walter, who died young and is buried
in llarrisburg;
Mary, Mrs. F. W. Bush; (jertrude, Mrs. C. C. Paden; and Rozella B., Mrs.
Robert Allen Carse, of Berwick. The father
was a member of the Episcopal Church, the
mother a Presbyterian in religious connection.
He belonged to the Knights of Malta and the
Knights of the Golden Eagle, and was associated with the Democratic party on political
;

issues.

Michael Thornton, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Williams, had the following
children: Edward, Benjamin, Isaiah. Xancy,
Tamar, Hannah and Peggy. Jsaiah Thornton,
born in 1814, was a business man at Danville,
engaged in the shoe trade, and died in i860.
His wife, Barbara (Ernst), born in 1816, died
aged sixty-nine years. They had children as follows: Leah Ann married (ieorge E.
Hunt Mary Margaret married Will H. Smith
Hannah (deceased) married Richard H. WilHams; Michael Grier, married Elizabeth Taylor and (second) Clara Taylor; Lewis married
Caroline Kindt: Eva died young; John married Ellen E. Leahy; Rozella married Deozra
in 1885,

;

Taylor,

NELSON C. HARTMAN. a farmer of
Catawissa township, Columbia county, was
born in Main township, that county. Dec. 8,
1845, a son of Moses and Rebecca (Clayton)
The Hartmans were among the
Hartman.
His grandearliest settlers of the county.
mother's ancestors were from Scotland.
William Hartman, the great-grandfather of
Nelson C. Hartman, came direct from Germany about 1760 and settled in Columbia

county, Pa., taking up a section of land. He
was a tanner, and often used to prepare hides
and furs for the Indians. At the outbreak of
the Revolution he espoused the cause of the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

996

Colonies, although a man of religious princiand strongly opposed to war. He lived
in the county until his death, when the farm
was divided, Casper, the grandfather of Nelson C, taking a third of the homestead. Casper Hartman lived on the farm thus obtained
until his death, when his son Moses inherited
the place.
ples

Moses Hartman was born in Catawissa
township, on the home farm, received the best
schooling that the country schools aftorded,
and learned blacksmithing. He followed farming when not engaged at his trade, in the
course of his life acquiring the old Hartman
homestead which had been taken up by the
first ancestor. He died in 1872 at the age of
sixty-six, and was interred in the Friends
burying ground. To his marriage with Rebecca
Harriet,
Clayton were born four children
wife of Nelson John
Deborah, who died
:

;

young; Jane, who married J. N. Smith; and
Nelson C.
Nelson C. Hartman was reared on the farm,
remaining there until his twentieth year, when
he made a tour through the West. Returning,
he was employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company four years, but gave up
that work to take charge of the farm of 200
acres comprising the old Hartman homestead.
Here he resided in the fourth house built on
the farm and s])ent the remainder of his active

Mr. Hartman
agricultural pursuits.
school director three years, was
township and borough auditor, and assisted in
the establishment of the first rural routes for
the post office department in this county. He
and his wife are both Methodists. In 1871 he
life

served as

married Alice M. Clark, daughter of Andrew
and Anna (Boone) Clark, and granddaughter
of William Boone.
They have had two chilThe latter
dren, Andrew C. and Harry G.
enlisted in Company G, 8th Cavalry, for the
Spanish-American war, and died in Cuba at
the age of eighteen years. His remains are at
cemetery at Catawissa.
Andrew C. Hartman married Jennie Masteller, and is the father of four children
Ralph
He is an
L., Alice C, Harry N. and Eugene.
engineer on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad and resides at Catawissa. He has every
prospect of continuing the long and honorable
rest in the

record of his ancestors and bequeathing to the
future generations the heritage of right living that the past generations have left him.

position in the large department store of Joseph M. Schain. He has been -a resident of
the town since 1900, and has been in his present employ most of the time.

Mr. Kingsbury was born Dec. 22, 1878, in
Huntington township, Luzerne Co., Pa., where
his grandfather. Andrew Kingsbury, settled
upon his removal from Connecticut. He was
a son of Stephen Kingsbury.
His death occurred there in 1862, and his wife, Rebecca
also

(Woodward),
away in 1875.

from Connecticut, passed

Daniel Kingsbury, son of Andrew, was born
Oct. 14, 1830. He acquired a very fair education for his day, attending the Southdale
school and supplementing his early advantages
by a course at summer school. Farming was
his life work, and he owned and cultivated a
tract of seventy acres in Huntington township.
Luzerne Co., Pa., where he had general farming interests until his death, which occurred

there July 4, 1910. On Oct. 2, 1851, he married Lucy Esther Chapin, daughter of Ami
Chapin and granddaughter of Joshua Chapin,
and they became the parents of ten children
:

Dana William, born July

12,

1852,

KINGSBURY

is favorR.
ably known in mercantile circles in Berwick.
Columbia county, where he holds a rcsjionsible

])hysician located at Nanticoke, Pa., married
Sharpless (he is greatly interested in

Emma

Gilbert C, born April 20. 1854,
genealogy)
married Grace Dodson
Ezra A. married
Emma W^itt Andrew B. married Susan
Kline Adelbert R. is mentioned below May
L. married Montrose Williams, and died
April 22,, 1905 Rebecca E. is the wife of A. C.
Hoag; Jennie is married to H. E. Walton.
Brunetta married E. B. Koons Clara G. is
the wife of John Reidel. Mr. Kingsbury was
a class leader in the Methodist Church, of
which he was long a prominent member, hold;

;

ing the offices of trustee and steward. I Ic was
associated with the Democratic party on political questions, and interested himself in the
affairs of his localitv, serving as school director.

The Chapin family, to which Mrs. Kingsbury belonged, is of old Connecticut stock and
has been established in Huntington townshij), Luzerne county, for many years. Joshua
Chapin's wife Hannah also came from Connecticut.
Ami Cha])in. Mrs. Kingsbury's
father, lived in
iuntington township and followed general farming, owning seventy-five
acres of good land.
He married May Bliss,
of the same township, and their children are:
Sallie EmeJulia Ann, Mrs. Philip Watson
line, Mrs. Isaac Drum
William, who married
Susanna Betterly Thomas S.. who is buried
in the Dodson cemetery; Hannah, deceased,
I

;

ADELBERT

now

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

997

who married Adel-

also buried

Kisner; and Laura Mabel,

Shickshinny, Pa.)

bert R. Kingsbury,
'ilie parents were niembers of the Evangelical Church. The father
was a Republican in politics and fraternally

in that cemetery; Lucy Esther,
Mrs. Daniel Kingsbury; Ezra L., deceased,
who married Melinda Hoover (he is buried at
;

and John

E.,

deceased,

who

he is interred at
married Alary Bademan
Schoolcraft, Mich.). The father of this family
was a Methodist in church connection. He
(

was independent

i)olitics,

the

suj^porting

men and measures he thought

right or best

adapted to the needs of the hour.
Adelbert R. Kingsbury was reared in his
native township, and began his education there
in

the

common

schools

Luzerne county, continuing

New

Columbus,

studies until

his

about nineteen years of age. When he came
to Berwick, in 1900, he first entered the employ of his brother-in-law, H. E. Walton, in
the furniture business, changing from that to
He is thoroughly achis present connection.
quainted in the town, having joined Knapp
Lodge, No. 462, E. & A. M., and Berwick
Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F., and is a member
of the Bower Memorial United Evangelical
Church. Politically he is a Democrat.
In the year 1901 Mr. Kingsljury married

Laura M. Kepner, and they have two children
Ernest Bruce, born April 9, 1904, and Sheldon Clark, born May 5, 1908.
Mrs. Kingsbury is a granddaughter of Daniel Kepner, who was born near Newport, in
Perry county, Pa., and died in Millerstown,
:

Pa., at the

home

of his eldest son, in 1900.

He was

an Evangelical minister at vSalem, Mt.
Zion and surrounding points and traveled over
much of the country. He married Leah Christ,
and their children were: James Harvey; Levi,
who married Anna Black, now deceased and
buried at Millerstown; Anna, wife of Charles
Hass John C, who married Lydia Myers deceased) and (second) Ella Stackhouse Daniel
A., a minister, who married Jennie Hoch
Harriet, wife of Nicholas Erey Norah, wife
of Adam Stettman
William, who married
Maria Shelley
Jacob, married to Mary
Sweffler and George, married to Mary Seeley.
James Harvey Kepner was born June 12,
1850, in Juniata county. Pa., and died March
After his school days he
4, 1889, in Berwick.
learned the carpenter's trade and worked in
the powder mill at Wapwallopen. In 1882 he
came to Berwick and entered the wood car
shop of the Jackson & Woodin plant, when
William Faust was superintendent, retiring
from active labor in 1888. He married Emma
Frances Frease, born Oct. 17, 1853, a daughter
of
Samuel and Catherine
Sloyer)
Frease, and they had children as follows
Bruce A. Samuel E., who married Emma
(

;

(

;

was connected with Susquehanna CommandNo. 18, Knights of Malta, at Berwick,

ery,

WILLIAM
engaged

T. LOVETT, until recently
business at Danville as proprietor

of a livery stable, was born in that city Sept.
25, 1877, son of William Lovett.
W'illiam Lovett, the father, w^as a native of
Ireland, and came to the United States while
still

unmarried,

locating

Danville,

Pa.,

where he became a teamster connected with
the iron works, so continuing until his death,
He married Anna Gill, who was also

in 1880.

born in Ireland, and was brought to this country by a brother, her parents, Thomas and
Bridget Gill, following some time later. Mr.
Gill became a gardener.
William Lovett and
his wife had three children
Mary, who is at
home Elizabeth, who married Simon Ellenand Wilboger, a tailor of Danville, Pa.
:

;

liam T.

William T. Lovett went to school until he
old, and then found employment
in the Danville iron works.
Three years later
he secured employment in another line, and

was ten years

continued to work for others until 1904, when
he established himself in the grocery business,
Then he sold
conducting same until 1910.
out and became a liveryman. He continued in
that line until March, 1913, when he sold the
business.

The first wife of Mr. Lovett was Elizabeth
Sawinski, a daughter of Augustus Sawinski, and she bore him a daughter, Anna, now
( 1914)
aged nine years. Mrs. Lovett died in
1905, when but twenty-three years old. The
second, wife of Mr. Lovett bore the maiden
name of Ella Moore, and she was the widow
of Patrick Brannen at the time of her marriage to Mr. Lovett. There are no children by
this marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Lovett are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
He
belongs to the A. O. H., No. i. of Danville. A
substantial and public-spirited citizen, he is deserving of a place in a work of this character,

JOHN FRANKLIN KEINER,

foreman

of the mine wheel shop of the American Car

and Foundry Company, was born in Beach
Haven, Luzerne county, Feb. 18, 1872. He is
a son of William and Rebecca
(Weiss)
Keiner, who are residents of Beach Haven.
William Keiner was born in Greenwood,
Luzerne Co., Pa., where he learned the trade

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

998

of shoemaker, which he followed for a numHe then opened a general
ber of years.
store at Beach Haven, conducting it for fifMr.
teen years, after which time he retired.
Keiner was married to Rebecca, daughter of
John Weiss, a farmer of Salem township, and
the family consisted of the following children: Harvey I., who married Addie Shiner;
John F. Forrest M., who married Florence
Callender; Paul W., who married Martha
;

Wilson Sterling S., who married Blanche
Campbell; Emma M., who married Arthur
McClosky; Walter S., who died in infancy;
and Elizabeth, who died at the age of fourteen years. Mr. Keiner is a Republican, and
served as justice of the peace in Salem townHe is an active member of the Methship.
odist Church, and was honored with election
;

to all the offices in the gift of the

congrega-

education at the public schools and Columbia
Academy in Luzerne county. When a young
man he served as a clerk and later went to
farming, which occupation he now follows in

Luzerne county. He was married to Emma
Bower, a descendant of one of the oldest families of this section, and they have had the
Maud, who married Wesfollowing children
ley Richards; Elizabeth, Mrs. J. F. Keiner;
Charles
Sallie, who married William Pollock
Victor, who married Maud Bower
Joseph; Elmer; Elliott, who married Loretta
Robert; Ada, who married Robert Pollock;
and Harry. Mr. Miller is a Republican, and
has served as supervisor in Salem township.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the
Methodist Church of Berwick.
:

;

SAMUEL

;

JOHNSON,

watchman

for

American Car and Foundry Company, at
John F. Keiner attended the public schools Berwick, Pa., was born in the village of Light
of his native place and later entered Wyom- Street, Columbia county, April 14, 1846, son
ing Seminary, at Kingston, Pa., graduating of Stephen C and Susanna (Erwine) Johnthe

tion.

commercial course in 1889. He then
Bloomsburg, Pa., and became bookkeeper for Alexander Brothers, dealers in
tobaccos. After a short time Mr. Keiner decided to learn the trade of molder, and entered
the employ of A. Z. Schoch, in the desk
works, serving an apprenticeship of three
in the

went

He then became a regular employee
years.
of the firm, and remained for five years. After
two years' employment in the Danville Stove
Works he returned to his former place, where
he remained another two years.
He then
opened a shop for himself in Sunbury, called
the Angle Works, where he carried on a general foundry and light machine work.
Remaining there for one year, he came to Berwick and entered the employ of the American
Car and Foundry Company as a journeyman
molder in the mine wheel department. After
serving in this capacity for two years he was
made foreman of the department, which position he still holds.
Mr. Keiner was married Nov. 5, 1895, to
Elizabeth Miller, born in Briarcreek township, Columbia county, Sept. 30, 1872, daughter of John K. and Emma (Bower) Miller.
They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Keiner
are members of the Methodist Church.
Mr.
Keiner is a Republican in politics. In fraternal connection he holds membership in Theta
Castle, No. 276, Knights of the Golden Eagle,
Bloomsburg, and the Berwick Beneficial Association.

John K. Miller, the father of Mrs. Keiner,
was born in Foundryville, and received his

son.

Stephen C. Johnson was born

Rhode

Is-

land, Nov. 9, 1805, settled in Luzerne county.
Pa., and later moved to Light Street, Columbia county.
He took contracts for well dig-

On June i, 1832, he married Susanna
Erwine, born Oct. 8, 1805, a daughter of William Erwine, an early settler in this section.
The following children were born to them
George W., who married Phoebe Weiss
Mason Crary, a resident of Berwick, who married Sarah Elizabeth Smith (deceased) and
(second) Laura Smith, a sister of his first
wife; Stephen, who died while serving in
the Civil war; Samuel B., who married Frances Augusta Price; Harriet, who married
Emanuel Ruckle, deceased, of Wanamie. Pa.
Richard, of Light Street, who married Jane
Hidlay, and Sarah, who married Alexander
Kramer, of Rohrsburg, Columbia county. Mr.
Johnson and his wife attended the Evangelical Church at
Light Street, and both are

ging.

;

buried in that village.

Samuel B. Johnson was reared in his native
and attended the local schools. Then
he followed iron ore mining for some years
place

with McKelvey & Neal. near
Bloomsburg. In
1884 he came to f^erwick and entered the employ of the Jackson & Woodin Manufactur-

Company, now the American Car and
Foundry Company, and worked in the iron
house for many years. When he retired from
ing

hard labor he was,

1910, appointed to his

present position with the company.
son was married to Frances

Mr. JohnAugusta Price, a

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
daughter of John and Julia Ann (Dietterich)
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had the folPrice.
lowing children: Addie Julia, born Aug. 4.
1875, died Sept. 3, 1S77; John Stephen, born

May

died

1877,

May

29,

1881

;

Reagan

mentioned below.
Mr. Johnson has never been very active in
He is a member of Susquehanna
politics.
Commandery, No. 18, Knights of Malta, in
which he takes much interest, and both he and
his wife attend the Bower Memorial United
He is the owner of a
Evangelical Church.
fine home on Mulberry street.
Mrs. Johnson was born Jan. 2, 1847, in
Nescopeck township, Luzerne Co., I'a., where
her father, John Price, who was born in Berks
Blain

county, Oct. 5, 1817, owned a large farm,
which he operated for some years.
Selling
this farm when his daughter Frances was a
small child, he moved to Briarcreek township,
Columbia county, where he continued farming
for a number of years, finally moving to Berwick and entering the employ of the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, with
whom he remained until his health failed,
when he retired. During the last year of the
Rebellion he served in Company H, 178th RegHe mariment, until the close of the war.
ried Julia Ann Dietterich, who was born April
12, 1817, in Luzerne county, a daughter of
John Dietterich, a teacher of German and
John Price and wife had the folEnglish.

Mary Ann, who married

lowing children:

Jonah Townsend, of Light Street; Elizabeth,
Who is the widow of John Sitler, and resides
in Berwick and Frances Augusta, Mrs. Johnson.
Mr. Price was a Republican, and he
and his wife were members of the Methodist
Church. Mr. Price died in Berwick, April 7,
1892, and his wife died in Light Street, Aug.
8, 1883.
They are buried in Pine Grove cem;

etery, Berwick.

999

chief clerk to Mr. Dietterick, who had
charge
of the installation of the consignment.
Keturning to America, he entered the auditing
department of the American Car and 1-oundry Comi)any. under Local Auditor 1-Vank
He
Long, a ])Osition he is still occupying.

was married to Mary Nevada O'lhien, who
was born Feb. 26, 1889, in W'ilkesbarre, and is
a daughter of Michael and Lleanor J. (Hottenstein
O'Brien.
Michael O'Brien -was at
the time of his death a retired railroad em)

of the

ployee

He was

I)any.

C(jm-

Pennsylvania Railroad

a veteran of the Civil war.

Two children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. R. B. Johnson: Doris Augusta, Ixjrn
Oct. 10, 1909, and Naomi Jane, born July 8.
Mr. Johnson is a Re])ublican. but has
1914.
ncAcr sought public office. He is c(jmmander
of
18,
Sus(}uehanna
Commandery, No.
Knights of Malta, and is sultan of Anak
Siesta, No. yj. Princes of Bagdad, an aj)i)endant order of the Knights of Malta.
He and
his wife are members of the lower Memorial
Church at Berwick,
I

JONATHAN AUCLICLL.W

Ill-ILLLS.

carpenter and contractor at I'erwick, Pa., has
been living in the borough for o\er twenty
years and has estal)lished a protitable busnicss
since he began taking work on his own account. The family has been settled in Columbia county for

Adam

many

years,

grandfather of J. McClcllan
Belles, was a farmer near \an Camp, in Fishingcreek township, owning 150 acres at that
location, as well as a farm of 100 acres in
llenton township. He cleared both tracts and
and
jnit up the original log buildings thereon,
he carried on general farming. The following
children were born to him and his wife Charlotte
Julia .\nn married Henry SitYaple)
ler, who is deceased
George W. married Mary
Ann Yaj)le, and both are deceased John married Mary Lockard. who is deceased; Savilla
married William Royer. who is deceased Daniel married Rebecca Kline, and both are deceased Andrew J. married Mary ZehfF; Isaac
married Frances Santce Frankhn P. married
Rebecca Wiley, who is deceased,
George W. Belles was born July 31. 1835,
at \an Camp. Fishingcreek townshq). where
he grew up and had common school advanDuring the Civil war he enlisted m
tages.
the Union army, Oct. 30, 1862, from \ an
Camp, was mustered m at Harrisburg I a..
serving in Company A, 178th Pennsylvania
\'olunteer Infantry, and was discharged at
s cerHarrisburg Nov. 22, 1862, on surgeon
Belles,

(

;

REAGAN

lOHNSON,

only surviving
Johnson, was born Ai)ril
23, 1884. in Light Street, Columbia county,
aiid was educated in the public schools of Berwick, being a graduate of the Berwick high
After graduation he
school, class of 1903.
entered the employ of the American Car and
Foundry Company as clerk in the blacksmith
shop, under Frank Faust, then superintendent
of that department. He made a trip to England with Bruce Dietterick, Raymond Raber
child of

Samuel

13.

and Ray Shives.

The American Car and

Foundry Company having manufactured a
number of passenger coaches for an English
railway company, he remained in England as

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1000

By trade he was a carpenter, and he
followed that calling all over his section, being
His
a successful contractor for many years.
death occurred Aug. 4, 1905, and he is buried
To his marriage with
at New Columbus. Pa.
born Dec. 18, 1835,
was
who
Ann
Yaple,
Mary
daughter of Daniel Yaple, of York county,
Pa., and died July 2. 1907, eight children were
born
Jonathan :\IcClellan Emma Catherine,
born Feb. 8, 1864; Warren Wellington, born
Oct. 26, 1865, who married Elizabeth Phillips
and has children. Hazel, ^largaret and Dontificate.

;

Robert Wesley, born Jan. 20, 1869, deceased Agnes Theodosia, born Jan. 20, 1869,
widow of Lewis Stoker; George Clark, born
Xov. 24, 1870, who married Matilda Miller
and has had children, Elsie. Ethel, Gertrude,
Grace, Victor, William, Huldah (deceased),
and Alice; Minerva Grace, born April 9, 1873,
who is married to Stanley Stoker and has had
children, Howard Jay (deceased), Lloyd and
Fred; and Robert Rush, born Dec. 27, 1874.
J. ^IcClellan Belles was born Sept. 15, 1862,
ald

;

Camp, in Fishingcreek township, and
had common school opjx)rtunities in his boyhood. He mo\"ed with the family to New Columbus, and when old enough started to learn
his father's calling, which has also been his
at \^an

In 1893 he moved to Berwick,
work.
where he found employment as a carpenter
with Boyd H. Dodson. and he has become
known as one of the most reliable carpenters
life

May 5, 1901 Cleo Harriet, Jan.
1903; Russell Randolph, April 13. 1904
(buried in Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick);
Lona \'iolet Fern, Feb. 10, 1907 (died Sept.
12, 1913, buried in Pine Grove cemetery)
James Frederick, March zj, 1908.
Mrs. Harriet (Williams) Belles was born
She
Jan. 13, 1866, and died April 10, 1908.
is buried at Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick.
The Williams family has been a race of farming people, owning large quantities of land
George Law,

;

31,

;

and following general agriculture. They were
located at Waterton. Luzerne Co., Pa., where
Mrs. Belles's grandparents, Severhill and So-

Her
frona (?^Ionroe) Williams, are buried.
parents, Matthias and Matilda (Masters) Williams, were residents of Town Line, that
county. They had children as follows: HarDora, Mrs. Frank B. Chase
riet, Mrs. Belles
Charles, who married a Miss
Williams;
Henr\-; and William, who was killed on the
;

;

railroad.

ABRAMS,

a shirt manufacturer
ISAAC B.
of Berwick, Columbia county, was born in
Girardville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., Sept. 9. 1874,
a son of Abram and Margaret (Watkins)

Abrams.

Abram Abrams was born

Wales, as was

his wife, and they were married in their native
land, afterwards coming to the United States
and locating at (iirardville. Pa., where the

borough, his substantial and conscien- father was engaged in mining, thus continuwork being his best recommendation. ing until his death in 1908. He and his wife
Since coming to Berwick he has devoted prac- had five children born to them in Wales and
four after coming to this country, the family
tically all his time to his business, but while
at Xew Columbus he also took some part in
William, who resides at Girardville,
being:
public affairs, having held the offices of con- Pa.; Evan, also of Girardville; Mary, who
stable and councilman.
He is a Democrat in married Xicholas Blass, of Camden. X. J.;

in the

tious

Mr. Belles is a leading
of the Christian Church, in which he
officiates as elder.
Socially he is a member of

political association.

member

Col. A. D.
\'eterans.

Seely

Camp, Xo.

25,

Sons of

James, who is a resident of Fern Glen. Pa.
Septemus. who is a resident of Berwick, in
the employ of his brother. Isaac; Margaret,
who is at home Emma, who married (.leorge
Xatrass, of ("iirardville; Isaac B. and Henry,
;

;

July II, 1885, :\Ir. Belles married Harriet Williams, of Town Line, Luzerne Co..
Pa., who was born Jan. 13, 1866, and they
had a family of thirteen children, born as follows
Bruce D., Feb. 23, 1886; Annie, Sept.
7, 1887 (married Clarence White); Howard
Eugene. Dec. 26, 1888 (married Pauline
Squires); Lena Agnes. Dec. 16, 1890 (died
Jan. 20, 1012; married Thomas Atherholdt
and had children, Ruth and Donald, both now
deceased, the mother and two children being
buried at Forty Fort, Pa.) Lulu Grace, :\Iarch
14, 1892; Dora, Feb. 10, 1894; :\Iark Lewis.
Dec. 9, 1897; Jay :\IcClellan, Oct. 12,
1899;
:

;

of Girardville.
Isaac B. Abrams was educated in the j)ublic
schools of his native place, and learned the
tailor's

trade,

specializing

on cutting.

For

seven years he conducted a tailoring establishment at (iirardville. and then going to Lancaster county continued in that line for three
years more. In 1902 he came to Berwick and
bought the business owned by the Berwick
Shirt
ple.

Company, which employed twenty peoUnder Mr. Abrams' capable management

the volume of business increased to such an
extent that additions were necessary, and the
plant is now thoroughly modern, with the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
latest machinery and appliances.
This is one
of the leading industries of Berwick, as well
as one of the largest shirt factories in Penn-

sylvania, employment being given to sixtyMr. Abrams makes a specialty
eight people.
of the manufacture of men's line shirts, his

output averaging seven hundred dozen i)er
week. A man of action, he is one of the leading business men of Berwick, and his success is well merited, for he has worked hard
for it. He is unmarried.

Lulunibia county, where he followed
farming
teaching until in njoii he retired from

ancl

active work.
He was a most honored member of the [Japtist ministry.
On Jan. 27, 1874. Mr. Kocher was married
to Harriet Rebecca Wood,
daughter of James

Wood,

of Muhlenburg. Luzerne Co.", Pa.
Hieir children are as f(jll(jws: James W., a

resident of Dorranceton, Pa.; Edwin M., mentioned below Sarah F., who married I'Vanklin
;

I'litcraft,

landus

EDWIN

KOCHER,

the assistant pay-

master of the American Car and Foundry
Company, was born Dec. 22, 1876, at Plymouth Meeting, Montgomery Co., Pa., where
his father was pastor of the Cold Point
Church.
David Kocher, the founder of the family
in

this

country,

was a native of Germany,

born April 2^, 1792, and came to the United
States while a young man, settling in Philadelphia. He married Sarah Cawley, a Quaker,
Feb. 13, 1 8 14.
From Philadelphia he came
to Columbia county and purchased 100 acres
of land in Centre township, for which he
paid four dollars per acre, and there he spent
his life, improving and cultivating the tract.

He was

twice married, the children of his

first

marriage being Samuel, James, Henry, HanThe chilnah, Thomas, Harriet and Mary.
dren of his second marriage were Abraham
and David.
James Kocher, the grandfather of Edwin
M. Kocher, was born in Centre township,
where he engaged in farming. He was married to Sarah, daughter of Henry Dietrick,
and she bore him the following children Sabina, Rolandus, Thomas C, Isabella, Adoni:

ram

Samantha and

Levi.
J.,
Rolandus Kocher, father of Edwin M.
Kocher, was born on the home farm, and after

attaining his majority began his preparation
for the ministry, graduating at Lewisburg ColHe was
lege and Crozier Seminary in 1872.
ordained the following year, and was given
a pastorate at ^Muhlenburg, where he remained
for three years. He then went to Cold Point
Church, at Plymouth Meeting, whence after a
stay of six vears, 1874-80. he was transferred
He
to iVIuncy, Pa., remaining for four years.
then went to Dundee, N. Y., where he not
only filled the pulpit but assisted in teaching
the students at the academy of that ])lace.
\\niile at Dundee he lost the use of his voice
to such an extent that he had to discontinue
his pastoral duties, but continued teaching.
Later, in the fall of 1889, he returned to

1001

now

living

1).,

Woodstovvn, X.

who married

Roand is

J.;

i'.xans

j-^lsie

living at Scranton Charles 11.. deceased;
T., a graduate of Pennsylvania Uni;

Frank

versity, as a veterinary

;

West Chester Normal

Ohio; Walter

Paul

a graduate

now

School,

teaching

T., a

graduate of \aIparaiso
Ind.
University, and teaching in Idaho;
Ruth 11., a graduate of the \\'cst Chester
Normal School, now a teacher in Pennsylvania; and Carleton, deceased. Mrs. Kocher
died Jan. 16. 1898, and is buried in the ceme(

)

tery at Fowlerville,

Columbia county.

Edwin M. Kocher attended

school

jjublic

and finished his schooling in the academy at
Dundee, N. Y. He lived with his parents on
the farm, working with his father, until he
entered the employ of the Jackson Woodin
Company, in the mills. He soon was transferred to the ])aymaster's department, and has
remained there since, being gradually promoted until he attained his present ])osition.
On Dec. 8, 1898, Mr. Kocher was married
to M. Elizabeth, daughter of Hiram I'. Bower,
one of the well known citizens of Centre
They have had children as foltownshijx
Geraldine Harriet, born Oct.

lows:

Hiram Rolandus. born Nov.

i^fj:

15,

22, \()0\

;

Edwin

Jan. 15, 1905; and Frances
Sept. 26, 1909.
In politics Mr. Kocher is a Republican, and
he takes an active interest in his party's welHe has served on the school board of
fare.

Russel.

born

Wood, born

West Berwick, and
is a member of the

also as tax collector.

he has held \arious offices and
and also takes an active part
school

No.

Baptist Church, in which
is

now

in the

trustee,

Sunday

movement he is president of District
Sunday School Association.
;

of the

GEORGE W. WELLU'ER.

superintend-

Bloomsburg Water Company, was
Madison township. Columbia Co., Pa.,

ent of the

born

Feb. 2J. 1848. a son of William Welliver.
Jacob Welliver. his grandfather, came from

townJersey to what is now Madison
the
he
where
Pa.,
Co..
Columbia
spent
ship.
remainder of his life, working at his trade

New

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1002
of cooper.
years old.

He died J:here when eighty-eight He was
Among his children were Ezra, Luzerne
:

Abraham, John and

^Villiam.

William Welliver, son of Jacob, and father
of George W., was born in Madison township. Columbia county, and spent his life in
He married Jemima
agricultural pursuits.
Theodore,
Johnston, and they had children
Maria, Rosetta, Christine, Catherine, Martha
Jane, Rebecca, a daughter that died in infancy,
George W. and Elmira.
George W. Welliver attended the local
schools, and grew up amid healthy surroundings, assisting his father in the farm work.
He then engaged with A. W. Brandon in saw:

ing lumber, continuing in this line for eleven
years in Dauphin, Lycoming, Juniata, Schuylkill and Mifflin counties.
On July 4. 1888.
Mr. Welliver left the lumbering business to
assume charge of the Bloomsburg Water
Company, with which he has since remained
as superintendent. Owing to his conscientious
desire to attend faithfully to the work of his
position, he devotes all his time and attention
to it. He is a Democrat, but has never desired
to enter public life.
^Ir. Welliver married Sara E. Richart, a
daughter of WilHam and Nancy (Carrathers)
Richart, and children as follows were born of
this marriage:
Cora, Foster. Mae. Clyde,
Nora. Clayton, Christine, Harold and Miriam.
Of these, Clayton is an engineer at the water
The family are Baptists
plant, as is Harold.
by faith, and attend the church of that denomination most convenient to their home.

FRANK ELMER WENNER,

who has a
thriving livery business at West Berwick, belongs to a family of German stock which has
been settled in Pennsylvania since Provincial
The emigrant ancestor came to this
days.
country before the Revolution. He acquired
some property, and when he sold it took his
pay in Continental currency, losing all.
Christian Wenner, son of the
emigrant an-

cestor, was born in Snyder county. Pa., served
as a soldier during the Revolution, and after

the war settled for a time on his farm in his
native county.
Later he moved to Butler

township. Luzerne county, where he died. His
children were Jacob, Andrew, Daniel,
George,
Christian, Leonard, Jonas. Catherine, Regina
and Barbara.
Jacob Wenner, son of Christian, born in
Snyder county in April, 1786, died in September, 1865. He enlisted during the war of
1 81 2, which closed,
however, before his com:

mand had any

opportunity for active service.

sixteen years old when he moved to
county with his parents, and he continued to work for his father and other farmers until twenty-seven years of age, at the
time of his marriage buying a farm in Luzerne
county upon which he lived for five years.
His father-in-law having bought a tract of
three hundred acres in Columbia county, Mr.
Wenner followed him to this section in 181 7
and purchased one hundred acres of said propThis
erty; later he bought 118 acres more.
was the place afterwards occupied by his son
John, and he put up a house thereon and
passed the remainder of his life engaged in
the cultivation and development of his land.
A prominent member of the \'an Camp German Reformed Church, which he served for
years as deacon and elder, he was a most
respected citizen of his locality, his honest,
upright life entitling him to the esteem in

which he was held.
Mr. Wenner married Elizabeth Beishline.
who was born in March, 1795, daughter of
Michael Beishline. of Butler township, and
died in ]\Iarch, 1865, just a few days before
the close of her seventieth year.
She was a
member of the same church as her husband.
To them were born the following children
Jacob John Daniel, of Fishingcreek township; Alagdalena, Mrs. Benjamin Hess; Susanna, Mrs. Elias Pealer; and Elizabeth and
:

;

Sarah, both of

whom

died young.

John Wenner, second son of Jacob, was
born Oct. 2, 1816, in Butler township, Luzerne county, and was but an infant when
brought to Fishingcreek township. Columbia
He always resided within a mile of
county.
the place where he was brought up. at the
time of his marriage removing to a farm
adjoining his father's, which he had purAfter eleven years' residence there
he bought a farm on the other side of his
Then he
father's, and lived there nine years.
bought the home farm, which his brother
Daniel had inherited, and remained on that
Mr. Wenner
place to the end of his days.
always led a quiet and unassuming life.
Though he never attempted to take an active

chased.

part in local politics his fellow citizens had
such confidence in his judgment and ability
that he was elected to numerous
township
offices.
He was one of the organizers of the
Fishing Creek Mutual Fire Insurance ComFor forty
pany, and served as treasurer.
years he was an elder and deacon in the
German Reformed Church, of which he and
his wife were zealous members.
His unselfish devotion to the welfare of his fellow

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
men

in the various responsibilities he undertook won him the admiration and good will
of all who came in contact with him, and
justified the position of intluence he held.

On Aug.

1838, Mr. Wenner married
died April 9, 1856, eight of
the nine children born to them surviving her.
Matilda died previously, the others being:
Rachel, wife of Charles Kindig; Michael, marlO,

Eva Cope, who

Rosanna M. Hosier; Elias, married to
Susanna Bender; Margaret, widow of Leonard Kline Jacob, who married Elizabeth Robbins
Susanna, wife of J. Ogden Wilson;
Sarah, wife of Wesley Eveland, of Huntington township, Luzerne county and Melinda,
wife of Joseph Deitrich, all residents of FishOn June
ingcreek township except Sarah.
13, 1858. Mr. Wenner married, as his second
wife, Sarah, widow of William Kauff and
ried to

;

Huntsinger, of Sullivan
She was born June 22, 181 4. No
county.
Mrs. Wenner
children came to this union.
had two children by her tirst husband Amelia
Ann, wife of Simon Myers, residing in Williamsport and David, who married Charlotte
Hartman, and became a merchant at Bendertown.
Elias Wenner, son of John, was born June
15, 1843, on his father's farm in Fishingcreek
township. At the age of eighteen he went to
Light Street, and later to Berwick, where he
On comlearned the trade of blacksmith.
pleting his apprenticeship he opened a shop
at Bendertown, which he conducted eight
He then abandoned the trade and reyears.
moved to the farm about a mile west of Bendertown, which property he had previously

daughter of Jacob

;

purchased from Henry Schaeffer, and there
In 1879 he built an elegant
and commodious residence. On Jan. i, 1867,
Mr. Wenner married Susanna Bender, daughter of Aaron Bender, of Fishingcreek townMrs. Wenner was born April 30, 1844,
shijx
within half a mile of where she now lives.
Mr. and Mrs. Wenner have had six children:
Forrester C, born Oct. 26, 1867, died Jan. 17,
1869; Herbie B. was born Jan. 16, 1869; Martha A., July 18, 1871 John W., Oct. 14, 1874;
Frank E., March 12, 1877; and William ClarMr. Wenner and his
ence, May 15, 1881.

has since resided.

1003

gan farming for himself.
Subsequently he
went to Benton and farmed on the Karns
place, thence removing to Berwick, where he
became an employee in the finishing department of the .American Car X: Foundry C(jmAfter a
l)any's plant, under C. J. Jlop]>es.
short i)erio(l there he embarked in the livery
business, which he has conducted successfully
to the present time.
By enterprising methods
and careful attention to the requirements of
his patrons Mr. Wenner has established a
profitable custom, and he ^vell merits his prosLike his parents he

perity.

the

member of
is a Dem-

German Reformed Church.

and has taken some interest in local
having served as member of the W est
Berwick board of school directors. He i>clongs to the Odd I'ellows lodge at New Co-

ocrat,

afi'airs,

lumbus.

Mr. Wenner married Hettie Carolla De
who was born Oct. 12, 187X.
and they had six children: Darcy .Mton, born
Witt, of Benton,

Oct. 21, 1897; Clarence Doyle, Oct. 31, i^/j;
a child that died in infancy unnamed. an<l
was buried at St. James; Nellie Irene, Sejn.
Ilelene Arline, Aug. 2. 1905; Mar8, 1901
;

Mrs. Wenner
jorie Kathleen, Dec. 22, 1909.
died Nov. 4, 191 1, and is buried in St. James
cemetery. Mr. Wenner's second marriage, on
Dec. 7, 191 2, was to Anna Rebecca Larish.

who was born March

1890, daughter

f)f

James and Tillie (Roberts) Larish, of P.enton,
and granddaughter of Shepherd Larish. a
farmer of Benton township. He first married
a Robinson, and second Mrs. Rosie (Shultes)
All his children were by the first
Lunger.
union
James Perry, who married Fanny
:

;

Summers; Otto, who married Mar)' Kiefer;
Fannie, who married Will Lutz and (second)
James ShuUs; Emma. Mrs. McClellan
"Mary, Mrs. Clinton Parks, and Clara.

Fritz;

James Larish married Tillie Roberts and
who
they had children as follows: Ole A.,
married Edna Harvey, and had children, Catherine.

Harry.

Harvey.

and

Ethel

Pauline;

who married bVank Kiefer and
had lohn. Robert and Joseph the last named
Anna Reis buried in Roselawn cemetery)
becca. Mrs. Wenner; Pollie. who married
Harrv \'an Horn and had Franklin. James
wife are members of St. James Reformed and Joseph and Benjamin, who married Ethel
Diamond and had Evelyn. James, Doyle. FanChurch at Van Camp.
Frank Elmer Wenner was born ]\Iarch 12, nie. Frank. Joseph and William. The mother
this family passed away ^ray 28, 1914. aged
1877. in Fishingcreek township, where he grew of
Stella

;

Ella,

(

;

manhood.

He was

educated in the Zaner

In his earlier years he helped
public school.
his father, who had a farm of one hundred
acres, and at the age of twenty-one years be-

fiftv-one years, three months.

the De Witts are descended from John De
who lived in New Jersey. His children
were: James, who died in Greenwood town-

Witt,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1004

ship, Columbia county; Nellie, who was the
wife of John Case, of Northumberland county,
where she died; Sarah, wife of J. R. Patten,
who died in Greenwood township (her husband lived to be over ninety years of age, and
resided at Light Street) Elizabeth, who was
the wife of Isaac Kline, and died in Augusta
;

and Isaac.
Isaac De Witt was reared in Northumberland county, where he learned the trade of
wagonmaker, which he followed until a short

township

;

time before his death, in July, 1877.
in

Scott,

lived

Orange and Greenwood townships,

Columbia county, but died
while on a

He was

visit.

in Light Street
an honest man, and

For many
respected by all who knew him.
years he was justice of the peace, was also a
tax collector, and had taken the census of the
county. Late in life he became a member of
the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife
had long been a member. He was twice married his first wife, whose maiden name was
Haughawaut, died a few years after marriage,
;

leaving one child, John,

who

died at Light

His second wife was Nancy Stewart,
the daughter of James Stewart, who then resided at Light Street, and she died Nov. 8,
1876, a few months before her husband. They
Dorcas died young
had children as follows

1842, in ]\Iount Pleasant township, Columbia
county, and died June 14, 1884. She was the
mother of ten children, namely
Norman M.
married Dora McMichael William died when
four years old Dorcas A., deceased, who married Freas Bower, is buried in Summer Hill
:

;

cemetery, in Columbia county Ida May married Clarence W. Yost, son of David, of \'an
Camp, and they had six children, Irene Mrs.
;

(

Sheldon Jones), Stanley (who married Bertel
Tubbs), Lillian (deceased, who is buried in
St. James cemetery), Nevin, John and David;
Minnie P. married D. N. McHenry, and they
have had children, Leatha, Llewellyn, Freas
(married a ]\Iiss Lynch, who is deceased and
buried in Pine Grove cemetery), Zender, Zurban (who is buried at Benton), Faye, Sheldon
and Paul; Isaac M. married Sibyle
Amanda 1\I. is the widow of Gibb Robertson,
who is buried at Danville; Henr}' C. married
Stella Larish and has one child, Clinton; Hettie Carolla was the first wife of Frank E.
W'enner; Paul H. married Blanch Davis, and
they have had Harry, Geneva, and one child
;

unnamed

at this writing.

Street.

yet

Amanda was

WILLIAM E. CREASEY, a farmer of
Franklin township, Columbia county, was born
Nov. I, 1866, son of John F. and Mary Etta
(Frey) Creasey, and grandson of Levi Crea-

;

the wife of Jacob Terwillinger,
of Light Street, where she died Clinton K. is
mentioned below William died leaving two
children; Joseph P. lived in Rohrsburg; three
died in childhood James M. was the second
son.
Clinton K. De Witt, eldest son of Isaac by
his second marriage, was born in Scott townI" early life he began
ship June 25, 1837.
working on a farm, and always followed agricultural pursuits.
Remaining at home until
his marriage, he then rented a farm in Greenwood townshi]), on which he resided for two
At the end of that time he moved to
years.
Centralia and followed the butchering business for three years, and on his return to
Greenwood township worked on farms for
six years, finally renting a farm on which he
resided three years.
Then for si.x or seven
years he was engaged in huckstering, after
that settling on the farm of his brother James,
;

;

Fishingcreek township. Mr. De Witt was
devoted to his work, giving all his attention
to his farm, and he cared nothing for public
honors. Though elected justice of the peace
for a five years' term he resigned at the end
of one year's service.
On Jan. 31. 18C0, Mr. De W'ht married
Emily J. ]\Iusgravc, who was born Jan. 8,
in

sey.

Levi Creasey lived in Mifflin township. Columbia county, where he became a farmer.
His death occurred on his property and he
and his wife are laid to rest in the little
graveyard in Mifflinville. They had but one

John F.
John F. Creasey was born in Mifflin township, and after spending his immature years
on a farm went to Brandonville when he had
attained to manhood's estate, there conducting
a lumber business and hotel for a number of
Later he lived in Main township, Coyears.
lumbia county, where for a time he resumed
his farming activities, and eventually he located at Catawissa, where his death occurred.
He is buried in the same cemetery as his parents and his first wife. They had children as
follows:
Martha, Minnie. Harvey, George
and E!merson.
William E. Creasey remained with his parents until thirty years of age, after which he
rented property until 1909, when he bought
child,

his present place of forty-seven acres. He devotes this land to truck farming and fruit

growing, marketing his produce in the coal
regions.

Mr.

Creasev married

Harriet

Clavton.

COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES

1005

daughter of Wellington Clayton, of Franklin merchant, and lives at Brooklyn, N. Y. Jotownship, and they are the parents of the seph Clark is deceased Retta, who lives in
following children
John Wellington (jeorge Orange township, Columbia county, is the
B. William Ross, who is a teacher in one of widow of Floyd Oman.
The mother of this
the Franklin township schools; Ella Alae; family died suddenly Ajjril 26, 1878, of heart
Harold II., and Sarah Ethel.
disease; she was a member of the Methodist
A strong Democrat, Mr. Creasey has served Church. In June, 1883, Mr. Dildine was maras a school director for some time, rendering ried to Mrs. Eliza Frcece, who was born in
the board efficient aid, for he realizes the Columbia county, daughter of Henry Ilomworth of the public school system, as his only mel. Mr. and Mrs. Dildine were members of
educational advantages were those ofifered in the M. E. Church. He was a member of the
The Lutheran Church Grange, and a Democrat in his political conthe common schools.
holds his membership, and he is one of its nections.
John A. Dildine was born March 22, 1846,
generous supporters.
and was educated in the public schools, atJOHN A. DILDINE, of Greenwood town- tending in the home vicinity. He was only
twelve years old when his father bought a
ship, Columbia county, has been engaged in
farming all his life, and his success bespeaks farm, and as he took to agricultural work
He be- pursued it from the time he was old enough
intelligent and well directed industry.
longs to an old and highly respected family to be of real assistance. Now he has a valu;

;

of the county, being a great-grandson of John
Dildine and a grandson of Andrew Dildine,

who was born near Bloomsburg.
married Ruth Bogart. daughter of

The

latter

Abram and and

Margaret (Creeger) Bogart, and they had a
family of ten children, four sons and six
Elizabeth Ann, Abraham B., John
daughters
O.. Margaret, Jacob, Isaiah, Amanda, Sarah
J.. Mary E. and Ruth.
Abraham B. Dildine, father of John A. Dildine, was born May 27, 1816, on the Reichard
farm, where he lived until thirteen years old.
At the age of twenty-one years he began to
learn the carpenter's trade, and he followed
it as a journeyman for several years, until he
felt competent to begin contracting on his own
:

account.
in

that

He
line.

able place of his own in Greenwood township,
and gives practically all his time to its culti\ation, which is carried on with modern methods

up an extensive business
Thus he continued until the
first wife, when he gave up the
built

death of his
work and turned his attention to farming, in
order to be with his children more, but he re-

sumed

his old occupation after a time, taking
three of his sons into partnership, and their

connection with the building business all told
Mr.
covered 'a period of forty-seven years.
Dildine bought his farm, which was in Orange
township, at what is now Welliversville, when
his son John was twelve years old.
His first
marriage was to Louisa Knorr, who like him-

was of German descent, and they had a
John A. is the eldest
Ruth C. married Harmon Crawford, who is
farming in Kansas Celestia A. is the wife of
James Powers Sarah M., of Bloomsburg, is

system. However he has given some attention to local public affairs, having served
as member of the Millville town council, in

which body he did faithful work for his fellow citizens.
On Feb. 4, 1869, Mr. Dildine was united
in marriage with Margaret Moore,
daughter
of John Moore, a farmer of Greenwood township, whose family consisted of four children,
one son and three daughters. Mrs. Dildine died
Sept. 20, 1912, and on Sept. 24, 1914, ]\Ir. Dildine married (second) Hannah Ikeler, of
Greenwood. By the first union there were two
children (i) Minnie Louisa is the wife of
Walter Titman, of lola. Greenwood township,
who is a lumberman by occupation. Their
three children are
Roy, who works with his
father (he married Edna Dorwalt)
Frank,
who graduated from the Bloomsburg State
Normal School in June, 1913; and Earl, born
June 19, 1897. (2) McElroy is a farmer in
Greenwood township.
He married Cora
Strauser, of the same township, and they have
two children: Margaret, born Sept. 6, 1900,
and John Franklin, born in 1903.' The family
attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.
:

;

self

family of nine children

;

the wife of U. C. Oblosser; xA-nna, widow of
Theodore Farber, lives in Greenwood township; George W., a builder, of Kansas City, is
married; Dora J. is married to Peter Wist, a

GEORGE HENKELMAN.

Berwick.

Columbia county, is a respected citizen of that
He is
place, where he has resided since 1903.
a butcher by trade, and has been employed in
the meat department of the Berwick Store
Company since he settled here.
Mr. Henkelman is of German descent, his
father, George H. Henkelman, having been

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1006
born

Dornburg,

in Hesse-Cassel,

Germany,

with his father until he came to America, at
He learned the
the age of eighteen years.
butcher's trade. He came to this country with
some friends, proceeding from his native town
to Bremen, at which port he embarked in a
sailing vessel bound for Baltimore, arrivmg
after a stormy voyage of forty-one days, June

and

17,

vessel was in a collision on the
after landing he went over to
Philadelphia, thence going to Hazleton, Luzerne Co.,. Pa., where he found work -in the

The
The day

15, 1852.

way.

mines for about seven months. His next employment was in the chemical works of Dornnemann & Matener, the senior member of
which firm was a relation of ]\Ir. Henkelman,
and he continued with them a year and a half,
when he returned to work in the mines, being
thus engaged for some time.
Removing to
he
worked sevSchuylkill
county,
Tamaqua,
eral months in the mines at that point, and
then resumed his trade, in the shop of Thomas
After six or eight months with him
Brod.
he went to Buffalo, N. Y., in the latter part
of March, 1856, and became a freight handler

Western Transportation Company,
In Octoloading and unloading canalboats.
ber,
1856, he went to Stockton, Luzerne
county, and took up butchering again, in the
employ of William Trescott, and later for the
coal company of Packer, Carder & Linderman. On his return thence to Tamaqua he
was in the mines for a time and then at his
trade for three years, at the end of which
period he moved to Hazleton. and engaged in
for

the

the butcher business for himself.
He conducted the business four years there, and for
the sixteen years following had a
at

shop

Jeddo, Luzerne county.

Oct. 14, 1882, he

on the farm in Centre township, Columbia county, which he purchased in
1874,
and which comprised nearly seventy-two
acres located near Lime Ridge. He now lives
in Berwick.
Mr. Henkelman has been one of
settled

•the

most respected residents of his section.
and his wife attend the Lutheran and Ger-

man Reformed

German Lodge.

in the

1833. son of Henry and Elizabeth
the latter dying the day
Henkelman.
"(Karl)
of his birth. Henry Henkelman was a soldier
for thirty-three years, serving throughout the
campaign against Napoleon I. When not in
the army he followed mining, and also worked
as a weaver.
George H. Henkelman lived

June

On
at

In political sentiment

a Republican.
Oct. 4, 1857,

Mr. Henkelman married,
Tamaqua, Anna Elizabeth Stein, and nine

children have been born to this union
S.,

who married Adam Femau

Hazleton,

Anna

(they live at

Luzerne county); George; Alice,

who married George Weigand

Jan. 25, 1887,

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Alatilda Henrietta
Augusta Clara and Cassie and Lizzie, both of whom died in March, 1886, just
twelve days apart.
The Steins came from near Eisenach, SaxMichael Stein, Mrs. Henkelman's
ony.
father, died in 1883, near \\'ilkes-Barre, Pa.,
and her mother, whose maiden name was
lives at

;

Shaffer, died when she was a little girl. They
had the following children
Gertrude married Henry Stein
Simon married Catherine
E. Beck; Anna Elizabeth married George H.
Henkelman; Anna Savina married John Semmer Christopher married ]\Iary Greising, and
they settled in Kansas Anna Savina 2 married Henry Miller, (second) Adolph Hawkie
(also deceased), and (third) George Stein
Of this family Mrs. Semmer
(deceased).
:

;

(

;

lived

for

number of years

Luzerne county, and spent her

)

Wanamie,

last

years in
of her daughter, Mrs.
Tames Cullen, where she died' at the age of
seventy-two years. She was survived by two
California at the

home

Mrs. Henkelman and Mrs. Miller, and
one brother, Christopher Stein, and by the
Mrs. Augustus Nolda, of
following children
Mrs. William Lloyd, of West
Isabella. Tenn.
Mrginia; William, of Montana; Mary, of
California; Mrs. James Cullen. of California
Harry Semmer. of Arizona Mrs.
Edward Robins, of Xanticoke George, of
Wanamie, Pa. and John, of Alden. She left
also twenty-nine grandchildren, and
four
sisters,

;

great-grandchildren.

George Henkelman was born April 18. 1861,
Tamaqua, and obtained his primary education in the public schools at
Jeddo borough.
Later he studied at the preparatory schoofof
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa.. leaving
school about 1875, after which he worked

at the butcher's trade

with his father in feddo.
father left that place in 1880. and the
son then entered the
employ of Henry Drevfuss, at Hazleton, remaining with him until
he came to Berwick in the'
spring of 1881.
From March to July of that vear 'he workecl
the meat market of F. R. Ta'ckson. on Front

The

services in Briarcreek townm
an Odd Fellow,
belonging to street, and afterwards unti"l November was
Lodge No. 65, and to German Lodge, No. 79, on his father's farm in
Centre township. For
both of Hazleton, and has
passed all the chairs the next nineteen years he was in the butcher
ship.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
on his own account, at Wanamie,
Luzerne county. When a company was organized for service in the Spanish-American
war, by James A. Dewey now Ueutenant colonel of the 9th Regiment, Pa. N. G., who was
business

(

time superintendent of schools of Newport townshi}), Luzerne county) and Cieorge
Evans ( now connected with the schools at

at that

Kingston),

Henkelman

]\Ir.

became

first

sergeant, and was subsequent promoted to
first lieutenant of the company, which joined
the 7th Regiment as Company F, and was
Air.
later Company L of the 9th Regiment.
Henkelman was treasurer of Company L.
In 1902 Mr. Henkelman sold his business
at Wanamie, and following an attack of
pneumonia went on a trip to the Western
States.
Returning East he settled in Berwick Jan. 12, 1903, and found a position as
salesman with the Berwick Store Company,
in the meat department, where he has been
Since
engaged continuously to the present.
taking up his home at Berwick he has not
been especially in touch with public aft'airs,
but while at Wanamie he served his fellow
citizens in various capacities, being a school

director of
missioner.

Newport township and town com-

a Republican on political

His religious connection is with
questions.
the Presbyterian Church of Berwick, which
he has served as trustee.
P^raternally he is
a member of Nanticoke Lodge, No. 541. F.

Nanticoke Chapter, No. 2?.y, R.
Dieu le \"eut Commandery, No. 45,
of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Washington
Camp, No. 259, P. O. S. of A., at Drifton
M.,

,A.

A. M.
K. T.,
(past

;

)

(

president

Council No. 549,
past councilor

Jr.

the

camp);

O. U. A. M., at

Mr. Henkelman married
Henrietta Van Der Mark, of Nanticoke, Pa.,
who was born Jan. 22, 1861, daughter of
Lynn J. Van Der Mark, and they have one
child, Augusta Edna, born May 4, 1887.
Benjamin \^an Der Mark, Mrs. Henkelman's first ancestor in America, came to this
country from Holland when sixteen years old
and settled in Newport township, Luzerne
Co., Pa., where he acquired the ownership
of nearly one thousand acres of wood, farm
and coal property. He cleared his land and
followed farming. His children were: David,
and
Elijah, Simeon, Closes, Sarah, John
Simon Peter.
Simon Peter \'an Der Mark, son of Benjamin, was born in 181 1 in Newport townlike his father.
ship, and became a farmer
He married Mary Rummage, and they had
June

1886,

two children: Whitney, who married
Mary
Ophnger, and Lyman ).
Lyman J. \'an Der 'Mark was born Aug.
17, 1838, m .Newport township, and followed
general farming, owning two hundred acres.
He married i^mmcline Woomer, one of the
eight children of Simeon and Hannah
llert(

zog) Woomer, of Port Carbon, Schuylkill
county, viz.: l-jnmcline, Benjamin, .Mary,
Anna, George, Harriet, Charles and Joseph.

Mr.

Woomer

panies.

work for

did

the

coa"l

To Mr. and Mrs. \an Der

com.Mark

were

born the following children:
JienMrs. George Henkelman Waller, who
married Maggie Harvey; Mary, Mrs.
,corge
Shoop; Emily, Mrs. William McCullough;
Ida. Mrs. Henry Carey; Urban, who marrietta,

;

(

ried Lizzie Jones;

Lyman, who married .MagWalters; Lorene, Mrs. Edward Hess;
Harry, who married Daisy Stewart; I-'rank,
who married Maggie Campbell and lolanthc,
Mrs. J. M. Ludwig. Mr. \an Der .Mark, the

gie

;

father, belonged to the Odd I'ellows
lodge at
Nanticoke, and to Sylvania Lodge, No. 354,
F. & A. M., at
Shickshinny. He was a Democrat,

and active

the

work of the party

in his locality.

BOYD THOMAS- OHL.
woodworking department of
Hassert plant

foreman
the

the

Harman

Bloomsburg. has held that
])osition since 1899 a"<^l is one of the responsible employees of the comi)any, by whom
he has been engaged as a woodworker for
over thirty years. Jle belongs to a family established in Columbia county many years ago
by his grandfather, Michael Ohl. who came

Wanamie
Wanamie from Northampton

1007

The Ohis

county, this State.

ierman origin, and this
branch of the family settled at an early date in
Northampton county, where Michael r)hl was
In young manhood he emigrated to
born.
Columbia county, and here cleared a farm
from the virgin forest, becoming one of the
substantial men of what is now Hemlock
township. He died in Madison townshij). and
both he and his wife were buried at Heller's
Church, on Dutch Hill. They were the parents of four children:
George; William;
Henry; and Mary Jane, who became the wife
of Nash Mauser.
George Ohl, son of Michael Ohl, was bom
in Hemlock township, and became a carpenter
are of

(

He also engaged in agricultural
operations, was successful, and at the time of
his death, which occurred in Mount Pleasant
township, owned a farm in Hemlock township
by trade.

and another

Madison township.

Oct

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1008

Mr. Ohl married Sarah, daughter of
Both are deceased, and they
Their children
are interred at Dutch Hill.
were: Mary Catherine, born March 11, 1848,
who married Fred Beagle; Sarah Etta, born
Aug. 26, 1849; Lena Jane, born Nov. 16, 185 1,
who married John Moore; Michael Tobias,
born July 17, 1853, a contractor of Bloomsburg; Henry W., born July 4, 1855; Joseph
menMiles, born P^eb. 7, 1857 Boyd Thomas,
tioned below David Lloyd, twin of Boyd T.,
born May 8, 1859, now deceased; Elmer Ellsworth, born Jan. 21, 1863; Annie E., born
Feb. 12, 1868, married to George Hassenplug;
and John C, born Nov. 26, 1871. Of this
family the survivors are: Michael T., Boyd
T., Elmer E. and Annie E.
Boyd Thomas Ohl was born May 8, 1859.
in Madison township, Columbia county, and
was given a public school education in the
home neighborhood. He was brought up like
most farmers' sons to assist with the work at
home, and continued to do so until twenty
15, 1846,

Tobias Heller.

;

old, also learning the trade of carpenter, at which he served an apprenticeship
of three years. He then came to Bloomsburg
and found employment at the Lockard car

years

shops,

wdiere

remained

eighteen

years,

spending the next year at Milton, Pa. Returning to Bloomsburg, he entered his present
employ in the fall of 1882. In 1899 he was

made foreman of the woodworking shop,
where seven men are engaged, and has proved
thoroughly reliable in anything intrusted to
him. He is a substantial citizen, a man who
holds the respect of all who know him. Fraternally he holds membership in the Knights
of the Golden Eagle and Independent Order
of Americans, and politically he supports the
He belongs to the ReRepublican party.

formed Church.
Mr. Ohl's first wife, Sury (Zimmerman),
daughter of Henry Zimmerman, died May 4,
1879, leaving one child, Jennie E., who lives
at home.
On Oct. 9, 1880, Mr. Ohl married
(second) Ella Ruckle, daughter of Joseph and
Amelia (Young) Ruckle, of Bloomsburg, and
they have three children Clyde, who married
Margurite Johnson and Bertha and Hazel.
Hving at home. The family reside at No. 585
West Third street, Bloomsburg.
;

;

WILLIAM

The date of

its

foundation in America

definitely known, but its members were
the earliest settlers of Pennsylvania.

not

among
They

were farmers, and hke most German agriculturists successful in their calhng.
David Paules was born in Lancaster county,
Pa., and brought up on his father's homestead,

where he learned farming, continuing

to follow

that vocation during his active Hfe, his farm
being in the vicinity of Marietta, in his native
county.
Setting out with the determination
to succeed, Mr. Paules added to his
holdings,
and developed his property until he had one of
the best farms in Lancaster county.
In 1898
he retired from the scene of his activities, and
settling down in Marietta
fruits of his years of toil.

now

enjoying the
married Eliza-

beth Rumba ugh, and they had eight children,
of whom have been well educated, and have
developed into men and women of whom any
parents might well be proud,
Dr. Paules received his early educational
training in the schools of his home district, and
at the same time assisted his father with the
farm work. Later he attended the high school,
from which he was graduated after a four
He then entered the Millersyears' course.
ville State normal school,
graduating therefrom in the class of 1883, following which he
taught school. This line of work not satisfy"ig his ambitions, he began studying medicine
^vith Dr. Xorris, of Marietta.
In 1886 he
came to Danville, and was clerk for Dr. S. Y.
Thompson until he was able to enter Jefferson
all

Medical College, at Philadelphia, from which
institution he was graduated in the class of
1890. Almost immediately thereafter he established himself in general
at
practice

Danville,

where he has since continued. In addition to
he owns a drug store and two
farms in Montour county, his land
holdings
the handsome resicomprising 280 acres,
dence he occupies at the corner of Bloom and
Ferry streets was enlarged and improved by
his practice,

him.
Dr. Paules married Florence Peifer. who
was born at Danville, daughter of
George W.
Peifer, a wholesale liquor dealer. Dr. and Mrs.
Paules have had the
Parfollowing children
vin Elwood, born
July 24, 1892; and Mary
Elizabeth, born June 15, 1897. Dr. Paules is
a member of Danville
Lodge, No. 780 I
:

one of the
best known physicians and
surgeons of Danville, was born at Marietta, Lancaster Co., Pa.,
Nov. 24, 1863, son of David and Elizabeth

O. F., and Lotus Conclave, I. O. H.
Mrs^
Paules belongs to the Danville Lutheran
Church.

(Rumbaugh)

Montour County Medical

PAULES, M.

D.,

Paule.s.

ihe Paules famdy

German

descent,

Professionally

Dr.

Paules belongs to the
Societv.

garded as a valuable factor

in its

and

work

re-

His

1_I-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
skill as a medical man has been attained
through close study and broad reading, and his
Few
experience has been wide and varied.

limekiln and

men

1871.

of his calling enjoy more widespread popularity, either as a professional man or a private citizen, and he is justly recognized as one of
the leading residents of Danville.

HARRY EUGENE WHITE,

Creek, F^ishing Creek and Huntington Creek
Here they intermarried with the
Hidlays, Omans and Brittons.
Peter White, great-grandfather of Harry
Eugene White, settled in Columbia county
previous to the year 1800, first in the \icinity
of Orangeville, whence he moved about 1806
to Scott township, in the neighborhood of
Light Street. He was a farmer, and bought
the farm on the edge of that village in recent
valleys.

years owned by the Hartmans. He passed the
rest of his life there, he and his wife both dying on that place, and they are buried at Light
His death occurred in 181 5, when he
Street.

was a comparatively young man, and his
widow% Elizabeth (Britton), survived until
1828. They had a family of thirteen children,

of whom we have the following record Harry,
the last surviving member of the family, was
:

farmer, residing in Indiana
Mary Maud
married a Mr. Garrison, a farmer of Salem
township, Luzerne county Zebeth, who was a
;

;

farmer, resided in Michigan John, a farmer,
was a resident of Richland county, Ohio;
;

Joseph married Lydia Ann Robbins William
was a farmer Samuel followed agricultural
pursuits in Richland county, Ohio Peter also
made his home in Richland county, Ohio
Catherine was the wife of Samuel Oman, who
was a farmer in Mount Pleasant township,
Columbia county
Sarah was the wife of
Samuel Melick, also a farmer of Mount Pleasant township; Elizabeth married a Mr. Emerson, a farmer of Indiana Isaac was a farmer
and lime burner in Scott township.
Isaac White, grandfather of Harry E., was
born in Light Street, Columbia county, in
181 5, and educated in the country schools. He
was a farmer and owned about 140 acres in
;

;

Pleasant

tuwnshij).

sold

out

i860 and came to Almedia, where he erected a

made and sold lime. He died in
His wife was Catherine, daughter of
Andrew Mellick, and their ciiildren were:
Sarah E., wife of Ke.ster McMichael; |ohn
H., who married Christine
Hippensteel; J-Jiza
]., wife of
John II. Xanderslice IVtcr.
Macy

;

foreman of

erection, construction and preparation in the
employ of the American Car & Foundry Company, is a member of a family which has been
settled in Columbia county since before the
year 1800 and which has been in x'Vmerica
from Colonial days. The Wliites were among
the early English colonists in New England,
and the branch of the family here under consideration moved to New Jersey and came
thence to Pennsylvania, settling in Hriar

Mount

1009

and Andrew I-:., who died young;
Henry
Newton, mentioned below; Esther 1'.., wife of
Isaac D., who married
George Hartman
Lilly Wilson; Alger K.. married to Laura
Patterson; and brank (i., who married leiinie
Zahn.
Mr. White was a Republican and a
school director and attended the Methodist
C.

;

Church.

Henry Newton White was born )ct.
in Mount Pleasant
1,
townsiiip, and
(

185

22.
at-

tended the schools of Millville.
He also
attended the Millville Seminary.
Moving to
Almedia he engaged in the lime business, for
a time did a trucking business on his farm.
and now devotes his time exclusively to the

He is independent in i)olitics
very popular, having held all the townHe belongs to the Methodist
ship offices.
Church and to Lodge No. 68 r. I. O. O. P.. of
Espy. Mr. White married Flora, daughter of
Joseph and Deborah (Fowler) White, from
Tola, near Millville. and they have had the folHarrv E., born Oct. 28.
lowing children:
1880. married to Sue Milnes Ralph S.. born
March 2. 1882; Ora C. bom April rr. 1884.
married to Edward Campbell
Nellie, bom
Aug. 10, 1886; Annie P... born .\ug. 25. 1888;
Frank B., born June 13, 1890: and George G.,
born Aug. i, 1892. buried at Almedia.
Harry Eugene White was born at .Mmedia,
Columbia county, and obtained his early education in the public school at Espy.
Then he
took a preparatory course in the Bloomslnirg
lime business.

and

;

State

Normal School, leaving

— 1902.

after

which he taught for some time one year at
Espy and three years at Turkey Hill. In 1907
he went to Berwick and entered the employ
of the .'\merican Car &• Foundry Company, in
the passenger car department, where Bruce
C. Dietterick was general foreman and L. E.
Hess superintendent. He has progressed considerably, being now foreman of erection,
Mr. White
construction and preparation.
lived in Berwick for several years, but recently
removed from the town to his present home in
Briarcreek township.

On Sept. 7, 1907, Mr. White married
Susanna Milnes. daughter of John W. and
Sydney (Wilkes) Milnes. of Espy. They have
no children. Mr. White is an Odd Fellow,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1010

belonging to lodge and encampment at Espy,
and he is a member of the Methodist Church.
On pohtical questions he is a RepubHcan.
W'ilHam Mihies, Mrs. White's grandfather,

came to
number

this

country from England and for a

of years was a prominent business
man in Luzerne county, Pa. He was a coal
operator at Jeanesville and Milnesville. in that
county, and the latter place was named by him.

death, Jan. 9, 1866, at the age of seventy-five
years, five months, twenty-four days. He was
a useful citizen, taking an active interest in
public afifairs and serving as member of the
council, and for several terms as supervisor.
To him and his wife Magdalene (Kester)
were born the following children, all now deceased
James; Julia, who was the wife of
:

John Sweitzer; Mary, wife of David

^^ ag-

Removing to Tamaqua, Schuylkill county, he oner; Daniel; Charles, who lived at Peoria,
became president of a bank there. His wife, 111.; Sarah, Mrs. C. A. Becker; Eliza, Mrs.
Susanna (Hart), was also a native of Eng- James Hoover; and William, who was a resiland, and their children were:
May Victoria dent of Peoria, 111. The mother died Jan. 12,
is married to Henry S. Reay and had four
1856, aged sixty-eight years, eight months,

William Milnes (married Emma
Causey), Susanna (wife of Bruce F. Evans),
Bessie and James Stewart (married to May
Young) William B. married Belina Snyder,
and their children are William S. (married to
Mamie Phillips), Mary M. (Mrs. George
Roberts), Daniel (married to Effie Miller) and
George W. John W. is mentioned below Isabella married C. C. Snyder, and has three children, Marguerite, Edwin and Carl Martha is
the wife of C. M. Bittenbender, and has two

twenty days.

M. (Mrs. Bruce Hartzell)
and Frank (who married a Dieffenbacher)
Lillian H. married H. C. Isley and has one
child, Mrginia N.
George W. married Elizabeth Polhemus, and they have two daughters,
Mildred and Wilhelmina Elizabeth Thomas
H. married Annie Miller, and has two children, Irene and Ralph Harry R. is buried at

umberland, and subsequently worked at the
He then found
carpenter's trade until 1863.

children,

;

children, Isabella

;

Espy.

John W. Milnes, Mrs. White's father, was
born at Tamaqua, and was very successfully
engaged in business there as a painter and
decorator.
He now lives at Espy, Columbia
He is a member of the Methodist
county.
Episcopal Church, and in politics a RepubliTo his marriage with Sydney Wilkes
can.
have been born the following children
Sydney Elizabeth, Mrs. Joseph A. Mears John
W., Jr., who married Jessie Cragin Susanna,
Mrs. Harry E. White"; Henry Ray, and Paul.
:

;

ALONZO

J. SULT, a retired business man
of Berwick, where he established the
laundry
now conducted by his sons under the name of
Suit Brothers, was born at that
place April
4, 1845, son of Daniel and Catherine (Geddes)

Suit.

Peter Suit, his grandfather, was a native of
Pa., where he lived until his removal to Berwick, Columbia
county
in 1823.
He was a cooper by trade, and after
settling at Berwick had a shop of his own on
Front street, which he conducted until his

Northampton county,

Daniel

Suit,

son

Northampton county.

was born in
and died at Ber-

Peter,

Pa.,

wick Jan. 28, 1892, aged seventy-four years,
two months, twenty-eight days. Coming to
Berwick with his father when quite young, he
entered the plant of the Jackson Woodin Company, where he was employed as a mechanic.
Then for three years he was engaged as roadmaster on the Delaware, Lackawanna &• Western railroad, between Kingston and North-

work in the pattern shop of the Jackson &
Woodin Company, being a patternmaker by
and continued there until his death.
His wife, Catherine Geddes. who died July
25, 1850, aged thirty years, six months, nine
days, was a daughter of Thomas and Rachel
Geddes, who lived in Berwick at one time.
Mr. (Geddes was a tanner by occupation, and
for some time conducted a tanner)^ at Truckshe died at Wyoming,
ville, Luzerne Co., Pa.
trade,

;

that

Four

county.
children

He was

Scotch

ancestry.

were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Suit:
Sarah became the wife of Abram
of
Salem
Luzerne
Reichard,
township,
county; Adelia E. is deceased; Alonzo J. is
mentioned below lessie P. is deceased.
Alonzo J. Suit obtained a good public school
education at Berwick, and when a young man
learned the trade of stationary engineer. For
thirty years he was in the employ of the Jackson Woodin Company, until, on Jan. i. 1893.
he opened a laundry on the same premises
where he has his home. No. 338 East Front
street, putting up a building for the purpose.
The Berwick Steam Laundry, as it was called,
proved a success from the start, and ho carried it on for twelve years, since which time
he has lived retired. When he withdrew from
business cares he turned the plant over to his
sons Daniel J.. Lloyd P.. William B. and
Robert E. P.. who have continued it umler the
;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
name

of Suit Brothers.

stories in height, 35

The

building

and

two born

one of
the best equipped establishments of the kind in

by 43

feet,

the eastern part of Columbia county, being
appointed with all modern conveniences, and
has a steady patronage as the result of good
business methods and satisfactory service.
Suit Brothers not only command a good trade
in and around Berwick, but they have agencies
all over Luzerne county.

1011

1872,
formerly of Wilkesa resident of Berwick, Pa.,
an office employee of the .American Car and'

July

Barre,

now

loundry Company.

Ik- married I^lizabcth Stifand they have two children, Leonard
and Ruth.
{5) William i;., born .\pril 15.

nagle,

1874, member of the linn of Suit Brothers, is
also interested in the Palace Theatre of I'.erwick. lie is married to Ida lierkheimer.
(())

Robert E. 1'., bom Nov. 29, 1882, youngest
During the Civil war Mr. Suit was in the member of the firm oi Suit Brothers "and also
Union service under three enlistments, the one of the ])roprietors of the Palace Theatre,
first time, July 2, 1862, in
Company H, 84th married luta Jacoby, of Berwick, and they
He was have two chiklren, Robert and Ned.
Peimsylvania X^olunteer Infantry.
discharged Oct. t,c\ of that year owing to an
attack of typhoid. His second enlistment was
JESSE J. K(JST1":XBAU1J1:R, of IVrfor one hundred days in a Danville comjxuiy, wick, an
employee of the Pjerwick Store ComCompany B, of the 194th Pennsylvania Regi- pany, was born Feb. 19, 1880, in Franklin
ment, and he received his discharge Nov. 5, township, Columbia county, above Catawissa.

1864.

pany

Feb.

74th

fantry, for
29, 1865.

1865, he enlisted in

Com- He

Volunteer

Pennsylvania

In-

one year, and was discharged Aug.

member

of the council three years.
a member of Washington
Camp, No. 105, P. O. S. of A. Camp No. 70,
P. O. of A.
and Berwick Castle, No. 249,
Knights of the Golden Eagle, of which he is a
His religious connection is with
past chief.
the Presbyterian Church.
On Feb. 3, 1865, Mr. Suit married Nancy
Fraternally he

;

Boyles, who was born at Foundryville,
Columbia Co., Pa., Nov. 8, 1847, daughter of
James and Martha (Moore) Boyles, and died
J.

in 1905.
Her father, a native of Ireland, settled there on coming to this country, later

during the Civil war
returned thence to Berwick,
where he was engaged at his trade, that of
blacksmith, as foreman of the blacksmith shop
of the Jackson Woodin Company. He died in
Berwick and is buried in Pine Grove cemetery.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Suit:
(i) Walter M., born June 2, 1866,
formerly employed as bookkeeper for the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, at Wilkes-Barre,
Pa., is now engaged in business in Berwick as
proprietor of the Sterling Store, dealing in
notions, etc. He married Elizabeth Campbell,
of Berwick, and they have two children, Margaret and Frederick.
(2) Margaret, bom
June 28, 1868, died July 23, 1870. {3) Daniel
J., born July 25, 1870, in Columbia county,
member of the firm of Suit Brothers, of

moving

period.

war of 81 2.
The ancestors of the Kostenbauder family
in America landed in Philadelphia on the ship
"The President" in the year 1750. coming
from Germany. Of the children of pdiann
1

Mr. Suit has been associated to some extent
with the government of the borough, having
been a

a descendant of one of the most sub-

stantial families of the county, established in
1815 by Jacob Kostenbauder, a soldier of the

Virginia,

Berwick, married Ella Brown, and they
have one son, Alonzo.
Lloyd F.,
(4)

Heinrich Kostenbauder and his wife Rebecca
Barbara (Stortze) we have mention of Jacob,

whom Jesse J. Kostenbauder traces his
lineage; Henry; Daniel; Rosina, who married
Peter Keller; a daughter who married Jacob
Knecht; and Catherine, who married Daniel

through

Hower.
Jacob Kostenbauder, son of Johann HeinKostenbauder, was born in Bushkill
In
Center, Northami)ton Co., Pa., in 1773.
181 5. along with his two brothers. Henry and
Daniel, and three brothers-in-law. Peter KelKnecht and Daniel Hower. he
ler. Jacob
journeyed further north and settled in what
was then Bucks county. Pa., about three miles
from Mainville, Columbia county. Upon his
arrival he at once began clearing land and
rich

built

large

log house.

.About fifty yards

from the house he put up a blacksmith shop
and on the other side of the road a wheelSelling this property soon, he
wright shop.
cleared another piece of land and built another
While living here, he took a conlog cabin.
tract to build two sections of the old Pennsyl-

Later on he bought from his
vania canal.
brother-in-law. Peter Keller, the hotel now
owned by B. R. A'etter. in the town of MainB. R. Abetter is one of
ville. Columbia county.
the direct descendants of Jacob Kostenbauder,
and this property has never been out of the
blood relations of the first
possession of the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1012

Here Jacob Kostenanother blacksmith and wheel-

settlers of that section.

bauder

built

wright shop and later on erected a store which
he conducted. He was thirty-seven years old
when he served in the war of 1812. He met a
tragic death on the 21st day of March, 1838,
at the age of sixty-two years, while coming
down what is known as the Fincher Furnace
hill about half a mile from Catawissa, Columbia county.
Jacob Kostenbauder married
Charriet Miller, and they had a family of

Henry, Daniel, Jacob, SamKatherine,
Mary, Elizabeth,
Of these, Jacob
Nancy, Lucy and Sarah.
was the grandfather of Jesse J. Kostenbauder.
have the following record of this family
Henry Kostenbauder, the eldest son of Jacob,
died in Columbia county May 10, 1855, aged
He married Sarah Hartzell
forty-five years.
(daughter of Michael), who died in Columbia
eleven children

David,

uel,

county March
old,

when

14, 1848,

and they are buried

thirty-one years

Union Emanuel

Of their four
churchyard, near Mainville.
children, (i) Martin Van Buren, the eldest,
was born in Mifflin township, Columbia
county, Aug. 30, 1839. He served during the
Civil war in Company A, 6th Reserves, returned to his home greatly reduced in health,
and eventually became totally blind as a result
of the hardships he underwent while in the
army. On April 27. 1876, he married Susan
L. Rhawn, born April 11, 1839, and she died
Catherine E.,
the mother of two children
born Oct. 27, 1878, who is married to George
Barnes and has one son, Paul and Jennie
:

;

Robbins, born April

who

is the wife
of Elmer Shafifer and has one son, Ray. Mr.
Kostenbauder's second marriage was to a

1882,

Knorr. He is still living in Main township.
(2) William Lavensworth, second son of
Henry, was drowned in the Susquehanna river
at Nescopeck, Luzerne Co., Pa., Sept. 2, 1850,
when nine years old. (3) Rebecca, born Oct.
9, 1844, daughter of Henry, married Steven
Rhawn, born June 21, 1842, died Jan. 16. 1913.

Oct. I, 181 5, and they became the parents of
fourteen children: David, born May 31, 1835,
died young; Nathan was born Sept. 15, 1836;

Margaret Jane, born Nov. 24, 1837, married
Adam Marks; James, born Feb. 13, 1839,
married Elizabeth Bucher; Mercy, born Jan.
6, 184 1, was the second wife of Henry Gotschall
Amelia, bom Dec. 21, 1842, married
Henry Gotschall Saletha, born May 17, 1844,
married Perry Mears; Elizabeth, born Oct. i,
1845, married Albert Marks; Frances, born
Feb. I, 184S, married John Baucher, and had
three children, Charles married Lizzie Munson, and has five children, Helen, Margaret,
Mercy, Eloise and Francis), Jennie (married
Charles Snyder and has one child, Euphemia)
and Herman married Emma Watkins, and
has two children) Samuel D.. born March 14,
1852, never married; Daniel B. was bom Jan.
6, 1854; Sarah married George Cooper; Anna
married Joseph Cooper; George, who died a
young man, married Harriet Beaber.
Jacob Kostenbauder, third son of Jacob,
born in 1818, died in 1871. He married Margaret Knittle, and they had nine children
Harriet, born April 7, 1842, married Marshall
Hendershot; Charriet, born Oct. 21, 1843,
married David Walburn, but had no children;
Owen D. L. is mentioned below; Jane, born
March 15, 1847, married S. W. SutlifF. and
had two children. Myrtle (wife of David
Samuels) and Hannah; Jeremiah, bom July
23, 1849, married Isabella Fisher and they had
five children, Margaret (Mrs. Oswin W^ilcox), Jacob, John, Henry (married) and
Lewis; William, born Nov. 15, 1851. married
Mrs. Emma (Parsons) Thomas, and had five
children, Jennie, Ella, Myrtle, Frank and
of whom Jennie married John Charles
and had two children; Clara, born Aug. 3,
1855, married Lambert Camp and had three
children, Oscar. Maud and Anna Emma, born
Nov. 30. 1857, married Gaylord McHenry and
one child was born to them; Charles was bom
;

;

(

;

April 21, i860.

She died Aug. 16, 1906. They had children
Samuel Kostenbauder. fourth son of Jacob,
George B., born Sept. 25, 1862, married born Jan. 27, 1820. and died Nov. 9. 1874.
Minnie Ludwig, and they have fourteen chil- He married Elizabeth Laurence, who was bom
Martin Van B., born Feb. 11, 1866. in 1826. and died Oct. 26,
dren
They had
1910.
married Eva Bankes, and had one child
two children
Anna Margaret, born
( t )
Casper, born April 4, 1868, married Jennie March 24. 1849, died March 22. 1906.
She
Fisher and had two children Grace married married
George Reifsnyder, who was born
W. A. McClough and had three children, March 24. 1848. and died June 2^, t<)o8, and
Louis, Alden, and
May Lulu, born July they had five children: Samuel K.. bom Oct.
9, 1879, ^s married to Harry Yetter.
Ambrose S., Dec. 22, 1875 (died Oct.
I. 187 1
Daniel Kostenbauder, second son of Jacob 14, 1879)
George Laurence. Jan. 15. 1878
Kostenbauder, was born May 13, 1814. He (died Oct. 26, 1879) Leonard Calvin.
June
married Frances Klingerman, who was born 13. 1881
(died Feb. 27. 1905) Karl Proctor.
:

;

——

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Samuel K. married Louise
22, 1883.
Stone Yetter Dec. 28, 1898.
Karl Proctor
married Ella Robins Aug. 2"], 1908 (she was
born April 24, 1886). (2) George Laurence,
born Aug. 7, 1853, married June 9, 1875, Lucy
C. Reniff, who died May 22, 1891. They had
three children:
Stanley, born April 7, 1876,
died May i, 1876.
Elizabeth Laurence, born
Aug. 31, 1878, married William \'astine, Aug.
10, 1897 (he was born July 30, 1871), and has
had two children, Douglas, born Dec. 23, 1898,
and Harriet, born May 16, 1901, the latter
dying Dec. 2, 1902. Samuel Laurence, born
Jan. 19, 1881, died Feb. 11, 1902.
Oct.

children.

Martin,

Ada and

George,

1U13

Mealy,

Felix,

Sarah,

Clara.

Lucy Kostenbauder, fifth daughter of Jacob
married Abe Stewart and had three
children
Harriet, Mary and Kebecca.
Harriet married Gem Potter; Rebecca
married losiah
and had four children, Clara". WilJ; lemming
'

ham, Dall

.ind

.Susie;

Clara

Gordner.
Sarah Kostenbauder,
Jacob,

died

Joseph

Miller,

1862,

May

25,

born

sixth
1883.

married

lohn

daughter of
married

She

March

and they had

15, 1814, died
fifteen children; we

have record of Lsaac D., Edmund
J.. Samuel
David Kostenbauder, the youngest son of W., Robert A., Louis E., Saloma J. (married Samuel W.
Jacob, born Sept. 20, 1826, died Dec. 20, 1832.
Dourmoyer) and Agnes E.
Katherine Kostenbauder, eldest daughter of
Jacob, married Peter Gearhart. They had five
children
Jacob Daniel, who married a Shuman and had three children John Nancy,
who married William Mosteller and had three
children, twins and a son James; and Sarah,
who married Charles Steely and had one son,

(married l-Yanklin Henncrrick.)
Rosina, daughter of Johann Heinrich Kostenbauder and Rebecca Barbara
(Stortze),
married Peter Keller.
He was one of the
first settlers near
Mainville, having arrived
there with his three brothers-in-law. |ac(jb
Kostenbauder, Jacob Knecht, and Daniel
Hower. They had the following children:
George Steely.
who married Sarah Charles, who marMary Kostenbauder, second daughter of Elias,
ried a Miller, went West, and all trace of him
had
married
Isaac
Yetter.
eight
They
Jacob,
and was lost; Jacob, who married Lavinia Hintermarried a
children
:

;

Nancy

Longenberger

John, Francis, Elmer, William and Mary; Elizabeth married William
Houck and had eleven children, Alfred, Jet,
Mary, Boyd, William, Wright, Harrison,
Claud, Annie and twins who died young;
Esther married William Shuman and had
three children, Fannie, Miner and Emanuel
B. Matilda married John C. Stokes and had
three children, Fannie, Alfred and Fremont;
Jacob married Sarah Remibold and had one
son, Howard Alfred married Isabella Breisch
and had two sons, Albert and George Wright
married a Keiler and had a family Boyd R.
married Emma Geiger and had four children,
Albert (married and had one son), Robert,
and two who died young.
Elizabeth Kostenbauder, third daughter of
Jacob, born July 29, 1812, was married in 1830

had

five children,

;

Hugh Lockhard, born

Sept. 11, 1801, died

Israel,
1869.
They had eight children
Alfred, Daniel, Mary, Alonzo, Frank, Adaline
and Permelia. Israel had one child Alfred,
six children
Mary
Daniel, seven children
married John Belles and had thirteen chilFrank, seven
dren
Alonzo, two children

;

AdaHne, four children; Permelia
married a Hosier and had one child, Harry,
who married a Miss Waters.
children;

Nancy Kostenbauder. fourth daughter of
Jacob, married

Peter Kline, and had seven

leiter and had two children
William, who
married Angelina Horemger; and Mary, who
married William Fisher. Elias Keller and his
wife Sarah had fourteen children. Daniel,
Peter, William, Mary, Hannah, Josiah. .Angelina, Elmira, Charles, Savilla, Rosa. Louise,
Catherine and Sarah. Of these, William married Lavinia Knorr; Josiah married Hannah
Gearhart and had twelve children. Ella C.
(married George Martz and has three children), Calvin (married Bessie Beach and has
two children). Pierce
(married
.Myrtle
Adams, and has one child), Irene (married
Harry Hendricks and has two children), Ray,
Leroy, Howard (married Hattie Truniboy),
Edward M., Mary P., Sarah H., Grace C. and
;

Daniel Hower, who married Catherine Kostenbauder, sister of Jacob Kostenbauder. was
one of the first settlers in Columbia county.
His second wife was a Miss Campbell, his
third wife a Miss Strauser. He was a soldier
in the war of 1812. being lieutenant in Capt.
Samuel lienjamin's company, 157th Regiment, 2d Brigade. 9th Division. Pennsylvania
He was the father of the followTroops.
Thomas, Moses. Daniel. Hiram,
ing children
Maria. Thomas, son of Daniel, married and
Moses, son of Daniel,
had nine children.
married Elizabeth Stoker, by whom he had
six children. William, Jane, Sarah C, Han:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1014
nah

Maria E. and Moses

E.,

For

his

second wife he married Emma Yetter, his
third wife being EHzabeth Bittner, by whom
he had three children. Laura, Clark B. and
Neiman. Of these children of Moses, William
married Catherine Weaver; Jane married
Lucas Fahringer and had three chiiaren,
Harry (married Esther Yoder), Lillie (married Rev. John F. Knittle and had two children, Joseph and Mary) and Fred (married
Sarah C. married Ulysses
Agnes" Numan
Bird and had three children, Clara (married
)

;

Cora
George Miller and had three children),
had four chil(married Leonard Pensyl and
a Miss Honerdren) and Melvin (married
Maria Hower,
berger and had five children).
Valentine
married
of
Daniel,
daughter
Jeremiah
\'ought and had three children:
married Mary Frey Catherine married John
Hile, and had twelve children, Charles, Emma,
Cora, Bertha, James, Ulam, Rebecca, Bessie,
Mola, Madison, Ambrose and Divinia Madison married a Miss Kase.
Owen D. L. Kostenbauder, son of Jacob,
of
grandson of Jacob and great-grandson
""^
born
was
28,
Heinrich,
1845,
Aug.
Johann
Franklin township, and has followed farming
and butchering, being still engaged in the catHe married Sarah
tle business at Catawissa.
Hoagland, daughter of Jonathan Hoagland,
of Centralia, Columbia county, whose wife
was a Fahringer. Eleven children have been
born to this union: Oscar, who married Ida
Albright Marshall, who is married to Jennie
Lorah and has three children, Raymond. Marweda and Howard William, married to Maud
who married Hannah
Linville
Mark,
(Small) Davis and has one child, Ethel;
Opal; Jesse J.; Hector; Owen, who married
May Shook and has one child, Margaret
Kersey Warner, and Sarah.
Jesse J. Kostenbauder received an average
education,
graduating from the common
;

;

Then he commenced clerking for
schools.
his father at Catawissa, in a butcher business, and when he reached his majority became a clerk in the employ of A. L. Davenport, the leading butcher at Luzerne, Luzerne
After two years in his employ he
Co., Pa.
worked another two years at Hastings, in

Cambria county, and two years more with
Elmer Wilcox, at Kingston, Luzerne Co.,
Pa., thus gaining a varied experience in his
In 1907 he came to Berwick, where he
line.

has since been clerking in the meat department
of the Berwick Store Company, T. B. Brobst
being manager of the department. Mr. Kostenbauder has favorable standing among the

respected

young men of the community, and

particularly well known in his Masonic
associations, being a member of Blue Lodge,
No. 349, F. & A. M., of Catawissa; Catawissa

Chapter, No. 178, R. A. M.; Mount Moriah
Council, No. 10, R. & S. M., Bloomsburg;
Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg; and Irem
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S, of Wilkes-Barre.
He also belongs to the I. O. O. F. Lodge at
Luzerne, Pa. His political support is given
to the Republican party.
Mr. Kostenbauder
attends the Methodist Church.

On Thursday, Sept. 17, 1914. ^Iv. Kostenbauder was married to Harriet A. Ferris,
daughter of Courtney E. Ferris, whose sketch
appears elsewhere in this work.

SAMUEL PEALER KRESSLER.
and bookkeeper with the

clerk

Berwick Savings

Trust Company, has gained a reputation
trustworthy service in several years'
employment at Berwick. He is a native of
Columbia county and member of one of its
for

old settled families.

Samuel

Kressler,

about 1801-02

his

born

grandfather,

Berks county.

Pa.,

came

Espy, Columbia county, when quite young,
and worked on his father's farm. He owned
an island o])posite Espy, in the North branch
of the Susquehanna, where he carried on general farming and raised garden truck for the
market.
He also ran a tailor shop at Espy,
served as tax collector and constable, and in
these various connections was very generally
known among his fellow citizens. His wife,
Sarah (Brewer), was born at Roaring Creek.

Columbia county, and they had the following
Lemuel, who died unmarried Hester Amanda, Mrs. N. S. Tingler; Clark; Clara,
Mrs. William Leigh, and Sarah Savanna.
Mrs. Thomas 15. ^iiller.
Clark Kressler was born July 15, 1837, at
Espy, Columbia county, and obtained his
education there in the common schools. Leaving school when twelve years old he went to
children

;

work in the store of Silas E. Fowler, who
carried on a general mercantile business at
Espy. After five years of such work he was
employed on the Pennsylvania canal for two
years, first as driver and later as captain, and
his next position was' with C. S. Fowler &
Creveling, for whom he did general office
work.

Remaining with them
went to Lock Haven

years, he

keep books
Goods, for
of 1862.
listed,

in the

about

four

to clerk

and

general store of Ceorge S.

whom he worked
On Aug. 14th of

from Bloomsburg.

until the

summer

that year he en-

Pa., in

Comjxmy

AND MOxXTOUR COUNTIES

COLUAIBIA

132(1 Pennsylvania \'olunteers, under Capt.
Michael Witmire, was mustered into the
United States service at 1 larrishurj;, and
took part in the hattles of Antietam and Harper's Ferry.
Being on the sick list he was
sent to Camp Alexandria, rejoined his regi-

ment at Falmouth (now hVederickshurg),
where they remained until May 3d, and then
took part in the hattle of Chancellorsville.
Mr. Kressler was mustered out May 23, 1863,
and returned to his home at Espy. He ranked

Entering the employ of the
cori)oral.
Pennsylvania Canal Company, he was engaged as bookkeeper for the next thirty years,
until Nov. 16, 1893, when he sutTered severe
injuries by being run over, by a team of
As a result he was confined to his
horses.
home for thirteen weeks, and has been obliged
as

from active labor of any kind. ^Ir.
Kressler is a member of W. H. Ent Post, No.
250, G. A. R., belongs to the Methodist
Church, and sup])orts the Republican party
on political issues but though loyal to all their
interests he has never held official position
His home is at Bloomsburg.
in any of these.
Mr. Kressler married Elmira E. Pealer,
and we have the following record of the five
Lemuel W., born
children born to them
Aug. 21, 1864, a resident of Bloomsburg, married Carrie Patterson Martha M., born Dec.
24, 1866, married A. B. Pursell (now a resident of Easton) and died Jan. 24, 1908 (she
Albert C, born March
is buried at Almedia)
to retire

;

Bloomsburg; Susanna F.,
born July 21, 1873, is the widow of H. D.
Samuel
Hidlay, who is buried at Almedia
7,

1869,

lives

;

deceased, married
buried at Renovo
)

young.
of

tlie

1015
illiam

(

,igcr

she

(

Erastus and William died

;

Mr. iVrder, the father, was a member
Christian Church, and a Democrat in

political .sentiment.

Samuel

iValer

was born April
Columbia county.
After
completing the course in the gramniar school
there he went to high .school at
liloomsburg
and to the Bloomsburg State Normal .School,
where he took a two years' teacher's course.
graduating when seventeen years (jld. hor a
time he clerked in the drug store of
leorge
A. McKelvey, at llloomsburg, and then
began
7,

i87(;,

Kressler

l^spy,

(

teaching, followinj^ the profes'^ion for seven
terms, at Light Street. Almedia and in the
.After a year in
Bloomsburg high school.
the employ of the Ik-rwick Store
Company he
attended the Schissler business
college at

Norristown. Pa., taught two terms in the
I'loomsburg grammar schools, and then took
the j)osition of bookkeeper with tlie Ik-rwick
Store Company, being thus engaged for a
In July,
he
period of nine years.
i(;i3.

changed to his present position, with the I'crwick Savings
Trust Company. Mis attainments and experience are highly \alued by
.S;

his employers,

who

and high character.

appreciate his reliability
Mr. Kressler is a promi-

member of the l-^irst Methodist l-'piscopal
Church, of winch he has been treasurer for
the last seven years, and he also belongs to
the Knights of the Maccabees at Berwick. He
adheres to the principles of the Republican
nent

party.

Mr. Kressler was married Dec. 24, 1903.
Bertha Welliver, daughter of Jeremiah and
Mary E. (Bousch) Welliver, from Williamsport, Pa.
They have a daughter, Martha

born April 7, 1879, is a resident of
Berwick.
Mrs. Elmira E. (Pealer) Kressler was
born April 7, 1845. ^t New Columbus, Luzerne Co., Pa., where she received a public

school education, also taking a business course
After leaving school
in the academy there.
she remained at home, helping her family until
her marriage. She was a daughter of Thomas
and Helena Pealer, of New Columbus, who
had a farm of one hundred acres. They had
Susanna is married to
children as follows
A. P. Fowler and lives in Berwick; Charlotte,
deceased, married Alfred Khne (she is buried

grandfather, came to Pennsylvania from New
Jersey at an early day and settled in Madison
He had several
township, Columbia county.
children, of whom John was reared in .Madilie
married .Anna
son township.
I'^yer,
daughter of Ludwig Eyer, and they had seven
follows:
as
Uriah,
children.
James,
Catherine, Jacob E.. Jeremiah, h^lizabeth and

P.,

•

Martha married Peter Mcat Butler, Ind.)
Collum and lives at Espy; Silas M., deceased,
;

Tillie Robbins, of Sullivan county.
Pa. (he is buried at Seattle) Eli C. married
Irene Lilley, of Muncie, Ind.; Dyer C. married Savilla Trump and they live at Rochester,
N. Y. Elmira E. is the wife of Clark KresEmma,
sler; Charles married Alice

married

;

Louise, born Sept. 16, 1913.
William Welliver. Mrs. Kressler's

great-

John.

Jeremiah Welliver, born May 6, 1841, at
Terseytown, in Madison township, obtained
a common school education, and followed carin business
riage painting all his life, being
for himself at Bloomsburg. He died in November, 191 3. and is buried at McEwensville,
near Milton^ Pa. Six children were born to
him and his wife Mary E. (Bousch): Sarah

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1016

married William O. Manke Frank married
Clara Ent; Robert married Rosetta Green;
Elizabeth married Frank Bordinger; Bertha
is the wife of Samuel P. Kressler; James
married Cora Burkhardt.
;

his wife

had but one

child, the

mother of Mr.

Sitler.

and

After attending the public schools of his
native locality Charles E. Sitler learned the
trade of carpenter, and when seventeen years
of age began to study architecture in the Scranton (Pa.) Correspondence School.
He has

and at present city councilman of Berwick, was born in Briarcreek township, Colum-

made this profession his life work, and has
now a reputation that extends far beyond the

CHARLES

SITLER,

architect

builder,

bia Co., Pa., April 28, 1872, son of

and Sarah
Samuel

(Rhinard)

Samuel

Sitler.

paternal grandfather of
early
settler of Briarcreek township, the family
having been founded in this locality in the year
Mr. Sitler was a successful merchant,
1767.

Charles E.

Sitler, the
Sitler,

was the son of an

and was also engaged in agricultural work,
and was known as one of the substantial men
of his community. He and his wife were the
parents of six children, of whom but one is
living, Nathan, a resident of Briarcreek town-

limits of his field of active operations, where
many handsome buildings testify to his skill

and ability.
Mr. Sitler was married

in February', 1897, to

Nora Michael, who was born

Sept. 25. 1871,

Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
daughter of Adam Michael, and adopted
daughter of Gideon Michael, of North Berwick.
Two children have been born to Mr.

Sitler: Howard R., born July 27,
1899; ^"<^ Lena ]\I., born Feb. 5, 1904. Mr.
and Mrs. Sitler are members of the Bower

and Mrs.

Memorial United Evangelical Church, where
Samuel S. Sitler, born March 4, 1844, son he acts as assistant class leader. He is a memof Samuel Sitler, and father of Charles E. Sit- ber of the Berwick city council, and has been
instrumental in forwarding movements which
ler, was born in Briarcreek township, and as a
youth learned the blacksmith's trade, a voca- have made for the betterment of the comtion which he followed for many years, having munity. His fraternal connection is with Beran establishment at Berwick. He was promi- wick Lodge, No. 246, Independent Order of
nent in public affairs, was supervisor here for a Odd Fellows, and with Washington Camp No.
long period, and also served efficiently as a 105, P. O. S. of A.

ship.

of the board of school directors. He
died in November, 1 907, and was laid to rest
in Summer Hill cemetery.
His wife, Sarah J.
(Rhinard), who was born in Briarcreek township Sept. 17, 1844, daughter of Levi Rhinard,
still resides on the old homestead.
Eight chil-

member

dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sitler, namely
Delia, who is the wife of William T. Davis, a
resident of Summer Hill, Pa.
Charles E.
George T., who is engaged in farming at Summer Hill; Webster H., who has charge of his
father's old blacksmith shop in Briarcreek
township; Martha, who is the wife of John
Weaver, of near Evansville, in Briarcreek
township; Orville, a resident of Briarcreek
township, near the old homestead; Hulda,
who is the wife of Burton Taylor, now living
with George Thomas Sitler at Summer Hill,
Briarcreek township; and Ray, who is carrying on the operations on the old homestead,
in the employ of his brother Charles E.
Levi Rhinard was born in Briarcreek town:

;

ship, Columbia Co., Pa., and was engaged in
agricultural pursuits throughout his life, with
the exception of the period in which he was
fighting as a Union soldier during the Civil
war. In his later years he removed to Luzerne

county, and there his death occurred.

He and

CHARLES FRANKLIN KARCHNER,

of Berwick, who has been engaged as a heater
at the plant of the .American Car & Foundry Company for the last twenty-seven years,
belongs to a family of German origin, which
has been in .America from Colonial days.
For generations the early ancestors were

farming people
of

the

Jersey,

moved

family

from

The founder
Ciermany.
.America located in New
wiiich
State later members
in

Pennsylvania.
George Karcluicr,
the grandfather of Frank Karchner. was born
in Berks county, Pa., and followed the famHe was thrifty,
ily occupation of farming.
an industrious and energetic workman, and

accumulated four farms of about 100 acres
In later years he moved to Nescopeck
each.
township. Luzerne county, where he died at
the age of seventy-five years.
He was also
a miller by trade, and owned a
large gristmill.
He married Elizabeth Harder, and they

became the parents of the following children
John; Henry, who married Alaria Harlsell;
Catherine, who married George Schall and
(second) Michael Ruckcl Martin, who married Alary Sensingbaugh Christine, who mar:

;

ried

Harmon

Ilartscll

;

William,

who married

^^t:::^^^^^^:^

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Sarah Sensingbaugh Sarah, who became the
of Fred Frye; Abner, who married
Hannah Breyfogel Elizabeth, who became
the wife of Johnson Aliller; and George \V.,
who married Amanda Breyfogel. The grandfather was a dc\out member of the Lutheran
Church.
John Karchner, father of l<>ank Karchner,
was born in Xescopeck township, Luzerne Co.,
Pa., in 1 84 1, and died at Berwick March 22,
;

wife

;

He was given
1890.
common schools of his
young man learned the

his education in the
native ])lace, and as a
trade of carj^enter, at
which he worked in Berwick, coming to the
borough in 1877.
During the greater part
of his residence here he worked in the wood
car department of the Jackson & Woodin
le died in
Manufacturing Company's plant.
the faith of the Lutheran Church and was
buried at Sloyersville. In politics Air. Karchner was n Democrat, and his fraternal affiliaI

tion

was

with

Berwick

No.

Castle,

249,

Knights of the Golden Eagle. He was known
as a good and public-spirited citizen, ever
ready to give his assistance to worthy movements, and through a life of integrity and honorable dealing won the respect and esteejn of
those with whom he came into contact. Mr.
Karchner was married to Elizabeth Frey,
daughter of Charles and Rebecca (Hartzel)
Luzerne
of
township,
Frey,
Xescopeck
county, and they became the parents of the
following children

Charles, Franklin,

who

married Sarah Alargaret Brobst Martin, who
married Ida
Alice, who is deceased, and is buried at Sloyersville; Martha,
who married Harry Rook George Elmer,
who married Samantha E. Clewell Edward,
deceased, who is buried at Sloyersville Annie,
who became the wife of Philip Conrad; WilFrances, who
son, who married Alary Doty
became the wife of C. J. Cortright; and Lenora, who became the wife of Frank Price.
;

;

The Frey family

originated in Germany,
and like the Karchners they were engaged
in farming.
Two brothers came from Wurtemberg to America in 1717 and located first
in the city of Philadelphia, whence one went
to Xew York State, while the other came

through Berks county and settled in Carbon
The
county, where he engaged in farming.
brothers and sisters of Elizabeth (Frey)
Karchner were: Xathan, Sapphira, Sarah,
Harriet, James. Wilson and Martha.
Charles Franklin Karchner was born Aug.
At17, 1862, in Xescopeck, Luzerne Co., Pa.
tending school up to the age of fifteen years,
he then went to work in the rolling mills

1017

the

Jackson .^ Woodin Manufacturing
at Berwick,
wheeling scale for puddlers.
He was under Eli Sherwood (foreman) and Tom Sherwood superiinendc-nt )
for one year.
His ne.xt place was in the
machme shop on tbc iiill, running a nut machine. tai)i)ing nuts, where he remained several years under Thomas \an Tassell.
For a

Company

(

considerable

period

thereafter

was em-

running a drill press.
Leaving the
employ of the Jackson ^\: Woodin Company,
he went to Alden, near Xanticoke, Pa., an'd'
worked two and a half years as a miner. On
ployed

his return to Berwick, Oct. 11.
188O. he entered the rolling mill of the
Jackson cS: Woodin

Comixiny, and for a short time labored under
Foreman Daniel Mitchell and Superintendent
Tom Sherwood, until he became helper at a
After learning puddling
puddling furnace.
thoroughly he heli)e(l one of the heaters until
he was given a furnace of his own, and he
has been retained in this capacity ever since.
The work is responsible, and Mr. Karchner's
trustworthiness is evidenced by his long con-

tinued service. He is a man of reliable character and hal)its, thoroughly respected
by his
fellow men.
His religious connection is with
St.

John's Evangelical Lutheran Onirch, his
sympathies with the Democratic

political
l)arty.

Karchner married Sarah Margaret
who was born Oct. 6, 1861. and tliey
have had four children
Sarah Elizabeth.
born Aug. ii. 1S84, who died Alarch 22, ]X(/o:
John \\'illiam, born May 17, 1887; Pearl
Luella, born Aug. 13, 1889. wife of Ray
P^ranklin Taylor, and mother of three children, Charles b'ranklin. Donald Larue aufi
an infant yet unnamed; and Ira Edward. Ixjrn
Air.

Brobst,

July 31, 1894.

David Brol)st. grandfather of Airs.
Franklin Karchner. was a farmer in
His children were:
county.
ing
The
Rachel, Eli, Jacob and Daniel.
were members of the old Lutheran

They

lived to

at Aluncy,

Daniel

Charles

LycomJohn,
parents

Church.
advanced age, and are buried

Lycoming county.
I'robst,

Airs.

Karchner's

father,

was ])orn Alay 15. 1817. in Watsontown. Pa.,
and died June 4. 1882. He is buried at
Beach Grove, between Hicks Ferry and
Shickshinny. He received a common school
education and learned the carpenter's trade,
which he followed, being engaged as a contractor

and builder.

He was

Democrat and

His wife. Sarah (Shaffer), was
Lutheran.
born April 2/, 1827. daughter of John and
Alary (Zehner) Shaffer, and was very young

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1018

died; this family Hved at
comity. Mrs. Brobst died
She was the mother of ten

when her mother
Montour

Danville,

Sept. I, 191 3.
children, namely
Bell; Rachel E.

W. married Roxanna
married Edward Bretz;
Amanda A. married Ebenezer Apgar;
Salome A. married William Hummer; Hannah G. married Daniel Stout; Sarah MargFranklin Karchner;
aret married Charles
James L. married Minerva Kishbaugh Saiinda P. married Ebenezer Apgar; Reuben
W. married Lulu Gruver; Daniel W. mar:

John

;

ried

Margaret Gingher.

GEORGE ELMER KARCHNER,

a well

citizen of Berwick, who has served
capably in positions of official importance, was
born Dec. 4, 1868, at Mifflinville, Columbia
county, son of John and Elizabeth (Frey)
Karchner.
The Karchner family originated in Ger-

known

many, where for generations its members were
engaged in farming, and the founder of the
family in America located in New Jersey, from
which State later members moved to Pennsylvania.
George Karchner, the grandfather of
George Elmer Karchner, was born in Berks
county. Pa., and followed the family occupation of farming. He was a thrifty, industrious
and energetic workman, and acquired the
ownership of four farms, of about 100 acres
each. In his later years he removed to Nescopeck township, Luzerne county, across the
line from Columbia county, where he died at
the age of seventy-five years. He was also a
miller by trade, and owned a large gristmill.
To his marriage with Elizabeth Harder were
born the following children besides John
Henry married Maria Hartsell Catherine
married George Schall and (second) Michael
Ruckel Martin married Mary Sensingbaugh
Christine married Harmon Hartsell William
married Sarah Sensingbaugh Sarah became
the wife of Fred Frye; Abner married Hannah Breyfogel Eliabeth became the wife of
Johnson Miller G. W. married Amanda Breyfogel. The grandfather was a devout member
of the Lutheran Church.
John Karchner, father of George Elmer
Karchner, was born in Nescopeck township,
Luzerne county, in 1841, and died at Berwick
March 22, 1890. He was given his education
in the common schools of his native
place, and
when a young man learned the trade of carpenter, at which he worked in Berwick, coming to that borough in 1877.
During the
greater part of his residence here he worked
in the wood car department of the Jackson &
:

;

Woodin Manufacturing Company's

plant.

died in the faith of the Lutheran Church and
was buried at Sloyersville. In politics Mr.
Karchner was a Democrat, and his fraternal

was with Berwick Castle, No. 249,
Knights of the Golden Eagle. He was known

affiliation

a good and public-spirited citizen, ever
ready to give his assistance to worthy movements, and through a life of integrity and
honorable dealing won the respect and esteem
of those with whom he came into contact.
Mr. Karchner married Elizabeth Frey, daughter of Charles and Rebecca (Hartzel) Frey,
as

of Nescopeck township, Luzerne county, and
they became the parents of the following chil-

dren
Frank, who married Margaret Brobst
Martin, whose wife's name was Ida; Alice,
deceased, who is buried at Sloyersville
Martha, who married Harry Rook George
Elmer; Edward, deceased, who is buried at
Sloyersville; Annie, who became the wife of
Wilson, who married Mar>'
Philip Conrad
Doty; Frances, who became the wife of C. J.
Cortright and Lenora, who became the wife
:

;

of Frank Price.

The Frey family
and

like the

ing.

Two

originated

Germanv,

Karchners were devoted
brothers

farm-

came from Wurtemberg

America

in 1717 and located first in the
city
Philadelphia, whence one went to New
York State, while the other came through

Berks county and settled in Carbon county.
Pa., where he engaged in farming.
The
brothers and sisters of Elizabeth (Frey)
Karchner were:
Nathan, Sapphira, Sarah,
Harriet, James, Wilson and Martha.
George Elmer Karchner was nine years of
age when he accompanied his parents to Berwick, where he completed his education in the
Market street school. In 1884 he began to
learn the trade of house
painter, and for
nearly a quarter of a century conducted a successful

contracting business

that

line

Berwick and

Wilkes- Barre and in Carbon
In 1909 he became connected with

county.
the American Car and Foundry
Company, as
a coach painter, under L. E. Hess,
superintendent, and C. C. Abel, foreman.
On Aug.
25. 1912, he was made assistant foreman of
the passenger coach department, and still continues to hold that position, which he earned

and cai)ability.
Democrat in politics. Mr. Karchner served five years as councilman, and for
two years of the time was president of that
He belongs to the Bower Memorial
body.
United Evangelical Church, and is a member
of the Patriotic Order Sons of America. Mr.
fairly

fidelity

stalwart

COLUMBIA AXD MONTOUR COUXTIES
Karchner married Samantha E. Clewell,
daughter of William II. and Margaret Iluddleson) Clewell, and two children ha\e been
born to this union: Ethel, l)orn Aug. 7, i8yi,
"rrove cemeis deceased and buried in Pine
tery Margaret was born Jan. 2, 1897.
(

(

;

The Clewell family
where Erancois

originated in

(

lermany,

Cla\el. the great-great-great-

great-grandfather of Mrs. Karchner, was
He was married in 1718. and died in
born.
1730. his wife being Louise Erache. born Dec.
1695, died Oct. 5, 1767. They had two sons,
George and Eranz.
George Clewell was born in Germany Nov.
18, 1726. came to America with his mother
and located at Philadelphia, and died May 6,
1793. He married Annie Maria Kuechle, and
they became the parents of the following children
Jacob Elizabeth, who married George
Clauss
John, who married Christina Weinland Daniel, who married Susan M. Klein
George, Jr., who married Anna J. Knauss
Joseph, who married Magdalene Knauss
"Abraham, who died young Francis, who marAnna C, who
ried Anna Maria Leinbach
married Joseph Levering; Saloma M. Christian, who married Maria R. Kreider; and
Abraham, who married Sarah E. P>oeman.
Jacob Clewell, the great-great-grandfather
of Mrs. Karchner, was born Sept. 21, 1751, in
Bushkill township, and was a youth when the
5,

;

family moved to Bethlehem, in the vicinity of
which place he was engaged in farming
throughout the active period of his life. He
died Tune 22, 1824, and was buried at the
Moravian graveyard at Bethlehem. Mr. Clewell married Anna C. Rohrig, and they bethe parents of the following children
who married Elizabeth Brader;
George, who married Elizabeth Luchenbach

came

Christian,

;

Jacob, who married Susanna Miller; Anna
M.. who married Henry Schneider; and John.
George Clewell, the great-grandfather of
Mrs. Karchner, was born July i, 1781, and
He married Elizabeth
died Sept. 2, 1825.
Luchenbach, and they became the parents of

William married
following children:
Susan Trulinger; Lizetta Theodora married
Henry Kuester; Henry James married Susan
Moharter; Cornelia became the wife of Rev.
married Edward O.
J. T. Regennas; Louisa
became the wife of
O.
Charlotte
Weinland;
Palma Osborne; Samuel Benjamin married
Elizabeth Tombler.
Henry James Clewell, the grandfather of
Mrs. Karchner, was born July 28, 181 2, at
Bethlehem, Pa., and died July 18. 1899. He
was educated among the Moravians of his na-

the

1019

ti\e locality,

and as his father died when he
a small boy was
compelled earlv to begin
his struggles with life.
Going to Philadelphia,
he there learned the trade of tailor, and sub-

was

sequently f(j|lowe(l that vocation
olis,

married
later to

well

as at

{hv metroplie was

Mauch Chunk,

in
1835 and went to Conyngham.
Columbus, and then to Berwick, where

he secured a position

in the car works, continuing to be ihus employed during the remaimng acti\e years of his life. He died at
the age of eighty-seven. Mr. Clewell was a devout member of the
i-lvangelical Church, and
was widely beloved because of his kind heart
and sympathetic nature.
He married Susan
Moharter, and they were the parents of children as follows: Augustus 15. married Cor-

delia

Zehnder; h:iiza became Mrs. Tilghman
Moharter; William II. is mentioned below;
Oliver E. married I-Jizabeth Gordner; I'.enjamin F. married Sarah Kline; Lewis S. married Alice Wolf; Rebecca E. married
Anthony
Loftus; Cornelia married .\lfred lulwards';
Amos B. married Lucina Sitler; Isaiah B.
married Lucinda E. Rhinard (leorge married
Eva Tubbs.
William H. Clewell, the father of .Mtn.
Karchner, was born Eeb. 16, 1840, at Conyngham, Luzerne Co., Pa. He was employed on
the Pennsylvania canal until 1862. in which
year he was married, and not long thereafter
enlisted in Company H, 178th
Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil
;

war, being out nine months.

Upon

receiving

his honoral)le discharge he

became connected
with the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing
Company's plant, as a coremaker, but rheumatism, contracted in the army, caused his retirement.
For some years he acted as janitor
of the Evans building at Berwick.
From the

age of twelve years he was connected with the
I)Ower Memorial United F^vangelical Church,

and for
therein.

thirty-five years hekl official i)ositions
He was a popular member of C. G.

Jackson Post, No. 159. Granfl .\rniy of the
Republic, at Berwick, and was widely and favorably known, drawing about him a wide circle
of friends.
He died March 16, 1909.
Mr. Clewell married Margaret ITuddleson,
who was born March 31. 1842, daughter of
Reuben Henry Huddleson, and died March 24,
1877.
They became the parents of children
Lucinda E.. who married Alexas follows:

ander Davie
Mary A., who married Levi
Blank; Reuben H., who died young; and
Samantha E.. Mrs. Karchner. Mr. CIcwell's
second marriage was to Tillie A. Smith, born
April 9, 1846, and they had three children:
;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1020

Frances B., who married Sydney Cortright;
Clarence W., married Ila Short; and Oscar
The mother
B., who married Tillie OpHnger.
to
1884. By his third marriage,
chdno
had
Mr.
Clewell
Frances Frederici.
She died May 10, 1894.
dren.

died Oct.

William Hartman attended the schools of
and was brought up on a
wholesome manner, learning habits of industry and thrift which have
In 1881 he
remained with him ever since.
came to Bloomsburg, where he learned blackhis native locality,
farm in a healthy,

smithing with Harman & Hassert, continuing
with that firm for twenty years, during which
period he became familiar w^ith the business
in all its branches, becoming so expert that he
was given charge of the various departments.
Later he traveled for the house, and was re-

Bloomsburg, was born at Espytown, Columbia
Hartman
county, June 7, 1862, son of George
and a grandson of George Hartman.
George Hartman, his great-grandfather,
founded the family in Columbia county where
His children
he was one of the pioneers.
were: Mary, Betsy, Philip and George.
George Hartman, son of George Hartman,
and grandfather of William E. Hartman, was
born in 1791, and with his father was a pioneer
at Espytown, Columbia Co., Pa., where he
became a landowner and responsible citizen.

garded as its most reliable man. Eventually,
however, he bought the Penn bus line, which
he conducted for seven years, selling in 1909.
Since then he has been building houses for
sale and looking after his real estate in
Bloomsburg, being a heavy property owner.
In 1882 Mr. Hartman was united in marriage with Fannie Harman, a daughter of
Peter S. Harman, now deceased, formerly a
prominent foundryman of Bloomsburg. Two
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Hartman Jennie Gosse, who married Arthur

His death occurred

HARTMAN.

are an old

The Hartmans

and honored family in Columbia county,
where its representatives have proved their
moral worth and loyalty as citizens.

William

Hartman,

resident

in that place

McHenry, purchasing agent for the Amerwhen he was seventy-five years,
ican Car and Foundry Company at Berwick
His remains were and Louisa Harman, who is at home.
months, eight days old.
The children
interred in Almedia cemetery.
Mr. Hartman is independent in his political
born to him were
Edward, who died in 1912, views, and has served as treasurer of the
poor
being then in his ninety-sixth year George
The family are Episcopalians. Fradistrict.
David, who died at Berwick, Pa. Mary, who
ternally he belongs to Washington Lodge, No.
married Philip Hartman Madia, who mar265, F. & A. M. He is one of the most subried Alfred Hartman Rebecca, who married
stantial men of Bloomsburg and enjoys well
Turner Thomas, who died in childhood
1867,
eleven

April

;

John
and Eliza, who married Oliver Jacoby.
George Hartman, son of George Hartman
and father of W'illiam E. Hartman, was born
at Espytown, Pa., and for many years was

merited popularity.

some time prior to his demise.
His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia A.
Richart, and she was a daughter of Robert
Mr. and Mrs. Hartman became the
Richart.

penter's trade, following it for sixteen years
at Bloomsburg, where he was
engaged as a
contractor and builder.
He then went to

;

George A. Hartman, a drayman of
Bloomsburg, Pa., was born in that city Jan.
24, 1853, son of Edward Hartman, and grandconnected with the planing mill at that place son of George Hartman.
Edward Hartman was born in Berks
in the capacity of engineer, for T. W. Edgar.
Mr. Hartman was an engineer all his life, until county. Pa., was brought to Columbia county
he retired from active participation in busi- by his parents, and here learned the carness matters,

parents

the

following

children

Centre township, Columbia county, where he
a farm, remaining on it and operating
it for
twenty-six years. At the expiration of
this time he retired and located at
Espy, this
county, where he resided until his death,
March 30, 1912, when he was in his ninety-

Mary bought

who married James Ellis Cox, lives at
Bloomsburg W^illiam E. is mentioned below
George D., who married Ella Appelman, lives

Ella,

;

Kingston, Pa. After the death of his first
wife Mr. Hartman married (second) Margaret Hartman, a daughter of George Hartman, who belonged to the Buckhorn branch
of the Hartman family. By his second marriage Mr. Hartman had two children
Nora,
who married William Terwilliger; and A.
Bruce, who is living at Bloomsburg.
at_

sixth year.

Edward Hartman married Sarah Bomboy,
a daughter of Jacob
Bomboy, and she survives
him, living at Espytown, at the age of ninety
years. They had children as follows
Miles,
:

Emma

Isaiah,

Amanda C. George A., Mary
Charles T., James W. and Cora A.,
J.,

A.,
the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
latter

living

home

with

her

venerahle

mother.

George A. Hartman attended the ]nihHc
Bloomshurg and the State Normal
School, and after completing his studies beschools of

came

clerk,

continuing

thus

when he began farming

for

several

Centre township.
During the following years he alternated his agricultural work with teaching
school, becoming one of the popular educators
of his locality. At the expiration of hve years,
however, he found his farm required all his
attention, and for the succeeding seventeen
years devoted all of his time to its cultixation.
Mr. Hartman then left his farm, and coming
to Bloomsburg became the superintendent of
an ice plant. After three years he engaged in
the draying business, which he has developed
to good proportions, being now recognized a^
one of the most reliable and careful men in
years,

his line, and controlling a large and steadily
Mr. Hartman resides
increasing patronage.
at the corner of Fourth and East streets,

Bloomsburg.

On Dec. 28, 1874, Mr. Hartman married
Bernetta White, a daughter of Isaac and
Catherine (Mellick) White, at Light Street,
Pa. The children of this union are
Ray W.,
who resides at Berwick, where he is in the
:

employ of the American Car and Foundry
Jessie M., who is at home Catherine, married to J. W. Bennett, of Johnstown,

Company

;

and
(she has one child, George T.)
Elizabeth, who married William Merkle, and
Pa.

;

resides at Berwick, Pa., where he is employed by the American Car and Foundry

Company.
Mr. Hartman and

his family belong to the
Methodist Church, in wdiose good work they
are very active.
He is a member of the
Knights of the Golden Eagle, and enjoys his
A Democrat
association with this order.
school
politically, he served nine years as a
director while residing in Centre township,
and gave his district the benefit of his practical
knowledge of educational matters gained
while he was an educator himself.

CLEMUEL

L. JARRARD, master mechanic with the American Car and Foundry

Berwick, w^as born July 23, 1864,
Company,
in Nescopeck, Luzerne Co., Pa., son of William P. Jarrard and grandson of Jonas Jarat

rard.

Jonas Jarrard, son of John, w'as

New

bom

June

Jersey. In 1807
he married (first) Mary Bird, who was born
June 20, 1786, daughter of Ralph and Mary
4,

1786, in the State of

1021

Bird, and their children were: John, (iarret,
Sarah Ann, John Henry, Mary and Benjamin.
His second wife, whom he married in 1S21,
was Erminia Dalrymple. born March 17,
17^3,
daughter of Levi and Mary Dalrymple. and
their children were:
William P., Levi L.,
Jonas. Eleanor and James.
William P. Jarrard was born July S, 1S22,
in Warren
county. N. J., and was educated in

the ])ublic schools,
lie learned the trade of
blacksmith, and ran a custom slujp for a time.
Coming to Nescoi^eck in 185S. as a windmill
agent, he there started a l>lacksmith shoj).

There he was married in 1858. I-'roni Nescohe went to Nanticoke and thence to Berwick, running custom .shops in each place.
le
accepted the position of foreman of the blacksmith shop of the Jackson & W'oodin Manufacturing Company, and aliout ten years before his death started a custom shop in Berwick, which he carried on until he died. March
l)eck

He married Caroline, born May 21.
daughter of Henry W. and Nancy
(Davis) Cooper, of Sullivan county, and their
children were as follows: Clara Helen, born
Oct. 10, 1859, wife of Wilbert D. Williams;
Henry C, born Dec. 19, iS<)i, who married
Elmira Anderson; Clemuel L.
Mcrton L.,
born Feb. 17, 1867. who married Keturah
Evans; Mrs. Laura Boice P.liven and I'rances
W'.. born Ian. 21, 1873, who married .\lfred
29, 1888.

1834,

;

Belford.
Clenuiel L. Jarrard came to Berwick at the
He attended the old I'.erwick
age of three.
Academy, the Market street school and the
He then went into the woodhigh school.
working department of the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company, remaining for eighteen months, next entered the blacksmith
shop for a year, then returned to the machine
shop, and in i8fj2 was made foreman there.
He followed vise work from 1896 until i*/)!.
when the plant was absorbed by the American
Car and Foundry Company. He was then
given the position of master mechanic.
Mr. Jarrard married Ida Eckroth, born Dec.
6,
1863. daughter of (ieorge Eckroth. of
Centre township, and their children are: I.ohr.
born Feb. 5. 1888, who married \'ada K\e-

March. 1892 Ray C. born March
1893; and James, born June 2, 1906. Mr.
larrard is a Republican and is now serving
his third term as member of the town council.
He is a member of Bower Memorial United
Evangelical Church, of which he is trustee,
and is connected with Washington Camp No.
Berwick.
105. P. O. S. of A., of
Charles Eckroth was bom in 1793 in Mifflin
land, born in
18,

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1022

schools.
township, and attended the country
He followed farming, owning about ten acres
of land, and besides cultivating his own place
worked around among the neighbors. He was
a member of the German Reformed Church.
His wife, Eliza Rheinard, born in i8i8, died
and their children were: Mary, wife
in

1906.

Samuel Sponenberg; George; Elizabeth,

who

died at the age of sixteen Samuel, living
on a six-acre tract near Briar Creek; Sarah,
wife of PhiHp Sponenberg; Eliza; and Malinda. wife of Frank Whitenight, Buckhorn,
Columbia county.
George Eckroth was born June 6, 1838, in
Mifflin township, and attended the country
He
schools until he was fifteen years old.
worked by the month until he was of age,
spent one year at the mason's trade, and then
bought twenty-six acres in Briarcreek townHe
ship, where he carried on general farming.
is a member of Fowlerville Camp, P. O. S. of
A., and of the United Evangelical Church.
His wife, Sarah was born June 28, 1838,
;

daughter of David Sitler, and they had children as follows
Elizabeth, born Nov. 5,
i860, wife of Noah Stiner, of Orangeville;
Alice, born April 7, 1862. wife of Boyd RemIda, born Dec. 6,
ley, of Centre township
1863, married to C. L. Jarrard, of Berwick;
Anna, born Dec. 18, 1870, who married
:

;

Cora, bom Eeb. 23,
died at the age of twelve; Hiram,

Samuel Zimmerman

who

1875,

;

born Sept. 30, 1867, who married Laura
Bower, of Centre township, and died Feb. 20,
1913; and David C, born Oct. 13, 1866. who
married Effie Shultz, of Briarcreek township.
David Sitler was born in Centre township
and had but little schooling in his youth. He
worked on the home farm until his father's
death, when the property was divided, and he
remained on the homestead, and followed
weaving in the intervals of farm work. He
married Susannah, daughter of Abraham and
Sallie (Rittenhouse) Erwine, and they had
these children
Samuel married Caroline
Yost Adam married Caroline Wright Elizabeth became the wife of James Hayman
Caroline, wife of George Lowery; Rebecca,
wife of Jacob Hill; Sarah, wife of
George
Eckroth: Susanna and Isaac, deceased: and
:

;

four who died in infancy. Mr. Sitler died at
the age of seventy-five and his wife at the
Both were memage of sixty-eight years.
bers of the Lutheran Church.

Simon Sitler. father of David, was a farmer
of Centre township, where he owned a tract
of 180 acres. He was a Democrat and an old
school Lutheran and he is buried at Brick

Church,

His children

Briarcreek township.

who married Elizawho married Ella
Bower: Benjamin, who married Mana Wolf;
Jacob, who married a Miss Hagenbuch Samuel
Hannah, wife of Henry Remley; Elizabesides David were John,
beth Dietterick
George,
:

;

Joseph Plank; Sallie, wife of
William Erwine; and Martha, wife of Henry

beth, wife of

Smith.

JOHN ALEXANDER

GIR\'AN, an upand general repairer of furniture, at
Berwick, Pa., was born at Plainsville, Luzerne

holsterer

Co., this State, Feb. 15, 1887, a son of William Girvan. and grandson of John Girvan.
John Girvan was born in the Highlands of
Scotland, and emigrated from his native
land to America, finally locating at PlainsA miller and a tenant
ville, Luzerne Co., Pa.
farmer, he was active until his death, at the
His first wife, who
age of seventy years.
died prior to his departure from Scotland,
bore him two children
John, who died at
the age of twenty-one years in Scotland and
William, who is mentioned at length below.
By his second wife John Girvan had the following children
Jennie, who married Robert
Ferguson, of Oliphant, Pa.; Margaret. Mrs.
Younger, of Moosic, Lackawanna Co.. Pa.;
James, who lives at Pittston, Pa. Thomas,
:

;

who married Margaret Burley and

lives

Edwardsville, Luzerne Co., Fa.
Mary, who
married Robert Love, of Plainsville, I'a.
David, who lives at Pittston. Pa. John, who
married Rachel Hopkins, and lives at WilkesBarre, Pa. Robert, and Daniel. John Girvan
belonged to the Presbyterian Church. While
living in Scotland he joined the Masonic fraHe is buried at Pittston, in the Old
ternity.
Fellows cemetery.
Always a hard working
man. he gained the confidence of those with
whom he was associated, as well as earning a
comfortable competency.
William Girvan. son of John Girvan. was
also born in the Highlands of Scotland, and
early in life embarked in the business of hanHe crossed the
dling thoroughbred horses.
Atlantic ocean five times in connection with
:

;

this

line.

Finally he

settled

Plainsville,

where he devoted himself to coal mining for some time, and then became a solicitor
for the Metropolitan Insurance
Company.
Owing to his faithful and efficient service he
was advanced, and was about to receive proPa.,

motion to the

of superintendent of the
stricken with locomotor ataxia, and for eight years was a suf-

district office

ferer

office

when he was

from that

disease,

which proved

fatal.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
His remains were
at

Pittston,

Pa.

laid to rest in the

William

cemetery
married
Joseph and

Girvan

Studley, a daughter of
Mary Studley, and they had children as follows: Stewart, who is a machinist, of Plains-

Lydia

Alexander, mentioned below;
Joseph, William, Jr., and Alary, all of Plainsville;
ville

;

John

Lydia,

who

a milliner at that place

;

and Mary and Ruth, who died in infancy.
After the death of Air. Cjirvan his widow
married H. B. McDonald, of Plainsville, and
Mr. Girvan
they had one child, Isabelle.
was a Republican.
Fraternally he was a
Alason, in religious connection a
the Presbyterian Church.

member

John Alexander Girvan, son of William
Girvan, was educated in the schools of Plainsville, attending until he was eleven years old,
when he went on a farm, doing agricultural
work for two years. At the age of thirteen
he became a doortender at the coal mine shaft
at Erie colliery. No. 14, later becoming a
When
driver and car runner in the mines.
he was seventeen years old he went to WilkesBarre, Pa., and served an apprenticeship at
upholstering with William T. Britt, remaining with him until he attained his majority.
Following this, Mr. Girvan went into business
for himself, but within a short time left
Wilkes-Barre for Scranton, Pa., where he
was employed by Clark Brothers, as a carpet
Within a year he resigned to go into
layer.
the contracting business with Clark Brothers,
and the Hartzell Furniture Company. His
next association was with the firm of Stoehr,
Fister & Jennings, of Scranton, whom he
served as a carpet layer, and he was also
in business for himself at Dorranceton, Luzerne Co., Pa., for a short period. Returning
to Wilkes-Barre, he did contract work with
Clark Brothers, Fowler, Dick & Walker, and
Leaving that city, he came
J. W. Roberts.
to Berwick, where he was employed by the
Berwick Store Company for one year.
During this period, when he was variously
engaged," Air. Girvan learned thoroughly every
branch of the upholstering business, and so
was well fitted to do any kind of work along
his line, and this has in large measure conWhen he felt that
tributed to his success.
the time was ri])e he went into his present
business, beginning on Fairview avenue. West
Berwick, and moving to his present location,
No. 217 East Seventh street, where he is
and
doing general upholstering, carpet laying
and cabinet-makfitting, furniture repairing
furniuire. caring, specializing on refinishing
the
and
riage trimming
awning business. In

politics Air.
lican, but is

Order

nected with

same

the

Girvan was formerly a Repub-

now

a Progressive.

Plainsville he joined
.^ons of America, i)ut is

ing

1023

it.

j)lace

\\ hile resid-

the

Patriotic

no longer con-

The Presbyterian Church of
holds his membership.

July 20. i«p7, Air. Girvan was married
Alargaret hrances Alarie liritt, who was
born (»n East Jackson street, in Wilkes-Barre,
Pa., Jan. 22, 1890, daughter of William T.
to

Airs, (iirvan was educated in the
Nicholas parochial school at Wilkes-Iiarre.
and later attended St. Ann's .Academy on the
She was bookHeights, in the same city.
keejjcr for her father, and assistant Ijocjkkeeper and auditor for Lazarus Brothers until
her marriage.
In childhood she became a
member of St. Nicholas Roman Catliolic
Church of Wilkes-Barre. Air. and Airs, (iirvan became the parents of the following children: John William, born July 19, KpS:
Francis Edward, born Oct. 5, k/X); Margaret
Dorothy, born Jan. 26, 191 1 Elizabeth Lydia.
born Alarch 1, 1913, and Robert Alfred, boni
Alarch 21. 1914.

Britt.

St.

;

Thomas Britt, paternal grandfather of .Mrs.
Girvan, was born in Ireland, and with a
brother came from that country to .\merica,
lie married a
settling at W'ilmington. Del.
Bailey, a native of

Aliss

England, and they

had the following children:

James and Kate

are deceased

;

W illiam

.\.

mentioned be-

Alary (deceased) married James Gibney, of New York; Alartha married a Air.
List, and both are deceased Sarah, who mar-

low

;

Daley, lives at Sharon Hill: John
(deceased) married Jennie AlacDonald, and
Thomas Britt was a
lived at Atlantic City.

Hugh

ried

Roman

Catholic,
Protestant, was
Thev are buried
William T. A.

and

his

wife,

converted
at

originally

Catholicism.

Wilmington. Delaware.

Britt,

son of

Thomas

Britt.

was educated at W^ilmington. Del., where he
was born June 30. 18^7. He began his business career as clerk in a grocery store, later
learned the
going to Philadelphia, where he
and
upholsterer's trade, and wagon, piano

Following this he was emorgan building.
Works as an upholployed by the Brill Car
sterer,

and was carpet layer for De Armand

Still later he
of Philadelphia.
\Vilkes-Barre. Pa., where he was a
Fair Company. In
carpet laver for the Orrs
Air' P)ritt began manufacturing couches,

& Companv
went

1889

Frank Henneges. erecting
and starting him in this business
Wilkes-Barre.
at No. 2^ Ea.st Jackson street.
where he continues, carrying on upholstering,

his

father-in-law.'

a building

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1024

Politically he is a
holds
he
membership in
Democrat; socially
St. Mary's
the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Roman Catholic Church of W'ilkes-Barre has

carpet laying and

fitting.

member.
William T. A. Britt
3,
married Anna Henneges, who was born at
Lee Park. Luzerne Co.. Pa.. July 4, 1868,
Baldes
daughter of Frank and Margaret
the
Henneges. Mr. and Mrs. Britt have had
in

him a

faithful

On March

1889,

)

(

Margaret F. M., Mrs.
following children:
Girvan; Mary Agnes, born Sept. 18. 1892.
who died at the age of nineteen years Esther,
who died at the age of three years, tour
months; Arline Kate, born Dec. 11, 1894;
Helen, born Oct. 28, 1896; Gertrude Elizabeth, who died aged two years, three months
;

;

Frank, born Sept.
Sept.

1901

;

and William, born

who married Nellie MacDonald (she
deceased) Mamie, widow of W. G. Behne
(she has two children. Esther and Frances)
Frances, who married E. J. Morgan and has
one child, Margaret Leona Lena, who died
in childhood and Nicholas, who also died in
childhood. The mother died at Wilkes-Barre

ceased,

;

April 30, IQ13, aged ninety-four years. The
entire family are connected with St. Nicholas
Roman Catholic Church, of Wilkes-Barre,
Pa., and those who are deceased are interred
in the cemetery connected with that parish.
Frank Baldes, great-grandfather of Mrs.

John Girvan. located at Wilkes-Barre in an
early day and started a liquor business at the
corner of North and .Main streets.
At his
death the business was taken over by his
son-in-law, Frank Henneges, who finally located at Sixth and North Main streets,
Wilkes-Barre, where the business is still continued, being

now

over half a century

-old.

MAHLON

C. HETLER, mayor of Berwick. Columbia county, and proprietor of a
general store and meat market in that city,
was born July 8. 1870. at Hetlerville. same
county, son of Michael B. and Fanny ( Lutz
Hetler.
Michael Hetler, the paternal grandfather of
Mahlon C. Hetler. was a native of Berks
county. Pa., and an early settler of Columbia
county, where he founded the town of Hetlerville.
He was a large landowner and extensive farmer, and died on the
property on
)

which he had

Mahlon

C. Hetler,

Michael, and

was born

Het-

youth learned the trade of
In time he drifted into contractcarpenter.
was engaged in building, and for many years
in
Columbia
county, but eventually ening
and was the owner of two
in
farming,
gaged
lerville,

and

in his

time of his death, Feb.
large properties at the
17, 191 1.
Gabriel Lutz, the maternal grandfather of
C. Hetler. was born and reared in
Columbia county, was engaged in farming
here for many years, and founded a substanHis parents were of German detial family.
scent and natives of Schuylkill county. Penn-

Mahlon

sylvania.

Michael B. and Fanny (Liitz) Hetler had
a family of six children
Jesse C. a carpenter and contractor, of ^lifilinville. Pa.
Alice, who became the wife of Jacob Gearhart,
of :\Iift1inville Sarah, the wife of Daniel McJames, deceased,
Grover, of Ashland, Pa.
who was superintendent of the coal and coke
plant of Pardee & Company, at Blackwood,
Mahlon C. and
Va... at the time of his death
Carrie, a professional nurse, of Scranton,
:

;

1903.

Frank Henneges married Margaret Baldes,
a daughter of Frank and Anna (Baldes)
Baldes, and they had children as follows:
Anna, who became Mrs. Britt; Nicholas, deis

Michael B. Hetler, son of
father of

first settled.

;

Pennsylvania.

Mahlon C. Hetler received his education in
the schools of Hetlerville, and remained at
home until twenty-two years of age. At that
time he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as ticket agent at
Nescopeck, Pa., ancl after remaining with
them for nine years engaged in the general
store business, as proprietor of the establishment formerly owned by Isaiah Rower, at
Berwick. He has continued to conduct this
business to the present time, and has made a
decided success of his enterprise.
In 1898 Mr. Hetler was married to Minnie
Sonn, who was born at Hazleton, Pa., daughter of Joseph and Mary
Bennett") Sonn, the
father now living retired at Nescopeck, Pa.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sonn were:
Jennie, the wife of Louis Wilson, of PhilaSallie, deceased, who was the wife
delphia
of Joseph Crawford, of Williamsport, Pa.
William, a resident of Canton, Ohio Ida, the
wife of Joseph Lins. of Shamokin, Pa. Hannah, the wife of Louis Sterner, a resident of
Beach Haven, Pa. Minnie one who died
young; Emma, the wife of George Reese, of
Rochester, N. Y. and Edith, also a resident
of Rochester. Mrs. Joseph Sonn died in May.
1914, and is buried in Roselawn cemetery, at
(

;

West Berwick.

A
ler

Democrat

in his political views. Mr. Hetin the city council, of

served three years

'N3

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
which he became president, and

1908 be-

came

his party's candidate for the office of
mayor, to which he was elected, and in which

he has served

five years.

member

Berwick Lodge of Elks, No. 1138, of which
he is past exalted ruler Berwick Lodge, Royal
Arcanum, and the Merchants' Association of
;

Berwick. He has served faithfully as a member of the Berwick Hospital board, and with
his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church,

WILLIAM THOMAS STOUT,
lumber

the

for

agent

American

assistant

Car and

Foundry Company, was born July 26, 1876,
in Sterling Run, Cameron Co., Pa., son of
Stryker Stout, and grandson of Thomas
Stout.
Thomas Stout, the grandfather of William
Thomas Stout, was a luml)erman in Carbon
county, and this business he followed all his

He had

life.

who

the following children:

John

1025

William Thomas Stout was educated in the
of Buena Vista, Carbon
county,
and Dorrance township, Luzerne county, after
which he entered the Wilkes-Barre Business
College, of which Prof. J. W. Wood was
principal,
taking the commercial course.
After finishing his studies at this college he
entered the employ of his father, in the lumber business in Dorrance township, as clerk
and bookkeeper, and assisted in the sawmill.
He remained there until he was twenty-one
years of age, when he went to Nanticoke, Pa.,
and entered the employ of M. J. Rees, general merchant, as clerk and bookkeeper, where
he remained for two years, after which he
returned to Dorrance township and was made
|)ublic schools

manager of

his father's business, also conAfter two years with
ducting the sawmill.
his father he came to Berwick and entered
the wood car shop of the American Car and
Foundry Company, where he continued a
short time.
He was then transferred to the
office of the company and made assistant

Wilkes-Barre; Stryker;
Thomas, who lives in Hawley, Wayne Co.,
Pa. Frank, who is deceased Susan, residing
Sarah and James, both
in Aberdeen, S. D.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Stout
also deceased.

are buried at White Haven, Pennsylvania.
Stryker Stout, the father of William

Aug. 29, 1895, Mr. Stout was
to Elizabeth A. ]\Iyers, a daughter of

R.,

lives

;

Thomas

was born April

1845, in
Carbon county, Pa.
Early in life he entered the lumber business, and spent several
years in the employ of the Albert Lewis LumStout,

27,

ber Company, at Buena Vista, Carbon county,
after w^iich he moved to Dorrance township,
Luzerne county, and bought a tract of 170
acres and a sawmill, which he operated for
many years. Later he sold his farm and mill

moved

and

county, where he

Lake
is

Luzerne

Nuangola,

now conducting

summer

married Martha A. Streeter, daughter of William and Martha Ann (Frear)

hotel.

W. W. Hanly, lumber agent, which position
he has been capably filling to the present
time.

married

Reuben
and Mary Ann (Hoch) Myers, and they
have the following children:
Clyde Myers,
who was born June 2, 1897 ^"f^ Ruth Marian,
born Sept. 7, 1900. Mr. Stout is a Republican in his political views, and is active in his
party, serving the borough of Berwick at the
J.

;

present time as president of the council. He
is a member of Washington Camp, No. 105,
P. O. S. of A., having withdrawn from Camp
No. 170, of which he is a past president. Mr.
Stout is a member of the First Methodist
Episcopal Church, and is active in the councils of that body, serving as one of the official
board and as president of the Ushers' Asso-

Streeter, and they were the parents of the folIda, deceased, was the wife ciation.
lownng children
Elizabeth A. Myers, wife of William
of Daniel Rinehimer, of Slocum township,
Luzerne county; Helen is the wife of Simon Thomas Stout, was born Sept. 26, 1874, in
William Slocum township, Luzerne Co., Pa., daughA. Sims, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Thomas is mentioned below Emma married ter of Reuben J. !Myers, and granddaughter
Edward Stair, of Freeland, Pa. Stryker died of Phillip Myers. His grandfather was a
when thirteen years of age Mabel and Minnie merchant and farmer of Slocum township, and
died voung; a son died in infancy. Mr. Stout was the owmer of several very fine farms,
which upon his death were divided among his
is a Republican, but has never sought public
:

;

office.

member

White Haven

Lodge, No. 254. I. O. O. F., and Washington
Camp, No. 170, P. O. S. of A. He is also an
active member of the ^lethodist Church. His
wife, who died at the age of thirty-six years,
is

buried in the family

lot in

White Haven, Pennsylvania.
65

the cemeter}' at

children.

Reuben J. Myers, Mrs. Stout's father, was
born and educated in Slocum township, and
was the owner of a fine farm of 120 acres,
which he operated all his life. He married
Mary Ann Hoch, daughter of Philip Hoch, a
farmer of the same section, and the following

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1Q26

were born to them: Lyman marand resides in Slocum townMargaret married Henry Ogin, and also
in Slocum township
Anning married

children

ried Ida Fink

ship

•

lives'

;

Etta Sliker Elizabeth A. is Mrs. W. T. Stout
Reuben J. Myers was a
is deceased
Democrat, and a member of the United Evan•

;

Reuben

gelical Church of Slocum township.
his wife are buried in that township.

WILLIAM

HAGENBUCH,

and

em-

was
ployee of the Berwick Store Company,
born April 17, 1841, in Centre township, CoThe Hagenbuch family
lumbia
county.
record is of great interest historically, and the
members of the family now living are many
in number and prominent in the affairs of
their respective places of residence.
John Hagenbuch, grandfather of. William
county, Pa.,
A.', was born in Northampton
and while quite young came with his parents
There they resided all
to Centre township.
of their lives and were laid at rest in the Hidlay cemetery, John passing away in 1845 and
his wife preceding him several years, \lohn

bought 400 acres of land from a man by the
name of Smith, when he first came to the
county, and proceeded to clear a portion of it.
He married Catherine Dreisbach, and they
had eight sons
Conrad, Simon, John, Jacob,
As
Michael, Daniel, Junius and Cliarles.
:

these boys grew to manhood the father erected
buildings for them and apportioned each a
small tract of land as a nest egg. To Conrad,
a weaver, he gave thirty-five acres; to Simon,
a farmer and freighter, sixty-three acres to
John, a farmer, fifty-seven acres; to Jacob, a
to
wheelwright and colorer, thirty acres
Michael, a wheelwright, seventeen acres and
;

;

a timber lot; to Daniel, a farmer, sixty-three
acres; to Junius, a weaver, twenty acres; to
Charles, a blacksmith, twenty acres.
Michael Hagenbuch, father of William A.,
died April 12, 1852, aged fifty-two years,
seven months, twenty-four days. To the seventeen acres given him by his father he added
thirteen more, built a shop, and carried on
the business of wagon making and repairing,
He was a Democrat and a member of the

Lutheran Church. He married Mary, daughter of John Hess, and they had the following
children:
Jackson, deceased; Wesley, deceased; William; Levina. who married Enos
L. Fowler (both deceased) Catherine, widow
of Isaiah Freas and one child that died in
The mother passed away Sept. 7,
infancy.
1867, aged sixty-five years, eight months, one
;

;

day.

William Hagenbuch was educated in the
schools of Centre and Bnarcreek townships,
the days of his
and as his father had died
early youth he made his home with his brothHe remained
er-in-law, Enos L. Fowler.

with Mr. Fowler until his thirty-first birthday, and then went to Berwick and took a
position with the Jackson & Woodin Company, operating boring and mortising machines for twenty-six years. After that time
he entered the employ of the Ber\yick Store

whom

he has remained up to
Mr. Hagenbuch is a Republican in politics a member of Susquehanna
Commandery, No. 18, Knights of Malta; of
the Berwick Beneficial Association; and is
connected with the Bower Memorial United

Company, with

the present time.

;

In 1872 he marned
Evangelical Church.
Fannie, daughter of Paul and Sarah (Miller)
Kirkendall, and they have had two children:
Charles Ernest, born Sept. 28, 1873, marned
Ada Beishline, of Berwick; Mary, born Aug.
of Berwick,
19, 1884, married Paul Lohr.
Leonard Kirkendall. grandfather of Airs,
Hagenbuch, was born Feb. 12, 1804, in Mifllin
township, son of Emanuel and Mary Kirkendall, both of whom lie at rest in the Brown

cemetery in Miftlin township. Leonard was
educated in the old subscription schools and
devoted all of his life to farming upon his
He married Mary,
domain of 120 acres.
daughter of Paul and Christina^ Grover, and
Mary, born Sept. 23, 1830,
they had children
died Nov. 19, 1905 Emanuel, born Aug. 27,
1834, died at the age of sixty-seven, married
Margaret Snyder, also deceased Paul was the
father of Mrs. Hagenbuch. Leonard Kirkendall was a devoted father and a consistent
member of the Presbyterian Church, in which
he held the position of elder. He and his wife
are interred in the Brown cemetery, near the
last resting place of his father and mother.
Paul Kirkendall, father of Mrs. ILagenbuch,
was born June 24, 1826, in Mifflin townshii),
where he acquired his education and worked
on the farm until his twenty-first year. He
then took up the trade of carpenter, which he
followed the rest of his life.
He married
Sarah
Charles and
Sarah, daughter of
(Hawn) Miller, and their union was blessed
with but one child, b'annie. Mrs. Hagenbuch.
Mr. Kirkendall moved to Berwick when Fannie was but four years old, and there spent
the rest of his life.
He was a Democrat,
a member of Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O.
O. F.. and connected with the Presbyterian
Church. His wife was very active in church
work, she and another lady conducting a Sun:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
school one winter when interest had
slackened and volunteers were not available.
Mr. and Mrs. Kirkcndall are interred in Pine
Grove cemetery, iierwick. Paul Kirkcndall
died April 12, 1901, and his wife, born July
4, 1823, died Feb. 23, 1887.
Fannie Kirkcndall (Mrs. fagcnbuch was
(lay

born

May

)

.She
1849. 'n -Mi'llin township.
attended public school at Perwick and I5crwick Academy, under Prof. S. C. Jayncs. She
is a member of the Bower Memorial l*2van3.

Church (her husband also being very
active in the work of that organization), is
a member of the Home and Foreign Missionary Society and the Ladies' Aid Society, of
which latter she has been president for ten
gelical

years.

WILLIAM E. TUBBS, a substantial resident of Berwick, Pa., who is engaged in general hauling and street sprinkling, was born
July 18, 1858, in Fairmount township, Luzerne
Co., Pa., son of Daniel and Felicia Ann
(Keck) Tubbs.
Church Tubbs, the grandfather of William
E. Tubbs, was born in Huntington township,
Luzerne county, and was eighty-four years of
age at the time of his death. He was educated in the common schools, and was engaged
in farming for a number of years, owning a
tract of 100 acres, part of which was cleared.
Some time prior to his death he retired from
active pursuits. Mr. Tubbs was a stanch Republican, and his religious connection was
with the Methodist Church. He married Rebecca Parks, of Ross township, Luzerne
county, and they became the parents of the
Jemima, who married
following children
Milo Hoyt Earl J., who married Phenie Monroe, and died while serving as a soldier dur-

Va.,

Oct.

mustered

28,
in

1S64.

Aug.

20.

1027

William
18O2, as a

Tubbs

was

member

of
E, 149th Regiment. Penn.sylvania
\ oluntecrs, was wounded at
Gettysburg ]uly
I,
1863; transferred to the veteran res"er\e
corps Oct.
17.
1864; discharged general
orders, July 3, 1865.
Joseph 'J'ubbs was
mustered in March 27, 1862, as a member of
Company K, 7,(>{h Pennsylvania X'olunlecr Infantry, was a veteran of the 7th Reserves, and
was killed at P.ethesda Church, May 30, 1864.
Daniel also served.
Daniel 'J^ibbs. the father of Willi.un E.

Company

Tubbs, was born in 1837, in Huntington townshij), and died June 19, 1865, in Salem tcnvnHe was educated in
ship, Luzerne county.
the common schools, and when a young man
rented a farm and engaged in agricultural i)ursuits, being so occupied until 18O3, when he
enlisted in the Union army for service during
the Civil war, his family moving from Fairmount to .Salem township. He was sworn in

Harrisburg, Sept. 3, 1864. as a member of
199th Regiment, aiid saw much
active service.
Having contracted chronic
diarrhea and been wounded in battle at Fort
(iregg, Petersburg, \'a., April 2, 1865. he was
at

Company D,

discharged by general orders. May 18, 1865,
and his sickness and injuries eventually culMr. Tubbs married
minated in his death.
Felicia Ann Keck, daughter of Peter and
Judith (Klinetob) Keck, of Nescopeck. Luzerne county, and they had three children
:

Joseph C,
Judith

S.,

who married Roxanna Pollock;
who married George Clewell and
;

William E. Mrs. Tubbs subsequently married
H. W. Moore, and they had two children
Minnie S., who married Thomas Brobst and
\\'oodward C, who married Nellie Royer.
Mr. Tubbs was a Republican politically, and
Elizawas a faithfid member of the Methodist
married
he
the
Civil
war
who
Elias,
ing
Church.
beth Blaine, and also met a soldier's death
Peter Keck, the maternal grandfather of
William who married Mamie Van Home and
Van Home; Daniel; \Mlliam E. Tubbs. was born Feb. 16, 1809. in
Cordelia
(second)
Martha, who married William Harris Joseph, an old log house which stood along the river
who died as a Union soldier; Simon, who bank at Nescopeck. Luzerne county. His
married Emma Crispell and (second) Phemie father. Solomon Keck, had come from Berks
Allen and Nathan, who went to the West.
county and served during the last year of the
:

;

war of 1812. When twelve years of age
Peter Keck went to Mauch Chunk, where he
Earl J. enlisted in Company I, 143d Regiment, worked two summers on the canal, and in
was mustered in 1827 worked on the Pennsylvania canal. He
Pennsylvania Volunteers
lived in Salem town1862,
20,
captured at Spottsylvania was inarried in 1828 and
Sept.
for
a short time, then
Luzerne
at
died
and
county,
Court House, Va., May 14, 1864,
ship,
where he
Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 22d of that year. going to Fairmount town.'^hip,
in
to
Salem
land.
township
in
cleared
1862,
Returning
mustered
20,
was
Tubbs
Elias L.
Sept.
was the
as a private of the 143d Regiment (Company 1865. he then moved to Benvick. He
Mrs. Cathefather of children as follows:
I), became corporal, and died at City Point,

The

ice

sons of Church Tubbs gave loyal servtheir country during the Civil war:
;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1028

rine Richards, of Huntington; Nathaniel, of
Salem; Mrs. Felicia Ann Tubbs, of Wilkes-

North
Barre;' Christ, of Salem; William, of
Mrs.
and
of
Berwick;
S.,
Berwick; Henry
Mary Ann Cope, of Berwick.
The o-randchildren are as follows Hendrick
and Mfss Laura Richards, of Waterton, Luzerne Co., Pa., John Keck, of Salem Jesse
:

;

Keck, Wilkes-Barre; Daniel Keck, Berwick;
Thomas Keck, Sunbury; Mrs. Addie Shaffer,
Sayre; W. E. Tubbs, J. C. Tubbs, Berwick;
Mrs. George Clewell, Mrs. Minnie Brobst,
Scranton; W. C. Moore, Wilkes-Barre; John
Keck. Salem; Mrs. McClellan Cope, Berwick;
Charles Keck, Berwick; Frank, Arthur and
Miss Alice Black, Berwick; Gilbert, North
Dakota; Peter, Canada; Mrs. Bird Pollock,
Floyd Cope, Herbert Cope and OlHe Cope,
Berwick.
The great-grandchildren of Peter Keck are
Mrs. Harry Seely, D. C. Tubbs,
as follows
Verdie Tubbs, Bessie Cope, Lawrence Keck,
Fred and Doyle Keck, Lloyd Pollock, Berwick Lena, Guy and Boyd Keck. North Berwick Lucinda and Ruth Keck, Lester Keck,
Salem Maurice and Ralph Keck, WilkesBarre Elmer and Roy Keck, Sunbury Vida,
Clinton. Fred, Florence, Mildred, Alvin and
Cleo Shaft'er, Sayre, N. Y. Miss Verdie Kline
and Florence Brobst, of Scranton; Mabel
Moore, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and Mrs. Clark
:

;

Hull, of Philadelphia.
The great-great-grandchildren (those in the
fifth generation from Peter Keck) trace their
lineage as follows: Peter Keck, Mrs. Tubbs,
W. E. Tubbs. Mrs. Clark Hull and Glenn

Hull; Peter Keck, Mrs. Tubbs, Mrs. George
Clewell. Mrs. Harry Kline, and Paul and Mildred Kline Peter Keck, Nathaniel Keck, John
Keck, Mrs. Harry Seely and Lawrence Seely.
William E. Tubbs was educated in Moore's
schoolhouse, at Berwick, and the Market
In 1875 he emstreet school at Berwick.
barked upon his career in the foundr}' of the
;

Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company,
as a wheel molder and coremaker under D. C.
McHenry, superintendent, and William FenIn 1892 he moved to
stermaker, foreman.
Wilkes-Barre, where he embarked in the ice

American
Car and Foundry Company, where he molded
wheels under Sidney Lewis, superintendent,
for one year. At that time (1899) he took up
the sprinkling business on the streets of Berwick, in 1904 went into the coal business, in
which he continued seven years, and in 191 1
began the business of general sprinkling in the
summer months and general hauling in the
business, in 1899 returning to the

His business has been excepand under his able and
efficient management has assumed large proMr. Tubbs is an ardent and active
portions.
Prohibitionist. He is a Methodist in his religious belief, and his fraternal connection is
with Berwick Lodge, No. 246, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Tubbs was married to Annie Groh, who
was born Nov. i, 1858, at Espy, daughter of
John and Catherine (Steiner) Groh, of Espy,
Columbia Co. Pa., and three children were
born to this union: Daniel C, bom Nov. i.
1881, now living at Buffalo, N. Y.
Myra
Blanche, born Nov. 7, 1883, who is buried in
Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick; and Evelyn
Isabel, born Sept. 11, 1886, now the wife of
Clark Hull. Mrs. Tubbs died April 6, 1901,
and was buried in Pine Grove cemetery. Her
father, John Groh, was born at Espy, there
received a common school education, and spent
his early life as a boatman on the Pennsylvania canal, later becoming devoted to the
mercantile business at Espy, where he died in
1909. He married Catherine Steiner. and they
became the parents of the following children
Alverna, who married Mordan Dawson Parvin, who married Annie Fox
Annie, Mrs.
Tubbs
who married Elizabeth
\\'illiam.
Murry Walton, who married Louise Kirkendall; and Myra, who married Harry \\'apples.
Mr. Groh was a Democrat, affiliated with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was
a faithful member of the Methodist Church,
For his second wife Mr. Tubbs married
Mrs. Lottie Jones, daughter of James and
Elmira Rook, of Berwick, Pa. She was bom
Aug. 27, 187 1, at Berwick, and went to the
Market street school there, but at the age of
thirteen years moved to Nanticoke, where she
was subsequently married to William Jones,
of Masteg, Wales, a machinist of Nanticoke.
Two children were born to this union Ella,
who is deceased and buried at Nanticoke and
Clara, who married Harold Aikman.
John Rook, the grandfather of Mrs. Tubbs,
was bom at Berwick, Pa., and became one of
the prominent men of that borough, being a
leader in local Republican politics, and serving
before the war as postmaster, an office which
he held at the time of his death. He married
Anna Herring, daughter of Samuel Herring,
of Berwick, and they became the parents of
the following children
Fannie, who married
Augustus Ru.sh William, who married Dimiis
Iwank and (second) Ola Andrews; Ellie,
who married Alfred Walton Alice, who married Thomas Welliver; Tames, who married
winter season.

tionally

successful,

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1029

Elmira Evans; Maggie, who married William kind of work seven years more.
For five
Boyles; Samuel, who married Louisa Kurtz; years he conducted a store at West Pittston,
Laura, who married Oscar McBride; and and then coming to Pensyl bought his presAnnie, who married Charles George. Mr. and ent business. Mr. George carries a genMrs. Rook were consistent members of the eral line of merchandise, and
enjoys the good
Methodist Church.
patronage to which his methods entitle him
James Rook, the father of Mrs. Tubbs, was to. The Rt'imblican jjarty has his support,
born in October, 1843, at Berwick, Pa., and and he has served as inspector and clerk of
received his educational training in the old election. For many years he has been a conacademy on Market street. He first secured sistent member of the United Brethren
emi)loyment at the Jackson & Woodin Com- Church. I'Vaternally he belongs to the Sons
pany's plant at Foundryville, and later was of America.
with the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing
In 1876 Mr. George was married U) ICmeline
Company, and finally with the American Car Fetterman, a daughter of Benjamin Fetlerand Foundry Company, at Berwick. He was man, and children as follows were born to
Carrie \'., who married Herbert
employed in the machine shop under Abner them
Welsh and Thomas A'an Tassell, and is now Street; Harry, who is deceased; Benjamin,
He married Elmira Evans, daughter mentioned below Charley Jessie Thomas
retired.
of William and Clarinda (Lockart) Evans, of Raymond; Paul; Katherine, and Bertha. The
Evansville, Pa., and three children have been mother died recently.
born to this union, namely: Fannie, who marBenjamin George was fire boss at the Scranried Freeman Thomas, of Nanticoke Lottie
ton mines when occurred the tragic accident
and Lawrence, who married Minnie Gensel, in which one man was killed. Had it not
and now resides at Hammond, Ind. (they have been for the bravery of this young man there
two children, Mary Jane, born Jan. 7, 1900, would have been two more fatalities, but
and Elmira Helen, born Aug. 28, 1902.)
Benjamin George heroically braved the almost
certain danger from the caving earth and went
WILLIAM J. GEORGE, a general mer- back for two of his men, bringing them out
chant at Pensyl, Columbia Co., Pa., was born to safety. He attempted to rescue the other,
Jan. 4, 1854, son of Jackson and Mary but was prevented by another avalanche of
His paternal grandfather, earth. Mr. George was awarded a Carnegie
(Leiby) George.
Jonathan George, came from Germany to this medal and $1,000 for his bravery, and the
country, and married a native of England.
papers lauded him justly for his heroic action.
:

;

Jonathan George after living at Minersville
some years, moved to Brush Valley, and
engaged in the sawmill business. He bought
a farm in Franklin township, Columbia
county, where his death occurred during the
Civil war, and his remains were interred in
the cemetery at Numidia, where his wife also
lies at rest.
Their children were: Washington, Elias, Jackson, William, Mayberry, Mrs.
Ernst, Mrs. David Peece, Mrs. John Hatter,
for

Politically the father

was

a Republican.

Jackson George and his wife
were the parents of William

Mary
J.,

(Leiby)
Jeremiah,

Har\'ey, Hains and Mayberry. They farmed
for eight years in Roaringcreek township and

moved
Then

Numidia, where Mr. George
died.
his wife returned to the farm and
lived there three years, when she removed to

then

Aristes.

George worked in the breaker at
Aristes until he was fourteen years old, and
then went into the mines, driving team and
laboring for a few years. At the age of eighteen he went to learn the carpenter's trade,
but going back to the mines continued that
William

;

WILLIAM

\OUGHT,

engaged

in the

general insurance business at Berwick, Pa.,

was born in that borough March 22, 1873,
son of Josiah and Fannie (Bilby) Vought.
Isaac \^ought, the grandfather of William
C. \'ought, was of German ancestry, and at
an early date settled at Wyoming. Luzerne
Later he moved to Illinois, where
Co., Pa.
he remained a short time, then returnmg to
In
Pennsvlvania and settling at Danvdle.
and here conto
Pa.,
came
he
Berwick,
1867

tinned to reside for
at the remarkable

many
age

years, passnig away
of nmety-eight.

1894.

\ ought, was
and
born in Illinois,
upon commg to berwith the tirm
connected
became
Pa.,
wick,
became suhe
which
of
of Freas Brothers,

of Isaac
Josiah \'ought, son

the present time he is general superintendent of machinery and equipment for the Paragon Plaster and Supply

pcrintendent.

Company.

He was

married

Lerwick to

Fannie Bilby, daughter of W illiam bilby a
killed
soldier during the Civil war who was

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1030
in battle.

Five children have been born to

Mr. and Mrs. Vought:

who

Wilham

;

Edward,

a resident of Scranton, Pa.; Brittain,

Scranton

also of

;

Harr}%

who

deceased

;

and Fred, living at Scranton.
William C. \'ought received

his early education in the public schools of Berwick, and
it
by attendance at Wood's
Business College, Scranton, Pa. During school
vacation he entered the employ of the Jackson

supplemented

& Woodin

Mfg.

Co.,

Berwick,

whose

plant he learned the machinist's trade, following that occupation for several years at Scranton, Pa.
Returning to Berwick in 1904, he
accepted a position as foreman with the

American Car and Foundry Company, later
was with the Mansfield Lumber Company as

Mr. and Mrs. Lockard were born the follow-

John H., who
ing children
follows the carpenter's trade,
:

;

unmarried,

and

lives

who

married
Island, 111., has two
Lizzie married Lloyd Albertson and

Greenwood township;
James Hynes, of Rock
children

Ella,

they removed to Rock Island, where they reside (they have three children); Margaret
married D. W. Parker, of Rohrsburg, and
they have had three children, two of whom
are deceased James Seymour is next in the
family Harvey J., a farmer in Greenwood
township, married Ella Trivelpiece.
James Seymour Lockard was born Oct. 17,
1868. and obtained his schooling in the home
neighborhood. His principal attention has al;

;

ways been given to farming, which he now
on upon the homestead his father purchased in 1850; he now owns the property.

manager, continuing in this capacity for one
and a half years, and then embarked in his

carries

present business, opening a suite of offices in
the Dickson building, at Berwick.
Through
the exercise of honesty, integrity, energy and

On Oct. 9, 1907. he married Florence X.
Ingram, and to them one child, James X.
^Fr. Lockard atLockard, has been born.
tends the Christian Church.
George Ingram, Mrs. Lockard's father, is

good management, he has built up a prosperous business, and has become widely known
in insurance circles.
He is an active member
of the Berwick Lodge. Xo. 1138, B. P. O.
Elks, and of Berwick Aerie, Xo. 1281, F. O.
Eagles, and is secretary of the latter organization.

Politically a Republican, he has taken
in public afifairs. and for the

an active part

last three years has served as secretary of the
board of health.
In 1893 Mr. Vought was married to Jennie
Mann, a native of Columbia county. Pa.", born
in Beaver \'alley.
daughter of John S. and
Sallie (Brobst) Mann, both now deceased.

The

father, for years a hotelkeeper and boatman, was active in the political aflfairs of his

Five children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. X'ought, namely:
Reginald,
Blanche, John. Fred and Hudson, all of whom

of old Pennsylvania stock, being the son of

George D. Ingram, a veteran of the Civil war.
and his wife Eliza (Davis). George Ingram
married Mary Lindenmuth, who is of German
descent, and they are farming people of Columbia county. Xine children have been born
Howard A., of Renovo, Pa., a
to them:
builder (he is unmarried) Florence X., Mrs.
Lockard; Charles A., a lumberman, of Fillmore. X". Y. (he is married and has two children) Belle, who married Arthur Parker and
;

;

in Greenwood township; Cora, of
Bloomsburg; Homer H., Daniel H.. Ella and
Blanche, at home.

resides

locality.

are living with their parents.

JAMES SEYMOUR LOCKARD
the homestead in

operates

Greenwood township. Co-

lumbia county, which his father
bought in
1850. and the family have been residing there
His parents. James and
continuously since.
Sarah (Cole) Lockard. were among the first
settlers in the neighborhood and were
always

most respected residents.
James Lockard was of Scotch-Irish descent,
his parents coming from Scotland when
young.
His wife, Sarah (Cole) Lockard, was the
of
Xicholas Cole and was born in
daughter

among

its

New Jersey, being a child when her parents
remo\-ed to a farm in Greenwood
township,
where she resided until her marriage.
To

JOHX

McANALL.

superintendent of

American Car
and Foundry Company, Berwick. Pa., was
born in that city Aug. 4. 1852.
John McAnall. his father, was born March
he
ly, 181 5. in Edinburgh. Scotland, where
the hospital department of the

attended

the

public

schools.

He came

age of sixteen and settled in
Pa.,
Briarcreek township. Columbia Co..
where he rented a small farm. He took up

America

at the

occupation of teamster, hauling flour,
grain and feed for a coal company at Jeddo.
continuing this work until his death. Sept. 28,
He was a constable of Berwick and
1878.
for a nunil)er of years a justice of the peace,
dying while in office. Politically he was an
adherent of the Republican party, and in religious connection a member of the Presbyterian Church of Berwick, in which he was an
the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
elder and a deacon,

lie married Katherine

German, who was born Aug. i, 1821, daughter of John and Lucy German, and their children were
Fannie, wife of Mahlon ElHott
Mary, wife of Frank S. Hunt; Robert, who
died young; John R., mentioned below;
Charles K.
and Ulysses G. Mr. McAnall
was a member of the Odd Fellows for forty
years and a charter member of Berwick Lodge,
:

;

No. 246. I. O. O. F.
John R. McAnall attended the public schools
and graduated from the high school of Berwick.
At the age of eighteen he began to
learn stonecutting with L. Kurtz & Son, working in the summer months and going to school
during the winter. He remained with the firm
for sixteen years, and then, his health failing.
clerked in a store for one year. He had previously worked with the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company, lettering cars, and
in 1904 took charge of the storehouse of the
American Car and Foundry Company, handling the car finishers'

supplies for a year.
the first-aid hosHe also
pital, and in 1906 took full charge.
places fire, plate glass and boiler insurance.

Then he was given charge of

Mr. McAnall married Josephine

Lau-

bach, and they have had children as follows
Alice Leona, wife of Clark D. Eaton, has
:

two

children,

Fred H. and John

McA;

Grace

the wife of Walter Drumheller, of Sunbury. Mr. McAnall is a Progressive, and has
been borough auditor and judge of elections.
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church,
of the P. O. S. of A. and of the Knights of
L.

Malta.

John Laubach, grandfather of Mrs. Mcwas of German parentage, a farmer by
occupation, and resided at Fairmount Springs.
Luzerne county. He was called "the friend
of the poor." He married Ann Frontche, and
they had these children: Rhoda Abraham;
Isaac Peter George Daniel John F. ChrisAnall.

;

1031

Berwick) J.jsephine F. an.l Daniel W.,
died young and is buried in Pine Grove.
;

;

who

CHARLES

K. McANALL. one of Berrespected and honored citizens, was
born July 20, 1X57, and has
spent his entire
wick's
life

Anall.

that borough.

His father, John .Mcliirth, born

was of Scottish descent and

Edinburgh, March 17, 1815. lie attended
the public schools of that
city until he was
sixteen years of age, when he
to

emigrated

America.

Coming

to Columl)ia
county. Pa.,
in 183 1, he settled on a farm in I'lriarcreek
township, and later removed to Berwick, liesides engaging in farming he also contracted

with a coal company at |ed<Io to haul flour,
He served as constable of
grain and feed.
Berwick for a number of years and later as
justice of the peace, an office which he occupied until his death, which occurred Sej)!. 2><,
He was a believer in the princi|)les of
1878.
the Whig party, and on the formation of the
Republican party became a member thereof
and supported it the remainder of his life. He
was one of the early members of the Presbyterian Church of Berwick, and served as eUler
and deacon for years. His wife. Katherine. a
(laughter of John and Lucy German, was born
Aug. I. 1 82 1. Their children were as follows: Mary, who married Frank S. Hunt,
both deceased Robert, who died in youth
l\innie. deceased, wife of Mahlon IClliott;
John R. Charles K. and Ulysses G., who
died aged ten years. Mr. McAnall belonged to
the I. O. O. F., being a charter member of
Berwick Lodge. No. 246. with which he was
connected for over forty years, and he took
;

;

an active part in its work.
Charles K. Mc.Xnall attended the public
schools of Berwick while a young man. and
after leaving school entered the employ of
W. F. Snyder, with whom he remained about
He
five years, learning the painter's trade.
then entered the employ of the Jackson &

who married May Pennington; Woodin Manufacturing Company, remaining
Frederick, who married Lucy Harrison and with them in various capacities for more than
Joseph, who died young.
thirtv vears, and was one of their honored
tian; David,

;

John Frontche Laubach, father of Mrs. and trusted employees, well meriting the conMcAnall, was born in Fairmount fidence reposed in him. In 1910 he accepted
sur- an
Springs. He taught school and practiced
agency for the Continental and Casualty
of the Insurance
veying, and was a prominent citizen
Company, and also became cona Methodist, nected with the Union Central Insurance Coma
He
was
Republican,
county.
and a member of the Odd Fellows order. He pany, of Cincinnati. He is devoting his entire
married Susannah, daughter of Solomon and time to the writing of insurance, and has
Amanda (Dodson) Taylor, and their children Iniilt up a large and lucrative business.
Herbert C, who married Emma HarIn politics Mr. McAnall has supported the
were
mon Jessie F. John B.. who married Emma principles of the Reyniblican party, and has
in its aflfairs in the city
Revis'(he is buried in Pine Grove cemetery, taken an active part
John R.

;

COLUMBIA AND MOxXTOUR COUNTIES

1032

He has served several terms as
judge of elections, inspector of elections and

and county.

registry assessor.

Mr. McAnall

member

of the Baptist

Church, and has served as leader of the choir
Both he and his wife are
for many years.
stanch supporters of this church, and have
contributed time and

bom March

1888.

In his various occupations, Mr. McAnall
has always been energetic and trustworthy,
and has won the esteem of the community in
which he lives. He is a member of Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O. S. of A., Berwick,
and of Camp No. 70, P. O. of A.
John German, father of Mrs. John McAnall, was born about 1777 i" Berks county,
He died in a PhilPa., of German ancestry.
adelphia hospital about 1837, and was buried
in that city.
He and his wife Lucy had three
children:
Luther, born Dec. 13, 1818, who
died April 13, 1914. and is buried at Derrs,
Columbia county; Katherine. born Aug. t,
1821; and Isabel, born March 2"/, 1822, who
died Jan. i, 1894, and is buried in Missouri.

JEREMIAH

NUSS, now

tion continued until the death of the senior
in 1891.
John Nuss married Mary

member,

Gearhart, a daughter of Jacob and Polly Gearand they had children Sarah, who marWilliam Fisher Martin W. Mary, who

hart,
ried

money to its welfare.
Mr. McAnall was mar- married Boyd Hawk;

June 2"], 1881,
ried to Clementine Virginia, a daughter of
Asher McBride, who was a resident of West
Salem, Ohio. Mrs. McAnall has been a resident of Berwick for many years, coming to
The children
this town when a young girl.
of this marriage are Robert Little, who was
born April i, 1885, ^"cl Ernest Becker, who

was

from Jacob Shuman and operated it until 1876,
when he took his son into partnership, the firm
becoming J. M. Nuss & Son, which associa-

living retired
born at Mainville,

;

Esther,

who married

Daniel B. Fetterolf; and Jeremiah B.

Jeremiah B. Nuss after attending the pubschools of his neighborhood went to the
Williamsport business college, at Williamsand the Bloomsburg State Normal
port,
lic

School, being a member of the first class to
be graduated from the latter institution. Having thus fitted himself for teaching, Mr. Nuss
became an educator, and taught for seven
years, all of his schools being in Columbia
Following this he became a bookcounty.
keeper for Smedley Brothers of Philadelphia,
and so continued until 1876, being with this
In the latter year Mr.
firm for five years.
Nuss entered into partnership with his father
at Mainville, Pa., and after the death of the
latter continued to operate the mill until 1904,
when he retired to Bloomsburg, where he is
now living at No. 522 East street. In 1906
he sold his milling property.

In 1 88 1 Mr. Nuss married Ada Shuman. a
daughter of George Shuman, and she died in
1884. In 1891 Mr. Nuss married Annie Supplee. a daughter of George \\'. and Sarah

(Hamer) Supplee. and they became

the par-

two children Preston, who was graduated from the local high school, is now a
drug clerk at Bloomsburg; Ruth, after graduating from the local high school, was graduatecl from the Bloomsburg State Normal in
ents of

Bloomsburg, Pa., was
Columbia Co., Pa., in October, 1850, a son
of John Nuss and grandson of
John Nuss.
John Nuss, the grandfather, owned a large
tract of land adjacent to the Reformed Church
the class of 1912.
at Alainville, and is buried in the
cemetery
Mr. Nuss is a Democrat. His religious conattached to that church. He
spent a long and nection is with the Reformed
Church, of
useful life as an agriculturalist.
lohn Nuss
member.
he
•which
has
been
a
consistent
long
married Esther Shult, and they had children
He belongs to the P. O. S. of A. and is one
as follows: Samuel, who died at Shamokin
of the prominent members of that order. For
Charles died in Main
township; Daniel died
in ]\Iain
many years Mr. Nuss has taken a keen interis
mentioned
township John
below
est in Sunday school work, now teaching a
Franklin died in the State of Indiana
loseph
class of men, and he is often sent as a
died
near Wilkes-Barre
Sarah married large
Daniel Shipe Mary married Gideon Gearhart delegate to the diflferent Sunday school conand (second) Henry Bowman; Hettie mar- ventions, being regarded as a most efiicient
He has traveled conried Lott Werts Abbie married Peter Hart- man for this purpose.
zell.
siderably, and he and his family have made
at

;

John Nuss, son of John Nuss, and father
of Jeremiah B. Nuss, was born in
1814 in
Main township, and there followed
farming
until 1 871, when he embarked in the
milling
business at Mainville.
He bought his mill

several enjoyable trips to the Pacific coast.
One of the most reliable and substantial men
of his city, Mr. Nuss is devoting much of
his time to the betterment of
is

interested

humanity and
any measure which he be-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
lieves will

tend towards a permanent moral

1033

ents of eleven children, as follows
of Briarcreek township, widow

marriage

Rebecca,
of Silas
Moyer, has five children Delilah was the wife
of Lloyd iJoylcs, and both are deceased; Wesley, deceased, left a widow and three children Enos. deceased, remained single all his
life and resided at Berwick, Pa.; Hiram lived
in Berwick and at his death left a widow and
seven children I'dijah. who is living at I'cnui-

in 16S4 the young
He was a
couj^le came to Philadelphia, Pa.
man of remarkable intelligence and dignified
capability, and his excellent traits of character were recognized and appreciated by that
sagacious judge of human nature, William
Penn, who made of him a warm personal
son of the founder of the family
friend.
changed the spelling of the name to Suplee,
while later descendants still further changed

married iJrose iregory and had live
children; Piowman, of Iletlerville, is married
and has had five children William, a resident
of Foundryville, is unmarried
i",mnia married John Miller, of Salem, Luzerne county,
and has had eleven children; Clemuel R. is
mentioned below; Ella, witlow of Philip Oberdorf, had three children.
Clemuel R. Bower received his education in
the local schools, and as a young man entered

uplift.

The Supplee family of Pennsylvania was
founded in the American Colonies hy Andros
Souplis (as the name was then spelled), a
distinguished young officer of the French
army who, in 1682, owing to the disturbed
condition

own

of his

country, escaped

Germany, where he was united

into

with Gertrude Stressinger.

to Supplee.

Samuel Supplee, the grandfather of Mrs.
Nuss,

resided

Montgomery

county.

where he engaged in farming until his
moval to Philadelphia, w'here he died.

Pa.,
re-

married Catherine Reinwalt, who also died in
Their children were
Philadelphia.
George
W., John, Emeline and Mary.
George W. Supplee, son of Samuel and
father of Mrs. Nuss, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., where he too became an agriculturalist. Until 1855 he farmed in his native
county, in that year moving to Columbia
county, where he first settled at White Hall,
but ten years later, in 1865, moved to Jerseytown. There he continued to have his home
until 1886. when he came to P)loomsburg,
where his useful life terminated in 1895.
George W. Supplee married Sarah Hamer,
who died at Bloomsburg in 1900, and both are
buried in Rosemont cemetery. They had children as follows
Antoinetta, who married
Cyrus DeMott Gertrude, who married Albert
Girton Horace G. Annie, who married Jeremiah P>. Nuss Emma, who died in childhood Mary, who died in childhood Sallie,
who died in childhood and George, who died
:

;

at the age of seventeen years.

CLEMUEL

BOWER,

R.
farmer and
blacksmith, of Berwick, following his trade in
the employ of the American Car and Foundry
Company, was born at Briar Creek. Columbia
Co., Pa., Nov. 20, 1853, son of Solomon and

;

dryville,

(

;

the em])loy of the Jackson & Woodin ^L'lnufacturing Company, later the .\merican Car

and Foundry Company, with which concern
he has been connected

in \arious capacities
for u])wards of forty-five years. He was employed as a blacksmith for thirty-three years,
and has been engaged in various capacities
He has also carried on farming opersince.
ations on his farm of twenty-one acres, and

by industry, persistence and good management has made a success of his ventures. He
is known as one of the reliable and j)ublicspirited men of his community, and numl)ers
many friends in a wide circle of acquaintances.
On Oct. 3, 1873, Mr. Bower was married
to Clara J. Miller, of Foundryville. born June
20. 1858, one of the nine children of Reuben
Miller, a farmer, miller and distiller, who
Eight children
passed away Dec. 31. 1887.
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bower, namely:
Florence C, born March 8, 1875. married
P>ank Fenstemaker (who is with the American Car and Foundry Company) and has
seven children; Eva P.. born July 15. 1876,
of Foundryville, married Frank Martz Cconnected with the American Car and Foundry
Company) and has one son; Clarence .\., of
Salem, born Feb. 14. 1878. now with the .American Car and Foundry Company, married Minerva Henry and has eleven children Claude
W^, bom Oct. 20. 1880. also with the American
Car and Foundry Company at North Berwick, married Martha Seely, and has three
children; Edith S., bom Oct. 2, 1882. is the
wife of Seth Lamon. a farmer of Briarcreek
township, and has three children Leroy R.,
born Sept. 3, 1884, with the American Car and
at North Berwick, married
;

Ann (Adams) Bower.
Solomon Bower, father of Clemuel R.
Bower, was of German descent, but his birthplace is unknown. His wife w^as bom in Co- Foundry Company
lumbia county, Pa., and they were the par- Laura Cope, and has two children; Stanley
Sarah

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1034

N. Y. Courtney E. completes the family. The
died April 6, 1914.
mother
sixteen
of
a
when
and was drowned
youth
Ellsworth Ferris was educated in
Hazel C, bom Aug.
Courtney
Dec.
28,
1902;
years,
a merchant the public schools, graduating at Smyrna.
Elmer
married
Bomboy,
21, 1889,
the ice
O., born Sept. 8, 1886, broke through

in Scranton, Pa.,

and has one daughter.

;

Afterwards he went as clerk into the large

members of the general store of Dixon Brothers, at Smyrna,
Mr. and Mrs. Bower
a commercial course and
Methodist Episcopal Church of Foundry ville, subsequently taking
from the Utica business college.
Bower
Mr.
graduating
its
in
work,
and have been active
of the Dixon brothers
class leader and About this time one
serving as trustee, treasurer,
Mr. Ferris returned to that comand
died
Bower
Mrs.
Sunday school superintendent.
A pany to take his place in the clothing departis president of the Ladies' Aid Society.
ment, and although only nineteen years of
Bower
Mr.
his
in
views,
Democrat
political
which
for
and
age had charge of the clothing stock,
is a member of the election board
was valued at $6,000. He continued there
fourteen years has acted in the capacity of
until 1888. when he left in order to go into
director.
are

school

COURTNEY ELLSWORTH

FERRIS,

assistant manager of the Berwick Store Comhas been
pany, a large enterprise of Berwick,
identified with that concern since 1903 and

has had a long experience in the mercantile
He was born June 28, 1862, at De
business.
N.
Y., son of George W. Ferris and
Ruyter,
a grandson of Jesse Ferris.

business at Oswego Falls, N. Y., as a member
of the firm of Dixon & Ferris, dry goods.
When the mills subsequently shut down the
firm sold out and Mr. Ferris entered the em& Bull, wholesale
plov of Woodhull, Goodale
clothiers at Syracuse, and from there went to
the Roberts-Wricks Company, at Utica, N. Y..
with which firm he remained three years as

Returning to Smyrna
he organized the firm of Ferris, Sternberg &
N. Y., from
Jesse Ferris moved to Smyrna,
Co., taking over the general store of Dixon
the earliest Brothers.
of
one
was
and
N.
Y.,
In 1900 a disastrous fire occurred
Amsterdam,

He cleared up
settlers in Chenango county.
a large body of land and engaged in farmHis wife, Zerurah Decker, was probing.
of
Amsterdam, and they had children as
ably
follows: Caleb, who was killed during the
Civil war; Abram, who served during that
war in the 157th New York Regiment; James,
who was also in that war, now living at Frederika, Iowa; Nathaniel: George W., of the 5th
New York Regiment; Lucina; Elizabeth, and

Mary.
George W. Ferris, son of Jesse, was born
in 1829 and died in 1864; he was buried at
De Ruyter, N. Y. He was a carpenter and
contractor at Smyrna and De Ruyter prior to
entering the

army

for service in the Civil war,

which he served as a member of the 5th
New York Heavy Artillery. Having a heavy
cold, he was sent to the army hospitals at
Washington, D. C, and Rochester, N. Y., and
becoming worse he was sent home, where he
died a few days after his arrival. In politics
he was identified with the Republican party.
He was a Methodist in religious faith. George
W. Ferris married Lepha Tuthill. who was
born July 28, 1830, daughter of Ziba L. and

Irene

(McKee) Tuthill, of Allegany county,
N. Y., and they had three children: Morrell
D., born in 1852, married Oliva Stokes, died
in 1876.

who

and was buried at Smyrna Harriet,
was buried at De Ruyter,

died young,

;

a traveling salesman.

Smyrna and Mr. Ferris' business block was
burned. By 1903 the business had been started
anew, but Mr. Ferris desired a different field
in

and sold

his interest,

coming

Berwick and

the
taking the position of floor manager with
Berwick Store Company, of which he is now
assistant manager, in charge of several de-

partments.

Sept. 12, 1883.

Mr. Ferris was married

to Carrie Kellogg, born Jan. 23. 1862. a daughter of John and Alicia (Sprague) Kellogg, of

Smyrna, N. Y., and they have four daughEdith Alicia, born June 18, 1884; AdeLepha. born May 2"], t886; Harriet
x\rabell. born Aug. t8, 1888. wife of Jesse J.
Kostenbauder and Helen Theresa, born June
Mr. Ferris and his family belong to
6, 1893.

ters:
laide

;

In politics he is a
Republican, and fratemally he is identified
with Sherbume Lodge. No. 444. F. & A. M.,
New York; Caldwell Consistory, thirty-second
degree. A. A. S. R.. Bloomsburg. Pa., and also
For the last ten
the Berwick Masonic Club.
years Mr. Ferris has been a member of the
board of directors (elected three times) of
the Y. M. C. A.
Loomis Kellogg, ancestor of Mrs. Carrie

the Presbyterian Church.

(Kellogg) Ferris, was born in Egrcniont,
Mass.. May 12. 1759. and died Oct. 6. 184Q.
He served in the war of the Revolution, his
military record, as given in "Massachusetts

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Soldiers and Sailors of
War," being as follows:

the

Revolutionary

Private, Capt.

raim Fitch's Co., Col.

Eph-

(Berkshire Co.)

enlisted July 15, 1776, discharged AuMileage out
gust 3, 1776, service 19 days.
regt.,

and home (200 miles) allowed.
Company
marched to the Elighlands, N. Y., on an alarm

1035

born ScjU. 8, 1785. dicni May 7, 1871.
They were married in 1802.
John G. Kellogg, son of Horace, was born
March 29, 1822, and died in 1862. His wife,
Alicia Sprague, born Aug. 3. 1826. married
1, 1845, died June 21,1872.
Sept.

tic,

;

also Capt. E])hraim Fitch's Co., Col. Benjamin Simon's detachment of 1 Berkshire Co.
Militia; nuister roll dated Ticonderoga, Feb.
25. 1777; ^"listed Dec. 16, 1776; enlistment to
expire March 15, \'J'J7 also Capt. Ephraim
\

Co., Col. Ashley's (Berkshire Co.)
Regt., enlisted July 21, 1777, discharged Aug.

Fitch's

14, 1777; service 25 days; mileage none (74
miles) allowed; also Capt. Elijah Deming's

detachment from Col. Ashley's regt., enlisted
June 4, 1778, discharged July 15, 1778, served
41 days. Detachment ordered to Albany by
Gen. John Fellows, also Lieut. Andrew
Loomis' Co., Col. Ashley's regt. (Berkshire
Co.) enlisted Oct. 14, 1780, discharged Oct.
17, 1780, service 4 days; company called out
in the alarm at Bennington of Oct. 14, 1780;
Co., Col. John Ashenlisted Oct. 12, 1781, discharged Oct. 23, 1781, service 11 days; company ordered to march to Barnes' Heights, in

also Capt.
ley,

Jr.'s

John Spoor's

regt.,

1781, on an alarm.
Loomis Kellogg was a son of Lieut. Stephen
Kellogg, born Oct. 17, 1721, who lived at
Stillwater, Oct.

12,

Egremont, Mass. He was married Aug. 7,
The town of
1746, and died Aug. 9, 1767.
Westfield voted to build a fort around
Stephen Kellogg's farmhouse. May 4, 1748.
Lieutenant Kellogg served in the siege of
Louisbourg and was a volunteer with his
brother William and forty others to attack
the Island Battery under Capt. Daniel Bacon,
He was commissioned lieutenant in the Berk-

marriea rruaence
born April 4.
j75i.
married
Tuttle; Sally
John Latham Reuben,
bom Jan. 18, 1783. married Rhoda Hart;
Laura. born Nov. 13, 1787, married Gordon
Barnard; Mary (Polly), born Dec. 11, 1790.
married James Graves; Calvin, born Jan. 14,
1794, married Sophronia Hecox; Anna, born
Feb. I. 1798, married Daniel Jervitt Hiram,
born Nov. 9, 1800. married Sallie Brigham.

JOHN FISHER HARTMAN,

son of John Ilartman.
The Ilartman family is of Cerman origin,
and the earliest ancestor to come to America,
Christopher Ilartman, rebelled against liis
government when asked to take the oath of

He escaped from the
to
Cuba ten years later.
and
country
emigrated
He enlisted
in 1773, coming to Phila<lelphia.
in the American army under Washington, rcceived a commission as captain, and for meritorious service was promoted to third in c(jmThis C"hristopher
niand under Washington.
Ilartman was the great-great-grandfather of
John Fisher Hartman, whose grcat-grandfather was named Christopher, and his grand-

allegiance to Prussia.

father John.
John Ilartman, the grandfather,

New

;

The mother

of this family,

Anna (Truman)

died July 25, 1803.

Horace Kellogg, born April 4. 1781, died
TutApril 22, 1854, and his wife. Prudence

came from

1816 and settled in Lycoming
Pa.
county, twenty miles above Williamsport.
Here he farmed a tract of 200 acres for thirty
for a
years and then moved to Williamsport
to Montourswent
he
town
that
From
year.
he died about
ville, Lycoming county, where
1862. He married a Miss Bloom, whose famJersey in

and they had these
ily came from Belgium,
children: William B.. mentioned below Al)raham. who married Martha breas; Marv K..
Sarah Ann wi e ot
of Isaac
;

wife

Artley

ace.

;

of lierwick,

an emi)lovcc of the American Car and
Foundry Company, was born May 20, 1850. in
Columbia
Evansville, Briarcreek townshij),
county, son of William P,. liarlman and grandPa.,

^^^..t

;

ear Monloursville. and had

in the
'J4%,i,^,^,tion as could be acquired
schools of the time. His f^rst occu^^^^^^^
of Mon^jo^-^yas clerking, for William Ellis
for McKelvey
[Q^irsville. and later be clerked
^ l>;cal. of Bloomsburg. and for Kahlfus &
In
\,Voodin, charcoal makers, of Foundryvillc.
to pur^ fg^ years he accumulated .sufficient
chase a boat, which he ran on the PcnnsylHe then bought sixty acres of
yania canal.
and
land at Evansville. farming it for a time,
then moved to Berwick where he did a notarial
Me was a
until his death in 18^5.

business

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1036

Republican and a member of the Methodist
Church, served as recruiting officer in the Civil
war, and for fourteen years was a justice of

and they had these children Phineas, born
Sept. 26, 1830, married Hannah Hartman;
Lavinia, born Aug. 13, 1832, married Henry
the peace.
Faus; Eli, born Feb. 10, 1834. died young;
Mr. Hartman married Catherine, daughter Stephen, born July i, 1836, died young; Hanof Peter and Mary Magdalene (Sitler) Foulk, nah, born Feb. 12, 1841, died young; Suof Berks county, and they had children as sannah, born Sept. 18, 1845, died young;
follows
John Fisher, mentioned below Wil- David G. was born March 4, 1843 Elena M.
liam, who married Ella Swank; Mar>% wife is mentioned above; Elias was born Dec. 18,
:

Pfeififer; Stewart, who married
Louise Metz; Sarah, wife of George East;
Loring. who married Mary Swank Isaac, who
married Ella Campbell; Annie, wife of William Allebaugh Jacob, a bachelor; Rosie, wife
of Kinney Keller; \Mllard, who married An;

;

Bower; and Abram.
John Fisher Hartman attended the Stone
Church schoolhouse, and obtained the best

nie

education possible in the period of his youth.
to Berwick in 1866 and entered the
car shops of the Jackson «S: Woodin
Companv,
under Jacob Clossen was next in the machine
shop, under Abner Welsh, and then transferred to the wheel foundr}-, under Edward
Martz. He remained in the machine shop of

He came

;

the wheel department after the firm
to the American Car and
Foundry

was sold
Company,

is still

On May

holding his position there.

Mr. Hartman married
Elena M., daughter of David and Hannah
(Alank) Remley, and they have had three
children: William, who died
young and is
interred in the Briarcreek cemeterv; Minnie
17,

1871,

Ella Gertrude, wife of Clyde Chamberlain, of
Boston, who has two children.
and
Merna; and Earl, who married Anna Amos.
Mr. Hartman is a member of the Christian
Church, of Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O.
F., and of Berwick Encampment, No.

Emma

131.

Elena M. Remley was born Feb.
4, 1848, in
Jackson township, Columbia county, and attended the common schools of the section

where she

;

of A\'illiam

and

lived, later the

Perkins Grove,

German

school at

Illinois.

1850.

An old quilt which has been owned in the
Hartman family since 1837, now the property
of Myrtle Hartman (who lives with her
cousin, John Fisher Hartman, keeping house
for him), is of very quaint pattern and has

an interesting history.
It was made by her
grandmother, Julianna Pickel (who became
the wife of Christopher Hartman). from a
cloak long worn by her grandmother, who
came from England, and has been in the family since about 1837.
During the Revolutionary war it had been buried for two years along
the Brandy wine, and when taken from the
cedar chest in which it lay was presented to
C. F. Hartman. brother of John Hartman,
grandfather of John Fisher Hartman. The
Pickels settled at Belvidere, N. J., in 1700,

coming from England.
powder horn, also
buried during the war, has been handed down
from generation to generation through the
eldest son.

of
Hartman.
Christopher
grandfather
Myrtle Hartman, just mentioned, was a native
of New Jersey, and died in 1887, at the age

He was a lifelong
ninety-three years.
farmer, a Whig and a Presbyterian. His wife,
Julianna (Pickel), died in 1883 aged eightythree years. Their three children were Christopher F., who married Elosia J. Bailey Mrs.
Abigail Stone, and Catherine, unmarried.
of

;

Christopher Fisher Hartman, son of Christopher,

29, 1829, and is now
farming at Lamoka. Bradford
He married Elsia Jane Bailey, who

was born Nov.
in

engaged
Co.. Pa.

was born July 18. 1839, daughter of Samuel
and Adline (White) Bailey, and they have
had five children
Eugene married Abigail
to
majority
Briarcreek.
From there he went to Illinois Benscoter and has a family, Lloyd Marshall,
and in i860 settled at
Leonard Christo])her. Mary and Kenneth (deRochelle, just above
twins died at birth; Adeline died
Mendota, where he had a farm of 640 acres ceased)
which he cultivated until 1866. Then he
when
two
years old; Myrtle, born March 21,
retiirned to Briarcreek
township, Columbia Co., 1877. ""> Shickshinny. Luzerne Co.. Pa., was
^a.
He was a Democrat, later
educated in the common schools there, and
joining the
Republican party. He was reared in the Lu- married \\'illiam Evans, by whom she has one
theran faith, but afterward became a
Metho- child. Ralph H., born May 18, 1897. Mr. and
dist.
He married Hannah Mank, who was Mrs. Hartman
are members of the Christian
David Remley, the father of Mrs. Hartman
was bom Dec. 25, 1806, in Bucks
countv, Pa.^
and after attaming his
moved

;

born April

15,

1805, in Briarcreek township.

Church, and he

a Republican in politics.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
F. HUNSINGER, foreman for
American Car and Foundry Company,
Berwick, was born July 3, 1867, in Scotch
valley, Beaver township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
son of Andrew and Rebecca (Hartzell) Hunsinger, and grandson of John and Lydia

JOSIAH

the

(Oxenrider) Hunsinger.
John Hunsinger, grandfather of Josiah F.
Hunsinger, lived in Beaver township, and engaged in farming in Scotch valley and at Pine
Swamp, near Ringtown. After his active
years were over he retired and spent the rest
of his life with his son Andrew in Scotch
He married Lydia Oxenrider, and
valley.
John marthey had the following children
ried Susanna Krouse, and both are deceased;
Gideon married Rena Hons and both are deceased; Uriah married Mary Henninger and
both are deceased; Andrew is the father of
Josiah F. Hunsinger; Lydia is the widow of
Freeman Benninger; Rachel is the wife of
Francis Krouse. of Mountain Grove; Mary
is the widow of George B. Dreisbach.
John
Hunsinger died when aged eighty- four years,
and his wife in her eightieth year, and they
are buried at Mountain Grove, Pennsylvania.
Andrew Hunsinger was born about 1843 in
Beaver township, Columbia Co., Pa. In boyhood he attended the district schools, and remained at home, assisting his father, until he
was twenty-one years of age. His first purchase of land was a tract of 100 acres, which
he subsequently sold, after which he bought
the eighty acres on which he is still residing.
He married Rebecca Hartzell, a daughter of
Mrs. Hunsinger
Peter and Abbie Hartzell.
was born at Mainville, and died in Scotch valburied in
ley when aged sixty years, being
:

Mountain Grove cemetery. She was the
mother of the following children: George P.,
who married Sarah Lynn, and they live in
Beaver township Josiah F. Lydia Alice, who
is the wife of Henry Hutton, and they live at
West Berwick; Mary Catherine, who is the
wife of Uriah Sherman, living at West Berwick Lloyd Silas, who lives in Berwick,_ married to Frances Bredbender; Ida, who is the
wife of Wesley Rhoades, of Bloomsburg;
Robert Sylvester, who remains on the home
farm; Annie May, who married Franklin
Hons, of Beaver township and Lewis, of BerMr.
wick, who married Rosanna Slusser.
in his political beDemocrat
is
a
Hunsinger
is that of the
lief, and his religious faith
German Lutheran Church.
Josiah F. Hunsinger received his education
in "the public schools in Scotch valley, Beaver
his time,
township, and subsequently divided

the

;

1037

marriage, between working on the
his father and in cutting timber.
Succeeding this he worked as a road hand f(jr
the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company six
months, and then made his advent in Berwick,
where, after two years as a laborer, he was
made foreman, a position which he has continued to hold to the present time, fully meriting the confidence in which he is held by his

until

his

farm for

employers and the respect which

granted

him by the men whose operations he directs.
Mr. Hunsinger is a Republican, but has been
too busily occui)ied in making a place for himself and his family in his community to eiUer
actively into political matters. This does lujt
mean, however, that he does not take ati interest in affairs that affect his coninuniity. for

no citizen has been more zealous in wi^-hing
and acting for progress and advancement.
His religious connection is with the German
Reformed Church. In addition to belonging
to Washington Camp No. 105. P. O. S. of A..
at Berwick, and Berwick Lodge. No. 246, I.
O. O. F., he is a member of the Berwick Relief

Association, the Ridgely Protective Assoand the General Accident Association

ciation

of Worcester, Massachusetts.

Mr. Hunsinger was married to Emma
Maria Noss, who was born at Mifflin Crossroads, in Mifflin township, Colum1)ia Co., Pa.,
April 29, 1871, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hower) Noss, and was educated in
She is a
the public schools of that vicinity.
faithful member of the Lutheran Church. Two
Cora
children have been bom to this union
Agnes, bom July 22, 1890, who married Ralph
Beishline. and now resides with her jiarents
and Luella May. born Oct. 15. 1892, who mar:

;

ried

Thomas

Millington, bookkeeper for the

American Car and Foundr)' Company

De-

Michigan.
Frederick Noss. the grandfather of Mrs.
Hunsinger, was a farmer in MifHin township.
Columbia county, during his entire career,

troit,

and there

died.

He was

Church, near Catawissa.

buried at Freeville

He and

his

wife,

buried at New Media, some distance from Catawissa, were well known members of the German Reformed Church in
Mrs. Noss's maiden name was
Catawissa.
Elizabeth Cox, and she and her husband were
the parents of these children
John, who married Levina Auger; William; Catherine, who
Sarah, who married
married EH Erwin
Nathan Erwin and Tina, who married Albert

who was

;

\\'itchev.

William Noss. son of Frederick Noss. and
father of Mrs. Hunsinger. was bom Feb. 22,

COLUMBIA AND AIONTOUR COUNTIES

1038

1841, in Mifflin township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
there educated, and worked on his
father's farm until his marriage, when he
entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail-

was

road Company, with which he was connected
He married EHzabeth Hower, daughter of David and Susanna
until the time of his death.

Hower, and they had the following children
Mary married Anthony Krakoswski John
married Lydia Hons, (second) Caroline Fausey and (third) Mary Stone; Emma M. is
the wife of Mr. Hunsinger; Albert married
:

;

Caroline \'andine Ida Levina married William Johns Henry married Margaret Huttelson
Catherine married Harry Cole David
;

;

McAfee

William married
Evelyn Long; Hurly married Bertha Roberts.
The father was buried at Harker's Church,
in Mifflin township.
After his death the
mother married Daniel Jones, and they had
one child, Daniel, who married Clara Wilkinson. Mrs. Elizabeth (Noss) Jones was buried
in Pine Grove cemetery, at Berwick.
married

Lydia

;

THOMAS

C. KOCHER, a retired farmer,
of Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., was born in
Fowlerville, Centre township, same coimty,
May 5, 1848, son of James Kocher.
David Kocher, grandfather of Thomas C.
Kocher, was a native of Germany, and coming
to the United States at an early day settled
at Philadelphia, whence he came to
Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa. He took
up 100 acres of land, for which he paid $4
per acre. After locating on this property he
improved it, placing the land under cultiva-

he bought the Hutchinson farm of ninety-five
acres and conducted it for twenty-two years,
when he retired to Berwick, locating in that
borough in 1909. He erected the handsome
residence at No. 1232 West Front street,
where he now resides, enjoying the comforts
his industry has provided.
On Dec. 10, 1874, Mr. Kocher married Priscilla L. Croop, the ceremony being performed
Mrs. Kocher was
by Rev. W. W. Cattell.
born Nov. 24, 1848, daughter of Henry and
Elizabeth (Raseley) Croop, of Centre township, the former boni Nov. 2, 1814, the latter
Nov. 4, 181 8.
Mrs. Kocher died Aug. 17,
1910, and is buried with her son Milton in the
I')riarcreek

Union cemetery.

She was the

mother of the following children

Milton Levi,
born Feb. 11, 1879, died July 2. 1904; Cora
Anna, born Oct. 18, 1880, married Dorrence
Fenstermaker Feb. 29, 1904 Edna Blanche,
born Sept. 2, 1882. was married Sept. 5. 1903,
to Wilbur Welliver; Cleveland Ward and
Clara Elva, twins, were born Sept. 27, 1884,
and she was married June 17, 1913, to William T. Jantzen Mary Alma, born Aug. 20,
1888, was married Aug. 26, 1914, to Admiral
:

;

Roy Beagle.
Thomas C. Kocher

is a Democrat in political
and has held the office of assessor in
Centre township. Grace Lutheran Church of
W^est Berwick holds his membership.

faith,

first

and erecting necessary buildings, and he
carried on farming there until his death. He
was twice married, and had these children:
tion

Samuel, Thomas, James, Harriet and Mary,
who were born of his first marriage and
Abraham and David, by his second marriage.
James Kocher, son of David Kocher and
father of Thomas C. Kocher, was born in
Centre township, became a farmer and carHe
penter, and died in his native township.
married Sarah J. Deitrich, a daughter of
;

Deitrich, and they had children as folSabina, Rolandus, Thomas C, Isabella,
Adoniram Judson, Samantha and Levi.
Thomas C. Kocher, son of James Kocher,
was reared on his father's homestead, and
when only nine years old began to make himself useful driving team.
In time he became a teacher, and taught school for seven
winters in Centre township, after which he
devoted all of his time to farming,
operating
his mother's property for eight
Later
years.

Henry

lows:

JAMES
was born

HAYMAN.

of Berwick, Pa.,

Orangeville, Columbia county,
Aug. 18, 1844, 5on of Benjamin and \'eronica
( Neyhart)
Hayman, his ancestry being German on both sides of the house.
Peter Hayman, native of Germany, settled
first

lierks county. Pa., later removing to
Pa., where he died in 1822

Columbia county.

age of seventy-two years. By occupawas a farmer. He had several children John. Peter, Jr., Maria, Jones and Benjamin, the father of James P. Peter Hayman,
Sr., served as a soldier in the Revolution, and
was with ^^'ashingt{)n at \'alley Forge.
Benjamin Hayman worked on his father's
farm and attended the country schools until
he was old enough to learn a trade. He then
selected the occupation of stonemason and
plasterer, which he followed until his death,
which was caused by a horse, in 1856. He
at the

tion he
:

was a

soldier in the

war of

1812. for eleven

months, enlisting from Bloomsburg.

He was

elected the first sheriff of Columbia county,
when Montour was a part of it. and lived in
Danville, hut upon the separation of the two
counties he removed to Bloomsburg. where he

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
served out his term.
Later he removed to
Orangeville, where he resided until his death.
He was an active man, lra\eicd much over the
county, and was an auctioneer of some note.
His wife, Veronica, was a daughter of Christian Neihart, a native of Germany who came

America and settled first in Berks county,
later coming to Columbia county.
He was a
farmer, and by trade a tailor. To Benjamin
Hayman and his wife were born ten children
David, deceased, who was a deputy sheriff
under his father Mary and Elizabeth, deceased Savilla, wife of William H. Hess, of
Centre township James P. and five children
to

;

who

died in infancy.
James P. Hayman attended the schools of
Orangeville and was a youth when the Civil
war began. He enlisted May 14, 1864, for
one year, or during the war, in Company C,
67th Pennsylvania \^olunteer Infantry, and
served until July 14, 1865, when he was disHe was with
charged at Hall's Hill, Va.
Grant during his entire term of service, parPetersticipating in the following battles
:

Railroad, Hatcher's Run, Huskin's
Run, Richmond, Farmville Junction,
Burkeville Junction, Cold Harbor, Sailors

burg,

Weldon

Creek and

Appomattox.

wounded over

the left eye.

He was

slightly
his return

Upon

to Orangeville he remained there for two
years, married, and moved to Centre township, w^here he w^orked at the trade of car-

In 1882 he came to Berwick and
penter.
entered the employ of the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company, later succeeded by
the American Car and Foundry Company,
and was foreman of the frame shop until 1910.

now living retired.
Hayman was married

Dec. 26, 1867,
Elizabeth Sitler. born June 7, 1846, the
daughter of David and Susanna (Erwine)
Alice,
Sitler, and they have five children
wife of George Barnard, of Berwick; Harry

Mr.

W., residing in Berwick, who married Ella
Campbell David K., at home, who married
Minnie Naugle (she is deceased) Ada M.,
wife of W. I. Schrader, of Berwick; and
Jackson W., in the office of the American
Car and Foundry Company, at Detroit, Mich.
Mr. Hayman is a prominent member of Captain Jackson Post, No. 159, G. A. R., for
;

;

twenty-three years holding the positions of
He and his wife are
adjutant and trustee.
members of the Bower Memorial United
Evangelical Church, in which he has been
elder, trustee and class leader he was a member of the official board and superintendent
Mr. and
of the Sunday school years ago.
;

Hayman have

Airs.

10;J9

lived in their present hunie

for twenty-six years.
David Sitler, father of Mrs.

born in Briarcreek
farmer and weaver.
residents of the

To him and
dren:

same

his wife

Samuel,

Hayman, was

township,

Both

and

was a
were

his parents

section and died tiiere.
were born twelve chil-

deceased;

Sarah,

wife

George Eckroth, of Centre township; Susanna
and Jsaac, deceased; Adam, a resident of
Centre townshij); Rebecca, wife of Jacob Hill,
of Berwick; Caroline, wife of George
Lowery,
of Berwick; h:iizabeth, Mrs. Hayman; anrj
others who died in infancy.

WILLIAM

11.

.\L\NNING, wcighmasier

in the rolling mill of the American
Foundry Company, at Berwick, I 'a.,

Car and
was born
Jan. 26, 1859, in I'ine township, Columbia
county, son of A. Jackson Manning, and a
grandson of Henry Manning. The latter was
a resident of Jackson townshi]), Columbia
Co., Pa., and followed farming all his active
hfe.

A. Jackson Manning obtained his education
Jackson townshij) and worked for his
father on the home farm as opportunity of-

fered during his school days.
In early manhood he came to Pine township, and as he
had already learned the blacksmith's and carpenter's trades followed the same, continuing
thus until the opening of the Civil war, when
He left Pine
he enlisted for three years.

township with his comrades and was never
again heard of by his family. He had married Jane Harlan, a daughter of Thomas Harlan, and became the father of i\\c children.
George; John, who is a resident of Hughesmarried to Evelyn Minninger; William
who married .\brani Broadt,
of Bloomsburg; and Anna Eliza, who marA numried Charles Lehr, of Sunbury. Pa.
ber of years later Mrs. Manning contracted
a second marriage, becoming the wife of
David Frey, and three children were born to
Edward, who is a resident of
this union
Easton. Pa.; Lilly, who is deceased: and Minnie, who is the wife of Edward Hooven, of
Weatherly, Pa. Mrs. Frey died aged about
at Weatherly.
fifty-seven years, and is buried
William H. Manning, son of A. Jackson
Manning, lived with his maternal grandfather
until he was five years old, after which he reHe attended school in
sided with strangers.
Mount Pleasant township and as soon as he
ville,

;

Margaret,

was old enough

to hire out

went

work

for

neighborhood, being thus enAfter that, for ten
his
until
marriage.
gaged

farmers

in the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

lOiO

worked at lumbering in the woods
and was employed in sawmills in Madison
and at
township. He came then to Berwick,
in
laborer
a
as
was
first
general
employed
the rolling mill department of the American
Car and "Foundry Company, later becoming
he was made night forefagot builder. Then
for eighteen months.
filled
he
a
man,
position
His next promotion was to the position which
he has held satisfactorily for some time, that

years, he

Church

West Berwick. He spared neither
money in assisting in the building of

time nor

new

church, and ever since its erection
served as trustee of the congregation.
Airs. Manning has been equally interested, be-

the

has

ing a member of the Ladies' Aid Society and
Like his
a teacher in the Sunday school.
father and grandfather, Mr. Manning has
always been identified with the Democratic
party, and his loyalty and good quality of citizenship have been frequently recognized by

of weighmaster.

on the
Manning married Alvaretta election to local offices; he has served
of
\\'est Berwick ever since it
board
election
in
Feb.
born
was
who
14, 1863,
Thomas,
Mount Pleasant township, Columbia Co., Pa., became a borough. Mr. Manning has found
William

daughter of Levi and Elizabeth f:\Iordan)
Thomas, and a granddaughter of Thomas

Thomas.

Thomas Thomas,

He obtained his education in the district
schools and afterwards learned shoemaking,
which trade he followed in connection with
farming. Like his father before him he was
a Democrat in his political views. He married Elizabeth Mordan, who was born Dec.
21, 1833, daughter of John and Rebecca
(Crawford) Mordan, and died May 22, 1891.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were buried in the
Canby cemetery in Mount Pleasant township.
They had two children John R., who lives
in Mount Pleasant township, married Nora
Harp Alvaretta, who became Mrs. Manning,
:

;

her husband, educated in Mount
Pleasant township.
Mr. and Mrs. Manning have had the folLeah May, born May 30,
lowing children
1884, is the wife of David F. Fetterman. and
has children, Erma Ruth, Myron \\'illiam.
Earl Franklin, Russell James and Alvaretta
Levi John, born Dec. 22, 1887, who lives at
Berwick, married Agnes Lynch, and has one
child, Gladys Elizabeth, born July 11, 1913;
Warren Earl, born Oct. 18, 1891, and Eva
Eldora, born July 17, 1895, live at home:
Mar\^ Elizabeth, born March 2, 1882, died
March 11, 1882; and George Harmon, born
April 18, 1893, died June 17, 1893.
Mr. Manning and his family are active
members of Calvary Methodist Episcopal
like

;

time for fraternal life, the only organwhich he is affiliated being Col.

ization with

A. D. Seely

the grandfather of Mrs.

Manning, came from New York to Columbia
Mount
county and took up his residence in
Pleasant township, where probably he and
Avife died, but they were buried in New York
Levi, John,
State. They had seven children
Evan, Jacob, Hannah, Rebecca and Sarah.
Levi Thomas, son of Thomas Thomas and
father of Mrs. Manning, Avas born in Mount
Pleasant township, Columbia Co., Pa., April
4, 1827, and died when aged seventy-one years.

w^as,

little

Camp No.

25,

Sons of \'eterans.

STAGEY

J.
JOHN, M. D., stands at the top
of the medical ])rofession in Bloomsburg. He
combines with his medical knowledge a sympathy and kindliness of character which
greatly endears him to those who are in need
of his services, and his constant contact with
the ill and suft'ering has so broadened his life
as to render him capable of taking a part in
all the activities of the city where he has established his home. Dr. John was born Feb. 15,

Main township, Columbia county, and
a son of Jonas Wesley John, and a descendant of one of the earliest pioneers of this

1873, in
is

county.

was while Columbia county was known
Augusta township and included in Berks
county that the first member of the John famtownily came to the section now called Alain
ship. In the year 1709 Samuel John emigrated
from Wales to Uwchlan, Chester Co., Pa.
Some years later his son Samuel John, Jr.,
moved to Exeter, Berks county, and estabIt

In 1772 his son,
lished himself as a farmer.
Isaac John, purchased 300 acres of land in the
valley of Catawissa creek and removed his
family there, they becoming the first settlers
Main township. Twice during the summer
1778 they were compelled to leave their
farm through fear of the Indians, and to increase their misfortunes they suft'ered a loss
of one hundred pounds through the depreciation of Continental currency. They occupied a
log cabin a story and a half high, the door in
the roof being reached by a ladder, yet it is a
well attested fact that a family of twelve children was brought up in this home. By his
wife Margaretta Broug, Isaac John had
five daughters, whose names are not known,
of
of

and five sons, Jacob, Abraham,
and George.

Isaac.

David

/^.X).

PUBLI.
L'^NOX

(ASTOP,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
'

Abraham John, son of Isaac, was reared to
farm Hfe'and resided on the family homestead.
He married Mary FHck, who bore him seven
children:
Stacey, George, Hiram, Lovina,
Angeline. ]\lary A. and Sarah J.
Stacey John, grandfather of Dr.

J. S.

John,

was born on the Main township farm in 1813
and grew up there. He increased the family
holdings of land to a great degree, and at his
death in 1879 '^^^ ^ large heritage to his chilHe married Mary, daughter of John
Yocum, of Roaringcreek township, and their
children were
William, who died in childhood Jonas Wesley, mentioned below Sarah
Frease; Britton; and Minerva, wife of Aaron
Goover.
Jonas Wesley John was born at the homestead Sept. 12, 1840, and during childhood attended the district school and helped his father
on the farm. After his twenty-first year he
bought a farm of his own, to which he added
as time passed, also purchasing property in
Bloomsburg. He was a strong adherent of the
Prohibition party and an active member of
the Methodist Church. He married Sarah C.
dren.

;

1041

Mich., was born in Berwick, Pa., Oct.
87 1, son of Abner and Lucy Augusta
(Owen) Welsh. He received his education
in the schools of Berwick, graduating from
the Berwick high school in the Latin-Scientific
course, with the class of 189 1. After his graduation, having decided on a mechanical career
like his father, he entered the machine shop
of the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing
troit,

10,

He
& Woodin Manufacturing

to learn the machinist's trade.

Company
left

the

Jackson

Company when

the

first electric

plant

was

in-

Berwick, and was made the first
engineer of the new establishment, having entire charge of the plant.
This position he held
for one year, when he returned to the mastalled

chine shop of the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company.
On May 12, 1903, Mr. Welsh was married
to Lillian A. Eveland, daughter of George and
Rebecca (Paden) Eveland, and has the following children: Douglass A., born March 4,
1904; Harriet Gwendolyn, born June 23, 1907;

Sally.

and Audrey Catherine, born April 6, 1909.
In 1908 Mr. Welsh moved with his family
to Detroit, Mich., and entered the employ of
the American Car and Foundry Company at
that place. After a short stay he returned to
Berwick until 1909, when he went back to
Detroit and took employment in the Peninsular Department of the American Car and

J. Stacey John attended the schools of Main
township and the Bloomsburg State Normal.
In 1896 he graduated from Jefferson Medical
College, Philadelphia, and immediately there-

In religious belief Mr. Welsh
position since.
is a Presbyterian, and his wife a Methodist.
He is a Democrat in politics. Fraternally he

Brown, daughter of Jacob Brown, of Main
township, and they had eight children Bessie
Ida; David; Ralph R., an attorney of
Bloomsburg; Daisy, wife of L. B. Zimmer:

;

man

;

after

Stacey, mentioned below

came

fession.

;

Wilson and
;

Bloomsburg to practice his prohas advanced rapidly to a fore-

most place among the practitioners in the
county, is now president of the Bloomsburg
Hospital Corporation, and as well is president
of the staff of physicians and surgical staff
of that institution. He was a member of the
International Clinical Congress of Surgeons
of North America is a member of the American Aledical Association, the State Medical
Association and the Columbia County Medical
In the field of surgery he has
Association.
won special distinction, and his time is completely taken up by his many duties.
On June 26, 1902, Dr. J. S. John married
Mae A., daughter of Peter and Samantha
Evans, of Bloomsburg. Both the Doctor and
his wife are members of the Methodist
;

Church.

ROBERT

GILROY WELSH, an employee in the Peninsular Department of the
American Car and Foundry Company, of De66

Foundry Company.

affiliated

O. O. F.

with

has continued in that

Berwick Lodge, No. 246,

HARRY

C. W^HEELER, a well known and
respected citizen of Berwick, who fills a very
responsible position in the steel plant of the

American Car & Foundry Company, was born
Feb. 20, 1876, in Northuml^erland, Northumberland Co., Pa., son of Edward and Martha
(Gilger) Wheeler.

Edward Wheeler,

the father, was of Enga coal miner at Cen-

He was

lish ancestry.
tralia. in Columbia

county, and is buried at
After his death his widow mar-

Bloomsburg.

Henry Umstead, of Washingtonville,
Montour county, a blacksmith then in business

ried

for himself, he

now

diemaker for screw-

making machines in the l)lacksmith shop of
the American Car and Foundry Company.
Three children were born to that marriage:
Elizabeth, wife of W. C. Watts Lois, wife of
C. W. Smith and Etta, wife of Edward Hul;

;

sizer.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1042

Wheeler attended the Blee school
and a school at Strawberry
Ridge, and when twelve years old went into

Harry

at Washingtonville

In 1887 he came to Berwick and went
work in the machine shop of the Jackson
& Woodin Manufacturing Company, under
Abner Welsh, foreman, leaving there in 1903
to work as a machinist in the engine shop at

raphy.
to

Catawissa of the Philadelphia & Reading RailIn 1904 he returned to Berwick and entered the steel plant under F. A.
Stevenson, master mechanic, and is now foreman of the heavy machine department and
His advance has been
of the floor on dies.
rapid but thorough, and Mr. Wheeler is recognized as an expert in his department by those
under his supervision and direction and by his

way Company.

devoting his efiforts to trucking. That he has
been successful in this line is shown by the
fact that in one season he raised two hundred
bushels of onions, which he sold at two dollars
a bushel.
He was the first to raise strawberries in Briarcreek township.
He now cul-

of BerAlberta
wick, and they have two children
M., who was born Jan. 10, 1900, and John K.,
born Dec. 24, 1901, both now in school.
Mr. Wheeler and his family attend the Baptist Church, and he is the leader of the Sunday
school orchestra. He is a member of Knapp
:

;

Ridgely Protective Association.
boss roller for the

American Car and Foundry Com])any, at Berwick, was born Jan. 9, 1875, in Briarcreek
township, Columbia county, and is a son of
Samuel Martz and grandson of Abraham
Martz, farmers of that township.
Abraham Martz, the grandfather, was born
in 1800, in the township where he resided until
his death, the old homestead being now in the
hands of Charles Martz. He married Desiah
Hetler, who was born April T2. 1807. and
died Nov. 17, 1881, his death occurring June
5th of the same year. They were the parents
of these children
Nathan, deceased, married
Hester Mellick Daniel married Mary Stoudt
John, deceased, married .'^usan ]\Iiller; Ilcnpymarried Julia Rutter; Samuel is mentioned
below George died single Eliza was the wife
of Rev. Edward .Sharretts. of Berwick Mary
married Henry Remley, and both are deceased
Lydia is deceased Zachary Taylor, deceased,
In the
married Mattie Statin, of Milton.
course of time .'Xbraham Martz became the
:

;

twenty-one acres, and is still operating
the limekiln left him by his father. He is a
member of the Lutheran Church at Martzville.
Mr. Martz married Alalinda Rcmaley,
who was born Dec. 29, 1836. daughter of
Benjamin and Elizabeth (Billheimer) RemaTo this union
ley, and died March 10, 191 2.
there were born the following children
Gilbert, who married Nora Remley, resides in
the State of Washington Roselda is the wife
of Andrew Harmon, of Centre township;
Lydia .Mice is the wife of C. W. Hildebrand;
Smith Hurd married Emma Baker, of Muncy,
Lycoming county Elizabeth Esther married

tivates

Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M., Berwick;
Lodge No. 246, Odd Fellows, I'erwick, and
Encampment No. 131, also of Berwick; of the
and the
the Heptasophs
P. O. S. of A.

;

North Berwick, and

years engaged in the work

in Briarcreek township.
school advantages, and early
became an industrious worker. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted for a term
of nine months, but contracted typhoid fever,
and upon recoxery was detailed as hospital
nurse.
On his discharge he began farming,

Mr. Wheeler married \'ernie Kingsbury,
of John

MARTZ.

farm

He had few

who was born Nov. 9, 1877, daughter
and Adele (Zimmerman) Kingsbury,

B. F.

many

born Aug. 26, 1836,

superiors as well.

DAVID

large

of brickmaking.
He was an active member
of the German Lutheran Church at ^lartzville, gave the ground for the graveyard and
church site, burned the brick and lime on his
farm, did all the carpenter work, and asked
He held
pay only for the planed boards.
various offices in this church, and he and his
wife are now lying in the cemetery near the
scene of their earthly labors. ]\Ir. Martz was
a Republican, stood high in the party councils,
and was rewarded with election to several
offices in the township.
Samuel Martz, father of David B. F., was

the Washingtonville office of the Wilkes-Barre
& Western Railroad Company to learn teleg-

;

owner of a
he was for

;

Christopher Benson (deceased) and (second)
Frederick Beagle Sarah Gertrude is the wife
of Henry Angle, of Watsontown, Northumberland county David B. F. is mentioned below Clarence Lafayette, who married Cath;

;

erine Schlosser,

Levan is
David

resides at

living at home.
B. F. Martz was

Nescopeck

;

John

educated in the
schools of P>riarcreek township, and worked
around on the various farms until his fifHe then entered the service of
teenth year.
Woodin Company, in the rollthe Tackson
ing mill, doing general labor for two years.
Next he assisted in the ])uddling department
for two years, being eventually j^romoted to
jniddler, a position he held for nine years.
(Jl-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Next he learned
steadily advanced

was

the trade of roller, and
until

now

head

roller

and of the Berwick Lodge, No. 246, 1. O. O. F.
He attends Trinity Lutheran Church.
Mr. Alartz was married, July 4, 1894, to
Sue M. Markle, daughter of Conrad M. and
Susan D. (Staley) Markle, and they have had
Robert Wellington, born
children as follows
April 14, 1895, who graduated from -the Berwick high school in 1914, and is now book:

for bVederick Markle,
electric store in Plymouth, Pa.

who

has

Clovus F.,
born April 12, 1897; Roland R.. born Aug. 5,
1904; and Pauline M. and (ieraldine E., twins,
born July 12, 1908. Pauline M. died March i,
born June i. 1878, in
1909." Mrs. Martz was
Briarcreek township, where she received her
;

She is a member of Trinity
Lutheran Church and of the Ladies' Foreign
it
also
Missionary Society in connection with
of the Mary Frantz Lodge, Daughters of Reearlv education.

;

bekah, of l')erwick.
Jonathan Markle, grandfather of Mrs.
Martz, was the owner of ten acres in Briarcreek township, but went to Red Bank townto purchase a farm,
ship, Armstrong county,
was taken sick, and died there, at the age of
Red Bank township,
sixty his remains lie in
;

Armstrong county. He married Eva Adams,
Moses
and they had the following children
:

guard the human freight over the

;

died at the age of ninety-eight, and is buried
in the Summerhill cemetery.
Conrad William Markle, father of Mrs.

Martz, was l)orn June 16, 1827, and was bound
out to Peter Wenner, of Briarcreek, at the
age of nine, to serve until his twenty-first
were
birthday. His chances for an education
slim, but he took advantage of every opporone-acre

lot at

He managed

buy a

little

Summerhill, and with only his

strong arms and this tiny piece of ground
managed to rear the first of his large family
to an age of helpfulness.
By day labor and
strict economy he obtained enough to buy a
five-acre piece of land near Berwack, and
while the children assisted in the cultivation
of it he walked the tracks of the Delaware,

Lackawanna & Western

railroad

and

G. A. R. at Berwick.

Mr. Markle married Susan D. Staley, who
was born at Greenwood, Pa., Oct. 18, 183 1,
Moses A., Syland they had these children
:

William A., Frederick M., Daniel R.,
Minor D., David A., F^lla and Susan. The
mother died June 21, 1908.
Jacob Staley, Mrs. Markle's grandfather,
was born in Germany, emigrated to America,
and settled in Berks county, Pa., later moving
to Easton, Pa., where he conducted a distillery. He married Susan Cooper, and they had
vester,

four children, Elizabeth, Catherine, Frederick
The parents are buried at Easton.
Frederick Staley was born in Berks county,
Pa., and later went to Easton, where he engaged in horse trading, in which he lost considerable money.
Subsequently he moved to
Greenwood, Pa. When the gold fever broke
out he went to California and accumulated a
great deal of money, but on his return to the
East he was robbed of all he had.
Coming
back to Greenwood, Pa., he died there, and
his
widow, Hannah Christianne (Abel),
moved to Lime Ridge, Columbia county, where
she resided until her death, in 1881. She was

and Jacob.

who married Elizabeth Thoms of New
York; Abraham; Conrad W. Catherine, deceased; Abigail, deceased; Julianne, widow
of Jacob Yocum; Llannah, wife of William
Thomas; Mary, deceased; Charity, deceased; born
and Levina, wife of A. Savitts. The mother dren
Eli,

tunity ofifered.

rails

a living for his increasing family.
l)espite these handicaps he made a success
and even found time to serve his country for
some months in the Civil war. It was not till
the weight of seventy years had bowed his
frame that he relinquished his arduous task
His death ocof track walker and retired.
curred Sept. 4, 19CKJ. He was a strict member
of the Methodist Church and a member of the
])rovide

He is a Republican, a
in the muck bar mill.
member of the Berwick Beneficial Association,

keeper

1043

day after

day, in rain and sunshine, in tlTfe withering
heat of summer and the biting cold of winter.

They had the following chilElizabeth Jane, dedeceased
Mary,
ceased Catherine Ellen, deceased Annie, deceased Frederick, deceased Sarah Amanda,
deceased; Jacob, deceased; and Susan D., deceased. The mother is buried at Lime Ridge.
in

1806.

;

DAVID

;

F. FETTERMAN, foreman with
American Car and Foundry Company, at
Berwick, was born in Roaringcreek township,
Columbia Co., Pa., Sept. 24, 1876, son of
Peter and Caroline (Hower) Fetterman.
The great-grandfather of David F. Fetterman was the founder of the Fetterman family
in America, coming from Germanv and settling in Perks county, Pa., where his children
were born.
Henry Fetterman, son of the above, and
grandfather of David F. Fetterman, was born
in Berks county. Pa., and as a young man
came to Roaringcreek township, Columbia
county. Later he removed to Schuylkill coun-

the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1044

George, Israel, \\'alter. Gertrude, CaroLaura, Raymond, Spurgeon, ]\Iabel and
William Franklin. (5) Emma married Israel
\\"olfgang, of Shamokin, and has had children
George, married to Elizabeth Carl (two
Anna, married to William Artchildren)

where he was engaged in the buying and
farms and the general real estate
business, especially at Fountain Springs, where
both he and his wife were buried. Mr. Fetterman married Hannah Saul, and they became the parents of the following children
One who died in infancy; John, who married
Mary Morris and (second) Fannie Derr;
ty,

dren

selling of

line,

Peter

George,

;

who married Lucy Batdorf

;

man

;

safely and Hannah, Annie and Francis, all
of whom died young. The parents were members of the German Lutheran Church.

Henry Fetterman,

was born

Jan. 31, 1840, was educated in
Schuylkill county, and spent the active years
•of his life in agricultural pursuits.
In the
year 1910 he retired with the respect and
esteem of all men because of the things that
he had accomplished. Mr. Fetterman is a Republican and a faithful member of the old
Lutheran Church.
He was united in mar-

and Thelma (deceased).
David F. Fetterman, son of Peter Fetterman, secured an ordinary education in the
public schools of Centralia, Pa., and when
still

with Caroline Hower, who was born
April 17, 1842, daughter of David R. and
Susanna (Strausser) Hower, and to this union
there have been born the following children
(r) Mary married Bradley Laycock. of Mount
Pleasant township, Columl)ia county, and has

and has one son, Robert
Carrie Lena Roland and one
child deceased.
(2) Elizabeth married William \\'ark, of West Berwick, and the following children have been born to them Irene,
who married Charles Maronavis and has two
children, Allen and Anna; George; Albert,
who married Gertrude Herb and has two children, Arthur and Helen; Florence, who married Adam Levan and has one child, Dorothy
Mae; Russel Raymond; Robert; Benjamin;
;

;

Clayton; Glen; and William, David, Elizabeth and Edna, deceased.
(3) Hannah married Harvey Kreischer, of ATount Carmel. by
whom she had children John, who married
Mame Shiner and has one son; Irene, mar:

ried

Isaac

Mae. married

Shull

(three children)

;

Lillie

Joseph Searles (three children)
Florence, wife of John Eisenbauch
Blanche
and Frank and Sadie, deceased.
(4) Henry, of West Berwick, married Sadie
Werts, and thev have had the followinjr chil;

;

Later he became

Mount Carmel and

working in the mines for four years.
then served an api)renticeship at the carpenter's trade with his brother-in-law, IVadley Laycock, in Mount Pleasant township,
with whom he remained for four years, suc-

;

in the coal breakers,

;

work

Centralia,

had the following children
Mae, who married Clifton Musgrave and has two children,
Robert and Dorothy William Ella, who mar-

Boyd

a boy started to

picking slate in the mines.
doortender in the shafts at

;

old,

riage

Edna

David; Pearl;

Mary Dorothy an infant.
died when four years old.
(7)
;

;

ried Charles Fritz

Martha

David F. is mentioned below. (8) Christianne
married David Gunther (deceased), by whom
she had four children, Eva, Caroline, Irvin
and Aaron. There are no children by her
second marriage to George Hill, of West Berwick.
(9) Lilly married Harry W'atts, of
West Berwick, and has five children
Lewis,
Ella, Charles, William and Frederick.
( 10)
Charles, of West Berwick, married Carrie
Cramer, and of their four children Alvaretta
is the only survivor.
(11) Elmira married
Harvey Gearhart, of West Berwick, and has
had four children
Clayton, Florence, Har-

;

(6) Katie S.

;

Caroline;

(one child);

Jenny

Joseph, who met his death as a Union soldier
during the Civil war Eunice, who died at the
age of three years Isaac, who was also killed
while defending his country's flag during the
days of secession; Charles, the third son of
the family to go to war, and who returned

Peter Fetterman, son of

ceeding which he was employed by the well
known contractor, Harmon Morden, for about
twelve months.
Mr. Fetterman was married, at Bloomsburg,
Pa., to Leah May Manning, born May 30.
1884. daughter of William H. and Alvaretta
(Thomas) Manning, and to this union have
Erma
been born the following children
Ruth, born Dec. 7, 1902
Myron William,
Oct. 2, i(p5; Earl Franklin, July 20, 1909;
Russell James, Nov. i, 191 1; and Alvaretta,
July 7. 1913Mr. Fetterman has been in his present employ eight years, and is now foreman of the
:

;

repair department under

Evan

Moore.

has shown himself capable, efficient and reliable, and is possessed of a high order of
executive ability, and at no time has he asked
his men to do things of which he is not himself capable, or which he is not ready and
able to do. As a Democrat he has served as
His fraternal connection
judge of election.
is with Berwick Lodge. No. 246. Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. With his familv he

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
attends Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church,
of West Berwick.
George Hower, the maternal great-grandfather of David F. Fetterman, was a carpenter by trade, but also followed farming and
owned several hundred acres of land. He retired many years before his death, whicli occurred when he had reached the age of ninety-

He married Katie Reed, and
eight years.
they became the parents of the following chilDavid R. George Jacob, who mardren
ried Eva Sherman; Polly, who married Peter
:

;

Michael, who married Sarah Wetzel
who married Anna Dilleplaine; Katie,
who married Thomas Sherman Elizabeth,
who married Daniel Levan; Lydia, who marand Priscilla, who
ried Ezekiel Dilleplaine

Bryson

;

John,

;

married Charles Levan. When he became too
old to work on his farm Mr. Hower took up
educational work, and many of the people of
the township who are able to speak the German language to-day owe their proficiency to
the conscientious instruction of this early
close and careful student of the
teacher.
Bible, Mr. Hower w^as known as an authority
on religious matters, and both he and his wife
were active members of the German Lutheran

His

Church.

political proclivities in his latter

years made him a Republican.
David R. Hower, son of George Hower,

was educated

in the schools of

Roaringcreek

He was
township, principally in German.
there married to Susanna Strausser, daughter
of Peter and Mary (Adams) Strausser, and
they became the parents of the following children: John, who served as a Union soldier
until killed in battle, right at the close of the
Civil war; Catherine, deceased, who was the

wife of William Gearhart, of Bear Gap, Columbia Co., Pa. Caroline, who became the
mother of David F. Fetterman Samuel and
Daniel, twins, who both died young; Uriah,
who married Sarah Houck, deceased, and now
resides in Roaringcreek township; Mary, who
married Phena Strausser both deceased
Elizabeth, deceased, who married William
Naus and (second) Simon Jones, both deceased; Maria, who married Henry Sherman
;

;

—

;

(deceased) and (second) Henry Gottshall. of
Roaringcreek township Albert, who married
Rachel Beaver, of that township; Lydia Ann,
who married Martin Breich, also of that township Lewis and Amos, who both died young
married Caroline
wdio
deceased,
Daniel,
Beaver and Henry, who married Lydia Sherman, and lives at Shenandoah. Pa. After his
;

;

marriage Mr. Hower learned the trade of
blacksmith, and in the meanwhile spent his

1045

spare moments acquiring a knowledge of the
English language in the neighboring schools.
He also served an enlistment of three months
during the Civil war, and in other ways showed
himself willing to discharge the duties of citiFor many years he was constable
zenship.
of his township. He and his wife died in the
faith of the German Lutheran Church, and
were buried in the Roaringcreek graveyard.

GEORGE

SAVAGE,

a clerk in the gen-

American Car and Foundry
Company, at Berwick, was born Sept. 4, 1882,
at Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., son of Solomon Dison Savage, grandson of Reuben Savage, and great-grandson of Henry Savage.
Henry Savage was born in Ireland, in the
vicinity of the city of Dublin, where he grew
to manhood and engaged in farming. He married Elizabeth Frantz, a native of Wales, and
eral offices of the

later emigrated to America, arriving in this
country prior to the Revolutionary war, in
which he was a soldier. He and his wife arc
buried in the graveyard at the Old Log
Church, Cole's Creek, Columbia Co., Pa.
Their children were
Daniel, who married a
Miss Larrish Joshua, who married Susanne
Hess John, who married Elizabeth Roberts ;
Henry, who married Susanna Buss Moses,
who married Mary Madden (it is supposed
he was murdered at Rohrsburg, Columbia Co.,,
Pa.); Reuben, mentioned below; Katie, wife
of Joseph Hyde; Elizabeth, w-ife of Joseph
Thomas; Lavina, wife of Andrew Belles; and
Mary Ann, wife of Thomas A. Dodson.
Reuben Savage, son of Henry Savage, was
born in 1823 at Benton, Pa., and died in 1864.
He first married Caroline Buss, a daughter
of Solomon and Anna (Hartman) Buss.
Brought up at Benton, he was there educated,
and later became the owner of a farm of
about eighty acres near Jonestown, Columbia
Co., Pa., where he farmed and owned stock.
During the Civil war he enlisted in the Union
:

;

army, and was wounded at the battle of the
W^ilderness, his death resulting while he was
he was buried at Hatcher's Run,
in hospital
Va. Politically he was a Democrat, and he
held the office of school director in Fishingcreek township. In religious matters he was
;

He belonged to no societies. By
marriage he had the following children Alfred, who died in childhood Frank,
who married Margaret Edwards and (second)
Eva Smith and Solomon Dison, who marAfter the death of his first
ried Annie Kile.
wife Reuben Savage married Elizabeth Scott,
and they had four children
Mary E., who-

a Methodist.
his first
:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1046

married Ezra Wenner; Allen, who is unmarried; Emma Adele, who married George

Ruth and (second) Warren Patterson; and
Matilda, who married Frank Stamp.
Solomon Dison Savage, son of Reuben Savand was eduage, was born April 12, 1855,
cated in the Benton public schools. Engagmg
in farming, he continued to follow that calland
ing for some time after leaving school,
to Berwick had charge of the
then

coming

He is now a
of the Susquehanna League.
member of the Grinders' City League team,
which won the championship in 19 14.
George N. Savage married Ruth E. TrowTheir children are:
bridge, on Dec. 6, 1906.
who was born Nov. 8, 1907 ;
Elsa Hope, born Feb. 18, '1910; and Joseph
Dison, born July 9, 1914. Mrs. Savage was
born July 11, 1892, a daughter of Harry Milton and Fannie (Large) Trowbridge, was
educated in the public schools of Nescopeck
Elise Trowbridge,

He
at this point for some years.
moved to Nescopeck, Luzerne Co., Pa., township, Luzerne Co., Pa., and the Berwick
where he was employed in railroad work. high school, being married just after her
She belongs to Calvary MethReturning to Berwick, he became an employee graduation.
Church of West Berwick, and
odist
and
Car
American
Episcopal
of the
Foundry Company,
as policeman, and still holds that position. is a member of its Bible class.
H.\RRV M. Trowbridge moved from Lime
Long active as a Democrat, he is recognized
Fraternally he Ridge to Berwick, where he was a canalas a local leader in his party.
tollgate

then

I. O. O. F.
belongs to Benton Lodge, No. 146,
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Nescopeck holds his membership.

Solomon Dison Savage married Annie

who was born March

Kile,

1859, at Divide, Co-

lumbia Co., Pa., a daughter of Nehemiah and
Belinda (Kline) Kile. They had the following children: Mary Malvina, born May 13,
born
1878, married George Yorks; Frank,
Dec. I, 1879, died in childhood, and is buried
Pine Grove cemetery at Berwick; George
Harriet Valeria, born
is mentioned below
July 23, 1885, married Warren Keller; Robert Wayne, born March 18, 1887, died in
childhood and is buried in Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick; Henry, born Aug. 12, 1893,
lives at Berwick.
George N. Savage, son of Solomon Dison
Savage, was educated in the schools of his
township, and then engaged in truck farming.
At the age of fifteen years he obtained work
in

;

tannery and lumber mills at Jamison
Columbia Co., Pa., later entering the
employ of the American Car and Foundry
Company, first as puddler, then in the finishSubseing department on steel coaches.
quently he was transferred to the general
offices of the company as clerk, which posiIn politics he is a Demtion he still holds.
ocrat, and while he holds no offices he is

in the

City,

active in his party.

belongs to Calvary
teaches in the Sunday

Methodist Church,
school, and can be depended upon to support
all kinds of church work.
At present he belongs to Susquehanna Commandery, No. 18,
Knights of Malta, and to Col. A. D. Seely
Camp, No. 25, Sons of Veterans, at Berwick.
Mr. Savage is very much interested in the
national game of baseball, having played on
both the Bloomsburg and Berwick teams

boat driver for a time, but later entered the
employ of the American Car and Foundry
Company, with which concern he has been
engaged for the last quarter of a century.
At one time he was a resident of Nescopeck
and was there a judge of election, representing the Republican party. Later he moved
to West Berwick, where he was a member
of the council, and served as president of
that body, and was also secretary of the board
of health. Formerly a member of the Nesco-

peck Methodist Episcopal Church, he later
Calvary Methodist Church of West
Berwick, which he served as steward and
recording secretary he is now a member of
the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Berwick.
Fraternally he belongs to BerwickLodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F., and Berwick
Benevolent Association. His wife, born April

joined

;

7, 1867, came from Mifllin township,
bia Co., Pennsylvania.

Thomas Bowman Trowbridge,

Colum-

father

Harry M. Trowbridge, was born Jan. 2"], 1843,
in
Scott township, Columbia county, and
obtained his early education there. For many
years he was a boatman on the Pennsylvania
canal, until it was abandoned, after which he
did general work until he found a position
with the American Car and Foundry Company, at Berwick. He is now acting as labor
boss in the blacksmith shop. During the Civil
war he enlisted in the Union army, but got
only as far as llarrisburg

when peace was

He is a Redeclared, and retumed home.
publican, and in religious connection a member of Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church
of West Berwick, which he has served as
trustee.
His wife. Ellen (Yohey), was born
May 14, 1846, and they had the following
children
Maude, who married George Knorr,
:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
West Berwick; and Harry M., father of
Mrs. Savage.

JOHN FRANK,

proprietor of the Boston

Candy Kitchen at Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa.,
was born in December, 1879, i" Sparta,
The father of
Creecc, son of John Frank.
John Frank spent his entire hfe in (ireece,
and there died, as did also his wife. Neither
ever came to America.
John Frank, son of John Frank, was educated in the schools of his native country,
and was twenty years of age when he emi-

grated

America.

mained

New York

For one year he reand then went to

City,

Syracuse, N. Y., but shortly thereafter returned to New York City, and subsequently
removed to Wilkes-Barre, Pa. There he completed learning the trade of candymaker,
which he had commenced in Brooklyn, and
in 1905 came to Berwick and established himself in business as the proprietor of a first-

candymaking shop, being for a time in
partnership with his cousin, under the name of
Frank & Company. Since 191 1, however, he
has been in business alone. The Boston Candy

class

Kitchen is the only store of its kind in Berwick and is equipped with the most modern
machinery for candymaking, while the retail
display department store is known as one of
the handsomest in this section of the State.
Mr. Frank makes a specialty of fine candies,
which are very popular in Berwick and the
surrounding country, and manufactures a high
grade of ice cream for the local trade.
Mr. Frank is progressive, alert and thoroughly modern in his ideas. Anything that
promises to be of benefit to his community or
its people has ever had his earnest and hearty
support, and he is correspondingly popular.
His fraternal connection is with the local
lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men.

THOMAS

BUTLER, deceased, formerly
an associate judge of Montour county, Pa.,
and a man of prominence in W'ashingtonville
and the surrounding territory, was born in
New Jersey Dec. 23, 1832, and died Oct. 17,
1891, at Washingtonville, Derry township.

1047

ing the Civil war, and served nine monlhs durmg 1862.
Thomas Butler married l-:ii/.a

Jane Johntownship
Columbia county, Aug. 3. 1841, a
daughter of
Jonathan and Charity Yeager) Johnston, and
died Nov. 5, 1906.
Mr. and Mrs. Butler beston,

who was born

.Madi.son

(

came

the parents of the
following children:
who married E. W. Cok, of .\shley,
Pa.; Margaret, who is a trained nurse at
Bogota, N. J.; Kate, and Kent A.
Kent A. Butli:r was born Oct. 9, 1S77. Cntil
1903 he worked among the farmers of the
vicinity, and then entered the employ of the
IL'irriet,

American School Inirnishing
Company of
Bloomsburg. Pa., with wlujm he remained two
years, then becoming checkman on a railroad

New Jersey. Later he returned to Penn.sylvania, and farmed in Derry township until
his removal back to New
Jersey, l(Katiiig at

Hackettstown.

On March

12. 1902, Mr. Butler married
Dietrich, born in 1882, in Derry townHe marship, daughter of Peter M. Dietrich.
ried Anna Yoder. of Snyder
'a., and

Emma

county.

both are

on their homestead in
Derry township, he aged si.\ty-two years, and
she fifty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have
had children: Robert E., Charles and Gwendolyn.

still

living

The family

I)elong to the Presbyterian
residents of their

Church and are most worthy
locality.

JOHN EMERY EVES,

a business

man

one of the native born citizens of
that town. Every prosperous business establishment is an advantage to the place in which
it is located, and confers benefits on all the
community, and Mr. Eves in his success has
helped Millville to maintain her ])Osition
among the thriving towns of Columbia county.
The 1^2ves family has been settled in Columbia county for one hundred and forty years,
lohn Eves, its founder here, was one of the
Millville, is

in the valley of h'ishing creek.
there from Mill Creek Hundred.
New Castle Co., Del., and located on a tract
of 1.200 acres in the townships of Greenwood
and Madison, including the present site of

pioneer settlers

He had come

The land was secured by deed dated
Nov. 29. 1774. the former owner having been
Reuben Haines, a brewer, of Philadelphia (it
It
was part of Lord Baltimore's grant).
would appear, however, that Mr. Eves had
concluded the purchase and settled in this sec-

He came to this place from his native State,
and here followed blacksmithing until within
ten years of his demise. An ardent Democrat,
his services received recognition by his appointment as associate judge, for two terms,
he being the twenty-first associate judge and
Thomas
the last one under Judge Elwell.
Butler was first lieutenant of Company G.

Millville.

dur178th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry,

later than 1770.

some years previous to the time this title
was acquired, coming into possession of it not

tion

His settlement

in this section

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1048

marks an important period in its history.
From Delaware he came to Milton (Northumberland county), where there was a fort,
in

an
proceeding thence with

1770,

Indian

where he inspected his
guide to Fishing creek,
and his son Thomas buik a
land in 1 77 1.
cabin and cleared an acre of ground at Larry

Flinn see beSpring (so named for Larry
The family had been living here several
when the Wyoming massacre, in 1778,
;

low).
years

startled the inhabitants of the region out of
their feeling of security they had barely aca friendly Iijn
quired. John Eves, warned by
dian, returned east as far as Chester county,
Pa., in time to avoid

any of the

consethere for

evil

quences of that affair, and remained
seven years before again venturing into the
backwoods.
But little is known regarding the personal
He was an Irish
history of John Eves.
Friend, born in 1720, and came to America,
from Dublin, about the year 1738. He was in
good circumstances at Mill Creek Hundred,

One
offices of responsibility.
of his experiences as constable reveals the
resolute and determined character of the man.
He was given the warrant for the arrest of a
miscreant who defied the power of the law,
and threatened to take the life of the officer as
he approached. But the latter walked boldly
forward and disarmed him without a struggle.
The victory was not complete, however, as the
and held various

obstinacy of the culprit was equal to his
cowardice, and he refused to walk, whereupon
the constable tied his prisoner to the horse, and
they proceeded without further difficulties.
Another trait of his character is illustrated
by an occurrence during his residence here.
While in Philadelphia on one occasion he advanced the passage money of Larry Flinn and

two

his wife,

cently arrived

destitute Friends

from England.

who had

re-

They would

then have been obliged to remain in his service for several years, but he received them into
his family and they never left it.
In 1751

John Eves married Edith Yeatman, an English lady, said to have possessed great strength
of character, as well as personal beauty. They
were the parents of seventeen children, fourteen of whom reared families
as a rule large
families.
Their names, with dates of births,
are as follows:
Sarah, 4th mo., 24th, 1753
(died in 1762); Thomas, 2d mo., 5th, 1755;
John, 2d mo., 22d, 1757; Joseph, loth mo.,
30th, 1758; Mark, 7th mo.," 1 6th, 1760 (died
in 1762)
William, 2d mo., 2d, 1762; Chandlee. I2th mo., 14th, 1763; Elizabeth. 12th mo.,
30th, 1765; Sarah, 5th mo., 14th, 1767; Edith,

—

;

14th, 1767; Andrew, 6th mo., 4th,
1769; Mary, nth mo., 24th, 1770; Priscilla,
nth mo., 3d, 1772; Mark, 4th mo. 8th, 1774;
Ann. 4th mo., 21st, 1775; Samuel, ist mo.,
Of these,
1778; Ezra, 6th mo., 28th, 1782.
four families moved to Canada in 1800. John
Eves, Sr., died 7th mo., ist, 1802; and Edith

5th mo.,

(Yeatman) Eves, 4th mo., 14th, 1818, aged
Many of those who bore
eighty-three years.
the name have occupied positions of honor and
respectability in the various walks of life.
Numerous descendants of the original stock
continue to live in this region.
From John and Edith (Yeatman) Eves, J.
Emery Eves traces his descent through

Thomas (married Rachel Wilson), John W.
Eves and Wilson M. Eves. John W. Eves
was a nurseryman and builder, an intelligent
and enterprising business man. He married
Rebecca Brown, daughter of Richard Brown.
His son, Wilson M. Eves, is a leading business man in his section of Columbia county,
having a large general store at lola, Columbia
county, conducted under the firm name of
Wilson M. Eves »S: Sons. Mr. Eves married
Amelia Robbins. who was one of a family of
fifteen children her father was a lawyer and
surveyor, and he also owned and cultivated
a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Eves had a family of
five children, two sons and three daughters:
Colona S. resides at Millville; John Emery
is also a resident of Millville
Rebecca B. is
;

;

the wife of

C. Christian, a grocer of Millville; Orpha L. J. is the widow of Frank P.
Masters, a late farmer of Columbia county,
where the Masters family is numerously
J.

represented, and has had three children, Alfred E.
deceased, who was accidentally shot
when twelve years old), Marion W. (born in
1884, who has taught school, and is engaged
in the college at Westtown. Pa.), and James
(

(deceased in infancy) Aquilla W.. who is in
partnership with his father at lola, married
a daughter of C. R. Parker, a farmer of Columbia county, and they are the parents of
;

five children.

John Emery Eves was born Feb.

10, 1855.
excellent educational advantages, attending the Greenwood Semitiary at Millville,
a Friends' institution, and later normal school.
He learned the trade of cabinetmaker, but

He had

has been engaged principally at merchandisFor a number of years he was in the
ing.
general store at lola, but he is now carrying

on business independently, at Millville. as a
dealer in pianos and automobiles.
His many
patrons in this section have found thorough
satisfaction in the service he has been able to-

COLUMUIA AND MONTOUR COLWTIRS
Mr. Eves has a high reputation
associates, whether in busi-

give them.

among

all

his

ness relations or as a ])rivate citizen,
lie attends the Methodist lq)iscopal Church, and
on political issues is with the Repuljlican
party.

Oct. 31, 1900, Mr. Eves married MarEvans, of JJloomsburg, daughter of
Jackson Evans, whose family consisted of

garet

six children.

one

child,

Mr. and Mrs. Eves have had
who was born

Elizabeth .Amelia,

in October, 1903.

CAMDEN WESLEY HILDEBRAND,
an agriculturist of Centre township, Columbia
county, was born Nov. 6, 1857, at Jonestown,
in Eishingcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
son of William and Maria Louisa (Allieger) Hildebrand.
David Hildebrand, the grandfather of
Camden Wesley Hildebrand, was born at
Orangeville, in Orange township, Columljia
He was reared to agricultural purcounty.

which he followed throughout his
and during the latter part of his life
owned and operated a small tract of land in
the vicinity of Orangeville, where he died at
suits,

career,

the age of eighty-three years.
By his first
wife, whose maiden name was Poe, he had
three children
William
and
Benjamin
:

Jilena,

;

who married Joseph Musselman.

the second marriage were born six children
Matilda, who is the widow of John Reimard,
of Bloomsburg, Pa. Ellen, deceased, who was
the wife of John Gillespie, of Bloomsburg;
:

;

Sarah, who married Daniel Sterner, both now
deceased John David, deceased, who married Ellen Evans, of Bloomsburg; and Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of William
E. Kauffman.
In early life David Hildebrand was a Whig and later joined the ranks
of the Republican party.
He and his wives
were buried in the cemetery at Orangeville.
William Hildebrand, son of David Hildebrand, and father of Camden Wesley Hildebrand, was born in 1835, at Orangeville,
Orange township, and there received his education in the public schools.
As a youth he
;

;

native place and went to Jonestown,
Eishingcreek township, where he served an
apprenticeship of three years to the trades of
wheelwright and cabinetmaker, under Jack
Robbins.
Then he married Maria Louisa
Allieger, daughter of John and Jerusha Allieleft his

ger,

who came from New

Jersey, and

to this

Franunion there were born three children
Wilbur, who married Catherine Kishbaugh, of Berwick, Pa. Irvin Chester, who
:

cis

;

1049

died

in
infancy; and Camden Wesley. After
marriage Mr. Hildebrand oi)cned a shop
at Jonestown, where he followed his
trades
for nine years,
succeeding which he moved to
Shickshinny, Luzerne county, and for liiree
years was engaged in building boats for the
Pennsylvania canal. .\t the expiration of this
period he located in l'oundry\ ille. where he
opened a wheelwright sho])'f(jr general repairing and also buiU and sold wagons for
two years, and then acce])tc(l a
p(.sition as
car builder with the Jackson cV W oodin Company, with whom he remained a like period.
Prior to leaving
Shickshinny he iiad contracted a second marriage, with I.ucv
'ayden, daughter of John and Sarah Payden.
On leaving Berwick. Mr. Hildebrand went to
Highland, Luzerne county, and there worked

his

two years as a mine carpenter for the (]. B.
Merkel Coal Company.
His next location
was at Freeland, Luzerne county, where for
three years he conducted a wheelwright
shoj)
in partnership with Peter
Cunningham, and
in the meantime erected a handsome residence.
He then formed a partnership with
Benjamin Wanner, in the blacksmilhing and
wheelwright business, and this association
lasted two years, when Mr. Hildebrand went
to Hazleton, Luzerne county, there
spending
three years.
Selling his ])roperty, he moved
to Berwick, where he again entered the em-

ploy of the Jackson & Woodin Company, but
subsequently turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and for three years operatefi
the William Williams farm, in P.riarcreek
township, Columbia county.
Returning to
his trade, he worked for A. W. Eaton, and
later

for the Jackson

«S:

Woodin Comj)any.

Berwick and later at Shickshinny
for a number of years, and finally located on
the River road, in Briarcreck township, where
his death occurred when he was fifty-three
years of age. He was buried in the MartzMr. Hildebrand was first a
ville graveyard.
Free Methodist and later a member of the
He was a Republican in
Christian Church.
his political proclivities, and fraternally was
connected with the Knights of Malta.
Camden Wesley Hildebrand. son of
\\'illiam Hildebrand. had the advantages of
the schools of P.riarcreek township and Berwick until reaching the age of twelve years,
although in the meantime he had commenced
lived at

his struggle with life

when but

ten years old

mule driver on the towpath of the Pennsylvania canal, an occupation which he con-

as a

tinued

moved

He then
five years.
his
and for
with
father,
Highland
follow

for

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1050

two years was employed at laboring in the
mines, then being promoted to miner's work,
which he pursued for the same length of time.
While a resident of Hazleton he furthered
his education by attending night school. Later
he spent one year in mining at Woodside and
a like period driving a horse in the truck deWoodin Compartment of the Jackson &
at Berwick worked for one year on the

pany
farm of W. W. Seibert, in Briarcreek townto Hazleton and drove
ship, and then returned
Resuma grocery wagon for Frank Lamm.
a time he was eming work in the mines, for
he reployed at Laurel Hill, following which
turned to Berwick and became a blacksmith's
He
helper in the Jackson & Woodin shops.
also worked for Daniel Pifer as a limeburner
at Frank Evans's lime quarry near Martzville,
;

Pa.,

for nine months.

this time Mr. Hildebrand was married
Lydia Alice Martz, daughter of Samuel
and Malinda (Remaley) Martz, and to this
union there were born the following children
One son, born Jan. 9, 1882, died in infancy;
Samuel W., bom March 20, 1883, married"
Mary Kisner, of Centre township Daniel W.,
born Dec. 8, 1884, is at home; George R., born
Aug. 28, 1886, married Clara Wittington
Malinda C, born Jan. 28, 1889, married William Evans, of Centre township Emma L.,
born May 28, 1892, married Andrew K.
Helembold; Andrew J. H., born Dec. 9, 1894,
is working on the dairy farm of Seth Lamon
four children were stillborn.
After his marriage Mr. Hildebrand was engaged in driving a team six months for Freas

;

Brothers planing mill, at this time making his
in
Briarcreek township.
Later he
to Berwick, where for six months he
worked at car building for the Jackson &
Woodin Company, then again moving to the
country, where he assisted his father-in-law,

home
moved

and during the smallpox epidemic worked six
months on the farm of Dr. Reagan. He spent
a like period on the farm of William Reagan,
in Black Creek, and then began burning lime
for Frank Evans, of whose kilns he had
charge for three years. At the end of this
period he became a puddler for the Jackson «S:
Woodin Company, with whom he remained
seven years, during three years of this time
residing on his farm. He traded his home in

Berwick for a farm of sixty-four acres, of
which six acres were in timber, and on this
property resided until his wife recovered from
a severe attack of illness.
He next went to
Pittsburgh, where he remained a year and a
half, working as a puddler, his wife, in the

meantime, conducting a boarding house. From
Pittsburgh Mr. Hildebrand went back to the
farm in Centre township, and for quite a period

engaged in farming besides holding a position
as puddler with the American Car and Foundry Company (who had taken over the plant
of the Jackson & Woodin Company), but during the last two years has devoted his entire
attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he
has gained well merited success. He is known
as a skilled farmer and good judge of stock,
and his honorable methods of doing business
have gained him the respect and confidence of
those with whom he has been associated. Mr.
Hildebrand is a Prohibitionist. Formerly he
was a member of Washington Camp No. 515,
P. O. S. of A., of Fowlerville, the Amalgamated Iron, Steel and Tin Workers, at Berwick, the Berwnck Beneficial Association, connected with the American Car and Foundry

Company, and the Junior Order United American Mechanics, at Pittsburgh.
He is class
leader, steward and president of the board of
trustees of the United Evangelical Church at
Evansville. is superintendent of the Sunday
school, and has been Bible Class teacher for
five years.
At all times Mr. Hildelirand has
displayed a commendable willingness to lend
his aid to movements which have for their
object the advancement of education, morality
and good citizenship, and with other earnest
and public-spirited citizens he has done much
to help Centre township and its people.
Mrs. Lydia Alice (Martz) Hildebrand,
wife of Camden W. Hildebrand, was born
May II, 1864, in Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa., and received her education in the
Briar Creek brick schoolhouse. which was
built of bricks burned on her grandfather's
farm.

Abraham Martz. grandfather

of Mrs. Hil-

was born in 1802. in Briarcreek
township, Columbia Co.. Pa., and spent his endebrand,

tire life there in agricultural
pursuits, the old

homestead being the present farm of Charles
Martz. He married Desiah Hetler, and they
became the parents of these children Xathan.
deceased, who married Hester Mellick Daniel, who married Mary Stoudt. of I'riarcreek
township; John, deceased, who married Susan
Miller, of Berwick Henry, who married Julia
Rutter. of Berwick
Samuel George, who
died unmarried; Eliza, who married Rev.
Edward Sharretts, of Berwick; Mary, who
married Henry Remley, both now deceased;
and Zachary Taylor, deLydia. deceased
ceased, who married Mattic Staden^ of MilAbraham ALartz became the owner
ton, Pa.
:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

was born in (jcrniany Jan. uj, 1855, son of
Albert Young.
Albert Young was a miller in (iermany,
lie
married I'redericke
where he die(l.

of a large larm in North Berwick, and was
also for many years engaged in the brick busiman of charitable impulses, he gave
ness.
the ground for the church and graveyard at
Martzville, burned the brick and lime on his
farm, and did all the carpenter work, asking
He was a
only for the planed boards.

coun-

in that

(

Herman

Young attended i)ublic school
ne-ighborhood and remained in his

^^^^^^^,

j^j^.

j^^

voung UKin. meantime comto learn the trade of marble cutter

j^^^ive land until a
,,i^.,i^.i„^^

^^rving a period

.^,^^j

q-^^^^ ,^^^1

the (ierman

America, he landed

Coming

that metropolis

f,.^,,,,

army,

New

came

^'ork

to Cata-

He conPa., where he had relatives.
tinned working at the trade of marble cutting,
^^^^j -^^^ ^^j,-,^g became an expert.
I^nally he was
^^ enter business on his own account,
.^|j|^.
a partnership with Charles G. Smith

^yj^j^^.

1836,

of attendance at school,
given the advantages
but learned to be an industrious worker. At
in
the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted
the Union army for a term of nine months,
but contracted typhoid fever, and when he had
recovered was detailed as a hospital nurse,
On receiving his honorable discharge he took
and that he was
up trucking as a vocation,
that
successful in this line is shown by the fact
bushels
in one season he raised two hundred

forming

^^,-,(1^1.

the

of Smith

title

& Young, which

asso-

Later he entered a
Imsiness
conducting it as
himself,
gji-j^jiar
by
His proficiency
^j^^ Catawissa Marble Works.
^^ ^ marble and granite cutter has enabled him
a large business, and he carries out
^^ hxiM

(.j-^tion

lasted

of onions, which he sold at two dollars per
man of progressive ideas, he was
bushel.
the first to raise strawberries in Briarcreek
He is the owner of twenty-one
township.
acres of land, and in addition has a limekiln,
is
which he has operated for many years. He
Lutheran
a member of the Martzville (New)

Church.

Mr. Martz married Malinda Remaley, who
was born Dec. 29, 1836. at Martzville. and
1912. daughter of Benjaniin

and Elizabeth (Billheimer) Remaley. To this
union there were born the following children
and reGilbert, who married Nora Remaley,
Roselda,
of
Washington
sides in the State
:

ji^^pQi-tant

Centre
who married Andrew Harmon,
Hildebrand;
Mrs.
township; Lydia Alice,
ot
Smith Hurd, who married Emma '-^l^er
t^stner
Lhzabetli
Muncy. Lycoming cotmty
who married Christopher Benson (deceased)
and (second) Frederick Beagle;
^^^('?
;;^^\\atson
ot
trude, who married Henry Angle
UasnDavid
town. Northumberland county
Susan Merkle. ot ^'Crington. who married
married Cathwick; Clarence Lafayette, who

some

years.

contracts for work in his line, inmaking of monuments. His j)lant

^-i^di^g the
j^

all modern machinery
work in hand, and Mr. Young
but artistic
displays manual dexterity

equipped with

^^^^jj

g^jtable for the
^^^^ Q,^iy

perception as well.
^^^ Young married Elizabeth Gunthcr, a
^f q Gunther. a pioneer butcher of
^^,^^^^1^^^^.
Mr. and Mrs. Young have had
Catawissa.
Ralph W'.. who is as^.j^iuj-en as follows:
business (he is a
the
in
father
i^j^
^^^^of the Catawissa school board);
,^^^,^^1^^,^
resides at Berwick,
E.^ a clerk, who
^^g^|j,^g

Luther W., a telegrapher, employed on
Philadelphia & Reading
'j^^.^;,^ li„e of the
.

^j^^'

Companv

away

passed

Samuel Martz, son of Abraham Martz. and
father of Mrs. Hildebrand, was born Aug. 25,
He was never
in Briarcreek township.

10.

als(j

had children as follows: Herman
Richard Albert, ICmil, llulta and
lerI. aura,
all of whom have remained in
many with the exception of Herman,

offices.

March

who

Xeuchirt,

try.
They
f
Karl,

pay
devout church member, an active worker in
the German Lutheran Church, and held all of
the church offices at various times. Both he
and his wife were buried at Martzville. A
he stood high in the
Republican in politics,
councils of his party in this section, and was
honored by election to various township

died

1051

p,,^i|^^..^y

^^^^^^.^Iq

^^^^

Carl H..

Young

^Ir

pQii^i'^.^^n,.

^^^

;

and Ruth

;

I-:.,

who

living at

home,

a Democrat, and

^^.^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^_.^^^ ^.^^^ acceptably
^f the poor. A consistent member
Lutheran Church, he has held

;

^^y^^

^^^^^^,^

^^{,;^i 'position
'j^^

^^^^^^jj

;

1,^

j^i^

organization,
Fellow, and he

l-'rais

he is among his assowherever known,

l^^l^g as

that

Odd

..enerallv.
.

^^^^^^ ^^^^^^

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1052

HENRY LOUIS

COIRA, manager

of the

Montour
City Electric Company at Danville,
in West
born
was
1888,
22,
Sept.
Co., Pa.,
son of Fortunato Coira.
Hoboken, N.
J.,

Fortunato Coira was born at Milan, Italy,
the United States
Sept. 21, 1858, and came to
Goin 1883, when twenty-five years of age.
in
ing to New, Jersey he found employment
the silk mills at different points, and in 1889
came to Pennsylvania, installing the first loom
in the silk mills at

Bloomsburg.

Later he was

of these mills, which position
he still holds. He married Ziara Taborrelle,
also a native of Italy, who was brought to the
United States by her parents when she was
sixteen years old. The family located at West
Hoboken, N. J., where she met and married
Mr. Coira. Mr. and Mrs. Coira became the

made foreman

in Bavaria, Germany, and came to America
with his family when in middle life. Landing

New York

City,

he made his way to Monroe

county, Pa., where he became the owner of a
line of boats on the Lehigh canal, but later he
bought a large tract of land in Wyoming
county, and there devoted his energies to
farming. He died there at an advanced age.
He was the father of two sons, Adam and
Peter.

Adam Snyder, son of John A., was seventeen years of age when he accompanied his
parents to the United States. As a youth he
was engaged as a boatman on the Lehigh
canal, remaining at that occupation for many
years, but when his father removed to Wyoming county he accompanied the family, fol-

Henry Louis;
parents of three children:
Charles, who resides at Philadelphia, Pa. and
These children
Josephine, who is at home.
were all reared in the faith of the Roman

lowing in his father's footsteps and taking up
the vocation of farmer, which he continued
until his death.
He was laid to rest in the
Meyers cemetery in that county. By his first
wife, Sarah, he had two children
J. Adam,

Catholic Church.

who

;

Henry Louis Coira attended the schools of
Bloomsburg, Columbia county, and then became self-supporting, working at silk weaving
for one year, and then for three years as clerk
in the employ of the J. F. Tooley Company,
of Bloomsburg.
Leaving this concern, Mr.
Coira went to Norristown, Pa., where he took
a business course in the Schissler commercial
After the completion of this he was
college.
with the Maritime Exchange of Philadelphia
as a stenographer, later going with the Milder
Pants Company, at Lyonsdale, Pa., as bookkeeper and stenographer. Mr. Coira then returned to Bloomsburg to become bookkeeper
for the H. S. Kauffman Company.
Always
ambitious, he began studying electricity, and
was eventually made manager of the Danville
branch, the City Electric Company, being appointed in 1912, and this position he still holds,
being regarded as a very efficient man.
On Oct. 24, 191 1, Mr. Coira was married
to Florence Casey, who was born at Bloomsburg, Pa., daughter of William Casey and his
wife Anna (McClosky) Casey.
Mr. Coira
belongs to the Elks of Danville and the Red
Men of Bloomsburg, finding in these orders
pleasant associates and needed recreation, for
he is a very busy man, devoting the greater
portion of his time and interest to his business.

ALLEN L. SNYDER, general merchant at
Bloomsburg, Columbia county, was born in
Wyoming

Adam

county. Pa., Sept. 25, 1865, son of

and Mary E. (Woodruff) Snyder.
John A. Snyder, his grandfather, was born

county; and
Armedia, now deceased. Mr. Snyder married
for his second wife Mary E. Woodruff', and
Allen L. and Julia
they had two children
A., who became the wife of Charles Lohman,
is

living

Wyoming
:

;

of Kingston, Pennsylvania.
Allen L. Snyder, son of Adam Snyder, grew
to manhood upon the home farm, attended the
local public schools, and later studied at the
Beaumont high school and Beaumont acadFor a time he
emy, in Wyoming county.
clerked in a grocery store at W'ilkes-Barre,
Pa., and after resigning this position became
connected with the Albert Lewis Lumber
Manufacturing Company, at Dallas and Alderson, in Luzerne county, remaining in the employ of this concern for six years. Succeeding this he became a motorman for about
seven years, and on Jan. 21, 1908, came to

Bloomsburg, where he had since been engaged
grocery business. His store, located at
No. 262 Iron street, is stocked with a full line
of groceries and provisions, and his capable
in the

management has

resulted in attracting a large

and representative trade.
Mr. Snyder was married to Margaret S.
Reed, daughter of J. H. and Myra (Snyder)
Reed, of Dallas, Luzerne Co.. Pa., and to this
union there have been born two sons
Floyd
G. and Roy F., the former now connected with
Swift & Company, at Wilkes- Barre.
Fraternally Mr. Snvder is associated with George
M. Dallas Lodge, No. 533, F. & A. M.. at
Dallas; Hazleton Chapter, No. 2'/'/, R. A. M.,
and Caldwell Consistory, thirty-second degree,
at Bloomsburg.
Mr. Snyder belongs to the
:

COLUMCIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
First Presbyterian Church. Tlie pleasant residence of the Snyder family is located at No.
2;^^ East Third street.

CHARLES

YAGEL, miller, at KxJ.
Montour county, proprietor of the
Exchange Flour Mills, is one of the pros-

change,

perous business men in his part of the county,
where he has been located for over twenty
He was born Sept. 5, 1864, in Delayears.
ware township, Northumberland Co., Pa., son
of John Yagel.

six years before his retirement he operated a
flour mill at Watsontown, Northumberland

now (T914)
His home is
is

seventy-four years

at
Montgomery,
Lycoming county, Pa. His wife, Tulara
(Menges), daughter of Samuel Menges, died
in 1898, at the age of sixty years.
To them

were born the following children: Clinton,
of Allenwood, Pa.; Charles J.; Frank;
Samuel Margaret,
Harvey, of York, Pa.
wife of John Saxon, of Watsontown, Pa.
Minnie, wife of Wilson Schick, of Montgomery, Pa. and Melinda, wife of Harry
Hanes, of Montgomery.
Charles J. Yagel took up milling after his
After working one
school days were over.
year for his father he moved to Moreland

now

;

township, Lycoming county, w^here he followed milling for six years, at the end of that

Montour county,

1891.

built the mill

is still conducting, and has
for general grinding, besides
the ordinary flours turning out pearl cornHe is also interested
meal, buckwheat, etc.
in farming, owning fifty-five acres in Anthony

here which he
facilities

townshij\ which his son cultivates.
Mr. Yagel has taken an active part in the
afl:'airs of the community, and has been elected
to public offices, the duties of which he has
discharged with the same ei^ciency which

marks

the management of his private aft'airs.
held the office of tax collector for Anthony

township two terms and was supervisor two
terms.
For six months during 191 3 he was
foreman on the State Highway Commission.
He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Lodge No.
898,

Exchange

Politically he

On March
Elizabeth

marrietl

deceased,

l-'lorence

Watson-

town, Pa., for John llofTman, Mrs. Charles
J. Yagel's foster father; John .Mfred, burn in
1884, a resident of Exchange, formerly a
teacher, now mail carrier from (Jttawa to
Exchange, married Mildred Broljst and has
three children, Arline, i'Ved and Roscoe;
liarry is deceased; Luther, b(jrn in 18X8,
farming the home place in Anthony township,
married (irace Flick and has two children,
Naoma and Clcoda Sherman L., born in i8<^i,
is in Denver, Colo.; Clarence, born in
i8<j3, is
at home; Suzanna, born in 1898, is at home.
The family have been reared in the h4)iscoi)al
St.
faith,
Church, at
attending
James'

Exchange.
John Ulrich, father of Mrs. Yagel, married
Elizabeth Becker, who died when her daughter Elizabeth (Mrs. Yagel j was but seven
weeks old. Mr. Ulrich died when she was
two years old, and she was thereafter reared
by John Hoflfman, a farmer, at one time in
Berks county. He is now 1914) eighty-four
years of age and living retired in Northumberland county. His wife, Suzanna KarschHoft'man, died May 9, 1909. aged
ner)
seventy-four years. Mr. and Mrs. John Ulrich
had a family of ten children, of whom but two
(

(

survive:

(he

serves

janitor).

a Democrat.

31,

1882,

Mr. Yagel married

who was born March

4,
Ulrich,
1864, in Berks county, Pa., and they have had
seven children, namely
George Horace, born
:

Elizabeth, wife of Charles

Mar>% wife of John Potts, of
Mrs. Yagel remained on the
county.
man farm until her marriage.
and

CHARLES

time coming to his present location, Exchange.

ample

now

1883,

Wertman, who now keeps house

;

John Yagel was born in Berks county. Pa.,
and followed farming and milling throughout
his active years, retiring in 1900.
For twenty-

county.
of age.

1053

DlLDl.XE.

Yagel,
P>erks
Hoft'-

of Orangevillc.

Columbia county, a i)rominent and successful
farmer, was born March 24, 1856, in Orange
township, that county, son of Isaac K. and
grandson of Andrew Dildine, a pioneer

set-

tler of this part of the State.

John Dildine, the first known ancestor of
the family in America, was an early settler at
obBloomsburg. All the record that can be
of
father
the
was
he
that
is
him
of
tained
Andrew, grandfather of Charles II. Dildine.
Andrew i:)ildine married Ruth, daughter of
(Creeger) Bogart. and
six daughters: Elizaand
sons
four
had
they
beth Ann. Abram B.. John O.. Margaret,
Isaac K., Amanda, Snrnh J.. Mary E.

Abram and Margaret

Jacob,
and Ruth.
Isaac K. Dildine. son of
in

Andrew, was born

1826, and at3,
schools of the township.

Orange township June

tended

tile

common

He was a farmer, continuing as such until his
On Dec. 6, 1853, he
death. Aug. 20. 1904.
B.
Hughes, daughter of
married
Angeline

Charles

and Marv

(Rhodes)

Hughes, and

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1054

George H., Charles
they had three children
H., and Anna E. Of these Charles H. is now
Mrs. Dildine died in
the only survivor.
March, 1862, and two of the children, George
H. and Anna E., died but a few weeks later
On Dec. 6,
of the same malady, diphtheria.
1S68, Mr. Dildine married (second) Mrs.
Angeline Drake, duaghter of Peter Knorr and
widow of Col. Levi Drake, a veteran of the
:

Mexican war, who was
at the battle of

there

was one

killed in the Civil w^ar

Stone River.

child,

Cora

B.,

By this union
born Sept. 12,

Mr. Dildine
1871, who died Dec. 18, 1881.
and his first wife are buried in the McHenry
cemetery in Orange township.
Charles H. Dildine attended the public
schools of Orangeville and Orangeville Academy, and taught two terms of school. He then
began farming and the raising of thoroughbred stock, a business at which he has prosHe now owns three farms, one in
pered.
Orange and two in Greenwood township, is
one of the most up-to-date farmers in his
section, and his stock is well known for its
In 1908 he removed to the
high grade.
borough of Orangeville, but has retained control of his farm property.
Mr. Dildine is treasurer of the Briar Creek
Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company,
and one of its adjusters. He is also a director
of the Columbia County National Bank at
Benton, and was one of the organizers of the
Grangers' National Bank, of Hughesville,
Lycoming county, of which he is now a director. He is a prominent member of Orangeville Grange, No. 128, in which he has filled
all the offices, and of the State Grange, being
on the executive committee of the latter. Mr.
Dildine is a member of Mountain Lodge, No.
264, I. O. O. F., at Orangeville, and of the

encampment

Espy.

Mr. Dildine married Almeta Bogart, daughter of Samuel Bogart, and they became the
parents of five children: Bruce W., a traveling salesman, who resides at Orangeville I.
Warren, of Greenwood township; Paul H., a
merchant of Orangeville; Frank C, a railroad engineer, who resides at Bennington, N.
Y. and Howard C, a farmer of Greenwood
;

;

JOHN JACKSON DAVIS, engaged in
farming in Centre township, Columbia county,
was born Nov. 18, 1869, in Pine township,
Columbia Co., Pa., son of Joshua and Sarah
(Alberson) Davis.
John Davis, the grandfather of John Jack-

son Davis, came from New Jersey to Columcounty, Pa., and settled in Greenwood
township. He w^as a cabinetmaker by vocation, and was engaged at his trade throughout
bia

He was a Democrat in his political
views, while his religious faith was that of the
Friends, and he and the grandmother are both
buried in the Quaker churchyard at Milhille
Mr. Davis married a Kester, and they became
the parents of the following children
John,
deceased, who settled in Canada Silas, who
located in Iowa; Joshua: Zenith, deceased,
who married a Wenner, the latter now living
his life.

;

Beachwoods. near W'illiamsport Rebecca
Ann, who married a Mr. Stecker, of Canada;
and Mehitablc, who married Andrew Alberat

Greenwood township. Columbia county.
Joshua Davis, son of John Davis, and
father of John Jackson Davis, was born Jan.
6, 183 1, two miles east of Milhille, in Greenson, a resident of

wood township, Columbia

Co., Pa.,

and was

educated in the township district schools.
There he learned the trade of carpenter. Subsequently he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and for forty-two years was
a tenant farmer, spending thirteen years in
Greenwood township, a like period in Orange

township and sixteen years

Centre town-

About six years before his demise he
retired from active pursuits and removed to
Berwick, where he lived quietly until his
death. May 14. 1912. The mother, who survives him. w^as born Jan. 19, 1839. and now
makes her home at No. 307 East Sixth street.
Berwick. Mr. Davis was a stalwart Demoship.

He married Sarah Alberson. daughter
of C. and Sarah (Shoemaker) Alberson. and
the following children were born to this union
Frank P.. who married Emma Mellick. of
Mount Pleasant township: Clark D.. who
married Mary Oman, of Mount Pleasant
township; Alvin M., who married Jennie
Nora,
Dreibelbis, of Briarcreek township
who became the wife of Henry Rittenhouse,
of Briarcreek township Joseph P.. deceased,

crat.

township.
Mr. Dildine is a Democrat in political sentiment, and has served his party as county
chairman.
He has been a member of the
Orange township school board, and when he

removed

to Orangeville

became a member of

the borough council, and

body.

president

that

;

who married Dora

deceased John
Jackson: Charles W'., who married Clara
Whitmire. of Centre township; Hurlev E.. of
the "Flat Iron Hotel," Berwick, Pa., who
married Pearl Moore, deceased: Clara, who
resides at Almedia, Pa.; Samuel S.. who marSitlcr. also

COLUMBIA AND AlONTOUR COUNTIES
ried
villa,

Agnes Hidlay, of Scott township; Nowho married Minor G. Werkheiser, of

Berwick; and Eva, who holds a
tion in the

Woolworth

children were

clerical posi-

store at Berwick.

The

given good educational advantages and have been htted to hll the positions in life they now occupy.
John Jackson Davis, son of Joshua Davis,
was educated in the public schools of Greenwood township, which he attended during the
winter months, his summers being si)ent in
lie
assisting his father on the home farm,
remained under the parental roof in Greenwood and Orange townships and worked with
his father up to the age of twenty-two years,
at which time he learned the trade of miller.
with H. C. Bowman, in Orange townshij),
serving an apprenticeship of three years. Following this he worked at his trade for six
months in Roaringcreek township, and then
all

resumed farming, beginning to operate his
mother-in-law's farm of 100 acres, in Mount
Pleasant township, where he remained for
two years. He was progressive and alert, and
seized every opportunity that presented itself,

and for seven years operated a threshing machine in four townships, in addition to doing
odd jobs at carpentry. For the two years that
followed he devoted his attention entirely to
carpenter work, and at the end of that period
became a railroad man as a fireman on a locomotive on the S. B. & B. railroad. After
twenty months as a fireman he was promoted
to the ])osition of engineer on a passenger
train on the same road, and continued as such
six years, then accepting a position in the
equipment department of the American Car
and Foundry Company, at Berwick. The call
of the soil brought Mr. Davis back to the farm

when he bought his present place in
Centre township, and there he has continued

in 1907,

to live to the present time.

Mr. Davis was married Jan. 12, 1893, in the
Methodist parsonage at Orangeville, Pa., by
Rev. H. A. Stoudt, to Minnie Mellick. who
was born in Mount Pleasant township, Columbia Co., Pa., daughter of Clinton and Mary
Malinda (Oman) Melhck. The children of
this union were as follows: Veda Lera, born
March i, 1894. who married Claude Merrill,
of Scott township; Lena Grace, born Sept. 7.
1895, of Mount Pleasant township: Harrv
Harold born Oct. 12, 1896. now in New York
State; Clyde Earl, born March 22,, 1898:
Warren Franklin, born June 5, 1899, who is in
Scott township; Lois Mae, born Dec. 12, 1900;
Frederick Jackson, born May 26. 1902; Flo
Mahnda, born Nov. 13, 1903; Floyd Olan,

1055

born Nov. i, 1905 Blanche Arlcnc, born
Aug
1908; Rolland Mcllick, born Oct. 2-], 1910;
and Pauline Sarah, born April 23, 191 j. Mr.'
and Mrs. Davis incline toward \he Lutheran
faith, and in politics he is a Democrat,
lie is
recording secretary of Washington Camp Xo.
517, Patriotic Order Sons of America, of
Eowlerville, is a member of the board of
trustees of that camp, past president, and jjasl
district
for Northern
Columbia
president
county and is a member of Provident Ltxlge,
No. 120, Brotherhood of Locomotive biremen
and J'Lngineers, of Sunbury, I'ennsylvania.
Godfrey Mellick, the grandfather of Mrs.
Davis, was a prosperous farmer of Mount
Pleasant townshiji, Columbia county, owning
three handsome projjerties, which aggregated
about 400 acres of land. His first wife was a
Miss iiippensteel, and they became the j)arents
of these children
Henry, who married Mar;

;

garet Mellick, of Orange township; Clinton,
the father of Mrs. I)a\is; Mary Catherine.
deceased, who married John 11 ipi)ensteel and
Rebecca, deceased, who was the wife of Abraham Kline, of Orange townshiij. (iodfrey
Mellick was married (second) to Catherine
Jacoby, and they became the j)arents of four
children:
Susan, who married Matthias
Whitenight, a resident of Buckhorn, Pa.;
John, who married Clara Everett, of Mount
i'leasant township
Lydia, making her home
;

;

Harriet, who marWadsw'orth Kline, of Orange townshii).
The father was a Republican in his political
views. He was an influential man of his day,
in

Orange township; and

ried

He
but did not care for public preferment.
was buried in Mount Pleasant townshi]).
Clinton Mellick, son of Godfrey Mellick,
and father of Mrs. Davis, was born in 1S40. in
Mount Pleasant township, and there received
He worked on the honic farm
his education.
for his father until some time after his niarof his father's csriage, purchased 135 acres
m general
tate, and continued to be engaged
farming throughout

his

life.

died,

re-

all who knew him,
spected and esteemed by
in Mount Pleasant township, and was laid to
He was a
rest in the cemetery at Canby.
in i)olitics. and a member of the
Repul)lican
New Lutheran Church. His wife was first a

but later adopted the Ludicran
She survives her husband and is still

Methodist,
faith.

in Mount Pleasant township.
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mellick
Emma, who married h rankwere as follows
hn P. Davis: Minnie, born March 11. 1873,
in Mount Pleasant township, who married

making her home

The

John

Davis;

Cora,

who married James

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1056

Fausey, of Mount Tleasant township; Delia,
who married Harry Crawford, of Mount
Pleasant township; and Harry, who married
Mrs.
Charlotte IJeecher, of Fernville, Pa.
Melliek was born Dec. 6,
M.

(Oman)

Mary

Columbia

1844, in Mt. Pleasant township,
Co.. Pa., daughter of Samuel and Catherine

(White) Oman.

LOUIS JOHN TOWNSEND,

deceased,

general manager, secretary and treasurer of the Berwick Electric Light Company,
of Berwick, Columbia county, was born
March 7, 1870, in Newport, Monmouthshire,

who was

England.
John Reese Townsend, his father, is a native of Gloucestershire, England, born in 1840.
He has been a resident of Bloomsburg since
1
87 1, his father and uncle settling here some
years previously. In 1891 he opened a merchant tailoring business in the First National

Bank building, continuing there until 1908,
when he moved to his present location, which
property he owns. Mr. Townsend's connection with the civic affairs of Bloomsburg began in 1888 with his election to the school
board, of which body he continued to be an
efficient member for the next nine years
three terms of three years each. In 1902 he
was elected president of Bloomsburg, which

—

is the only town in the State of Pennsylvania
where the president of the town council is
also mayor, and he was twice reelected, holding the office for three successive terms. Such
unqualified indorsement of his policies and
personal exertions requires no comment. Of

his

special

achievements, the success of the

Bloomsburg Centennial may be cited an as exHe served as chairman of the Cenample.
tennial committee, without pay. The celebration was held during the first year of his ad-

ministration, and he is given credit for being the "backbone" of the whole plan. Though
there were many who predicted its failure he
carried it through triumphantly, and the town
had anniversary exercises appropriate and
adequate to the occasion a bright spot in her
When the memorable flood of 1904
history.
damaged the unprepared town he acted
promptly in the relief and aid work, and as
chairman of the relief committee gave his
services ungrudgingly to
raising and' disbursat his dising the funds so generously

—

placed

posal.

For the

last

twenty years he has been

serving as a State trustee for the Bloomsburg
Normal School, and in that capacity, as well
as during his membership on the board of
education, has rendered important service in

He is
affairs.
promotion of educational
of directors of
president of the board
he was one of
public library, of which
earliest advocates, and he has ahvays
been one of its ablest supporters. For some
time he has been the representative in Columbia county of the State Forestry ComAs one of the most trustw^orthy
mission.
circles he was for a
figures in local business
the
also
the
the

number of years president of the Board of
Trade,

in that position

attract

new

working assiduously

He is a
industries to the town.
president of the Bloomsburg In-

director and
dustrial Building

& Loan Association, which
has been a great benefit to the town.
Mr. Townsend has been an ardent Democrat and participated in the workings of the
party for many years. In 1893 he was elected
county chairman, serving two terms as such,
and his work during the campaign of Governor Pattison was most eft'ective in bringing
out a large Democratic vote.
Fraternally he
is a prominent Mason, a past master of Washington Lodge; past high priest of Bloomsburg
Chapter; past eminent commander of Crusade Commandery past commander in chief
He was one of the
of Caldwell Consistory.
untiring workers who secured the erection of
Caldwell Cathedral, and served as a member
of the building committee. Mr. Townsend is
a leading member of St. Paul's Church, which
he served as vestryman for years.
;

^Ir.

Townsend was married

in England to
Four children have been
Louis John, deceased; Harry

Elizabeth Derrett.

born to them:
William; Emma Jane, wife of E. A. Eyer, of
and Joseph Leon, residing in
Philadelphia
Bloomsburg.
Louis John Townsend obtained his educa;

at Bloomsburg, attending
the public
schools and the State Normal.
Learning the
trade of watchmaker he followed it for a time,
establishing a jewelry store at P>erwick, and
during President Cleveland's administration
he was appointed postmaster at that borough,
conducting his jewelry business while filling
that office.
After serving a term as postmaster he was made auditor of the American Car
and Foundry Company at Berwick, then travFor a number
eling salesman and solicitor.
of years he was connected with the Berwick
Electric Light Company, becoming treasurer
when the company was organized, and later
general manager, as well as secretary and

tion

treasurer, holding this position until his death,
which occurred Nov. 28, 1907. Interested in
the welfare of the community, he was active
in local politics; a
working member of Christ

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Episcopal Church, in which he held the office
warden at the time of his death

of junior

;

and a Mason, holding nienil:)ership in Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., I'doomsburg Caldwell Consistory (thirty-second degree), A. A. S. R., Bloomsburg, and I rem
Temple, A. O. O. N. M. S., at Wilkes-lUirre.
On June 14, 1892, Mr. Townsend married
Elizabeth Gruver, daughter of John A. and
Mary C. (Obitz) Gruver, formerly of Luzerne
county, and three children were born to them
Ruth E., born June 2, 1893, married Samuel
L. Ney, of Philadelphia; L. Donald was born
;

May

19,

1895; Frederick E., Jan.

1899.

WILBUR C. WELLIVER, a farmer and
dairyman of Mount Pleasant township, Columbia Co., Pa., was born at Welliversville,
same county, Dec. 31, 1879, son of Parmley E.
Welliver.

Jacob Welliver, a native of New Jersey,
to Pennsylvania and located in what
later became Jerseytown, Columbia county, the
new home named for the old home. He spent
the remainder of his life there and was a shoemaker by trade. His children were: Isabella,

came

Betty, Leah,

Adam, Thomas and Duncan

named was

last

killed

while

the

;

the

Union

service during the Civil war.
Adam Welliver, son of Jacob, was born at
and
Jerseytown, learned his father's trade,

followed it there and in Madison township,
whither he later moved.
Subsequently he
went to Mount Pleasant township, where he
died at the age of seventy. His first wife was
a Miss McCarty, of near Jerseytown, and by
her he had two sons, Joseph and Nelson.
Adam Welliver married (second) Rhoda A.
chilMusgrave, and they had the following
Lillie, Parmley E., Nettie, Rosa N.,
Dr. G. H. (of Bloomsburg) and Bert.
Parmley E. Welliver, son of Adam, was
also born at Jerseytown, and learned shoemaking, but worked at the trade only a short
Buying fifty
time, when he began farming.
acres of land in Greenwood township, he gave
all his attention to its cuhivation, and developed into a successful agriculturist. He mar-

dren

ried Emily A. Lemons, a daughter of Russel
Lemons, of Mount Pleasant township, and
children
they became the parents of eight
Wilbur C. Anna, who married Bert Co.x
Bertha, who died when five years, five months
:

;

Myra, who married George Hartzel
who resides at Bloomsburg; Russel;
Myrtle, and Beulah, who is at home.
Wilbur C. Welliver grew up on the farm
and attended the local schools, developing

old;

Frank,

mto

1057

young man.

Leaving home
where he entered the employ of the American Car and
Foundry Company, remaining with that conhe

sturdy

went

Berwick,

I'a.,

cern for

si.x years.
In 1904 he returned to
farming, locating at Fowlerville, where he
spent Wve years, and in 1909 he purchased his
present property, known as the Stoner farm,
comprising eighty-two acres of land. There
he carries on general farming and
dairying,
operating a daily milk route to Bh^oinsUirg,
where he has a large trade, his product being
of good qnality. and produced and marketed

according t(j modern sanitary regulations.
Mr. Welliver was married, Sept. 5, 1903, to
Edna Blanche Kocher, daughter of Thomas C.
and Priscilla (Croop) Kocher, and one son,
I'jnery Warren, has been born of this union.
Mr. Welliver supports the ])rinciples of the
Democratic party, although not an office
seeker.
The family belong to the Lutheran
Church.
David Kocher, Mrs. Welliver's great-grandfather, was a native of (jermany, born .\pril
23, 1792, and came to the United States when
a

young man, settling first in Philadelphia.
Thence he came to Centre township, ColumI)ia
Co., Pa., and took up loo acres of land for
which he paid four dollars per acre. After
locating on this property he improved it,
placing the land under cultivation and erecting
necessary buildings, and he carried on farming there until his death. On Feb. 13, 8 14, he
married Sarah Cawley, a Quaker, and they
had these children: Samuel, James, llenry,
Hannah, Thomas, Harriet and Mary. Abra1

ham and David were

born

his

second

marriage.

James Kocher, son of David, was born in
Centre township, where he became a farmer
and carpenter, dying in his native township.
He married Sarah J. Deitrich, a daughter of
Henry Deitrich, and their children were:
Sabina, Rolandus, Thomas C, Isabella, Adoniram J., Samantha and Levi.
Thomas C. Kocher, son of James, was
.\fter
reared on his father's homestead.
teaching school for seven winters in Centre
township he devoted all of his time to farming,
Later he
operating his mother's property.
bought the Hutchinson farm of ninety-five
acres and conducted it for twenty-two years,
when he retired to Berwick, locating in that
borough in 1909 and erecting the iiandsome
residence at No. 1232 West Front street,
where he is now residing. He married PrisCroop, daughter of Henry Croop, of
Centre township, and they have had children

cilla

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1058

Milton; Dora, who is married;
Edna Blanche, who married Wilbur C. Welliver; Cleveland and Clara, twins; and Mary.

as follows:

C. Kocher is a Democrat in political
and has held the office of assessor in
The Lutheran Church of
Centre township.
Berwick holds his membership.

Thomas
faith

H. DIEHL, who is engaged in
at Danville, Pa., was
and
lumbering
farming

CHARLES

Mahoning township, Montour county,
1853, son of Frank W. and Mary
31,
Aug.

born

(Carstner) Diehl.
Daniel Diehl, the grandfather of Qiarles H.
Diehl, was the owner of the land on which the
State Hospital now stands, and there carried
on farming until his death, at the age of sixtyHe married Susan Faust.
six years.
Frank W. Diehl, son of Daniel Diehl, and
father of Charles H. Diehl, was born near
Danville, Pa., and was a laborer until 187 1,
when he purchased a farm in Mahoning township, Montour Co., Pa., on which he spent the
remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits,
dying in 1899 at the age of sixty-nine years.
He married Mary Carstner, who was born in
Cooper township, Montour Co., Pa., and she
still survives him, being now over eighty years
of age. Eight children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Diehl:
Charles H. Jane, who is the
wife of C. Young, of Northumberland county;
Alice, who married John Twiggs, of Danville;
Susan, who is the wife of George Boyer, of
Sageburg, Montour county Anthony, of Mahoning township; George, also of that township Levy, living in Danville and William,
of \'alley township.
Charles H. Diehl, son of Frank W. Diehl,
left school at the age of fourteen years, and
following this was employed in the mines for
seven years.
During the several succeeding
years he was engaged at various occupations,
and spent two years in farming, but after his
marriage moved to Chulasky, where for eleven
years he was engaged in farming, contracting
and hauling ore. Mr. Diehl then became the
owner of the farm which he is now conducting, and in addition to agriculture he engages
extensively in lumbering. He is a man of excellent business ability, and has the full confidence of those who have been associated with
him in commercial transactions, while his personality is such that he has gathered about him
a number of warm personal friends.
On May 13, 1874, Mr. Diehl was married to
Mary Catherine Byer, who was born
;

;

Sept. 19,

1854, in Valley township, Montour Co., Pa.!
daughter of Solomon and Susan (Schneider)

Byer, both now
hotelkeeper and

deceased.

Mr.

Byer was

inheriting his distillery from his parents; Mrs. Byer died in
1908, at the age of seventy-three years. Nine
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
distiller,

Diehl Frank W., of \'alley township, married
Ida Evart, and has four children Charles D.,
of Danville, married Alice Evart, and has four
children Harrison, of Danville, married Ada
Blee, and has two children Nora is a resident
of Bloomsburg, Pa. Ida, the wife of Frank
Hutchinson, of Fowlerville, Pa., has one child
:

;

Mary

residing at Bloomsburg; Theodore,
of Danville, married Rella Davis Lizzie and
Grace are at home.
Mr. Diehl is a member of the Odd Fellows
is

;

lodge and encampment at Danville, and
ular with his fellow members in both.
a Democrat in his political views.

pop-

NELSON

S. DUTT, late of Millville, for
twenty-five years held the position of agent
for the Susquehanna, lUoomsburg & Berwick
Railroad Com])any, from the time he came to

this

town, and

l)y

his fidelity to duty

and

oblig-

ing disposition gained a warm place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He was a native
of Lycoming county. Pa., where the family
was established by his grandfather, who came
to this country from Germany at an early age.
He settled at Pine Creek, and farming was his

Two sons were born to him.
Michael Dutt, father of Nelson S. Dutt, was
born in Lycoming county, Pa., and for
twenty-five years was a blacksmith and l)ui]der
of Jersey Shore. He married Sarah M. h>y,
and they had a family of five children Cieorge
M., a machinist of Milton, Pa., married Emma
Hester, and they have two ciiildren Flora is
the wife of Charles DiclTenbaugh, of Watsontown, Pa., and has six children Nelson S. was
next in the family Edna died when twentyfive years old
Earnest died at the age of
twenty-one years.
Nelson S. Dutt was born July 12, 1863, at
occupation.

;

Jersey Shore, and was five years old when
the family moved to Newberry, same county ;
later they moved to Watsontown, Northumberland county. He was educated in the public schools near home.
\\'hen a youth he

began to learn telegraphy, and for fi\e years
was employed as operator for a railroad company in Virginia, in 1888 coming to Millville,
Columbia Co.. Pa., where he arrived Nov.
20th.

Throughout the period of his residence
town he was station agent, in which
capacity he found many opportunities to be of
in

the

service to his fellow citizens,

who

ajipreciated

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
his

In the early days of
sterling qualities.
Millville under borough government he served

auditor,

the

filling

He was

position

most

satis-

Odd

Fellow, belonging
No. 809, of Millville; with his wife
he also took the Rebekah degree. His death
occurred Nov. 6, 19 13.
factorily.
to Lodge

On Nov. 10, i8<S8, Mr. Dutt married Ava
M. Stadler, of Watsontown, Pa., whose father,
Simon Stadler, was a saddler and harnessmaker. Mr. Stadler had two daughters, Ava
M. and Frances, the latter the wife of William Scanlon, of Philadelphia,

who

in the

employ of John Roberts & Co.; Mr. and Mrs.
Scanlon have one child, Joseph, who was born
Sept. 15, 1907, at the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Dutt, in Millville.

Mr. aud Mrs. Dutt had one

mond C, who

JOHN

died

when

child,

Ray-

eighteen years old

PFAHLER,

manager for the

Prudential Insurance Company in the Danville
has spent most of his business life in

district,

and by his enterprising methods and
is making a success of his work.
Mr. Pfahler was born June 20, 1881, in Columbia county, Pa., son of William M. and
Sarah A. (Stine) Pfahler, farming people.

that line,

application

He received his early education in the country
schools of the home neighborhood, supplementing same with a course in the State
Normal School at Bloomsburg, after which he
taught school for a year. In 1900 he came to
Danville as agent for the Prudential Insurance Company of America, of Newark, N. J.,
being employed in that capacity until 1910,
when he was made assistant superintendent
with his present responsibilities.
He is a
capable and energetic young man, and by his
up-to-date methods and thorough devotion has
promoted the business in this section in an
appreciable degree.
In November, 1905. Mr. Pfahler married
Elizabeth Pritchard, daughter of Harry and
Anna Pritchard, both of whom are natives of
England her father is engaged as puddler in
the iron mills. Two children have been born
to Mr. and Mrs. Pfahler, Margaret Lucile and
John Charles. Socially Mr. Pfahler belongs
to the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
;

to his jjarents, but

Cermany
in 1854.

JOHN ANDREW BRUDER.
Montour county,

was born
14,

at Eisenach,

late of Dana successful merchant,

Saxony, Germany. Dec.

1829, and belonged to a wealthy family,

who had heavy

holdings in grist and oil mills
in his native land, where they are people of
prominence. There were nine children born

he was the only one to leave
for the United
States, which he did

Landing at New \ ork City, he came
thence to Danville, i'a., and here for
thirty
years he was connected with the
rolling mills
of the city. Later he embarked in
a grocery
business, operating same from
1877 "»lil his
death, April 15. njn.
Absorbed as he
m business he had no time for politics, was
and
never desired oflice. 1-or
many years he belonged to the Odd Fellows at Danville, and lie
held the respect of his associates in this
order
as he did in all the other relations of life.
John A. Cruder married Mary Llizabetli
Saltzman, who was a native of the same country as her husband.
They had two sons and
four daughters: Anna Catherine, who married Jacob Llubeck, of
Phila<Iel])hiai Pa. Anna
Maria, who is deceased Mary iClizabeth, mar;

;

ried to C. McCormick. of
Pittsburgh, and the
mother of four children; Augusta .\nna. who

took charge of the store after her father's
death and has continued to conduct it ever
since (she was born and reared at
Danvillej;
Theodore, who married Anna Brook and has

two children (they

live at Philadelphia

)

;

and

Mrs. 15ruder died in 1899, aged
John.
The family are German
seventy-two years.
Lutherans.

ORRIN

H. BARNARD, now living reBerwick. Pa., was born in Sullivan
county, N. Y., June i, 1838, son of Samuel
and Martha A. (Conklin) Barnard.
Samuel Barnard, the father of ( )rrin H.
Barnard, was born in Connecticut, and early
in life mo\ed to New York, where he married
Martha A. Conklin. a native of that Stale.
Mr. luirnard was for manv vears connected
with the Delaware cS; Hudson Canal Company.
At the time of the discovery of coal at Plymouth, Pa., he came to this State, later returned to New ^'ork, and then again came to
Pennsylvania, where his death occurred, in
Pike county. He and his wife were the parWilliam C. who died
ents of nine children
at Berwick, and who was in the Union service
(luring the Civil war, as a member of Company
tired

E, 209th

Mrs.

Pennsylvania

Amanda Wood,

N'olunteer

New

Infantry;
Jersey Xancy
died in New
:

deceased; Elmira, who
York State; Orrin H.; and Curtis. Lucretia.
Louis and Clark, all of whom are deceased.
Orrin H. Barnard, son of Samuel Barnard,
lane,

ville,

1059

in
spent his early days in Pennsylvania, living
both Pike and Wayne counties, and attending
He was nineteen
school in the latter place.
the trade of
years of age when he learned

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1060

blacksmith, which he followed until enlisting
in the Union service, in 1862, as a member of

Company

179th

Pennsylvania Volunteer

Infantry, from Wayne county.

He saw much

active service during the ten months he was
in the army, and after receiving his honorable
discharge at Philadelphia returned to Wayne
and there resumed operations at his

business and filling several public positions,
serving as tax collector, assessor and school
director of Roaringcreek township.
He died
in 191 1, at the age of ninety years.
He married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Levan, and
they had eight children, of whom Christina,
wife of Isaac Forninger, resided in Jonestown,
tile

In 1868 Mr. Barnard came to Berwick and entered the employ of the Jackson &

is now deceased; Benjamin F. is mentioned below Eliza is the wife of Elias N.
Kunkle, of Jonestown Alary E., widow of

Woodin Company, with which concern and

White Hosier,

county
trade.

successor,

American Car and Foundry

the

Company, he remained for forty-two
the

its

years, in

He has since
department.
His long service was marked by

blacksmith

lived retired.
the utmost efficiency

and faithfulness

to duty,

his record was ever that of a man who
deserves the high regard of his fellow employees and the respect and confidence of his
Mr. Barnard is a member of
employers.
Captain Jackson Post, No. 159, Grand Army
of the Republic, Berwick, and has many
friends among his old comrades.
In 1862 Mr. Barnard was married to Anna
Armstrong, a native of Wayne county. Pa.,
and three children have been born to this
union
Ellsworth, who is deceased George,
who is a resident of Berwick, Pa. and Royal,
deceased.

and

;

BENJAMIN

DREISBACH

de-

scendant of a long line of ancestors, some of
whom assisted in the carving of this country
from the dense wilderness in the past days
of Indian occupation and aggressions.
Mr.
Dreisbach was born in Roaringcreek township,
Columbia county, Oct. 30, 1837, son of Nathan
and Sarah (Levan) Dreisbach, and is of Ger-

man and French

descent.

Great-grandfather Simon Dreisbach emigrated from Germany to Philadelphia and
afterwards settled in Northampton county,
Pa., where he died. He served on the Colonial
side during the Revolution.
His son, Yost
Dreisbach, moved from Northampton to Luzerne county, settling in Salem township, near

Beach Haven, in 1800, and worked at the
trade of millwright.
He bought about one
thousand acres of land in Roaringcreek township, which upon his death he divided among
his sons, of whom Nathan, father of
Benjamin
He died in Roaringcreek townP., was one.
ship.

Nathan Dreisbach was born in Beach
Haven, Luzerne county, and followed his
father's occupation of
He came
millwright.
to Jonestown, Columbia
county, where he became a prominent man, conducting a mercan-

and

;

thaniel is
bert is a

Naliving in Jonestown
residing in Jonestown William Alis

;

resident of Altoona.
The mother
died in Jonestown, whither the family removed

from Roaringcreek township.
The Levan family, of which Mr. Dreisbach's mother was a member, is of French
Huguenot extraction, and the first members
in America came to this country from France
in

1729, to Philadelj:)hia, in

1732 settling

Philadelphia county. They were three brothers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and they
bought land which they occupied the remainder
of their lives.
The name was originallv
written "Le Van."
Mr. Dreisbach's maternal great-grandparents were living in the Wyoming valley at the
time of the massacre, when the great-grandmother, who was a Booth, was cai)tured by the
Indians, and held in captivity eleven years. A
two-year-old daughter was with her, Eva
Booth, all the other children being burned to
death in the cabin. The liooths had settled in

Baltimore upon their immigration to America,
and Edwin and John Wilkes Pooth. the actors,

were of this stock, According to tradition
Mrs. Booth was taken into Ohio, made several
unsuccessful attempts at escape, and was compelled to marry an Indian chief, by whom she
had two sons. While the Indians were on a
trading trip she finally regained her freedom,
to Fort Pitt, near Pittsburgh,
whence she was sent to Reading, eventually

journeying

coming

Columbia county and

finally

Baltimore, where she died. Her husband remarried during her captivity, thinking her
dead. Eva Booth, the child she had with her
in her captivity, is now buried in Miftlinville,

Columbia county.
Benjamin F. Dreisbach began his life on a
farm, but was only two years old when his
father removed to Kerntown, where he was in
the mercantile business and resided for
eight
His first schooling was obtained in
years.
Xumidia, in the little log schoolhouse with slab
benches, and he began work as clerk in his
father's store, also clerking for his uncle. John
P. Levan. At the
age oftwenty-two he went

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
to

Ashland, Schuylkill county, where he
clerked for fourteen years, later
forminj^ a
partnership with his emi)loyer which continued
for two years.
He then sold his share and

employ of

went

now

Conyngham. Luzerne county,

enteralso served as

ing husiness for himself, and
postmaster during the three years he remained
there. After a short period in Bendertown, in

Fishingcreek townshi]>, Columbia county, he

came

Berwick

the

late

seventies,

and

took a position on the road for a Philadeljjhia
dry goods house, which he held for three
years. He then established a piano, organ and
sewing machine business in IJerwick and carried it on very successfully until 1910, when
he retired. He has been a resident of Berwick
for over thirty-five years and has occui)ied his
present commodious

home

for eleven years.
Mr. Dreisbach demonstrated his patriotism
during the Civil war by enlisting from Ashland in 1863 in the "Emergency Defenders,"

C, 6th Pennsylvania Volunteer InHe served three months, was disfantry.
charged, and reenlisted in i8r)3, for ninety
days, in the 51st Pennsylvania Regiment,
Company C, serving until the end of the term,

Company

when he was mustered

out at Reading.

was then drafted, but did not get

While

out.

in the service he participated in the battles of
Antietam, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville and
Fredericksburg, also in several skirmishes.
On Jan. 7, 1867, ^^- Dreisbach married
Doretta, daughter of William Distlehurst, of

Conyngham township, Luzerne

county.

They

had no children. Mrs. Dreisbach was born
June 15, 1845, and died March 7, 1914.
Mr. Dreisbach has held the offices of chaplain and senior vice commander in Captain
Jackson Post, G. A. R., and is a member of the
Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, to which his wife also belonged, and he was the first elder in Holy
Trinity Church at Berwick.

ABRAHAM

L. RAUP, a farmer of Franktownship, Columbia county, was born Feb.
19, 1868, a son of John Raup.
John Raup, who was a farmer, died when
He
his son Abraham was twelve years old.
Reuben
had a family of children as follows
lin

Abraham
who married

David
beth,

;

L.
John Samuel Elizaa Mr. Leiby Harriet, Mrs.
;

;

Mrs. Marks; Hannah, Mrs.
Stein Mary, who is unmarried and Eva, who
married a Mr. Shultz.
Abraham L. Rau]\ son of John Raup. was
brought up on the homestead, where he reFollowsided until he attained his majority.
Artley;
;

Sarah,

;

1061

ing that

for seventeen years he was in the
K. V. Weaver, his uncle, from whom
he eventually bought his
present line farm of
loi acres in Franklin
This he is

township.

operating, raising banner
siK'cializing (jii seed wheat.

crops

and

Mr. Kau]) was married to Eva Sluiltz,
daughter of i'aul and J':iizabeth Shultz, and
they have children as follows: Paul Freeman,
Dorothy May and \elma
Mr. Raup is a Democrat.
A good farmer and excellent business manager, he has proved his worth as a man, while

Margaret
Irene.

l-Jizabeth,

Politically

the jniblic-spirited interest he takes in local
affairs shows that he is a desirable citizen.

RODMAN

TILLEV.

Columbia
Buckhorn, Pa., Aug.
Catawissa,

an engineer, of
county, was born at
i, 1877, son of William

Tilley.

William Tilley was born in I'ngland I'cb. 22,
1832, and immigrated to the United States as
soon as he had attained his majority, making
the trip on a sailing vessel, which was three
months on the voyage. Landing at Phila«lelphia, Mr. Tilley soon left that city for Shermansville. Pa., where he worked in the mines.
Later he was in the cojjper mines of the Lake
Superior region, but returning to Pennsylvania found employment in the ore mines at

Buckhorn, in Hemlock township, Columbia
County. There he remainefl until 1879. rising
to be a foreman, and in that year went to
California, for three years working as a gold
miner.

Once more he returned

to Buckhfirn,

and remained in the mines until they were
abandoned. This put an end to his career as a
miner, and he spent the remainder of his life
assisting in f.irming oi)erations in Hemlock
township, Columbia county, until his death,
April 2J, 1902.

Mr. Tilley married Sarah Farnsworth. who
was born near Sunbury. Northuml)crland Co.,
Pa., and died Dec. 15, 191 2.
They are burie<l
in Dutch Hill cemetery.
They had two children:
Maggie O., who was bom Dec. 19,

and Rodman E.
1874, and died Aug. 4. t8(;4:
Rodman E. Tilley attended the local schools
and the Bloomsburg State Normal School,
institution.
spending three terms at the latter
After leaving school he was in the employ of
the School Furnishing Comi)any at Bloomsof
burg for three years, at the expiration
w^hich period he went to Numidia. where he
was with the former sheriff, Daniel Knorr, as
Mr.
a stationary engineer for three years.
then' came to Catawissa and spent two
Tilley

of the Philadelphia
years in the car shops

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1062

he became a
Reading Railway Company, until
fireman on the road, and after two years, on
Oct. I, 1902, was promoted to engineer. He
has since been running on the Catawissa diHe belongs to the Brotherhood of
vision.
Locomotive Engineers, to Catawissa Lodge,
No. 349, F. & A. M., and is a past high priest
of Catawissa Chapter, No. 178, R. A. M.
Mr. Tilley was married, Oct. n, 1898, to
Alice G. Walter, daughter of William and
Mary (Yost) Walter, and they have children
Harold W., Ethyl M., Margaret
as follows
The family are
G., Walter E. and Torello F.
Lutherans in religious faith.
:

CHARLES

MARTZ, now

a farmer in
Greenwood township, Columbia county, was
bom Sept. i, 187 1, at Strawberry Ridge, Montour county, on a farm adjoining the hotel
a short time.
property there which he had for
He is a son of William H. Martz and grand-

son of Jacob Martz, the latter also a native
of the State of Pennsylvania, where he passed
all his life, dying in 185 1, when fifty-two years
old.
Bringing his wife to Montour county, he
located at Strawberr>^ Ridge, in Derry town-

where
ship, later moving to Anthony township,
he passed the remainder of his days engaged in
He married Elizabeth Schuch, of
farming.
Turbotville,

was born

Northumberland Co., Pa., who
and they had ten

in that county,

children, three of whom are living:
Eliza,
wife of F. St. Clair, of West Point. Nebr.
Henry, a farmer of Montour county, who
served in the Civil war; and Jacob.
;

The Martz (or Mertz) family is quite
numerous in Berks county. Pa., where, in

Longswamp

township,

the

town, in

Church

Longswamp

in the

same

ancestor to
settlement. The
the town Mertz-

first

come from Germany made a
name is perpetuated there by

township, and Mertz's

section.

Johannes Martz

(also Maertz), the founder of this family in
America, was one of the 242 passengers on
the ship "Ann," which sailed from Rotterdam,
last

from Cowes.

He was

a son of Johannes

Maertz. of Stockhausen, Wurtemberg. about
thirty-five miles northwest of Frankfort-onthe-^Iain, and forty miles northeast of Coblentz. in Germany. Johannes Maertz, the emigrant, landed at Philadelphia Sept. 28, 1749.

He settled in the vicinity of Lyons, Berks
county, and the church located near his home
was named Mertz's Church in honor of him.
The births of his first four children are recorded there. On May 24, 1756. he married
Rosina Hase. daughter of Melchior Hase.
Their children were: Johannes, born July 17,

1757; Anna Maria, Dec. 2, 1760; Maria
Salome, May 24, 1763; Melchior, April 11,
1766; and Peter, March 9, 1769.

William H. Martz, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Schuch) Martz, was born July 5, 1835,
and died April 28, 1898, in his sixty-eighth
By occupation he was a farmer. He
year.
married Juliet Girton, who is still living in

Derry township, now 1913) aged sixty-eight
Seven children were born to them
years.
Andrew, of Jerseytown, Pa., is married to
Jennie Mills, and has two children Jacob is
of
deceased
Allen,
Jerseytown, married
Amanda Wertman and had one child; Eliza(

;

is the wife of L. O. Faust, of Anthony
township, and has five children Charles N.

beth

;

mentioned below Anna is married to William Stumph, of Danville, and has two children Lotta is the wife of Henr}- Mowery, of
Derry township, and has two children.
Charles N. Martz obtained a public school
education, and leaving school at the age of
seventeen years subsequently farmed at home
until twenty-six years old. After his marriage
he commenced farming on his own account, in
Anthony, \'alley and Derr)- townships, Montour county, and for seven years in Columbia
In 191 1 he came to Strawberry
county.
Ridge and bought the interest of Mrs. Beaver
It
was originally built by
in the hotel.
Casper Hower, for a general store, and later
bought by Alexander P>illmeyer, who remodeled it into a hotel. It was afterward
operated by A. Weise. who was the first man
Mr. Martz continued to
to take out a license.
operate the hotel until he removed to his present farm, which consists of one hundred acres
in Greenwood township. Columbia county, and
he now gives his time to its cultixation. He
has never taken any special part in politics,
though a Democrat and interested in the sucis

;

of his party.
He belongs to Millville
the I. O. O. F., and is a member of

cess

Lodge of

the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Martz married Lottie Beaver, who was
in Derry township. Montour county, Jan.
II, 1870, daughter of Giarles and Lucretia
(Pollock) Beaver. They have had three children
Roy. born Oct. 7, 1898; Stewart, born
July 19, 1900; and Helen, born Jan. 16, 1903.
born

JAMES KELLEY,

of Catawissa, was born
Huntingdon county. Pa., in 1857, son of
Bartholomew Kelley, and grandson of James

Kelley.

James Kelley came to .\merica from Ireland
Tioga county. Pa., where

in 1840, locating in

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
he followed farming and died. Prior to coming to America he had married, and he and his
wife were the parents of two children, Ellen

and Bartholomew.
Bartholomew Kelley, son of James Kelley,
was born in Ireland, and was brought to
Tioga county, Pa., where he followed farming.
He died at Olean, N. Y. He married Margaret Russell, and their children were: James;
Ella, who married John W. Houghton; and
Felix,

who

died at Chicago,

Illinois.

James Kelley, son of Bartholomew
was educated in the public schools of

Kelley,
his na-

learned the tanner's trade and
followed it for eight years, coming to Catawissa in 1880 to engage in railroading. Since
then he has devoted himself to this line of
work, and for twenty-three years has been an
engineer for the Philadelphia & Reading Rail-

tive place.

way Company.

The Arnhold family

to which Mrs. Kelley
traced back to A. Arnhold, of England, who was a bugler major in the English
army, holding that position for many years.
He died in his native land.
Henry- Arnhold, son of A. Arnhold and
father of Mrs. Kelley, was born in England,
is

and came to America

in young manhood, low^orked at his
Pa.
at
Scranton,
cating
trade, carpentry and bridge building, assisting in the construction of the bridges of the

old

Catawissa railroad,

& Reading

now

railway.

part of the
The death

Philadelphia
of Mr. Arnhold occurred at Catawissa July
He married Ellen Duhigg, and their
7, 1887.

only child was Mrs. Kelley.

PETER SCHLEE. a veteran of the Civil
war, residing in Franklin township, Columbia
Fredcounty, was born Feb. 26, 1844, son of
His paerick and Hettie (Mench) Schlee.
ternal grandfather was a native of Germany.
Frederick Schlee was born in Germany, and
left his native land when nineteen years old,
first
coming to the United States. Locating
at Slabtown, Pa., he there followed his trade
of shoemaking, in partnership with Henry
Yost. Later he worked in the coal mines at
St. Clair,
Co., Pa., continuing thus
Schuylkill

for twelve years
during the winter months,
while in the summertime he burned charcoal
in

Locust

Havtownship, Columbia county.
ing during that time been frugal, he was able
to buy
10 acres of land, known as the
I'.erger
farm, upon which he died in iS^ij.
His remains were interred in the cemetery at Catawissa, Pa.
Politically he was a Democrat.
I

His wife was born in Locust
township, near
Newlin. For eleven years prior to her death,
at the great age of
eighty-four years, she
was jjlind. This most e.xcelleni wf)man was
laid to rest

children

were:
I^eter

by the side of her husband.
Frederick Schlee and his

Peter,

The
wife

John and Frederick.

Schlee

commenced

his

indepeinleiit

career in 1861 as a boatman on the canal, running from Bloomsburg, Pa. He took the first
soldiers to enlist from Columbia county for
the Civil War. the "Iron
iuards." from
(

Kelley married Annie Arnhold, a
daughter of Henry and Ellen (Duhigg) ArnLena,
hold, and they had children as follows
who married J. M. Heritage, living in TennMrs. Kelley died Jan. 14,
essee; and Lucy.
191 5. Mr. Kelley belongs to the P. & R. Relief Association and to the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers. He also holds membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Mr.

belonged

10G3

Bloomsburg to Ilarrisburg, to be at Camp
Curtin, where they were accepted. On Feb.
15. 1864. Mr. Schlee enlisted at Dan\ille in
Company H, l^aldy Guards, and was ordered
to l'>rand Station, Va., whence he was sent to
the Wilderness, participating in the lengthy
engagement, and also was in those at Spotlsylvania. Cold Harbor and Petersburg, where
in a skirmish and engaged in thrtnvFrom that point the
ing up entrenchments.
regiment embarked for Washington, D. C.
and had a fight outside the city, and Mr.

he was

Schlee remained with his company until honorably discharged. June 29, 1865.
After returning from the army Mr. Schlee
resumed boating, but after a year engaged
with the Reading Railway Company, also for
He then began farming, being cma year.
ploved by Jesse Men.sch, but after six years
of agricultural life went back to railroad
work, engaging with the Pennsylvania Company, with which he still remains. Politically
he is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to
the Knights of the Golden Eagle.
Mr. Schlee was married to Elizabeth I-'orcman, a daughter of Samuel and NLary
(Everett) Foreman, of IVanklin town.ship.
Mr. and Mrs. Schlee have become the parMary Ellen;
ents of the following children:

Samuel F. Harvey J.; Margaret E.. who
married Edward Hartman Peter L. George
R. and Priscilla. who married T. Mensch.
;

;

GEORGE CROOP,

until

recently a

re.si-

Columbia
Briarcreek
township.
on the
11.
born
1875.
was
April
county,
that
in
township, son of
Croop homestead
Allen B. and Margaret (Obitz) Croop.
dent

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1064

JACOB KLINE, of Danville, a
veterinary surgeon of long standing, has lived
with the exception of three
in that borough

JOHN

Allen B. Croop was born in Luzerne county,
Briarcreek township. He
Pa., and moved to
and
had a sister. Phoebe, who never married
Mr.
Berwick.
Croop's
at
home
her
who made
but he
hfe was spent in agricultural pursuits,
office
the
filled
found time for public service,
school
of county treasurer, and also served as
and in similar positions. His wife

years

— since

—

1887.

resides at Allentown.

director
was a native of

trade.

the

lic

Luzerne county, coming from
same neighborhood as her husband, and
The father
both were of German descent.
of his
home
the
at
passed away April 3, 1913,
in California; his remains were in-

his

Dissolving

Wieand, he came
and has since been

the

;

American Car & Foundry Com-

pany, married Lizzie Eroh, by whom he had
one child, Allen B., and after her death married (second) Clara Hess Noissur; George
is mentioned below;
Blanche, of Alameda,
Cal., married Charles Bauch, a candy manufacturer, and they have one son, Leonard
Mary, who married William Fairchild, of
Briarcreek, a farmer and dairyman, has two
children, John Allen and Donald.
George Croop grew up in his native township, and for a number of years, from 1900,
was engaged as engineer in the employ of the
American Car & Foundry Company. He has
lately removed to Alameda, California.
On Nov. 15, 1912, Mr. Croop was married
to Mrs. Edith Parker, a daughter of Charles
Hippensteel, of Berwick, and one of nine children born to her parents she is of German
descent. Mr. Croop has adopted LaRue Parker, who was born April 2, 1906. Mr. Croop's
family are all Presbyterians, and he was
;

;

reared in that church.
Masons, Elks
young man of sterling
universal respect and

dence shown

Fraternally he belongs
Odd Fellows.

and

he commands
has deserved the confiqualities,

him and

his

judgment.

partnership
to Danville

with

June

Mr.

1887,
in practice there, with the
exception of three years he lived at Allentown, going there on account of his mother's

of the American Car & Foundry Company,
Phoebe married Dr.
at the New York offices
Pa. Rea, of BerJ. B. Grover, of Peckville,
wick, assistant superintendent of the rolling

to the

a carpenter by

ating in March, 1887.

wife of Charles Notlegagle, a salesman, and
has one child, Ruth; Nettie, deceased, was
the wife of Frank Bloss, assistant secretary

mills of the

Dr. Kline received his education in the pubschools, principally at Allentown, where

;

Cal.,

Veterinary College, Toronto, Canada, gradu-

Baucher, and they have two children, Tom
and Margaret Susan, deceased, married Jesse
Leon, a druggist of Nanticoke, Pa., now deceased, and they had two children, Bennett

tie

Alameda,

2-],

inary surgery at odd moments, taking up that
profession with D. H. Wieand, of Allentown,
with whom he was associated for some years,
under the firm name of Wieand & Kline. He
then took a course of lectures at Ontario

terred at Berwick.
To Allen B. Croop and his wife were born
Charles, of Moosic,
the following children:
married LetPa., a manufacturer of powder,

Ella, of

born Aug.

he began work as boy around the livery stable.
While thus employed he also studied veter-

daughter

and Atwood;

He was

of Thomas
1857, in Lehigh county, Pa., son
and Eliza (Dornblaser) Kline. His father,
who is a native of Berks county, Pa., now

death. On his return to Danville he resumed
the practice he had established here, and to

which he has devoted his time continuously
Dr. Kline has acquired a good pracin addition to his work as veterinary
surgeon he has been a representative of the
Horlacher Brewing Company, of Allentown,
He is one of the
in this district since 1907.

since.
tice,

best

and

known men in local fraternal organizabeing a member of the I. O. O. F. (and

tions,

past grand of his lodge), Knights of Pythias,
Fraternal Order of Eagles, Loyal Order of

Moose, and Heptasophs.
On June 28, 1881, Dr. Kline married Rosa
B. Kunkle, of Allentown, Pa., daughter of
Rev. Johannes and Caroline (Knerr) Kunkle,
the former a minister of the United Brethren
Church.

WILLIAM

DIRK, who

is in

the govern-

service, carrying mail between Pine
Summit and Millville, both in Columbia
county, is a native of that county, born Sept.
26, i8s6. He was reared there, and durins: his

ment mail

in lumbernig and
afterwards following
connection therewith. In 1909 he

earlier years

the

timber

farming

was engaged

businesss,

secured his ])resent position in the mail service, which he has filled faithfully and to the
Mr. Dirk marsatisfaction of all concerned.
ried Florence Mary Rhoades. like himself a
native of Columbia county, daughter of David
and Anna (Welliver) Rhoades, the latter of

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
whom

died in 1893, the former in 1901. Mr.
Rhoades came to this region from Derks
Mrs. Dirk (hcd July 18, 1891.
county, Pa.
She was the mother of six chiklren, Bessie,
Harry, Leona, Florence, Solomon and Clara
Belle, the last

named now Mrs. Wallace

1065

serves as telegraph ()])crator and
agent at the
Mainville station on the
Pennsylvania railroad.
He is a member of the Eagles and the
P. O. S. of A., and a Methodist in
religious
connection.
Politically he is a Democrat.

Mrs.

II.

Mary

(Levan) Bauman,
Bauman, was born in

Margaret

Mohr.

mother n{

Clara Belle Dirk was born Feb. 26, 1886.
she was but five years old when her mother
died, from that time she was reared by Moses

Roaringcreek townshij) and attended school
at Rocktown. as well as the
aca<lcmy at Shamokin. She is a de\(jul member <if the Methodist Church.
Benjamin Levan, father of .Mrs. llaumaii,
was a ])rominent farmer of Roaringcreek
township, having a lifty-acre farm. The
Levan family is an old one in Pennsylvania,
of French origin. Mr. Levan married Christina Driesbach, daughter of William Driesbach, whose wife was a Hosier; the Driesbach
family came from Cermany and settled in Lehigh county, Pa. Mr. Levan was a Democrat
in politics, and a Lutheran in church eon-

C. and Mary Ann (Weaver) Snyder, the former a life-long resident of Anthony township,
Montour county, where he now lives retired,

foster daughter keeping house for him.
born June 17, 1842, in Anthony township, and farmed there throughout his active

his

He was

Mrs. Mary Ann (W'eaver) Snyder
was born in 1836 in Lycoming county. Pa.,
and died in 1909. She was a daughter of
Conrad and Magdalena (Fague) Weaver, also
natives of Lycoming county. Mr. Snyder has
one son, Loyd H., now engaged in farming
He married
in Northumberland county, Pa.
years.

Emma

Rhone, daughter of William Rhone,
his home with Mr. Snyder. Clara
Belle Dirk w^as reared in the Zion Lutheran
Church.

who makes

ELIAS FRANKLIN BAUMAN,

a pros-

perous and enterprising farmer of Main town-

Columbia county, cultivating the homestead which has been owned and operated by
his ancestors for several generations, was born
Oct. 26, 1887. He is a son of Jeremiah Freas
ship,

Bauman.
Henry Bauman, grandfather of Elias F.
Bauman, was a resident of Main township and

[{lias

nection.

GLEN

L. SHULTZ, a farmer of IVanktownship, Columbia Co., Pa., was born
March 3, 1883, son of Paul and Elizabeth

lin

(Mauser) Shultz.
James Shultz, his grandfather, was Ixjrn
in Mayberry township, Montour Co..
Pa.,
where he became a farmer, thus continuing
until his retirement to Dan\ille, where he died
in July, 1909, when eighty-three years old.
His remains are interred in the Odd I'ellows'
His widow survived until 1910.
cemetery.
and was laid to rest by his side. Her maiden

name was
born to

Elizabeth Schycrs.
excellent couple

this

The

chililrcn

were:

Paul;

farmed on the home place all his life. He Maggie, who married Hugh Ouick Jacob:
married Mary Nuss, and was the father of Amiie, who is deceased Mazie, who is untwo sons, Jeremiah Freas and John, and one married Hervy; Melvin Jessie; and Ellen.
Mrs. Buminger.
daughter, Jane, who married a Mr. Johns.
Paul Shultz, son of James Shultz. grew
Jeremiah Freas Bauman was born Oct. 2,
He married up in a rural district and became a farmer.
1854, and died Jan. 24, 191 1.
in the line of agriMary Margaret Levan. and they had children His lirst individual effort
in
made
was
work
cultural
Cooi)er township,
as follows
Charles Cleveland, born July 9,
then moving to
two
he
where
Sadie
years,
married
who
railroad
a
s])ent
man,
1886,
Montour
county, where
chilMayberry townshij),
Rupert, of Hazleton, Pa., and has two
redren and Elias Franklin, mentioned below. he remained another two years. He then
thence
and
to
turned
township,
Reformed
Coojjer
Mr. Bauman was a member of the
Church and prominent in the affairs of the came to Franklin township, Columbia county,
He was the owner of what
he died.
township. He was a Democrat in politics and where
His remains were
served seven years as supervisor and six years had been the Mench farm.
where his
Hillside
in
rest
cemetery,
to
the
laid
at
both
as tax collector, holding
positions
Schultz
Paul
For
buried.
wife is also
years
time of his death.
;

;

Elias Franklin Bauman has followed farming for the entire term of his life, cultivating
the old home farm, as his father did before
In addition to caring for his farm he
him.

held office, being road supervisor, school
rector and overseer of the poor, and always
the success of the
taking a deep interest in
whose
Democratic party,
principles he upheld.
di-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1066

He and

who

;

The

Clinton Barton Brobst. father of Thomas
B. Brobst, was born May 24. 1848, at Lime
Ridg^e, Pa., and there secured his education
in the public schools.
Following his father's
example he became a boatman on the Pennsylvania canal, and also conducted a grocery

children
Katherine, Florence and Henry.
Mr. Shultz is a Democrat, and at present is
The
holding the office of school director.
Lutheran Church holds his membership and
man of more
benefits from his liberality.
than usual ability, his associates on the school
board have made him secretary of that body,
:

and feed store at Lime Ridge, subsequently
becoming engaged in the meat business there.
In 1903 Mr. Brobst came to Berwick and
secured a position as weighmaster with the
Berwick Store Company, with which concern
he is still connected. He is known as a substantial and reliable citizen, held in high
esteem because of his probity and integrity.
He is a Republican in his political views, and
ardently supports his party's candidates and

rendering good service.

BROBST.

Shell-

In September, 1905, Mr. Shultz was marRebecca Hile, a daughter of John C.
and Katherine Hile, of Franklin township.
Mr. and Mrs. Shultz are the parents of three

John

of Roaring
Creek, and they became the parents of the folGeorge, Elizabeth, Frank,
lowing children
Charles, Margaret, Ella and Xora.

ried to

THOMAS

from

Fullmer's

hammer married Mary Snyder,

know him.

came

family

from Mainville.

mill, three miles

fastness and energy have placed him in a leadwho
ing position, and he stands well with all

which capacity he

Shellhammer

above Conyngham, and located

growing of apples
making
and peaches. Although one of the younger
his steadagriculturists of Columbia county,
a specialty of the

burg; Mollie, who married Philip Ruch, who
is now deceased and buried at Pine Grove
cemetery, Berwick; Martha, who married
Edward Freas, and resides at Brooklyn,
X. Y. and Harry, who died young and was
buried at Lime Ridge.

;

Elmira, widow of Wesley Knorr,
buried at Rosemont cemetery. Blooms-

Frances

were the parents of the folWilliam; Maggie, vyho married Samuel Krumm Eva, who married A. L.
Raup; Glen L.; Arthur; May; Alma, who is
deceased Grace, also deceased and Luther.
Glen L. Shultz, son of Paul Shultz, remained at home until his marriage, when he
began farming for himself, purchasing the
Wright farm of II2 acres, on which he is
his wife

lowing children

representative

and progressive business man of Berwick, Pa., where he is connected with the
Berwick Store Company, was born Oct. 26,
1870, at Danville, Montour Co., Pa., and is
a son of Clinton Barton and Elizabeth
(Shellhammer) Brobst.

citizen

its principles, but has not cared to
enter the political arena as a seeker for personal preferment. Fraternally he is connected
with the ]Masons, Washington Lodge. Xo. 265.
F. & A. M., of Bloomsburg, and the Patriotic
Order Sons of America. Washington Camp
Xo. 397, at Lime Ridge. In 1869 Mr. Brobst
was married near Mainville to Elizabeth Shellhammer, who was born Oct. 31, 1853. daughter of John and Mary
Snyder) Shellhammer.
She died March 22, 19 14. and was laid to
rest in Pine Grove cemetery.
Children as
Thomas
follows were born to this union
B., born Oct. 26, 1870, married Elizabeth Harris
John, born Sept. 7, 1872, died young
and is buried at Lime Ridge .Anna Mary,

advocates

Thomas

Brobst, the grandfather of Thomas
was born in 181 9 at Berwick, Pa.,
and when a young man moved to Briar Creek.
He followed boating on the Pennsylvania
canal, and had charge of the lock at Lime
Ridge, at which point he also conducted a
grocery establishment for a number of years.
He was a Republican, but not an office seeker,
and his religious faith was that of the
Alethodist Church. Mr. Brobst married Barbara Ann Trowbridge, daughter of Walter
Trowbridge, of below Catawissa, Pa., whose
wife was a Miller. To this union were born
the following children
James, who died
young and was buried in Pine Grove cemetery,
Berwick Charles M., who served as a soldier
in the Union army
during the Civil war, was
wounded at the battle of James River, and
died at Lime Ridge, where he is buried Sarah
B. Brobst,

;

Clementina, who married John S. Mann, who
is now deceased and buried at Lime
Ridge
Clinton Barton, the father of Thomas B.
;

;

(

;

born Aug. 20. 1874. married Charles Prcssler,
and resides at Lime Ridge X'ellie Maud, born
Xov. 4, 1876. married Philip Cain and resides at Lime Ridge; Lulu Dora, born June
I, 1879, married Bruce M. White, and resides
at Berwick; Charles R., born Sept. 21, 1881,
married Lettie Creveling and resides at Berwick Harry Elmer, born Jan. 2^, 1884. married Ruth Ohl, and lives in Bloomsburg; Edward, born March 10, 1888, married P.elva
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Kressler; Frederick, born March lo, itS<S8, is
buried at Lime Ridge.
Thomas B. Brobst was eckicatcd in tlie
graded school at Lime Ridge and the lUoomsbiirg State Normal School, subsef}uently taking a course at Wood's business college,

Scranton, Pa., from which he was graduatecl
1
89 1. At that time he returned to Lime
Ridge, where he was engaged in teaching
school for three years, and in icS^j came to
Berwick and became connected with the market department of the Berwick Store Company, where he now has charge of the flour,
in

feed,
is

automobiles,

horses,

Mr.

etc.

favorably known

and

well

Broljst

l^erwick.

where his actions have at all times commended
him to the respect and esteem of his fellow
citizens.

Mr. Brobst married Elizabeth Harris,
daughter of Philip and Alice (Hall) Harris,
farming people of Centre township, Columbia
countv, and to this union have been born
Bertha May, born Oct. i, 1892.
two children
:

engaged in teaching school in West
Berwick and Walter Stanley, born Feb. 5,
in Pine
1899, '^ho ^s deceased and buried
Grove cemetery.
Mr. Brobst is independent in his political
He is a member of Knapp Lodge,
views.
No. 462. F. & A. M., at Berwick, and of

who

;

Caldwell Consistory, thirty-second degree,
A. A. S. R., at Bloomsburg: of Berwick
Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F., and W^ashington
Camp No. 105, P. O. S. of A., of Berwick;
and belongs to the Methodist Church.

1067

.\ndrew llohrnetter. and they had these chil(ken: John, who married l-di'zabelh Weidncr;
Catherine; Su.sanna
Anna Maria; Maria
Margaret; Peter, who married Su.sanna Lojigaker; William; and Jacob, who married
Martha Schrack. During liic kevolutiunary
war the Continental army camped upon the
land owned by John Wagen.seil, and .luring the
historic winter at \alley I'orge lie
supitlied the
army of Washington with grain, his farm be;

He was
ing just across the Schuylkill river.
a leading man of affairs in his
comnnuiity and
was a member (jf the hisKjric Tr.ippe Lutiieran
Church

Mijiitgomery county, built

174J5.

Within the churchyard adjoining lie the remains of John and his wife.
William Wagenseller, son of John and
grandfather of (ieorge, was born .May 25,
1778, in Providence township, Montgomery
Co., Pa., and died in Chester Springs, Chester
Co.,

Pa.,

July

22,

1868.

his

youth he

worked at farming, but after attaining manhood he went to Chester Springs, in West
Pikeland township. Chester county, where he
bought two farms antl established the "Rising
Sun Inn" at that place. This historic inn on
the Conestoga road was noted throughout the
State in the days of the stagecoach. an<l its
quaint sign, showing a plowman resting ijesi<ie
a tree, the plow horse hitched near at hand,
and the great orb of day, with a human face
it, rising abo\e the distant hills, was a
beacon to the weary traveler of those early
times. This sign is still preserved among tiie

upon

historic

relics

of the past at

West Chester.

J'ennsylvania.

GEORGE WAGENSELLER,

the present

proprietor of the ''Central Hotel" at Bloomsburg, was born at Sing Sing, N. Y., Aug. 28,
1862, and comes of a long Hue of substantial
German citizens established in America since
Colonial times, the founder of the line coming
to this country before the Revolution.

Christopher Wagenseil came, it is supposed,
from Holland to America in 17 17 or between
He settled near where
that date and 1727.
Pennsburg now stands, then in Hanover township, Philadelphia Co., Pa., now Upper Hanover township, Montgomery county, and there
bought 150 acres of land lying on both sides
His wife was Anna
of Perkiomen creek.

Christina, and their children were
Elizabeth Catherine and John.

Anna Mary,

John (Johannes) Wagenseil was born June
on the Per-

24, 1739, and resided on the farm
kiomen until his death, Sept. 29,

married

Mearia

Meargartha,

1799.

daughter

From 1814 to 1864 William Wagenseller
attended the Trappe Church, as his father had
before him, tra\eling eighteen miles to reach
it.
He married Rebecca Neilor, who died ( )ct.
20, 1844, and they had five children:
(i)
James, born Nov. 28, 1808, died July 15, 1868.
married Harriet Hartman, but had no ciiildren.
(2) George was born Aug. 17, 1812.
(3) Ann, born April 14, 1815, married FredShe died
erick llalman, and had one child.
lune 23, 1885. (4) John Neilor is mentioned
below.
(5) Margaret Ilornetter, born Oct.
28, 18 1 8, married John Young and had seven
children. She died in 1898. being then the la.st
of the fourth generation in .America of the
Wagenseller family.

John Neilor Wagenseller, father of George,
was born A])ril 11, 1817, in Chester county,
For a numl^a., and there grew to manhood.
ber of years

He Tamaqua,
of

came

Pa.,

private

he taught school,

and Pekin,
secretary

111.

residing in

Later he be-

Simon Cameron,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1068

whom he remained for a long period, gohim to Sing Sing. N. \\, in 1856.
widi
ing
There he embarked in the hotel business, but
after eight years returned to Chester county,
1881.
Pa., dying at Spring City on Feb. 2j,
He married Sarah Mc\'eigh, who died Sept.
with

born
26, 1863, and their children were: James,
March
died
who
1889;
7,
1862,
28,
Aug.

Simon Cameron, born Aug. 13, 1852; George,
mentioned below; and Sarah Elizabeth, born
at Shamokin,
luly 31, 1865, who resides

Edwin Gibson was born Aug. 19, 1902. ( 10)
The
Harriet Ethel was born Jan. 20, 1905.
four children last named are attending school
at

Bloomsburg.
Mr. Wagenseller

is interested in all that
pertains to the welfare of the town of Bloomsburg, and is a member of the Elks, the Red
Men and Friendship Fire Company there. He
and his family belong to the Episcopal

Church.
P. \\TIITE. late of Hemlock townColumbia
county, one of the leading
ship,
farmers of that section, was boni Dec. 2j,

JOHN

Pennsylvania.

George Wagenseller was educated in the
schools of Chester county and at the private
school kept by Professor Rambo, at Trappe,
Montgomery Co., Pa. On Dec. 6, 1881, he
was apprenticed for four years to the ma-

1870, in

son of

Mahoning township, Montour county,
Edward White, and was of Irish and

ice.

On March

He was a prominent resident
of his part of the county, interested in fruit
culture, and had a large lumber business, connected with his sawmill.
Hugh White, founder of the family in
America, was a skilled mechanic and worked
at railroad and canal contracting most of his
life.
He resided part of the time at Mauch
Chunk, Pa., and died at Nescopeck. His wife
was Elenora Kelly, and they had these children
Edward; John, who died in Danville;
Hugh, who died in the West; Margaret, wife
of Elijah Sechler; and William, who died in

came

Illinois.

with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Sunbury, Pa., and remained
in the employ of the company for twentythree years, being in the roundhouse most of
trade

chinist's

the time.

On March

1888, he

foreman of the engine house

was made
Nescopeck;

May I, 1901, transferred to Pittsburg, to take
charge of the engine house at Forty-eighth
street; and on Dec. i, 1901, w^as again transferred, to the engine house at Erie, Pa., where
he terminated his twenty-three years of serv8, 1904, Mr. Wagenseller
Bloomsburg and leased the "St. Elmo

Hotel," conducting it until April i, 1912, when
he leased the "Central Hotel" here for a term
of ten years. The hotel has fifty bedrooms,
and is operated in such a manner as to merit
the patronage of the traveling public, Mr.
Wagenseller being one of the most popular
men in the hotel business in Bloomsburg.
George Wagenseller married Mary E. McClow, born March 31, 1864, daughter of
Oliver McClow, of Sunbury, who for over
half a century was with the
Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, for forty-eight years an
He is now on the pension list of
engineer.

Mr. and Mrs. Wagenseller
company.
have had these children ( i ) Simon Cameron,
born Oct. 18, 1886, on Oct. 19. 1914, married
Sarah E. Davies. (2) Laura, born March 20,
1888, married Bruce Holdren, and has one
child,
James Wagenseller Holdren.
(3)
George Oliver, born Oct. 7, 1889. died April
20, 1896.
(4) James Kerchner, born Sept.
19, 1891, is attending Jefferson Medical Col-

that

Philadelphia.
(5) Anna Marguerite,
30. 1893, died April 13, 1914.
(6)
Mary Elizabeth, born Sept. 2, 1895. is attending the Bloomsburg State Normal School. (7)
Sarah Esther was born Nov.
3, 1897.
(8)
Wayne Mc\'eigh was born Oct. 18, 1900. (9)

lege,

born Oct.

English descent.

Edward White was born in
Montour county, March

ship,

common

\'alley town16,

1825.

re-

and
education,
follow^ed the trade of brickmason for a number of years. In 1850 he established the farm
of eighty acres in Hemlock township upon
which he died in 1904. He married, in 1852,
Mary Magdalene, daughter of Christian
Mauser, and they had seven children
Ellen,
Arthur. William. Leslie H.. Idella. Edward L.
ceived

school

and John P.
After graduation from the public schools
P. White engaged in farming and lumbering, having cut over fifty tracts of timber
in Columbia, Montour and Northumberland
counties. He located in Hemlock township in
1907 and there built an up-to-date sawmill,
which he operated until his death. May 14,
He married Mrs. Sarah C. Crossley,
1913.
widow of Robert Crossley and daughter of
John and Catherine Benfield. They had no
children.
Mrs. White had four children by
her first marriage:
Mary Emma, wife of
Clyde \\'erkheiser, living in .Philadelphia:
Salie E., wife of Isaiah Miller, now living in
Hemlock township; John B.. who married
Lulu Derr and lives in Hemlock township;
and Rena Pearl, attending the State Xormal

John

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
School at

Repubhcan

Mr. White was

P)loomsbur(j.

began the work of clearing a

poHtics and attended the L.u-

Robert Crossley (deceased) was born in
X'alley township, was a farmer, and settled in
Hemlock township, where he bought the Isaac
Pursell farm of lOO acres.
Upon this place
he died Jan. 22, 1905, aged fifty-one years,
He was buried in
eleven months, ten days.
the Straub cemetery.

Mr. Barton was

Bloomsburg.

his choice of property.

num-

f(»rtunate

only was it well
suited for agricultural purpo.ses. but also contained valuable mineral deposits.
Upon it.
after his death, his son Calel) made his home.
I^lisha Barton married .\nne McCarter, who

farmer and a native of Montour county, where
He married Martha Wilson, ana
he died.
Robert, deceased
they had five children
Matilda, wife of James Pursell Emily, wife
:

sufficient

ber of acres to yield them focnl and later an
income.
Mr. Barton also raised a large
amount of stock, and became a man of afiairs
in that part of the
There his death
county.
occurred, and he was jjuried in the cemetery
connected with the l-:piscopaI Church at

theran Church.

Reuben Crossley, father of Robert, was

iO(in

was

;

March

Jjorn

f(jr ntjt

jo, 1754, in

New

Jersey, and

of Sam Pursell Wellington, living in Hemlock township and I*" rank, living in Montour

she died on the homestead, being laid to rest
by the side of her hu.sband. Among their
children were three sons:
Caleb. Cyrus and

county.

John.

John Benfield, father of Mrs. White, was
born in Columbia county and was a son of
Thomas and Catherine Benfield. His father
was a man of varied attainments and followed the vocation of distiller, miller, boatman and lumberman. Three children were

(Ill) Cyrus Barton, son of Elisha Barton,
was born on the family estate, and was sent

;

Sarah, wife of Peter
Mowrey Perry, living near Unityville and
John, who married Catherine, daughter of
baniel and Sarah (Everett) Cromley. John
Benfield owned several valuable farms and
was a man of substance and good repute. His

born to

this

union

;

children were:

Sarah;

Emma

J.,

unmarried;

H., now living on the old homestead
and John Clark, residing near Washingtonville, Montour county.

Thomas

;

HENRY CLAY BARTON,

retired

farmer of Centre township, Columbia county,
was born in that county, at Espy, Scott townThe Barton family is of
ship. Jan. 10, 1832.
English origin and prominent in Pennsyl-

to the subscription schools in

and

vogue

in his

day

Crowing up on the farm, he
naturally assisted in the work of developing
locality.

but he had other aspirations, and leaving
the homestead after attaining to manhood's
it,

estate

went

Bloomsburg, Columbia Co.,

Pa.,

with his brother John, when that place was
still in its infancy.
They entered into mercantile business, being the pioneer merchaiUs
of that city, and continued their operations
until about 1829, when Cyrus Barton moved
to Scott township, locating at Espy, where he
le caropened up the first mercantile house.
I

on for thirty-two years, in a building
which was store and dwelling combiner!, built
and owned by Henry Edgar, now the property
.\fter he retired
of the McCollins family,
ried

from active participation in business life
Cyrus Barton continued to reside in Scott
town.ship. where he died in 1863. being buried
First a Whig, he
vania history, as the following record shows. in the Almedia cemetery.
I
Thomas Barton, the founder of the later became a Republican, as the principles
coincided with his own
family in America, left his English home and of the latter party
(

)

settled in

Mrginia

at a

very early period

Colonial history.
(II) Elisha Barton, son of

Thomas

Barton,

and was
there reared to maturity, but later on in life
came to Pennsvlvania and located in what is
now Hemlock township, Columbia county, m

was born

in Virginia

June

1742,

the vicinity of the McKelvy mill. In time he
became the proprietor of a large amount of
land, which extended over a radius of nearly
four miles, from Fishing creek to the neigh-

borhood of Buckhorn. Upon this lordly estate he made his home, enjoying life although
A log house was
located in a wilderness.
erected in the w'oods, and he and his children

never desired to enter
devote him.self to his
His
success in life was
and
business
family.
all the more remarkable because he was inon the steamer
jured in youth, having been
"Susquehanna." which blew uj) while ascendon the Susquehanna river near
the
])olitical views.
public life, preferring to

ing

rapids

May 3. 1826. He was not only
as a good business man. but also for
his fine character, and he was held in the
hio^hest esteem by the many who had the
Berwick.

known

honor of his acquaintance.
Catherine
Cyrus Barton married Mary
Brewer, a daughter of John Brewer, who died
her
in Espy and was buried by the side of

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1070

Children as follows were born to
husband.
Erastus, deceased, who was a
this marriage
boat builder on the Susquehanna river; Anna
Eliza, Mrs. Reed Jacob Adams Henry Clay
relohn Alfred, deceased; Mary Alice, who
sides at Bloomsburg, Pa.; William, who is
deceased Susan, who married Joseph Solomon both deceased; Charles Frank, who is
deceased; and Florence, who married WMlliam
:

;

—

;

Indiana.
Inglehart and resides at Evansville,
(IVj Henry Clay Barton, son of Cyrus

Barton, was educated in the public schools of
Espy and the select school at Bloomsburg,
later attending Wyoming Academy, at Kingston, Pa.
Upon his return from the latter institution he entered his father's store, remainAt that
ing with him until sixteen years old.

time he went to Scranton, Pa., and became a
clerk for the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company, continuing this connection for two
Mr. Barton then became an employee
years.
of Wells & Co., contractors, and assisted in
the construction of the Lackawanna railroad.
Later he was bookkeeper and clerk in the
company store at Stanhope, and also served as
postmaster. In time he formed a partnership
with William George Hawley, under the firm
name of Hawley & Barton, who operated a
mercantile house at Scranton, Pa., for four

undertakings already mentioned, Mr. Barton
has been active in promoting local enterprises,
and was one of the organizers of the Briar
Creek Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Association, of which he was vice president and
Mr. Barton also has taken
is still a director.
a very prominent part in the County Fair Association, and is a member of Centre Grange,
No. 56, of which he was the first secretary
he also held the offices of master and lecturer.
;

Not only is Mr. Barton an enthusiastic member of the Lime Ridge Methodist Episcopal
Church, but he has served it devotedly and
well as trustee.
Fraternally he is a Freemason.

On May

was married
Centre township, Columbia
Co., Pa., to Mary Frances Low, a daughter
of the late Isaac Low, one of the most repre-

Lime Ridge,

1856, Mr. Barton
in

sentative men of this section. The Low fama distinguished one in Columbia county.
Mrs. Barton died on the farm in December,
191 1, and is buried in the Low family plot in

ily is

Lime Ridge cemetery, Centre township. She
was a consistent member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church of Lime Ridge and a good
Christian woman. Two children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Barton, Laura and Edith. The
former, born on the Low farm, was educated
years. Mr. Barton then came back to Colum- in the local schools and at the Bloomsburg
bia county, and settling in Centre township, in State Normal School, from which she was
the vicinity of Lime Ridge, he began farming graduated, following which she taught school
on the farm owned by Isaac Low, which con- for some years, until her marriage to J. H.
sisted of no acres.
While operating this Aikman. Edith Barton was also born on the
property until 1865, he was also associated farm, in 1861, and like her sister attended the
with the Low brothers in a mercantile venture. local schools and then entered the Bloomsburg
With the close of the Civil war conditions State Normal School, where she took a busichanged, and he went to Williamsport, Pa., ness course, graduating in 1880.
Following
there forming a partnership with Charles this she took up the study of medicine at the
Low, his brother-in-law. They branched out Woman's Medical College at Philadelphia,
into a contracting and building business which from which she was graduated.
Following a
they conducted for a year, when Mr. Barton year's hospital work at Philadelphia she resevered that connection to form another with turned to Lime Ridge, and from there went
Smith Kimbell, under the name of Kimbell to Scranton, where she opened a private hos& Barton, for the purpose of manufacturing pital, conducting same until her sudden death,
axes. In 1871 Mr. Barton retired from busi- on Feb. 20, 19 13, caused by heart disease, with
ness life, to resume his agricultural pursuits which she had
Several
long been aftlictcd.
on the Isaac Low farm, where he carried on years before she had been
obliged to give up
general farming and stock raising, making a her practice at Scranton and return to her
specialty of dairying, until retirement, when home at Lime Ridge, but after about two and
he was succeeded by his grandson, H. B. Aik- a half
years had resumed her work, and at
man, mentioned at some length further on in the time of her death was in unusually good
this review.
health.
She was a member of the Scranton
Although earlier in life a Republican, the Chapter of the D. A. R. and was writing the
trend of recent events has made Mr. Barton a address she was to deliver at their
WashingProgressive, and he is proud to follow the ton's birthday celebration when summoned to
of
Colonel Roosevelt, of whom he her sanitarium,
leadership
adjoining her home, and she
is an enthusiastic admirer.
In addition to the died there a few minutes later.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Henry Barton Aikman. grandson of Henry
Clay Barton, was born ni 1884, in Centre
He was given a good education,
township.
being sent to the public schools of his neighborhood, and to the normal at Bloomsburg.
and taught school for two terms during njoi
Mr. Aikman then became conand 1905.
nected with the Berwick National Bank as a
clerk, but after eight years came to the old
homestead in Centre township, which he is

He beoperating for his grandfather.
longs to the local grange, and like his grandfather is an enthusiastic Progressive.

now

WILLIAM ALONZO MERKEL, who
holds the general

foremanship of the construction and erection department at the i)lant
of the American Car and Foundry Company,
is a young business man who has given evidence of decided ability in the various i)ositions he has

Though

tilled.

all

his business

has been spent in the employ of the same
concern, its multiple activities have afforded
him ample op])ortunity for experience and
His steady promotion shows
development.
his
that he has appreciated
advantages.
Though reared at Berwick he is a native of
(jermany. born Jan. 2, 1881, at Stuttgart,
where his parents had been called on account of his grandfather's death. The family
came back to America when he was six
months old, by way of New York.
Mr. Merkel is a son of Charles Rudolph
Merkel, grandson of Charles Merkel, and
great-grandson of Weaver Merkel, who was
born at Lorch, in the Kingdom of Wurtemlife

berg.

Germany.

He was afarmer

all his life,

three children, two sons and one
He and his wife were members
daughter.
of the German Lutheran Church and they
are buried at Lorch.
Charles Merkel, grandfather of William
Alonzo Merkel, was born and educated in

He had

Stuttgart,

Germany.

followed the trade

all

He was
his life.

potter, and
P.y his mar-

thirteen chilriage to Dorothy Weaver he had
Charles
of
whom
dren,
Rudolph is the only
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Merkel are
survivor.
buried at Stuttgart.
They belonged to the

German Lutheran Church.
Charles Rudolph Merkel, father of William
Alonzo Merkel, was born Dec. 4. ^^44^ at
there.
Stuttgart and received his education
Later he learned the potter's trade. At the age
of twenty years he emigrated to the United

where he
On Aug.
the United States navy

New

York City,
States, landing at
a while at his trade.

worked for

17, 1864, he enlisted in
at
York, for services in the Civil

New

war.

1071

He was assigned to the L'nited States schooner
"T. A. Ward," as a landsman. c(jnnccted with
the Southern Blockade
S(iuadn)n under Admiral Dahlgren. and was
discharged at "the
lMii]adel])hia navy yard. June 2, iHi>=,.
After
returning from the' war he canie to^Berwick,
Pa., and worked at his trade with ( harlcs
Becker for a few years, until he entered the
employ of the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company," in the wood car deiiartineni.
There he remained uiiiil sixteen years ago,
when he entered the Berwick Store as a clerk!

is now
cmj)loved in the green grocery
(le])artmem. Mr. Merkel married .Mary l-dlcn
in
Boyles, who was born
.\ugust,
1858,
daughter of James Boyles, and they have had
the
Laura Catherine
following children:
married I-Vank W. Beynolds, of New Ko-

and

chelle,

.\.

Bertha Louise

\'.:

home;

\\'il-

Alonzo is mentioned below; l-'lizabeth
Wilson is at home; Walter Myron is at Wor-

liam

cester,

Massachusetts.

is a Republican, a member (jf
the First Methodist Church of Berwick, and
belongs to Capt. C. G. Jackson Post, No. 159,
G. A. R., of Berwick.
William Alonzo Merkel obtained his ]irej)aratory course at Berwick, first attending the
Market street school, and after graduating
therefrom entered the high school. Then he
became a student at the Pennsylvania State
College. George W. Atherton being then
president of the institution, and .Mr. .Merkel
took up mechanical engineering under him.
He graduated in 1903. with the degree of

Mr. Merkel

B. S.. and returning to Berwick began work
with the American Car and h^xindry Cornpany. in the shear department of the steel

James McNally being his foreman and
John leavener superintendent, .\fter a time
he was made checker on all material, and from
that position was transferred to the punch defirst two years in that
])artment. during his
plant,

I'or the
connection being assistant foreman.
six months following he was night foreman
On Sept.
in charge of the punch department.
to the construction
was
he
changed
i,
1913,
and erection department, where he has since
been general foreman. He has done notably
his reputation for
good work, and merits

trustworthiness.

Mr. Merkel married
Elizabeth Hartman, daughter of deorge A.
and Bernetta (White) Hartman, of Bdoomshad two children:
burg. Pa., and they have
Wilhelmine Mae, born Aug 12, 1913; and
Marion Elizabeth, born April 26 1914. Mr.

On Aug.

1908,

Mrs. Merkel attend the I^rst M. b^
of
Church, of Berwick. He is a member

and

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1072

and for the next seventeen years he
all of his time to its cultivation.
Mr.
Hartman then left his place, and moving to
Bloomsburg became the superintendent of an

A. M., of Ber-

tention,

wick Caldwell Consistor}^. thirty-second deand Washo-ree, A. A. S. R., of Bloomsburg;
of A., of
S.
P.
O.
No.
105,
nigton Camp,
He votes with the Republican
Berwick.

devoted

Knapp Lodge, No.

462, F.

;

party.

family, to which Mrs. Merkel
and honored standing in
old
of
belongs,
Columbia county. It was established there by

The Hartman
is

Cieorge Hartman, her great-great-grandfather,
Mary,
who had the following children:
Betsy, Philip and George.
George Hartman, son of George, above,
was born in 1790, and with his father settled
in pioneer days at Espytown, Columbia Co.,
Pa., where he became a landowner and reoccurred in that
sponsible citizen. His death
he
was seventywhen
1867,
5,
April
place
His
six years, eleven months, eight days old.
remains were interred in Almedia cemetery.
The children born to him were: Edward,
mentioned below George, who married Lydia
;

A. Ritchart; David, who died at Berwick,
Pa.
Mary, who married Philip Hartman
ReMaria, who married Alfred Hartman
becca, who married John Turner; Thomas,
who died in childhood and Eliza, who mar;

;

ried Oliver Jacoby.

Edward Hartman, son of George (2), was
born in Berks county. Pa., and was brought
Here
to Columbia county. Pa., by his parents.
he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it for sixteen years at Bloomsburg,
developing into a contractor and builder. He
then went to Centre township, this county,
where he bought a farm, remaining on it and
operating it for twenty-six years.
piration of that time he retired,

At the ex-

locating at
Espytown, Columbia county, where he resided
until his death, March 30, 1912, when he was
in his ninety-sixth year.
Edward Hartman
married Sarah Bomboy, a daughter of Jacob
Bomboy, and she survives him, living at
Espy, aged ninety years. They had children
as follows:
C,
]\Iiles,
J., Amanda

ice plant, but after three years engaged in a
draying business, which he has built up to
good proportions, being now recognized as
one of the most reliable and careful men in

and controlling a large and steadilv
Mr. Hartman resides
increasing patronage.
on the corner of Fourth and East streets,
his line,

Bloomsburg.
Mr. Hartman married Bernetta White, a
daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Mellick)
White, and the children of this union are:
Ray W., who resides at Berwick, where he is
in the employ of the American Car and Foundry Company; Jessie M., at home; Catherine,
who married J. W. Bennett, of Johnstown,
Pa., and has one child, George T. and Elizabeth, who married W illiam A. Merkel, residMr. Hartman and his faming at Berwick.
ily belong to the First Methodist Church of
Bloomsburg. He is a member of the K. G. E.,
and a Democrat politically he served for nine
;

;

years as a school director while residing in
Centre township, and gave his district the
benefit of his practical knowledge of educational matters gained while he was an educator himself.

EDWIX ATLEE GLENN.

D..

one

the leading physicians of Berwick, was born
Nov. 5, 1879, son of Henry Franklin and
Mary B. (Young) Glenn.
The Glenn family arc of Scotch-German
ancestry and came to this country in the early
days. One branch settled in X'irginia, another
in the Carolinas and the other in and near
The branch from which the
Philadelphia.
doctor is descended was the one that settled
at Philadelphia.

Robert Glenn, grandfather of the Doctor.

was a native of Philadelphia, and resided at
Emma
Holmesburg, a suburb. \\ hile he was a young
George A., Mary A., Isaiah. Charles T., James man he was married to Sarah Thomas.
W., and Cora A., the latter being at home with
Henry Franklin Glenn, son of Robert, was
her venerable mother.
born March 15, 1848, in Holmesburg, and atGeorge A. Hartman attended the public tended public school in Philadelphia. He aftschools of Bloomsburg and the State Normal erwards took a course in mechanical engineerSchool, and after completing his studies bea clerk, thus continuing for several

ing, but soon engaged as salesman in a dry
goods store in Philadelphia, remaining there

years, until he began farming in Centre townFor the following years he alternated
ship.
his agricultural work with
teaching school,

until

becoming one of the popular educators of

the J-ackson

came

locality.

ever, he

found his farm required

the expiration of five years,
all

his

1870.

entering the

Woodin.

then came to lierwick, Pa.,
of the firm of Jackson &
the firm was incor])orated as

oflfice

When
& Woodin Manufacturing Com-

how- pany he was made

his at-

secretary, in

which capacity

he served until he became manager of the

~^?^

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and continued as such
was consolidated with the
Jackson & Woodin Company. He then hecame
general manager of the entire plant, holding
this position until the company was merged
into the American Car & Foundry Company,
When this merger took place he was made
consulting engineer, which position he tilled
until his death. His connection with this company and the Jackson & Woodin companies
Berwick Rolling

until

Mills,

the concern

He was

following children: l-'dwin A., jr. ..horn l-'eb.
1912; and Donald Dockhart and Dorothy

Bowman,

deeply in-

member

of the Swedenborgian Church.
(^n Feb. 24, 1875, Mr. Glenn was married
to Mary B., daughter of Rev. Jared Young,
and she bore him the following children:
Jesse, a mechanical engineer, employed by the

Canadian Car & Foundry Company, at Montreal. Canada; Elizabeth A., a teacher in the
Atlee
public schools of Berwick; Dr. Edwin
Anna, Mrs. Richard A. Lockard, residing in
Berwick; Robert C, connected with the adPhilavertising' firm of N. W. Ayer & Sons,
and Mary, who died in infancy,
delphia
Henry F. Glenn died Sept. 8, 1908, his wife
;

;

surviving until Feb. 27, 191 1. They are buried
in Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick.
Edwin A. Glenn, after graduating from the
high school at Berwick, entered Cornell Uni-

from which

institu-

1901. with the dethe
fall
of that year he
of
B.
In
A.
gree
entered Hahnemann Medical College, Phila-

After
delphia, receivmg his degree in ICP4.
Hahnemann
the
in
interne
as
a
year
spending
he came to Berwick and began the
Hospital

His ability soon
he
has
and
enjoyed a large
recognition,
Like his father. Dr. Glenn takes a
practice.
deep interest in all public matters and has
served his town in various capacities. At pres-

practice of his profession.

won

member

of the borough council,
a director in the Y. M. C. A., and an officer
in the official board of the Methodist Church,
ent he

of which he
68

a substantial supporter.

)

(Iv:

versity, at Ithaca. N. Y..
tion he was graduated in

(

terested in educational matters, and for sevHe was a
eral years was a school director.
Trust
director of the Berwick Savings
and
the
Club,
of
Berwick
member
a
Company,
a life member of the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers. Deeply interested in
all matters pertaining to the growth and development of Berwick, he was one of its most
Like his father he was
substantial citizens.
a

Yucca Mining Company,

an independent Repuhlican.
On Nov. 5, 1910, Dr. (ilcnn was married
to Henrietta, daughter of George \\
and
Rachel
Lockhart
Darter.
They have the

extended over a period of nearly forty years.
during all of which time he enjoyed the confidence of his employers and their customers,
He took an active interest in politics, as an
independent Republican.

a director of the

Politically he

1073

twins, horn

May

1914.

Ceorge W. Darter, father of Mrs. ("denn,
was born in Salem township. Luzerne Co.,
Pa., and belongs to one of the oldest families
in that section.
His wife was the daughter
of James and Susan (Santee) Lockhart, residents of the same township. Their children
areas follows: .\niia C., wife of Dr. Homer
B. Wilcox, of Kingston, Pa.; Henrietta, wife
of Dr. (llenn
and Ruth, wife of John W.
Sheft'er. chief electrician of the .\merican Car
& Foundry Company of Berwick,
:

h^DWIN

ENT,

assistant {jo.stmasler at

was born in that city Sejit.
22, 1872, son of Kimber C. Ent.
John Ent, his grandfather, was a successfui bridge contractor and Ijuilder. and lived at
Light Street, where he died and is buried. He
was twice married, and by his tirst wife iiad
three children:
Zctta, Kate and Kiml)er C.
Bloomsburg,

Pa.,

Later he married (second) I-Uizabeth Phili)Ot,
by whom he also had three children: Dora,
Roscoe and Annie.
Kimber C. Ent, son of John ICnt, was l>orn
at Light Street, Columbia Co., Pa., in 1S42, and
in young manhood became a clerk in tiie Irondale Furnace store near P>loomsburg. but later
went on the road as a traveling salesman for
a queensware and china house of Philadelphia,
where he died
living however, at Bloomsburg,
He married Almeda 1.. Lumbard.
in 1898.
who died Sept. 10. 191 1. and both are buried
Knnin Rosemont cemetery, at Bloomsburg
ber C. Ent and h>s wife had two c uh ren
who ,s the wrfe of Fredenck lohnes.
:

l'^<;th,
I^^^J.^''.

"
^f.^f^j^awin

'Ent'went to the public, high and
schools of P.loomsburg, and after leavj^^^ ^^.j^^^j ^^onipicnced working, being engaged
In i8«>S he
jj^'^^j.^g carpet mill and tube works.
carrier at Bloomsburg.
^^.,j<, appointed a letter
,\fter holding this position for four and a half
he was made assistant
years, on .Aug. i. 1902.
oif the office at Bloomsburg. which
postmaster
'"[ra'.vTn

^^^^^^^^^

position he
In 1896 Mr. Ent was united in manage with
Elsie West, a daughter of John F. West, of
Mr. and Mrs. Ent are the
Pa,
still

fills.

Weatherly,

Editha
parents of one daughter,

who was

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1074

Mr. Ent belongs to Washingin 1905.
ton Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M. Bloomsburg
Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M. Crusade Commandery, No. 12, K. T. and Caldwell Conmusician, he belongs to the consistory.
The Methodist Church holds
choir.
sistory
born

;

his membership and he is serving that body
as steward. Politically he is a Republican, and
has done yeoman service for his party. As
a public official and private citizen Mr. Ent

has demonstrated his worth and stands high
in his

community.

RUSH

T. FREAS has a model farm in
Briarcreek township, Columbia county, noted
for its valuable horses and cattle as well as
for the up-to-date agricultural system followed there. His work has had an appreciable
influence on the standards of the neighborhood, where he is considered one of the most

progressive citizens in every respect, alive to
the other needs of the community as well as
to its possibilities from the farmer's standpoint. The Freas family is one of long standing in Columbia county.
John Freas, grandfather of

was born

Rush T. Freas,
Briarcreek township, Columbia

county, and owned a large farm there, folHis
lowing general agriculture all his life.
death occurred in 1850. The following chil-

dren were born to his marriage with Sarah
Hidlay George Sally. Mrs. Jonathan Eck
Nancy, Mrs. Benjamin Hicks Henry Clay
John A. William L. Horace Hiram, who
married A. Brown; and Isaiah B., who married Katherine Hagenbuch.
William L. Freas, son of John, was born
:

;

Oct. 8, 1825, and died in December, 1895.
His wife, Fanny (Rittenhouse), was born
June 4, 1834, and died May 21, 1895. They
had a family of nine children, of whom we
have the following record: Amelia H. (Millie) married George Wesley Ash, of Briar
Creek, and they have had four sons, Wilbur

C, Amos M., Ralph and Dewey,
named dying when two years old.

the

last

Rachel,
twin of Amelia, married Alfred Schaefer, a
farmer of Centre township, and they had six
children,

Jennie,

Pearl and Stella.

Otwell,
Sophia, Fannie,
T. is mentioned be-

Rush

low.
Anna, who is unmarried, lives at Berwick.
Seth, a farmer, of Bloomsburg, married Lizzie Fester, and
they have two children,
^

Aaron and

Lillie.
Alartha has taken a course
osteopathy and is now practicing at Berwick. Boyd, a farmer in Briarcreek, married
Clara Martz, and they have one child, Margaret.
Myrtle D. is the widow of Stewart .A.

Ash, of Briarcreek township, mentioned fully
elsewhere.
Bradley, of Briar Creek, an em-

Car and Foundry
Company, married Mary Pollock, and they
have had two children, Ray, living, and Ellen,
who died when ten years old.
Rush T. Freas was born Aug. 19, 1857,
in Briarcreek tow^nship, where he is still enployee of the American

in farming.
He has lived on his present
It comprises
125
place for sixteen years.
acres of excellent land, and his farming operations are carried on systematically along approved modern lines. His fine stock horses
are of the Wilkes and Hambletonian breeds,
and his cattle are principally Durham ShortHis example in keeping high-class
horns.
stock has demonstrated to the farmers in the
vicinity that it is profitable to invest in the
better strains, and the improvement in local
herds has been quite noticeable.
Except in
connection with his business interests Mr.

gaged

He
little part in public aft'airs.
a Republican in political sentiment.
On April 26, 1898, Mr. Freas married Mrs.
Kate W. (Miller) Garrison, of Foundryville,
Briarcreek townshij), tiaughter of Daniel Miller, of that township, and widow of John
Garrison. Mrs. Freas died suddenly. Feb. 13,
1
She attended the Metho91 2, of apoplexy.
Freas takes

Episcopal Church at Foundryville. Four
children were born to this union
Anna,
born Oct. 24, 1899, who died of dipiitheria
Dec. I, 1908; William and Boyd, twins, born
dist

March

10,

1902; and Frank, born Sept.

1906.

BRUCE

C. DIETTERICK, a well known
resident of Berwick, Pa., where he is identified
with the American Car and Foundry Com-

pany, was born in E*>riarcreek township, Columbia county. June 15, 1877, son of Lewis

H. and Amanda
Hartman) Dietterick.
Mr. Dietterick's first ancestor in America
came from Germany and settled in Northampton comity. Pa., where he resided until his
(

He was among

death.

the

first settlers

of that

His son, Jacob, a farmer, came to
Columbia county in 1800 and settled in Centre

county.

He owned a large trace of land,
timber, which required many years of labor
to clear.
He was a strong Democrat in ixilitics, and was sixty-four years old at the time
of his death.
Lewis Dietterich as the name was formerly
spelled), son of Jacob, was only ten years old
township.

all

(

when

his

parents

came

this

county, and

he used to take the grain on horseback to the
old Rittenhouse mill.
He was a carpenter,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
and followed that trade as long as he was able
He married Elizabeth Hoofnagle,
like himself a native of Pennsylvania and of
German descent, and to their nnion were born
five children:
Emnior, Stephen, Sarah (wife
of Andrew Terwilliger), I'hoebe and I^lias
(the latter served in the Civil war and died

to work.

a short time after his discharge).
Emmor Dietterick was born in Centre township July 7. 182 1, was reared on a farm, and
followed agricultural pursuits from the time
he was seventeen years old. He farmed for

was twenty-four years old,
and then on shares until he was twenty-eight.
He bought the farm in Uriarcreek township
where he made his {>ermanent home in 1870,
owning seventy acres of good land. He married, March 4, 1849, Mary Mosteller, and
Edella
four children were born to them

his father until he

;

Dora, wife of Warren Terwilliger Clark, deand Lewis H.. deceased. Mr. and
ceased
Mrs. Dietterick were members of the Lutheran Church. He served as school director,
;

;

auditor, judge of elections and inspector,
was supervisor eleven terms.
in

and

Lewis H. Dietterick was born Dec. 11, 1849,
Briarcreek township, Columbia county, and

passed his

life

there in agricultural pursuits,

owning a farm of ninety
died

Grange

acres,

upon which he

belonged to the
1883.
7,
Centre township, was a Dejnocrat

March

member of the German
politics, and a
Reformed Church. His wife was a Methodist.
They were the parents of the following
in

D. Ray, born Aug.

children:

1874,

who

Laura W'.. born July
married
who
Harry Fairchilds;
1869,
29,
Bruce C. and Ethel P., born June 19. 1881,
who died Jan. 17, 1882. The mother is buried
at the Brick Church in Briarcreek township.
Bruce C. Dietterick attended the Market
street school and the Berwick high school,
and when he gave up his studies in 1890 entered the "snap" foundry under William
Scholes, superintendent. Becoming a resident
of Berwick in the fall of 1892, he began work
in the Freas candy factory, where he remained
At that time he commenced
until May, 1893.
work in the soft foundry, where he remained
enuntil January. 1894, and in April. 1894.
untered the machine shop, there contnniing
the smith shop unti
til October, 1896; was in
machine shop until
1897; then in the
married Sue

Linville

;

August,
wheel foundry until June,
April, 1898; in the
machine
the
in
shop until August, 1900;
1898;
in the
in the wheel foundry until June, 1901
October,
1902, and
machine shop again until
in the steel
in February, 1903, began work
car department, where he remained until April,
:

1075

On April 19. 1905, Mr. Dietterick
1905.
boarded the steamship "Majestic,"
leaving
New York, which arrived at Liverpool .April
26, 1905. Coming home on a visit he left Liverpool on the steamship "Oceanic" Nov. 21,
1906, and arrived at New ^'ork Nov. 28th. lie
returned by the steamship "Celtic," Dec. 12,
1906, and arrived at Liverpool Dec. 19, 190^);
left London Nov. 19,
1907, and arrived at
Naples Nov. 24, \()0-: left Naples Jan. 12,
1908, and arrived at London Jan. 15. 1908;
sailed from Liverpool Jan. 25, 1908, on the
steamship "Lusitania," and arrived at New
York

Feb.

gan work

1908.

On March

i»/)8.

Ije-

in the steel car

department at Berwick, was appointed general foreman of the
preparation departments March 18, 1910. and
Feb. I, 1911, was promoted to general foreman
of the passenger car department, a position
which he has continued to hold to the present
time.
Mr. Dietterick is one of his company's
most trusted men, and has won promotion
through his own efforts and abilities. He is
a Republican in politics, a member of the
Berwick Lodge of Elks, No. 1138, and in religion adheres to the Episcopal faith.
Mr. Dietterick married Madge Shoemaker,
who was born Sejjt. 15, 1883, daughter of
John Frederick and .Anna M. (Rooki Slioemaker, of Shickshinny. Pa., and three children have been born to this union:
jack
Lewis, born Jan. 4. 1908; Carl Richard, born
March 12, 1911 and Phyllis Jean, born Aug.
:

1913.

John Shoemaker, the grandfather of Mrs.
Luzerne county. Pa..
Shoemaker, who was
born in Germany and emigrated to the United
'i"he grandfather
States in young manhood.
secured a common school education, and for
some years was engaged in the hotel business
He
at Fairview and later at Shickshinny.
Dietterick, was born in
in 1 8 19, a son of J. F.

died in Tulv, 1874. in the faith of the Preshe was a charbyterian "Church. Fraternally
Whitehaven
the
of
Lodge of the
ter member
Fellows, and his
Odd
of
Order
Independent
affiliation was with the Democratic
political

He married Sarah Washburne. and
the parents of the following chilbecame
they
party.

Charles; Daniel IT., who married .Anna
dren
Smith; William, who married Jane Buckley;
and was buried m
George, who died young
deceased, who
Ellen,
Conyngham cemetery;
married George Rab'ert Jennie, who married
married
Alilton F. Williams; J. Fred, who
Rook; Walter, who is deceased and
:

Anna

Annie
buried at Shickshinny; Edward; and
E.
of
wife
the
is
Briggs.
J.
AL, who

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1076

Mrs. Fowlerville, which he farmed for a number
John Frederick Shoemaker, father of
of years. Later he bought a part (about fifty
Luzerne
Dietterick, was born at Fairview,
acres) of the old Mordecai INIiller farm along
in
educated
He
was
Nov.
Pa..
Co.,
15, 1857.
the River road in Centre township,^ and lived
Shickand
the common schools of Briggsville
Then
at in that place for twenty-seven years.
business
restaurant
in
the
was
and
shinny,
to Espy, where he lived retired unmoved
he
in
Berwick
to
the latter place until coming
was a well
hotel and res- til his death, in March, 191 2. He
1893, having since conducted a
His wife, Sarah (Bomold man.
last
the
preserved
West
at
Berwick,
taurant here and
born Jan. 6, 1824, daughter of Jacob
three years as steward for the Berwick Aerie, boy),
now lives at Espy. They had chilis
Bomboy,
Shoemaker
Mr.
F.
O.
1
28
No.
1,
Eagles.
follows
as
dren
Wellington and Martha died
a successful business man and is widely and
when two and a half years old Miles, deHe
Berwick.
about
in
and
known
favorably
who lives
married Anna M. Rook, daughter of Marcus ceased, married Margaret Breisch,
of John L.
and Anna (Roemick) Rook, and they have at Berwick Emma Jane, widow
marhad the following children: Guy, who mar- Sponenberg, lives at Berwick Amanda
ried Lewis H. Dietterick; George A. married
ried Florence Shea; Maud, who married
Charles Heller; Fred; Jennie; George; Ben- Nettie White and lives at Bloomsburg; Mary
deceased, was the wife of William Ringjamin; Robert; Olive; Roland; and Madge, A.,
of Bloomsburg; Isaiah D. married Ida
rose,
who is the wife of Mr. Dietterick.
Marcus Rook, the maternal grandfather of Kelchner, and lives in Briarcreek township;
Mrs. Dietterick, was born Dec. 15, 1823, at Charles T. married Clem Conner, and they
Berwick Jane McC. lives at PrinceBerwick, Pa., and received his education at live at
Cora Agnes is unmarried. The
Alinn.
ton,
he
made
man
As
a
the old academy.
young
With his wife he
a journey to Louisiana, but remained only a father was a Democrat.
short time, and upon his return engaged in attended the Lutheran Church.
the harnessmaking business at Shickshinny.
AUGUSTUS BIBBY, late
A Republican in politics, he took an earnest
and intelligent interest in public affairs, and of Catawissa, was for over thirty years active
:

;

MATTHEW

served in the capacity of constable both at
Shickshinny and Berwick. Mr. Rook was a
member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and attended the Lutheran Church.

He was

married at Berwick to Anna Roe-

mick, and then moved to Black Creek, later
to Shickshinny and to Beach Haven, returned
to Berwick, and finally went to Bloomsburg,
where he died Aug. 27, 1898. He and his
wife had the following children
Abram Wil:

in the affairs

of that place in various connec-

tions, a citizen who
in every capacity and

demonstrated his worth

performed all his duties
native of Maryland, he was
born Jan. 26, 1842, at Lakesville. Dorchester
county, son of Henry and Sarah (Graham)
Bibby, the father also born in Maryland and
He followed that
by occupation a farmer.
in life well.

calling near Lakesville until his death,
The Bibby family
occurred in i860.

which
is

who married Amanda Davis and (sec- Scotch and English descent.
Matthew A. Bibby passed his early life
ond) Harriet Baker; Mary R., who died when
young; Susannah F., who married Ezra Fich- upon the farm, remaining there until fourteen
At that time he entered the store
ter; Henrietta, who died young; Anna M., years old.
who married J. F. Shoemaker; and John W., of D. W. Wells, at Havre de Grace. Md.. as a
who married Irene Pretherol and (second) clerk, continuing in the same employ for seven
liam,

Dorothy Honey.
Mrs.

mother of Bruce
8,

1850, a

In 1862 he went to Baltimore, Md.,
where he clerked in the store for George H.
Edgar until 1868, the year of his removal to
Renovo, Pa. There he took a position in the
office of the Philadel])hia & Erie Railway
Company as a clerk, and was located until the
fall of 1871, when he changed to Catawissa,
Columbia Co., Pa., to become station agent for
the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railway Company, as well as express and freight
agent and telegraph operator. Mr. P.ibby con-

years.

Amanda (Hartman)
C. Dietterick.

daughter of

Dietterick,

the

was born Dec.

Edward and Sarah

(Bomboy) Hartman, of Centre township.
Edward Hartman. born Dec. 24. 1816, in
Berks county. Pa., came to Columbia county
when a young man. Learning the carpenter's
trade, he became a contracting carpenter,
as such built the Columbia county jail

and
and
other important buildings in Bloomsburg.
When his daughter Amanda was nine years tinued to reside at Catawissa the remainder of
old he moved to Centre township, Columbia his life,
becoming one of the best known citiIn addition to his duties
county, and bought a farm of 106 acres near zens of that place.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
previously mentioned, he was successfully engaged in the mercantile business for a time,
and he was honored with election to the ot'tice
of tax collector, in which position he was serving at the time of his death. Contrary to all
precedent his wife was then appointed to succeed him, finishing out his term in the most
competent manner. Mr. Bibby died Nov. 28,
1902, and is buried in Greenwood cemetery, at
Catawissa. He was a Democrat in politics.

On May

1872, Mr. Bibby married Julia
Waller Clark, who was born Feb. 19, 1852,
and survives him, making her home in Catawissa, one of the most respected residents of
that borough. Five children were born to this
union: Harry Clark died in infancy; Eliza2}^,

beth died aged five years
14, 1881, is living at

May

David Boone, born
Catawissa; Franklin
1883, now Hving at
;

Vastine, born Oct. 13,
Chester, Pa., where he is in the newspaper
business, married Margaret Bell Mutshler;
Robert died when eleven months old.
William Clark, the great-grandfather of

Mrs. Julia

(Clark) Bibby, was an early

Northumberland county.
now known as Columbia. He was a cap-

1077

Catawissa township and tiiere followed
farming, later in life removing to the borough
of Catawissa, where he died at the
age of
He married Hannah
seventy-three years.
Miller, daughter of Charles Miller, and eight
chddren were born to their union: lereniiah
S., Charles T., Harry A., Josiah i'..' Keljecca

Sarah C, Martha E. and I':ilen E.
Jeremiah S. Shuman, son of Solomon, was
born April 18, 1839. and was
a
J.,

given

vc-ry

good education for his day, in his young manhood teaching school for several terms. After
that he went to clerking, and
eventually became engaged as a merchant on his own account,
years,

following that business for thirteen
hor eleven years he had a store at

Mr. Shuman

Shamokin, Pa.

now

living

Catawissa.
His wife was Mary
Florence Clark, daughter of David W. and
b^lizabeth \'astine (Boone) Clark, and her
death occurred July 13, 1893.
retired

During the Civil war Mr. Shuman served
Union army as a member of Company

in the

41st

Regiment.

Pennsylvania \olunteer
of Catawissa Podge,

member

settler in that part of

Militia.

Pa.,
tain in the old State militia.

No. 349, F. & A. M., and highly respected in
that organization, as he is wherever known.

Andrew Clark, son of William, was a farmer
by occupation. He had three children, Mary,
Andrew and David W., of whom Andrew
married Anne Boone and had two daughters,
Martha Alice and Mary Boone.
David W. Clark, father of Mrs. Bibby,
followed farming in Montour township, Columbia county, living and dying on the farm
of his grandfather, which he owned. He married Elizabeth Vastine Boone, and they had a
Mary Florence befamily of five daughters
came the wife of Jeremiah S. Shuman Susanna is deceased; Ada Jane married Luther
Eyer, who now owns the old Clark homestead
:

;

Clara died young; Julia
Matthew A. Bibby.

Jeremiah

Rudolph

Shuman

Shuman, who

W.
is

the

widow

descended

from

and

died in
the ancestor of

lived

Berks county. Pa., and was
His
of the name in Columbia county.
sons John and Jacob came to what is now
Catawissa township, Columbia county, and
were large landowners, following agricultural
work and also running a distillery they made
peach whiskey. John Shuman died at the age
of forty years. To him and his wife Catherine
Longenberger) were born the following
children:
Christian. Jacob. Solomon, John,
Margaret, Mary and Elizabeth.

many

;

(

Solomon Shuman, son of John, owned land

GEORGE FARXER.

was born

retired citizen

re-

Jackson township, Columbia Co., Pa.. April 22, 1838. son
of Jacob and Rachel (Pegg) Farver.
His
paternal grandfather was a pioneer of Columbia county, and followed agricultural pursiding at Berwick,

throughout his life.
Jacob Farver, the father of CJeorge Farver,
was born in Jackson township. Columbia
Co., Pa., and followed in his father's footLater
steps, adopting the vocation of farmer.
in life he moved from Jackson township to
Fishingcreek township, and still later to Lee
county. 111., where he spent the declining years
of his life. He married Rachel Pegg. a native
of Columbia county. Pa., who died here.
George Far\er, son of Jacob I-\ir\er. attended the jniblic schools of Jackson tow-nof his eduship, Columbia county, but most
cation was obtained while in the army. At the
outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company F, 2d Regiment, Pennsylvania Heavy
Artillery, under Capt. William M. McClure',
in which he was enrolled Dec. 2s,, 1861, for
suits

three years. He was discharged Jan. i, 1864,
Fort Lincoln. District of Columbia, and
the next day reenlisted. for three years, in the
at

same companv. then under Capt. George W.
Webb. He w'as discharged Jan. 29, 1866. at
Citv Point.

\^a.,

after having participated in

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1078

engagements, including those at
Fort Harrison, Wilderness and
Cold Harbor. In all his service he never reHis record was that of a
ceived a scratch.

numerous

Petersburg,

valiant

and faithful

soldier,

who won

the

admiration of his comrades and the respect
of his officers. On his return to the pursuits
of peace he again located in Columbia county,
and in 1886 came to Berwick. He was for a
American
long period in the employ of the
Car and Foundry Company, but for several
enyears has been living a quiet, retired life,
joying the fruits of his many years of indus-

His present home

in Berwick
Mr. Farver
is a member of the First Methodist Church
of Berwick, and supports all movements calculated to advance the cause of education,
morality and good citizenship.
On Nov. 20, 1866, Mr. Farver was married
to Maria Catherine Miller, a native of Mount
Pleasant township, Columbia Co., Pa., born
Nov. 30, 1840, and six children have been
Orvis O.,
i
born to this union, namely
(
)

trious labor.

was purchased by him

1906.

born Sept. 19, 1868, a resident of Berwick,
married Harriet Shultz and has three chil(2)
J., Mary C. and Catherine.
Albert A., born Oct. 21, 1870, now a resident
of -Atcliison, Kans., is married and has two
children, Martha and Florence.
(3) George
Gaylord, born Dec. 31, 1872, who makes his

dren, George

home

Berwick, married Cora Harvey, and
Lloyd V., Belford
and Bradford, twins, and Martha. (4) Eva
J., born May 5, 1875, is the wife of Frank H.
Dill, of Berwick, and the mother of Lewis
and Lulu, twins, Gaylord, Harriet, Myrtle,
Charles and Luther.
(5) Edward E., born
Oct. 22, 1877, ^s ^^^^ ^ resident of Berwick.
(6) Cora E., born Aug. 27, 1880, is the wife
of W. B. Thompson, of Berwick, and has one
child, Allen Berthier, born May 21, 1912.
Aaron Miller, father of Mrs. George Farver, was born June 30. 181 2. and was a
at

their children are Alvin,

pioneer of Columbia county, coming hither
from New Jersey and settling in Hemlock
township. On Feb. 7. 1838, he married Catherine Whitenight. who was born March 10,
1818. and their children were born as follows:
Rebecca Elizabeth. Aug. 20. 1839; IMaria
Catherine. Dec. 31, 1840; Sarah Ann. Sept.
26, 1842; WiUiam, Oct. 23. 1845; Sophia.
July 28, 1850; George W., Oct. 4, 1852 Caro;

line.. .April 8,

1854; Mary Ellen. Sept.
Willetts Hervey, April i, 1858.

WILSON LEVAN,
gineer,

was born

1856;

of Catawissa, an en-

Roaringcreek township.

Columbia Co., Pa., July 21, i860, son of Joseph Levan,
Joseph Levan was a teamster at Tamaqua,
Pa., later going into farming when he bought
forty acres of land about seven miles from
Catawissa, where he died in January, 1905.
His remains were interred at Xumidia. Joseph Levan married Maria Keiser, who died

They had

in 1910.

children as follows:

May-

berry, who is living in Columbia county. Pa.
Francis, who is living on the old homestead
;

Catawissa township
Fratta
Angelena
Maria, and Wilson.
\\ ilson Levan remained on the farm, meantime attending the local schools, until he was
At that time he
twenty-one years of age.
came to Catawissa to enter the paper mill,
but after two years left to work on the railroad as a member of the work train.
He
then began wiping engines, thus continuing
for two years, when he was transferred to
in

;

Shamokin,

Pa.,

;

and spent two years more

the engine house there, until made a fireman
on the Reading railroad. Once more he was
transferred, being sent back to Catawissa. and
fired for six months longer, when his object
was attained, as he was made an engineer, and
since 1894 has been running the local freight

from Catawissa to Tanuuiua.
Wilson Levan married Maria \\ inter, a
daughter of John W. Winter, and they have
John, a fireman on the Philarailroad, who married .Mice
Walter; Ervin J., also a fireman on the same
road Robert E. Lillie May. and Elsie.
five children:

delphia

& Reading

;

Mr. Levan
views.

independent

The family belong

his

political

the Methodist
Church. Mr. Levan belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the \ eteran .Association of the Philadelphia & Readto

ing Railroad Company. During his long and
useful life he has not only worked hard but
has saved carefully, and is now the owner of
two fine residences at Catawissa.

E. WELLIXER. of Bloomsburg.
has been engaged at blacksmithing throughout
his business life, and now has a well patronized
shop at the corner of Second and Leonard
streets.
He is a native of Hemlock township,
Columbia county, born March 22, 1853. son
of Evan Welliver, and grandson of Samuel
Welliver.
Samuel Welliver was born in the East, and

JOHN

came

to Columbia county at an early date.
Settling at Mordansville. he lived and died
there.
His widow, whose maiden name was

Jones, married for her second husband

Sam-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Wolf.

By her niarriag-e to Mr. W'elliver
she had the following children: John; Evan;
Eli; Daniel; Mary, Mrs. Kilvess
Rebecca;
Ellen, Mrs. John German; Lavina, Mrs. High
Alberton; and Margaret, Mrs. Theodore
Smith.
iiel

;

Evan Welliver was born Feb. 15, 1825, in
the western part of Columbia county.
He
followed the trade of shoemaker and was also
engaged
married

teaming.

Mary

C. Guild,

April 26, 1849, he
Feb.

who was born

28, 1831, and died April 11, 1883, surviving
her husband, who passed away March 12,
1876; his death occurred in Montour township, Columbia county.
They are buried at
Mr. and Mrs. Evan Welliver
Bloomsburg.
were the parents of children as follows William B. G., John E., Mary E. (Mrs. Jonathan
Pursel), Charles E., Sarah M. (Mrs. C. P.
Girton), Alice R. (Mrs. WilHam Christian),
Katie M., Evan W. and Elmer Wood.
John E. Welliver learned the trade of blacksmith in his youth and has followed it ever
:

since.

an industrious and

skillful

me-

chanic, and his reliable work has brought him
a steady custom, which keeps him busy all
the year round. He has served as a member
of the board of health of Bloomsburg, and is
He bea Democrat in political association.
the
to
Church.
Presbyterian
longs

1878 Mr. Welli\er married Lydia M.
Rauch, daughter of Reuben and Mary M.
(Bartch) Rauch; the Rauch family came to
this section from Allentown, Pa., where they
have been established for years and numerousFour children have been born
ly represented.
Reuben C, who
to Mr. and Mrs. Welliver:
now lives at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., married Ruth
Kurtz, daughter of Judge Kurtz Florence E.
married Burton Fortner and is living at Catawissa Myrtle Irene and Mary M. are at home.
All of the family received the best educational advantages afforded at home, attending
In

;

high school and the Bloomsburg State Normal, of which all are graduates.

1079

trade, working at same in Hemlock
township
and after he moved to
Bloomsburg, which he
did later on in life. He died in that
after
city,

attaining the unusual age of ninety-seven
years, and is buried in K«jseinont
cemetery.
John I'ursel was married three times, his lirst
wife being a member of the Cliristman family, while his second and third wives were
sisters by the name of Smith.
His children

were

all

who

died

by his second wife, viz.
Dennis,
in Hemlock
township; IV-rry, who
died in lUoomsburg; Robert; William, who
IS deceased;
John, who is living in Williamsport, Pa.; Clarissa, who married John I.udwig and died in (Jhio Caroline, whcj married
S. A. Wilson and died in
Bloomsburg; aiul
Mary, who married i-'li LJarton.
Robert Pursel, son of John Pursel, was
born in Hemlock township April 2ij, 182(1.
Like his father he was a blacksmith, and also
engaged in farming, living in Bkjom town:

;

ship, while, when occasion offered, he acted as
an auctioneer. His death occurred March 16,
He is
1897, when he was seventy years old.
in Rosemont cemetery,
l'doom>l»urg.
spent a few years in \'alley township, and
a short period in Montour township. Columbia
county, operating farms in those localities.
During the Civil war he served as a member
of Company E, 209th Pennsylvania \'oluntcer

buried

Infantry, for two years, participating in some
of the hardest contested conflicts of the war.
Robert Pursel married Mary Chamberlain,
a daughter of John and Mary (Erwine)
Chamberlain, of Pine township, Columbia Co.,
She died in 1892. and is also burie<l in
Pa.
Rosemont cemetery. Their children were:
Isaiah, who
who married

living

Bloomsburg;

Ella,

Alfred I'>eas; Mary, who married G. N. Hagenbuch
Rena, deceased, who
married Charles Culp Henry J. and Emily,
who married Alfred Zeigler, of Bloomsburg.
Henry J. Pursel atten(led the public schools
of his neighborhood and the Bloomsburg State
Normal School, following which he taught for
;

;

years in Columbia and Montour counties,
same time learning the molder's trade.
This latter he followed for a period, but havof auctioneering with
ing learned the business
his father when a boy he found that this was
the line of work for which he was best fitted,
and so gradually came to devote all his time
his
to it, having now the largest business of
Mr.
In
the
State.
of
this
1907
in
kind
part
Pursel built his commodious two-story home
on East street.
In April, 1898, Mr. Pursel was united
maarriage with Millie J. Kistler. a daughter of
five

at the

HENRY

PURSEL. an auctioneer, of
Columbia
Co., Pa., was born
Bloomsburg,
Aug. 15, i860, son of Robert Pursel and a
grandson of John Pursel. The paternal greatat an
grandfather came from New Jersey
J.

early day, settling in Frosty valley,
lock township, Columbia county. Pa.

Hem-

John Pursel was brought from his native
New Jersey by his father when he
was two years old. and grew up in Frosty
the blacksmith's
valley, where he learned
State of

m
.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1080

and Bessie. Mr.
was a member of the Reformed
Church, and of the P. O. S. of A., of which
he was treasurer for several years. He was
a Democrat, a member of the county committee, and held the office of tax collector of
Letitia, L. L., R. F., Irene

Fannie (Gobo) Kistler, of
Pleasant
Mount
township. Columbia Co., Pa.
Mr. Pursel attends
children.
no
have
They
he is a ReChurch.
Politically
the Lutheran
he belongs to the
while
fraternally
publican,
K. G. E. at Bloomsburg. He is one of the
most popular men in the county, having friends

Benjamin and

Daniel

good judgment and sound
common sense are recognized by the many who
have had reason to call upon his expert servall

over, and

his

ices.

m
Benj.amin Kistler, deceased, was born
Co.,
Columbia
Pa.,
Mount' Pleasant township.
on the homestead of his father. Philip Kistler.
Philip Kistler was born in Berks county, Pa.,
and came to Columbia county, settling in what
He
later became Mount Pleasant township.
established his pioneer home in the woods, and
later erected a stone residence, the first in
the township.
Buying land, he became the
owner of 216 acres, which he cleared, and died
He is buried in the Canby cemetery in
there.
Mount Pleasant township, which is near the

homestead he founded.

Philip Kistler mar-

Hayman family, and
his children were:
Nathan, who died in the
State of Indiana
John, who died at Buckhorn Benjamin Joseph, who died in childried a

member

of the

;

Maria, who married Samuel W'anich
Hester, who married Jacob Kistler; and Rebecca, who married Josiah Hess.
Benjamin Kistler secured the farm after

hood

his

;

father's

death, and spent his entire life

His remains were laid
there, dying in 1902.
to rest in the little cemetery at Canby with

Mr. Kistler was sevthe rest of his family.
enty-two years old at the time of his death.
He married Fannie Gobo, a daughter of Jacob
(Hess) Gobo. Mr. and Mrs.
became the parents of children as follows
Ida, who married John W. ]\Iasteller
Millie J., who married Henry J. Pursel and
Freas, who married May White, and is living
on the Kistler homestead in ]\Iount Pleasant
township, Columbia county.

and

Nancy

Kistler
:

;

L. H. DANIEL, deceased, was born near
Herndon, Pa., and lived there until he was
eighteen years of age. He then came to Locust township, Cokmnbia county, to work on
the farm of Daniel Knorr, in partnership with
whom he later bought the store and hotel at
Numidia. Mr. Daniel afterwards took charge
of the store and ran it until his death, on
Aug. 24, igo6, at the age of forty-nine. He
was buried in the Lutheran cemetery. He
married Charlotte, daughter of Dr. H. H.
Fox, of Numidia, and they had five children
:

Since his death the store
Locust township.
has been managed b}' his widow and family,
and Mrs. Daniel is postmistress at Numidia.
This office is served by a star route from
Catawissa, and has been for eight years a
money order office.
L. L. Daniel was born at Numidia ^Lirch
10, 1889, and has resided there all his life.

assistant to his mother in the general
and holds the office of justice of the
peace. He is a Democrat, and has been judge
of elections and watcher at the polls.
He
also holds the office of deputy game warden.
]\Ir. Daniel is a member of the I. O. O. F., and
has been secretary of the local lodge for two
is

store

years.

CHARLES GRO\ER McBRlDE
born on the old McBride farm

was
Hemlock

township, Columbia county. May 13, 1886,
son of Hugh D. McBride.
Hugh D. McBride, who was a farmer of
Hemlock township, died Aug. 19, 1901, and
his

widow now

the parents of

lives at

Buckhorn.

two children:

They were

Charles Grover;

and Anna, who is a graduate of the Bloomsburg State Normal School, class of 1910,
taught several terms in the public schools of
Hemlock township, and is now residing with
her mother.
Charles Grover McBride took a two-year
course at the Bloomsburg State Normal
School, after going through the public schools
of his native township, and for two terms
taught school in Hemlock township. In 1907
he entered State College, where he took the
horticultural

course,

being graduated there-

from with honors. Mr. .McBride then taught
in the Buckhorn high school during 1911-12,
when he accepted a position as manager of
"Uncle John's farm," located at Espy, Pa.,
on March 15, 1912. There were then 1,500
laying hens and 3,000 pigeons on the farm,
while in the orchards there were 3,000 fruit
trees.
On Oct. 8, 1912, Mr. McBride accepted a position with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania
State College cooperating, as county agriculin Mercer county. Pa.
His work \s
connected with the Mercer County Farm Bureau, which is a county organization for agricultural improvement, and maintains offices at
turist

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Greenville and Mercer, Pa.
His activity in
connection with Boys' and Girls' Cluljs has
received considerable attention throughout the
State.
Mr. McBnde is the owner of the McBride homestead in Hemlock township, which
bears the appropriate name of "Meadow
Brook Farm," and is located about a half mile
west of Buckhorn.
Having so thoroughly
identified himself with agricultural matter.s,

Mr. McBride is naturally a leading factor in
the local Grange, and is a recognized authority
upon matters pertaining to his line of work.
He still retains his connections with his col-

came

to
lUoonisburg and worked at his tridp
under [ames Shalier some seven yeirs
\t

the expiration of that
jieriod he e'ntt-rcd the
Bloomslnirg Door & Sash Factorv' and after
eighteen months' rmi)Ioyment there left to
engage with J. L. Dillon. Within a vear he
was offered the position which lie still holds.
Mr. Smith has a large force of men under his
direction, and looks after all the
building and
repair work of this large plant; he is one of
the l)est foremen the
company has ever been
able to secure.

Mr. Smith married ICmma

Alpha Zeta. The Lutheran
Church of Buckhorn holds his membershij),
and he is active in church and Sunday school

of Isaac P:. Yost,
sketch also appears

Mrs.

Smith

work.

Isaac,

who

lege

fraternity.

On June
ried to

Mr. McBride was marLois DeWitt, of Bloomsburg.
22, 1912,

LLOYD

E. SMITH, a carpenter, now acting as foreman in the Magee Car])et Mills at

Bloomsburg, was born in "Mifflin township,
Columbia Co., Pa., Jan. 22, 1866, son of John
Smith and grandson of John Smith.
John Smith, grandfather of Lloyd E. Smith,
was born in New Jersey, where he married,
and later moved to Luzerne county. Pa., settling in Black Creek township and carrying
on farming until his death. The children born
to him and his wife were:
Phineas Joseph:
William John James Kate, who married
Amos McXeal Jane, who married Fred Hill
Rebecca, who married Cyrus Young; and
Mary, who married John Sinn.
John Smith, son of John Smith, was born
in Black Creek township, Luzerne Co., Pa.,
and like his father was an agriculturist all of
his active life.
His death occurred at Hazleton, Pa., and his remains were interred at
Berwick. His wife bore the maiden name of
Catherine Best, and they had these children
Robert M., who resides in West Berwick, Pa.,
is a painter (he served during the Civil war)
Mary married William Faust Alice married
Charles ]\Iason William is deceased George
Evan is living at Nescois living at Berwick
;

;

Charles lives at Weatherly, Pa. \"irmarried Harry Singly Rosella died when
three years old Lloyd E. completes the fam-

peck

;

dilla

;

ily-

Lloyd E. Smith was educated in the public
schools of Luzerne county, and continued to
assist his father until he attained his majority.
At that time he began learning the carpenter's
trade at Berwick, in the employ of the American

Car and Foundry Company, remaining

with this concern for two years.

then

lUSi

have

lives in

of
in

the

V(jst, a

daughter

whose
Mr. and

liloomsburg.
this

work.

following

Omaha, Xebr.

;

children:
h^Inier,

and

George.
Politically Mr. Smith is a member
of the Republican i)arty. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Church of Bloomsburg, which he is now serving as steward.
Fraternally he is a member of the P. O. S. of
A., the I. O. O. F. and Rebekahs, the K. L.
of H., and the Woodmen of .America.
His
comfortable residence is located at Xo. 240
East Fifth street, Bloomsburg.

D.WID

L. GRUBER, a resident of RuColumbia Co., Pa., was born in Hemlock
township, Columbia county, near Buckhoni,
Feb. 14, 1 85 1, son of George (iruber and
grandson of George Gruber.
(jeorge Gruber. the grandfather, was boni
in Berks county. Pa., but \ery little is known
His wife's name was Uarbara. and
of him.
pert,

their children were:
George, Jacob. I'riah.
John, and two daughters.
George Gruber, son of George Gruber. was
born l-'eb. 7, 1826. and li\ed near lUicklKjrn in
Hemlock township. During the Mexican war,
in 1846. he served his country as a soldier.
On Feb. 7, 1850. George (iruber married
Catherine Ohl, a daughter of Henry Ohl. and

they had two children, David L. and Mary
Catherine, the latter dying when young.
George Gruber died in Hemlock townshij)
and was interred in the old X'anderslice grave-

married
yard in that township. His widow
(second) Daniel Smith, and had one son. Edwin Smith. She died in February. 1910. aged
the side of
eightv-two years, and is buried by
her first husband.
David L. Gruber went to the schools of his
In
district, and grew up on the homestead.
addition to farming he jearned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it for a few years
At the same time he
in Columbia county.
farmed, thus continuing until his removal to

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1082

the business
Rupert, whoro he embarked in
of hauling- sand, but after nine years resumed
him.
carpentry work, which stiU occupies
In iq04 he bought the old Monroe homestead
at Rupert, which contituies to be his home.
Mr. l^.ruber married Sarah E. Shultz. a
daughter of Russel Shultz, and they have had
George F. was drowned
children as follows
at Orangeville, Columbia Co., Pa., at the age
of eleven and a half years; Lillian C. who
married Charles McBride. resides near Ruwho
pert, in Montour township; Ray H.,
married Ida Rhoads. resides at Rupert; Lewis,
who married Ethel Smith, resides at Orange:

Edna M. married John C. Ivey.
is a Democrat in his

ville;

Mr. Cruber

political

convictions, and has been electeil on his party
The Reticket as auditor and supervisor.
formed Church holds his membership, and he
is a most excellent man, a citizen who has
endeavored to do his full duty as he

always

saw

it.

HEXRV
Civil war,

W. MELICK. a veteran of the
now living in Mount Pleasant town-

Columbia

ship.

township

Co..
Ji.

Jan.

Pa.,

was born

1841.

son

that

Andrew

years,

Miss Caroline, being his asand he also conducted a confectionery
business. During i8C)8-09 he operated a hotel
at Canby, and is in consequence of all these
business connections a very well known man,
and needless to say highly respected by all
who have the honor of his acquaintance.
Henry W. Melick married Louisa Crouse,
a daughter of Andrew Crouse, and two children were born of this union: Caroline A.,
who is at home and Esther Rosanna, who
died at the age of nineteen years. Mrs. Melick
died Feb. 22, 1910, and is interred in the
Canby cemetery m Mount Pleasant township.
The family are Lutherans. Mr. Melick is a
poet, and not only recites his own poems but
his

;

Henry W. Elijah, who is deceased; and
Peter, also deceased.
Henry W. Melick, a son of Andrew Melick.
attended the local schools and was brought
up a farmer. When his country had need of
his services he enlisted, in Company F. i7Sth
Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, serving
lick;

eleven months.
in

;

^Ir.

Company M, Heavy

Melick then reenlisted.
Artiller>%

3d Regiment,

Battery No. i, and during his term was in the
front at every battle, seeing hard service. His
second period of service extended over two

daughter,

sistant,

;

others, being noted for his ability along this
line.

ROBERT WILSON WAN HORN,

German by

birth, immigrated
an early day. locating
in Mount Pleasant township, Columbia Co..
Pa., where he rounded out his useful life.
His
dying upon the fami he had bought.
children were: Hettie. who married David
Staub and Andrew.
Andrew Melick was born in Columbia
county, and here followed farming until his
death, which occurred in 1865. upon his farm.
His remains were laid to rest in the Canby
His
cemetery, in Mount Pleasant township.
wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah
White, was a daughter of William White.
The children of Andrew Melick and his wife
were
John, who is deceased Martha, deceased; Margaret, who married Henry Mel-

John Melick.

the only living veteran of the Civil
war in Mount Pleasant township.
After his return from the war he resumed
his peaceful occupation of farming, but eventually sold his sixty-four-acre farm, now owning but eight acres. ^Ir. Melick has been active along other lines, for he was postmaster
at the Canby post office for fourteen years,

:^Ielick.

to the I'nited States at

and once more he returned home.

now

is'

a re-

farmer, now employed by the Magee
Carpet Mills. Bloomsburg. was bom May 4.
in
Greenwood township, Columbia
iSCx).
county, son of James \ an Honi, and grandson of James \'an Horn, all farmers of this
tired

county.

James \'an Horn, the grandfather, was a
Orange township. He married
Polly (Mary) Wilson, and they had the fol-

farmer of

Ellen.
Sarah.
Elizabeth,
lowing children
Xancy, Charity. James, Joseph and William.
James \'an Horn, father of Robert Wilson,
was born May S. 1810. in Orange township,
and attended the McHenry schoolhouse, work:

ing in the summer on his father's fanii and
for the neighbors arouiul in the township.
When he grew to manhood he bought a fa mi

Greenwood township, to which he added
as the years rolled by, until at his death he
possessed three farms aggregating 200 acres.
He retired about two years before his death
and left the work of the famis to his sons.
in

married

Mrs. Margaret C. Cunuiiings,
of James Cumiuings and daughter of
John and Letty (^Miller) \\'ilson. the latter a
daughter of Joseph and Margaret Miller. The
children of this marriage were: Letty. widow
of Owen Wolf, of Luzenie county; Jaiues
Clvde. who married Maria Blish. living in

Widow

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ljl(j(jmsl)urti^; Robert Wilson, nu'iUioiied below; and Charles Xevvton, John Miller and
Harriet Emma, who died in infancy.
James \'an Horn died in (ireenwood town-

ship April 13, 1886, and his wife, who was
born April 21, 1819, died Sept. 22, 1891. iJoth
are buried in the Rohrsburg cemetery, in Columbia county. At his death his son James
Clyde inherited the sixty-nine-acre farm, Robert W., the seventy-six-acre farm, and Mrs.
Owen Wolf the fifty-six-acre farm. Mr. Van
Horn was a Democrat, and served as school
director of Greenwood township. He and his
wife were active members of the Presbyterian
He was a member of Rohrsburg
Church.
Grange. Xo. 108, until his death.
Robert \V. \"an Horn was educated in the
Center schoolhouse, in (ireenwood township,
and w orked on his father's farm until he was
married. After his father's death he operated
the farm he had inherited until the spring of
1908, when he rented to a tenant and moved
He is
to Bloomsburg, where he now resides.
employed at the Magee Carpet Mills, and
^Ir. \'an
lives in a hne home on Fair street.

Republican, and is a member of
Lodge, No. 809, I. O. O. F., and of
Bloomsburg Grange. lie was first a member
of the Greenwood Methodist Church, was a
trustee and superintendent of the Sunday
school, and now attends the First Methodist

Horn

Millville

Church of Bloomsburg. By his marriage to
Laura A. Fisher he has had children as follows: Edwin Ray, born Feb. 23, 1886, graduated at Millville Seminary, also from the
Peirce business school, of Philadelphia, and
located at Cleveland, Ohio, Harry
is now
Fisher, born Sept. 11, 1887, married to Zelda
M. Getzinger, is a graduate of the Williamson
Trade School and now an instructor in the
Hampton \'a. Institute for Negroes; Ruth,
born Dec. 6, 1894, died in childhood.
Laura A. Fisher (Mrs. Robert W. \^an
Horn) was born in Mount Pleasant township.
May 8, i860, and is a daughter of Jacob and
She obtained her
Ruth
Dildine) Fisher.
education in the Mount Pleasant schools and
(

)

(

the

Orangeville Academy, and remained at

home until her marriage. She was formerly
a member of the Kitchen's Methodist Church,
later of the Greenwood Church, and now attends the First Methodist Church of Bloomsburg; she is a member of the Missionary
teacher
Society and has been a Sunday school
her
of
membership.
entire
the
]>eriod
during
Fisher, father of Mrs. \'an Horn,

Jacob

in Schuylkill county. Pa., Nov. 29.
butcher of that
1832, son of Joseph Fisher, a

was born

1083

county, who died when Jacob was but eight
years old. lie left another son, liirani. 'Hie
nujther later married a .Mr. BullcK-k.
iiy whom
she had tw(j children:
Catherine, deceased.
wife cjf James Duffy, and Isaac,
living. Jacob
lisher attended the scIkjoIs of Montour coun-

near Danville, and went to live with a
fariuer, James Everett, for a few years after
his father's death.
He followed the
ty,

occupa-

tion of canal bcjatman f(jr a time, later moved
to I'.loomsburg and learned the trade of saddler,

and worked

mer and

sumand carriage trimming in

at carpeiUering in the

sadcllery

His first wife was Henrietta
died about a year after her marriage, and then he marrie<l Ruth, daughter
of Andrew and Ruth
DiMine, by
Bogart
the

winter.

Ritter,

who

(

which union he
Gertrude; Laura

ha<l

these

children:

Lelia

John Ritter, who married Dora Bowman, and lives in .Scranton
Hiram; Joseph; and Andrew. .Ml of these
.\.;

;

died young with the exception of
Laura A. and John Ritter. Mrs. Ruth Dildine) Fisher was born .May 12, 1836. and
died July 8, 1874. She and three of her children are buried at Kitchen's Church, and the

children

(

oldest child at Bloomsburg.
Jacob Fisher took as his third wife Rozctta,
daughter of William and Rachel (Grimes)
Kitchen, and they had these children: Martha

\'eda and Earl Eugene, living in St. Joseph.
The
Mo., and Utie, who died in infancy.
mother of these died at the age of forty-eight
and is buried at Kitchen's Church, in Mount
In the latter part of his
Pleasant township.
life Jacob Fisher bought a tract of thirty
acres in Mount Pleasant township, upon which
he resided until his death. March 3, 1907. He
was a Republican, a member of Mountain
of
Lodge. I. O. O. F.. of Orangeville. and
He was a trusMillville.
\'alley Grange, of
of the Sunday
tee, steward and .superintendent
school of the Kitchen's Methodist Church.

GUV ALFRED REED,

who

for

some

with one of the
years has been associated
concerns in Pennsyllargest manufacturing
of
is one of the substantial residents
vania,

Berwick.
lune 30,

He was

born

Shamokin. Pa.,
Amelia

1884. son of Alfred and
Reed.
X'alere (Scholl
at
\lfred Reed was born Jan. 16. 1840.
)

lives retircfl
Schuvlkill Haven. Pa., and now
Shamokin. His educational trainmg was
native place.
received in the schools of his
he
\fter working on the canal a few years
the rest of
and
in
Shamokin.
1874.
to
went
in the employ of the
his active life was spent

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1084

of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, part
time as engineer, running between Shamokin
and Mount Carmel.
During the thirty-six
as a railroad man,
years he was employed
seventeen years as engineer, he made the remarkable record of never having had an accident, and was recognized as one of the most
careful engineers in the employ of the com-

pensioned. His wife, who
came from Berks county, was bom Sept. 13,
and died
1850, at Rehrersburg, that county,
at Shamokin, where she is
1,
12,

pany.

July
buried.

now

191

They were married

Myerstown,
Pa., Dec. 31, 1867, and their children were:
Libby married Wesley B. McCloughan and
resides at Shamokin; Charles W. married
Mary Murray and lives at Shamokin Carrie
(deceased) married Franz Goldman and had
and
deceased
two children, Alfred Guy
Donald, and she and her son are buried in
the cemetery at Shamokin Jennie, who married Lewis Rebuch, lives at Philadelphia Guy
Alfred is mentioned below Gertrude Rebecca
and Stella complete the family. Alfred Reed
;

)

(

;

Republican

his

The German Reformed

political

Church

sentiments.
holds his

membership.
Horace Reed, the great-grandfather of Guy
Alfred Reed, came from Germany and was
one of the first settlers in Schuylkill county,
Pa.
By trade he was a cabinetmaker. He
took up some government land, cleared it. and
had a very good farm. When the canal was
built through Schuylkill county it cut through
his land, and he sold his property to the Canal
Company and moved to Schuylkill Haven,
where he died. He was buried at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county.
Moses Reed, son of Horace
grandfather of Guy Alfred, was
Schuylkill Haven Dec. 20, 1809.
tailor by trade and followed that
nearly

all

his life in Schuylkill

married Maria Kentner,

Reed, and
born near
-^^

^^'^^

occupation

Haven.

who was born

Schuylkill Haven Jan. 22, 1814, and died May
Ten children were born to this
14, 1898.
union, six sons and four daughters. Mr. Reed
was a stanch Democrat, a member of the

Odd

Fellows, and of the German Lutheran
Church. He died in June, 1884, and is buried
at Orwigsburg. His wife is burled at Schuyl-

Haven.

kill

Guy Alfred Reed was educated

pany
tion,
cific

at Hazleton, Pa.
Resigning that posihe became agent for the Atlantic & PaTea Company at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and

also clerked in the store of the company at
In September, 1909, he came to
that place.
Berwick, and entered the truck shop of the
axle department of the American Car and

Foundry Company, under John Cope, foreman, and C. G. Porteus, superintendent, and
there he has since remained.

Luzerne
Mr. Reed married Lucretia Norman, born Nov. 29, 1887, daughter of Edward
and Ella (Rhoades) Norman, from Milton,
N. J.
They have had children as follows:
\'alere Amelia, born May 30. 1904; .Adeline
Norman, born Sept. 26, 1906, who died Feb.
7, 1909, and is buried in Pine Grove cemetery,
Berwick Theodore Alexander, born Sept. 6,
1908; Guy Alfred, born April 11. 1910; William Sanford Norman, born Feb. 22, 1912;
and Lee .Arlington, born Jan. 19, 1914. Mr.
Reed is independent in politics. He is a member of the First Methodist Church and faithCo.,

Sept. 24, 1903, at Nescopeck.

Pa.,

;

ful to its creed, as

in the

discharge of

all

his duties in life.

GEORGE W. MILLER,
township, has passed

all

Greenwood

his life there

engaged
He was born in the
farming pursuits.
township July 24, 1859. son of John and Mary
(Rombachj Miller, who had a family of six
children, two sons and four daughters, viz.
Eliza A. married Flenry Parker, a farmer of
Greenwood township, and had two sons. John
Boyd and Bruce Sarah married Asher K.
Follmer, a farmer, formerly of Pine township, now living at Millville, and they had
three children, one son and two daughters,
Alary (married to Rev. J. H. Bettens). Clinton (living at Rocky Ford. Colo.), and Irene
(keeping house for her father at Millville);
vSamuel A., a farmer of Greenwood township,
married Clara McAIichael and had two sons,
H. Herbert (Hving at Berwick) and Ray;
Susan E. married Gideon Michael, of Berwick George W. is mentioned below Clara,
deceased, was the wife of Howard Lyons, a
farmer of Pine township. John Miller, the
father of this family, was a cabinetmaker as
in

;

well as a farmer.
in the

Gar-

school at Shamokin, from which he was
graduated. Immediately thereafter he began
working for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, as a fireman, but later clerked in the
company's office at Gum Run, and then befield

came agent for the Grand Union Tea Com-

George W.

Aliller

obtained his education

the local public schools and Alillville Academy,
and he has been a lifelong farmer, cultivating
a place in Greenwood township. He has given
his fellow citizens valuable service in various
local positions, having served ably as town-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ship supervisor (three terms) and school (hrector.
His pubhc spirit was well shown in
his devotion to the general welfare in his discharge of the duties of these offices, and his

work was thoroughly appreciated.
On May 9, 1889, Mr. Miller was married
to Bertha Z. Mather, of Greenwood township,
daughter of Henry Mather, a farmer. They
have had four children,

all still at

home, born

Ora J., July 25, 18(90 (engaged
near home)
John Edwin, Oct.

as follows:

8,
teaching,
1892; Jesse Carl, June 28. 1896; Truman Roy,
Mr. Miller and his family
April 30, igoo.
attend the ^Methodist Episcopal Church.
;

engagements:

Bath. \ a.
Hancock.
mchester, Port Republic, Slaughter

THOMAS EDGAR,

a retired farmer and
war, resides in his
home at Benton, and is still interested in the
events of the day and the developments of
modern times. His recollection of the battles
of the Civil war in which he was engaged are
very vivid and accurate, and he takes pleasure
in discussing, in the light of later developments, the causes and results of that great

veteran

the

Civil

conflict.

Thomas

Edgar, his grandfather, from
whom he acquired the name, was a native of
Townhill, Luzerne Co., Pa., where he farmed
all of his lifetime, dying there, and there he
is
buried.
His children were
Eliphias,
:

Abraham and Andrew.
Andrew Edgar, father of Thomas Edgar,
whose name introduces this article, was born
Nov. I, 1814, in Luzerne county, and when
but a youth went to Davidson township, Sullivan county, where he bought a farm and
pursued agricultural work until his last years,
when he moved to Benton to live with his son
Thomas, in whose home he passed away May
1899, in the eighty-tifth year of his age.
married Dinah Glidewell, who was born in
Northumberland county, and died in Sullivan

Md.

;

Moun-

tain,

Rappahannock

(Jap.

Bull Run.
I'Vedericksburg, Chancelior.s\\'api)ing Heights, Kelly's 1-ord. and
Run, \a. the Wilderness campaign;

ville,

Mine

Station,

Thoroughfare

;

and was with (irant

until discharged, Dec. 14,
front of Petersburg. \a.
Passing
through all these battles unscatlu-cj. he was
unfortunate enough to be ibrown from a mule
while acting as teamster and struck upon his
back on a stumj).
From the effects of this
injury and the dislocation of both ankles, while
in

18(^)4,

on march, he has never

fully recovered.
return to Sulli\an county Mr.
Edgar si)ent four years recuperating, and
then bought a farm of fifty acres in I'.enton
To this portion of the
township, in iSfjg.

his

Upon

1085

Laubach

John

he added

tract

twenty-four

acres by purchase, and successfully cultivated
it until
1899, when he retired to live in l>enton
lie marl)orough, renting the homestead.
ried, Feb. 4, 1866, Rosanna M., daughter of
Christopher I?. Sperry, and she died July 13.
191 2; she is interred in the cemetery of the

Raven Creek Presbyterian Church. Xo chilMr. Edgar is a
dren came to this union.
Republican and while in I'enton township
served six years as o\erseer of the poor, lie
has been a member of the Grange for several
vears.

STEPHEN

SEIPLE, who

is a skilled
1878, in llollenback township, Luzerne Co.. Pa., son of Jeremiah Jacob and Rosetta (-Dreisbach Seiple.
Jeremiah Jacob Seiple was a son of Jesse
Pa.
P>y ocSeiple, who was born at Easton.
He
cupation he was a miller and millwright.
and his wife, whose maiden name was Kline,

machinist,

was born July

)

family of five children:

I>ank. de-

28,

had

ceased; Jerome; Ohver, who married .\nnie
and Jeremiah Jacob.
Sanderson
C^rover
and
lesse Seiple was a Democrat in politics

They had these children:
county in 1878.
Esther A., Amanda K., Rachel, Sarah J.,
and
Andrew,
Jeremiah
James,
Joseph,
Thomas.

Thomas Edgar was born

Davidson town-

and atship, Sullivan county. May 31. 1839,
tended the little country schools until he was
Most of
old enough to labor on the farm.
the time he drove a team for his father until
the beginning of the Civil war, when he en-

Company B, 84th Regiment, Pennattached to the 3d Di\iVolunteers,
sylvania
He was mustered in
sion. 3d Army Corps.
at Harrisburg and assigned to the Army of
the Potomac, and took part in the following
listed

;

Methodist.
Jacob Seiple. the father of Stenear
phen C. Seiple, was born April 15. 1839.
IJowman's Mill, in Orange township. He attended the country schools, learned the millin religion a

leremiah

P""or ten
a mill.
wright's trade, and operated
on fifty-nine acres of
years he was a farmer
timland and also had twenty-nine acres of
marHe
in
Centre
township.
berland, both
of Isaac and
ried Rosetta Dreisbach, daughter
and
Dreisbach.
they had
Mary Shellhammer
wife of
three children:
Stephen C. Ida A.,
ilham
of
wife
Cora
E..
and
Samuel Gross
G Kirchdoerfer. They were members of the
)

(

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1086

German Reformed Church.

In politics the

father was a Democrat.

Isaac Dreisbach, the maternal grandfather
of Stephen C. Seiple, was a miller and farmer
in

Black Creek township, Luzerne Co., Pa.,

and

built

three mills

that

locality.

The

Dreisbachs originally owned the Seiple farm.
The children of Isaac Dreisbach and wife
were: Stephen, Mrs. John Schod. Mrs. Lewis
Frederick, Mrs. Samuel Miller, Mrs. Reuben
Shuman, Mrs. Michael Shelley, and Rosetta,
all

now

deceased.

The family

originated in

Germany.
Stephen C. Seiple attended the public
schools at Brown's Grove in Luzerne county
and at Zion's Grove, in Schuylkill county.
After he left school he worked with his father
at milling and as a millwright until he was
In 1897 he came to
nineteen years of age.
Berwick and entered the machine department
of the Jackson & Woodin Company, where he

was under John Bogardus, superintendent,
and Jacob Moyer, foreman. He was sent to
the steel plant of the American Car and Foundry Company under John Heavner, as superintendent, and Frederick Stephenson, superintendent of the machine department, Bruce
C. Dietterick being foreman.

The winter of

1899-1900 he spent in Maine (Oldtown), correcting mistakes on freight cars built for the

Bangor & Aroostock railroad. For four years
Air. Seiple was night foreman of the machine
department, a very responsible position. He
is an all around machinist, which means that
he thoroughly understands ever\' detail and is

work in every department.
Mr. Seiple was married in 1902 to Ora
Blanche Kling, who was born July 4, 1878.

qualified to

and they have the following children: Alildred E., born July 5, 1903 Dorothy R., Aug.
7, 1905; Jessie May, July 12, 1908; Tennis G.,
Nov. 23, 191 1 Oleta Blanche, April 8, 1913.
Mr. Seiple and his family belong to the German Reformed Church. In politics he is in;

;

dependent.

who died at Berwick Jan. 31, 191 1. They
had children as follows
Alildred married
Harry Wanick Anna married L. S. Jacoby
Wilbur married Alae Pugh, who is deceased
Ora Blanche is Mrs. Seiple.
During the Rebellion Jacob Kling enlisted
for service in the Union army, Oct. 29, 1861,

holds membership in

Knapp

Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M., of which he is
past master: in Royal Arch Chapter, No. 218,
Bloomsburg; Mount Moriah Council, No. 10,
Bloomsburg, and Crusade Commandery, No.
12, Knights Templar, Bloomsburg.
Jacob Kling, Mrs. Seiple's father, was born
Jan. 25, 1841, at Howard, Center Co., Pa.,
and was a farmer until his removal to Berwick, where he served as janitor of the Y. M.
C. A. building and later of the Berwick high
school building.
He died at Berwick April
He married Sarah Riegel, a native
17, iq04.
of Clinton county. Pa., born Nov. 20, 1846,

;

at Harrisburg, joining Capt. Israel R. Shaeffer's Company (E), 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Col. William B. Sipes, for three

took part in the following battles
Tenn., May 5, 1862; Lavergne,
Tenn., Oct. 7, 1862; Nashville, Nov. 5, 1862;
Franklin, Tenn., Dec. 12, 1862; Stone River,
Tenn., Dec. 26-31. 1862, and Jan. 1-5, 1863;

years.

Lebanon,

Rover,

Tenn.,
Alarch

31,
1863; Unionville,
1863; Snow Hill. Tenn.,
April 3, 1863; McMinnville. Tenn.. April 21,
1863; Shelbyville, Tenn., June 27, 1863;
Sparta, Tenn., Aug. 17. 1863; Chickamauga,
Mr. Kling vetGa., Sept. 18, 19, 21, 1863.
eranized Nov. 28, 1863, at Huntsville. Ala.,
and was mustered in at Nashville. Tenn., Jan.
He took part in the following bat4, 1864.

Tenn.,

tles:

Ga.,

Jan.

May

Dallas, Ga.,

June

1864;

2";,

1864; Big Shanty,

McAfee's Cross Roads,

Tune II, 1864; Noonday Creek, Ga., Tune 30.
1864; Flat Rock, Ga., July 2% 1864; Atlanta,
Ga., Aug. 12. 1864; Lovejoy Station. Aug.
20, 1864; X'inning's Station, Sept. 2, 1864;
Rome, Ga., Oct. 13, 1864; Lead's Cross
Roads, Nov. i, 1864; P.ardstown, Ky., Dec.
29, 1864;

Selma,

bus, Ga.,

April

May

1865.

April 2, 1865: Colum1865; near Macon. Ga.,
was discharged at Macon,

.\la.,

16,

Aug. 23. 1865.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kling were members of
the Methodist Church of Berw^ick. He was a
Republican, and a member of Capt. C. G.
Jackson Post, No. 159, Berwick. He and his
wife are buried in Pine Grove cemetery,
Ga.,

Berwick.
Mrs. Sarah (Riegel) Kling was a daughter
of Isaac and Rebecca Riegel, farming people
of Clinton county. Pa., who had nine children:
Sarah, deceased, Mrs. Kling; Annie,
wife of William Kiester Etta, deceased. Mrs.
John E. \'oneida Cordelia; John; .Arthur,
William
who married Mary Thompson
Frank and Charles, who married Lettie Dietrich.
Isaac Riegel was a Republican, and he
and his wife were members of the Reformed
Church. They are buried in the Bethel ceme:

;

tery in Clinton county.

MRS. ELLERETTA STOUT, widow
Sheridan Wright Stout,

and respected

citizen

who was
of

a well

Berwick.

known

Pa.,

was

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
born

in Briarcrcek township, Columbia Co.,
Feb. 16, 1869, daughter of P>urtis ancl
Amanda (Hineyj Garrison.
John Garrison, her paternal grandfather,

Pa.,

was born

Germany, came to America, and
New Jersey, from there moving

first settled in

Luzerne county. Pa. He married Sarali
Seeley, and had ten children, all of whom
He and his wife are
lived to mature years.

buried at Beach Grove, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania.

Burtis Garrison, son of John, was born
April 25, 1837, in Luzerne county, and followed farming all his life. He died Jan. 14,
1912, at Foundryville.

His

first

wife, Susan

Thomas, left two children. His second marriage was to Amanda Hiney, born Feb. 14,
1847, whose parents came from Germany, and
they had thirteen children, all of whom died
young except Elleretta and Ardee, the latter
of whom is the wife of John Klinetob. a
farmer near Foundryville; they have two chilAfter the death of his second wife,
which occurred Feb. 27, 1883, Air. Garrison
married Rose De Haven, and six children
were born to them.
Elleretta Garrison was given public school
advantages at Berwick and spent her girlhood
On Dec. 27,
years under her father's roof.
1886, she was married to Sheridan Wright
Stout, who was born June 14, 1867, and died
dren.

Tune 14, 1908, at the "age of forty-one years,
"Mr. Stout learned the carpenter's trade with
his father and worked at the same from boyhood, being constantly promoted for efficiency.
He was engaged as a high class mechanic with

American Car and Foundry Company at
Berwick as a template maker, having been
sent to Detroit by the company to learn that
business, and was highly valued bv his emthe

ployers.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Stouf Mabel, born Tune 27, 1888, who died

April
189s: Garrison, born April 21, 1891,
a competent^ machinist now in Cleveland,
Ohio; and Dearneth, born Oct. 27, 1895. who
ls connected with the American Car and FounII,

Berwick.

dry Companv
Mrs. Stout attends the Foundryville Methodist Episcopal Church and is a member of the
Ladies' Aid Society.

FRANK WESLEY HAGENBUCH

and favorablv known resident of F.erwick, where he is connected with the auditing
department of the American Car and Foundry
Mr Hagenbuch is a native PennComiVinv

well

^ylvai^an",

born

nefr

Shickshinny,

Luzerne

1087

county, June 14, 1880, ami was a youth
he came to Berwick.

when

After completing his
primary training in
Market street graded school, Mr. llagenbuch became a student in the Berwick
high
.school, and during bis vacation periods worked
for Jackson <!v WOodin, as coremaker in the
lie has been connected with the
foundry,
American Car & b'oundry Company since
1899, the year of its formation, and through
good and faithful services has steadily advanced in position. His first employment with
this comjjany was in the
capacitv of timekeejjcr and weighmaster in the f(jrge department and rolling mill, where he remaine(l for
one year, and in 1900 he went to the storcthe

house, as general storekeeper of the plant,
under F. E. Bloss, auditor. In 1901 he entered the auditing dejxirtment, and in 1906
went to the steel plant as shop representative
of the auditing dcjiartment.
There he lias
since continued.
Mr. Hagenbuch is one of
his company's most trusted employees and
through fidelity and energy has earned the
confidence and respect of his emi)loyers and
fellow employees.
Mr. Hagenbuch married Ethel I'aust, wlio
was born June 24, 1889, daughter of I'rank
L. and Hannah
Alleger) Faust, of lUooms(

burg, and they have one son, Frank I'aust,
Mr. Hagenbuch is a
born Jan. 30. 1914.
member of the Washington i)arty. He and
his wife are associated with the Presbyterian

Church, where they have numerous friends,

John Faust, the great-grandfather of .Mrs.
Frank W. Hagenbuch. was a native of Pennsylvania, born in the vicinity of Xorihampton.
m
John H. Faust, her grandfather, was born
March
1828.
Pa.,
14.
Northampton county,
and was a shoemaker by vocation, followmg

throughout his

tli'i^

calling

Dec.

11, 1899,

life.

and was buried

died

New Colum-

He married Julia A. Shcphard. who was
born Dec. 19. 1831, and died Dec 24. !•/>>
and was laid to rest beside her husbanr. Mr.
and Mrs. Faust were the parents of the foiEmma marncd William A.
lowing children
marnec Will. am J- ^.orell;
A
Girton Agnes
Frank L. married Hannah A legcr; William
H. married Elizabeth Russell Harry marbia.

;

Heller;

> argaret
Andy C harles B.
Pearl Hartman
Edward married njarned

citizens,

who

ried Ida

Lulu married Reuben Young. Mr. Faust was
man
a Democrat in his political views, and a
of importance and
^ ^^'low
His abiht.es were '"«"--.^^;";^'l^°"^7Xw
appreciated by h
fidence in

their confrequently evidenced

him bv

electing

him

township

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1088

he
including that of assessor, in which
served capably and faithfully. His wife was
a consistent member of the Lutheran Church,
which Mr. Faust also attended.
Frank L. Faust, the father of Mrs. Hagen-

offices,

buch. was boni Nov. 25. 1858, at Buckhorn,
Columbia county, and there secured his eduAs a youth he
cation in the public schools.
learned the milling business with George \\
Dreisbach, outside of Bloomsburg, and has
been connected with that industry ever since,
now being the manager of the Aqueduct Mill,
at Rupert, in the outskirts of Bloomsburg.
.

Mr. Faust was married to Hannah AUeger
Feb. 18, 1882, and they have become the
Wilbur L.
parents of the following children
Edith, who married Benjamin Creveling; Ar:

;

Letitia Lunger Ethel, who
Frank Wesley Hagenbuch; and
Reber. Mr. Faust is a member of the Order
of Heptasophs, and is a Republican in poliWith his family he is associated with
tics.

thur,

who married

;

of the war he returned to the peaceful pursuits of farming, and through energy and industry became a successful man, having a well
cultivated tract of fifty-one acres at New
Columbus, Luzerne Co.. Pa. Mr. Alleger
married Susan Kindig. daughter of John and
Elizabeth Kindig, of Northumberland county,
Pa., and they became the parents of the following children: Norman B. married Emma
Lanning; Kimber married Hattie Loney;
Charles W. married Alice Rhone Hulda marHannah married Frank
ried Ashabel Richie
L. Faust Cyrus married Bertha Brittain. The
mother of this family was a member of the
^lethodist Church. Mr. Alleger was a Democrat in his political views, and was a popular
comrade of Orangeville Post. Grand Army of
;

;

the Republic.

married

the Presbyterian Church.
The Alleger family originated in France,
whence the founder of the family in America
emigrated to New Jersey. In that State was

born John Alleger, the grandfather of ^Irs.
Faust' and great-grandfather of ]vlrs. Hagenbuch, in 1792. He was a cooper by trade. In
young manhood he moved to Jonestown, Columbia Co., Pa., and there continued to be
engaged in farming operations on a large scale
until the time of his death, in 1884, at the age
Mr. Alleger married
of ninety-two years.

Elizabeth Stayley, also a native of Xew Jerthe folsey, and they became the parents of
John Y.. who married Susan
lowing children
'Kindig; Catherine, who became the wife of
:

Henry Zuppinger;

Eliza,

who married

La-

bor; Emily, who married Henry Simmons;
George; Teresa, who married Andrew Creveling; Charity,

man and one
;

who married George Hartwho went to the West and

son

ROLAND

O. BROCKWAY. an attorney
Berwick. Columbia, county, was born at
Beach Haven, Luzerne, Co.. Pa., May 4, 1877,
son of Frank E. and Cora E. (Campbell)
Brockway, and grandson of Beckwith Brock-

way.

The founders of the Brockway family in
country came here in the "^layflower."
and settled at New London, Conn. The pa-

this

ternal great-grandfather of

Roland O. Brock-

way came from New London
ty. Pa., where
a useful life.

to Wayne counhe bought land, and died after

Beckwith P)rockway. the grandfather of Roland O. Brockway. was born at New London, Conn., and settled in Luzerne county.
Pa., where he became a farmer, owning at one
time land along the Pennsylvania canal. For
some years he was colonel of a militia regiment at Berwick, but spent the latter jiart of
his life at Harrisburg. where he was State
His death occurred when he was
librarian.
sixty-two years old.
Frank E. Brockway.

son

Beckwith

Brockway. was born at P.cach Haven. Pa., and
was a manufacturer of brick and a farmer.
In 1909 he retired after a more than ordiColumbia county, in 1830, and died in 1908, narilv successful lite, and is now residing at
at the age of seventy-eight years.
Although I'.eac'h Haven. During the Civil war he served

passed away there some years later.
John Y. Alleger, the maternal grandfather
of Mrs. Hagenbuch, was born at Jonestown.

he received only a common school education as a soldier, having enlisted Jan. i. 1862. in
he continued to be a student all his life and Luzerne county, in Battery F, 1st Regiment.
was considered a well-read man, with broad Pennsylvania Reserve X'olunteers, Light Arinformation on important subjects. He early tillerv. under Capt. E. W. Matthews and Col.
adopted farming as his life work, and was R. B. Ricketts. He was discharged Dec. 31.
so engaged until the outbreak of the Civil 1863.
Reenlisting Jan. i. 1864. in the same
war. when he enlisted in the Union army, his battery, he was discharged June 9. 1865. with
term of enlistmeiit covering a period of three the rank of second lieutenant. He had paryears and his field service including Gettys- ticipated in the battles of Cedar Mountain.
burg and other notable battles. At the close Second Bull Run. Antietam. Fredericksburg.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1089

home

at Beach Haven.
Mrs. Brockway is
one of a family of live children: One who
died in infancy; Millie, who married
John W.
Thomas, of Beach Haven; Mary, who is a
teacher in the Ncscopeck schools; Leslie
R., of Berwick.
B.,
For years Mr. Brockway has been holding a graduate of the public schools and Havervarious county and township offices and for ford College, now a teacher in Philadelphia;
some years was warden of the Luzerne coun- and Mrs. Brockway.
Mr. and Mrs. Brockway have had two chilFor several years he was mercanty prison.
At present dren
Frank Eugene and Koljcrt S. Fratile appraiser of Luzerne county.
he is a director of the First National Bank, ternally Mr. Brockway belongs to Berwick
and a director of the water company of Ber- Lodge No. 462, F. & A. M., of which
he is worshipful master; to the Salem Grange;
wick.
Mrs. Cora E. (Campbell) Brockway, moth- the Columbia Cf unity Bar Association the
er of Roland O. Brockway, was born at Beach Luzerne County Bar Association and is popuHaven, Pa., a daughter of James S. Camp- lar in all. Politically he is a Democrat.
bell.
James Campbell, her grandfather, was

Chancellorsville,
Gettysburg,
Spottsylvania,
Cold Harbor, the Wilderness and the siege of
Richmond, as well as smaller engagements.
He is a member of C. G. Jackson Post, G. A.

;

natiVe

Scotland,

and coming

this

New

Jersey and later in Luhe engaged in farmwhere
zerne, county, Pa.,

country lived in

lames S. Campbell was born in Luzerne
county, and there grew to manhood, engaging
For some years he was collector
in farming.
He
the
for
Pennsylvania Canal Company.
in
Salem
life
his
township.
spent
Mrs. Brockway died Nov. 20, 1912. She
was the mother of five children, two of them
died in infancy, while two died after atO. Brockway
taining maturity, leaving Roland
ing,

Those now deceased
as the sole survivor.
who attained to mature years were: Elizaof Berbeth, who married James L. Evans,

who marwick, and died in 1896; and Marie,
ried M. Jackson Crispin, of New York, and
died in 1907.
Roland O. Brockway spent his boyhood on
his father's farm, and was educated in the
schools of Beach Haven and the high school
of Berwick, from which he was graduated in
Cornell Uni1895. Following this he entered
therefrom in 1898
versity, and was graduated
with the degree of LL.B. For eighteen months
the office with
following Mr. Brockway was in
G. L. Halsey, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and S. J.
Strauss, who is now judge of Luzerne county.
he was admitted to the bar
In
July, 1900,

in October of that year
the practice of his profession at
Berwick, where he has continued ever since.
In addition to looking after his large practice Mr. Brockway is interested in farmmg.

Luzerne county, and

commenced

June 27, 1907. Mr. Brockway was married to Belva L. Seely, a native of Salem
of Samtownship, Luzerne county, daughter

and Elizabeth (Patterson) Seely. Mr.
born in Salem township, where he
was
Seely

uel P.

spent his
in

1909.
69

engaged in farming, dying there
His widow survives, making her

life

OSCAR E. McBRIDE, of Berwick, a longtime emi)loyee in the store of what is now the
American Car and Foundry Comi)any. formerly carried on by the Jackson ^ VVoodin
Manufacturing Company, bears a name much
respected in Columbia county and all over
this section of Pennsylvania, where the family
has been established for several generations.
He is a son of George McBride and grandson
of Hugh McBride.
The family originally
came

to this country

from Scotland.

Hugh McBride was

born in the vicinity of
Buckhorn, Columbia county, and was a farmer
in his early years.

In his latter life he

moved

New

Columbus, where he died at the age
of ninety-one years. He was a Democrat in
politics and a Methodist in religious faith. All
his children were born to his first marriage,
with Mary Mack
George, who married
Louisa Emory, and after her death married
her sister, Margaretta Emory Shadrach L.,
who married Caroline A. Taylor; Sally, Mrs.
Henry Smith; Roxana, Mrs. Meyers; and
Maggie, Mrs. Samuel Krickbaum. Hugh McB ride's second wife was Susan Bowman.
George McBride. son of Hugh, was born
in Centre township. Columbia county, and
to

;

lived

the

age of sixty-four years.

farmed and was employed as a stable boss
for the Lindemann-Skeer Company, at Humboldt. Luzerne county. After selling his own
farm he rented land, and at last sold out his
farming interests and moved to Berwick. He
and his wife are buried at Townhill, in Luzerne

county.

first

married

Louisa

Emory, daughter of Peter and Huldah (Bowman) Emory, of New Columbus, and they
had children'as follows: Oscar E. and WilMr. Mcliam, who married Mabel .Adams.
Bride was a Republican in political sentiment,
and sened his country during the Civil war.
;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1090

an active member of the Methodist
Church, which he served as trustee, and held
membership in the Odd Fellows Lodge at
Berwick.
Oscar E. McBride. son of George, was born

He was

Oct. 27. 1854, at Berwick, Columbia county,
and until he reached the age of fourteen had
educational advantages, attending the

good
Market Street Academy in his native town,
and also the academy at New Columbus, Pa.
The family lived on a farm at New Columbus, and then moved to ]\Iooresburg, about
three miles below Danville, remaining at that
location about three years. In 1873 Air. McBride came to Bervv^ick, where he has since
had his home. For several years thereafter
he was employed in the car shops of the Jack-

son & Woodin Manufacturing Company, in
1880 entering the Jackson & Woodin store as
He has been connected with the store
clerk.
the present, and is now in
continuously
charge of the cigar and tobacco department. As
a man of estimable character he has been
higrhlv resrarded in Berwick, where he is well
known in various associations. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and of the MethIn politics he supports the Reodist Church.
to

publican party.

Mr. McBride married Laura K. Ruch, of
Berwick, and their only child, Miss L. Rachel
McBride, is now one of the most efficient public school teachers in Berwick, having charge

Her personal qualities
of the eighth grade.
and intellectual attainments have gained her
a warm place in the esteem of all classes in
the borough.
The Ruch family came

into

this

section

Lawrence Ruch, Mrs.
McBride's grandfather, moving hither from
that county in an early day.
He had charge
of
the
between
Hazleton
and
tollgate
from Bucks county,

Pa.,

Berwick.

John Ruch, father of Mrs. McBride, was
day one of the best known residents of
Berwick and the surrounding territory, his

in his

twenty-four years of service as postmaster
bringing him into touch with most of the citizens of the locality.
He was born in Berwick, and died about 1882-83. By trade he
was a saddler. To his union with Ann Herin
were born the following children
Jane FanAlice, Mrs. Thomas
nie, Mrs. A. H. Rush
Welliver; William, who married first Dimis
Mervin and (second) Ole Andreas; James,
who married Elmira Evans; Helen, Mrs.
Alfred Waltman
Margaret, Mrs. William
Boyles Samuel, who married Louisa Kurtz
:

;

Laura K., Mrs. McBride; and Anna, Mrs.
Charles George.

BARTON
flinville,

ERMN,

Columbia

now Hving

was born

Co., Pa.,

MifMif-

township, that county, Feb. 8, 1873, son of
Stephen and Margaret N. (Watters) Ervin.
Stephen Ervin was born in Schuylkill county. Pa., whence he came to Columbia county
A miller, he worked at
in young manhood.
his trade with John Brown and at various
points in the county, and died in 1879 O" the
Watters homestead in ]\Iifflin township. He
married Margaret N. Watters, who was born
in Mifflin township, daughter of Lawrence
Watters, the latter a native of England who
came to the United States after a short residence at Toronto. Canada. After locating in
Mifflin township he taught school in addition
flin

to farming, and was a justice of the peace.
His death occurred in Mifflin township, where
his daughter, Mrs. Ervin, still resides.
Stephen Ervin and his wife had the following
Barton E., James and John, the
children:
last two being deceased.
Barton E. Ervin was educated in the schools
of his native township, and after attaining
maturity associated himself with A. W. Sny-

der as clerk in a general store, this connection extending over a period of twenty years.
Mr. Ervin has since been making his home at
Mifflinville.

1903, Barton E. Ervin was
S. Keller, who was born in
Mifflin township, daughter of William and
Margaret (Bowman) Keller, both of whom
are deceased.
Mr. Keller was a farmer of
Mifflin township. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church, and interested
in its good work.
Mr. Barton E. Ervin is a
member of the P. O. S. of A., belongs to the

Feb.

20,

married to Hattie

Methodist Church, and is superintendent of
its Sunday school.
His work in behalf of the
church and Sunday school is very effective
and much appreciated by those who are in a
position to correctly judge

HIRAM

its

HOWER,

worth.

DR.
C.
late of Bloomsburg, one of the pioneer dental practitioners
in Columbia county, was born in 1824 in Catawissa township, that county, near the borough
of Catawissa, and comes of an old and honored family of this region. His parents were
John and Rebecca (Davis) Hower, the father
a soldier of the war of 181 2. The Davis family are also old settlers of that section, Jonathan Davis, the Doctor's grandfather, making his home near Catawissa.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Hiram

Hower was

reared on the farm

youth and early manhood
learned Uie trades of chairmaker and painter,
1 le
at which he was occupied for three years.
had received such educational ad\antages as
the schools of the vicinity afforded, and when
twenty-two years old took up the study of
dentistry with his uncle, Dr. X'alerschamp, of
McDowell's Mills. After a year and a half
of reading and tuition with him he began practice on his own account, opening an office
at Light Street, and subsequently went to
Wilkes-Barre, where he was associated with

and during

his

Wadhams.

However, the greater ])art of
his professional career was spent at Bloomsburg, where he practiced for all but two years
Dr.

after completing his preparations.

His

skill

and devotion to his work brought him popuwhich he relarity and a large patronage,
tained throughout the half century in which
he was engaged in active practice.
During
his closing years he lived practically retired,
for old
continuing to do some work, however,
to have him treat
who
preferred
patients,
them. In his day he enjoyed the largest practice of any dentist in this section, and he received frequent calls from other localities, his
him a wide repusurgical skill having gained
He performed operations for patients
tation.
in Philadelphia and other parts of this State,
He was
in New York City and elsewhere.
and
up
kept
always
progressive,
thoroughly
with the most approved methods in this pro-

His gold fillings had a reputation
fession.
for being unequalled.
Though always preman, he was successa
professional
eminently
for ten years, from
in
business
fully engaged
store at Bloomsburg
a
general
keeping
1867,

and selling reapers and sowing machmes.
His death occurred at Bloomsburg Aug. 20,
of one of the
1914, and marked the passing
best known men of this generation in Blooms-

burg.
Dr. Hower married Caroline Ent, daughter
of Charles Ent, an old resident of Columbia
she is buried
county, and she died in 1888;
Rosemont cemetery, Bloomsburg. Ten chd-

dren were born to this marriage Mary Ellen,
who married Dr. ^lorris E. Michel, of CamE. Caldden, N. J. Emma, who married John
of
Erastus
Conner,
married
well Bettie, who
Alfred M.
married
who
Pa.
Cora,
Nanticoke,
Wintersteen, a dentist, of Bloomsburg Myrtle,
ilfather
unmarried, who resided with her
Lula A.,
at
is
Bloomsburg;
who
living
bur,
who is deceased Hiram Clarence, at Blooms:

;

CLINTON CRAWFORD,

a farmer and
Pleasant townshij). Columbia couiUy, was born on his
present pntpcrty
June 5, 1845, son of Joseph Crawford.
Edward Crawford, the founder of the fam-

thresher of

Mount

Pennsylvania, came from New Jersey to
Pennsylvania, and located in what later became Mount Pleasant township, Columbia
county, being- one of the i)ioneers of this
ily in

region. He jjassed through all the experiences
incident to Pennsylvania pioneer life, buying
land for three dollars jjer acre, to the extent

of about 300 acres, and then clearing j)art of
this tract.
He passed away on his farm.
Among his children, all of whom are not

known, were Joseph, Edward and I'Uijah.
Joseph Crawford, son of Edward Crawford, was bcjrn in Columbia county, and like
his father was a farmer, becoming the owner
of the proj)erty now in the jjossession of Clinton Crawford.
Joseph Crawford married
Elizabeth Melick, a daughter of .Andrew
Melick, and they had the following children:

Andrew; Edward; John; Joseph; Stephen;
Mary, who married Harmon Kline; Kate, who
married John Johnson; Betsy, who married
Richard Bright and .Sallie A., who married
William Oman.
Josej)h Crawford passed
;

away, Sept. 9, 1844, aged sixty-two years, one
month, twenty-nine days. His widow sur\'ived
him many years, dying April 6, 1870, aged
eighty-three years, seven months, twenty-eight
days, and both are laid to rest in the little
cemetery at Canby, Mount Pleasant township.

Joseph Crawford, son of Joseph Crawford,
his father's farm in i8i8. and
Like his father and granddied in 1905.
father he was a farmer, and became a i)roniinent man in his locality. The maiden name
of his wife was Catherine Labor, and she
was a daughter of Harmon Labor. Children
as follows were born of this marriage: Clinton; Anna E., who married David Stroup;
F.
John; Herman; William; .\lfre<l Joseph
and
Sarah
li.. who
died
who
C.
young;
Mary

was born on

;

and William B. and Harry, deceased.

;

also died young.

Clinton Crawford went to the local schools
and was brought up to an agricultural life.
For several years he was engaged in farming
in Montour township, and in 1886 bought the
which he has
family farm of eighty acres,

since conducted. Since 1900 he has been opermachine in conjunction with
ating a threshing
his farming, his son .\mos F. being his partThey
ner in this branch of his business.
own two steam road engines, three threshers

;

burg

lUiil

and a hay

baler,

and their work keeps them

1092

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
addition to

busy throucrhout the season. In
the homestead farm Mr. Crawford owns another one in Orange township, embracing
acres of land, and he is one of the
thirty-six

most industrious residents of his locality.
Clinton Crawford married Mary E. Harand she died
per, a daughter of Isaac Harper,
the day
Aug. 6, 1905, aged fifty-nine years,
Crawford's
following the demise of Mr.
same day, in
father; ?hey were buried on the
the Canby cemetery. Mount Pleasant townMr. and Mrs. Crawford had children
ship.

as follows: Mary C. died young; Amos F.,
who resides in Mount Pleasant township, married Flora Edwards, and they have had children, Ellen (deceased), Fannie, Wilbur, Ida,

Mildred and Myron; Ada married Vay Kint
and has a son, Joseph Clinton; Joseph died

Philip Shultz, son of Daniel and grandfather of R. M., was born in Greenwood

township and

later

went

what

now Ben-

ton township, where he bought a farm and carried on agricultural work until his death, at
He is buried
the age of eighty-six years.
beside his wife, Sallie (Kitchen), in the HamTheir children were Elias,
line churchyard.
:

Daniel, Russell, Jane, Wheeler, Henry, Peter
B., Hannah and Elvira.
Peter B. Shultz, father of R. M., was bom
Sept. 29, 1831, in Benton township, and durHe
all of his active years was a farmer.
is now living retired with his son, R. M., and
is numbered among the oldest residents of his

ing

He married Sabra.
of the county.
daughter of George Gearhart, and she died
section

November, 191 1. She was a member of
Hamline Methodist Church and is buried
in its churchyard.
They had three children:
W'ilbur L.. a farmer of Benton township; R.
M. and Philip Gideon, a merchant of Ben-

the

youno-.

Mr. Crawford is a Republican in political
While residing in Montour township

faith.

he served as a school director for three years,
discharging the duties of that office capably;
for twelve years he was a conscientious overseer of the poor in Montour township, and
proved himself so efficient that he was retained in the office for twelve years more after
coming to Mount Pleasant township. At present he is serving as road supervisor, and during the many years he has been in office, of
one kind or another, he has never allowed his
private affairs to interfere with his public
obligations. The family are all Lutherans.
R. M. SHULTZ, a substantial farmer of
Benton township, residing on his farm in one
of the attractive country homes for which Columbia county is noted, was born in that township Nov. 25, 1867, son of Peter B. Shultz,
grandson of Philip Shultz and great-grand-

son of Daniel Shultz, who lived in Greenwood
township and was one of the pioneers of this

;

Peter B. Shultz participated in the Civil
member of Company A, 179th Regiment, Pennsylvania \'olunteers.
R. M. Shultz attended the public schools
of Benton township and a select school at

ton.

war

as a

Cambra, Luzerne county.

among
of

He worked around

the neighboring farmers for a

years

and

finally

accumulated

number

sufficient

funds to branch out for himself, in 1892. That
year he bought the Miner Smith farm, which
he cultivated for four years, and then purchased the J. U. Shultz farm (also known as
the Simon Tubbs place), which was in a run-

down

condition.
It comprises forty acres,
which have been put into a good state of cultivation by Mr. Shultz after much hard work,
now ranking second to few farms in the vicinity.

also has another tract of fifty- four

acres.

Mr. Shultz married Laura, daughter of Andrew Stine, of Benton township, and they
The eadier ancestors of the family came have two children Russell, born in 190 1. and
from Germany and settled first in New Jer- Margaret, born in 1913. In politics Mr. Shultz
sey, later removing to this section.
Philip is a Democrat, and since 1900 has held the

section of

Columbia county.

Shultz, father of Daniel, died April 5, 1816,
His wife, Barbara,
age of eighty-four,
Their son, Daniel Shultz, settled near Rohrsburg before 1800, when the locality was pracHe married Elizabeth
tically a wilderness.
White, and their children were: Philip, James,
at the age of seventy-five.
died Sept. 20, 1828, at the

Daniel
Samuel, John and Sarah.
Shultz died April 30, 1852, aged eighty-three
years, one month, twenty-eight days, and his
wife passed to her rest March 24, 1853, aged
eighty-eight years, three months.
Isaac,

of school director.
He is a trustee of
the Hamline Methodist Church and treasurer
of the board, and has been superintendent of
the Sunday school.
By virtue of his father's
services in the war he is a member of the
Sons of Veterans.

office

WILLIAM S.
has the reputation of
being one of the ablest business men in Greenwood township, where he has a fine farm
property of one hundred acres and various
other interests. He is a native of the town-

UTT

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ship and a son of

Adam

and Margaret (Man-

ning) Utt, farming peo})le now living in Jackson township, Cokunbia county.
The family is of German descent, and Adam

Utt came to

this

section

from Northumber-

His family consisted of eight
land county.
children
Alary, who died at Lincoln, was the
wife of William Johnson, who survived her,
with three sons: George, now living in Nebraska, is married and has two children William S. is next in order of birth; Calvin, who
is engaged as a transfer man at Ilazleton, Pa.,
married Gertrude Lauliach and has three children; Freeman, a farmer of Greenwood
township, married Edith West and has two
children; Anna is the wife of John Johnson,
of Greenwood townshij), and the mother of
one son Clark, a resident of Berwick, Colum:

;

bia county, married Laura Ziegler, and they
have three sons Warren, who is farming in
Greenwood township, married Bessie Diet;

rich.

William S. Utt was born March 23, 1865,
and obtained a common school education, at-

He has
in the home neighborhood.
agriculture his principal business in life,
and has become one of the most progressive
farmers of Greenwood township, the fine
dwelling house and other buildings on his
farm being an excellent indication of the
thrift which characterizes his management.
tending

made

Besides following general farming, Air. Utt

1093

work of the farm, which he followed
most of his life, in his later years entering the
car works of Jacks(Mi X: Woodin at Berwick,
where he died.
In 1X^4 he married
Mary
Lewis, who was born in 1818, daugiiler of
.Abraham Lewis, of Union county, and eight
children blessed this uni(in, two of whom
died in infancy.
Those attaining maturity
were: William, who married l-juma Boone,
and settled on lilack creek, in Conyngham
township, Columbia county Isaiah, of Berwick Samuel, who married Sarah Hoof nagle,
and died in Berwick; Wesley, who married
.Amiie Linden, and after lur death .Alice
Stevens; John, a resident of Berwick; and
to the

;

Hartley E.
Bartley E. Shannon, father of Clark \\'.,
was the fourth child in the family and was
born Oct. 20, 1850, in Bloomsburg. He attended school in the wiiUer and worked on
the farm in the summer until he was sixteen.
when he was api)renticed to the trade of miller at Fullner's mill, in Centre townshij), CoHe remained there for ten
lumbia county.
to Mifllin, where he had
then
went
and
years
charge of the Yohe mill for two years next
to Beach Haven, to manage the D. G. Dries;

mill, where he remained four years;
thence to the Jonestown mill for a year, and
On
in 1886 went to the mill at Stillwater.
fune 12, 1873, lie married Elvira, daughter
of Samuel Zimmerman, of ( )rangeville. who

bach

deals extensively in cattle, and all his ventures have prospered under his intelligent care.
He is known for his enterprise and energetic
prosecution of whatever he undertakes, and
has had substantial results to show for his

was born Sept. 12, 1849, and had always lived
The
with her parents before her marriage.
following children were born to this unif»n
Bruce E.. Clark W., Clement A.. Howard L..
Samuel, Ellen and George. Mr. Shannon is

efforts.

now

residing in B>erwick.

member

of the Afethodist Ei)iscopal Church.
Jan. 8, 1895, Mr. Utt married Daisy
Clark W. Shannon obtained his education
Turner
of
Eyer, of Eyer's Grove, daughter
in the public schools and in a summer school
Two
native
of
Greenwood
a
township.
Eyer,
the milling trade under
children have been born of this marriage: at Benton, and learned
of his father. In 1(^)7 'i^' houglu
Marie, born Aug. 29, 1899, and Glenn, born the direction
lulin his the mill he is at present oi)erating from
July 8, 1 901. Mr. Utt is a Democrat
a
to
it
has
and
posibrought
He attends the Chris- wards Brothers,
convictions.

political

tian Church.

CLARK W. SHANNON,

proprietor of the
in
Benton
Mill
Roller
township, near
Empire
the borough of Benton, was born at Fowler-

Columbia county, June 17, 1876. and is
a son of Bartley E. and grandson of Richard
He is of Irish and German deShannon.

ville,

scent.

Richard Shannon, whose grandfather came
from Ireland and settled on the west branch
of the Susquehanna, was born in July, 1812.
at White Deer, Union county, and was reared

tion

the

top of

the

industr>-

far

mechanical equipment and quality of output
It is a modern, full roHcr
are concerned.
has a capacity of thirty-five
and
mill
])rocess
His leading brand is
barrels of flour daily.
He also grinds buckwheat
"Silver Sprav."
and all kind.s' of feed, and has a large trade
His mill is
with the surrounding country.
and is
Benton
above
miles
located about two
of I'ishing creek.
the
waterpower
operated by
Mr. Shannon married Edna Hirleman,
Hirleman. of Benton.
daughter of William
her were born three
with
union
and'^to his

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1094

Mr. Shan- Charles F. Robbins, a farmer of Greenwood
non is connected with Benton Lodge, No. 667, township.
William Henry Hayman was educated in the
F. & A. M.. and with the Independent Order
school and
home
locality, attending public
of Odd Fellows.
Before he was twenty
Millville Seminar}^

children, Arden,

Edna and Ward.

WILLIAM HENRY HAYMAN, who
fine farm in Greenwood township, Columbia county, near the village of lola, is a
native of that township and belongs to an old
family which came here from Berks county
Peter Hayman, greatabout a century ago.

owns a

of William Henry
Hayman,
moved from Berks county and made a settlement in what is now Orange township, where

grandfather

he remained until his death in 1822, at the
age of seventy-two. He married Savilla Hall,

and their children were John, Jonas, Joseph,
Benjamin, Abigail, Mary and Maria. Joseph
The
was accidentally killed when young.
others married and settled in Columbia county,
and all reared families.
John Hayman, son of Peter, married Margaret Overderf. and seven children were born
to them: Elisha
Maria, Mrs. Jeremiah Pursel; Peter; Phebe, Mrs. Joseph Fry; Sarah,
Mrs. J. D. ^filler; John, who removed to
Michigan and Amanda, Mrs. C. Boone. All
but John settled in Columbia county.
:

;

Elisha

Hayman, son

of John,

1814, in Berks county, Pa.,
two years old when his parents

lumbia county.
ship,

and

was bom Oct.
and was but
moved to Co-

He was

learned

reared in Scott townthe millers trade when
for some time as a jour-

young, following it
neyman before he came to lola. He named
that place, which is about a mile and a quar-

from Millville,
Then he purchased

ter

Greenwood township.

a gristmill, which he operated for about thirty years, until he sold out
to U. P. McHenry and retired from the business, but he continued to carry on his farm.
At one time Mr. Hayman also kept a hotel.
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in which he held office, and in his
In 1840
political views was a Republican.

he enlisted, July 23, 186 1, in the 5th Pennsylvania Reserves, joining Company H. under
served until honCapt. John McLeary, and
11,
1864, at Harrisorably discharged. June
Pa.
Though never wounded, he had

burg,
taken part in many important actions, twentyseven pitched battles, including the W' ildemess
(seven days), Fredericksburg, South Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg;
His
in numerous skirmishes.

to be

proud

of.

and was also

record is one
After his return from the

army he engaged in farming, which he followed for a number of years in Pine townwhere
ship and later in Greenwood township,
he is now living retired. He has taken some
havpart in the management of local affairs,
and
ing served twenty years as school director
fifteen years as constable.

On
ter

Feb.

Ann

1865,

Mr.
of

Robbins,

William

Hayman

who is
Hayman
To
and one sister.

daughter

known

"Farmer Robbins."

married Hes-

Greenwood township,
Robbins,
Mrs.

had two half brothers
Mr. and Mrs. Hayman were born one son
and three daughters Warren Bruce, a farmer,
living in Pine township, married Cordelia
Schultz and they have one child Susan is at
home Plarriet is married to Lee Fitman, of
Berwick (an employee of the American Car
and Foundry Company), and they have one
Edna died when twelve
child, Susan Irene
Mr. Hayman attends the Methyears old.
His high character
odist Episcopal Church.
and sterling integrity, which have been tested
in various responsible positions, have won him
a most respected position among his neighbors.
By early industry he placed himself in
:

;

independent circumstances, being
enjoy his ease.

now

able to

HEADLEY SULT, farmer, was born in
Mr. Hayman married Susan Evans, whose Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa., June
family came from Easton. Pa., and by her he 28, 1863, son of Adam and Sevilla (Sitler)
had four sons, namely William Henry The- Suit.
His paternal grandfather came from
odore F., formerly of Shamokin. a miller, now Easton, Pa., to Columbia county, and lived
at Muncy, Pa., married to Alverna Crevel- here for almost a half
century.
Adam Suit, father of Headley Suit, was a
ing, by whom he had five children, four sons
and one daughter; John Newton, who died substantial farmer in Briarcreek township and
when forty years old and Robert Bruce, who for thirty-seven years served in the office of
died at the age of eighteen years.
For his justice of the peace. He died x\pril 24, 1910,
second wife Elisha Hayman married Mary C. at the age of
He married Sevilla Siteighty.
Applegate, daughter of Peter Applegate, and ler, who was born in Briarcreek township, of
they had one child, Clara, now the wife of German ancestry, and died in 1887. They had
:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Ileadley is mentioned
below; Jacob Nathan, who lives in liriarcreek
township and engages in farming, is married
and has nine children Charles \V., who is a
farmer in Salem township, Luzerne county,
is married and has five children
Alexander,
of North Berwick, who is with the American
Car and Foundry Company, is married and
has six children; Mary, who is the wife of
Ellis Stout, a farmer in Luzerne county, has
three children Sarah, who is the wife of Robert Paden of Berwick, has six children Lizzie

the following children:

;

deceased.

Headley Suit attended the public schools
enough to go to work, followed lumbering for thirty years, and is now cultivating
the farm in Briarcreek township, where he reIn politics he is a Democrat, and for
sides.
many years has been active in public matters
until old

township, serving as a school director
and for eight years as supervisor, and for
fourteen years he has been a justice of the
in his

peace.

Mr. Suit married Mary De Haven, a daughBenjamin De Haven, and she died May
children Charles
19, 1909, survived by eight
L., residing in North Berwick, who married
OHve Fisher and has two children; Minnie,

ter of

1095

His remains lie in the cenii-tcry at l>anHis children win-: Ak-xaiuk-r.
Pa.
James. Mary ]<:.. Elizabctli. Jobn and Samuel.
James I^mmett, a son of John Emmett. was
born in Columbia county, and developed into
an agriculturist, owning 225 acres of I.md in
I'^osty \alley, a ])ortion of which had belonged
to the tract his father had bought
years l>efore.
Devf)ting himself to his work, James
Emmett made a success of it. and died a man
of means. He married Christiana Kee-^er. who
is also deceased, and
they are buried in the
Staub Church cemetery in Montour cf»untv.
They had two children: .Andrew J.; aiul
Susanna, who married Simon Reichard. a well
izen.

ville,

known agriculturist of Hemlock township.
Andrew J. kjnmett. son of James l-'inmett,
retains the original way of spelling the family name, although others have adopted that
of Emmitt. He was reared on the homestead,
which he later leased, coming into pcjssession
of it in 1870, upon the demise of his father.
For the years following until k>02 Mr. ICmmett operated this property, but then turned it
over to his son. and is now living retired with
the latter. The farm now contains 135 acres
of the most fertile and valuable land in I'rosty
It bears the name of "The I-'rosty
\'alley.

Roy Foulk, a machinist, \'alley Farm" and is recognized as a nu)del
Berwick
of North
Harvey I., with the Amer- estate. e(]uii)i)ed with all modern machinery
ican Car and Foundry Company, who mar- and appliances calculated to expedite the work
The buildings are also moflerti
ried Alice Everett and has five children Ber- of farming.
and the premises are kept
tha, who is the wife of John Robey, an em- in every respect,
order.
in
excellent
and
Although Mr. I'.mmett
Car
American
the
of
Foundry
ployee
takes no more responsibility with regard to his
three
have
and
children;
they
Company,
in the work, .and his
Elmer; Sterling; Ethel, and Flora. For his farm, he enjoys assisting
from
second wife Mr. Suit married Ida Myers, of advice is always taken, for he speaks
which comes
with
the
and
a
authority
Daniel
of
experience
Myers,
Nescopeck, Pa., daughter
contractor and builder, and they have one of successful endeavor.
Mr. Emmett married Sarah J. Crosslcv. a
daughter, Creola, who was born April 2, 19 13.
who died July
Mr. Suit and his family attend the Methodist daughter of Joseph Crossley.
and is interred in the cemetery at
1906.
Church.
23.
Episcopal
Staub Church. Mr. and Mrs. lunmctt befar- came the parents of the following children:
a
EMMETT,
JACKSON
is also deceased
mer of Hemlock township, Columbia Co., Pa., DePew is deceased Elenora
marhis Tohn F.. who is operating the homestead,
on
born
was
in
Frosty Valley,
residing
of Hudson (iira
Ciirton.
Ella
daughter
ried
Empresent place Jan. 31, 1833. son of James
ton. and their children are Bernice. Ethyl.
mett, and a grandson of John Emmett.
Sarah and John F.. Jr. Wellington C. a farhis
left
John Emmett, born 'in Ireland,
of Hemlock township, owning the old
native land in young manhood, and coming to mer
farm of fortv-one acres, marricfl Mary
Ross
Hemlock
America settled in what later became
Masteller. a daughter of William Masteller.
in Northtownship, but was then included
their children are Margaret and William
and
acres
he
umberland county. Here
bought 300
is deceased.
Martha
of land, upon which Frosty \'allcy was later
is a Democrat and has held
Emmett
Mr.
in
life
his
of
remainder
built, and spent the
offices, including those of
numerous
township
the pioneers
developing his property. One of
The Lutheran
auditor.
and
director
of this region, he did much to advance it, and school
his membership, and he has ocholds
Church
citwhen he died his community lost a good

who

the wife of
;

;

ANDREW

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1096

One

all of its official positions.
oldest residents of the township,

cupied

of the

and belong-

Mr. Emmett stands
community, where he has lived
convictions and tried to influence

ing to an honored family,

very high

his

in his

cated in the schools of the town. When he
attained his majority he became a coal operator on his own account at Ashland, Pa., living

first at

later

Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, and
to Ashland.
He was a silent

moving

partner in the firm of

others for good.

When

place.

ALFRED FOWLER McCOLLUM,

experimental and mechanical
engineer at the Magee Carpet Company's
works, was born Dec. 29, 1868, at Espy, Columbia Co., Pa. He was educated in the

Bloomsburg,

schools of the town, and leaving school in
1885 began the study of telegraphy wnth F.
H. Rogers, in the Delaware. Lackawanna &
Western railroad office at Espy. He worked
on that road as relief operator for two years
and then opened the Lime Ridge depot as staHe
tion agent, remaining there for one year.
next opened the Archbald (Pa.) station on
the Ontario & Western railroad, remaining
with that company four years.
Following
that experience he went to Kingston, Pa., for
the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, as night clerk, was made day
clerk there under R. R. Vaughn, and later became chief clerk of the office. Being transferred to Lackawanna. Pa., he continued there
as agent for five years, but seeing that there
was no opportunity for further advancement

Agard & bloody of that
war came on he en-

the Civil

Port Carbon and served throughout

listed at

the conflict. He was stationed at Norfolk,
\'a., as captain, and served as quartermaster
on Governor Curtin's staflf.
Mr. Eshleman
married Elizabeth Pott, the first white child
born in Port Carbon, the year of her birth
being 1830. They had fifteen children: Cora
was the wife of C. W. Miller; Annie married
Dr. O. P. Piper Xort died in the Civil war
Laura became the wiie of H. R. King Ellie,
wife of F. H. Rogers; Ada, wife of F. N.
;

;

Turner; Harry G. married Lilly Wolf; Benjamin married Belle Jacobs Elizabeth married William B. Pursel Edith married S. F.
Peacock Louise married A. F. McCollum
Abram married Amanda
Edwin
married Anna Powell Emma K. and Sarah
M. died young. Mr. Eshleman was an active
member of the Republican party, a trustee of
the Presbyterian Church, member of the G. A.
R. at Port Carbon, and of the Masonic blue
:

;

lodee at Pottsville.

Abram Pott, had
naming the town of Port Carit was a
place for boats, and

Mrs. Eshleman's father,

he determined to change his occupation. He
accordingly obtained a position as weaver in

the honor of
bon, port as

the Magee Carpet Mills at Bloomsburg. upon
the recommendation of E. B. Pursel, of Espy.

carbon because of the coal deposits thereHe married Elizabeth Christian, and
abouts.
their children were: Samuel, who married A.
Deyo Elizabeth, wife of B. L. Eshleman;
Emma, wife of Joseph Seligman Jack Burd
Abram, and William.

After working two years as weaver he invented a velvet cutter, and was appointed experimental and mechanical engineer of the
works. He stands high in the mechanical field
in Bloomsburg, being
frequently consulted on
difficult mechanical problems.
Mr. McCollum married Louise, daughter of
Benjamin L. and Elizabeth (Pott) Eshleman.
and to this union were born the following children: Elizabeth, Oct. 7. 1891 Martha,
July
22. 1894; and Catherine. Dec. 30, 1901.
Mr.
:

McCollum is independent in politics. He is
a member of the Presbyterian Church, of Odd
Fellows Lodge No. 681, at Espy, and
Supreme
Encampment, Xo. 21 S. at Espv he belongs
to the Y. M. C. A. of
Philadelphia.
Mrs. McCollum was born at Port Carbon
;

Oct. 30. 1867, and educated in the
public
schools of that town, finishing in the schools
at Bloomsburg, whither her
parents moved
before she had completed her education. She
remained at home until her marriage.
at

Benjamin L. Eshleman was born in 1827
Lancaster, Lancaster Co., Pa., and edu-

;

CHARLES

W. SNYDER, a contracting
painter of Catawissa. Columbia Co.. Pa., was
born
II.

Franklin township, same county, Aug.

1868. son of Jacob

Snyder and grandson

of Nicholas Snyder.

Nicholas Snyder was a farmer of Columbia
owning land in Franklin township,
where he died. His children were: William,
county,

Amos, Thomas, Jacob. Barbara and

Lessie.

Jacob Snyder, son of Nicholas Snyder, was
born in Columbia county and followed farmHis death occurred on his farm
ing here.
when he was forty-three years old. and he is
buried at Mifflinvi'lle. Pa. Jacob Snyder married

Margaret Parr, who died

Columbia

county and is buried at Catawissa. Their
children were: Jennie, Elizabeth, George and
Charles W.
Charles W. Snvder attended the local

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1097

schools until he was twelve years old. when his fatiicr oijcratcd the htmicsicad vuiiil he was
he had the misfortune to lose his father and twenty-live years old. At that time Mr. Maswas turned over to strangers at MifHinville, teller began farming for himself in Dcrry
The lad worked on a farm for four township, Mont(jur county, for one year, later
Pa.
years, and then began learning the painter's going to Dutch Hill, near Heller's Church in
trade at Catawissa, and by 1897 was able to Aladison township, ami ft»r thirty-live years
go into business for himself, since which time operated the large farm he there owned.
he has executed some of the largest contracts Leaving this jjroperty, on March 31, iS<;i, he
in his line of business in the locality, including located on his present farm in k-mlock lownthe painting of the East Bloomsburg river ship, at what was then V'andcrlier bridge, but
This
bridge, the Catawissa river bridge (for which is now known as Masteller's bridge.
he had three contracts), the Mifllinville bridge bridge is built (jver Fishing creek. .\Ir. Masand the North street river bridge at Wilkes- teller bought 100 acres of land at this \>o\u{,
Barre, Pa. In addition he does nearly all of but in h/xj retired, his son Harvey assuming
the house painting in his district, and employs charge of the farm. He is a member of the
from three to eight assistants, according to Reformed Church at Dutch lill. and has been
one of its active workers for a number of
the season.
Mr. Snyder married Jennie Bucher, a years. Politically he is a Democrat, forlwelve
and for
daughter of John Bucher, and they have had years served as a school director,
two children, a daughter who died in infancy, many years was an overseer of the i)oor.
On March i, 1854, Mr. Masteller was marand Euphemia, who is attending the local high
school. PoHtically Mr. Snyder is a Democrat, ried to Sarah A. Heller, a daughter of John
The Methodist Church holds his membership, and Mary (Reichard) Heller, the former born
A man of careful methods and thoroughly Jan. 30, 1792, died June 22, i8()2. aged sevfour months, twenty-two days;
competent, he naturally controls the local busi- enty-six years,
while the latter was born Sept. 19, 1802, and
ness in his line, meeting little competition.
died Sept. 8, 1875, aged seventy-two years.
WILLIAM MASTELLER, a retired eleven months, nineteen days. Air. and Mrs.
Columbia Masteller have had children as follows: Welfarmer of Hemlock
1

township,
county, was born in that county Feb. 19, 1829,
son of Daniel Masteller. The paternal grandfather was an early settler of Columbia
He had these chilcounty, where he died.
dren:
Daniel, Jonathan, George, Elizabeth

aud Kate.
DanielMasteller was born Oct. 14, 1795.
He spent his
and died Dec. 16, i860.
in
life
Columbia county, where he was
born and reared, and was engaged in
farming in Madison township where he
He married Elizabeth
owned a farm.
born
Shultz,
Aug. 2, 1801, who died Nov. 9,
aged eighty-five years, three months.
seven days. With her husband she is buried
at New Columbia, Pa. He was a Presbyterian
in religious faith, while the Democratic ticket
The
always secured his vote and support.
children of Daniel Masteller were:
John,
who died in the vicinity of Milton, Pa. Mary,
who married Peter Crossley; WilHam; Rebecca, who married Levi Wright; Margaret,
who married Hiram Crumley; Sarah, who
married Elijah Crumley; Jane, who married
Elias Reichard; and Paul, who is a resident
1886,

;

"^"'^^'^' '^""""^ ''''^''"

pZ^L^nia"^'^^'
William Masteller, son of Daniel Masteller,
attended the pay schools of his day, and with

lington,

who

deceased

;

Harvey, who

who is livoperating the homestead: Ceorge.
arren. who is also
ing in Madison township
William Claud,
living in Madison townshii);
who is a clerk of P.loomsburg; Eva who mar:

ried E.

Ross Kester and

lives at

Bucklu)rn

Wellington Emmitt
died in childhood; and Luther,
childhood. Mr. Masteller is one
of the oldest men residing in Hemlock townand is held in highe.st esteem by the many

who
Emma, who
who died in

married

^lary,

;

ship,

who have

the honor of his acquaintance.

^x.,,^

CLIL. of
now
paper manufacturer,
ED\\'IN

P>.

,
.««:r^,j
Catawissa. a retired

serving as a J 'sticc
1
of the peace was born in Chester county. a..
(.uie.
of
son
in July.
James
183';^.

'^^
James Cine who was '^'[^'V'!,^,?'"'
skdled
a
l^ecam^
papermaker
perf^^^^^^^^^^^
work by hand m the
;

Doum,

"'^^^-^^^-^.J'^^^;;"^^^^
glow
erected a mill near
P^- ^^here he embarked n the
m^^^^^^
imder the nan e of an es

P^per

Cn^^

thus continuing
eighty-five

^^''^l^^-J^'^'^^^^^,^^
ha mg
y^ar-s.
^"^^'^^^^^

'^^^^ J

'^c^^^^^'o'Z.^^.^^i^:^^^^'^''''''''^ ,^}''^'IZ[^^^^^^
married Harriet

James Guie

A. Beckling
BecKi.ng. a

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1098

daughter of Richard Beckhng.
family

The Beckling which he served a
In 1 83 1 he moved

numbered among the pioneer manuin this country,

facturers of paper
producing
as early as the Revolutionary war, in a plant
located near Philadelphia.
James Guie and
his wife became the parents of the following

Edwin

children:

B.,

Adolphus,

Richard,

James (deceased), Gertrude, Emma and William (who is deceased).
Edwin B. Guie was sent to the public schools
of his home locality and also to the academy
at
Norristown, Pa., following which he
learned the paper manufacturing business, becoming an expert in his line. During 1868 Mr.
Guie located at Catawissa, leasing the paper
mill at that time owned by William McKelvy,
and for eleven years conducted it. Then he
was associated with the McCreadys, and later
was made superintendent of their mill, until
it was discontinued.
Republican, Mr. Guie
was elected a justice of the peace, and is now
For nine
serving his second term as such.
years he was an efficient school director, and
for six years earnestly represented his ward

five years' apprenticeship.

to Orangeville, where he
followed his trade unand
a
dwelling
bought
He was then elected constable of
til 1836.
Bloom township and served two years in that

In 1838 he moved to Rohrsburg, where
office.
he was engaged in hotelkeeping until 1841.
At that time he settled in Jackson township,
he
locating on Little Fishing creek, where
He continued to be actively
built a sawmill.
associated with public affairs, and in 1843 was

Columbia county, moving to
Danville, where he took office, and living there
until 1848. Returning to his mill, he remained
there a few years longer, in 1853 moving to
Jackson township, to a farm which was al-

elected sheriff' of

ready well improved, though he later put up
buildings. This place contained 116

some new

acres, besides

which Mr. Derr acquired own-

ership of 558 acres in Jackson township and

one hundred

Greenwood township.

In 1853

Derr was elected county commissioner,
He was a justice of the
serving until 1856.
peace, and served two terms as associate
in the borough council. The Lutheran Church judge, being first elected in 1866 and reelected
holds his membership and benefits by his gen- in 1 87 1. After completing his second term in
erosity.
Fraternally Mr. Guie belongs to the the latter office he retired from public life.
K. G. E. In addition to his duties as justice He was a Democrat, and in religious connecof the peace he conducts a coal business, and tion a member of the Church of Christ, which
owns his home at Catawissa, which was he joined^ in 1857. All of his family except
formerly the old Paxton homestead.
John F. united with that church.
Edwin B. Guie married Zeruiah C. Beaver,
On Oct. 26, 1 83 1, Judge Derr married Leah
a daughter of Heister and Hannah Beaver of Welliver. daughter of Joseph Welliver, and
Chester county, Pa. Mrs. Guie died in 1909, she died Feb. 16. 1874, the mother of nine chilthe mother of children as follows
Enola B. dren, namely: John F., George W., Nancy
is a teacher in the Wilkes-Barre
K., Andrew J., Frank, Mary W.. Calvin,
high school
Claudia B. is a teacher in the Norristown high James D. and Effie. On Aug. 29, 1876, Mr.
school Edward Heister, who is an attorney at Derr married (second) Mrs. Elizabeth C.
Seattle, Wash., was a member of the State
(Lunger) Watts.
Assembly of Washington, and was speaker of
George W. Derr, son of Iram, was bom
the House for one term; Z. B. is deceased; July 4, 1834, at Orangeville. Columbia county,
James E. is in partnership with his brother Ed- and lived at home until his marriage. He and
ward H. two sons died in infancy.
his wife then lived at Iram Derr's sawmill until i860, and in 1861 moved to the farm in
CHARLES F. DERR, farmer, of Green- Greenwood township which he has since ocwood township, is a member of an old Colum- cupied. In 1882 ]\Ir. Derr was elected jury
bia county family, being a son of
George W. commissioner, serving as such for six years,
Derr and a grandson of Irani Derr.
His and he served ten years as township supergreat-grandparents were James and Nancy visor. He is at present sendng as court crier.
(Kitchen) Derr, the former born in what is In politics he has always been a Democrat.
now Anthony township, Montour Co., Pa. he On Oct. 30. 1856. Mr. Derr married Lucinda
died in Tennessee.
The latter was born in Robbins, daughter of William Robbins, of
Madison township, Columbia county, daugh- Greenwood
township, Columbia county, and
ter of William Kitchen, a native of New
Jer- three children were born to this union, one son
sey. The Derrs are of German extraction."
and two daughters: Emma Jane, who died
Iram Derr was born June 4, 181 1, in Mad- when two
years old a son that died in inison township, and passed all his
early life fancy and Leah C, who married Harvey W.
there, learning the trade of chairmaker, at Hess, a farmer, of Benton
township, and has
^Ir.

;

COLUMBIA AND AlOXTOUR COUNTIES
had three children, two sons and one daughter.
On Oct. 1 8, 1866, .Mr. Derr married
(second) EHzabeth F. Lawton, daughter of
WiUiam G. Lawton, of Greenwood township,
who came from England when sixteen years
old, and lived to be eighty. Mr. and Mrs. Derr
have had two children: Sarah A., born Dec.
26, 1867, who lives at home; and Charles F.
Mr. Derr is a member of the Christian Church.
Charles F. Derr was born June 17, 1876, on
the old homestead in Greenwood township,
where he was reared, acquiring his education
in the local schools.
Trained to farming from
boyhood, he has always made agriculture his
chief occupation, and except for five years
when he was engaged in lumbering has been
working at the place where he was born. For
sixteen years Mr. Derr increased his income
very materially by threshing, owning and
His business
operating a traction thresher.
ability and integrity have been given substantial recognition by his fellow citizens.
He
has been chosen to serve his township as school
director two terms, and has held the responsible office of county auditor one term.
In fact, he is a typical representative of a family whose capable services have made them
desirable officials in whatever community their
lots have been cast.
On Dec. 23, 1896, Mr. Derr was married to
Sarah Davis, daughter of Diemer and Elizabeth Davis, of Greenwood township, who had
a

family of five children

Amos Neyhard,
Pa.

Lee,

;

builder,

Mary

resident of

A.,

Millville,

Laura Heacock and has one

Mrs.

Dunmore,

child,

married
a son

;

wife of Charles Everhart, a
baker, and they have one child. Earl George,
of Benton township, Columbia county, married Eva Kline, and they have one daughter,
Rena Beryl; Sarah is the wife of Charles F.
Derr.
The father of this family was bom

Jennie

the

;

The mother

1099

general stonemason business. All of the old
stone houses in this neighborhood are accredhed to him, allhough lie went to his old home
in Northampton
county jjriur to iiis death,
and there passed away. He married Mary
h'dizaljeth Gutner, and their children were:
Noah, Peter, Jacob, Joseph, Hiram, Gabriel.
Mary, Susan, Katie, Elizabeth, and Crissie,
and another whose name is not given.
Gabriel Evert, son of Peter Evert, was b(irn
in

Montour county

to that section,

lowed

after the family migration

and there he learned and

fol-

the

carpenter's trade, erecting the
greater number of the buildings in that viHis death occurred in Mount Pleasant
cinity.

township, when he was fifty-six years, seven
months old. His wife bore the maiflen name
of Rebecca A. Vance, she being a daughter of

Thomas Vance.

The

children

Gabriel

Evert and his wife were: Alfred, (ieorge H.,
Mattie E. and Vance.
Mr. and Mrs. Evert
are buried in the Lutheran cemetery at Millerstown.

George H. Evert grew uj) in his native township and not only was given the advantages
oft'ered by the public schools, but was also sent
to Orangeville academy, and following the
completion of his studies taught school for
three terms in Mount Pleasant township, during the winter months, and worked at the carThe demand
penter's trade in the summer.
for his work growing, he confined all his attention to his trade for twenty-eight years, and
built nearly all the structures put up in his
Detownship, as well as in adjoining ones.
siring to make a change in his work, Mr. Invert
bought a farm of seventy-six acres, which he
operated until 1908. when he practically re-

turning the active participation in the
Mr.
to his youngest son. Boyd.
Evert built himself a house, in which he now
resides, and is enjoying himself as he never

tired,

work o\er

had o])portunity before.
Mr. Evert married Rebecca Oman, a daugh1912.
Mr. and Mrs. Derr have one child, George ter of George and Catherine (Fowler) Oman,
Deemer, born June 11, 1898, who is attending and they have had children as follows: Wil-

July

27,,

school.

1837.

The

family

died in February.

attend

the

Christian

Church.

GEORGE

EVERT,

resides at Montoursvillc

;

Ira,

who

resides

in Mount Pleasant township; Maggie, who
Mount married C. H. Weaver; and I'.oyd, who is conwas born ducting the homestead. Mr. Evert is a Demo-

a farmer of

Pleasant township. Columbia county,
township, Nov. 24, 1847, son of Gabriel
Evert and grandson of Peter Evert.
Peter Evert was a native of Northampton
county. Pa., moved to Montour county with
his family, and locating in the vicinity of the
Hill Church, bought a farm there, and
conjunction w'ith operating it conducted a

Dutch

who

resides at Philadelphia; George,

in that

son A.,

has served very acceptably and creditably
a school director, and is now township
auditor and clerk of the election board. The
Methodist Church holds his membership, and
he is serving it as class leader and trustee,
while for years he has been an important
factor in Sundav school work, teaching in that
crat,

COLUMBIA AND AIONTOUR COUNTIES

1100

body, and acting as superintendent. For the
last thirty-six years he has been an Odd Fellow, being connected with Orangeville Lodge,
No. 364. Few men stand higher in public
estimation than Mr. Evert, for he possesses
those qualities which endear a man to his fel-

low citizens, sterling honesty and uprightness
of purpose.
On his mother's side Mr. Evert is connected
with one of the most representative families in
this neighborhood, founded here by George
Vance, one of the substantial men of his day.
George Vance was born in Ireland, but coming to the United States in young manhood

where he assisted in
commercial and industrial presHe owned the land upon which the
tige.
present city hall stands, and cleared land
on what is now East street. In religion he was
an Episcopalian, and one of the founders of
the church of that organization in Bloomsburg. A well read man for his day, he naturlocated at Bloomsburg,

building up

its

was given leadership among his associates,
and wielded his influence wisely and generously. Living to be ninety-three years old, he
died full of honors, and was interred in McHenry cemetery in Orange township. His
children were:
Sarah, James, Martha and
ally

OSCAR

KOSTENBAUDER,

P.
propria meat market at Catawissa, Pa., was
born in Franklin township,, Columbia Co., Pa.,
Nov. 25, 1870, son of Owen D. L. Kostenbauder, and grandson of Jacob Kostenbauder.
etor of

Jacob Kostenbauder, great-grandfather of
Oscar P. Kostenbauder, came from his home
in Berks county. Pa., to Columbia
county at a
very early day, locating at Mainville, Pa.,
where he died, his remains being laid to rest
in the little

cemetery at that place. His chilJacob; Samuel; Daniel; David,
who died young; Polly, who married Isaac
Yetter; Nancy, who married Peter Kline;
Lucy, Mrs. Lockard; and Mrs. Stewart.
Jacob Kostenbauder was a farmer of Main
township, who married Margaret Knittle, of
Franklin township, a daughter of Daniel
Knittle. The children of
Jacob Kostenbauder
were Harriet, who married Marshall Henderschott Charity, who married David Walburn
Owen D. L. Jane, married to Dr. S. D. Sutliff
Jeremiah William E., who died at Williamsport, Pa.; Clara, who married Lambert
Camp; Emma, who married Rugless Mcdren were:

;

Henry; and Charles, deceased.

Owen
was born

Aug.

28, 1845,

1889 he came to

E. Hoagland, a daughter of Jonathan J. Hoagand they have had children as follows
Oscar P. Marshall J., who lives at Fortyfort,
Luzerne Co., Pa. William L., who resides at
Luzerne, Pa. Mark W., a resident of Philadelphia Jessie, who resides at Berwick, Pa. ;
Owen D. L., Jr., who resides at Catawissa,
Pa. Kersey C, who also lives at Fortyfort,
Pa. and Sarah E., who is at home.
Oscar P. Kostenbauder attended the local
schools of his neighborhood, and remained
with his father, assisting him in the butchering
land,

;

business, until 1896, when he began operating
for himself along the same line. ^Ir. Kostenbauder built his shop on Main street at Catawissa, near the "Catawissa Hotel," and here
he conducts a thoroughly modern butchering
business, enjoying a large and paying trade.
Mr. Kostenbauder married Ida M. Allbrighton, a daughter of Samuel and Emily A.
(Evans) Allbrighton. Mr. Kostenbauder be-

longs to Catawissa Lodge, No. 349, F. & A. M.,
of which he is a past master; Catawissa Royal

John.

;

snd became a farmer.

In
Catawissa township, and
until April, 1896, he conducted a flourishing
butchering business at Catawussa. At present
he is serving as assessor of Catawissa, as
street commissioner, and has been a member
He married Sarah
of the borough council.
Pa.,

D. L. Kostenbauder, son of
Jacob,
in Franklin
township, Columbia Co.,

Arch Chapter, No. 178; Mount Moriah CounNo. 10. of Bloomsburg, of which he is T.
I. M.; Caldwell
Consistory (thirty-second deand I rem Temple, at Wilkes-Barre,
gree)
A consistent memI'a., and to the K. G. E.
ber of the Methodist Church, Mr. Kostencil,

;

bauder

is serving as a trustee.
Politically he
a Republican, but has not had the time for
public life.
is

DAVID

SHOEMAKER,

C.
of Millville,
as a builder, has been associated
with business interests at that place for many
years. During his long experience in the planing mill he had opportunities for familiarizing

now engaged

himself \vith building materials which have
been valuable to him in his present line, and
his reliability and skill are appreciated in the
vicinity where he has worked practicallv all his
hfe.

Mr. Shoemaker was born

Greenwood

township, March 19, 1840, one of the six children of Philip and Sarah (Albcrtson) Shoe-

maker,

viz.

who

Maria

lola

married Emanuel Ro-

now

deceased, and seven children
were born to them, two sons and five daughters; Elijah, deceased, who was a resident of

gart,

Pine township, married Leah Long and (sec-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

llul

ond) Samantha Schultz, and had children by CoUinibia county, in which latter place he purboth wives, two sons and two dauj,dilers by the chased a farm. After some residence here he
went to JCsther hurnace, there coniiiiuiu},' to
first, and one son and two daughters by the
second; David C. is next in the family; Eliza- farm, and next removed to Ashland, Schuylkill
beth married Richard Witmire, a farmer of Co., Pa. He was killed by a passenjjer train
Pine township, and they had three sons and at Derby, near Philadelphia, when in his
three daughters; Emeline married Abraham eightieth year, and his remains were interred
Titman, of Pine township, who is a lumber- at Ashland. His children were as follows:
man, and they have one son Abraham died in Henry; Jonathan, living in Catawissa town;

youth.

David C. Shoemaker had a good common
school education, attending Millville Academy,
Entering the employ of the Philadelphia &
Reading Railway Company, he remained with
that concern for sixteen years, afterwards taking a position in the planing mill at Millville,
with which he was connected for seventeen

>hip; Jeremiah, deceased; Adam, residing in
Philadelphia; Lovina, wife of Charles (jorman; Catherine, wife of John Scott; I'jiima,
wife of Lloyd Fahringer; and William, living
in

Lansford, l^ennsylvania.

Henry Gotshall did fann work from youth,
and when he was twenty-one he began farming
for himself in Locust township, later buying

For a number of years past he has a tract of 125 acres in branklin township,
given his attention to building, and by his con- which he farmed for twenty-three years. In
scientious fulfillment of all the work he under- 1908 he came to Catawissa, and has resided
years.

takes has established a local patronage which
keeps him constantly busy.
During the Civil w^ar Mr. Shoemaker gave
faithful support to the Union cause, enlisting
in September, 1864, in the 98th New York
Volunteer Infantry, as a member of Company
A, under Captain Stoutenburg. He received
his

honorable

discharge

Washington

June, 1865.

Mr. Shoemaker was married Oct. 28, 1861,
Euranah C. Barclay, of Jerseytown, Columbia county, daughter of James Barclay, a
farmer, whose family consisted of four chilAfter Mr. Barclay's death his widow
dren.
married (second) Valentine Welliver. Four
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker: George, of Berwick, engaged in merchandising, married Clara Perry, and they
have had three children. Tenny, Frank and
Helen Frank died when five years old Harry
L, who is in the livery business at Bloomsburg,
married Ada Stadler, and their children are
Eva and Marion; Will, who is engaged with
his brother Harry at Bloomsburg, 'married
Margaret Kreamer (they are rearing an
adopted son, David Kreamer Shoemaker).
The Shoemakers attend the Methodist Church
to

there ever since, his home being located on
Mill street. He married Mercy Kostcnbauder,

daughter of Daniel and Frances (Clingerman)
Kostenbauder, and children as follows have
Andrew C. Frances
been born to this union
E. Mary, wife of F. Werthley; Mercy E., a
graduate of Bloomsburg State Normal, now
teaching; H. O., of Bloomsburg: Lillian, wife
of Rev. M. M. Dry, a Lutheran minister; and
:

;

Samuel

at Millville

father's

farm

of the congregation.

;

cultivating his

D.,

Franklin township.
Mr. Gotshall is a veteran of the Civil war.
having served in Company A, 6th Regiment.
Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three years. In
he has served
politics he is a Republican, and
as township supervisor and school director,
He is an active member of the Methodist
Church and has filled all the offices in the gift

GEORGE

S. LEE, of Jerseytown. Madison
township, Columbia county, who is now servwas
ing his third term as justice of the peace,
born in Catawissa, same county. Dec. 30.
Daniel and Rebecca
1839, and is a son of

Stambach Lee. His great-gran.lfather was
Scotch-Irish. His grandfather died when his
children. Jonathan and Daniel, were quiet
(

)

Jonathan Lee married and went to
a cow to
Michigan, he and his wife driving
their new home, and nothing was ever heard
small.

HENRY GOTSHALL,

a retired farmer,

of Catawissa, Columbia county, was born at
Seven Points, Northumberland Co., Pa., Feb.
1842, and is a son of Philip
(Yeaffer^ Gotshall
Philip Gotshall was a farmer.

and Rebecca

resided

Mahanoy valley and later at Seven Points,
Northumberland Co., Pa., moving afterwards
to Danville, and then to Catawissa township,
in

of them afterwards.
Daniel Lee, father of George S.. settled in
Catawissa, Columbia county. He was a harnessmaker, following the trade during the
summer and teaching school in the winter. He
ears
died Sept. 21 1890. aged •^eNenN -5.x
bunrd
^^^s
and
fourteen
days,
seven months,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1102

in the
Jerseytown cemetery. His wife rests
old Friends burying ground, at Catawissa.
They had these children George S. Stephen
B.; Martha A., wife of J. Reiswick (they
in

went

Iowa)

deceased;
with Indians
y.,

;

Nolan

B.,

Raymond
'

;

a printer; William

D., killed in a fight

at White Bird Creek, Idaho,
June 17, 1877; Mary A., who became the wife
of Benjamin Steiner, and died at Bloomsburg;
and John P., who died in Jerseytown and is

buried there.

George

Lee

left

Catawissa when he was

He received a common
eight years of age.
school education, and during youth worked on
a farm for his board and clothes, and learned
the trade of carriage ironing with Sloan &
Sons

Bloomsburg.

then served a time

Car and Foundry Company, with whom he
remained for a period of two years. For the
two years following he was a watchman for
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. During
the next five years Mr. Brown was engaged in
the dairy business, and in 1893 embarked upon
a new enterprise, the growing of strawberries,
He has three
at Alarket and Ninth streets.
acres of land set out with the plants, which he
cultivates according to the most modern ideas,
and he gathers as many as 15,000 baskets a
season, selling the greater part of his
In 1893 ^^^^o Mr.
to the local trade.

product

Brown

took the contract to sprinkle the streets of
Bloomsburg, and has done such satisfactory
work that he has held it ever since, carr\-ing
out the provisions of his agreement with conscientious fidelity.
His present comfortable
residence at Market and Ninth streets was

Samuel Thomas at horseshoeing, and
when the Civil war began enlisted in NovemHe ser\-ed built by him in 1898.
ber, 1861, and went to the front.
Mr. Brown married Maggie E. Ferguson, a
four years and two months, and was honorably discharged. In December, 1866, he mar- daughter of James and Lydia Shultz FerguEdward H., Clinried, and in the spring of 1867 moved to Jer- son, and their children are
seytown. where he has resided ever since. ton T., James \\'., Clyde F. and Benjamin C.
Politically he is a Democrat, and is now serv- Politically Mr. Brown is a Democrat, and in
He is a harding in his third tenn (five years each) as jus- religious belief a Methodist.
Mr. Lee dug and trans- working man. and has won his present prostice of the peace.
planted the dogwood and maple trees from perity through his own unaided efiforts.
the hills at Irondale to the grounds which surrounded the old courthouse before its remodelJONAH H. TOWNSEND. a farmer of
He is a member of the Methodist Church, Scott township. Columbia Co., Pa., was bom
ing.
which he has served for years as trustee and in Hemlock township, same county, Aug. 16,
steward.
His pa1842, son of Sampson Townsend.
Mr. Lee and his wife have had five children
ternal grandfather was a native of England
Cora E., wife of A. Hartman, residing at and never left that countr}-. He had a large
Fernville, opposite Bloomsburg; Eleanor R., family, among whom were: Joseph. John and
wife of C. E. Kelchner, of Bloomsburg; Sampson.
Of these. Joseph Townsend beRobert A., Hving in Bloomsburg; Frank L., came the father of John R. Townsend. the
living in Bloomsburg; and Lula M., wife of successful Bloomsburg merchant.
Charles Hartline.
Sampson Townsend was born in Gloucestershire, England, and when nineteen years old
EDWARD J. BROWN, of Bloomsburg. a came to the United States on the sailing vesthrifty citizen of that borough, was born in sel "\\'illiani .\lburne." the voyage consuming
Prince Georges county, Md., near Washing- nine weeks and three
days. Landing at Philaton, D. C, Nov. 8, i860, son of Reison H. and delphia, he proceeded from there to Columbia
Mary (Anderson) Brown.
county. Pa., locating in Hemlock township.
Reison H. Brown was also born in Mary- One year afterwards he learned that the
ship
land, and worked as a carpenter, and died upon which he had made his passage was lost
there in August, 191 1. He and his wife had at sea.
For a time after coming to Hemlock
the following family:
Frank A. (who is de- township he worked there as a miner, until
ceased), James E., Alary E., Emma E. and 1856. later moving to Irondale. where he beEdward J.
came superintendent at the Irondale furnace,
Edward J. Brown grew up in his native and so continuing for
twenty-eight years and
place and received a common school education. four months. At the expiration of' this
long
During his younger days he did farm work, period of service he went to Light Street,
but later engaged in railroading, and when he where he lived retired at his
residence,
came to Bloomsburg. Pa., in 1882, found em- his home in addition to two farms inowning
Scott
ployment as a machinist with the American township. His death occurred in iqo6. when
with

(

)

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
he was eighty years

old.

buried at Light

athennc.

Sampson Tovvnsend married Priscilla nah Bubb.
Lannan, who was born in the State of New dren were:
Street.

Adam.

Harry L., of Light Street.
Jonah H. Townsend was engaged

farm,

Adam
the

After her death he married Han-

of Snyder count v. and their chilSusan, wife of James F. Keller;
Sarah Jane; William;
Joseph; Beneville. ami

Jersey, and they had eight children, six dying
in childhood.
The others were Jonah II. and
in

1103

Smitii

attending
He then

his

spent
tlie

diiidhood on

country

schools

tlie

until

mines and on the Pennsylvania canal until 1870.
successively attended the
1861, when he began learning carriagemaking schools at Freeburg. New Berlin, Kut/town
with the Sloans at Bloonisburg, where he re- (Slate
Normal) and Seliiisgrove. For sevmained until 1868. In that year he began eral terms he
taught school in various places,
farming in Scott townshij), and has continued and in 1876 entered the empicn' <jf A. H.
thus to the present day, having ninety acres of Bowersox, a
general niercliaiu of 'I'.eaverlown,
valuable land adjoining the town of Light Snyder county,
lie then moved to .XdanisStreet.
He makes a specialty of dairying, burg, and for a number of years taught in the
having a fine Jersey herd and selling his milk public and private schools of that town. Ho
to the Bloomsburg State Normal School.
was elected justice of the peace and .served
Jonah H. Townsend married Mary Price, a acceptably in that office for eleven years.
daughter of John and Julia (Dietrich) Price, Then, in 1882, he entered into i)artnership with
and their children are: liarry A., who is at W.J. Klose, in Adamsburg. continuing thus
home; Charles P., who is in Chicago; and until 1887, when the i)artnership was dissolved
Mr. Townsend is an inde- and he conducted the business alone until
Bessie, at home.
pendent voter, and has served as supervisor of 1897. Selling out he removed to Berwick to
The Methodist Church holds enter the employ of the Berwick Store ComScott township.
his membership and benefits by his generosity. pany, with whom he was connected for six
Formerly he belonged to the Odd Fellows, but years, holding .several important positions with
is no longer connected with that order.
marked ability. In 1903 lie resigned to become
When Pennsylvania was invaded during the resident agent of the Fidelity Mutual Life InCivil war, Mr. Townsend enlisted in Company surance Comi)any. of Philadelphia.
Since
F, 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and then he has built up a large general insurance
served as one of the emergency men.
business, handling life, health, accident and
The Townsend farm is one of the most fire insurance, and representing many well
He is also engaged in
thoroughly modern in all of Columbia county, known companies.
and Mr. Townsend takes great pride in keep- insurance brokerage and is an insunuicc
ing it in this condition.
Understanding his adjuster.
Mr. Smith was married in Snyder county,
work thoroughly, he has made a success of his
business and is numbered among the leading April 2, 1876, to Sue J. Klose, who was bom
March 12, 1856, daughter of Reuben and
agriculturists of his neighborhood.
Sarah
Middlesworth
Klose, the latter a
SMITH, a leading insurance man daughter of Hon. Ner P.. Middlesworth, who
of Berwick and one of the enterprising citizens represented his district in the State Legislaof that prosperous town, was born near ture thirteen times, being sent from Union
Reuben Klose was a
Troxelville, Snyder Co., Pa., June 12, 1855. (later Snyder) county.
He is a son of John D. Smith, and grandson prominent citizen of Snyder coutUy. Children
of Adam Smith, and a descendant of one of as follows have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Smith: Minnie B.. born Oct. 14, 1876, is the
the pioneer families of this State.
Adam Smith, the elder, was a native of Lan- wife of Jacob Laub, now of Fric, Pa., special
caster county. Pa., where the family were officer for the Pennsylvania Railroad Comamong the first settlers. He was a Lutheran pany Allen Fdgar is mentioned below Anna,
in religious belief and very broad-minded in born Jan. 22, 1885, is the wife of Clarence
His children were: Henry, Adam, Herr, of Berwick, a bookkeeper in the general
politics.
American Car and Foundry
Daniel, George, Isaac, lohn D., Sarah and offices of the
Delilah.
Company, and has one child. .Mildred (Mr.
(

)

ADAM

;

in musical work, being a
John D. Smith was born in Snyder county. Herr is prominent
IJerwick
the
of
Band, instructor of
member
He
Pa., Sept. 9, 1806, and died Sept. 8, 1856.
was a Republican and a member of the Lu- the Nescopeck and Bloomsburg cornet bands,
He married Annie Benner, and organizer of the orchestra of the Holy
theran Church.
who bore him two children, Robert and Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Sunday .school)
;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1104

Miriam V., born Nov. 22, 1888, and Carrie M.,
born July 30, 1892, are at home.
Mr. Smith has been a lifelong Republican,
of advanced ideas, and has taken a deep interest in the politics and development of his city.
One of its substantial citizens, he is always
working to improve moral conditions in the
community. He is a prominent member of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church and has
filled all its offices, and has taken special interest in its financial situation, having given
time, money and thought to placing it on a

Mr.
sound basis, with gratifying success.
Smith was instrumental in organizing the Sunday school from which sprang Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of West Berwick.
Mr. Smith is a charter member of Adamsburg Lodge, No. 566, I. O. O. F., and was its
he is also a member of the
first noble grand
Brotherhood of the Odd Fellows, and is a
past regent of Berwick Council, No. 1761,
Royal Arcanum, which he is now ser\ang as
;

collector.

ALLEN EDGAR SMITH,

who

nected with the sales department of the

con-

Amer-

Aug. 15, 1847, son of Samuel and Caroline
(Fowler) Fowler.
Mr. Fowler's paternal great-grandfather
was an early settler in this section, coming
when the Indians were still here. William
Fowler, the

grandfather, was

native

Luzerne county. Pa., and in an early day located in Columbia county, near Nescopeck,
which is just over the line in Luzerne county,
there buying land where he remained until his
death.

Samuel Fowler, father of Theodore B.
Fowler, was born Jan. 8, 1818, at FowlerColumbia county, in the building that
occupied what was afterwards the site of the
Fowler store. For a number of years he lived
with his parents on what is now the Michael
Harter farm above Nescopeck. By trade he
was a molder, and in 1840 he moved into Berwick, where for a long time he was in the
employ of the Jackson \Voodin Manufacturing
ville,

Company, now the American Car and Foun-

dry Company, as boss molder. He and his
wife began housekeeping in the building situated on the northwest corner of West Front
street and Euclid avenue, and later moved to
the house he built above the Methodist

Car and Foundry Company, was born
21, 1879, in Beaver Springs, Snyder
Church (now the AlacDonald property), livCo., Pa., a son of Adam and Sue J. (Klose)
there until he purchased a farm of Jared
Smith. He attended the schools of his native ing
In 1852 he settled at the Fowler
Young.
town, and when his parents came to Berwick
on Riverview street, where the
entered the Berwick high school. He took a homestead,
rest of his long life was spent.
For many
course of bookkeeping and stenography at
years he farmed the property now owned by
while
in
the
frame
of
night,
employed
shop
his sons, Theodore B. and Walter N., and
the American Car and Foundry Company, a
daughter, Eudora (who married Frank H.
he
held
for
three
and
a
half
He
place
years.
then went to Cumberland, Md., where he en- Hagenbuck), a portion of which is now within the limits of Berwick, but for fifteen
years
tered the employ of the Union Lumber
before his death he lived retired. He all but
& Manufacturing Company, as stenographer
and bookkeeper for a short period.
He completed his ninety-third year, dying Jan. 2,
then returned to Berwick and entered the em- 191 1, and is buried in Pine Grove cemetery.
Up to a few years previously he had enjoyed
ploy of his former employers. April i, 1901,
as stenographer and typist in the general office. good health, and he was bedridden three
He was promoted at various times, until he be- months before his death. We quote from the
came connected with the sales department, and Berwick Enterprise of Jan. 3, 1911
"Having
been all his life a resident of Berwick and
is now one of the local sales
agents.
On Oct. I, 1903, Mr. Smith was married to identified closely with the heads of BerAvick's
older families, his passing away takes from
Jennie May Evans, a daughter of Oliver E.
and Emma J. (Brooks) Evans, and they have town one of the widely known and one of
had one child, Oliver Evans, born Sept. 17, the most esteemed residents. For over half
Mr. Smith is independent in politics, a century Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have lived at
191 1.
and is a member of the Methodist Church their present home and together have lived
he is chairman of the membership committee through the early days of the town and remember keenly the
events
of the Brotherhood Bible class in the
Sunday connected with the many interesting
history of the town.
school, which class has a membership of about *
*
*
The couple have lived a remarkable
three hundred and fifty.
life and last
June commemorated the sixtyTHEODORE B. FOWLER, now living re- sixth anniversary
of their marriage.
Mrs.
tired from active life at Berwick, was born
Fowler, who survives, possesses health and
ican

Feb.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
vitality that is even more remarkable than
that of her husband and all her senses are
keen and active despite her advanced age. It
has been the pleasure of a reporter on more
than one occasion to hear these old pc()i)le
tell of the earlier days of which none know*
*
*
better.
Industrious and of a retiring disposition, Mr. Fowler was interested in
that which made for the town's advancement.
He took a prominent interest in the Sons of

Temperance

this section

and

his activities

him to other counties. In polihe took an active interest, Imt never aclioth Mr. and Mrs.
cepted a jniblic office,
in this called
tics

Fowler had the distinction of witnessing the
destruction of both of Berwick's wooden
bridges, the first in 1836 and second si.xtyeight years afterward, in 1904. The shad fisheries, the famous salmon gorge, are among
the many early incidents that were recalled by

them.
Mr. Fowler is survived by his wife,
one brother, Wilson I-'owler, of Hazleton, and
two sons, Theodore and Walter, of town, also
survive, as do the following grandchildren
Carrie, Theodore and Grace Hagenbuch, Sterling Fowler, Mrs. Carrie Baird, of Philadelphia
Myrna and Walter Samuel Fowler.
:

;

Four great-grandchildren also survive Caroline and Dorothy Baird
Theodore, Jr., and
Helen Elizabeth Fowler,."
On June 23, 1844, Mr. Fowler was married
by Rev. Mr. Hand, a Presbyterian minister,
to Caroline Fowler, who was born Oct. 15,
1828, in Columbia county, the only child of
her parents, who were farming people. vShe
:

H.. burn

March

canal Aug.

1105

was drowned

1878,

in the

1890; {2) .Sterling I)., born
June 15, 1881, died Nov. 19, I912, in Colum])ia county,
lie was a graduate of Slate
College and became a teacher in that instilulion, having the senior class in mechanical
He married Mildred Garner,
engineering.
i,

and had two children. Theodore Garnt-r ;md
1

lelen Elizabeth.

On March

23,

i(>i4.

Mr. bowler

niarrietl

(.second; Mrs. Louise Jeaniiette ((iordon)
iMclding, of Berwick, who was born M.irch
15, i8CxD, in Rochdale, Lmcashire. ICngiand.
daughter of William and Caroline (.Martin)
(lurtlon.
William (iordon was superintend-

ent of a brass foundry (for his brother) in
Mrs. b'owler was first married, in
b'ngland.
I^ngland, to William J. i""ielrling, from Lancashire,
that

and

their son,

Wilfred

(

i..

was

b(jrn

country Sept. 18. 1881, coming to
America with his parents thirty-two years ago,
Nov. 5. 1882. .Arriving at .New York, they
])roceede(l to Warren. Pa., and for a time
lived at Milton. Pa.
They bad two cbildrm
h.ilt months
bVank, who died when three and
old; and Wilfred G., who married Ellen K.
Shuman, of Berwick, and has one son, Wil:

fred G., Jr.

;

now

home

of her son, Walter N.,
in Berwick.
Like her husband, she is a
member of the First M. E. Church. He was a
lives at the

Republican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler
had three children, as above mentioned. The
daughter, Eudora, married Frank H. Hagenbuch, a farmer,

who owns

large tracts in Cen-

and they have three children
Carrie, Theodore and Grace
they live in
Salem township, Luzerne countv.
Theodore B. Fowler worked on his father's farm and in the shops at Berwick, and
tre township,

;

during the latter part of his active life deHe
voted himself to agricultural pursuits.
is a Republican in politics, and a prominent
member of the M. E. Church, serving on the
official board.
On Feb. i, 1877, Mr. Fowler was married
to Martha Harter, who was born March 28,
1852, daughter of John and Roxanna TGrover) Harter, and died Oct. 14. 1908. She is
Mr. and
buried in Pine Grove cemetery.

Mrs. Fowler had two children
70

( i )

Frank

GEORGE

M0W1":RV.

farmer of

Milllin

township, Columbia Co., Pa., was born in that
township Dec. 26, 1839, a son of Jf)hn and
I lis
Debbie (Schlosser) Mowcry.
grandfather was one of the early settlers of Columbia county.

John Mowery was born
and was a farmer there all

in Miffiin

township
dying at the
His wife
age of eighty-five years, in i8(/).
was born at Nescopeck township. Luzerne Co.,
Pa., daughter of one of the pioneers of the
county, and her death occurred in i«xx).
Three children were born to John Mowery and
wife: George; John, who resides in Miftlin
township; and Jane, who is the wife of John
his life,

Leam. of Nescoi)eck.
George Mowery, son of John Mowcry, with
his brother and sister was educated in the
schools of Mifflin township, attending the old
log schoolhouse remembered by the older i)COof this locality. When still a boy he be-

ple

gan working on his father's farm, and he has
been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his
life.
During the Civil war George Mowery
enlisted in 1862 for service in the Union army.
Voljoining Company H. 178th Pemisybania
unteer Infantr)', under Captain Price and
Colonel Johnson of Philadelphia, and Lieutenant Colonel

Wymer.

He sened

almost a year,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1106

and was distaking part in some skirmishes,
home.
at
returning
Pa.,
Harrisburg,
charged
For the past twelve years Mr. Mowery has resided at his present location, owning his propidentified with all matters
and is
closely

erty,

looking to the good of his community.
In 1863 George Mowery was married to
Sophia Bower, born in Briarcreek township,
Columbia county, daughter of Solomon Bower

and his wife, whose maiden name was Evans,
who were farmearly settlers of this section,
Mr. and Mrs. Mowery have being people.

the parents of the following children:
William, who is a resident of Mifflin townCoship; Reuben, a resident of Hetlerville,

came

lumbia county Anna, living at Benvick, Pa.
Dora, who is the wife of H. A. Roots, of Ber;

;

Both ]Mr.
and three deceased.
Pa.
and Mrs. Mowery belong to the Lutheran
wick,

;

Church.

M. D., for over
HIESTER V.
twenty-five years a physician and surgeon, of

HOWER,

Columbia Co., Pa., was born near
Bloomsburg, same county. Oct. 31, 1863,
son of Jackson and Rebecca (Vanderslyce)
Hower.
John Hower, grandfather of Dr. Hower,
was of German ancestry, and one of the earlier
settlers of Columbia county, where he carried
on farming during his younger days, dying at
Bloomsburg.
Jackson Hower, son of John Hower, and
father of Dr. Hower, was a plasterer by trade
and became an extensive contractor in that
county. He spent his life in Columbia county,
where he was born, and died at Bloomsburg in
His wife was a daughter of John
1894.
Hiester Vanderslyce, and on the maternal side
was a member of the Hiester family that gave
a governor to Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Jackson
Miftlinville,

Hower died in 1904 at the home of her son,
Dr. Hower. Jackson Hower gave his country
patriotic service throughout the Civil war. He
and his wife had six children: John is deceased; Catherine married Dr. Jacob Kisner,
of Carlisle, Pa.
Charles is a resident of
Bloomsburg; Elizabeth married Dr. C. B.
McClure, formerly of Berwick, Pa. Henry
is a resident of
Bloomsburg; Hiester V. completes the family.
Hiester V. Hower, son of Jackson Hower,
obtained his literary education in the public
schools of Bloomsburg and its excellent normal
;

;

school, being graduated from the latter institution in 1 88 1.
For four years he

taught

school in Luzerne county. Pa., and then entered the College of Physicians and
Surgeons
at

Bahimore, Md., where he took his medical

in
course, being graduated therefrom

1887.

For some time following Dr. Hower was associated with Dr. Kisner, of Carlisle, and then
coming

to Mifflinville established himself in

general practice,
twenty-five years.

which he continued for
His practice extended over

a wide area, his skill being generally recogHe is now at Scranton, devoting his
nized.
time to private hospital work.

In 1888 Dr. Hower was married to Dora
of Conyngham, Pa., a daughter of

Drum,

George

W. Drum, who now

resides at

Con-

his wife, who was a Wagner, is deyir. Dnmi is one of the prominent
ceased,
residents of his town, where he has held nu-

yngham

;

merous public offices, including that of justice
of the peace, in which he has served for over
one of the oldest justices in
fifty years, being

At one

length of service in Pennsylvania.
time he served in the State Assembly, and has
always been a leader in important matters.
Dr. and Mrs. Hower have no children. He is

Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge and
Consistory at Bloomsburg, and the Mystic
Shrine at Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; and is also a
member of the P. O. S. of A. Camp at Mifflinville, which he has served as treasurer for the

Professionally he belongs
Columbia County Medical Society, the
Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the
American Medical Association. No measure
of moment came up at Mifflinville during his
last fifteen years.

to the

residence there that Dr.

Hower

did not give

encouragement to it, and it was mainly
through his eflforts that the river bridge at
Mifflinville, one of the finest of its kind in

his

He is a member of
the State, was erected.
the board of directors of the First National
Bank of Bloomsburg, and in addition to other
interests owned his residence, one of the most
beautiful homes in that part of the county.
F. ELLIOTT, a farmer of Limestone township. Montour county, was bom on
the old Elliott homestead in Anthony township, that county, March 29, 1875. son of

JOHN

Samuel Elliott.
Samuel Elliott, the father, was born in
Anthony township, where the family has long
been estabHshed.

now (1913)

seventy-

has always followed
lumbering and farming, and is a highly es-

three years of age.

citizen of his locality, where his
upright and industrious life has won him
universal respect. He married Mar)- Probst,
who was bom on the old Probst homestead,
daughter of George and Rebecca Probst, and
is now sixty-two
years old. Both her parents
belonged to old Anthony township families.

teemed

COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUXTIES
Mr. and Airs. Elliott have had two sons, John
F. and Lorenda, the latter living on the homestead.

John

F. Elliott

was given good advantages

at the public schools, and after
leaving school
remained at home and farmed with his father

until twenty-six years old.

lie then began to
follow agricultural pursuits on his own account, and after twelve years moved to Limestone township, in April, 1913, having bought
the farm he is now operating. In addition to
general farming he is interested in stock raising, and by intelligent application of modern
methods to the requirements of his property
he is making a thorough success of his work.
He is a representative of a good family, and
is keeping to the standards by which he was
raised.

married Ida Derr, who was born
Dec. 28, 1875, in Limestone township, daughter of Thomas and Effa (Schuyler) Derr, and
they have had seven children Alargaret who

Mr.

Elliott

now

Rohrsburg. Columbia county, acquired his
education in the local schools^ and has been a
farmer since he began to work.
He is a
steady-going and respected citizen, one of the
substantial residents of his neighborhuod.
A
Democrat in political views, he is not active in
party aflairs, and his religious connection is
with the Christian C hurch.
On May 30, 1901, Mr. Kline married
Minnie Kisner^ of Millville, daughter of John
Kisner, who has a blacksmith .shop at \lill\ille.
Mrs. Kisner, whose maiden name was
Minier, is from Unityville, Pa.; her father was
a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Kline have three children
luidelle, born Xov. 27, 1903; I'.ertelle.
:

Nov.

KLINE, who

has farming

in-

Greenwood

township, Columbia
county, is operating the place formerly owned
by his father, Ira Kline. The latter was born
in

Fishingcreek township, Columbia county,
learned the tailor's trade, and followed it
in

some years, later owning and working
fami property in Greenwood township,
now carried on by his son Edgar. He is a
for
the

veteran of the Civil war, having served in the
He
I42d Pennsylvania \"olunteer Infantry.
was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Pa.
By his marriage to Mary A. Britten he had
five children:

(i) Rodolphia

and Elva, Aug.

J909.

ELWOOD KXOUSE,

(

Dorothy, Milan and Ruth.
In political matters Mr. Elliott has associated with the Democratic party.
He is a
member of the Episcopal Church.

EDGAR

28, 1905;

who is the proprietor of one of the most ])opular confectionery and ice cream parlors in lienton, Columbia
county, is a native of that place, born May 13,

thirteen years old), Catherine, George,

Effie,

terests

1107

farmer

he Knouse family

of Cjcrnian descent

and one of the oldest in the county, (jrcatgrandfather Knouse came from the I-'atherland and settled in what is now Jackson townHe had a son b'rederick.
ship, where he died.
Frederick Knouse, grandfather of Elwood
Knouse, resided in Jackson township all of his
life and pursued the vocation of farmer.
He
died at the comparatively early age of thirty-

By his marriage to Nancy Heftier he was
Sallie \.,
father of thirteen children:
Hannah, Catherine. Jacob, Abraham, I'hilip,
Washington and Jackson (twins), Clara.
five.

the

Alexander, Samuel. Martha and Perry.
I'hilip Knouse, father of l-".hvood. wa< bom
in Jackson township and was a lumberman for

number of years after reaching his majority.
he moved to Clearfield county and
worked in the mines, and there he died at the
age of thirty-five. He was married to Mary
a

Later

Greenwood township; by his first wife, Young, who died in December, 1910. and they
Amanda (Lemon), daughter of Theodore had seven children William J., Elwood, Nora,
Lemon, he had one child, Stanley, and his Emma, Callie, Ella and Mamie.
Elwood Knouse was educated in the public
second wife was her cousin. May Lemon; by
this union he had two children, Mabel and schools of Jackson township, but the term of
limited by the necessity of
Donald.
(2) Lizzie married Thomas Haus- instruction was
a boy when
knecht, of Rohrsburg, and has three children, earning a livelihood. He was but
at Berbreakers
coal
at
the
to
work
is
the
went
he
Eva
Edith
Blanche.
and
(3)
Jessie,
:

wife of George Davis, a fanner of Benton
(4) Edgar E. is
they have one child, Rena.
next in the family. (5) Edith is the wife of
Harry Parker, of Sereno, Columbia county,
and has two children, Delbert and Robert.
The father of Mrs. Mary A. (Britten) Kline
was born in England.
Edgar E. Kline was born Feb. 28, 1870, at
;

nice,

Sullivan county.

next went to

Clearfield county to work in the mines as door
tender and mule driver, and in 1876 returned
to Benton, later engaging in the luml>er busIn this line he met with gratifying suciness.

follow the business until
has devoted all of his
he
when
since
91 3,
time to the store which he had previously purcess, continuing to
1

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1108

chased. He has a steadily growing trade, and
in addition to his confectionery has a prosperous green grocery business.
Mr. Knouse married Anna, daughter of

Daniel and Elizabeth (Kiefer) Hartman, who
were the parents of William F., Samuel, L.

R, George C, Charles, Isaiah. Edward and
Anna (Mrs. Knouse). Mr. and Mrs. Knouse
have had two daughters: Helen, born June
and Mary, born July 4, 1899, both of
whom are attending high school. Mr. Knouse
is a Democrat and served several years as
member of the council of the borough of
Benton, also as constable for ten years. Sohe is a member of Benton Lodge, No.

23, 1897,

cially

of the con667, F. & x-\. M., of Bloomsburg.
of Irem
and
degree),
(thirty-second
sistory

Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S., of Wilkes-Barre.
He is also connected with the Odd Fellows
and the Patriotic Order Sons of America.

The family are Methodists.

WILSON,

for several years stationed
as general division manager of

Bloomsburg
American Union Telephone Company, of
Columbia and Montour counties, whose main

the

Bloomsburg. has demonstrated his
for such responsibilities.
Though a young man for such serious duties,
he has been in the same line of work since the
beginning of his business life, and the fact that
several other members of his family have been

office is at

fitness

thorough

engaged

important work of this kind would

Wilsons were '"cut
out" for efficiency in this branch of business.
The Wilsons have been in Pennsylvania for
many years. Joseph Wilson, grandfather of
W. P. Wilson, made his home at York. Pa.
He was a captain in the Union army during

seem

to indicate that the

the Civil war.

N. H. Wilson, son of Capt. Joseph
at York, Pa., and as a boy
gaged in farm work at home. When
out into the world to make his own

W^ilson,

was enhe went

way he
became employed in telephone work at Baltimore. Md., where he remained for some years,
and later was at several other localities, including Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Pa. For the
five

general

years he has been at Erie. Pa., as
manager for the Union Telephone

Company at that
man of fifty-six

point.

years.

He is now (1914) a
He married Mary

Walsch, a native of Baltimore. Md. (now
forty-eight years old), daughter of John and
Anna (Holbrook) Walsch, the latter coming

America from Ireland when fifteen years
John Walsch served in the commissary
department of the Union army during the

old.

;

chief of the telephone company there:
Roy
is at Erie, Pa.; Edward and Robert are at

home.

Wilson was bom at Baltimore Oct.
and received a good common school
education. After leaving school he did boy's

24, 1885,

work
moted

for the telephone company until proto more responsible duties, being employed at Baltimore, Harrisburg, Philadelphia,
Erie and other places, working all over the
In 1908 he came to
State of Pennsylvania.
Bloomsburg, beginning his work here as local
manager, and becoming division manager of
this district of eastern Pennsylvania in 1909.
He became one of the highly respected citizens
of his adopted town, and is a member of the

Odd
now

Fellows and Elks lodges there.
located at Williamsport.

Mr. Wilson married Mabel Kahler, who was
born at Bloomsburg. daughter of (ieorge and
Margaret (Hollingshead) Kahler. the former
a molder by trade and a member of one of the
old-settled families of Columbia county.
Mrs.
Wilson is a member of the Lutheran Church,
and her father's family were among the
organizers of the first church of that denomMr. \\'ilson was
Bloomsburg.
He and his wife have one
child. Dorothy Paca, now one and a half years
old, the name Paca being her father's middle
name.
ination

reared a Catholic.

WILFRED

FIELDING,

formerly

Columbia county, now
living in Montreal. Canada, was in the service
of the American Car and Foundry Comj)any
while in this country and is now with the
Canadian Car Company. A native of Rochdale,
Lancashire. England, he is a grandson of the
late Joseph Fielding, of Rochdale, a wholesale
tobacco merchant. He and his wife are buried
there.
They had a family of seven children
John. Joseph, Samuel. George. William J..
Emma and Sarah Ann. In religious connection Joseph Fielding was a Methodist.
William Jacob Fielding, father of Wilfred
G. iMclding, was born at Rochdale and reresident of

was born

last

Civil war, at the same time that Capt. Joseph
Wilson, paternal grandfather of W. P. WilOf the children born
son, was in the service.
to N. H. and Mary (Walsch) Wilson: W. P.
Edith lives at home
mentioned below
is
Charles, of Philadelphia, is assistant ware

Pierwick.

ceived his education in the schools of that
He learned plumbing, serving an eight
place.
years' apprenticeship to that trade, which he
afterwards followed at Rochdale for a fewIn 1882 he brought his family to the
years.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUXTIHS
United States, arriving at New York Nov. 51I1,
and thence they went on to Warren, 'a.,
where they remained two years. Then they
Mr. Fiekhng died in
settled at 2^[ilton, Pa.
Pittshurgh, while working on a contract, and
He was
his remains were Ijnried in that city.
a member of the First Methodist Cdnirch of
I

Milton, belonged to the Knights of i'ythias
lodge there, and j^olitically supported the
In luigland he married
Democratic party.
Ponisa Jeannette Gordon, who was born
March 15, i860, at Rochdale, daughter of
William and Caroline (Martin) Gordon; her
father was superintendent of a brass foundry
(for his brother) in England. Two children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fielding: bVank,
who died when three and a half months old;
and Wilfred G. Mrs. Fielding remained at
Milton for a number of years after her husband's death and then moved to Berwick, and
on March 25, 1914, became the wife of Theodore B. Fowler, of that place, formerly a

prominent agriculturist, now living retired.
Wilfred G. Fielding was born Sept. 18,
1881, and was only a Httle more than a year
old when his parents brought him to America.
His literary education was obtained in the
elementary schools and high schools of Milton,
Pa., and was followed by a course at the Williamson Trade School, near Media, Pa., from
which he was graduated in 1902, after a
machine
thorough training in patternmaking,
work and mechanical drawing. Coming to
Berwick he was given a position in the drawand Foundry
ing room of the American Car
later was
and
P.
H.
under
Field,
Company
at the steel plant, where he
made car
inspector

and was given charge of a large
number of men. His next promotion was to
the New York office of the concern, where he
had an

office

served under Mr. Ostrander in the estimatmg
in the same
Car
Company, at
capacity by the Canadian

department.

now engaged

Montreal, Canada.

At Berwick Mr. Fielding married Ellen K.
Shuman, daughter of Augustus and Kate
one chdd.
(Owen) Shuman, and they have
m Ber-

Wilfred G.. ]r. During his residence
No.
wick Mr. Fielding joined Knapp Lodge,
First
the
and
Presbyterian
462, F. & A. M.,
Church.

JONATHAN PURSEL,

well

known

farmer of Hemlock township, near
Canada June
Bloomsburg, was born in Upper
of Jonathan
7 i8S2 son of Daniel, grandson
who
Daniel
Pursel,
of
and great-grandson

truck

married

Mary Green.
Scotch- rish descent.

1100

The

family

Jonathan Pursel. grandfather oi his present
namesake, was born Dec. JO. 1705, in I'Vosly
X'alley, Hemlock town-shij). and was a blacksmith by trade.
He traveled to Canada by
team with his wife and family and settled in
what became Ui)i)er Canada, following his
trade.
le is buried in Canada,
lie was niarried twice, by his first wife having i'wc cliildren. Daniel. Lemuel. Jonathan. Ndrniand and
i'.mily.
By his secoinl wife he had one cliild,
1

Nettie.

Daniel

son of Joii.ath.an, was born
and was but a small b(jy when
his ])arents emigrated to Canada.
Despite his
youth he assisted, driving a team the wlujle of
the distance. He ac(|uired a knowledge of the
blacksmith's trade from his father, but seemed
to prefer the life of a fanner,
h'or a few
in
he
farmed
Canada
then
returne<i
and
years
to Columbia county. Pa., settling in Klooni
township, where he farmed the old Snyder
homestead for a few years. He then moved
from there to Dutch X'alley. thence to Orange
townshij). and later to Rohrsburg, where lie
follow'ed his trade for six years. His next
in

lYosly

l'in>el.

\ alle\-

buried.

whence he
where he died and was
married l-.xi)erience ^'oung. and

was

residence

moved

in X'alley townshiji.

to Berwick,

P>enjaniin. who
they had seven children:
served for three years in the Civil war; AbiI-jnily A., wife of George W.
gail, unmarried
;

Johnston, residing in ( )rangeville Nancy, who
died young; Jonathan; Wallace. Hving in
Wilkes-Barre; and Bruce, residing at P.erwick.
Jonathan Pursel was but five years of age
when his parents drove from Canada to Columbia county and he had to make the l)cst of
the limited facilities afforded by the schools of
those times. At the age of ten years he was
;

and
placed among strangers to learn fanning,
after his marriage he started out on liis own
account at Beach Haven. Luzerne county.
Thereafter he farmed in Columbia county, in

Orange township two

years,

Greenwood

township seven years, in Fishingcreek townlived for three years
ship three vears, and then
In July. i8<>7, he bought the
in Bloomsburg.
old Corell tract of fifty-one acres in Hemlock
he greatly
township, near Bloomsburg. which
into a truck farm.
improved and converted
He has a beautifully situated place, with a fine
view of the town of Bloomsburg. and he has
in the
l)ut a short drive to reach his customers

He attends the markets there three
town.
times a week, and his products obtain a ready
sale

owing

to their freshness

and

quality.

•

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1110

Mr. Pursel married Mary E., daughter of
Welliver, and they have two children
Josephine graduated from the State Normal at
Bloomsburg, and taught school eight terms before her marriage to Marvin Connor, of the
firm of Keller & Connor, hardware merchants,
of Benton, Pa. Chester is located at Wilmington, N. C, where he holds a responsible position with the Pullman Company.
Mr. Pursel is a Republican in politics, has
served as tax collector and school director of
Greenwood township, and is a member of the
In religious faith he is a
State Grange.

Evan

;

THOMAS

;

Presbyterian.

Pleasant

daughter of John Whitenight, of Hemlock
Mr. and Mrs.
township, Columbia Co., Pa.
Oman have had children as follows: Laura
married Henry Shoemaker, and has children,
Leo, Marco, Gertrude, Winnie, Webster and
Rachel; Effie R., who married Russel Creveling, resides in the vicinity of Light Street
(she has no children) George, who is farming the homestead, married Lulu E. Miller,
and they have one child, Fred R. Mr. Oman
belongs to the Methodist Church, which he
has served in various official positions. Formerly he was a member of the Odd Fellows,
but severed his connection with that order.
good farmer and excellent business man, Mr.
Oman has forged ahead and deserves the prosperity which has attended his eflforts.

OMAN,

township.

a farmer of Alount
Columbia county, was

born on his farm there Oct. 13, 1847, son of
George Oman and grandson of Peter Oman.

Henry Oman,

a native of

to this country at
what later became

Germany, came

an early day, locating in

Columbia county.

here he died.
Peter Oman, son of
the owner of a farm in

Pa.,

and

Henry Oman, became
Mount Pleasant town-

ship, Columbia county, which he operated unhis removal to Kalamazoo, Mich., where he
died when ninety-four years old.
The chil-

JOHN

E. BREISCH. a farmer of Catawissa township, now residing on the old family homestead, was bom in that township. Nov.
3, 1854. and is a son of Joseph Breisch, a
descendant of one of the early settlers of German extraction who came from the Fatherland
to

hew

home from
Breisch

the wilderness.

was

born in Catawissa
Columbia county. Aug. 15. 1822.
dren of Peter Oman were: George, Samuel, and was a son of George and Rebecca (Wall)
Of these, Breisch, who were natives of this State and
Peter, John, Rebecca and Ellen.
Rebecca married Abraham Kline, and Ellen, of German descent. His grandfather, Jacob
Matthew Sproal.
Breisch, was born in the old countrv and came
to America in early
son
of
Peter
was
bom
youth. Cirandfather Wall
Oman,
George
Oman,
in Columbia county, Pa., where he became the was sold in bondage to pay his passage to
owner of a large farm. This he operated, America, working for some years after his
erecting on it a substantial house and barn, arrival to repay the money.
George Breisch
and making, other valuable improvements. He was born in Montgomer}^ county, Pa., and
resided upon this property until his death, came to Columbia county in 1802. when he
which occurred when he was sixty-nine years established the old Breisch homestead which
old.
George Oman married Catherine Fow- has been in the family ever since. He died in
1870. Joseph Breisch was reared on the farm,
ler, a daughter of David Fowler, who died
when eighty-five years old, and both are buried leaving to take charge of a place of his own in
at Light Street. Their children were
1852. In 1853 he married Harriet ^filler, and
Sallie,
David, Susanna, John and Sophia (twins), they had five children:
lohn E.. living at
Henry, Samuel, Mary, George, Peter, Maggie, Catawissa; Emma J., wife of Charies W.
Thomas C. and Rebecca.
Ncwhauser. living in Washington. D. C. ReThomas C. Oman was sent to the local becca, unmarried; Harmon M., living at Cataschools, and taught farming in all its details wissa; and Regina, wife of Britton Hughes.
under the capable instruction of his father. Joseph Breisch and his wife were both memAfter the death of his mother Mr. Oman bers of the Lutheran Church.
He died in
bought the homestead, now comprising 140 lOOi, and they are buried in the cemetery at
acres of well improved land, and on it he has Catawissa.
made some improvements which have added
John E. Breisch was born in Catawissa
materially to its value. Mr. Oman devotes all township, where he attended the countr\'
of his time to agricultural pursuits, and has schools and labored on the
home fami. He
developed into one of the leading farmers of selected the vocation of agriculture and at the
his township.
age of twenty-one married and removed to the
Mr. Oman married Mary J. Whitenight. a homestead of his
ancestors, a tract of is^o
til

Joseph

township,

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
acres,

where he took up the congenial work of

cultivating the ground.

Nov. 22, 1875, Mr. Breisch married
Lydia, daughter of Philip Fram, of Schuylkill
county, and this union has been blessed with
Cora E., wife of Fred Stonge,
four children
:

Enola, wife of
living in Philadelphia
Tragel, residing in Michigan; Raymond,
;

Roy
who

married Dora Gruver; and Emma, wife of
Jeremiah Artley, now living in Catawissa.
Mr. Breisch is a Democrat, and a member
of the Lutheran Church of Catawissa. lie is
also connected with the State Grange, in which
he takes a live interest. He has what he believes to be a valuable vein of copper ore runof which he
ning through his farm, specimens

will

have analyzed by the State geologists.

E. STINE, a well known
Locust
of
farmer
township, Columbia county,
and Centralia road,
Newlin
the
on
residing
was born in Cleveland township, same county,
Aug. 20, 1872, son of David Stine.

MICHAEL

David Stine was born and reared in Cleveland township, and in his young manhood became a merchant, having a store three-quarters
When he
of a mile west of Numidia, Pa.
sold out that place he removed to Mount
Carmel. He died at Shamokin at the age of
remains are restmg m
sixty-four years. His
He was
the Lutheran cemetery at Numidia.
a
a member of the Reformed Church, and
was
he
in
which
keenly
in
Democrat
politics,
interested.

married

Isabella,

daughter of

William Hand, a native of Locust township,
and they had four sons and two daughters.
Mrs. Stine is now living with her son Michael,
at the age of sixty years.
of
Michael E. Stine attended the schools
the
learned
also
he
where
Locust

township,
trade of blacksmith.

For fourteen years he
and then returned
Shamokin,
worked
for seven
to Numidia. where he ran a shop
location
his
to
came
then
present
He
years.
and bought a farm, having forty acres adjoinwhich he has been
ing Numidia on the south,
lie martime
cultivating up to the present
fidWilliam
late
the
of
ried Rose, daughter
to the
had
have
dler, of Shamokin, and they
both
Robert and Helen,
lowing children: J.
Stine is a
of whom are attending school. Mr.
of the Lobeen
has
and
president
Democrat
two terms, and
cust township school board for
He was the
that
of
body.
treasurer
the
is now
Mutual
Locust
the
of
local charter member
is a member
Stine
Mr.
Insurance Company.
Pa.,

of the

Odd

Fellows

MICHAEL TOBIAS OHL.
gaged

lodge at

Shamokin.

nil

who is enbusiness as a contractor at Hlooms-

was boni in Hemlock township, Columbia Co., Pa., July 17, 1853, son of George
and Sarah (Heller) )hl.
Inirg, Pa.,

(

Michael OhI, grandfather of Michael T.
Ohl, was born in Xorihamplon county, Pa.,
where the family, of German origin, had settled at an early date.
In young manhood he
migrated to Columl)ia counly, and here cleared
a fanu from the virgin forest, becoming one
of the substantial men of what is now Hem-

He died in Madison township,
and he and his wife were buried at Heller's
Church, Dutch Hill. They were the parents
of four children: George; William; llenry;
and Mary Jane, who became the wife of Wash
Mauser.
George Ohl, son of Michael Ohl. was bom
in Hemlock township, and became a cari)entcr
He also engaged in agricultural
by trade.
operations, was successful, and at the lime of
his death, which occurred in Mount Pleasant
township, owned a farm in Hemlock township
and another in Madison township. He married Sarah Heller, daughter of Tobias Heller,
and both were buried at Dutch Hill. They
were the parents of the following children
Mary C. who married Fred Beagle; Lena J.,
who became the wife of John Moore; Michael
Tobias; Henry; Joseph M.; Thomas Boyd;
Elmer; Anna, who married George Hasscnis deceased.
plug: and John, who
Michael Tobias Ohl. son of George Ohl. attended the public schools, and like other
farmers' sons of his day and locality spent his
lock township.

his father in the

work of

youth in assisting
At the age of eighteen years
the homestead.
and
he began to learn the trade of stonemason
in 1882 located in Bloomsburg,
and
bricklayer,
where he has been operating to the present
Graduallv advancing in his trade,
time
and steady
through excellent workmanship
become one of the city s
has
he
perseverance,
a numcontractors, and has erected
leading
ber of the

principal

among which may
church which was

plant

the

buildings

the

city,

be mentioned the Catholic

built in loii.

and the

filter

Bloomsburg Water Company.

'^Mr Ohl married

Julia E.

Crawford daugh-

of Mount Pleasant
ter of Stephen Crawford,
children as folhad
have
township, and they
a minister of the
O..
C.
Arthur
ovs- Rev.
stationed at
Reformed Church, now
.^axton
is the wife of Frank
who
M..
Pa. Laura
Ivey^
Bert
married
who
Sarah Elizabeth,
Bov-k S
:

•

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1112

Sewlard

;

Raymond

;

Olive B. and George

Stanley.

Mr. Ohl is an independent voter, exercising
his prerogative to vote for those he considers
best

fitted

lines.

for
is

office,

irrespective
of the

member

party

Reformed

Church.

BENJAMIN

FIFIELD.

of Scott town-

Columbia county, living at Espy, is enbee culture.
gaged in poultry growing and
Born at Andover, N. H., Jan. lo, 1855, he is
a son of Benjamin P. Fifield and grandson of
John Fifield. who lived and died in that State.
ship,

The

In 1894 he purArtley fifty-eight
acres of land in Franklin township, which he
has developed until it is a valuable property,
devoted principally to garden truck, which he
For five years
sells at the nearest market.
Mr. Bucher served as a school director, has
been constable and is now a justice of the
peace, in every walk of life displaying those
excellent traits of character which have aided
turist

Fifield family is of English extraction, its
in this country coming over in the

founders

Many of the family
":\Iayflower."
still reside in one or other of the States that
form the New England group.
Benjamin P. Fifield, Sr., was a native of

historic

Hampshire, where he engaged in famithe hotel business. He married Lydia
and
ing
Merrill, also of New Hampshire, and both

New

him

different places.

chased

from

Christian

in his successful career, industry, steadis a director of the
and thrift.

fastness

Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
Mr. Bucher married Lizzie Munson. daughter of D. A. ]^Iunson, and the following children have been born of this marriage: Helen,
Margaret, Louisa, Francis and Mercy, all of
whom are being educated in the State Normal
School at Bloomsburg.
E.

ROSS KESTER,

a farmer of Buckhorn,

Hemlock township. Columbia Co., Pa., was
born in Madison township, same county. Oct.

July 28. 1905, he came to Espy, and buying
of the old
"thirty acres of land (a portion
Mood estate) he branched out as a grower of

son of Joseph \V. Kester, and a
of
Joseph Kester.
grandson
Paul Kester. the great-grandfather of E.
Ross Kester, is the first of this line of the
family of whom there is definite knowledge.
Among his children was Joseph Kester.
Joseph Kester was a resident of Mount
Pleasant township, where he was engaged in

farm at Espy.
Mr. Fifield married

John. Elijah, James, Ann and
Mary. Later he married (second) a Miss
Mosgrave. and they had issue as follows:
Joseph W., William. Anna. Chawkley, B.
Franklin. Hannah. Ruth and Sarah.
Joseph \\'. Kester was born in Mount
Pleasant township. Oct. 2^, 1825. and died

died in that State.
Benjamin P. Fifield. Jr., received his education in the public schools in his native State,
and was reared to farming. For a number of
On
years he worked at the carpenter's trade.

fancy poultry, specializing on Plymouth Rock
chickens. He is also largely interested in bee
culture. His products meet with a ready sale
in the local markets because of their quality
Mr.
and his admirable business methods.
Fifield's farm adjoins the celebrated ostrich

Edna E.

Scales,

daughter of Cornelius and Matilda (Hagenbuch) Scales. Fraternally he belongs to Kearsarge Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M. The Congregational Church holds his membership and
has his hearty and generous support.

CHARLES

BUCHER,

a farmer of
Columbia
county, was
township,
born Sept. 16. 1868, son of John and Frances
(Kostenbauder) Bucher.
George Bucher, his grandfather, married
Sarah Deener, and among their children was

Franklin

John.

John Bucher was a tailor, and lived at SunHowever, he was buried in the little graveyard at Mclntyre, and his wife rests

bury. Pa.

by his

side.

Charles E. Bucher, son of John Bucher.
grew up a farmer and worked as an agricul-

14,

1865,

farming

all

his life.

his first wife

he had

five children:

3. 1869, in the city of Bloomsburg. aged
He married Hannah Jane
forty-three years.
Kester, born March 18, 1827, a daughter of
Joseph Kester, of ?^Iadison township, Columbia Co.. Pa., a second cousin.
She died Aug.
29. 1890. and both she and her husband are
interred in the cemetery at Dutch Hill. Joseph
\V. Kester was a farmer in Mount Pleasant
and Madison townships, until his retirement
to Bloomsburg.
He and his wife had the fol-

Oct.

lowing children: Sadie, who married Henry
Masteller; Harvey, who is deceased; and E.
Ross.
E. Ross Kester attended the local schools
of Madison township, and those of Bloomsburg. and having been reared to an agricultural life naturally turned to farming as his
life work.
For some years he managed the
old homestead, and then bought the John Ap-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUXTIRS
pelman farm of 121 acres of valuable land at
Bnckhorn, F'a.. which he is now conductini,'
according to modern methods, devoting his
property to general farming.
E. Ross Kester married Eva Masteller, a
daughter of William and Sarah (TIeller) Masteller.
Their children are William hVed and
Paul Earle. Mr. Kester is a Democrat, and
has served on the school board for eleven
The Lutheran Church has in him a
years.
faithful member, and he is now
serving it as
deacon and assistant suj^erintendent of the
Sunday school, he having held the latter position for several years.
Coming, as he does,
of one of the old and honored families of
Columbia county, Mr. Kester is living uj) to
his

name and

nun.ibered

among

the pros-

perous agriculturists of his township.

JOHN KELCHNER, a retired farmer of
Centre township, Columbia Co., I'a., was 1)orn
on the farm there which he still occupies, May
3> ^^33' son of William and Susan (Hess)
Kelchner.
The paternal grandfather of John Kelchner
was a farmer of Columbia county, and the
owner of a tract of 200 acres of land located
near to the property now owned by his grandThis land he cleared from the wilderson.
ness, building a log house and barn, and there
continued to carry on general
farming
In addition he built a
throughout his life.
kiln, having a limestone quarry upon his place,
and conducted a general store, which was
widely patronized by the pioneers of Centre
township. He was a well known Democrat,
and for years served his community in the

capacity of justice of the peace. He and his
wife were members of the Old Lutheran
Church, and both were buned in the cemetery
at the Brick Church in Briarcreek township.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Kelchner were
George, who married a Miss Miller; John,
who had three wives, the last being Hettie
Kisner; and William.
William Kelchner, son of the above, and
father of John Kelchner. was born in Centre
township, and here received his educational
Until he
training in the district schools.
reached his majority he worked with his
:

111:3

ents of the
following children
Aaron. I)urn
Sept. 3, 1826; Stephen, born |une «;. 1828,
who died Sept. 8, iS2<>; Callu-rine. born
:

29,

1830,

who

died

May

.March

|ohn
May 3, 1833; Henry, born Vlardi 7!
1835; and Charles, born Dec. 22, 1838. The
father was stricken with
consumption, .md
died thereof Oct. 2^, 1X50, while (he nujther
survived him for a long period and
passed
away at the age of eighty-si.\ years. Ht,[h
were buried in Briarcreek cemetery.
.Mr.
Kelchner was a stalwart DeuKx-rat. although
he was not one to push himself forward or
to .seek public preference.
His religion-^ faith
was that of the Lutheran Church, and in that
belief he died.
John Kelchner. son of William Kelchner,
was seventeen years of age when his father
died.
He was the only son left at home. an<l

born

19,

iS^^;

farm fell upon his shouland thus he had but few educational

the duties of the
ders,

ad\antages, rarely being able to attend school
oftener than one day a week. When he was
a youth the farming methods were exceedingly crude and entailed much hard labor.
.\11
wheat cutting was done with a cradle
scythe. John Kelchner becoming an exi)crl
with this implement, and the threshing was
done with an old-fashioned wooden flail.
on the hard barn floor,
bor a few years
he farmed on shares, but eventually he
jnirchased the homestead of 130 acres. Later
lie disposed of this property, being now the
owner of only one acre of land, while the farm
and dwelling are owned by his son .Albert, of
For the last eighteen years he
Briar Creek.
He is a
has been living in quiet retirement.
Democrat in politics, and has served as road
commissioner, as supervisor for four years
and as school director for nine years. He is
a popular member of the
)rangeville Lodge
of Odd Fellows and the Centre Townshij)
a
Grangers, and throughout this section has
wide circle of friends.
<

Mr.

Kelchner

.Amanda

marrie<l

I'.oonc.

Dec. 5. 1833, in Centre townfrom where she now resides.
mile
a
about
ship,
daughter of Daniel and l'".lizabeth (England)
Boone, and they have l>ecome the j)arcnts of
the following children: Henrietta, who died

who was born

who mar-

career of
father, and then embarked upon a
his own, becoming the owner of 130 acres of

when eighteen months

cultivated land

married Isaiah
Sadie Alvena. who married Sherman Dilley.
of Wilkes-Barre. Pa.; and Bnice. who married a Miss Wennich. of Bloom.';burg.
Samuel Boone, the grandfather of Mrs.
Kelchner. came from the eastern part of

and thirty acres of timber. He
an honest, industrious and energetic
worker, and won success through the medium
of his own efforts. On Aug. 20. 1824, he was
united in marriage with Susan Hess, of Norththe parampton county, Pa., and they became

was

old

.Mbert.

Briar Creek; Ida. who
Hartman. of Briar Creek;

ried .Alice Zenar, of

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1114

Pennsylvania and settled in Columbia county,
on a farm along the river in Centre township.
There he continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his life, accumulating a competence and gaining the respect and
esteem of his fellow citizens all over the town-

was a stalwart Whig in politics, but
ship.
and
at no time was he an office seeker.

wife
in Centre
Daniel
father of
his

were buried

at the

Hidlay church,

township.

Boone, son of Samuel Boone, and
Mrs. Kelchner, was born in Centre
township, along the Susquehanna river. He
was educated in the public schools and reared
to agricultural pursuits, assisting his father in

conducting the homestead for some years and
then entering upon a career of his own. He
later became a lime burner, owning a tract of
seven acres of land, and in this continued to
be engaged up to the time of his death, when he
had reached the age of seventy-seven years,
The mother survived him for a considerable
period, and passed away when she had reached
the age of eighty-eight years. Mr. Boone was a
member of the Fowlerville Baptist Church,
and there he and Mrs. Boone were buried,
They were kindly. Christian people, ever ready
to assist others, and merited the
high regard
and esteem in which they were universally
held.
Mr. Boone was a stanch Republican,
but never sought office. Five children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Boone: Cyrus, deceased,
who married Amanda Haman, also deceased
Perry, deceased, who married a Miss Shellhamer; Amanda, who became the wife of Mr.
Kelchner; Sarah, who married a Mr. Bloom,
both now being deceased; and Emma, who
married a Mr. Shannon, both now deceased.
;

Ham B., who is also of Lycoming county, and
Henry Asher, who is the eldest.
Henry Asher Fiester grew up amid strictly
rural surroundings and after completing a
course of study in the schools of his district
worked in lumber camps from the time he was
seventeen years old until he was nineteen
years and six months old, at which time he
began contracting with the Central Pennsylvania Lumber Company, with headquarters at
Williamsport, Pa. In April, 191 2, he came to
Washingtonville and purchased his present
hotel, which he is conducting along modern
lines, winning the approval and patronage of

the traveling public.
Mr. Fiester married

was

bom

now

deceased.

FIESTER,

proprietor of
the "Heddens Hotel" at
Washingtonville,
Montour county, was born Sept. 30, 1872. in
Lycoming county. Pa., a son of Thomas
Fiester.

Henry

Fiester lived in

Lycoming county.

where he married Mary Moyer, who was born
in the vicinity of
Philadelphia.

Thomas

Kile,

who

Sugarloaf township, Columbia
Co., Pa., daughter of B. F. Kile, a farmer of
that locality.
Mr. Kile married Hulda Hess,

For years ^Ir. Kile operated a^
one of the first in Columbia county,
and manufactured whiskey under the name of
distillery,

the

McHenry Pennsylvania Distillery. Mr.
and Mrs. Fiester have had the following famIrene. Josephine, X'irgie, Forester F., and
ily
one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Fiester
belong to the Baptist Church and are interested in its good work.
Being absorbed in
his business affairs Mr. Fiester takes no part
in politics, and does not
belong to any fra•"

ternal orders,

SIMON LEIBY, a farmer of Franklin
township, Columbia county, was born Jan. 28,
1854. son of John and Abbie (Snyder) Leiby.
Mr. Leiby 's paternal grandfather lived in
Locust township, where he carried on fanning
all
his life.
His children were:
Daniel.
George David Samuel John Sarah, who
married Jake Hoover; Mar)-, who married
;

HENRY ASHER

Mame

;

Jackson George; and Hannah,
S.

;

who married

Reider.

John Leiby. son of the above, was a shoemaker and followed his trade for some years in
Locust township, later buying a farm in that
township from James Fox. It comprised eightv
acres, and later he bought 100 acres more from
Peter Yocum. Subsequentlv he bought twentvfour acres from George Roup, and moved on
the latter property, where he died. His remains
are interred in Numidia cemetery. His wife.
who was a daughter of Michael Snyder of

Fiester, son of Henry Fiester, was
Lycoming county. Pa., and still survives. making his home at Unityville, Pa.
He
married Emma Stackhouse, who was born in
Lycoming county, and died in 1892, aged
She was a daughter of Locust township, is also buried in that cemthirty-three years.
Abram and Leonia (Kinney) Stackhouse. The etery. Mr. Leiby was a Democrat, but did not
Kmney family came from New Jersey, care for public life. His children were as
Thomas Fiester and wife had four children follows Francis Simon Pierce, who is deWilton M., who is a clerk in
Lycoming county; ceased; Willets Maria, who married Amos
Vernon K., who is of Lycoming county; WilHughes; Angeline, who married James Kase;

born

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Hannah, who married John Forninger; and
who married John Dyes.
Simon Leiby, son of John Leiby, assisted
his father in the farm work until he was
twenty-one years old. At that time he went
to Bear Gap to enter the employ of John
Pensyl, a merchant at that place. Mr. Leiby
drove a delivery wagon and acted as clerk
for two years, at the expiration of which
period he married and began farming, buying
the old homestead of his father, which comLater he sold this, and
prised 124 acres.
bought the Fortner farm in the spring of 1912.

and was very active in the affairs of the Christian Church.
He and his wife were buried at

Annie,

Trucksville.

Emmanuel
educated

him

place

among

the

ment

ill

working

Delay, son of Jacob Delay, was
public schools of Kingston

the

diil

employthe lumber woods, where he was

at the lime of the Civil war.

27, 18O4, at

Company D

White Haven,

I'a.,

l-\'b.

he enlisted

(Capt. Jeremiah Taylor), 61 st
Regiment (Colonel Smith, of I'liiladelphia),
Pennsylvania Volunteer infantry, attached to
the 3d Brigade, (>th Corps, .'\nny of the
Potomac. He participated in the battles of the

leading

farmers of Columbia county.
Simon Leiby married Ada Solter. a daughter of Michael Solter, of Northumberland
county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Leiby have had the
William married T^illian
following children
Hendricks Edwin is a farmer, living at home
Herbert is also a farmer, living at home; Wil:

;

township, Luzerne cfjunly, and as a lad
farm work. Subsecjueiitly he secured

This property contains 140 acres of land which
he is operating at present, and his success
entitles

111;

Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House,
and at the latter was badly wounded in the
left hand, losing four lingers and half of his
hand. After being in the hospital for .some
time he was sent to Philadelphia with the 2d
Battalion to do guard duty at the "Summit
House," on the old Darby road, and after serv-

ing for nearly six months in this capacity rehome, assisting in the farm ceived his honorable discharge, in April, 1865,
work Lucy married Preston Titsworth Fer- at Philadelphia; his service covered fifteen
non is unmarried Elma is unmarried Hazel months. Returning to Luzerne county, he
Mr. Leiby has served as a school was engaged in lumbering there until 1885, in
is deceased.
director and overseer of the poor, making as which year he came to Centre township,
good a record as an official as he has had in Columbia county, and located on a tract of

liam

also at

;

This land has all been put
under cultivation, and here Mr. Delay carries
DELAY, farmer and stock- on general farming.
Mr. Delay married Mary Fergerson, daughraiser of Centre township, Columbia county,
was born Dec. i, 1839, in Kingston township, ter of Isaac and Elisa (Elston) Fergerson.
Luzerne Co., Pa., son of Jacob and Esther and to this union have been born the followEmerline, who married Ira
ing children:
(Atherholt) Delay.
died at the age
Jacob Delay, father of Emmanuel Delay, Hardy, of Dorranceton, I'a.,
was born at Little York, Pa., and after re- of thirty-five years Eveline died when twentyof two years old; Ellen married Newton Heller,
ceiving his education learned the trade
also of Dorranceton I'^stella married William
few
a
until
followed
he
which
wheelwright,
susand
fell
he
when
McCreary (deceased) and (second) George
years before his death,
tained injury to his hip which eventually Fowler, of Canada Etta married George Elcaused his death. He married Esther Ather- ston, of Lehman Center. Luzerne county
married Dora Rabert, of Centre
holt. and they became the parents of the fol- Edward
lulith married Miles Bower, of
married
who
township;
John
Mary,
lowing children
West Berwick, Pa. Everett married Mary
Robbins, of Trucksville, Luzerne Co., Pa.
Catherine, who married Lewis Steiner. de- Breece, of Centre township.
Samuel P'ergerson. grandfather of Mrs.
ceased, of Pittston, Pa. Lucinda, who married
was born in Orange county, N. Y., and
White
of
Haven,
Delay,
Charles
deceased,

private

ninety-eight acres.

life.

EMMANUEL

;

Forschner,

Pa. Elizabeth, who married John Rambo. deceased, of Trucksville and Emmanuel. Jacob
life in
Delay spent the greater part of his
Luzerne county, where he was originally the
owner of a tract of fifty acres in Kingston
later purtownship, which he cleared and sold,
traded for
chasing another tract, which he
a Republican,
building lots in Dallas. He was
and served as school director of his township.
;

;

was the father of

the

following

children

Samuel, a school teacher, who died at the age
of twenty-one years; Isaac; and a daughter.
The parents are both buried in Orange (N. Y.)
cemetery.
Isaac Fergerson, son of Samuel Fergerson,
and father of Mrs. Delay, was born March 3.
1804, in Orange county, N. Y., and died Feb.
He lost his father when he was
2j, i860.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1116

and was bound out until
eight years of age.
of
the age
twenty-one years, attending school
He
until he mastered the "rule of three."
was married in New York State to Elisa
.

bacher's ancestors have always been associated
wdth the agricultural interests of their respective

neighborhoods.

Conrad Dieffenbacher, great-grandfather of
Catherine
and
Benjamin S., was born March i, 1745, and
Elston, daughter of Jonas
born died Aug. 6, 1813. His wife Catherine died
was
Mrs.
Elston.
Fergerson
(Myers)
They were married Jan. 30,
1808. and died May i, 1898. the Jan. 3, 1809.

Aug. 17.
Samuel. 1769.
mother of the following children
Philip Dieffenbacher, son of Conrad, above,
deceased, married Jane Harris, of Minnesota
Fannie married David Ransom, of Syracuse, died March 2^, 1840, aged sixty-two years,
His wife,
N. Y. Jane is the widow of Jefferson Myers, one month, tw'enty-tw^o days.
died Sept. 16,
of Luzerne county; Catherine (deceased) was Rosanna, born Oct. 13, 1782.
the wife of the late Edward Wagner; Sarah 18^.
Conrad Dieft'enbacher, son of Philip, be(deceased) was the wife of the late Charles
Durland; Mary became Mrs. Delay; Marilda came quite prominent in Derry township,
w'here he served as school director and supermarried Helorious Heller, of Newark, N. J.
His death occurred Oct. 11, 1884, at
Elizabeth married James Johnson, of Jackson visor.
the
marwho
age of seventy-eight years, seven months,
township, Luzerne county; Uriah,
ried Julianna Gordon, was killed at Fort ten days. His wife, Catherine, died March 19,
Fisher during the Civil war while a member 1866, aged fifty-three years, eight months,
of the Union army; Almira married James eleven days.
Benjamin S. Dieft'enbacher attended the
Del-ong (deceased) and (second) Thomas
Nelson (deceased), and now lives in Jackson countr)^ schools of his neighborhood until he
he was obliged to
township, Luzerne county; Arminda died at was twelve years old, when
become self-supporting, which he did. After
the age of two years.
Mr. Fergerson came to Luzerne county. Pa., working on different farms in Lycoming
in the spring of 1842, and had a farm of sev- county for two years he went to Milton, Pa.,
enty-five acres which he operated up to the and began learning the wagonmaker's trade,
time of his demise. By trade he was a stone- which he followed for ten years. In i860 he
mason, and was engaged in laying bridge came to Washingtonville and worked at his
In his early trade for a decade, when he moved to a farm
foundations and similar work.
in Derry township, conducting it for fifteen
life he was a Whig, and later he became a
He and his faithful wife were years.
Republican.
Returning to Washingtonville, he
members of the Baptist Church, and both are liought twenty-five acres two miles from the
buried in the cemetery at Huntsville, Luzerne town.
Later he went to Union county and
farmed for three years, and then returning
county.
Mrs. Mary (Fergerson) Delay, daughter of again to Washingtonville, has continued a resiIsaac Delay, was born Aug. 25, 1842, in Jack- dent of that place, where he is now living reson township, Luzerne Co., Pa., and there re- tired, having rented his farm.
Mr. Dieffenceived her education in the public schools. bacher has been quite prominent, as he has
After completing her studies she worked un- been constable for three
years, supervisor
til her
She has many friends in seven years, and a school director many years,
marriage.
Centre township, who have been attracted to now
holding that office for the borough. He
her by her admirable traits of character.
has ahvays been interested in educational matters, and he served as member of the city
:

;

BENJAMIN

BACHER,

SERVATUS

DIEFFEN-

farmer and business man,
living at Washingtonville, in Derry towaiship,
Montour county, was born in that township
April 8, 1836, son of Conrad and Catherine

(Stamm)

retired

Dieffenbacher.

The Dieffenbachers

originated in Wurtemberg, Germany, while
the Stamm family is of Swiss extraction.

Representatives of the former came to this
country at an early day, locating in the mountains of Pennsylvania, while the Stamms settled in Berks county. Pa., later
coming to
Montour county. On both sides Mr. Dieffen-

council for fifteen years. In his political prois a Democrat.
Air. Dieffenbacher married Margaret Elizabeth Berger, a native of Montour county, born
April 18, 1839, died Feb. 13. 1900, daughter of
Jonathan and Anna Marie Berger; the father
died April 3, 1882, and the mother May 19,
Mr. and Mrs. Dieft'enbacher had the
1879.
William C. who is a
following family:
farmer of Derry township, married Anna
Russell Daniel Norman is superintendent of
Clara Aletta
city schools of Danville, Pa.
married Samuel Moses, a farmer of I^erry
cHvities he

;

COLUMlilA AND

MONTOUR COUNTIES

a photographer of Wilhamsport Laura
Jane
married Daniel H. Larley, a mail carrier, of
;

Wilhamsport,
ticket

agent

Company

Pa.; David Arthur, who is
for the Pennsylvania Railroad

Muncy,

I'a.,

Hileman; Carrie Olive

store

Erma

married

Sarah

clerk in a general

Viola married
Claud Diehl, a telegrapher for the B. R. & P.
Railroad Company at Orchard Park. N. Y.
Mr. Dieffenbacher belongs to the Reformed
Cliurch, of which he was deacon and elder for
twenty years.

Williamsport

LAUB

was for a number of
JACOB A.
years a resident of West Berwick, Pa., holding a responsible position with the American
Car and Foundry Company and taking a leading part in the administration of civil affairs,

He
He

filled several important public
positions,
has recently removed to Erie, Pa., where
he is in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as railroad detective.
Mr. Laub belongs to an old Pennsylvania

family of Holland extraction which was first
established in Lancaster county, Pa.
There
Jacob Laub, grandfather of Jacob A. Laub,
lived for a number of years, marrying Elizabeth Deitterich, also of Lancaster county. By
occujxition he was a farmer. In the year 1845
he and his wife removed with their family to
Juniata county. Pa., and he died during the
Civil war.
Their children were: George entered the Union service during the Civil war.
in which he met his death, being killed at the
battle of Cold Harbor; Jacob, who like his
brothers was in the Northern army during the
Civil war. being a drummer, is now living in
CaHfornia; Henry H. is mentioned below;
Jane married William Roush; Martha married
Theodore Frey. This family held to the faith
of the German Reformed Church.
Henry H. Laub was born Jan. 10, 1840. in
New Holland, Lancaster county, where he
Hved until five years old. Then he accompanied his parents to Juniata county, where he
obtained a good education, being allowed to
attend common school until 1859. when he entered the academy at McAlisterville conducted
by George F. McFarland. During the winter
of 1860-61 he was engaged in teaching, in
West Beaver township, Snyder Co.. Pa., continning his studies in school the following
summer, and in the fall and winter of 1862
On
resumed teaching, in the same place.

n\l

until

the surrender at
AjiponiatKjx Court
House, and arrived home May 5, iHds- Mr
Lauh hccame a skilled carpenter 'and worked

some time, but eventually gave
his attention
principally to fruit growing, in
which line he did well. As one of the corn-

at the trade for

Spring and West Heaver
he has become one (jf the best

petent officials of

townships

known
county.

residents in his section of Snyder
In Spring township he served as as-

sessor. supervisor, tax collector, auditor, census enumerator (for i8(/Dj and .school director (three terms), and for the last several

years he has been auditor (jf that township.
For twenty-tive years continuously he has
been holding oftiee in the Gennan Reformed
Church, being now secretary of Christ Church
at Beaver Si)rings and treasurer of the joint
consistory of Beaver Springs charge. As a
veteran of the Civil war he belongs to the
Grand Army of the Re])ublic, holding membership in Post No. 612. at Beaver Springs, in
which he has filled all the oMices he ser\ed
as commander and has been (|uartermaster
ever since iX<j2. To his marriage with Louisa
Shout, daughter of Adam Shout, of West
Beaver township. Snyder county whose wife
was a Howell), have been born six children:
Harry, who married Olive Knepp; Sarah, wIkj
married Charles Wagner; Jacob .\.. mentioned
below; George A., of West Ilerwick, married
;

(

Amelia E. Beaver; Elizabeth, and (Iracc.
Jacob A. Laub was born March 15. 187,^. at
Beaver Springs, and in his early youth had
the advantages afforded by the .schools of that
town, later broadening his education by attendance at normal school the ])rivate normal
to

—

Having
at Middleburg. in his native county.
fitted himself for teaching he followed that
profession for three years, during iS<>4. i8«>3

i8(/).
Removing to I'.erwick Nov. S, iS«/).
he entered the plant of the American Car and

and

Foundry Company, in the rolling mill, workmill under J. H.
ing as heater on the 18-inch
He then left the
Catterall for a few years.
employ of the American Car and Toundry
Company, and was appointed chief of police
in West Berwick, holding the position for six
and entered the servyears, when he resigned
Railroad
the
Company, at
ice of
Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania.
West Berwick for several years counted Mr.
Laub among its most conscientious officials.
Li 1902 he was register assessor, and the year

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1118

Sarah Jane William Joseph BenneAdam.
and
ville,
Adam Smith was born June 12, 1855, near
four years as special officer, on Aug. I, 1907, Troxelville, Snyder county, and spent his childin hood on the farm, attending the country
receiving appointment as chief of police,
followino: served as general assessor.

Shortly
afterward he became a member of the police
force of West Berwick, on which he served

Keller

which capacity he acted for six years, his
thorough understanding of the work and fearless discharge of duty recommending him to
the support of his fellow citizens. His work

He then successively atschools until 1870.
tended the schools at Freeburg, New^ Berlin,

His
higher personal regard than Mr. Laub.
removal to Erie Jan. 2, 1914, was considered
a distinct loss.
His residence is at No. 116
West Sixteenth street.

years, holding several important positions with
marked ability. In 1903 he resigned to be-

;

Kutztown (State Normal) and Selinsgrove.
For several terms he taught school in various
not only did him credit, but raised standards places, and in 1876 entered the employ of A.
in his municipality which bid fair to have a H. Bowersox, a general merchant of BeaverHe then moved to
permanent influence for good in the local gov- town, Snyder Co., Pa.
ernment. Though he made a reputation for Adamsburg, and for a number of years taught
being courteous and obliging he was impartial in the public and private schools of that town.
in the administration of the afifairs of his of- He was elected justice of the peace and served
In
fice, and his good judgment and even sense of
acceptably in that office for eleven years.
1882 he entered into partnership with W. J.
justice could be relied upon in any situation.
His strong sense of responsibility to his fellow Klose, in Adamsburg. continuing until 1887,
citizens manifested in all his affairs and official when the partnership was dissolved and he
acts made them feels that their confidence in conducted the business alone until 1897.
At
him was not misplaced. A number of suc- that time he sold out and removed to Berwick
cessful residents of Berwick have moved to enter the employ of the Berwick Store Comhither from Beaver Springs, and none has won
pany, with whom he was connected for six

Mr. Laub was one of the charter members
Odd Fellows Lodge at Beaver Springs,
having been one of the fifteen who got their
degrees at Selinsgrove and afterwards instiof the

tuted a

home

lodge.

resident agent of the Fidelity Mutual
Since
Insurance Company, of Philadelphia.
then he has built up a large general insurance

come

including life, health and accident
insurance, and represents many well
known comi)anics. He is also an insurance
adjuster and broker.
business,

and

fire

Mr. Laub married Minnie
Mr. Smith was married in Snyder county,
who was born Oct. 14, 1876, the April 2, 1875, to Sue J. Klose, born March 12,
eldest daughter of Adam Smith, now a leading 1856,
daughter of Reuben and Sarah (Midinsurance man of Berwick.
They have the dlesworth) Klose, the former one of the promMarian Madeline, born inent men of Snyder county, the mother a
following children:
Dec. 5, 1895; Margaret Bernice, born May 13,
daughter of Hon. Ner B. Middlesworth. w-ho
Feb.

1895,

Belle Smith,

1897; J. Marshall, born Dec. 27, 1898; Burton
Randolph, born Oct. 19, 1903.
The Smith family has been in Pennsylvania
from pioneer days. Mrs. Laub's great-grand-

represented Union county in the State Legisla-

and Mrs. Smith have
Minnie B., wife of
A.
Allen
Laub;
Jacob
Edgar, born Feb. i,
father, Adam Smith, was a native of Lan- 1878; Anna, born Jan. 22, 1885. ^^"^^^ of Clarcaster county, where the
family were among ence Herr; Miriam V., born Nov. 22, 1888;
the first settlers. He was a Lutheran in
and Carrie M., born July 30, 1892. The two
religious belief, and very broadminded in
last named are at home.
Mr. Smith has been
politics.
His children, besides John D., were:
Henry, a lifelong Republican, and is a prominent
Adam, Daniel, George, Isaac, Sarah and member of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
Delilah.
Church, in which he has held all of the offices.
John D. Smith was born in Snyder county.
Pa., Sept. 9, 1806, and died Sept. 8, 1856. He
HENRY H. KEIFER, a farmer of Catawas a Republican and a member of the Lu- wissa, Columbia Co., Pa., was born in Roartheran Church. He married Annie
Benner, ingcreek township, that county, Feb. 22, 1851,
\vho bore him two children, Robert and Cathe- a son of
Henry Keifer.
rine.
After her death he married Hannah
Henry Keifer came from Germany to
Bubb, a native of Snyder county, and their America when about fourteen
years old, and
children were:
Susan, wife of James F. located in
Roaringcreek tow^nship, where he
ture thirteen times. Mr.
had children as follows:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
followed the trade of stonecutter and mason.
assisted in
constructing the Mainville

bridge, and was engaged in work at his trade
all of his life.
His death occurred in 1853,
and he is buried at Numidia, Pa. He married
Mary Fisher, of Columbia county, and their
children were: Sarah, deceased, who married

Samuel Dechert Rebecca, who married Jacob
Kerchner; John, who is a resident of Catawissa township; Jacob, who is
deceased;
Henry H. and Wellington, who is a resident
of Berwick, Pennsylvania.
Henry H. Keifer went to the local schools
and was brought up to farming. For a time
he was employed by David Leiby, a farmer of
;

;

Franklin township, who paid him five dollars
per month. Mr. Keifer continued to work out
among farmers until 1895, when he began

farming
Pa.

Cooper township, Montour

Co..

bought a tract of 134 acres, but after
cultivating it for five years, sold out, and
bought the Solomon Helwig homestead in
Catawissa township, comprising 154 acres of
valuable land. Mr. Keifer is responsible for
the greater part of the improvements

upon
him and

this

his
property and they do credit to
methods. Since igoo he has been running a
milk wagon to Catawissa, his dairy being
known as the "Catawissa Pride." In all his
operations he shows excellent business judgment and an appreciative conception of exist-

inf»

whence he brought

land,

United States

Columbia

his

family

in 1841,
settling at

the

Bloomsburg,

Co., Pa., where he followed ore
Later, however, he returned lo his
native land, and there his death occurred.
Enoch Cook, son of Richard Cook, and
father of Charles Wesley Cook, was bom in

mining.

1833, in Staffordshire, luigland, and there recommon .school education, lie accompanied the family to this country when he

ceived a

was

eight years of age, and, following in
father's footsteps, adopted ore mining as
vocation, in which he was engaged all of
life.
In 1874 he made a trip home to
native land, after a visit returning to

his
his

the
United States, and here his death (K'curred
in 1906.
He married Elizabeth Cainjtbell,

who was born in Columbia county, I'a., daughMathcw and Susanna (Mettleiij Cainj)-

ter of
bell,

both of

New

Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. C(K»k
ten children, of whom

became the parents of

now living: Charles Wesley; Millard F., a farmer of Danville; William HarElmer
rison, a painter, of Los Angeles, Cal.
Lincoln, also a painter of that city; Emma,
the wife of Frank Arms, a puddler in the mills
seven are

;

at Danville, Pa.; Benjamin, who is engaged
in painting at Danville; and J-llizabeth .\.. de-

ceased.

Charles Wesley Cook, .son of Enoch Cook,
received a district school education, his win-

ter months being sjjcnt in study and his sumMr. Keifer married Harriet Baylor Krum, mers, from the time he was ten years old. in
daughter of Daniel and Mary Krum, and they the hard, unremitting work of the home farm.
have become the parents of the following chil- Later he began spending his winters in clerkdren: Mary Idella; Sarah C, who married ing in Renovo (Pa.) stores, an occupation
Oscar Leighow. a farmer of Catawissa town- which he followed for three years, then entership; Alverta, who married William Long, and ing the mines, in which he worked until he
lives at Catawissa
Charles N., of Catawissa, was thirty years of age. Mr. Cook was next
a mail carrier on the rural free delivery route
employed at the furnace for four years, when
and John, who is at home. Mr. Keifer is a he entered business on his own account as a
Democrat, and has served as a school director, lime burner, and has so continued to the preswhile at present he is one of the township ent time, lie has built up a substantial busicommittee of his party, having held that office ness, and his success has been the result of
for two terms.
The Reformed Church of his own efforts, for since boyhood he has deCatawissa holds his membership, and he is now pended upon his own resources. A man of
an elder in that body. Interested in agri- industry, business ability and public spirit, he
cultural matters, Mr. Keifer naturally belongs has gained the confidence of his fellows, and

ing demand.

;

to the Grange.

highly respected by

all

who know

him.

Mr. Cook was married to Martha Stetler.
CHARLES WESLEY COOK, ex-commis- who was born in Montour county. Pa., daughsioner of Montour county, who is now engaged ter of Jasper and Margaret (Ebner) Stetler,
Mr. and Mrs. Cook have
in the lime-burning business at Danville, was nativesof Holland.
born April 5, 1856, in Valley township, Mon- had the following children: Arthur S., who
Stuart, who is detour county, son of Enoch and Elizabeth married Mary Jackson
and Alvin, who reside
Luther
Frank.
ceased
Cook.
(Campbell)
Richard Cook, the paternal grandfather of at home: Maude, who is the wife of H. MarCharles Wesley Cook, was a native of Eng- shall, of Wilkes-Barre. Pa., and has three chil;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1120

who married Cloyd Arnold, of
one child: Irene, the wife
has
and
Danville,

clrcn;

Minnie,

hammer handle which had been worn

off by
hands in work at his trade. In 1831 he
removed from Mifflinville to Centre township,
Columbia county, and continued to reside there
until his death, dying at one of his farms in
1880, when about ninety years old.
Though
he lost $30,000 through the insolvency of some
he trusted, he was the owner of nine valuable

his

farmer, who has two
and
Margaret and Bessie, residing
children;
at home.
Mr. and ^Irs. Cook are members of the
Lutheran Church, and are active in its work.
He belongs to Masonic Blue Lodge No. 224,
i.OOO or 1, 100 acres, in
at Danville, of which he is a past master, is a farms, aggregating
Mifflin
and
Columbia counCentre
and
also
townships,
member of the chapter at Danville,
and his industry and
holds membership in the Mechanical Knights, ty, all limestone land,
His first wife, Mary
of Mausdale. An active Republican, he always thrift were proverbial.
Wolf, also of Berks county, was a
to
from
(Polly)
and
his
issues,
1902
party's
supports
of John Wolf, and died in 1835, the
iyo8 served as commissioner of Montour daughter
mother of six children Katie, Mrs. N. Fleckcounty.
enstine; George; Maria, ]\Irs. Jeremiah Hess;
STEPHEN C. POHE, of Bloomsburg. one Sallie, Mrs. Philip Hess Stephen and Joseph,
of the young men actively connected with local who died young. For his second wife Joseph
Poe married Leah Miller, by whom he had two
interests, is a member of a family which has
been represented among the substantial citi- children: Polly (.Mrs. John W^olf) and Phebe
Six of his chilzens of Columbia county for several genera- (Mrs. Samuel Turnbaugh).
dren survived him.
Mr. and Mrs. Poe are
tions, since the time of his great-great-grandfather. The Pohes have been in America since buried side by side in Mifflin graveyard, Mifflin
He was a Lutheran in religious
before the Revolution, George Poe, as the township.
name was formerly spelled, coming to this faith.
Stephen Pohe, son of Joseph, was born
country from Ireland, and settling at Reading,
Berks Co., Pa., where he died. By trade he Sept. 6, 1825, at the town of ^lifflinville, and
was a tailor. He was a captain in the Revo- learned his father's trade. \\ hen twenty-one
lutionary war, serving under Washington for years old he took charge of his father's farm,
seven years. He had four sons George, John, and later he was extensively engaged in
Ferdinand and Philip.
freighting on the canal, operating eight or nine
George Poe, son of George, also served in boats between all points for three years, after
the Revolutionary war.
He lived in Berks which for nine or ten years he carried on a
county until he removed with his family to boot and shoe business in Mifflin. In 1865 he
Columbia county, where he farmed the rest of enlisted for nine months in Company A. 74th
his active years.
He died at Mifflin and is Pennsylvania N'olunteer Infantry, which was
buried there. His \\;ife was Eva Booth, who attached to the Army of the Potomac, and
was but seven years old when she and her with which he participated in a number of skirmother were captured by Indians, being held mishes.
He was mustered out in October,
for eleven years, until
they made their escape 1865, and then began farming a tract of 145
with the aid of a fur trader.
Among the chil- acres he owned in Centre township which he
dren of George and Eva
(Booth) Poe were: continued to operate until his retirement, in
Mary, Sarah, Katie, Joseph and George, the i88f). Lie now makes his home with his son
latter dying
Charles. Mr. Pohe always took an active inyoung.
Joseph Poe, son of George and Eva, was terest in the administration of local affairs,
born Sept. 19, 1790, in
Albany township, Berks and in 1879 ^^^ received the nomination of the
county, and was a boy of ten years when the Democratic party for county commissioner, to
family came to Columbia county. At the age which office he was elected by a large majority.
of sixteen he was apprenticed to
Larry Ruck, x\fter completing his term he returned to priof Bloomsburg, to learn
shoemaking. and upon vate life, but in 1884 was again nominated and
completing his apprenticeship went to Mifflin- elected, and served a second term to the entire
ville. borrowed $10 to
buy a kit of tools, and satisfaction of all concerned, making a reputastarted out as a journeyman,
going from house tion for his fearless stand wherever the interto house to make and mend
shoes, as was then ests of the people were involved.
the custom. He continued to work at
In September. 1856, Mr. Pohe married
his trade
until within a short time of his
father's death, Sarah A. Hess, who was born in Mifflin townalthough he had prospered to such an extent
ship in 1833. daughter of Charles H. and Hanthat he acquired
He had a nah (Helwig) Hess, and died Oct. 4. 1866.
large interests.
of

Wintersteen, a

;

COLUMBIA AND xMOXTOUR COUNTIES
She was

the mother of six children:

Francis

Joseph R. and Charles L. (twins), Alice
Eudora, George B. McClellan and Sallie, the
last named dying when one year old.
In October, 1867, Air. Pohe married Mrs. Mary A.
Hess, sister of his first wife, and widow of
L.,

She died Aug. 4, 1903, the
Eleaser Hess.
mother of two children, Seymour and Minnie G.

Charles L. Pohe, son of Stephen, was born
17, 1859, in Mifflin township, Columbia
county, and received his early education in the
public schools. Later he attended the Bloomsburg State Normal School, after which he followed farming in Centre township until his
marriage. At that time he moved to Catawissa
township, where he operated the Ilelwig farm
for three years, at the end of that period buy-

March

ing the

Matthew Hartman farm,

in that

town-

ship, a tract of fifty-five acres upon which he
He then
lived and worked for five years.
moved to the town of Catawissa, where he was

employ of the Reading Railroad Company until 1892. Lie was also clerk there for
I. tl. Seesholtz for four years, and during
Cleveland's administration became postmaster,
that
serving four years in that office. After
he was with J. A. Guiterman one year as clerk,
in the

similarly engaged with
In 1906 he
C. Seebold, at Bloomsburg.
was elected county commissioner, in which
office he served two successive terms, his second ending in 19 12, when he bought the propknown as
erty on Shuman street, Catawissa,
Grange Hall, and engaged there in the general
store business. He has a thriving trade, and

and for two years was
C.

one of the popular merchants of the borough.

1121

Studied at the I'olis business
college, in Williamsport, Pa., from which he was graduated
in 1902, after which he went to
Berwick, Pa.,
and entered the office of the Berwick
Light
Company, in time becoming assistant to the
manager, L. J. Townsend. After the laiter"s
death he was made manager of the
plant, in
1907, and held that position for eighteen
months, until the company was merged into
the concern with which he is now connected,
under the name of the Columbia Power, Light
iS:
At
Railways Company, of Bloomsburg.
this time, January, 1909, Mr. Pohe was made
superintendent of new business with offices at
Bloomsburg, which position he held until
September, 19 10, at which time he was elected

general superintendent of this company. During the year 19 12 its interests were purchased
by H. D. Walbridge & Co., of New York City,
and the company was reorganized, the gas and
electric properties under the name of the Col-

& Alontour Electric Comi)any, and the
railway properties as the North Branch Transit Company, Mr. Pohe becoming general manager of both companies. This position he retained until November, 19 13, when the above
umbia

syndicate acquired the gas and electric propwhat was known as the Northumberland County Gas & Electric Company, covering

erties of

Sunbury, Selinsgrove, Northumberland and
Milton, and the general management of the
whole was turned over to him, with offices in

Bloomsburg.
Air.

Pohe was one of

the twelve central sta-

Harrisburg in 1907 and
Electric Associathe
Pennsylvania
organized
tion, which has to-day a membership of 1.800,
tion

men who met

While a resident of Catawissa, Mr. Pohe representing practically all of the electric light
served as a member of the borough council. companies throughout the State. He has been
In politics he is a Democrat, in religious con- active in this association since its organization,
nection a Lutheran, and he was a member of and at the convention in Eagles Merc. SeptemHe ber, 1914, was elected to the office of vice presithe church council twenty-seven years.
active
an
takes
and
part m dent.
is a class leader
Mr. Pohe has discharged his responsible
school work, being president of the

Sunday

Bible class. He has been a very active member of the Catawissa Grange, No. 216, Patrons
of Husbandry, and has been master of that

body for five years.
On Nov. 24, 1881, Mr. Pohe married Sarah
Elizabedi
lane Yetter. daughter of Daniel and
have had four chil(Breisch) Yetter, and they
dren: Elizabeth, who died when two years

duties with entire satisfaction to all concerned,
and has made a highly creditable record for
He is
the company as well as for himself.
business
the
of
one
rising young
considered
men of this section, where he is well and favorassociation is with
ably known. His religious
the Presbyterian Church, and he takes an ac-

Alary A., who died
old; Stephen C.
nine months old and Minnie E., at home.
C. Pohe, only son of Charles L.

work.

tive part in its

was married
1907, Air. Pohe
H. Roberta Bishop, daughter of Mrs. S. A.

when

;

April

16.

;

Stephen
ColumPohe, was born Aug. 8, 1885, at Espy,
bia county, and received his early education at
Catawissa, attending public school.
71

then

Bishop.

WILLIAAI

SANDS,

Orangeville, Columbia

a retired farmer of

Co.. Pa.,

was

bom

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1122

that county, March 12,
E. Sands, the builder of
1843. son of Joseph
the first woolen mill in Greenwood township.
The Sands family is of English descent and

Greenwood township,

was

first

Berks county.
the great-great-grandfather of

settled in

Tohn Sands

(

W'illiam E.) and his brother Samuel emigrated
from England prior to the Revolutionary war.
rebeing driven from their native country by

Samuel settled on Long
ligious persecution.
now
Island, where many of his descendants
in Berks county, Pa.,
located
reside.
John
and among his children was Daniel Sands, the
great-grandfather of William E. Daniel Sands

resided all of his life in Berks county and was
the father of a large family of children, one
of whom was John, the grandfather.
John Sands was a miller, and first located

Brown's Mills, Mifflin township, Columbia
county, where he followed his trade for a

number

of years, later operating Cole's ]\Iills,
He died in June, 1856, at
in Pine township.
His wife was Hannah
the age of seventy.
Eck, of Briarcreek township, and they were
the parents of the following children
Anna,
wife of Baltis Girton, who resided in Aledo,
111.; Emma, who died young; Uzilla, widow
of James Strong, who was killed in the blowing up of Fort Fisher during the Civil war;
Horace, a mil]\Iary, residing at Orangeville
ler of Wyalusing, Bradford Co., Pa., and

W. Eves, of Alillville ;
proprietor of the Mordansville
Woolen Mills; Joseph H., an oil producer, of
Bowling Green, Ohio; and James P., deceased.
\\^illiam E. Sands w'as educated in the public schools and worked in his father's mills
up to the age of twenty, when he enlisted for
married
Charles

Webster

L.,

one

year in Company B, 163d Regiment,
Pennsylvania ^'olunteers, served out his term,
and returned home to enter the woolen mills.
After three years there he purchased a farm
of seventy acres in ]\Iount Pleasant township,
which he cultivated until 1901, when he sold

His son, Frank M., is now
retired.
on the old homestead.
On Jan. 31,
1867, Mr. Sands married Ruth Anna, daughter of John and Elizabeth Ale. and to this
union were born three children Harry Grant,
a veterinarian, living in Benton, Pa. Frank
and
yi., living in Mount Pleasant township
Arthur Elroy, a rural mail carrier of Orangeville.
The mother died recently. Mr. Sands
is a member of Captain Pealer Post, No. 4^^,
G. A. R.
it

and

living

;

Joseph E.
Joseph E. Sands, the father of William E.,
was born in 181 1 in Mifflin township, near
Brown's Mills, and went to work in the mills
at an early age.
After becoming thoroughly
acquainted with the trade he engaged in the
manufacture of woolen goods on his own account.

erected a small mill, operated by
waterpower, one mile north of Rohrsburg, and
in 1857, when the water
supply gave out, built
the Sands woolen mills at Mordansville, removed the machinery of the old mill to that
location, and successfully followed the business until his death, Feb. 24, 1881.
He was
on a visit to Philadelphia with his son to
purchase goods, when he succumbed to a stroke
of apoplexy. Politically he was a

DAVID

MUNSON,

A.
deceased, a farmer
of Franklin township, was born in Kingston
township, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, Aug.
He
17, 1835, and was of German descent.
was noted as having assisted in erecting more
schoolhouses than any other man in the county.
Abel Munson, father of David A., was a
son of Christian Munson, one of the earliest
settlers of Luzerne county, who entered a large
tract of land and resided on it until his death.
Abel Munson was the father of eight children.
His death occurred in an unusual manner.

Returning from market one night along Tobey
creek, he was driving a pair of horses, one
of which w^as blind
in some manner the
blind horse slipped over the bank, the wagon
overturned, and Mr. ]\Iunson was caught
under it. He was discovered the next morning frozen to death and both of the horses
drowned.
His wife, who was Elizabeth
;

Atherholt, took up the task of rearing the
children and under her care David A. re-

mained until manhood.
David A. Munson after attaining his majority bought a farm adjoining that of his
present county jail, and served in the State father and began to cultivate it. In the
spring
militia in 1863.
Mr. Sands married Esther, of 1872 he
bought a farm of about 140 acres
of
Reuben
daughter
Lundy, of Millville, and in Franklin township, where he resided until
they had eight children: John, a farmer of his death.
His mother resided with him.
Rohrsburg, who died in 1880; Henry Harri- On Dec. 29;
1859, he was married to Louisa,
a
veteran of the Civil war; William E.
son,
daughter of Hiram and Mary Johnson,
Thomas E., retired woolen manufacturer and natives of Luzerne
county, and thev had the
Civil war veteran; Annie
Margaret, who following children: George S.. who married
Republican,

^vas elected county commissioner in
1875, assisted in supervising the construction of the

;

COLUAIBIA AND
Lizzie

AIcHcnry Feb.

15,

1883; Miner

S.,

MONTOUR COUNTIES

who

raising, at

now cultivating the home farm
Mary E., wife of Charles E. Bucher, married
;

Dec. 29, 1892; Nelson I.; and Walter S.
Mrs. Munson is now living on the homestead with her son Miner S., and is very active
She is a member of the
for one of her age.

Church and takes a great interest
Her family
in the work of the congregation.
on her father's side have an interesting hisHer great-grandfather Johnson was a
tory.
native of Scotland and emigrated to America
at an early date. He was at one time captured
by Indians while living at Forty Fort, Luzerne
nine months.
county, and was held prisoner for
He finally succeeded in escaping by making
]\fethodist

his captors drunk.

Mrs.
James Johnson, the grandfather oi
Munson, was a native of Connecticut and
lived to the age of ninety.

himself to general farming and stock
which he has been very successful.
On Dec. 5, 1888, he married Anna, daughter
of Aaron and Anna Elizabeth (Corson) Bogart, of Montour county; the father died in
1908 at the age of seventy-seven. Mrs. Hartman was born Oct. 7, 1870, in Liberty townfined

1889, and is
for his mother

married Rebecca Rider July

1123

married Flan-

nah Hughes, and both are buried at Forty
Their children were: Henry, Clark,
Fort.
Fliram and Louisa. Hiram Johnson, father
of Mrs. Munson, died on the Suscjuehanna
but a child.
river, while his daughter was

Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have had children as follows:
Ivy Hazel, born June 8,
1890, now the wife of Frank Inink, of Limestone township, has three children, Thelma,
Pauline and Myron Lee; Percy Allen, born
Dec. 14, 1891, married Nettie Boycr, of I'ottsgrove, Pa. Rhoda Alma, born March 2<», 1<S94,
ship.

;

now

a school teacher in Liberty township,
a graduate of Pottsgrove high school, and

is
is

Annabelle, born Sept. 8,
residing at home
Mr, Hartman is a
1902, is attending school.
Democrat and a member of the school board
He is an attendant of the
of the township.
;

Pottsgrove Lutheran Church.
Airs. Anna Hartman is a granddaughter of
Thomas Corson, who married Anna Belle
Hendricks. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Boare living,
gart, had nine children, all of whom
John, who resides at Danville Thomas,
home; Elmer, of Riverside, who married
Harriet Hartman; Sarah Ada, wife of Robert

viz.

;

FRANK S. HARTMAN, a prominent
farmer and stock raiser of Liberty township,
Montour county, was born July 31, 1868, in
Hemlock township, Columbia county, w^iere
his parents were also born.
Hartman, the grandfather, w'as an
Licob

old settler in

Frank

of William

Thomas

Charles Winterstccn ;
Hine; Blanche, wife
and Anna, wife oi

Hartman.

Columbia county, having emi-

from Germany while yet a youth.
There he married, cultivated the ground and
His son, Jacob Harris
passed to his last rest.
grated

fathers
Hartman, born Feb. 10, 1837, on his
followed
and
manhood
to
there
grew
farm,

After
the ancient occupation of agriculture.
Rhoda
to
Irving,
26,
1865,
his marriage, June
born Aug. 30,^1842, daughter of Jacob Irving,
he came to Montour county, where he farnicd
had
for twenty-five years. After the children

Hartman returned
Columbia county, where he died March
He and his wife, who died Aug.
1914

grown

Cornelison; Ellen, wife
Madden; Dora, wife of
Etta, wife of Daniel E.
of Frank Pennybaker;

to maturity ^Ir.

to
3,
5,

Columbia county.
1909, are buried at Swenoda,
SaFour of their children are living Hattie
Elmer
of
wife
1866,
mantha, born Dec. 2,
:

Bruce,
Frank
Bogart, of Liberty township
S^;
born Nov. S- iS/Z: ^"^ Ray, born Sept. 26,
1886 who lives at Berwick, Pennsylvania.
;

home
Frank S. Hartman remained upon the
then
farm until his twenty-second year and
achad
he
1905
himself.
By
out for
started

his present
cumulated enough money to buy
has conhe
then
since
and
farm of in acres,

E. HINE, who is engaged in
and
raising stock in Liberty townfarming
Montour
county, was born in September,
ship,
that county,
1867, in Limestone township,
son of David and Sarah (Mauser) Hine.
David Hine, father of Daniel E. Hine, is
a descendant of an old German family which

DANIEL

settled in

Pennsylvania

an early date.

He
of the name was Hein.
original spelling
w^as born in Berks county, and came toMonat
tour countv before his marriage, settling
for some years he
Washiiigtonvillc, where

carried on agricultural pursuits. Some twenty
a farm near Pottsgrove,
years ago he bought
his wife .still reside,
and
he
there
and
Pa.,
now somewhat retired from active pur-

being

Seven children were born to Mr. and
Mrs Hine: Nora, who is the wife of Aaron
who is
Hauty, of Pottsgrove, Pa.; Minnie,
and
Blanche
Brow^n
Harr^'
wife of

suit^*'

the
^'erna.

;

home: Daniel E.
of Mooreslumberman
and
farmer
Tohn. a

who

burg,' Pa.;

are living at

and Frank.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1124

reDaniel E. Hine, son of David Hine,
as a
and
education,
school
common
a
ceived
with the Phoenix
youth secured a position
live years operatmg an
for
Bridge Company,
on construction work
engine for that tirm
Montour county. Subsequently he turned his

the
attention to agricultural pursuits, and
homeold
the
to
came
Bogart
of
1909
spring
the property of the
stead, which has been

Sarah Ada, who married Robert Cornelison;
Mrs. William Thomas Madden; Mrs. Charles
Wintersteen; Mrs. Daniel E. Hine; Mrs.
Frank Pennybaker; and Mrs. Frank S. Hartman.

FRANK KDIBLE,
of

of Bloomsburg, until
the "Light Street

recently proprietor
Hotel," at Light Street,

Columbia

Co.,

Pa.,

He was

than a century.
Bogart family for more
has carried on general farming and stock raisbeen uniformly successful in
ing, and has
the
his' ventures, being considered one of
substantial citizens of his township.
Mr. Hine was married to Etta Bogart, who
of x\aron
was born
15, 1873, daughter

born at Honesdale, Wayne Co., Pa., Oct.
Kimble.
15, 1864, son of Simeon
Simeon Kimble was also born at Honesdale,
Wayne county, and after he grew to maturity
had charge of repairs on the Delaware & Hud-

and Anna Elizabeth (Corson) Bogart. Mr.
Hine is a sturdy Democrat, and has faithand cansupported his party's principles

ty-three

Sept.

fully
didates,

but has never desired public

office.

With Mrs. Hine he attends the Lutheran
Church at \\'ashingtonville.

AARON BOGART

(deceased), who was
pursuits throughout
his life in Liberty township, Montour county,
Pa., was born June 28, 1830, in that township,
son of John and Catherine (Garner) Bogart.
John Bogart, the father, was an old pioneer
of Liberty township, and there spent his entire career in farming.
Aaron Bogart, son of John Bogart, received
a district school education, was reared to

engaged

agricultural

habits of honesty and industry, and on attaining his majority adopted the vocation of

farming. After his marriage he was engaged
in extensive operations on the old Hendrickson farm, in Liberty township, and there his
He was a
death occurred in March, 1908.
sturdy, dependable man, one who at all times
merited the respect and esteem in which he
was held by his fellow citizens.
Air. Bogart was married to Anna Elizabeth
Corson, who was born on the old Corson

homestead

in Liberty township,

and

Montour

Co.,

She is
a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hendrickson) Corson, the former a native of
Berks county. Pa., the latter of near MooresPa., Dec. 3, 1833,

still

living.

Mrs. Corson, who died in 1870,
burg, Pa.
when sixty-four years of age, was a daughter
of Abram and Catherine
(Vandon)
Hendrickson, natives of New Jersey, and
Thomas
early settlers of Montour county.
Corson died in 1885, at the age of seventy-

son canal, being thus engaged nearly all his
His death occurred when he was seven-

life.

He married Margaret
years old.
when
died
sixty-three years old,
Bishop,
and they had children as follows: Sarah (who
died at the age of three years), Albert, Anna,
George, William, Charles, Mary and Frank.
Frank Kimble attended the local schools
of his native place, and his first employment
was as a water boy on the Delaware & Hudson canal. Later he was placed in charge of
the locks at Honesdale by the same company,
and then went to New York State, where he
worked in the stone quarries for a period of
who

Following this he went to LarksLuzerne Co., Pa., where he was with
the Kingston Coal Company, but leaving that
concern he went to Belleview, Marion Co.,
Fla., about sixty-five miles from Jacksonville,
where he engaged in carpenter work, among

two

years.

ville,

other things assisting in building a railroad
station at that point. After nine months there
he returned to Pennsylvania, and after a short
stop at Scranton went back to Luzerne county,
where he worked with Grant Williams, a conHis next change was
tractor, for two years.
He then reto the Kingston Coal Company.
turned to the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, at Larksville, as repairman, and meanwhile operated a restaurant

Following this he was
with Williams & Stephens for two years, and
then coming to Columbia county bought the
"Light Street Hotel." on Sept. 15, 1910, and

there for four years.

placing it in excellent repair commenced
operating it upon a high class scale. Recently
he sold the hotel and moved to Bloomsburg,
where he has a milk route and conducts a
restaurant.

Mr. Kimble married Cora \\innatta, daughand Tilly \*annatta, of Larksfive years.
Two children have been born to
ville, Pa.
All the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. this
marriage: Natalie and Margaret. Mr
Bogart are living: John; Thomas; Elmer: Kimble belongs to Hillside Lodge, No. 863.
ter of \Villiam

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
O. O.

Edwardsville, Luzerne Co., Pa.
of Aerie No. 546, F. O.
a charter member of
E., of Plymouth, Pa.
Washington Camp No. 127, P. O. S. of A.,
of Larksville, Pa.; and a charter member of
Castle No. 69, K. G. E., of Larksville. Politically he is independent.
I.

F., of

;

member

a charter

;

RANSLO

FISTER,

proprietor

the

Poultry Yards, and breeder of
White Wyandottes and Rhode Island Reds,
was born in Orangeville March 20, 1843, son
Orangeville

of William Fister and grandson of Thomas
Fister, a German settler of the early days of
the development of Columbia county.
Thomas Fister settled in Catawissa when
he was a young man and entered the butcher
business, which he followed for the rest of his
He was a member of the Lutheran
life.
Church and a Democrat in politics. His children were as follows
Daniel, Jacob, William,
Simon, Catherine (wife of Thomas Harder),
Eizabeth (wife of John Grotz), and Margaret
(who died at the age of forty years).
William Fister was educated in the public
:

schools of Catawissa, where he

was born May

He was apprenticed to Eli Thorn20, 1805.
ton, of Bloomsburg, to learn the blacksmith's
trade, April 17, 1823, his term of service being
After the apthree years and one month.
to
prenticeship was completed he moved
Orangeville, and soon after his arrival married Mary Kuder, the following children comSusan, who died at the age
ing to this union
of seventy-two Simon, deceased in infancy
and Ranslo. Mrs. Fister died March 21, 1857,
at the age of forty-nine. Mr. Fister conducted
a lucrative business until his death in December, 1863, at the age of fifty-eight. He was a
Democrat and a member of the Reformed
Church, in which he had held all the offices.
He and his wife are interred in the Orange:

;

ville

there only

six

mustered out, after having served eleven
months. After the war he went to Williamsport and worked at his trade for one and a
half

returning to Orangeville
1867 and remaining there since.
Mr. Fister was married Jan. 28, 1869, to
years,

months when the

Civil

war

broke out, and he at once enlisted in ComOct. 14,
pany E, 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry,
and
to
sent
He
was
Washington
1864.
where
assigned to the Army of the Potomac,
he was placed in a position where he was reeffort to extend
quired to do skirmishing in the
the lines. He was next attached to the provost
marshal's headquarters, and Aug. 7, 1865, was

fmally

in the fall of

daughter of John and Elizabeth
(John) Sterner, and they have had the folBurton E., born April 8,
lowing children:
1870, married Delia Lunger, and is accountant
Caroline,

for the Dupont Powder Company at Scranton; Elizabeth C, born Jan. 5, 1872, married
Frederick Martin, of Philadelphia; Laura B.,
born Nov. 4, 1875, married Charles Oman, of
Mt. Pleasant township; Ralph P., born Oct.
6, 1877, married Mame Daubert of Reading,
Pa.; Hervey Ray, born Dec, 16, 1879, is a
thirty-second-degree Mason, a member of the
lum of Stoehr
Fister, furniture tnercliants
of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Fister followed the trade of blacksmith
until 1909, when he retired.
For the last
three years he has been interested in the
raising of poultry and has been remarkably
successful, finding a ready market for all he
can produce. He is a Republican in politics,
and fraternally is a member of Pcalcr Post,
No. 435, G. A. R., and of Mountain Lodge,
No. 264, I. O. O. F., of which he has been a
member for forty-seven years and a past grand
(!v:

for forty years.

DAMD

MONTGOMERY

MILLER,

farmer and railroad man, of Main township,
Columbia county, was born July 26, 1872, son
of Nathan Miller, also a farmer, and descendant of farmers for several generations back.
The Miller family originally came from
Berks county. Pa., the great-grandparents of
David M. Miller dying in Columbia county,
he in the fall of 1862. a number of years after
his

They

wife.

graveyard

cemetery.

Ranslo Fister was educated in the public
schools and the Orangeville Academy and at
a select school conducted by Professor Shank.
He took up his father's trade of blacksmith,
and at the age of twenty, on his father's death,
went to Pottsville to work. He was located

1125

are

buried

Mifflinville.

the

He had

Union

an apple

on his place in the early days.
Miller, grandfather of David M.. mar-

distill'erv

George
ried

Eva Cochcr.

They

resided in Mifflinville.

mother in 1863 and the
father in 1878. and both were interred in
the Union Immanuel churchyard in Main

where both

died, the

township.

Nathan

Miller, son of

of David M..

was born

George and father
in

Main

to\vn.ship,

Dec. 24. 1832. and spent his life in this secIn youth he worked on his father's
tion.
farm, and after his majority he rented land
which he farmed for five years. He then
went to Centre township, but on his mother's
death returned to the home farm. He owned

COLUMBIA AXD MONTOUR COUNTIES

1126

On Nov. 30,
land.
altogether 242 acres of
Ann
Nuss, a
Catherine
married
he
1854,
native of the county and daughter of Charles
and Chanty (Miller) Nuss, farming people;
she is buried in the old cemetery at Mifflinburied in the Union
ville, and her parents are
Immanuel churchyard. Mr. Nuss died in
was the first
1877, and his funeral sermon
Mr.
preached in Union Immanuel Church.
and Mrs. Miller had ten children
George A.,
who married Tenie Constable, and went to
Ottawa county, Kansas; Harrison D., of
:

Mifflin township,

Lewis

H.,

settled

who married

]\Iary

Dell

Steeley

Oscar

^^lain

Henry

township;
at
Nescopeck,
tailoring

F.,

;

and

;

Lutheran denomination, but
the

Immanuel

Union

later united

German

with

Reformed

Church, which he served as trustee and elder.
His wife also belonged to that church. He
is now living with his daughter at No. 220
East Fifth street, Catawissa.
David M. Miller was educated in the public schools and worked on the home farm. He
has been engaged in railroad work for a number of years.
He is an interested church
worker.
Mr. Miller married Martha Viola
Kunkle, who was born Sept. 22, 1876, daughter of William Kunkle, and
they have had
five children: Hazel A., born
April 25, 1898;
Asher Leroy, born Nov. 24, 1900; Clyde Leslie, born July 14, 1906; Chester
Guy, born
Jan. 4, 1908; and one son that died at birth.
William Kunkle, father of Mrs. Miller, was

born

in the

and resides

forties,

Roaring-

He is a blacksmith and
township.
farmer, and has been a member of the board
of supervisors. He is a member of the P. O.
S. of A., in religion a Lutheran and in
politics a Democrat.
His first wife was Sarah

creek

KHngerman, and they had one child, Martha
Viola, mentioned above, born Sept. 22, 1876.
By his second marriage, to Martha Schlerther,
"he had six children:
George Washington,
who died unmarried Elias Cornelius Sevillia, wife of George Yohey
Samuel, who married Caroline Hender; and
Hector, who married Emma Williams.
;

;

WILLIAM KELLER, who

now living
retired at Catawissa, after fiftv
years' service
for the Philadelphia &
Comis

Reading Railway

Pennsylvania.
Elias Keller, grandfather of Wilham, was
a son of Peter Keller, a resident of Lehisrh

county, and married Rosanna Kostenbauder
about 1800, moving to ]\Iainville, where he
followed the trade of carpenter. He died at
Port Carbon, Pa., and his wife in Schuylkill
county. Both were members of the Lutheran
Elias Charles,
Church. Their children were
:

;

Hving in Nebraska Jacob, living in Columbia
county William, living in Schuylkill county
;

;

who and Mary, who

Luzerne
a
became
Nathan
who
B.,
telegrapher
county
David ^Montgomery Ida Eudora Ella Catherine Charles, deceased and Alice, deceased.
Mr. Miller has always been a Democrat and
has ser\-ed as supervisor and in other township
offices.
He was first a member of the
learned

pany, was born Feb. 15, 1839, at Mainville,
Pa., son of Elias, grandson of Elias and greatgrandson of Peter Keller, all of Lehigh county,

lived

and died

Columbia

county.
Elias Keller

was born in Lehigh county.
educated in the German and English
schools, and learned the carpenter's trade. He
was a pioneer builder of coal breakers in
Schuylkill county, but in the later years of
his life retired to a farm, where his death
occurred at the age of eighty-six. His wife,
Pa.,

Sarah Newberry, was a native of Columbia
county, and died on the home farm in Locust
township at the age of seventy-six. She was
a member of the Reformed Church, he of the
Lutheran.
Their children were
Daniel, a
farmer, who died in Schuylkill county, married Mary Bankus Peter, living in Ashland,
Pa., married Sarah Zimmermann (he was a
member of Company I, 48th Pennsylvania
\'olunteers, and served in the Army of the
Potomac for four years) \\'illiam is mentioned below Mary, wife of Charles Kiser, is
:

;

living in

married

Montour county; Hannah, deceased,
Elias Faust and (second) Lewis

Berilheimer,

the

latter

living

Schuylkill

county; Rosanna, deceased, married William
Blue, of Schuylkill county; Josiah, a veteran
of the Civil war, married Hannah Gearhart.

was employed by the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Companies, and
is now
living at Catawissa; Sarah became the
wife of James Robison, of Bloomsburg Angeline became the wife of Joseph Blue, of
;

Schuylkill county; Louise, deceased, married
Joseph Hotchkins, of Tamaqua, Pa. Almira.
deceased,
married Theo. Lindermath. of
Mauch Chunk, Pa.; Kate is the widow of
Abner Lewis, of IMausdale, Pa.; Charles is
living in the West; Savilla, who married Albert Henry and
(second) John Herron, is
:

living in

Tamaqua.

William Keller had a common school education and lived at home until
1859. when he
went to IMooresburg and entered the service
on the old Catawissa railroad as track
repair

COLUMBIA

AxXD ]\IOXTOUR COUNTIES

lllii

man.
pany

remained with the railroad commember of Hoagland Post, Xo. 170, G. A.
until February, 18O4, when he enlisted a^
K., and has held
3II the oflices in the post.
in Company F, 12th Pennsylvania
Cavalry, Mrs. Keller died 'Aug. 13,
lyio, at the age
at Danville, Pa., being sent from there to of
seventy-seven, and was buried in the cemeMartinsburg, W. V'a., to join his regiment. tery at Catawissa. She had been a member of
On Nov. 12, 1864, he was taken prisoner near St. Matthew's l''vangelical C hurch for
thirtyCharleston, S. C., and was sent to Libby four years, and Mr. Keller also alltrnd;, servprison, where he was held nine days, being ices there.
then transferred to Salisbury, N. C, where
he remained three months. He was then sent
C. W. RICTHE, emi>loy(.'(l in the
nujlding
to Camp Parole, Maryland, where he obtained
liasherl foundry,
department of the iiarman
a furlough and returned home, there being
Bloomsburg, Pa., received a common scliool
stricken by typhoid fever and remaining ill education, and when
ycjung learned the trade
for a long time.
Returning to Camp Parole of molder, in which he has become very exJune I, 1865, he was discharged on the 3d pert. He stands high in the estimation oi his
of that month and again went home.
In employers and fellow workmen.
Air. Richie married Mary L. \\(jlf. (iau^^hJuly of the same year he entered the service
of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Com- ter of John H. and Louisa (Heck) Wolf.
pany, and in 1873 was made supervisor of a
John II. Wolf, father of Mrs. Richie, was
He born in Bucheneu, Hesse Darmstadt, Gerdivision, holding the position until 1884.
afterwards held the post of w^atchman at Cata- many, May 23, 1827. son of Henry and Magwissa for the same road seven years, and on delina (Schen) Wolf.
The father follcnved
March i, 1909, was retired on a pension, farming in his native land until coming to
after fifty years' service.
The mother died in December.
this country.
Mr. Keller w^as married, Jan. 8, 1861, to 1853, and in 1857 the father came to this
Lavina Knerr, daughter of Andrew and Mary country and located in Luzerne county. Pa.
Knerr, of Montour county. Pa. Mr. Knerr, He died at Fillmore, Carbon county, in 1884.
who was a dyer by trade, lived and died in
John H. W^olf was reared to a farm life,
David, An- and received a good education in liis native
Mooresburg. His children were
drew, Benjamin, Betty, Emma, Polly, Kather- town. He became an agent for a wine house,
ine. Hattie, Sarah, Lucy and Lavina, all nowin whose interest he traveled through a numdeceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Keller have had a ber of German States and into France. In
large family
George W., who married Belle 185 1 some young friends of his came to
Natress, was clerk and is now^ conductor for America and located at Hazleton. Pa., and as
the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company they wrote back favorable accounts of the
at Catawissa
Mary Ellen married Hayden country across the ocean he was induced to
Hughes, and both are now deceased Sallie come to the Xew World. In 1853 he went
died at the age of eight years Kate and Harry to Bremen in company with friends and reladied in infancy; Frank, who married Mamie tives, and took passage on a sailing vessel
after
Berger, is an engineer for the Philadelphia bound for Xew York, which he reached
& Reading Railway Company and lives at a tedious voyage of fifty-eight days, there
Tamaqua Annie is the wife of Elmer Mensch, being little or no wind. .Arriving, he went dia conductor on the Philadelphia & Reading rectly to Luzerne county. Pa., where he was
road, living at Tamaqua Lizzie, wife of James engaged in the mines for six years, and then
ITcre he Iwught
Rinker, a flagman on that road, lives at Cata- came to Montour county.
wissa
Emma, widow of Alfred Geiger, a a farm of forty acres in West Hemlock townbrakeman on the same road, lives at Cata- ship, where he remained, farming until 1871.
wissa Amanda died young Ida L. is the wife when he moved to the old Paxton place of
of Edward Dieterick, of Catawissa; Ralph, 148 acres in Mount Pleasant township, which
who married Elsie Warg. was with the P. S. he bought in t88i. He was married at HazleLouisa
&: X. R. R. Company and the Philadelphia &
ton. Luzerne Co., Pa., in 1854. to
of Diedenshausyn, Hesse
native
a
in
St.
is
now
and
Heck,
living
Reading Company,
and a daughter of
Marys, Pa., where he is employed by the Fire Darmstadt, Germany,
Heck. She came to
Catherine
and
Michael
Proofing Company.
William Keller is a well preserved man for this countrv on the same ship with Mr. Wolf.
Mr. and Mrs. Wolf became the parents of
his age, is a great reader, and keeps posted on
He has a host of nine children John J., who married Willetta
all the topics of the times.
tli:

;

warm

friends in this section of the State,

Brumstetler

(he

graduate of the State

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1128

Bloomsburg) Henry C,
Shive; William; Otto;
Frank; Kate, married to Isaiah Howell, in

Normal School

;

who married Mary
Mount

Pleasant township, this county

Mr. and

;

Mary
Wolf

L.; Lizzie, and Lillie.
He
are members of the Lutheran Church.
townPleasant
Mount
of
as
served
supervisor
interest in public affairs
ship, taking an active
and holding some official position almost from
He was
the time he came to this country.
seventeen years in the church council, and
a short time after coming to this country was
elected school director, to which he refused
a reelection after holding the position eight
He
years; in 1885 was elected supervisor.
was a member of Light Street Grange, No. 31,
J\lrs.

Coming
Pa., in 1895, aged sixty-seven years.
to Danville he secured employment at the old
iron works, and spent his remaining years as
keeper at the several furnaces belonging to
As he was not much more than
when he arrived at Danold
twenty years
ville, he lived there for nearly forty-seven

the company.

years,

works.

and became well known at the iron
Reared a Catholic, he was a member

of St. Joseph's parish of Danville,
ful

to his

and

faith-

Mr. Gallagher took no

interest in politics.

native of
T.
T. WILLIAMS, a prominent citizen of
Bloomsburg, Pa., was born May 5, 1883,
and is a member of the firm of J. S. WilHe was educated in the
liams & Son.
public and high schools of Bloomsburg, and

the age of eighteen entered the auction
That he has adbusiness with his father.
vanced to the top in the profession is shown
by some of the large sales he has handled,
some of the largest in the county, among them
the Freeze estate, Wynkoop estate and the
Pioneer farm of Benton. Every year he sells
sixteen carloads of horses for H. H. Wilson
of Williamsport. Pa., and he has made sales
for the P. G. Waldron Horse Company, Buffalo, N. Y., for whom he has done business
for four years; G. E. Bates, Williamsport,
at

five years

religion.

Mr. Gallagher married Mary

P. of

She belonged to an old Irish famLawler.
on her mother's side.
Michael Gallagher was born in the North of
Ireland, and died in Danville, ^lontour Co.,
ily

George Collins, Syracuse, N. Y.,
four years; Grant Shuster, of Indiana, five
years Pomeroy Horse Company, St. Louis,
He has had charge of the auceight years.
Stearns &
tioning at the farm sale of
Stearns, Williamsport the John Else Thomas
farm the Cloverdale Stock farm,
Conyngham; General Oliver sale of horses, wagons
and harness; and McKelvey estate, "Exchange Hotel," "Central Hotel," and Knorr
estate, all of Bloomsburg.
Mr. Williams is a Democrat and active in
the work of the party, and a member of the
Catholic Church. He married Louise Rheen,
daughter of William J. and Harriet (Kissner)
Rheen of Pine Summit, Jordan
township, just
across the line in
Lycoming county, and they
have one child, Harriet
Margaret, born March
;

;

Ireland,

Clifford, a
Patrick and
both of
Cliff'ord.

daughter of

Catherine
(McCaft'rey)
died in that country. Mr. Cliff'ord was
a linen weaver, and died when Mrs. Gallagher
was a child. She was sixteen years old when
she came to America, and made the journey
from Pottsville, Pa., to Danville by stage.
Michael Gallagher and his wife had eight
Catherine is the widow
children, as follows:
of P. H. McCaffery. of Danville, and has
children Frank and Hugh Rose A. was for
twenty-nine years a teacher in Danville, one
of the oldest in the borough, is a devout Catholic and has been treasurer of the Rosary

whom

;

Society of St. Joseph's Church Sarah \'. is
the wife of Patrick T. Griffin, living on the
old homestead, and their children are Mary
and Francis; Mary Ellen, who is the wife of
Charles Beyer, has two children. Helen and
Felicitias
Francis, Patrick, Peter and Mary
are deceased.
J\Irs. Gallagher died Dec. 30,
;

;

1905, aged seventy-four years.

SETH

FORMER,

C.
formerly overseer of
the poor at Danville, was born in that borough
March 6, 1861, son of Thomas Lormer.
Joseph Lormer, his grandfather, was one of
the early settlers at Danville.
Thomas Lormer was a worker in the old
Waterman & Beaver iron rolling mills, later
the Reading Iron Company, where he re-

mained all of his mature life. lie married
Abbie Freeze, who died when her son Seth C.
was five years old. He and his brother William, of Sunbury, Pa., were the only children

of their parents.
Seth C. Lormer worked in the rolling mills
for a year during his boyhood, and then going
late of Dan- to one of the Western States remained
away
ville. :\Iontour county, was a son of
Francis from Danville for two years, following which
a
Gallagher,
farmer, who married Catherine he lived retired until he took the office of over13,

1906.

MICHAEL GALLAGHER,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
seer of the poor
January, 1914.

in 1909.

His term expired

Mr. Lormer was married to Rebecca B.
Stroh, who was l)orn in Danville, in July,
i86r, (lau^-hler of David F. Stroh, who was
born at Danville, N. Y., and was l)rought by his
I)arents to Danville,

Northuml)crland Co., Pa.,

which was taken in wagons drawn
by oxen, consuming two weeks. He was one
of a family of five sons,
lie became a millwright, and then a carpenter and builder at
Danville, Montour county, and with a brother
built the present Reading mills, and was also
prominent in other ways, helping to found the
Pine Street Lutheran Church of Danville.
David F. Stroh married Christina Voris, and
they had three children: Edwin V., who lives
the trip,

home Charles
;

H.,

now

deceased,

who

lived

Mr, Stroh
Buffalo; and Mrs. Lormer.
died Dec. 6, 1894, aged sixty-four years. Mr.
and Mrs. Lormer became the parents of two
children
Gordon B., who is in the railroad
service, married Bertha Jones; Margaret died
at

Mr. Lormer was reared

the Methodist
with his wife belongs to the
in

Church, but now
Pine Street Lutheran Church.

Montour

Castle, Knights
to Washington

He belongs
of the Golden

Hose Company
Engle, and
No. 2 he was formerly a member of the
Washington Drum Corps and for eight years
was in the Citizens' band of Danville. PolitiFlis servcally Mr. Lormer is a Republican.
ices in the office of overseer of the poor were
;

so efficient as to commend him to the people
of the community, his sympathy and wise judgment having been exerted alwavs in behalf of
the unfortunates of the county under his
care.

MRS. SARAH CATHERINE CANOUSE
was born May 10, 1844, daughter of Reuben
Bower and granddaughter of George Michael Bower, and descended from an old family
of

German

emigrants.

Her genealogy

America is as follows
in Germany, emi( I ) John Bower was born
grated to America in his youth and settled on
a farm in Briarcreek township. Columbia Co.,
Pa., where he passed the remainder of his life.
He and his wife were members of the German Lutheran Church, and are buried in the
cemetery attached to the old Brick Church in
that township.
The following were their
:

\ka\

Whit mire

aiul

(jcorge

(11; Ceorge Michael Bower, Sr., was born
Briarcreek toun^liip, received a fair echicaand learned the trade of weaver, lie
ti(ii),
acciuired a tract uf fifty-three acres, upon
which he raised liis own fla.x, from which
in

he wove carpets and linens.

and
Church.

crat

He was

Demo-

member

who

of the United luangelical
died at the age of eighty-one, his

preceiled him about four years,
reaching the age of sixty-eight years. By his
union with Margaret, daughter of
ieijrgc
and Annie (Zimmerman) Zener, he had the
following children:
Sarah, wife of William
Whitmire; Isaac, who married iClizabeth Diet
terick Reuben, who married
Mary Elizabeth
Dietterick
Samuel, who married
Sarah
Wright Daniel, lirst married to Julia Remley
and second to Mary Remley; Haiinah, wife of
Henry Martz; George Michael; Catherine,
wife of Charles Whitmire Enos, who died
wife,

(

;

at the

ried

young,

wife
(jf
Micbacl.

1129

age of sixteen; and Isaiah, who mar-

Hannah Hagenbuch.

Reuben Bower, son of George
Michael, received his education in the old \My
schools of Briarcreek township, and except
for one year labored among the surrounding

(Uf)

farmers until his marriage. He came to Briarcreek township when Mrs. Canouse was seven
years old and bought a small farm of thirty
acres, which he never increased, but succeeded
in sui)porting his family as well upon this limited space as his neighl)ors did on their hunwas born .\])ril 18, 1814,
dreds of acres.

Mr. Bower married
1886.
daughter of .\dam and Mary
(Freeman) Dietterick. and they had childi^en
as follows: Freeman, deceased, who married
Mercy Ann Dietterick and (second) Sarah
Wenner, also deceased Emanuel, who died
at the age of twenty-two; Sarah Catherine;
George Wilson; Anna Mahala. who married
Frank Fowler, of Berwick; and Levina. who
married William Kline, of Wilkes-I'.arre. Mr.
and died Oct.

10.

^NLary b:iizabeth.

;

Bower was a Democrat and served as sujierHe was a member of
visor for many years.
the United Evangelical Church and a very
He and his wife are
active church worker.
buried near Evansville.
Sarah Catherine Bower was educated

town.ship and
"worked out"" until her marriage, in 1865, to
David Moses Canouse. By this union there

the

schools

I'riarcreek

were eleven children: (1) Reuben WoodJacob, who married Catherine ZimSalem
merman Solomon, who married ^fary Evans; ward, born Dec. 23, 1865, is a farmer in
married
He
countv.
Luzerne
Dantownship.
Abraham, who married Nellie Remley;
Emma Miller. (2) Mary Elizabeth, bom July
iel; Esther, wife of Bastian Kinter; Philipena,
children

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1130

married Daniel Keck, of North Berwick.
(3) Levi Davis, born Aug. 8, 1870,
married Susan Cope, and is farming in Salem
township. (4) Edwin Swengle, born Oct. 28,
He is a wheel
1872, married Mary Stout.
molder in the car works. (5) Harry William
Buck, born May 26. 1874, employed as a core(6)
maker, married Martha Kishbaugh.
Martha Cedella, born Dec. 22, 1876, married
Frank Keck, who is deceased.
(7) Kinney
Adams, born March 27, 1879, died April 3,
(8) Sterling Dickson, born Sept. 24,
1892.
He is a mine
1881, married Edna Smith.
wheel molder. (9) James Wilson, born June
I,
1883, married to Annie Birt, conducts a
barber shop in Berwick. (10) Hannah Grace,
28, 1868,

ALFRED HAWLEY ARAI STRONG

was

on his grandfather's farm
just outside of Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Pa.
This farm consisted of two hundred acres, and
he now owns personally t\venty-five acres of
the tract. He attended the Third street school
of Bloomsburg for two years and then the
State Normal School, where he prepared for
college and finished in 1902. His first position
was on the engineering corps of the new Susquehanna, Bloomsburg & Berwick Railroad
born

May

10, 1882,

Company, for six months during 1903, after
which he went with the Bell Telephone Company as new business representative. Later in
that year he left the Bell Telephone Company
and went to Williamsport in the interest of
bom March 28, 1885, died May 21, 1901. the International Correspondence Schools of
(11) Franklin Pursel, born Jan. 30, 1887. is Scranton, and returned to Bloomsburg on Jan.
a machinist. Airs. Canouse is now a member I, 1904, as circulation and advertising manof the Bower Memorial United Evangelical ager of the Bloomsburg Daily. He left this
Church of Berwick.
position in September, 1904, and joining S. H.
Levi Canouse, father of David M., was born Harman helped form the Harman Advertising
Two years later the firm was conin Luzerne county. Pa., and died in January, Agency.
1893, aged over eighty-seven years. He was a solidated with the Trolley Car Advertising
tinsmith by trade and traveled a great deal. Company of Scranton. and became the PennIn Wyoming county he married Hannah La- sylvania Railways Advertising Company, with
offices in Bloomsburg, Scranton and New
France, and they had the following children
James married Mary McNally, of Wilkes- York. A year later j\Ir. Harman sold his inBarre Daniel Hillman married Eliza Beldin, terest, the Bloomsburg office was closed, and
Mr. Armstrong went to Scranton as advertisdeceased, and he is living in Wyoming county
Annie Cordelia married Charles Deavens, of ing manager of the company, remaining there
Forty Fort, Luzerne county David Moses is until July, 1909, at which time he went to New
mentioned below.
Levi Canouse moved to York City as New York State representative
Briarcreek and settled at Summerhill, where of the Street Railways Advertising Company
he followed his trade until his death. He is of New York City.
In February, 19 13, he
buried at Summerhill and his wife at Forty was made New York
City representative of
Fort.
the S. R. A. Company, and in October of the
David Moses Canouse was born Nov. 25, same year went to the Chicago office of the
1841, in Wyoming county. Pa., where he ob- same company to handle the national business
tained part of his schooling, continuing it in of the
Chicago office. In October, 19 13. he
Briarcreek township, Columbia County, Pa., returned to
Bloomsburg and organized the A.
He worked on a farm until he was nineteen H. Armstrong Company, to handle street
and then went to iron molding in the wheel
railway advertising in the East, and in Janfoundry of the Jackson & Woodin Company, viary, 1914, he became vice president of the
where he was in continuous service for forty- McBee Service
with offices in
:

;

six

years, remaining at the plant
passed into the ownership of the

when

Corporation,

American

Car and Foundry Company. When he became too old to work at the trade he was made
cupola tender, which position he held until
his death. He was a Democrat in
early years.
but joined the Prohibitionists ten
years before
his death. He was a member of the Berwick
Beneficial Association and of the United
Evangelical Church, taking a great interest
m the work of the church, and for a number
of years serving as superintendent of the Sun-

day

school.

Chicago.

Both of these companies are

still

in existence.

July

1909, with L.

W. Buckalew, Mr.

Armstrong formed a partnership

in Bloomsburg to sell shoes, the firm being known as
Buckalew and Company.
This company
bought out and took over the shoe business of
W. H. Moore. In August. 1913, Mr. Buckalew purchased Mr. Armstrong's interest in the

shoe business.

Mr. Armstrong is independent in politics,
an Episcopalian, and is a member of Washington Lodge and Caldwell Consistory, of

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Bloomsburg, and of the Elks Lodge, No. 436.
of that town, as well as the Royal Arcanum,

WILLIAM
tractor

MANSFIELD,

and lumber

was born

dealer, of

retired conBerwick, Pa.,

Allcntown, this State, Sept. 5,
1849, son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Craig)

Mansfield.

Jennings.

where

Returning

Pennsylvania he

where

for several
years he was in the L-ni])I()v of the City Railroad Company. He then turne*l his attention
I'liiladdphia.

newspaper work, and for several years has
stall of the
Philadelphia Xorth

been on the
American.

He is a member of the (irand
of the Republic, and one of the
past
commanders of his post.
the
maternal great-grandfather
John Craig,
of William J. Mansfield, was born in

Army

Jared Mansfield, the paternal grandfather
of William J. Mansfield, was a native of Connecticut, of English ancestry as was also his
wife, who bore the maiden name of Eunice
cut,

road engineer.
located in

li:U

They spent their lives in ConnectiMr. Mansfield carried on farming
_

operations, and were the parents of three children, all of whom are now deceased.
Stephen Mansfield, son of Jared, and father

of William J. Mansfield, was born in Connecticut, and came to eastern Pennsylvania as
a peddler, wholesaling notions from town to
town, with headquarters at Easton. During
the early forties, he came to Berwick, Columbia county, and subsequently went to Allentown, where his son was' born. In his later
life he returned to his native State, where he

passed his last years in agricultural pursuits,
his death occurring during the early eighties.
His wife passed away June 22, 1875. ^'^^- '^"^1
Mrs. Mansfield were the parents of four children
Eiuiice married Frederick A. Sawyer,
of Alabama, at one time assistant United
States treasurer, but now deceased, and she
:

died at Los Angeles, Cal. Frances A., who
died in 191 2, was the wife of Sulana DeMagalhaes, a Brazilian resident of Philadelphia John Clark is in the employ of the Phil;

;

adelphia North American; William James
completes the family.
John Clark Mansfield was born Feb. 22,
1848, and spent his early years on a Connecticut farm.
In 1862 he removed to Pennsylvania, where he entered the employ of the

Ireland,

and came

America with

ICnglish troops just

at the clo.se of the
Revoluti(jnary war, hostilities ending just too soon for him to

He was

participate
a farmer by occupa-

in that struggle.
tion, and coming to

Columbia county

early dav coiuinued

follow that

vocation

He married l-:ii/.abeth
throughout his life.
Ashby, whose parents were of J-jiglish ancestry.

John Craig, son of b>hn L raig. above, and
grandfather of William I. MansfieM, was
born in Philadeli)hia, and' spent the greater

He
part of his life in Columbia county. Pa.
was a cabinetmaker by calling. He married
Mary Engle, who was boni at Briar Creek,
Columbia Co.. Pa., and whose father was a
soldier in the Revolutionarv war. and thev became the parents of four sons and four daughters, of whom the only one living is Mahala
Craig, who now resides at the home of her
nephew, Mr. Mansfield.
William J. Mansfield was educated in the
public schools of Berwick, and in his youth
learned the trade of printer, which he finished
For some time he was employcil in
in Boston.
the East, and then returned to I'.erwick and
learned the painter's trade, which he followed
His ne.xt venin that city for several years.
ture was in the mercantile line, in which he
was engaged for two years at Luzenic. at the
end of that time returning to Berwick, where

W'oodin Company, there learning he conducted a general store until 18S7. when
in house
Returning to New he closed out and again engaged
Haven, Conn., he enlisted in the Union army painting. In 1895 he embarked in the lumber
for service during the Civil war, and while business as a contractor, and in this he conbut is now retired.
participating in battle at Newbern, N. C, was tinued for some years,
taken prisoner, and for eighteen days was An able business man. he made a success of
confined in Libby prison. He was then ex- his enterprises, and is rated among the subchanged, rejoined his regiment, and fought stantial men of his borough.
In
_. of the war.
On Dec. 16. 1876. Mr. Mansfield was niarremainder
_^
the
^^^
valiantlv
^^
during
on
was
to Margaret A. Sponsler. who was born
for
five
ried
vears
and
he
went
to
sea,
1867
of Jacob
the
the Australian coast, engaged in whaling. He at Salem. Luzerne Co.. Pa., daughter
then shipped to New York City, and while on and Susan Seybert) Sponsler. Mrs. SponsLuzeme Co.,
the journey was lost overboard, but subse- ler was born in' Salem town.'^hip.
hu.'^band was one of the pioneers
her
in
and
time
some
Pa.,
After
rescued.
spending
quently
a molder by
New York City, he came to Berwick, Pa., and of Columbia county. He was followed
for
which he
eventually went to Texas, where he was a rail- trade, an occupation

Jackson

the trade of machinist.

(

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1132

several years in his early life, but subsequently
became a merchant, and conducted a general
store at Lime Ridge for many years. He lived
retired for several years prior to his death,
which took place in 1894, when he was sevMrs. Sponsler died
enty-four years of age.
in 1862. in her thirty-sixth year.
They were
Anna,
the parents of six children, as follows
:

who

Ridge,

the widow of Jeremiah Walp, of Lime
Pa.; Lottie, who became the wife of

George Carey; Margaret A., Mrs. Mansfield;
William C, who is engaged in farming in
Carrie
married to
Briarcreek
township,
Hughes, of Luzerne, Pa.; Mary J-, deceased;
and^ George E., who bought his father's business at Lime Ridge (he married Florence

Montgomery, of

Mifflin, Pa.,

who

now

de-

ceased).
to Mr. and
William J., who died in
infancy Raymond S. Arthur B., who is deceased; and Walter S., who is a musician,

Four children have been born

Mrs. Mansfield:

;

having taken up musical work as a profession.
Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield are members of the
Presbyterian Church. He belongs to Berwick
Lodge, No. 246, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and to the encampment and canton
to Camp No. 105, Patriotic Order Sons of
America, and the Commandery; to Camp No.
10, P. O. of A.; and to Lodge No. 1138,
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at
Berwick.
;

ROBINSON. The

Mar-

MonSaw-

yer and his wife Margaret (Pettigrew), who
were natives of England. Mrs. Robinson died
in 1886, aged seventy-two years.
Andrew
Barkley Robinson and his wafe had seven
children
One who is deceased was named
for the father, the others being: William M.,
:

who was the eldest Emily Jane, who is
widow of Peter Shapbell; Anna L., who is

the
the
S. Middleton, of Milton, Pa. ;
;

wife of James
Joseph M., who
is

the

widow

is farming; Harriet E., who
of David Alartin Umstead, re-

siding on the homestead, as

William M. Robinson,

Thomas.

a retired farmer of

Liberty township, was born in that township,
on the home place, Oct. 21, 1838. After growing up on the farm and attending the schools
of his district he went to Mausdale, Pa., where
for three years he worked at flour milling,

He then left for the coal
regions, but finally went into lumber contracting and so continued for twenty years, at the
learning the trade.

same time becoming interested

in agricultural
pursuits, conducting his present farm, which
he purchased in 1898. On it he has carried on
general farming and fruit growing.
During
the Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893,

Mr. Robinson exhibited grain for which he received a diploma and a copper medal in an
aluminum case, his being the best sample of

from Montour county. Pennsylvania.
first marriage,
to Susan Moses,
daughter of Samuel Moses, William M. Robinson had no children. His second union was
with Susan Herr, who was born Feb. 18, 1842,
in Derry township, daughter of Abram and
Lucy (Snyder) Herr. Children as follows
Lancaster have been born to them
Edwin H., born
grain

Robinson

family is
closely associated not only with the pioneer
history of Montour county. Pa., but also with
more recent events, there being many substantial representatives of the name in this
locality,
especially in Liberty township.

Joseph Robinson was born

1784, and died Oct. 13,
With his twin brother, James Robin1876.
son, he came to Montour county and took up a
large amount of land, a portion of which is
included in the farm now owned by
John M.

county. Pa., Oct.

he was eighty-six years old. His wife,
garet (Sawyer) Robinson, was born in
tour county, Pa., a daughter of William

Robinson. The Robinsons were the' first to
locate on or near Montour
Ridge.
loseph
Robinson married Esther Barkley, who was
born Oct. 8, 1786, in Ireland.

Andrew Barkley Robinson, a son of loseph
Robinson, was born in Lancaster county, Pa.,
and was ten years old when the
family came
to Montour
county, so that he grew up amid
pioneer conditions in this locality, and in time
became one of the substantial
of
agriculturists
all of his mature

Liberty township. During
years he operated the homestead secured by
his father. His death occurred in
1899, when

his

place, now a stock
dealer, married Anna I. Bennett,
Oct. 17,
1876, in Liberty township, daughter of Charles

Dec. 29, 1872, on the

home

bom

F. and Elizabeth I. (WykofY)" Bennett; their
children are Edna Fay, Alma May and William D. William Sawyer is superintendent of
the borough school at Taylor. Pa. David M..
who is professor of mathematics at Bayonne.
N. J., married Bessie Raup. Mabel F. married Stewart Murray, an electrician, of Milton, Pa., and they have a daughter. Mildred
prior to her marriage, for six years, Mrs.

;

Murray was a school teacher.
William M. Robinson was reared
faith of the

the

Lutheran Church. In fraternal
matters he affiliates with the Masons, belonging to Danville Lodge No. 224. F.
.\. M.
Politically he is a Democrat, and in addition
.S:

COLUMBIA AXD MONTOUR COUNTIES
to being a judge of election upon numerous
occasions he has served for three years as
county auditor. It was William M. Robinson

who

agitated and carried through to successcompletion the movement for rural free
dehvery, securing the first route in Montour
county out of Danville, which passed through
Liberty township. Throughout his long and
useful life.
Mr. Robinson has striven to do
his full duty, and not only has succeeded in
advancing his own interests but those of his

community

as well, fully earning the respect

which he is held by the many who have the
honor of his acquaintance
The Pettigrew family, which is associated
with this branch of the Robinsons, also has an
in

interesting history.
Representatives of this
old family located in Montour county as early
as 1774, and on some of the oldest transfers
and patents of this part of the State occurs the
name of Charles Bibble, who made a transfer
of 260 acres of land for a consideration of

twenty-six pounds to John Clark and MarThese records are to be
garet Pettigrew.
found in the general recorder's office at PhilaThe Robinson family is connected
delphia.
with the Clark family as it is with the Pettigrew family, all three having intermarried in
the early days.

Mrs.

Harriet Effie

(Robinson)

Um-

STEAD, who is living on the Robinson homestead in Liberty township, is a daughter of

II33

When he was tucntv-thrce years old
1815.
he settled on a farm called Chestnut
(irove in
Liberty township, where he die(i \ul- ' i<xx)
Me married Jerusha McCracken who was
born in 1813. a daughter of lames and \nna
(Van Horn) McCracken.
living

children

Anna, who

union:

Raup, of Danville,
siding

the
is

here are 'eight

born

family
the

widow

I'a.; ilettie.

this

of Jonas

unmarried,

re-

I'doom.slmrg, La.; Mary, wife of
Peter Fisher, of Danville; Richard M.
J., of
Milton. La.; John ^L, who is mentioned at
length below; James, who is of Lloomsburg.

Pa.; Alfred M., of Danville; and |osei)h. of
Mooresburg, I'ennsylvania
John M. Roiuxso.n, a retired farmer and
justice of the peace of Liberty tcnviiship. Montour Co., Pa., was born Jan. 8,
1845. on the
Chestnut Grove farm. After living' with his
parents for some years, assisting them and
receiving but few educational advantages, he
went to live with his grandfather, remaining
with the latter until his death, when he inherited his i)resent property. He has the title
deed to the property dated 1792, signed by
George W. McKean. Since comine into possession of this farm Mr. Robinson has super
vised it and until recently been active in its
operation. For eighteen years, from the time
he was twenty-three years old. he taught
school during the winter terms, and is a man
of wide rea(hng and scholarly training.
On March 28, 187 1, John M. Robin.son mar-

Andrew Barkley Robinson, and was born
Sept. 7, 1847, on the farm now her home. In ried Mary Thornton, born A])ril 11, 1S31. in
1875 she married David Martin Umstead, who Northumberland county. Pa., daughter of Kdwas born Oct.

1849, "'' Derry township,
Mr. Umstead was a son of
Martin and Hannah (Tanner) Umstead, the
former coming to Derry township with his
parents when a boy. Although a wagonmaker
by trade, Mr. Umstead farmed, operating his
property of 175 acres, which he devoted to
general farming and timbering, and at the
same time he and his brother raised a large
amount of stock. Mr. Umstead was a member of the Reformed Church, and died firm in
In politics he was a
its faith Dec. 6, 18S6.
stanch Republican, and he held a number of
the township offices. He was manly and upwith
right, and had many friends who joined
His famhis family in mourning his demise.

Montour

14,

Co., Pa.

ward and Leah (I->nst) Thorntijn, of Colum
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson bcbia county, Pa.
came the parents of children as follows: Leah
married

Charles

Giger,

weaver,

Bloomsburg. Pa., and they have one child,
Arzella, aged nine years; George W.. who is
employed in the tube mills at Danville. Pa..
married Dola Chapman, and their children are
Lionel, Ava and Ethel Clarence, who married
;

Joseph Robinson, son of Joseph Robinson,
the founder of the Robinsoii family in Montour county, was born on the present Robin-

Richards, resides with his father.
Amy J. married
operating the homestead
John ShoUy. a farmer of Milton, Pa., and has
children Arlene and Edith.
Tohn M. Robinson was reared in the Methodist Church and was one of the trustees of the
church of that denomination at Mooresburg.
Democrat, he has held the office of justice
of the peace for sixteen years, and for several
terms was assessor of his township. In his
he followed in the footsteps of
political faith
his father, who was one of the best known
Mr.
Democrats of this part of the State.

son homestead in Liberty township. Sept.

Robinson

while not as old a one in Montour county
as the Robinsons, is highly respected.
ily,

Elizabeth

;

his

declining years

enjoys the

COLUMBIA AND AIONTOUR COUNTIES

1134

comforts provided by his industrious habits

Anna May; Warren Robinson, who

and careful saving. Both as a private citizen
and a pubHc official he has proved himself a
man of stability and high moral worth.

ried,

lames Robinson, son of Joseph Robinson,

the founder of the Robinson family in Montour county, was born on the present Robinson
homestead, which has been in the possession

of this family for so many years. In boyhood
he worked as a farmer, but later was a teamster for Waterman & Beaver, when they built
Subsequently he
the iron works at Danville.
mined at the old Liberty furnace in Liberty
then moving
township, :\Iontour county, and
to the farm of fifty-nine acres he had bought,
he spent the remainder of his life upon it,

dying there in December, 1897, aged seventyseven years. The property was sold after the
death of his wife.
James Robinson married Elizabeth Sawyer,
born in Liberty township, a daughter of William and Margaret (Slayman) Sawyer. Mrs.

Robinson died Aug.

1907, aged eighty-eight

years, at her son Joseph's
lived for eight months.

home, where she had

the five children

born to James Robinson and wife but two are
living
Joseph Jackson and John, the latter a
carpenter of Milton, Pennsylvania.
Joseph Jackson Robinson, son of James
Robinson, now a retired farmer of Liberty
township, was born Oct. 8, 1848, in Roaring
Creek township, Columbia Co., Pa. Owing to
the scarcity of good schools in that day he re-

president.
Like the other

little

educational training, and after

farming until he was seventeen years old he
learned the carpenter's trade at Milton and
Danville, assisting in the construction of
In 1880,
buildings at the latter place.
ever, he
acres.

many
how-

came

to his present farm of forty-five
also owns another tract of 141

unmar-

all

members

of the Robinson

its

branches, Joseph Jackson
Robinson is a man of probity, taking pleasure
and pride in maintaining the high standard
set by his forebears, and he has reared his children in the same manner he was brought up.
Although not a member of any religious denomination, he inclines toward the Alethodist
family,

Church, in which he w-as reared.
The Robinson family came originally from
Ireland, and although there are several generations between the emigrant ancestor and
the present day representatives of the name
they retain many of the excellent characteristics of those sturdy people, which combined
W'ell with those inherited from other stock
with which the Robinsons have intermarried.

JOHN DODSON,

ceived but

a druggist, residing at Connellsville,
Pa. Mrs. Robinson w-as tenderly laid to rest
in the beautiful Harmony cemetery at Milton,
Pa. Mr. Robinson is a Democrat, but aside
from being a school director he has never been
willing to accept office; for five of the seven
years he was on the board he acted as its
is

bia county,

late of

was born

Berwick, ColumEngland,

in Yorkshire,

James Dodson.

Sept. 13, 1838, son of

James Dodson died

England.

He was

the father of fourteen children, and John was
the last survivor of the family and the only
one to come to the United States.
John Dodson left his native land when only
fifteen years old,
City proceeded at

and landing

New York

once to Jamaica, L. I., but
remained there only a short time. Leaving
that city he went to Farmingdale, N. Y., and
at

that

place

learned

the

trade of

painter,

which he followed with such marked success.
acres.
During the time he was actively oper- Completing his apprenticeship he went to
ating this farm he made a specialty of regis- Trenton, N. J., to work on the statehouse
tered Jersey cattle.
which was then in process of construction.
Joseph Jackson Robinson married Anna B. He also worked at brushmaking in the same
Moser, who was born Aug. 4, 1850, and died city, spending in all two years at Trenton.
She was one of a family of Just prior to leaving there he worked in the
Jan. 29, 1908.
seven children born to her parents, of whom
but two survive
Catherine, who is the widow
of David Wintersteen, of Valley
township;
and Daniel Moser, who resides in Illinois.
Mrs. Robinson was reared in the faith of the
Lutheran Church and was a good Christian
woman. She bore her husband the following
children
Charles D., who is with his father,
operating the homestead farm, is unmarried
Hettie Elizabeth married Calvin
Johnson, who
resides in Milton, and they have one
child.
:

;

rolling mills for a short time. At the expiration of the two years he went to Philadeljihia
and from there after a short time to PhoenixPa.,

ville.

still

which

later

moving

Danville,

he arrived in 1857. there following
his
Leaving Danville he went to
Bloomsburg, Pa., where he spent seven years,
and finally he settled at Berwick, where he
remained until his death, Nov. 23, IQT4. He
became a painting contractor, and built up a
city
trade.

large business.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
While

Mr Dodson

the Civil war
the Union
listed
ville

Guards,

Gettysburg.

was a resident of Danwas declared, and he enarmy in 1863 m Conklin's

time to participate in the battle of
At the expiration of his period

Returning home he resumed his

risburg. Pa.

peaceful occupation. Mr. Dodson belonged to
Captain Jackson Post, G. A. R., of which he
was a past commander and for many years
As was but natural,
chaplain, until his death.
he thoroughly enjoyed his' association with old

comrades, and was highly respected by them
not only in the local post, but in other organizations where he was known.
On April 8, 1858, John Dodson was married
to

Rosa B.

Ritter, of

Bloomsburg, a daughter

of William and Elizabeth (Long) Ritter, naMr. Ritter was a cabtives of Bloomsburg.
inetmaker by trade and also served as a boatman on the Pennsylvania canal^ during his
Both he and his estimable
younger years.
wife are deceased, and are buried at IHoomsThey had six children, but only one
burg.

Samuel A., who resurvives, Mrs. Dodson.
sided in the State of Tennessee, died Dec. 24,
1913, lacking only one day of being eighty
years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Dodson became the parents
the following children:
Eugene is deA. is a
William
is
Marietta
deceased;
ceased;
resident of Berwick; Anna is the wife of John
Shoemaker, of Bloomsburg; Ella A. is the
wife of Edward H. Humphries, of Philadelphia; EHzabeth is the wife of Mayberry
Bachman, of Pottsville, Pa.; Margaret M. is
the wife of John H. Smethers, who is teller
Mr. and Mrs.
in the Berwick National Bank.
of

Dodson also reared a grandson, Claude C,
who makes his home with his grandmother.
Mrs. Dodson is a charter member of the

Woman's

Relief Corps of Berwick, and not

the corps
only assisted in the organization of
but has been very active in its good work,

Mr. Dodson was a very prominent worker in
the Methodist Church of Berwick, as is also
his widow, both giving liberally to it of their
The kind of people who
time and money.
carry their religious belief into their everyday
with
Uves, all who have come into contact
them' have felt the better for the association,
Mr Dodson was the first president of the
at Danville
borough of Berwick, and while
served as the first president of the school
board at Riverside, Northumberland Co., Pa.

II35

IVoni buyhuud he was anibiiiuus and
wilhne
work to carry out liis iileas and he richlv
deserved the success which came to him
to

JACOB

il.

SiiLGARS,

The Shugars family came
Germany,

farmer of Laia-

originally

from

Riciimond lownshin
Berks Co., Pa. Jacob Shugars. the
grandfather, was a native of Berks county, and left
that locality for Columbia
county, at' an early
day, settling in what later became'Main lownship, where he was one of the pioneers.
His
children were: Mrs. (iettling, Mrs. Kelchner,
Mrs. Keller and Mrs. I'.ast.'and Jacob, the
settling

only son.
Jacob Shugars, son of |acob. was born Nov.
30, 1803, and was brought by his father from
Berks to Columbia county, where he grew uj).
He became a boatman on the Lehigh canal

and later on in life settled in Main township,
where he engaged in farming for a few years.
Moving to Luzerne county, he continued his
agricultural labors there, once more returning.
however, to Main townslii]). where he died
Nov. 18, 1876. He is buried in the Fisher
cemetery in that township. On Oct. 18. 1826,
he (first) married Rachel Keller, and they
had children as follows: William. Rebecca,
Emeline and Thomas. Mr. Shugars married
(second) Nov. 18, 1834. Mary ilartzel. who
was born Aug. 15. 1811. a daughter of Jacob
Reuben;
Hartzel, and their children were:
Jeremiah, who died in Union City, Ind.. Dec.
Hiram
in infancy
30, 1913 Jacob, who died
Jacob H."; Nathan; Elizabeth, who die<l in
W^'m township, July i. 1910. and Catherine,
;

;

died in Scra'nton. July. 1903; Mrs. Mary
Shugars, widow of Jacob Shugars, died Aug.

who
12,

1897.

Jacob H. Shugars went to the public schools
ofhis neighborhood and was brought up on a
farm, remaining with his father until he was
sixteen years old, at which time he began
of the township,
xvorking among the farmers
in 1880 he engaged in farming on his own
account, and is now located in Catawissa
farm.
township, where he has a good
On May 10. 1877, Jacob H. Shugars marrigd Hester Bice, who was bom May 5. 1859,
of Derry township,
daughter of William Blee.
Montour county, and they have two children
Harrv P.. born in Main township. Columbia
countv. iMarch 23, 1881, is at home; Sarah 1-..,
born in Main township May 23, 1&S3. married
:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1136

Robert Hartman, and is now (1914) residnig
in Xescopeck, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Shugars is a Democrat, and has served
two terms as a school director and six years
as road commissioner. In religious faith he
is a Lutheran, while his wife is a Presbyterian.
Formerly he was a member of the Grange.

burg,

HENRY

HILE, of BloomsOstrich Farm
African
the
of
president

WILLIA^I

Feather Company, which owns farms near
in
Bloomsburg, Harrisburg and Cleveland, and
This company is engaged^ in the
the West.
breeding of ostriches and production of
feathers, and as breeders of draft horses,
breedcattle, sheep and swine. The venture of

taining 1,221 acres of valuable land, to which
he removed with the family in 1866. This
Mr.
place is now divided into three farms.
Hile died there when only six weeks less than
eighty-two years old, and is buried in the Mc-

His wife, Hannah (Camp-

Intyre graveyard.

daughter of Obadiah and Elizabeth
(Shipman) Campbell, died aged sixty-two
vears, and is buried beside him. We have the
(i)
following record ot their children:
Minner, born Jan. 23, 1834, died at Jersey
City, N. J.
(2) Henry is mentioned below.
(3) Obadiah died while serving as a soldier
in the Civil war and is buried in the National
bell),

cemetery
in the

at Arlington,

\'a.

Amos was

(4)

employ of the Philadelphia

Reading

and
ing ostriches in a cold climate is unique
a success, and is the feature of this section.
In the paternal line Mr. Hile belongs to a
very old Pennsylvania family founded here by
three brothers who came from Germany.
They settled first at Philadelphia, at which
city one lived and died he reached the age of

for thirty-one years and
was retired on a pension in 1910. He resides
at Catawissa. He married Martha E. ]\Iullen,
who died in 1906, and they had children:

one hundred vears. The other two, WilHam
and Christian, emigrated to central Pennsylvania, and settled in Rush township, Northumberland county, in pioneer times. William
Hilc, progenitor of the branch of the family
to which William H. Hile belongs, owned
and operated a farm there, and died upon
that place he is buried in the Deibler cemetery in Shamokin township, Northumberland
county. His children were John and Henry.
John Hile. son of William, also lived in
Rush township. He had three sons, William,
Isaac and Ira, all of whom followed farming.
Henrv Hile. son of William, and greatgrandfather of William Henry Hile, was born
in Rush township.
He was a lifelong farmer
and became a large landowner, owning and
operating many farms there. He died April
8, 1853, aged sixty-eight years, and his widow,

Harry, living

;

A. (Johnson), passed away Feb. 2, 1872,
They had children as follows:
James, Daniel, Philip, Anthony, Henry, Amos,
John, Lorenzo D., Abigail (Mrs. Kline),
Mary A. (Mrs. James Bloom), Emeline (Mrs.

Mary

in Missouri.

Thomas Owens), Helen (Mrs. David Witmer), and Elizabeth (Mrs. James Arthurs).
James Hile, son of Henry, was born in
1807, on the old homestead place in Rush township, and like his ancestors became engaged in
In 1846 he moved to Clearfield
farming.
county, Pa., where he made his home for the
next twenty years,
purchasing a farm which
he cultivated. Meantime, in
1856, he had come
to Columbia
county, and bought the Rohrbach
farm in Franklin
township, a property con-

Railroad

Company

Mary, who is deceased; Alice, who married
Harry Kinney; Hannah, Avho married Harry

Fordsman (they

reside

now

Sunbury

resident of Philadelphia.
Oct. II, 1847, lives in

California)

;

and William, a
(5) John C, born
;

Franklin township,

Columbia county.
(6) Elizabeth married
James C. Bloom and is living in Clearfield
county. (7) Mary A. is the widow of William
Teple and resides at Catawissa.
(8) Eliza
Jane, widow of James Lewis, lives at the old
homestead in Franklin township. (9) Joanna
is the widow of Obadiah Yocum and resides
at Shamokin, Pennsylvania.
Henry Hile was born March 30, 1836, in
Rush township, Northumberland Co., Pa.
When a young man he learned the trade of
carpenter, at which he was employed for a
few years, subsequently engaging in the mercantile business at

berland county,

Mount Carmel, Northumpartnership

with Aaron

Barrel. After eight years in this business he
sold out his interest and for the next twenty
years was engaged in the wholesale dry goods

trade in Philadelphia, going there in 1876.
Since 1897 he has been retired from all business activities.
Fraternally Mr. Hile is a
Mason, belonging to St. Paul's Lodge, No.
481, F. & A. M. Palestine Chapter, No. 240,
R. A. M. St. Alban's
Commandery, No. 40,
K. T. and Lu Lu Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.,
all of
Philadelphia. He is also a member of
the I. O. O. F., and, in
religious connection,
of the Methodist Church.
;

;

Nov.

26, 1857, Henry Hile married
Yocum, daughter of Joseph and Sarah
(Teitsworth) Yocum, and they have had four

Alatilda

children:

Clark, of Philadelphia; Charles

COLU.MBIA AND
W., of Philadelphia

;

William Henry

;

MOXTOUR COUNTIES

and

Clara Y., wife of Dr. C. R. I'lilmer, a prominent physician of Philadelphia.
William Plenry Hile was born Oct. lO, 1869,
at Mount Carmel, Northumberland Co., Pa.
He obtained his earlier education in the Philadelphia public schools, later attending Pennington (N. J.) Seminary, De Pauw University, in Indiana, and Dickinson College, at
Carlisle, Pa.
Making a special study of
geology he became a professional geologist,
entering the employ of the government, as well
as the largest syndicates of America.
Plis

work

Alaska developed the largest gold
mine in the world; he owned the government
buildings at the capital, Juneau, Alaska. Mr.
Hile has done research work in all parts of
North America and South America. In 1902
he gave up his profession and for some years
occupied himself with hunting big game, sociological research, and as a lecturer, making
several trips around the world in these conHis experiences have been diversinections.
fied and interesting, and few men have had
such opportunities for instructive observation,
assisted by deep study and world travel. He
is considered an authority on many subjects.
The business of ostrich farming in a cold
climate was started by Mr. Hile, and the
ostrich farm at Espy, Columbia county, which
he founded, now received much of his attenIt is one of a number now operating
tion.
and all started by his company, that at Espy
in

being the

farms

The establishment of ostrich
first.
the expression of sociological ideas

held dear by him.
Mr. Hile is a Mason, being a member of
Philadelphia Consistory (thirty-second deSt. Alban's Commandery, No. 40, K.
gree)
T. Palestine Chapter, No. 240,' R. A. M. John
W. Jenks Lodge, No. 247, F. & A. M. He is
a member of the National Geographic Society, fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of London, and belongs to the Civic
Forum, League for Political Education, Child
Labor League, Union League Club, Arctic
Club and many other noted societies and clubs.
Mr. Hile's religious faith is confined to the
plain teachings of the Nazarene, stripped of
;

;

Christ was the demonstration of truth and of
a philosoijhy which when
comprehended supplants ignorance with intelligence, darkness
vvith light, which made man master
indeed,
giving health, love, joy, assurance, peace, all
understantling and all power, making man
little less than God.
In all things lie is known
to be a man of action,
strong heart and de-

cision.

William

or creed, which have no place in his
The teachings of the Christ he
thought.
analyzes as a scientific philosophy and in his
writings boldly proclaims the day when dogma

He
will be banished by all.
also in lectures declared it a truth that "all
would
things are yours" if the human family
abandon emotionalism, sentimentalisrn, creeds,
when it was realized that
etc., from religion
and sectarianism

—

11. liile's

ancestors on his m<4her's

came here over two centuries ago. and
John Yocum, his great-grandfalher, located
side

head of Roaring Creek valley, in CoHe married Mary Maclntyre,
and they had seven sons, as follows: Caleb,
at the

lumljia county.

Jacob. Joseph, l<jhn. Jesse, William, Elijah;
and three daughters. J^arah (married John

Iloagland).

lannah married Xich(jlas Camj>(

and Mary (married Staccy John). Of
the sons, Caleb Vocum married Mercy Hoagland and had four children; Jacob married
Nancy Davenport and had three children; Joseph married Sarah Teitsworth John never
married Jesse married Martha Mears and
had five children, (second) E>ther .\nn Linville and had one child, and (third) Mehiiable
Evans and had five children William married
Eliza Teitsworth and had six children l-:iijah
married Jane Campbell and had .seven chil-

bell)

;

dren.

Sarah
Joseph Yocum, son of John, married
Teitsworth and had eight children, as ff)llows
Marv. Elizabeth. Nancy. Martha, Margaret.
Mary married
Mati'lda, Rebecca and Wesley.
Charles Teitsworth; Elizabeth married Hiram
Reeder; Nancy married Rev. I'rancis M.
Slusser; Martha married Rev. Charles MayW. Stout;
bee; Margaret married Rev. C,.
Matilda married Henry Hile: Rebecca marmarried Rev. Every Swartz; Wesley never
:

ried.

dogma

11 T

The Campbell family from which Mr. Hile
descended through Hannah (Campbell)

is a numerous one in
Northumberland county, Pa. Its first prohave record was Obadiah
genitor of whom we

Hile, his grandmother,

who moved
Campbell, a native of New Jcrscv
in
of
section
1779 and
that
to
Pennsylvania
located in Ralpho township. He purchased a
became
tract of four hundred acres of what
valuable land (the south part of the village of
on part of the tract) and
Elysburg being built
became
built his own log cabin on what later
This
the site of the residence of David Huff.
the
of
homestead
the
to
be
continued
place

Obadiah

Campbells for several generations.
but never folCampbell was a tailor by trade,
lowed that vocation after settling in North-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1138

umberland county. He was a Presbyterian m
and one of the organizers of
religious faith
the church of the denomination in his settlement, helping to build the old church between
he served as elder
Snydertown and Elysburg
Politically he was a
in the same many years.
;

of the party
strong Democrat, the leader
His children were: Benjamin,
John. Tames, Robert, Obadiah, Albert, Jane
of
(who married Caleb Ely), Joanna (wife
George Ely) and Elizabeth. All were good
memorial services held
singers and sang at the
of
time
the
at
Sunburv
in
Washington's death.
Robert Campbell, evidently son of Obadiah,
above, born in New Jersey, was the first of

his locality.

the family to

settled in

come to Northumberland county.
Rush township, and became one

of the prominent citizens of that locality.
Obadiah Campbell, son of Obadiah, was
born in New Jersey in 1776, and was a young

boy when
vania, in

farm

came thence to PennsylHe was brought up on the
1779.
Ralpho township, part of which is
his parents

now embraced

in the south end of Elysburg,
and eventually came to own his father's homestead, upon which he made his home for some
years. He then made a settlement in Colum-

upon a large tract of timber land
which he had purchased, just three or four

bia county,

miles east of Elysburg, erected a sawmill, and
engaged in the lumber business, which he continued all his life. He was a man of thrift and
enterprise, and built up a business which kept
his sawmill busy day and night, giving employment to a number of men. He had three
hundred or more acres of land upon which
there was good timber, his land extending to
the creek which divides Columbia and Northumberland counties, and he cleared two farms
there, both now owned by one of his grand-

Ezra Yocum, whose mother was Jane
There Obadiah lived, worked and
died and he is buried upon that place, as is
also his father, Obadiah, who
brought the
family out from New Jersey.
They were
Presbyterians, but many of the old Campbells
are buried at the Sharp
Ridge Church, which
is a Methodist Church.
Obadiah Campbell

maiden name was Elizabeth Shipman, and she
was like her husband a native of New Jersey,
coming to Pennsylvania when she was five
years old with her father, Nicholas Shipman,

who

settled with his family in Rockefeller
Air. and >\Irs. Campbell had a
township.
Nicholas
family of ten children, namely
settled in Elysburg; Mary married William
Thompson Hannah married James Hile Jane
:

;

his father's 300-acre tract was divided, Elijah
Yocum, his brother-in-law, coming into posses-

sion of the other.

HOSLER. The Hosier, Michael and
Markle families are well known in Columbia
county, and their histories make interesting
reading for the thoughtful person.
Frederick Hosier was born in Berks county,
Later on in
Pa., where he became a farmer.
life he came to Columbia county, first locating
in Beavervalley, but later going to liriarcreek
township, where he died at the age of seventytwo, after farming all his mature years. Both
he and his wife are interred in the graveyard
connected with the Brick Church in Briarcreek townshij). They were Gennan Luther-

ans in religious faith.
Politically Frederick
Hosier was a \\ hig. He and his excellent
wife became the parents of the following children
Jacob, who married Phoebe Gensel,
:

Co.,

efifects

way.

man

of note in his

community

was, like his father, a strong

every

Demo-

crat, and wielded considerable influence in the
local councils of the
he would
party,

though

not accept ofiice. He was an active member
of the Presbyterian Church, held offices in the

church and led the choir for
many years. For
thirteen years he was
captain of a military
company. His death occurred July 27, 1865,
and that of his wife May
Her
27, 1866.

home

turned

Campbell.

war service, and reSalem township, Luzerne
dying some years later from the

was shot during

sons,

was

;

married Elijah Yocum; Obadiah S. married
Elizabeth married and is deEliza Teats
ceased; Joanna married a AIc^NIurtrie, who
was from New Jersey and returned to that
State (they had a son John and a daughter
Maggie); John married Mary A. Fuller;
Sarah married Aaron Shultz Knittle Jackson
settled on one of the two farms into which

Pa.,

Nagle

his Ci^il

wound; Daniel married Mary
Henry married Elizabeth Lotz John

of his
;

;

and there
length below
were three daughters, one of whom became
the wife of Jeremiah Kulp.
John L. Hosier, son of Frederick Hosier,

mentioned

was born

;

in Beavervalley, in

Columbia county,

Pa., July 6, 1816.
grew to manhood's
estate in Beavervalley, there learning the trade
of wheelwright, which he carried on all his

for many years owning and operating
His death ocshop at Foundryville, Pa.
curred at Foundryville in October. 1892. when
he was seventy-six years old. John L. Hosier
married Anna Elizabeth Beam, a daughter of
George A. and Anna (Seybert) Beam, and
life,

they became the parents of the following chil-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Emma married George Jacoby, of Nuremberg, Pa. Anna married Martin I,. Mousenick, of Berwick; Ellen married J. M. Robdren

;

bins, of Bloomsburg; Dora married" E. E. Robbins, of Sac City, Iowa; George B. W. is mentioned at length below; Charles, who married

Dora

Hill

(now deceased),

resides at Pottsville; Clementine married \V. W. Scybert, of

Briarcreek township; Clara married Erank
Ebert, of Sac City, Iowa.
John I.. Hosier
was a Republican and served as a school director for many years.
He was a consistent
of the Methodist Church of Foundryville, and filled all of the offices of that organization as well as that of superintendent
of the Sunday school.
His wife, who was

member

born

June, 182 1, survived her husband
until 1S97, passing away aged seventy-six
years; both are buried in Pine Grove cemetery,
at Berwick.
George B. W. Hosler, of Berwick, formerly foreman painter for the American Car
in

and Foundry Company, and now employed
in the mechanical department of the same
corporation under C. L. Jarrard, mechanical
engineer, was born in Briarcreek township,
Columbia Co., Pa., son of John L. Hosier.

He received his educational training in the
public schools of Foundryville and Berwick,
and learned the wheelwright's trade with his
father,

with

whom

worked four

years.

the expiration of that period he opened a
repair shop at Foundryville, and in connection therewith sold buggies, wagons and similar goods for thirteen years, spending in all
Mr. Hosier
eighteen years at Foundryville.
then went to Berwick, where he opened a
repair shop on Second street which he operated four years. Desiring a change of occupation, he purchased a farm of seventy-six
acres in Briarcreek township, and moving on
it conducted it for ten years, during this time
becoming the owner of 165 acres additional.
All of his land was devoted to general farmAt the end of the decade spent in farming.
ing Mr. Hosier sold his first farm, which is
now occupied by Warren Michael, and coming
to Berwick was occupied for two years as an
employee in the passenger coach department
of the American Car and Foundry Company.
Mr. Hosier then moved back to Briarcreek
where
township, locating on his 165-acre farm,
he remained for three years, when he sold it

Dice and son. Once more he came
Berwick, and became foreman painter for

to J. C.
to

the American Car and Foundry Company,
thus continuing until sickness made his resignation necessary, and for nearly a year he

was unable

to work.

1139

is now
engaged in
on the niacliinerv for

Ik-

])utting safety api)liances
his old

company.

Jan.

27,' 1874,

(\i,v^v

ilosk-r

married Sarah Jane Micliacl, who was burn
Feb. 20, 1855, in Briarcreek
township, Cohunbia township. Columbia Co., Pa., a
(lauf^htcr
of Stephen and Sarah (ticn.sel) Michael. She

was educated in the schools of her native
township, and lived at home until her marMr. Hosier is a Democrat in i.olitic«j,
riage.
but has never desired public ofiice.
He belongs to the International Bible Student.s' Sofounded by Rev. .Mr. Russell, of the
P.ethlehem Tabernacle, oi I'.rooklvn. New

ciety,

York.

Michael.
back

The Michael family

traced

in Colunil)ia

county for several generations.
Ulrich Michael was born in Columbia county, where he spent his blameless life,

engaged
he died.

Adam

agricultural

pursuits,

and there

^Michael, son of Llrich Michael,

was

born at Beavervalley, Columbia Co., Pa. In
addition to operating a farm of 350 acres he
conducted a hotel at Summerhill, same county,
for a number of years.
He marrie<l a Miss
Hotz, and their children were: Menas. who
married a Miss Hosier; Charles, who married twice, both of his wives being members
of the Hosier family; (ieorge Washington,
who married a Miss Beaver; Antlrew. who
married Rebecca Gensel John, who died at
the age of twelve years; Stephen, mentioned
Mrs. Benjamin
below: Mrs. Peter Houck
Houck Elizabeth, now deceased, who married
Elias ]\Iiller; and Caroline, who marrie<!
Michael Hunts. .Adam Michael was a Democrat and held a number of the township offices.
;

;

He was

a consistent

member

of the

German

Lutheran Church. He died when about fiftyseven years old, and with his wife is buried
in a private graveyard on the edge of the
farm he owned, in Beavervalley.
Stephen Michael, .son of Adam Michael,
and father of Mrs. George B. W. Hosier, was
born Sept. 20, 181 8. at Beavervalley, Columbia Co.. Pa., and died at Berwick at the age
of ninetv-two years. He received a practical
education in the schools of Beavervalley. and
worked for his father on the farm until he
was twentv-six years old. when he married
and moved to Summerhill. Briarcreek townThere he bought a farm of over three
ship.

hundred

acres,

and continued agricultural pur-

twenty years of his demise,
the
or until over seventv years old. He was
most successful farmer of his family and was
suits until within

COLU-AIBIA

1140

AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES

an authority upon all matters relating to his
line of work.
Stephen Michael married Sarah Gensel,
who was born at Beavervalley in April, 1826,
and died in Briarcreek township, Columbia
She was a
Co., Pa., aged seventy-two years.
daughter of Gideon and Catherine (Fisher)
Their children besides Mrs. Hosier
Gensel.
were: Adam married Mary Jane Bence and
Delia
(second) Lena Yost; Gideon married
Doak and (second) Susan Miller; John married Harriet Beck; Obediah (deceased) married Ida K. Markle, of Briarcreek township;
Dr. \\'illiam Ellis married Laura McHenry,
now of Factoryville David married Emma
Shaffer, of West Berwick; Anna married Dr.
;

G. B. Kleintob, a dentist, of Berwick; Lydia
married George Smith (now^ deceased), of
Berwick Ellen died at the age of seven years
Andrew, Emory and Charles died in childhood.
In political faith Stephen Michael was a
Democrat and he served as a school director
and overseer of the poor, proving an efficient
The United Evangelical Church of
official.
Summerhill held his membership as well as his
;

;

and they were very active in church
work, Air. Michael holding at different times
all of the church offices, and being very much
He and his
interested in the Sunday school.
wife are both buried at Summerhill, in Briarwife's,

creek township.
Stefarmer of Briar-

creek township, Columbia Co., Pa., was born
in that township Feb. 13, 1850.
He received
his educational training in the schools of
Briarcreek township, and like many of the
boys of the neighborhood commenced his
business career working for his father on the

homestead, remaining at home until his marriage.
Following this he worked for his
brother Gideon until he rented the farm of
This
115 acres now conducted by his sons.
property he operated until his death, buying
it about
In addition to farming Mr.
1895.
Michael worked as a helper in the blacksmith
department of the Jackson & Woodin Manufor a few years, and also
was under contract with that company to clear
their land of timber.
The death of Mr. Michael occurred Jan. 13, 1912, and he is buried
in the cemetery at Summerhill.
Democrat

facturing

Company

in politics, he was content to confine his
public activities to
casting his vote for the can-

didates of his party. The United
Evangelical
Church held his membership and received his
warm support. In his death his

community

citizen,

and

his family a beloved

On March

24, 1879, Obediah Alichael was
to Ida K. Alarkle, who was born in

married

Scott tow'nship Alarch 25, 1859, daughter of
Mrs. Alichael was educated
in the schools of Briarcreek township, and

Moses Markle.

remained with her parents until her marriage.
She was formerly a member of the church
at North Berwick, and is now a member of
the Ladies' Aid Society of the Summerhill
Church. Mrs. Michael taught Sunday school
both before and after her marriage, and she
is a woman of unusual attainments.
Children as follows were born to Obediah
Michael and his wife
Sheridan, born Dec.
6, 1881, died Aug. 21, 1883; Edna A., born
March 12, 1885, married James Stout, and
they have two children, Geneva Anna Mary
and Carleton Joseph (they live on East Front
Gideon J., born Sept. 10,
street, Berwick)
1887, married Grace Garrison Wilson W. was
born Sept. 12, 1890; Sterling D., March 12,
1892; Ervin D., Jan. 21, 1894; Earl M., Oct.
29, 1895; Mildred M., Sept. 21, 1897; Melvin
:

;

A.,

1901

March

17,

1899; Leonard A., Feb. 15,
8, 1902 (deceased); and

Reagon, Jan.

;

Helen A., Feb.

21, 1903.

Markle. The Markle family history as
far as known is as follows
Jonathan Alarkle, who was a farmer, owned
:

ten

Odediah Michael (deceased), son of
phen Alichael, formerly a

lost a good
member.

acres

land

which he operated

Briarcreek township,
he decided to pur-

until

chase a larger property at Red Bank, Armstrong Co., Pa. He went to that place, but
before he had consummated his purchase was
taken sick and died, aged about sixty years,,
and w^as buried in the cemetery at Red Bank.

married Eva Adams, born in 1803, who
an advanced age, being about ninetyShe is ineight when her death occurred.
terred in the cemetery at Summerhill. Pa.
The children of Jonathan Markle and wife
were Moses, who is mentioned below Eli.
who married Elizabeth Thomas, of New
York Abraham Conrad, who married Susan
Catherine, who married Charles
Stahley
Lynn both are deceased; Abigail (deceased),
who married William Grant and (second) a
Air. Hollacker. both of whom are also deceased
who married George
Elizabeth,
Thomas, of Ithaca, N. Y. Juliana, who married Jacob Yocom
both deceased Hannah,
who married William Thomas, of West \'irginia; Mary, who married Richard Turby
both deceased Charity, who married Richard
Yocum both deceased; and Levina. Mrs.
Savitts.
lonathan Markle was a Democrat in
lived to

;

—

;

—

;

—

;

COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
but did not aspire to public

1141

Thomas, who married Sarah Hartley;
who married Caroline Tarkcs; William!
Aloses Markie, son of Jonathan Markle, who married I'.li/.abeth
Lulzy
Mary Ann,
and father of Mrs. Ida K. Michael, was born who married Hiram Birth ami
(second)
in Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa., Jonas
Midjjley George F., who marrie«l .^arah
:May 13, 1821. He was educated in the Moore; Charles L.. who married l-'.sther Ross;
schools of his native place, and w^orked for Hannah, who married
lames
i'erry TilTanv
his uncle Conrad Adams after attaining his W., who married Sarah l-\ Hontz; and
'Kliza,
majority, continuing with this relative until who became the wife of Josiah L*. Hoiitz.
For some time following he
his marriage.
James W. Moore, father of Kvan Benton
political belief,

office.

dren:

Jplin,

;

worked for John Bruce, and eventually became the owner of twenty-six acres of land,
and was engaged in agricultural pursuits all
His death occurred when he
his useful life.
was seventy-two years old, and his wife
passed away when sixty-four years old;
they are buried at the Brick Church, in Briarcreek township.
Formerly a Republican, he
later embraced the doctrines of the Democratic party and gave its candidates his supFrom early manhood he was an enport.
thusiastic

member and

supporter of the United

Evangelical Church.

Moses Markle married Esther Remley, a
daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Bower)
Remley, and children as follows were born to
them:
Sarah, who married Nathan Lynn,
of North Berwick; Otis, deceased, who mar-

LaForm and lived at North Berwnck; Ida K., who is Mrs. Michael; and
Samuel, Dorothy, Wellington, Rebecca, Eva

ried Harriet

and Thomas,

all

of wdiom died in childhood.

EVAN BENTON MOORE,

one of the

substantial citizens of Berwick, Pa.,
church affairs,
largely interested in civic and
has-been a resident of the place since 1902.
and now holds the responsible position of
foreman of buildings and repairs at the plant
solid,

of the American Car and

Mr
cum

Foundry Company,

Aloore was born Sept. 13, 1872, in Slotownship, Luzerne Co., Pa., son of James

and Sarah F (Hontz) Aloore.
Archibald Moore, the grandfather of Evan
Benton Moore, was born in Yorkshire, Eng-

land folland, Feb. 2, 1804, and in his native
lowed farming. He came to America in 1825,
and after sp?nding ji short time at Wilkes-

Moore, was born

Dallas township. LuztTiie

Co., Pa., Dec. 14, 1845, ^"^ as a child was
taken to Ross township, where he received
his education in the district schools, in the

meantime securing

a training in fami work
on his father's 3C)0-acre homestead. He cnat Scranton, Fa., in November. 18^)2,
with his two brothers, George F. and Charles
L., from Luzerne borough, in the 143d Pcnnsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, was mustered

listed

into the service at P>altimore, and was sent
to the front under Col. E. L. Daney. Capt.
William H. Tubbs, and Harry L. Gordon,

afterwards captain.
George I'. Moore was
during the Wilderness engagement and
Charles L. was wounded there. Besides the
Wilderness, James W. Moore was in the following battles: Culpepcr, Laurel Hill. Cold
Harbor, Spottsylvania Court House. .North
Anna River and Petersburg. .\t the latter
he w^as ruptured, and was sent to the hoskilled

his injury .\ug.
pital at Philadelphia, receiving
4th, while assisting in the building of I'ort
Hell. He remained at Philadelphia until Jan.
20, 1865, was declared unfit for active service

by the provost marshal, and was transferred
to Company D, 12th \'>teran Reserve Corps,
serving with that organization untd recctvmg
.\ftcr
his honorable discharge. .\ug. 7. i8r.5.
his return from the war he took up farming
for himself on 105 acres in Slocum township,
Luzerne county. In 18,^^ he and his son h,van
B. went to Seattle. Wash., and worked m that
section for three years, and then returned to
his farm in Luzerne county, where he is still
engaged.

u
,^ it
Mr. Moore married Sarah I'- Hontz daughBarbara
and
ter of Joseph B.
.

^E'l^^^^^'^)

county,
or
county.

faithfully to prepare a Home
death
his chdclren and at'the tLe'of his
WIS the owner of a farm of 300 acres. Mr.

ercrv

worked

mar^Ld Mary Ran-

died i"i88l. He
of
som, of Scarborough, England, daughter
chiL
the
had
following
and
they
John Ransom,

MooJe

a^>c>>u. a..., ........... .,.
jurv commissioner.
ho
pos.
board,
chng the
ihe school
Jatter
is actne in the
tions at the present ime^ He
work of the
-/-f^^^/^-Metl^.hst
o the oard of
and member

C^-f

f^
belongs

also

the

Junior

u^tee^.^^
Lnited
Order

COLU.MBIA

1142

AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

American ^ilechanics and to George F. Moore
Ross
Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of
township, Luzerne county.
Evan Benton :Moore was educated in the
common schools of Slocum township, followlearn the trade of caring which he started to
of 1889 went with his
penter, and in the fall
father to Seattle, Wash., working there and at
Anacortes. Wash., with Long & Merritt, for
three years.
Returning to Columbia county
in the fall of 1892, he worked at carpentry
with G. H. Moore, of Millville, but subseand for
quently returned to Slocum township
one year followed farming and carpentering.

During 1894. 1895 and 1896 he followed his
trade at }\Iillville, and in 1897 shifted around
to various points, building breakers, etc., for
different mines at \Mlkes-Barre, Mocanequa,
Mr. ^Nloore conPa., and Blairstown, N. J.

tinued to be so engaged at various points for
four years, and in 1901 went to the PanAmerican Exposition, following which, in the
spring of 1902, he came to Berwick and
worked on the brick and steel building for
steel cars, of the steel car department of the

American Car and Foundry Company, under
Adlow Zeiser, superintendent for Westinghouse. Church, Kerr & Company, contractors
in charge of the

work.

In January, 1903, Air.

Moore took charge of building and repair
work at the steel plant, as foreman under
John Heavner, superintendent, and in 1907
took charge of building and repairing for the
whole plant under W. S. Johnson, general superintendent, with the title of foreman of
buildings and repairs, a position which he still
holds.
Mr. Moore is an excellent mechanic
and a thorough master of every detail of his
work. He is also possessed of much executive
ability, and can be relied upon absolutely to
accomplish his work and to fulfill all engagements.
Air. Moore was married to Alary J. Houck,
daughter of Albert and Sarah (Frace) Houck,
of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Sept. 29, 1906, and they
have one son, James Harold, born Aug. 19,
1908. Mr. Aloore is a Republican in his pohtical views, and takes an earnest and active
interest in civic affairs, although he has not
A
sought preferment on his own account.
man of intelligence and broadly read, he is
a follower of Dr. Stough's work on temperance.
His religious connection is with the
Methodist Church, and he is a member of the
official board.
Fraternally Air. Aloore is connected with Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A.
M., Berwick; Caldwell Consistory, thirty-second degree, A. A. S. R. of Bloomsburg; Ber-

wick Lodge, No. 246, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows and the Junior Order United
;

American Alechanics, of Slocum township.
Clinton Houck, born July 4, 1826, lived
near Hazleton, Pa., and during the early part
of his life was a school teacher. Subsequently
he turned his attention to the trade of blacksmith, at W'ilkes-Barre, Pa., and died at that
point in September, 1907. He married Alary
Jane Aloore, from near Hazleton, in January,
1850, and she died in 1905, the mother of five
sons, among them being Albert, the father of
Airs. Aloore.

Albert Houck was born Alay 26, 1851, near
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and was a house painter
by trade, also taking contract work in that

line.
He died Nov. 29, 1902, at Askam, Luzerne Co., Pa., and was buried in Hanover
Green cemetery, near that place. On Nov. 20,
1877, he married Sarah Frace, daughter of
Jacob Frace, and they became the parents of
the following children
George W., who married Lois Eyer; Alary Jane; Albert C, who
married Ethel Albee; Bessie Alay, deceased,
who is buried in Hanover Green cemetery;
Edith Elnora, who married Arthur Dawe; Jes:

Wilbur; Daisy Winifred; Harry, deceased,
in Hanover Green cemetery; Frank
Perry and Charles Eugene, who died young
and was buried in Hanover Green cemetery.
Air. Houck was a Republican in his political
belief.
His religious faith was that of the
Alethodist Church, and fraternally he was afiiiliated with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and the Junior Order United Amerisie

buried

;

can Alechanics.
The Frace family originated in the vicinity
of Wilkes-Barre. Pa. Jacob Frace was a boatbuilder by occupation, and was also engaged
in boating on the Pennsvhania canal.
During
the Civil war he served as a soldier in the

Union army, and being wounded in the batof the Wilderness, was sent to hospital and

tle

there honorably

discharged because of

dis-

ability.

CHARLES
the

Civil

CAAIPBELL,

war and former

veteran

and

of
re-

corder of Columbia county, was born in Luzerne county. Pa.. Nov. 15. 1839. son of Joseph

W. and

Alary C. (Kester) Campbell.
W. Campbell, his father, was born
in York county. Pa., in
His parents
1813.
died when he was two years old. and he was
In early manhood
apprenticed to a weaver.
he came to Luzerne county and was appointed
foreman of construction on the north branch
of the Pennsylvania canal, a position which he

Joseph

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
held until his death in 1878.
His
born in Luzerne county, one of a
seven children, and her father was
The brothers and sisters of Charles
-,,.„.

Wilham

wife was
family of
a farmer.

H. were:
,
former county supenntendent of
.

A.,

Luzerne county, died m lyor leaving a wife
and four chddren; Edward N was accidentkilled at the age of twelve; Jacob VV..
living in Berwick, employed with the Ameri-

ally

can Car & Foundry Company for thirty-throe
years, married Margaret Thomas and has four
children Joseph H., a wagonmaker of Berwick, married Elizabeth I'ost and has four
;

Mary

children;

John A.

died

the age of

tw^elve;

plumber in Los Angeles Sarah
married Writer Thomas and died at the age
of sixty-five.
Mr. Thomas now living in
Booneville. Ark. (he has two children).
Charles H. Campbell was educated in the
schools of Luzerne county and took up the
vocation of school teacher, which he pursued
for twenty-two years in Luzerne and ColuniHe was principal of the White
bia counties.
is

;

1143

Sarah R. Rambach. who was born
Oct 19
184^). (lau^diter of Daniel and Susan
(Slippy)
Rambach. and died Nov. 12. u^H; sIr- is
Ij"n<-'<1 '" I'ine (irovc
Mr
cemetery, Berwick
and Mrs. Campbell adopted one child MkIl'c"
born Aug. 11, ,870. who <lic-.i
.\pril 9! ^S.?.
she was a graduate of the
lUoomsburg StaRNormal School and a fine musici-m
Mr. Campbell is a member of the Berwick
Presbyterian Church, and socially IkjMs membership in Sylvania Lodge. No. '.^54. F. & A.
•

M.. of Shickshinny. Pa. (of wliich he is a
master), and in the Union X'eleran
J-egion.
Bloomsburg. In jntlitics he is

past

Democrat.

CHARLES CAMERON
retired

L(H kli.XKT. a
farmer of Salem township, Luzerne

Co., Pa.,

now

residing at P>erwick, Pa.,

was

born on his father's farm in Salem
township
Nov. 6, 185^1. Me is of Scotch-Irish e.xtraction, and his ancestors were among the pioneers of this part of Pennsylvania.

Haven high school for four years. When
James Lockhart was born in Scotland and
the Civil war began he gave up school work emigrated to Ireland, where he located in
and enlisted, Aug. 22, 1862, in Company F, County Donegal. Later he came to .America
143d

Pennsylvania Volunteer

Infantry,

as-

Corps, Army of the Potomac.
and after the Battle of Gettysburg attached
His rise was rapid. He
to the 5th Corps.
signed to the

ist

passed from private to sergeant, first sergeant,
second lieutenant, first lieutenant and adjutant, holding the latter ofiice at the date of
his discharge, July 12, 1865.
Among the en-

gagements

which

participated

were

Gettysburg, Llaymarket, Warrenton Junction,
]Mine Run. Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania Courthouse, Jericho Ford, Pamunky
river, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, PetersRoad
burg. Weldon Railroad, Boydton Plank
and Warrenton Railroad. Although with his
command during all of the engagements, he
was never wounded and passed unscathed

through battles where hundreds were slain.
After his return from the front Mr. Camphell located in Bloomsburg and took charge
of the store of the car works of G. M. Lockard & Co.. now owned by the American Car
and Foundry Company. In 1888 he resigned,
and was elected register and recorder of Columbia county, holding the position for six
consecutive years.

assisted

the

for-

mation of the company which built the "Proctor Inn" in Jamison City. He had a farm of
of which sixteen
thirty acres' in Briarcreek
acres were laid out in building lots, nearly all

now sold.
On Jan.

31,

1865,

Mr. Campbell married

and eventually settled in Salem township,
Luzerne Co., Pa., where he took uj) land in
At one
partnership with his brother John.
time previously they had owned hLgg Harbor
In Luzerne county they
Island, New Jersey.
occupied 300 acres, but it was taken from them
under the Pennamite Claims .Act. They then
bought ninety acres in Salem township, on the
border of Columbia county, cleared it and
devoted themselves to farming. James Lockhart died here at the age of ninety-seven years.

His children were Josei>li George John
and Margaret and Annie, both of wliom married brothers named Carr and lived in New
:

York

;

State.

Joseph Lockhart .was born in Scotland, accompanied his parents to Irelanrl and then
came with them to America. He inherited a
farm from his Uncle John, of Ivgg Harbor,
N. J., which he cultivated until his death. His
wife. .Anna (Cameron) was a native of ScotJulia, who
land, and their children were:
died young; James, who married Susan San-

who married Grace Adams:
George, who married Maria llidlack; John;
Cool, who also
Alary; lane, wife of William
RobCameron;
her
sister;
married Alargaret.
Fannie: and
ert, who married Annie Wilbur;
tee; Alexander,

loseph.

lames Lockhart. son of Joseph, was born in
1802 in Salem township, and attended the

common

schools.

inherited

his

father's

COLU.MBIA AND

1144

MOXTOUR COUNTIES

Columbia county and settled at Fowlerville,
where he remained for some time, was married there, and then returned to Orangeville,
where he lived two years, in 1869 coming to
Here he engaged in fanning and
Berwick.
first conducted the farm of M. W. Jackson
for about twenty-two years, after which he
took charge of the farms of the M. \\'. Jackson estate. This includes twenty-two farms
in
this section, and he thus has 1,600 acres
he
when
until
retired,
eral farming
1904,
rented the farm and moved to Berwick. He under his supervision.
In 1866 Air. Roup was married to Celestia
He
is a Republican, but has held no offices.
he Sittler, w^io w^as born Nov. 17, 1846, about
church.
Methodist
the
attends
Socially
,
*
two miles from Fowlerville, Pa., daughter of
is connected with the Berwick Camp "of the
Patriotic Order Sons of America.
John and Elizabeth (Dietrich) Sittler, the former of whom was a shoemaker by trade and
WILLIA:\I roup, Berwick, Pa., superin- also engaged in farming. He died on his
tendent of the M. W. Jackson estate farms, homestead farm, and his wife passed away
was born at Orangeville, Columbia Co., Pa., later, at the home of a daughter. There were
June 23, 1845, son of William and Susanna seven children in the Sittler family Caroline,
deceased, who was the \vife of Elijah Har(Lehr) Roup.
William Roup, the father, was of German mon, of Columbia county; Freeman, who is
ancestry, and was born at Easton, Northamp- deceased Simon, who lives in Columbia counton Co., Pa. By trade he was a weaver, and ty; Helen, who is the wife of Francis W.
he also engaged in farming. He was a vet- Bower, of Berwick; Catherine, deceased, who
He died July 4, was the wife of Charles Zimmerman, also deeran of the war of 1812.
He ceased Airs. Roup and Alahala, who is the
1849, ^"d is buried at Orangeville, Pa.
married Susanna Lehr, who was also a native wife of Charles Hippensteel, ex-street commisof Easton and accompanied her people when sioner of Berwick.
Two children were born to Air. and Airs.
they moved to Columbia county and settled
at
]\Irs.
The other^
Orangeville.
Roup died in her Roup, one dying in infancy.
eightieth year, in 1880, and is buried at the Emma Jane, born Alay 2, 1867, who is also
Lutheran Church, Fowler\ille. Air. and Airs. now deceased, was the wife of S. F. Riddall,
Roup had the folowing children Jacob, who a resident of Berwick, and was the mother of
is
William C, Pearl I., Howard
deceased; Catherine, who first married four children
Charles W. Shannon and is now the widow A. and Harold F., the last named Hving at
of her second husband, Joseph Laras, of Fairport, N. Y.
For seven years Mr. Roup
Easton; Maria, who was the wife of Dennis has been a member of the borough council,
Brink, of Bloomsburg, both deceased John, taking commendable interest in public matters.
who lives at Light Street, Pa.; Sarah, who He belongs to Capt. C. G. Jackson Post No.
was the wife of George Heidley, of Almedia, 159, G. A. R., at Berwick, and has held all the
both deceased; and William, the youngest of offices,
being now sergeant maior, and is idenfarm, which he continued to cultivate. Politihe was a Republican, in religion a MethoHe married Susan Santee, daughter of
dist'.
Tames and Rachel (IMcXeill) Santee, and they
had children as follows: :\Iary; Elizabeth;
Maria, wife of Dr. I. E. Ross, of Kingston
Rachel, wife of George Harter; Benjamin,
who died young; and Charles Cameron.
Charles Cameron Lockhart carried on gencally

;

the family.

tified also

William Roup spent his boyhood days at
Orangeville and attended school there. When
he was fourteen years old he went to work
on a farm near Light Street and from there
went to Stony town, where he was employed
at

the time the

Civil

war was

precipitated.

A.,

Philadelphia, where he
the tmie.
He took part in

pital,

was

detailed at
the battles of

Hatcher's Run,
Petersburg and others, but
escaped all serious injury.
After the war closed Mr.
Roup returned to

Red

AIen,'the P. O. S. of

He and

his wife are

members of Bower Alemorial United Evangelical Church at Berwick, of which he was a
steward for ten years. The family home is a
comfortable residence on Alarket

street,

Ber-

wick.

In December, 1864, he enlisted in
Company
H, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and
ser\'ed until July 18,
1865, when he received
his honorable
discharge at the McClellan hos-

with the

and other bodies.

JOSEPH CRONE DICE, who

engaged

agricultural pursuits in Briarcreek township, Colunil)ia Co.. Pa., was born Aug. 26,
1854, at Eldredsville, Elkland township^ Sul-

livan Co., Pa., son of Gust^vus
Adolphus and
Henrietta (Crone) Dice.
Gustavus Adolphus Dice, father of Joseph
Crone Dice, was born June 21, 1824. in Fiber-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
He was educated in
feld, Prussia, Germany.
the schools of the Fatherland, followine: which
he served a three years' apprenticeship to the
shoemaker's trade, and for seven years traveled as a journeyman throughout the German
empire, following his trade, with a passport
which showed that he had served his appren-

and was a qualified shoemaker. During this period he journeyed on foot to Lapland. Like other youths of his native land he
served three years in the German army, as a
member of the light horse cavalry, and, although one of the lightest men in his command, weighing but 133 pounds, was known as
one of its most skilled riders and brave solHis commanding general was Prince
diers.
William, who some years later, when the
new empire was formed, became King of
ticeship

Prussia and German Emperor. Mr. Dice was
wounded twice during the bloody Republic
war, both wounds being sabre cuts, one in the
shoulder and one on the wrist, and was then
declared disabled for service and honorably
discharged. At that time he decided to seek
his fortune in the United States, and accordin
ingly emigrated to this country, locating
one
remained
he
where
N.
year,
Y.,
Brooklyn,

succeeding which he came to Pennsylvania
settled in Elkland township, Sullivan

and

There, after following shoemaking
county.
for thirteen years, he purchased a tract of
this he cultwenty-seven acres of land, and
in the
while
summer
the
in
months,
tivated
winters he followed his trade among the
for their
farmers, who supplied the leather
shoes.
Later, in partnership with Frederick
from John Sanger the balhe

from

1145

ten to

fifteen cows, and
using oxen instead of horses in his operations. In the winter he kept about
forty head ol cattle. After
residing in that communiiy for about ten
years Mr. J3ice sold his farm ami removed lo
Xescopeck, Luzerne county, where he resided
two years, then buying the j-jioch Fo.\ estate,
a farm of 106 acres in Pine
township, Colum-

bia Co., Pa., to which was later added
forty
from the Frick farm. Jn the two tracts

acres

Mr.
ing

had about eighty acres of land
and here he carried on general farm-

Dice

cleared,

u\) to

the time of his death.

Mr. Dice was married in Germany to Henrietta Crone, who was born in the l-"alherland,
and to this union there were born children as
follows: One child who died
when two years old
justa\ us,
(

;

Germany

wiio liied at

the age of two years while the famHy was
crossing the Atlantic; Joseph Crone; and one
child still-born.
Mrs. Henrietta Dice died in
Sullivan county, Pa., and was buried in Bethel

graveyard, Elkland townshij).
Subseijuenlly
Mr. Dice was married (second; at Ttnvanda,
Bradford Co., Pa., to Harriet Esther Brown,
daughter of James Brown. She died without
The third marriage of Mr. Dice was
issue.
to Edith Forsyth, formerly of Greenville, Pa.,
and to this union there was born one son,
John, who married Annie Hartnian (deceased) and (second) Margaret .Mien.
During the Civil war Mr. Dice was drafted
for service in the Union army on three occasions, but was each time e.xcused on account
of disability, owing to the wounds he had received while fighting in the Lierman anny.

He was a Democrat in politics, and in his
bought
Cobey,
Rehundred
two
religious belief a member of the German
ance of the Frick tract of about
He was buried at Unityfor two formed Church.
continued
this
and
partnership
acres,
took the front piece ville, Lycoming county, as was his third wife,
years, when Mr. Cobey
his who died in 191 1, aged about eighty-seven
of 100 acres, while Mr. Dice received as
cash
in
and
years.
$100
share the back 130 acres
and
Joseph Crone Dice, son of Gustavus AdolLater Mr. Dice sold twenty-seven acres
was educated in the schools of
Wilof
D.
Eldred,
])hiis Dice,
bought of Judge Charles
For
I£lkland township, Sullivan county, and until
of fifty acres.
liamsport, the Eldred tract
il\\
in
was twenty-four years of age worked for
he
resided
he
about two years thereafter
father on the home farm and drove stagehis
and trucking,
liamsport, carrying on draying
He then worked for one year on the
his coach.
on
the
there
buildings
and during his stay
of
farm
George Raber, and at that time deof the hay barn,
property, with the exception
On Dec.
to make a home of his own.
Recided
windstorm.
a
in
were demolished
great
Catherine
Sones,
Sarah
married
he
Dice cleared seventy- 27, 1877,
turning to the farm, Mr.
of Philip Wesley and NLiry Ann
acres
the
with
daughter
fifty
five acres of timber, which,
him (Chamberlain) Sones, and to this union were
in the Eldred tract, already cleared, gave
Mary Luclla. borfi
He drove stage from born children as follows: Bruce
a farm of 125 acres.
Albertson, a
married
Nov.
1S78.
9.
Eldredsville to Laporte and back, twenty-two
six years in
for
who
teacher,
taught
the United States .School
miles, twice a week, carrying
Columbia county; CalBriarcreek
township.
mail, and continued farming pursuits, prinWesvin Edgar is a school teacher; Charles
the raising of stock, ordinarily keeping
cipally

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1146
ley,
flin

the Mif1889, a graduate of
and
examination
the
high school, passed
admitted to the jmiior class in the BloomsState Normal School, received a first-

born

May

was
burg

and had taught school but
when
suddenly stricken by death,
eight days
when but eighteen years old; John Leroy,
born Sept. 14, 1893, died when three months
class certificate,

numerous friends throughout

this

community

Mr.
testify readily to his general popularity.
Dice married Lula Corella Stiner, born Dec.
II,

1887,

(Hayman)

daughter
Stiner.

Elisha

They

live

and Joanna
with his par-

ents.

Mary Luella Dice, who married Bruce Albertson, has become the mother of three children, as follows
Joseph, who died when five
:

After his marriage Mr. Dice worked tor
Edward Ritchie in a tannery at Sereno, near
and
Millville, Columbia county, for one year,
succeeding years was employed
He spent fourteen years in all
lumber
in the
business, and then purchased a
team and hauled timber for some time. He
next turned his attention to agricultural purfarm in Pine
suits, renting Jeremiah Berger's

during the

five

in a s'awmill.

years and spending two
townshr^)
the Fairman
years in Greenwood township on
A.
W. Gruber
the
on
two
later
and
years
place,
farm in Main township. Succeeding this he
lived in Centre township for two years, and
then bought his present farm in Briarcreek
township, a tract of 165 acres, of which
seventy acres have been cleared. He has been
successful in his ventures, due to the exercise
of energy, industry and good management,
and is accounted one of the substantial men of
A Democrat in politics, he
his community.
for two

has served

efficiently in the capacity

of reg-

His religious connection is
istry
with the Summerhill United Evangelical
Church, which he is serving at this time as
member of the board of trustees.
Calvin E. Dice, son of Joseph Crone Dice,
was born July 13, 1883. He attended the
assessor.

public schools of Pine township until reaching
the age of twelve years, when he became a
student in the Millville Friends' Seminary,
attending that institution for three terms,
sickness causing him to withdraw before he

had completed his course. Following his recovery he taught school for three terms and
then went to Benton summer school and took
a professional course in
teaching. When the
new school code came into efl:'ect he passed
another examination, qualifying to teach. In
April, 191 1, he was taken into partnership by
his father on the farm, which he now assists
in operating in the summer
months, while his
winters are devoted to
Like his
teaching.
father, he is a Democrat.
consistent member of the United
he is

Evangelical Church,
spedally interested in the Sunday school, of

which he

teaches the

assistant superintendent,

and also

Young Folks' Bible Class. He is
a young man of
exemplary habits, and his

months old; Edward, and Catherine Mar}-.
Peter Sones, the great-great-grandfather of
Mrs. Dice, served in the Revolutionary War,
and lived to be seventy-eight years of age.
Peter Sones (2), son of Peter Sones, was
the great-grandfather of -Mrs. Dice.
Peter Sones (3), son of Peter Sones (2),
and grandfather of Mrs. Dice, married Sevilla

Lowe.
Philip Wesley Sones,
and son of Peter Sones
20, 1832, in Moreland
Co., Pa., and was there

father of Mrs. Dice,
(3),

was born May

township, Lycoming
reared up to the age
of ten years. xA.! that time he went to Sullivan
county with his })arents. and there learned
the carpenter's trade, which he followed for
a few years. About 1853 he located in Pine
township, Columbia county, and engaged principally in lumbering, being for several years
foreman in the employ of John Benfield. In
May, 1853, he was married to Mary Ann
Chamberlain, daughter of Lewis and Catherine Hunter) Chamberlain, and to this union
were born children as follows: Calvin L.,
who- married Rebecca Young, of York, Pa.
Sarah Catherine, wife of Mr. Dice; Susan E.,
who married Benjamin Kcssler, of Pine township; Lewis E., who married Margaret Welliver, of Pine township; and Mary E., who
married Harry E. Watts, also of Pine townMr. Sones died in the faith of the
ship.
Evangelical Association, in which he was an
active worker, serving as class leader.
His
wife was also active therein, and was buried
beside her husband at the Centre Church, in
Pine township. She was born July 18, 1836,
and died in December, 191 1. Mr. Sones was
a member of lola Lodge of Odd Fellows, and
was a Democrat in ix)litics, serving as school
director for twenty-two years, and as overseer of the poor.
Sarah Catherine Sones, daughter of Philip
\Vesley Sones, was born Ajiril 22. 1838. in
Pine township, Columbia county.
After receiving liberal educational advantages she
taught school for three years, but gave up
She
teaching at the time of her marriage.
was instrumental in reviving interest in the
United Evangelical Church in Briar Creek
(

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
(Summerhill

Church),

which

had

become along

greatly neglected. Together with Amos Cope,
of Salem township, Luzerne county, she managed to rebuild and refurnish the church, and
the congregation is now in a prosperous and
thriving condition. For about two years she
taught a junior class of girls in the Sunday
school, and while a member of the Mainville
Methodist Church was a member of the LaShe is a woman of many
dies' Aid Society.
social graces, and has friends all over the

township.

WILLIAAI ERNEST JARRARD, whose
energy and enterprise have carried him far in
his profession, was born at Berwick, Pa., June
8, 1883, son of Henry C. and Elmira (Anderson) Jarrard.
Henry C. Jarrard, the father, was born Dec.
Luzerne Co., Pa.,
19, 1861, at Nescopeck,
where he attended public schools and afterFor
wards learned the blacksmith's trade.
some time he worked at the same in the plant
of Jackson & Woodin, at Berwick, but in 1889
moved to Altoona, Pa., and there was employed in the Pennsylvania Railroad ComStill later he
pany's shops as a blacksmith.
stanch Republican
became a toolmaker.
in politics, he was elected by that party chief
of police at Berwick, and while living at xA.1toona was a councilman. He is active in the
order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Bellevue

Lodge, No. 497, Altoona, and to Juniata Encampment, No. 296, of Juniata borough. lie
married Elmira Anderson, daughter of John
and Margaret Anderson, and three children
WiUiam Ernest Linnie
were born to them
F. E. Duck, of Almarried
who
Margaret,
toona; and Beatrice Elizabeth, who married
Wilbur Hewitt, of Altoona.
William Ernest Jarrard was five years old
when his parents moved to Altoona and he
attended school in the Seventh ward, in the
:

;

two of his instructors being
In
Professor Beckel and Professor Smith.
A.
for
Klesius,
to
work
he
started
George
1897
in his sheet iron and metal works, at Altoona,

Erwin

building,

became a foreman there. He was
very ambitious, and finding that he possessed

and

finally

he attended
great aptness along certain lines
the Anderson night school and also a private
class for instruction in mechanical drafting.
Through his perseverance he made rapid
the
progress and in 1905 was engaged by
sheet
for
Railroad
Company
Pennsylvania
metal contract work, which included looking
after and keeping in order that corporation's
other structures
stations, roofs, cottages and

its

114'

right of way.

In 1906 he went into
for himself as a
coppcrsmilh and
general sheet iron metal worker, and carried
it on
for two years at Alioona.
in
he

business

came

njoS

Berwick and has made

his

home

in
his birthplace ever since, at that time
entering
the tinning department of the .\merican Car

and Foundry Company as a leader. His foreman at that time was Harry Ent and his superintendent was L. E. Hess. Within si.\ months
Mr. Jarrard was made assistant foreman, following which he succeeded .Mr. iuii as foreman, a remarkal>le advance in authority conHis next pronKjtion was
sidering his youth.
when he was made foreman of the specially
department, small machine department, electric and acetylene welding (lei)artments.
in
July, 191 3, he was made sui>erinten(lent <jf
safety sanitation, under W. S. Johnson, and
now has charge of both the lierwick and
Bloomsburg ])lants. He stands high in his
He takes a
profession and deservedly so.
good citizen's interest in the progress of his
native place and contributes generously to
movements calculated to advance the general
welfare, but has kei)t pretty well out of polivoting independently and according to liis
own judgment. Since early manhood he has
been identilied with the fraternal order of

tics,

Odd

Fellows and belongs to llellevue Lodge,
No. 497, Altoona, and to Berwick Encampliotli he and his wife are
ment. No. 131.
members of the Evangelical Church, which he
is serving as treasurer and steward.
Mr. Jarrard was married in i(X)4 to Elsie
Edna Knc]iper, a daughter of Alexander and
Lucinda (Ilarp.ster) Kne])per. They have one
daughter, Henrietta Elmira. born Oct. 4. 1905.
Alexander Knepper. father of Mrs. Jarrard.
was born near llarrell i)Ost office, not far from

He was a car builder in the East
.Altoona shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company. In politics he is a Republican. He
married Lucinda larp.ster. who died in .April,
Altoona.

and was buried in Rose Hill cemetery.
Altoona. She was a member of the Methodist
Church, as is Mr. Knepper. and he belongs to
1909.

the Knights of

.Malta.

Children as follows

were boVn to Mr. and Mrs. Knepper: Effie
Lavinia.
May, wife of William Silks: Carrie
wife' of M. F. Roland: Elsie Edna, wife of
William E. Jarrad I'annie; Edith: Dorothy;
George Walter, and Charles.
Charles Knepper. the grand fatlier of -Mrs.
near WilTarrard. was born at Clai)pertown.
died at the age
liamsburg, Blair Co.. Pa., and
He was a general
of eighty-seven years.
He
farmer and owned eighty acres of land.
:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1148

married Hannah Treese, and their children
Alexander :\Iartha, who married John
were
Kane and (second) William Treese; Sally,
wife of Levi Brumbaugh; Alice, wife of J. C.
LaDavis; Henrietta, wife of Levi Likens;
wife of
vinia, wife of J. C. Isenberg; Ellen,
Calvin Werts; Fannie, wife of Fred Mosser;
Frank; Ernest, who married Ada Treese; Edward; Harvey, deceased, who is buried in
side
Maryland and Joseph. On the Harpster
Harvey
there were two uncles and an aunt
Amanda, who married Jerome Fox and Robat Oil City,
ert, deceased, who was buried
:

;

Pennsylvania.

ABRAM

farmer and dairyman of Benton township, was born on the
farm where he now resides Jan. 8, 1861. He
is the son of Eli, grandson of Samuel, greatgrandson of John, and great-great-grandson
L.

McHENRY,

of Daniel ^SIcHenry, the pioneer of the family
in this part of the State.
Daniel McHenry was born in the North of
Ireland, of Scotch-Irish descent,

and came

America before the Revolutionary war.
once enlisted and served the cause of

He
tli«

dren
Matthew, Samuel, Ephraim, Stephen,
John, Rohr, Sallie, Betsey, Maria and Jennie.
Samuel McHenry (grandfather) was born
in Benton township and followed farming all
his life. He cleared seventy-five acres of land
and conducted an inn called the "Hunter's
Home," where many of the old-time sports:

men would rendezvous during

the season. His

wife was noted for her good cooking, and in
winter their home became a favorite terminus
for sleighing parties from Bloomsburg and
Like his father he was a
adjoining towns.
mighty hunter, and many a deer fell before
He died at his home in
his unerring aim.
1880, at the advanced age of seventy-one, his
wife passing away in 1893, at the age of
eighty-one. He married Cynthia, daughter of
Moses AIcHenry, and they had these children
Eli Moses, living at Stillwater John, also at
Stillwater; James, deceased; and Sarah, wife
of Theodore Lewis.
Eli McHenry, father of Abram L., was born
:

;

28, 1830, in Jackson township, and was
reared to farming. When he grew to manhood he bought the farm now owned by his
son, consisting of eighty-five acres of "run-

Nov.

He
until the close of hostilities.
then came to Columbia county and entered a
tract of land on the site of the village of
Stillwater, which he cleared and upon which
he erected a log house.
His wife, ^lary,

land, and at once proceeded to put it
good condition, replacing the dilapidated
buildings with new structures and bringing

daughter of Col. William Stevens, an officer
in the war of 1812, arrived soon after he had
completed the home, and here the couple lived

the county, and fattened
carload of hogs sent from

colonists

and raised their family of nine children
Benjamin, who died on a raft in the Susquehanna Daniel, a farmer, who resided on the
home farm John, mentioned below Uriah, a
shoemaker; Moses, a farmer and lumber
:

;

dealer; Elias,

;

who was

a colonel in the State

Martha, wife of Alexander CoUey;
Susan, wife of Robert Edgar; and Laura, who
died unmarried.
John McHenry, the first white child born

militia;

was known from
youth as "John the hunter," and in the days
before the operation of the game laws was
considered the peer of any others in the counHe was never known to fail to bring down
ty.
the game, followed the chase each
year from
early fall to Christmastime, and it was estimated must have slain over two thousand
deer.
He was reared on the farm and had
but limited schooling. He settled in Benton
township and in a small way started the distillery which was developed to the well known
in this part of the
county,

To his marriage with
distillery.
Helena Cutter were born the
following chilMcHenry

down"

into

the soil into a fine
was the pioneer to
pork in his end of
and shipped the first

state of cultivation.

undertake the raising of

Benton.

Mr. McHenry married Sarah Young, who
was born ]\larch 10, 1832, daughter of Abraham Young, and they had seven children;
Wilbur, living at Berwick Lewis W. Abram
;

;

Samuel, residing in Chicago Lester, deceased; Alary, deceased wife of William
;

;

Mears; and Anna, deceased.
died in 1904 and is buried
at Benton.

Mrs.

McHenry

Mr. McHenry
in

the cemetery

living with her

Abram L.,
Abram L. McHenry

son

obtained his education
in the public schools and began farming with
his father.
In 1899 ^^^ purchased his father's

farm and

still

residing on it, having made
He has
the place.

many improvements upon

thirty cows and conducts a prosperous dairy
business, with customers in Benton, and was
the first to drive a milk wagon in that place.
He was the first to ship a carload of potatoes

from Benton, raised on his own farm, and
has shown his progressive spirit in many ways.
Politically he is a Democrat, and in religion
a member of the Christian Church.
In i8<)6
he married Millie, daughter of Isaac Robbins,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
of Unityville, Pa., and they have four children, Eli, Mary, Grace and Marie.

WILLIAM

McMICHAEL

F.
comes into
daily contact with so many of his fellow citizens at Berwick that he is one of the most
generally known residents of the borough.
Ail his life has been passed there, and his

record is honorable throughout, a credit to
the respected name he bears.
James ]\IcMichael, the father of William
F. McMichael, was born in Briarcreek township, Columbia county, was educated in the
public schools there, and when a young man
came to Berwick. Embarking in the livery
business, he conducted it for about fourteen
years, selling out to enter the hotel business,
as proprietor of the "Berwick Hotel," near
the "Hotel Morton." He carried it on for a
number of years, and when he sold out moved
to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he is now sucHe was
cessfully conducting a cab service.
married to
Ruch, daughter of Henry
Ruch, and they have had the following children
Laura married Fred T. Ikeler, a
prominent attorney of Bloomsburg; William
F. is mentioned below Pauline married Ernest

Emma

;

Johnson and is residing in
died young and is buried in
Mr. McMichael is
tery.
though interested in the

Berwick; Her\'ey
Pine Grove cemea Democrat, but
party has never
aspired to public ofifice. He and his wife are
members of the Methodist Church.
William F. McMichael was bom at Berwick Aug. 22, 1880, and educated there in the
common and high schools. For seven years
after leaving school he gave most of his time
to bicycle racing, as an amateur, and he has
a valuable and remarkable collection of
trophies which are substantial testimony of
his achievement during those years. One hundred and six first prizes, seventy-three secprizes and forty-three third prizes show
successful a competitor he was. and he
still holds the championship of Pennsylvania
in the one-fourth mile, which he won at Wilat
liamsport the one-half mile, which he won
he
which
one
the
and
mile,
Wilkes-Barre;

ond

how

;

During this period he

won at ]\lahanoy City.
traveled considerably and met the best amateur racers of the time.
The popularity of the bicycle business havinto parting waned Mr. McMichael entered
and conDietterick,
William
with
nership
ducted a confectionery and stationery business, in Berwick, their first location being
where the :\Iorton Buflfet now is, for about
On April 12, 1902, they moved
one year.

1149

across the street to the First National

Bank

This partnership coniinuc<l until
building.
the death of Mr. iJietlerick, since when Mr.
McMichael has been conducting the Imsincss
alone.
He has a very line store room, ihor-

oughly ecjuippcd with modern li.xtures, soda
fountain, etc., and particularly well arranjjed
for the dispatch of business' and the comof customers.

fort

his

trade increased

and the demand of business

justified Mr. McMichael enlarged the .scope of his business,
and now his stock includes a full line of

stationery, office supplies, confectionery and
Jn all these lines he has
cigars and tobacco.
a wholesale and retail trade, built up thrcjugh
enterprising methods and obliging attention to
patrons in every department. He is also engaged in a partnership with .S. E. Fcnstermacher in the sale of automobiles, and they
have established an up-to-date garage, doing
all kinds of automobile repairing ami dealing
in supplies.
They are the local agents for
the famous Overland and Cadillac cars, having the control of the territory comprising

Columbia, Montour, Northumberland. .*>nyder and Union counties, and part of Luzerne
county for the Overland car, and all of CoTheir
lumbia county for the Cadillac car.
experience in this line has been very successful.

Mr. McMichael married Jean Updegraff.
daughter of Oscar and Margaret .Ui)dcgrafr,

He is a memnatives of Lycoming county.
ber of Berwick Lodge, No. 1138, B. P. O.
Elks, and Washington Camp No. 105, P. O.
He is a Democrat in {Xjlitical senS. of A.
timent.

Mrs. William F. McMichael was born in
Williamsport, Pa., and is a graduate of the
Williamsport high school, class of i8«/).
After graduation she took a course in the
Potts shorthand school of Williamsport. and
when prepared for business entered the em(silk mills),
ploy of John M. Stearns & Co.
where she was made stenographer and paymaster, holding that position until her marriage.

Samuel Updegraff. the grandfather of Mrs.
McMichael, was a farmer at Antesfort. Lylife in
coming Co.. Pa., and .«^pent most of his
He had the following chilthat occupation.
-Albert J. Silas, deceased Sarah Elizadren
Wilbeth, who married Seth Foresman. of
McMichael
Mrs.
of
father
liamsport Oscar,
Arietta, who married William Brouse and
Willives in Detroit and Edith, who married
:

;

liam Toner and lives in Colling\vood. Ontario,

Canada.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1150

Oscar Updegraff, the father of Mrs. McMichael. was born April 28, 1850, on a farm
on Reach road, near Newberry, Lycommg
schools
Co., Pa. He was educated in the local

and Dickinson Seminary, \N'illiamsport, and
entered the employ of the Lycoming Rubber
Company, where he remained for many years.
The plant was closed soon after the rubber
trust

Com-

absorbed the Lycoming Rubber

now

retired

Mr. Updegraff
living
pany.
He married Margaret Keifin Williamsport.
fer, who was born Dec. 12, 1848, daughter
of Tohn Keiffer, and they have had the folfive years
lowing children: Anna died when
old Sarah Elizabeth married Howard Groves,
of Philadelphia; Edith died in infancy; Jean
Harry,
is the wife of William F. INIc^^Iichael
manager of a silk mill at Ridgway, Pa., marMr. Updegraff is a
ried Bertha Welsh.
Democrat, and he and his wife are members
of St. John's Lutheran Church, of Williamsas choir
port, which he served for many years
leader; he also played cornet in the Sunday
is

;

school.

John Keiffer, maternal grandfather of Mrs.
McMichael, was a farmer at Antesfort, Lycoming Co., Pa. He married a Miss Shuman,
and they had the following children Mary
married Samuel Shuman, and they reside in
Catherine married William
Buffalo, N. Y.
:

;

Seller,

of W^atsontown,

Pa.

;

ashington

Mrs. Oscar Updegraff';
Eugene is a resident of Williamsport John
Keiff'er w^as a Republican in political sentiment. He and his wife are buried at Jersey
deceased

;

Margaret

;

Shore, Lycoming county.

FRANKLIN W. HAGENBUCH,
and

justice of the peace of
ship, Columbia Co., Pa., was

a farmer

Montour townborn

in ]\Iahon-

ing township, ^lontour county, Sept.
son of Isaiah H. Hagenbuch.

1874,

Hagenbuch, great-grandfather of
Franklin W. Hagenbuch, was the founder of
the family in Columbia county,
coming here
from one of the lower counties in the State.
He located in what afterwards became Centre
township, and there he died on a tract of land

Henry

that later passed into the possession of his son
Samuel. Henry Hagenbuch married a Miss
Wolf, and their children w-ere
Isaac, William. Samuel, Lydia r:\Irs. Martz),
:

Mary

(who married John Hess) and Catherine
(who married a ]\Ir. Spangler).
Samuel Hagenbuch. son of Henry
Hagenbuch, was born in Centre township, Columbia
county, and was a farmer, owning 130 acres
of land.
He met his death while threshinov5

grain, at the age of seventy-seven years,

and

Samuel Hagburied at Hidlay's Church.
enbuch married Susanna Hess, a daughter of
Frederick Hess, and she died at the age of
The children of this
seventy-seven years.
Hester married Charles Goodcouple w^ere
win Caroline married Frank Shuman Julia
married John Miller; Mary ]\I. married
Sarah married Horace
George Breisch
married
Clinton Shuman;
Diana
Creasy;
Lydia married William Stahl ^lahala maris

;

Harry Brewer; Matoura married James
Mills Isaiah H. completes the family.
Isaiah H. Hagenbuch, son of Samuel Hagenbuch, was born in Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa., in March, 1845, and was there
He was
iiiven a common school education.
and
in
native
his
township
taught
up
brought
farming in all its details. After attaining maried

;

went to ]\Iahoning township, Montour county, where he lived until i88ov in that
year returning to Columbia county and settling
in Montour township, where he bought the
William P. ]\Iauser farm of sixty-four acres.
Upon taking possession of the property he began making extensive improvements, including the remodeling of the buildings, and he
In 1900 he retired,
erected a fine residence.
and died Nov. 6, 191 1, being buried in the
Odd Fellow^s' cemetery at Danville. Isaiah
H. Hagenbuch married Mary E. Mauser, a
Krum)
daughter of Jacob and Catherine E.
Mauser, and two children were born to them
Nora E., who married D. ^^^ Shuman. of
Mr. HaMainville. Pa.; and Franklin \\'.
genbuch was a Democrat, and served caj^ably
and conscientiously as a school director and
supervisor of his township, developing into
one of its most responsible and creditable citizens.
His connections with the Reformed
Church w-ere not only as a member, but as a
turity he

(

deacon and elder as well.
Franklin \\'. Hagenbuch. son of Isaiah H.
Hagenbuch, attended the schools of his native
township and later took a course at the
.After
State Normal School.
leaving the latter he taught school for five

Bloomsburg

Montour township and one
becoming one of the popular
educators of Columbia county. During vaca-

years,
at

four

jMainville,

tions he assisted his father in his agricultural
operations, and in 1900 began farming for
himself on the old homestead in Montour

township, where he still resides. His property
comprises sixty-four acres of very valuable
land, and he has been its owner since the
On this
spring of IQII, when he bought it.
land he carries on general farming, and the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
condition of his premises and the amount of
his pro(kicts show tliat he understands his

work thoroughly and goes about it witli a
broadened intelHgenee and skilled cxi)erience
whieh his years of teaching gave him.
Franklin \V. Iiagenl)uch married bjnnia A.
Diehl, a daughter of David P. and I'juilv
(Runyon) Diehl. While Mr. and Mrs. 11a'genbuch have had no children of their own.
they are rearing a daughter, Catherine W.
Frey, giving her the love and parental care
She is now
they would one of their own.
fourteen years of age. Mr. Hagenbuch is a
Democrat and is serving as president of the
Montour township school board. In 1909 he
was elected a justice of the peace and is still
and he has also served as
filling this office,
auditor of the township. For many years he
has been a member of the Ridgeville Reformed Church, located in Cooper township,

1151

served four months. .After this he held various
clerical positions, took academic and commercial courses in
Wyoming Seminary, and after

graduating

made

1S70 came to Berwick and was

of the i-'irst National Hank.
In
1S77 he established the first insurance agency
in r.erwick, which he has since carrietl on with
lie has laid out many «)f the
great success,
largest subdivisions of j'erwick and assisted in
locating several iinp(jrlanl industries in the
town, h'or several years he has been president
of the company operating the Magee Carjict
teller

Mills, at llloomsburg.

In 1871 Mr. Ivvans was married to .\nnic E.
Young, daughter of Rev. Jarcd H. Young, one

the

Church

])ioneer
in

preachers of the

Metliodist

His wife was

Columbia county.

Montour county, which he

Sarah, daughter of Jesse Bowman. To Mr.
and Mrs. Evans were born several children,
two of whom are living: Mary, a graduate of
Syracuse University and Genevieve Bowman,

JOHN W. EVANS,

a student at the Boston Conservatory of Music.
Mr. Evans is a Methodist in religion and
politically an adherent of the l\e])ublican party.
He has served on the city council, been burgess
of Berwick for two terms, and the same number of terms held the presidency of the .school
board. He is closely identified with the various

is serving as elder.
Fraternally he belongs to Myrtle Lodge, No.
master
858, I. O. O. F., of" Danville, and is
of Danville Grange, No. 57. All in all, he is
one of the leading men of his townshi]) and
in him.
fully deserves the confidence reposed

real estate dealer

and

insurance agent, of Berwick, Pa., was born
in Evansvilfe, Briarcreek township, Columbia
who
county, July 7, 1845, son of George Evans,
was a well known farmer of that locality. His

was the first millgrandfather, James Evans,
all of the
wright in the county and built nearly
old-time water mills. He also owned a large
It was for this
tract of land in the county.
was named.
Evansville
of
town
the
that
family
Dec. 18, 1809, in
born
was
Evans
George
Berks county. He followed his father's trade
of millwright for some years and then built a
he ran during
tannery at Evansville, which
the intervals of farming. In 1832 he married
Rebecca Shallenbarger. He died July 5, 1870,
ten years later, ]March 24,
and his wife

just
was
1880. They are buried at Evansville. lie
a Democrat and a member of the Evangelical

Church.
schools
lohn W. Evans attended the public
and then
until he was fourteen years of age
took a clerical position with John M. Heller.
In 1862 he enlisted in the 178th Pennsylvania
discharge in
the New
entered
Returning home he
1863.
then
and
Columbus Academy, graduated,
school. The call having
Evansville
the
taught
been made by Lincoln for one hundred days
men Mr. Evans enlisted a second time and

Volunteers,

serving

until

his

;

fraternal societies, belonging to Knapp Lodge,
No. 462, F. & .\. M., Berwick; Bloomsburg

Moriah
Chapter, No. 218. R. A. M. Mount
Council, No. 10, R. & S. M.: Crusade Commandery. No. 12, K. T.. and Caldwell ConsisA. A. S. R.. all of
tory, thirty-second degree.
Bloomsburg; Irem Temi)le, A. A. O. N. M.
and Captain Jackson
S., of Wilkes-Barre
Post, No. 159, G. A. R.. of Berwick. .Ml that
tends to advance the welfare of his town and
;

;

its

citizens enlists his

SAMUEL

sympathy and support.

THOMAS,

decea.scd,

was

England, a son of Edward
Thomas. The father was a merchant in EngHe and his wife had
land, where he died.

born

at Callington,

follows: John, Joseph. Edward.
William. Samuel R.,' James. Annie, Grace,
Thirza and Mary.
Samuel R. Thomas grew up in Ins native
he received a good practical eduplace, where
trade
cation and was taught the blacksmith's
meskilled
a
in all its branches, becoming
he
In
chanic, serving in all seven years.
1853.^
New
m
and
.America,
landing
left England for
York City, came thence to Pottsville. Pa.,
In
where he followed his trade for two years.
to Bloomsburg. where he found
moved
he
1855

children as

emplovment

at his trade in the

McKeIvy

fur-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1152

nace. Later on he established himself in business on Iron street, Bloomsburg, continuing in
this line for a number of years.
As he was
very expert he enjoyed a large patronage until he met with an accident which resulted in
the loss of an eye.
His death occurred Feb.
7, 1912, when he was eighty-four years, ten

country was at Pottsville, Pa., where
he learned the trade of baker and confecIn the year 1859 he came thence to
tioner.
Montour county, and in i860
Danville,
opened a bakery and confectionery store, this
being the beginning of the large wholesale
and retail business which he built up as time
in this

months old. His remains were laid to rest in passed. Mr. Jacobs retired from active parRosemont cemetery, Bloomsburg. During his ticipation in the business in 1901, since which
youth and early manhood he was a conscien- time it has been conducted by his sons. His
tious attendant of the Episcopal Church, but death occurred July 4, 1907. Mr. Jacobs was
in later years was associated with the Presby- a man of enterprising nature, and was an interian denomination.
terested worker in local matters, serving the
Mr. Thomas married Emma Stone, a
daughter of Joseph and Mary (Knowles)
Stone, who was born in England, and came to
America when twelve years old. Mr. and Mrs.

Thomas had children as follows: Mary M.
George O., who is married and has one son,

;

Fred
v.,

Ikeler,

and resides

at Nanticoke; Grace
Charles L. Fairchild of Nan-

who married

and has six children, Vida, Ensla, Lois,
Marion, Emma and Henry Samuel; and Edward W., also married and living in Nanticoke, who has six children, Emma, Percy,
June, Grace, Mildred and Lawrence.
Mary M. Thomas was graduated from the
Bloomsburg State Normal School in 1875, and
for twenty years was one of the popular educators of Columbia and Luzerne counties, beginning her scholastic work in Hemlock townShe also taught in Nanticoke, Wilkesship.
Barre, Plymouth and Bloomsburg, and is now
residing at the homestead. No. 455 East street,
Miss Thomas is a member of
Bloomsl3urg.
the Episcopal Church.
ticoke,

GEORGE

JACOBS

now,

in partner-

ship with his brother John R. Jacobs, conducting the confectionery business in Danville established by their
father, John Jacobs,

over
as

years ago.
Jacobs' Sons.

fifty

The firm is now known
The members of this

family have been highly esteemed througiiout the half century and more of their residence in Danville, where the present
re])rcsentatives

are

classed

among

the

worthy
'

citizens.

John Jacobs,
the

late

substantial

of Danville, was one of
men of his day.

Inisiness

Born in Germany Sept. 19, 1836, he was "a
son of Henry and Elizabeth (Weber) Jacobs,
both also natives of that country, where they

were farming people. They had a family of
eight children, of whom John was the si.xth.
He was reared on a farm until he reached
the age of seventeen years, at which time, in
1854, he

came

America.

His

first

location

borough for one term as member of the counHe was
Politically he was a Democrat.
well known in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Mahoning Lodge, No. 516, F. &
A. M., Danville Chapter, No. 239, R. A. ^L,
and Calvary Commandery, No. -i^j, K. T., of
Danville, and also held membership in the I.
O. O. F. and Knights of Pythias of Danville,
With his wife he belonged to the Lutheran
Church, jvhich he served for years as trustee
and treasurer.
On Dec. i, 1859, Mr. Jacobs married CharFrederick and
lotte
Frisch, daughter of
cil.

Elizabeth

Frisch, both of

(Dietrick)

whom

Germany. Mr. Frisch was a
patternmaker, and followed his trade in DanMrs. Jacobs died Sept.
ville for some time.
She was the mother of eight chil28, 1909.
William Frederick. Charles
dren, namely
H., George B., Clara L.. Alfred E., Eliza'^eth Alargaret, John R. and Mary H.
George B. Jacobs was born Oct. 10, 1867.
at Danville, and had the advantages afforded
^vere natives of

by the public schools. He acquired a thorough
knowledge of the bakery and confectionery
business as his father's assistant, and in time
acquired an interest in the business. After his
father withdrew, in 1901, he and his brothers
Fred and John carried it on in partnership
until 1910, when the former sold his share,
1

lie

brothers

steadily,

and

are
their

enlarging

the

business

goods have a popularity

with the local trade that is well deserved. The
is both wholesale and retail and
entirely confined to the vicinity.

bakery trade

Like his father. Mr. Jacobs is a Mason,
and is a past master of the Blue Lodge (MaHe is a prom
honing No. 516) at Danville.
inent member of the Pine Street Lutheran
Church, of which he has been treasurer for
His valuable public
the last twenty years.
service has included a

number of years

in the

which body he represented the
ward from 1895 to 1898. and the
Third ward from 1905 to 1908. In the fall
council,
h'ourth

PU i> —
X-

-TUND'V IONS

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1153

born Nov. 28, 1808, died April
191 3 he was elected burgess of the bor30, 1888.
ough of Danville, to serve four years, and Samuel White was a pioneer of Orange townwas sworn into that office Jan. 5, 19 14.
Children as follows
ship, Columbia Co., Pa.
On June 14, 1892, Mr. Jacobs married Anna were born to William
and his wife:
Hidlay
M. Bloom, daughter of Daniel S. and PIsther Sarah, who married Mathias K.
Appelman;
Rishel Bloom, of Danville, and they have a Samuel
Martha, who married Daniel Vanderof
seven children Carl B., James D.,
family
slice; Henry; Mary J., who married Richard
Esther R., Alfred V., Arthur H., Frederick
Johnson William J. and Matilda, who marF. and Eugene.
ried Charles Lee.
John R. Jacobs, partner of George B.
William J. Hidlay was given the educational
Jacobs in the firm of J. Jacobs' Sons, was
ofl'ered by the public schools of his
advantages
born in Danville Dec. 19, 1877, and there acnative township and he remained with his
a
quired
good education in the public schools, father until
At that
attaining his majority.
graduating from high school in 189^). He time he
began farming on his own account
has since worked in the Jacobs confectionery
in Orange township, on his
grandfather's
business, for two years during the early part
known as the Samuel White farm.
homestead,
of his connection therewith acting as traveling
Later he went to Briarcreek township and conIn
he entered into
salesman.
of

;

partner1901
ship with his brothers Fred and George upon
their father's retirement, this association lasting until

Fred. Jacobs withdrew in 19 10,

two brothers.
1901, John R. Jacobs married
Bird, of Danville, daughter of Charles
A. and Margaret Bird, the former a machinist.
selling his interest to the other

On Nov.

14,

Emma

Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have two children, Mar-

Mr. Jacobs is
garet Bird and John Henry.
a member of the B. P. O. Elks Lodge No.
754, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle,
Montour Castle, No. 186, both of Danville.

WILLIAM

HIDLAY,

farmer

Scott township, Columbia Co., Pa., was born
in that township Dec. i, 1842, son of William

Hidlay.

;

tinued

agricultural operations, subsequently
in
Scott township, on the Elias
Krum property of seventy-seven acres of
At the same time he was
good land.
interested in a machine business, travel-

locating

ing through Pennsylvania for six years.
In 1888 Mr. Hidlay bought his present farm,
and since then has been devoting all his time

and energies towards its further development
and improvement, having now a fine piece of
property. At one period of his hfe Mr. Hidlay was a boatman on the Pennsylvania canal
for a few years, and he feels that these different experiences have given him a broader
outlook upon life and enable him to handle the
problems which are presented to him for solution more capably and efficiently.
William J. Hidlay married Mary E. Krum,
a daughter of Elias and Lydia (Lazarus)
Krum, and they have become the parents of
the following children
Hervey D., who is
deceased; James C. who is living in Berwick,
Pa.; John F., who is living at Espy; Wilham
R., living at Catawissa, Pa. and Agnes, who
married Samuel Davis, and resides in Scott

Henry Hidlay came from New Jersey to
Columbia county. Pa., in young manhood, buying 320 acres of land in Centre township, for
At
which he paid three dollars per acre.
the time he took possession of his farm the
land was in an uncultivated state, and plenty
of wild game was to be found within its
confines.
Henry Hidlay cleared it, and deGenerous to a township.
veloped a fine property.
Mr. Hidlay has been very active in the
marked degree, he gave the land upon which
the Hidlay Church now^ stands and took an Columbia County Agricultural Association,
His children were as acted as a director for many years, and during
interest in its welfare.
follows George, Henry, John, William, Millie 1911-12 was its president, so that much of the
success which has attended the annual exand Sarah.
WilHam Hidlay was born Jan. 25, 1803, son hibitions is directly due to him. He holds the
of Henry Hidlay, and became a substantial record of having attended every county fair
farmer of Scott township. Later he took a since the first one, sixty years ago. Mr. Hidportion of his father's property in Centre lay is prominent in other matters pertaining to
township, and spent the remainder of his life agricultural interests in Columbia county, as
upon it, dying there Aug. 24, 1864 he is buried he is master of Light Street Grange. No. 31,
in the cemetery attached to the church that and one of the moving factors in its affairs.
bears his family name. William Hidlay mar- The Republican party has had in him a strong
ried Mary White, a daughter of Samuel White, and valued supporter, and in addition to work:

;

AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

COLU.AIBIA

1154

candidates he appeared upon his

school director and was returned to that office
He
several times, serving in all nine years.
also served as mercantile appraiser. Probably

Berwick; George died unmarried; Taylor, deceased, married Alartha Stratton, who resides
at Milton, Northumberland Co., Pa.
Lydia
died in childhood. Abram Martz owned 200
acres at Martzville, Pa., where he carried

there is no better known man in Columbia
county than Mr. Hidlay, for he has come before the public often as the advocate of meas-

on general farming. Having been reared and
educated at Martzville, he was very proud of
the place and could be relied upon to lend his

ures calculated to prove beneficial to the genIt is
era] welfare of the community at large.
such men as he who are responsible for the
improved condition of farmers and the added

aid in furthering any movement that looked
for its advancement.
The Lutheran Church
had in him a helpful member, and he supplied
all the material and labor as well as the major portion of the money required to erect the

ing for

its

township

ticket as candidate for the office of

now accorded to agricultural labor.
The Hidlay family attend the Evangelical
Church. They reside on the old Krum home-

dignity

stead.

EDWARD SHARRETTS MARTZ,
of

su-

wheel

foundry of the
American Car and Foundry Company, at Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., was born May 20,
perintendent

the

1873, at Alartzville. in Briarcreek township,
that county, son of Daniel Martz, grandson

Abram Martz, and
Ham Martz.

great-grandson of Wil-

Briarcreek township.

religious

faith

he was a Lutheran, and though he did not
live until the formation of the
Republican
party his views were in accord with its prinWilliam Martz married Mary Beam,
ciples.
and they had the following children
John
married Lydia Hagenbuch Abram married
Desiah Hetler; Daniel married Leah Fowler;
William died unmarried; Harry married Hannah Bower; Susan married Frederick Shaffer; Betsy married Henry Shelhammer; Hannah married Daniel Fester; Kate married Ben:

;

•

jarnin Hetler.

Abram

Martz, son of William Martz, was
born at Easton, Pa., April 4, 1800. and on

Aug.

15,

1826. married Desiah Hetler,
12, 1807, a daughter of

was born Aprd
chael

Hetler

and

his

wife,

maiden name of Henninger.

who

bore

who
Mithe

Their children

were: Mary married Henry
Remley Nathan
married Esther Alelhck John married Susan
Miller; Daniel married Mary Stout and fives
at Aiartzville; Eliza married
George Kelchner and (second) Rev. Edward A.
Sharretts;
;

;

In politics he was a
present church edifice.
Republican, but held no office,
Daniel Alartz, son of Abram Martz, was
born Dec. 19, 1832, in Briarcreek township,

Columbia Co,, Pa., and was educated in the
Martzville schools.
When still a lad he
learned stonemasonry and followed the trade
all his life.
An active Republican, he was
chosen by his party as a school director. He
was a deacon of the Lutheran Church and in
every respect a faithful member of that body.
^

was an Odd Fellow, belonging
Berwick Lodge, No. 246. Daniel Martz
married Mary Stout, of Salem township, a
daughter of Peter and Mary (\'arner) Stout,
of Allentown and Easton, Pa.,
respectively,
both of German descent. The children born
to Daniel Martz and wife were:
Xewton
married Ida Bower; Abram married Sarah
Moyer; Taylor married Elizabeth Dietz
Edward Sharretts married Bertha May Evans;
Desiah married Ira Hampton; Delia married
Willard Wright; .Ada died in childhood;
Lydia and William also died in childhood,
Fraternally he

William Martz moved from Berks county,
Pa., to Foundryville, Columbia county, in
1810, settling on a farm, of which he cleared
about 200 acres, and there he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred
in 1854.
He was buried at the Brick Church
in

;

mar-

'{'''}'\''^^''''!^'^^^'.^^'^^^\^^^o
""^ Martzville
Henri who
i^n' married
7't T'"^^'
Henry,
Julia Rutter, resides at
;

;

Edward Sharretts Martz, son of Daniel
Martz, was educated in the schools of Briarcreek township and the Berwick
high school,
being graduated from the latter in 1891, standing third in a class of fifteen members. On
leaving school he entered the employ of the
Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company
in the car
shops, where he remained until the
fall of the year, in
September. 1891. going to
Alexandria. \'a.. where he operated a bricklaying machine until the spring of 1892
Returning to Berwick he prepared for a' teacher's
examination during the summer of that vear
and now holds a State

certificate as teacher;

granted him by the Pennsvlvania authorities.
He taught in 'the Briarcreek district schools
for six vears. in the summer of 18^78 re-entering the emplov of the Jackson & Woodin

Manufacturing Company, now the American
Car and Foundrv Companv. For six months
he was in the machine
shop, then going to

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
He was next
the rolling mill as timekeeper.
made wheel inspector of the wheel foundry
later was made its lahor l)oss, then foreman
of the mine wheel department, and after
serving as assistant superintendent of the

who married Annie Y.
^oung, resides at Berwick; George I)., who
married Celeste Siddell. lives at
Eiiuira,
N. Y. Mary E.. who married lohn
\ancc,
lives at Mount Pleasant,
Pa.; Harrv M. mar-

burg, Pa.; John W.,

;

wheel foundry, on Nov. 14, 191 1, became its
superintendent, which important position he
still

ried

Martz

a Republican, and
he served three years as town clerk of llriarcreek township three years as auditor, and
two years as school director. He has been
secretary of the board of health of West Berwick for six years, secretary of the West Berwick council, and otherwise active in political
In religious faith he is a Lutheran,
matters.
and has been superintendent of the Sunday
]\lr.

Mary

Shives; Charles \V. died in
.Martha E., who married lared

childhood;

holds.

Politically

1155

;

school of the Martzville Church, and presiat
dent of its Christian Endeavor Society
he
is a deacon and trustee of the
present
;

Belford, lives at Berwick, Pa.; Jessie l\.', who
Clark Thf»mas, lives at
Mount
Pleasant,
'ennsylvania.
Harry M. INans, son of George Evans,
was born .April 16. 1851. in Evansville, Columbia Co., Pa., and there attended school
until he was sixteen years old. at which time

married

he went to Orangeville Academy. l-"or a number of years after completing his studies there
he taught school, an<l then clerked in a store
at Hazleton, Luzerne Co., Pa., and also at
Tresckow, Carbon Co., Pa. Sub.sequently he
moved to Berwick. Pa., and entere<l the employ of the Berwick Store Company, where
he has remained for twenty-two years. Politically he is a Democrat, and has Ijeen as-

Fraternally he belongs to Berwick
No.
246, Berwick Encampment, No.
Lodge,
I. O. O. F.
131, and Berwick Canton, No. 48,
to Pewaukee Tribe, No. 240, Improved Order sessor of Briarcreek township for many years.
of Red Men; and to the Grinders Club of He is a member, trustee and class leader of
the Evangelical Church, and sui)erinlen(ient
W'est Berwick.
On Oct. 7, 1899. Edward Sharretts Martz of the Sunday school of the church at North
was married, by Rev. E. A. Sharretts, of Berwick. He belongs to Berwick ConnnandjMartzville, to Bertha May Evans, a daughter ery. Knights of Malta, and to the Berwick
Beneficial Society.
of Harry M. and Mary Catherine (Shive)
On July 3, 1879, Ilarry M. Evans was marEvans, of Forks, Fishingcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa. She was born at Evansville, ried at I'orks. Columbia Co.. Pa., the Kev.
Columbia county, Jan. 15, 1881, and grew up H. H. Dietterick officiating, to Mary Catherine
Shive, a daughter of Samuel and Sally .\nn
at Berwick, where she was educated, graduatwith high Shive.
The children born of this marriage
ing from the Berwick high school
reshe
who was born Jan. 15. iSSi,
were:
her
Bertha,
honors.
graduation
Following
now Mrs. Martz; and Charles H.. Iiorn Jan.
mained at home until her marriage.
and
George Evans, the paternal grandfather of 9, 1886, who married .Mildred Hicks,
Mrs. ]\Iartz, was born at Evansville. Pa., lives at Jersey City. .\. J.; all are li\ing.
Samuel Shive, tlie maternal grandfather of
Dec. 18, 1809, of Welsh descent, and died July
There he attended school, and after Mrs. Martz, was born in Bucks county, near
5, 1870.
a farm of Easton, Pa., July 14. 1820. and died Dec. 26,
attaining to man's estate bought
which he 1894. He was educated at his native i)lace.
forty acres in Briarcreek township,
for where he was employed as a last maker.
a
with
in
tannery
conjunction
operated
and
Democrat,
a
He was
Moving to Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Pa.,
thirty-five years.
went to Forks,
served as overseer of the poor. The Evangeli- he made furniture, but later
to manuin
addition
and
served
same
the
he
in
and
county,
cal Church held his membership
George facturing handles for farming imj»lemcnts
it as a class leader for many years.
as an
Evans married Rebecca Shollenberger, who operated a chopping mill for feed
farmers.
was born Feb. 18, 181 5, and died March 29. accommodation to the neighboring
Ann married In politics he was a Democrat and very active
Their children were:
i88£>.
ranks of his party. A member of the
Silas McMichael; Tames W. married Maria in the

church.

;

Paden, and lives at Berwick. Pa.; Mmerva
married Rev. Zachariah Flornberger Rebecca,
who married John McMichael. lives at IknH. A.
dertown. Pa.;' Tamer married Rev.
who
Sarah
J.,
Dietterick, of Montgomery;
married Archibald Shetter. resides at Hams;

German Reformed Church, he served

deacon. Fraternally he belonged to Washington Lodge. No. 2C)i„ F. & A. M.. of PdoomsFellows lodge of the
burg, and to the Odd

same citv.
Samuel Shive married

Sally

Ann Unangst,

1156

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

who was born March

22, 1822, at Plainfield,

N. J., and died at Berwick, Pa., Feb. 21, 1913.
She is buried at Forks, Pa. The children
Maof Samuel and Sally Ann Shive were:
linda

died

childhood;

Catherine
married
Alice

Mary

H. M. Evans;
married
William M. Lemon; Franklin married Alary
and
Burk; Albert M. married Eva Trump
Charles H. married
(second) Jennie Utt;
Stella Herring.

JOHN

TREMPER

MACDONALD,

one of the most successful and proof Bloomsburg, was born
gressive physicians

D.,

Pa., and is the
July 25, 1885, in Philadelphia,
son of Dr. John Macdonald, a physician of
The family is of Scotch and
Philadelphia.

English ancestry.

John :\Iacdonald, the Doctor's grandfather,
was bom in Dunfermline, Scotland, his
a landfather, Alexander Macdonald. being
owner and a man of means in that country.
His parents brought him to America when a
child, and settled in Almonte, Canada, where
he grew up and was educated in the public
In 1856 he entered the University
Glasgow, Scotland, and after six years
Rhoda Church, a nagraduated. He married
tive of Vermont, and they had these children
David Laurie Rhoda. wife of A. Collabaugh
schools.

;

Mary; Alexander; John and

Elizabeth, wife

of Joseph Auld.

John Macdonald. father of John T., was
born in Almonte. Canada, March 22, 1851,
He
and educated in the common schools.
went to Philadelphia at the age of fifteen and
at the age of eighteen to Mneland, N. J.,
where he was later married. He was a traveling salesman for Henry R. Ragnel. manufacturer of woolen goods, for five years, during which period he studied medicine, eventually entering Hahnemann Medical College,
from which he graduated in 1880. He was
He married Floa Republican in politics.
retta Ann, daughter of Samuel and Mary A.
Gardner, of Chester, Orange
(Goodale)
Co., N. Y.. and they had children as follows: \'^irginia F.. wife of Elmer G. Brughof Bloomsburg: Flora, who died young
and is buried in Northwood cemetery. Philadelphia
John Tremper, mentioned below
Stella, who died young and is buried in Laler.

;

and Daisy,
fayette cemetery, Philadelphia
who also died young and is interred in North;

wood cemetery.
John T. Macdonald obtained
in the public schools

graduation

as an enlisted man, on the schoolship "Saratoga," under Captain Lawrence, as a medical
He made a voyage of one year's
assistant.

duration, visiting Europe, Africa and the
Island of Madeira. Returning in 1900 he entered a drug store, and in 1903 became a
student in the pharmacy department of the

Aledico-Chirurgical College, at Philadelphia,
from which he graduated in 1905. In 1904
he was a member of the research party, under
Dr. Shaw, sent to British Columbia to collect
This
flora, under the auspices of the college.

expedition was very successful, and specimens
were sent all over America and other countries, to various museums.
From 1904 to 1909 Dr. Macdonald taught
Prof.
botany and materia-medica under
Charles H. Shaw, during this time continuing
his studies, and after four years graduated.
He first entered the Frankford hospital and
then the Samaritan hospital at >Philadelphia,
his services being principally surgical,

Prof.

W. W.

Babcock.

under

In 1910 he came to

Bloomsburg and began
sion,
later

being

to practice his profeslocated on West Fifth street,
to his present quarters on West

first

moving

Second street.
Dr. Macdonald spent three months of 1914
in Europe, taking up ix)st graduate work in
Vienna in surgery and X-ray work. He left
\'ienna shortly after the opening of the great

European war, and had some very interesting
experiences getting out of Europe. He is one
of the foremost members of the profession in
the town and is popular with his fellow citizens.
Politically he is a progressive, and he
is a member of
Washington Lodge, No. 265,
F. & A. M., and Caldwell Consistory, and of
\^xv Camp Lodge, I. O. O. F.. of P>loomsburg.

John Gardner, maternal ancestor of Dr. J.
T. Macdonald, was born in Rhode Island and
removed to Southold, Long Island, about the
year 1740. He was a member of the family
of farmers who purchased Gardiner's Island.
By his marriage to Christianna Finck he had
these children:
James, who married a Miss
John, who married a Miss HutchBenjamin; Samuel; Jesse, who married
Mattie Carpenter; Hannah, wife of Colonel
Shultz
Phoebe, who married James Hall
Kissie, who married John Loder: and Ruth,
who died in childhood. John Gardner was
a Democrat and a member of the Methodist

Dolson

ings

;

Church.
his education

of Philadelphia and after
entered the United States navy

Samuel Gardner, born about 1750. married
in 1762 and
came from Orange county, N. V. They were

Hannah Owens, who was bom

COLUMBIA AND MOXTOL'R COUNTIES
married about 1777, and their children were:
FdizaJohn, born Jan. 28, 1778, who married
beth Wheeler; Ira, who married Maria Smith
Samuel; Jekel Maria, wife of Harry Clark;
and Eliza,
Jesse, who married Mary Blaine;
wife of Schyuler Bustceler.
Samuel Gardner, son of Samuel, was a
He married, about
farmer like his father.
and had these children:
1797, Nancy Parshall.
A. P., born in 1799, who married Elizabeth
Gardner; Samuel, mentionetl below; llemar
B. Mary L., wife of "Dr. Sands Davis; ElizaHannah
beth, wife of William Ellison; and
Amelia, wife of Miles Davis.
Samuel Gardner, son of Samuel, above, was
born in 181 8 and died in 1899. He was a
farmer in Vineland, N. J., and later a builder
and architect. In 1847 he married Mary Ann
;

;

Goodale. and they had the following children
Floretta Ann, wife of Dr. John Macdonald
and mother of Dr. J. T. Macdonald; Stella
and Sarah
Augusta, wife of James Eldridge
Gardner
Mr.
Kilbourne.
Robert
of
E.,"wife
:

;

Democrat and

was

dist

Church.

member

of the ]\Ietho-

T. HOPPES, a well known citizen of Berwick and a leading factor in the
Democratic partv in Columbia county, was
March 31. 1865, son of Elias
born in that

GEORGE

city

and Mary Kramer (Smith) Hoppes.
Elias Hoppes, father of George T.. was
born near Shickshinny. Pa., March to, 1837.
In youth he attended the common schools and
of the Jackbegan business life as an employee

son & Woodin Company, at Berwick, as driver
at
of a team, also working in their ])lant
he has been a
some
For
years
Foundryville.
their successors, the Ameripolice officer for
Company, at Berwick.
Car and

Foundry

can

of C. G. Jackson Post, No.
is a Democrat
In
A.
R.
G.
politics he
159,
He
Methodist.
a
connection
and' in religious
married Mrs. Mary (Kramer) Smith, widow
Alexander
of Hiram Smith and a daughter of

member

She was related to
came to America
that
the old Santee family
from Flolland in 1690 and settled m the neighname
borhood of Easton, Pa. This family

and Parmelia Kramer.

who

1157

deceased; Clarence

Jessie (iordner; IClizaheth

;

J.,

and

who married
who

.Sterling,

married l-'anny l-"rey.
To Alexander and i'armelia Kramer the following children were born: .Mhcrt, who married and had children, Mary, .\brain, .Andrew,
John, Alfred, Josephine and I'armelia; l.ucinda, who married a Snyder ami had children,
Mary, X'incent, William, Albert (who had children, Myrtle, Jolctta, Lee and Lloyd), and
Emma (^who marrie<l a Swank an<l had two
children, Lloyd and Charles), and NLiry. who
first married Hiram Smith and hacl
Eliza,
Mary, Charles, David (who had a son Edward), Frank (who had Lilly and Mary >, -ind
Daniel (who had Clinton and Bessie).

George T. Hoppes in his boyhood attended
academy and the Market street school
and had Professor Albright and I'rofcssor
Smith among his instructors. In 1879 he went
the old

into the blacksmith

shop of the Jackson

plant, where he remained for four
the machine
years, then worked two years in
firm in the
same
the
with
one
and
year
shop,
In 1887 he left there and for
pipe foundry.
some time conducted a green grocery and restaurant on Market street, at the United Cigar
Stores stand, then for the next two years can-

Woodin

vassing for IVIaloy Brothers, of William?i)ort,
Mr. Hoppes
in the line of house furnishings.
then went to the rolling mill and has followed

He is
life there ever since.
Democrats
recognized as one of the leading
imin this section and has served in numerous
official positions, having been several
portant
times district committeeman, and three times
He
sent as a delegate to the State conventions
an industrial

has held the
of the

Church.

office

of auditor.

member

Bower Memorial United

Evangelical
SusFraternally he is identifiedwith
No. 18, Knights of

quehanna Commandery.

I. O. O. FMr. Hoppes was marof
ried to Hulda Cedora Rhinard. a daughter
of
Samuel and Susannah Erwinc) Rhinard.
and thev have four children \ eda

No. 246,
Malta, and Berwick Lo<lge.

On March

31, 1893.

(

Evansville,

Maud, born Nov.

to
1893. now marned
in
Binghamton,
living

17.

Arthur E. Ravert. and
he is a contractor and plasterer,
Sen- N Y where
was also spelled Sandy. Sendie. Sendy.
work Mabel May. born Nov.
stucco
also doing
Its members were sturdy,
dee and Sendie.
Leona, boni June 19. 1902;
21
Jessie
1895;
was
reliable people, and their main occui)ation
Elizabeth, bom Aug. 12, 1905.
and
Mary
the
have had
farming. Mr. and Mrs. Hoppes
Samuel Rhinard was born Sept. 2', 1842,
Maud, who
T.
Mountain.
children:
George
following
and died Feb. 24, 1902. at Knob
Shrader and the mother
is the wife of George
Pa. He owned a farm of 400
Co.,
Columbia
and Martha:
a sawmill, and for
of Bertha. Marv. Anna. Estella
acres partly cleared, had
of Reuben Graver and
became
wife
the
is
who
Jennie,
worked a limekiln. In 1880 he
Franklin; Hanley, years
"the mother of EHas and
,

;

COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES

1158

an employee in the wood car shop of Jackson
& Woodin, where he remained for a time, but
His burial was at
returned to his farm.
On
Housenick's Brick Church, Fowlerville.
Nov. 5, 1863, he married Susannah Erwine,
and they had the following children George
A,, born Oct. 22, 1864, married Grace Whitmoyer; Sarah Lucinda, born Aug. 9, 1866.
married H. W. Fairchilds Delia Viola, born
Nov. 17, 1868, married George Longenberger
John William, born Jan. 4, 187 1, married Clara
Bender; Hulda Cedora, born July 10, 1873,
married George T. Hoppes Verna Euphemia,
married Ami Pegg;
born Sept. 16, 187
Charles Franklin, born Feb. 20, 1879, died
Nov. 30, 1882; Mary Elizabeth, born May 24,
1881, married J. C. Hummell; Samuel Clark,
born Aug. 16, 1884, married Mabel Sitler; and
Virgil Roy, born Jan. i, 1887, married Pearl
Bender. Samuel Rhinard was a Democrat in
He and his wife belonged to the
politics.
Evangelical Church.
John Rhinard was born near Bendertown,
Columbia Co., Pa., and died in 1888 at that
He carried on farming, owning 120
place.
acres of land, and was a man very highly
thought of. He was a Democrat in politics
and a Lutheran in religion, and was buried at
St. James' Church at Bendertown.
To his
marriage with Lucinda Smith the following
children were born
Samuel John Levi
George, who married Viola Hess and (second)
Elizabeth Shannon Isaiah, who married Elizabeth Weaver; Daniel, who married Agnes
Markle; Mary, who married Alfred Erwine;
and Hulda and Emmeline, both deceased.
:

;

—

;

GEORGE CLARENCE FENSTEMAKER, who

is one of Berwick's most
respected
and always associated with the best
interest of his native section, has had
charge
of the pattern storage department in what
was formerly the Jackson & Woodin plant
since 1899, and has been connected almost con-

citizens

tinously with this large concern since the
spring of 1870. He was born Oct. 29, 1854,
at Foundryville, Columbia Co., Pa., son of

John and Sally Ann (Foulk) Fenstemaker.
John Fenstemaker was born at Mifflinville,
Pa.,

Oct.

23,

1826,

son of Philip Fenster-

macher (the last of the family to use that spelling), who was an iron worker at Foundryville,
He married Catherine
Pa., where he died.
Walters, who was born at Mifflinville and died
in 1875, and they were buried in Pine Grove
cemetery. They had the following children:
Elizabeth, wife of John Smethers; Jacob, who

married Ann Garney; Sarah, wife of Charles
Gibbons; John; Savilla, wife of Alexander
Varner; William, who married Phebe Garney;
and Henry, who married Anna Boyer. Philip
Fenstermacher was a Democrat in politics.
His religious membership was with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
John Fenstemaker attended the common
schools in boyhood and then entered the plant
of the Jackson & Woodin Company, under D.
C. McHenry. working as a molder all his life.
His death occurred April 29, 1899. He was a
man of excellent judgment, and on the Repub-

was elected to the offices of councilschool director in Berwick. He belonged to the Odd Fellows and also to the P.
O. S. of A.

lican ticket

man and

John Fenstemaker married Sally Ann Foulk,
who was born Oct. 9. 1832, and died Jan. 31,
1912. Her parents, Peter and Mary M. (SitFoulk, were residents of Briarcreek townThe children of John and Sally Ann
Fenstemaker were
Mary, widow of John
Gray (he is buried in Pine Grove cemetery)
George C, who married Adella M. Fowler;
Kate, widow of Miles Shultz Amelia, who
died unmarried Dora Joseph, who married
Rosa Earl and Charles, who is buried in Pine
ler)

ship.

;

Grove cemetery.
George C. Fenstemaker attended school in
the old academy at Berwick when S. C. Jayne
was principal. In May. 1870, he began work at
the molder's trade in the Jackson & Woodin
plant at Berwick, at first being engaged there
through the summers and attending school
during the winters. He was a student in the
Market street school when Prof. J. G. Williamson had charge. Later he began to work steadily as a molder in the foundry, under William
Fenstermacher, foreman, and continued thus
until 1898, in

1899 taking up his present duties.
responsible for the preservation of patterns belonging to the plant, and is worthy of
the confidence placed in him. Richard Bates is
superintendent of the foundry. Mr. Fenstemaker is interested in public matters to some
degree, votes with the Republican party, and
has served in the office of school director. With
his family he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. His fraternal connection is with
the P. O. S. of A., Washington Camp No. 105
and of W. T. Sherman Commandcry, Xo. 23.
of Berwick.

On Dec. 24. 1879, Mr. Fenstemaker was
united in marriage with .\della M. Fowler,
daughter of Enos L. and Lavina (Hagenbuch)
Fowler, and they have two children: Maud,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
who was

1159

born Nov. 30, 1880, married lo C.
Irvin Smith; and Howard ¥., who was born
Oct. 19, 1893.
Gilbert 11. Fowler, grandfather of Mrs.

accommodate

Fenstemaker, married a Miss Mack, and they
had the following children Enos L. Pierce,
who married Margaret Wilson, and (second)
Margaret Weir; Charles, who married Elmira
Edgar and (second) Jenny Hampshire; Silas,
who married Eliza Solomon John, who married Libby Leyburn x'Xlf red, who married Su-

building on another site. The plan was submitted to the citizens of the town at a special
election held on May 2, 191 1, and it was decided to increase the indebtedness of the school
district sufficiently to provide for the construction of a new school building. The work of
erection was immediately begun, in the summer
of 191 1, and the building was occupied by four
schools on March 11, 191 2. Dedication exercises were held in the P. O. S. of A. opera

;

sannah Pealer; Lydia, who married Joseph
Conner; and Jane, who married Reese Millard.

By a second marriage, with Catherine Smith,
Gilbert H. Fowler had: Elmira, who married

the increasing attendance.
At
the question of erecting an addition to the
high school building was discussed, but this
was set aside in favor of putting up a new
first

Samuel J. Conner; Samuel S., who married
Jenny Folmer, deceased and Zachary Taylor,

house on Friday evening, March 15, 191 2. The
building was designee! by Architect J. W.
Heavner, and was built by Frank Fahringer,

who married Jenny Watt.

contractor.

;

Enos

Fowler, son of Gilbert H. and
Mrs. Fenstemaker, was born at

father of
Fowlerville, Columbia Co., Pa., in 1824, and
He was a well
died in September, i860.
known man in Columbia county, was active
in the Republican party, and was somewhat
prominent in local Masonic circles, belonging
to Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., at
He learned the blacksmith's
Bloomsburg.
trade and was in business for himself in
Fowlerville, also carrying on general farming,
owning 160 acres of fine land. He married
Lavina Hagenbuch, who was born in Centre
township, Columbia Co., Pa., and they had the

following children Henrietta, who is the wife
of Wilbur Dreisbach Emma, deceased, who
was the \\\ie of Pierce Whitmire (she was
Clara and
buried in Pine Grove cemetery)
buried
also
died
whom
both
of
young,
Lloyd,
in Pine Grove Cemetery; Mary; Adella M.,
:

;

who

the Avife of George C. Fenstemaker;
B., who married Annie Frantz.
Howard F. Fenstemaker, the only son of
is

and Charles

C. Fenstemaker, born at Berwick, attended the public schools there, and after graduating from the Berwick high school during
1910-11-12 attended the Normal School at

George

Bloomsburg, graduating therefrom in 191 2. In
summer of 191 3 he took a special course
at State College, Pa., and in the summer of

the

1914, took a special course at the University
of Michigan. He taught one year in Dallas
township, Luzerne Co., Pa., and in April, 1913,
was selected principal of the Chestnut street
school, a signal honor.
In the year 191 1 the board of education of
Berwick, realizing the fact that the schools
of the borough were greatly overcrowded, decided that a new building should be erected to

Much

credit for the satisfactory

completion of this undertaking was accorded
Prof. James G. Sigman, suj)ervising principal
of the Berwick schools at that time, and to the
board of directors
Henry F. Traugh, presi:

Johnson, vice president; B. H.
Bower, secretary; James E. Smith, treasurer;
Walter M. Suit, H. P. Field, Jr., L. E. Hess,
dent;

Harvey Doan and Dr. F. P. Hill, the two
named being retired before the building
was completed.
The cost of this beautiful modern structure
was $25,000. One feature is the provision
T.

last

for an abundance of light, the school being the
best equipped building in the borough in this
respect. All rooms have hardwood floors and
metal ceilings, these sanitary finishings making
the structure ideal for both teachers and

At the time the building was comwas generally thought that it would
be necessary to equip fully only the four rooms
on the first floor, and these were occupied as
classrooms by John S. Hause, principal and
teacher of the sixth grade Helen Trescott,
pupils.

pleted

;

teacher of the fourth grade; Gussie Hinkleman, teacher of the second grade, and Mary
It was bePetty, teacher of the first grade.
lieved also at that time that it would scarcely
be necessary to furnish the rooms on the
second floor for at least two or three years, but
in the fall of 1912 the number of school children was so much greater that the board found
it necessary to complete the finishings in all
four rooms. At that time J. Atlee Cryder was
elected principal and teacher of the seventh
grade.

From

150 pupils in attendance during the
in the
year, the numljer increased to 300
second year, and by 191 3 had passed that
In April, 191 3, Howard F. Fenstemark.
first

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1160

has been president of the Ladies' x\id Soand during the same
three
of
the
period
daughters have served in
turn as organist with the choir.

elected principal to succeed Mr.
Cryder, and under his able administration constant improvement and rapid advance in school
attainment have been made. The list of inH.
structors in April, 1914, was as follows
F. Fenstemaker, principal and teacher of the
seventh grade Irene Snyder, teacher of the
sixth grade; Laura Rogers, teacher of the fifth
Katherine Smethers, teacher of the
grade
fourth grade; Marie ]\IcGall, teacher of the
third grade; Gussie Hinkleman, teacher of the
second grade Mary Petty and Helen Trescott,
teachers of the first grade; Kathleen Jones,

maker was

lig

ciety for fourteen years,

Mr. Billig settled on his present place in
1879, erected the necessary buildings, and with
the assistance of his son Raymond, as blacksmith, has built up a large and lucrative trade.
In 1892 he bought out the undertaking business

;

of Edward Kremser and since then has had
the patronage of the entire valley. He employs
two men all the time and draws considerable
work from Catawissa. He is a member of the
Odd Fellows, and has filled all the chairs in
his lodge.
Politically he is a lifelong DemoHe is
crat, but had held no important offices.
the health officer for Locust, Cleveland and
Roaringcreek townships, is a member of the
Locust Mutual Insurance Company and a
member of the Roaring Creek \'alley Tele-

;

general assistant.

MARTIN

funeral director and

BILLIG,

manufacturer, of Numidia, Locust
township, Columbia county, was born on his
father's farm, two miles south of that town
Aug. 17, 1862, son of Charles Billig. The
carriage

family is of German descent.
Charles Billig was born in Locust township,
attended the country schools, and learned the
trade of shoemaker.
He also ran a farm of
100 acres, cleared the land and erected some

phone Company.
Michael M. Hower, Mrs.

Billig's father, was
a native of Locust township, where he worked
at blacksmithing, also following his trade in

the coal mines.
and cultivated

substantial buildings on it.
He was a Democrat, and served as school director and supervisor.
His religious connection was with the

;

Later he bought a small farm
until his death.
lie married

Katherine Bachman. and they had these children Emma C, Alvaretta, Rolandus, Alfred,
Hannah, Isaiah and Wellington. Mrs. Hower's father. David liachman, who came from
Berks county, married Catherine Yost, of
Cleveland township.
:

Lutheran Church, which he served as deacon.
He died at the age of sixty, and is buried in
the Reformed cemetery at Numidia. His wife,
Elizabeth (Mowrey), a native of Columbia
county, is now living in Numidia, and they
had children as follows
Emma, Barbara,
Alice, Mary, Henry, Martin L., Edward,
Charles and Harmon.
Martin L. Billig remained on the home farm
and attended school for four months in the
year, sometimes working on the farm and at
other times in a coal mine. Going to Bloomsburg he took up the carriage-making trade with
Joseph Strieker, remaining there for three
He worked six months for George
years.
Strieker, of Catawissa, and then came to Numidia and opened a business of his own. In
1878 he married Emma C, daughter of
Michael ]\I. and Catherine (Bachman) Hower,
and they have had the following children
Cora, wife of H. C. Strine, of Milton Raymond, who married Alice Gable; Katie, wife
of Charles M. Rarig, of Locust township;
Carl, in the naval service Carrie, wife of J. W.
Pursley (she was a school teacher) Newton,
married to Edna Lindermuth, residing in
Numidia; and Alva and Edgar, unmarried.
Mr. and Mrs. Billig and all their family are
members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Bil;

IRA RTCKETTS McHENRY.

the leading

undertaker and funeral director of Benton,
Pa., was born in Greenwood township, Columbia county, Oct. 14, 1844. son of Benjamin
AIcHenry and grandson of Daniel McHenry,
who was one of the first settlers in this part
of Pennsylvania, in the days after the termination of the Revolution.

Daniel

McHenry.

Mc-

was
North of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish
Coming to America during the Revo-

Henry family
born

the ancestor of the

in this part of the

State,

in the

descent.
lution,

colonists

and

once enlisted
serveil

until

cause of the
the close of hos-

in the

Coming to Columbia county, he built
a log house and took up a tract of land at the
present site of Stillwater. His wife, a daughter of Col. William Stevens, an officer in the
war of 181 2. followed him to his new home

tilities.

Here they lived and reared their
family of nine children: Benjamin, a farmer
and lumberman Daniel, who cultivated the
home farm; John, the first male child born in
this end of the countv
L'riah. a shoemaker;
soon after.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Moses, a farmer and lumberman Elias, who
was a colonel in the State militia Martha, who
married Alex Colley; Susan, wife of Robert
Edgar; and Laura, who died unmarried.
Benjamin McHenry was born in Fishingcreek township and in youth removetl to Greenwood township, where he bought a farm which
;

;

he cultivated for a number of years. He then
retired, and soon thereafter died, at the advanced age of ninety-three years, fifteen days.
His remains lie in the cemetery at Benton. He
married Lavina Conner, daughter of John,
and they had nine children Montraville, a physician, now dead; Alfred, living at Cambria,
Pa.
Normand, living in Fishingcreek township Thomas C, a physician, now deceased
Ira R., of Benton; Alary, deceased; James
Boyd, who is now living retired at Benton, formerly a blacksmith and hotel man Lloyd, deceased, and Alvaretta, deceased.
Ira R. McHenry attended the public schools
and labored upon the farm in the days of his
youth, and after a time took up the trade of
carpenter, which he followed for fifteen years.
Having accumulated sufficient capital for the
purpose, he opened a furniture store in 1876,
added an undertaking department, and in 1912
closed out the furniture department to devote
his entire time to the direction of funerals. He
now has the greater part of the patronage of
the people of Benton and surrounding territory, and retains the esteem of the entire com:

;

munity.

On Jan. i, 1867, Mr. AIcHenry married Elizabeth, daughter of Josiah and Alice (Turner)
Fowler, and they have had seven children
:

who

deceased Jessie, at home
wife of Walter Miller; Maude, wife of

Lillie,

;

Daisy,

J. Fred
Eves; Marvin R.. who died in the Philippines
.during the Spanish-American war; Irene, wife
of Harry Sims and James W., at home.
Mr. McHenry is a Democrat, and is now
serving a term as member of the Benton
He is a member of the
borough council.
Christian Church, which he has served as elder
and trustee. He is also attached to the P. O.
S. A., the I. O. O. F. and the encampment in
;

connection therewith.

CAPT.
of Revolutionary fame, was captured by the Indians on
his farm in Liberty township. Montour
county,
now known as the Henry Billmeyer lower
farm, near Pottsgrove. June 19, 1780.
He
killed his captors and escaped.
\Mien taken
he was walking through the woods watching
so carefully that he thought not a bird could

JAMES McMAHAN,

1161

stir without his notice, when he was seized
and thrown to the ground. Looking up he
saw a Tory and an Indian standing over him.
They tied him with a piece of hickory bark
around the right wrist, then after emptying
the powder out of the pan of his gun gave it
to him to carry over his left shoulder, with

the butt back.
Then the Tory took hold of
the bark and all started on the run over the
Limestone Ridge to about the David Inland
homestead, where the Indian left them. Soon
McMahan heard the Indian yell answered
several times. He thought it time to make an
to

by superhuman etiforts.
and seizing his gun with both
hands brought it down on the Tory's head,
turned and ran back to the south side of the
ridge, and concealed himself in a thicket of
hazel bushes. The Indian followed him and
came so close he thought he was seen, and
raised his gun to shoot him, when he discovered the lock was broken and had some of
the Tory's brains on it.
attempt

escape

tore loose

JA:\IES W. SITLER, contractor and lumber dealer, of Berwick, Pa., was born Feb.
10,
1867, in Centre township, Columbia
county, and is a son of Samuel H. Sitler, of

same county. His grandfather was
David Sitler.
Samuel H. Sitler was born in Centre township, Columbia county, April 26, 1836, and
died in July, 1898. He was a carpenter and
farmer, owning two farms, of thirty-five and
125 acres, respectively. He was a Democrat
and a member of the Lutheran Church. By
his marriage to Caroline, daughter of John
and Annie (Shafifer) Yost, he had children
that

as follows
Harvey A., born Dec. 7, 1863,
died young; Elias W., born June 10, 1865,
:

Beck; James W. is menBoyd J., born March 22, 1876,
Nevin S., born
married Annie Hartman
March 3, 1878, married Adela Payden David
married Lucinda

tioned below

;

born
Learn.
Y.,

Feb.

18,

1880,

married

Emma

James W.

Sitler was educated in the comschools and worked on his father's farm
and in the timber woods. He contracted for
lumber when he was but eighteen years of

mon

age, at Knob Mountain, Columbia county,
continuing this occupation until his twentyHe then entered the carpenter
third year.
business in Jamison City, doing general work
under A. B. Herring for three years. In 1893
he came to Berwick, where he worked three
years with Joseph Faust and one year with
B. H. Dodson, and then started in the con-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1162

mustered out July 27, 1863,

East
tracting business for himself at No. 415
Sixth street, making a specialty of residences.
He also started a lumber yard opposite his
home, in 1900. In 1902 he bought land be-

and Mulberry, and Ninth
and in the spring of 1903
started building a lumber shed, store and
office, moving the stock from the old place
On Jan. 6, 1903, the shed
to the new.
burned, but was rebuilt in the fall of that
tween JMarket

and Tenth

street

streets,

;

Sunday

was

member

politics,

the

branches
school work.

all

also

taught in the Sunday
times trustee, elder

at different

and deacon of

and is a promiUnited Evangelical
Church, being president of the board of trustees, assistant steward and assistant class

his church,

both

and very active in
and Sunday

church

REUBEN

J. MILLER, a farmer, of Catawissa township, Columbia Co., Pa., was born
in that township Nov. 28, 1851, son of William Miller, and grandson of George Miller.
The paternal great-grandfather died in

Mifflin
township,
eighty-four years.
George Miller

Columbia

county,

aged

emigrated

from

Berks

leader.

county. Pa., to Columbia county, coming with

Cora A. Whitmire, wife of James W. Sitwas born Dec. 28, 1869, in Centre townShe
ship, and attended the common schools.
remained on her father's farm until her mar-

his parents,

ler,

riage.

William Whitmire, son of David Whitmire,
eastern Pennsylvania to Centre
township and bought a tract of 126 acres.
Clearing a plot of land he took up the occupation of farmer. He married Sarah Bower,
a native of Briarcreek township, daughter of
Michael Bower, and their children were
Isaac, who married Elizabeth Hayman Daniel B.
Hiram, who married Sallie Ann Erwine and William, who was a Methodist
preacher. William Whitmire, the father, was
a Democrat, and a member of the Evangelical
Church. He and his wife are buried in the
old Ebenezer cemetery in Centre township.
Daniel B. Whitmire, born July 9, 1837.
father of Mrs. Sitler, was a farmer of Centre
township. He married Mary Roup, and their
children were: Armina E., born Oct. 4, 1864,
married C. W. E. Bower; Lloyd H., born
June 21, 1866, died March 13, 1870, and is
buried in the old Ebenezer cemetery in Centre
township; Morris I., born Sept. 12. 1868,
married Agnes Remley Cora A., born Dec.
28, 1869, is Mrs. James W. Sitler. Mr. Whilmire was a member of the Grange in Centre
township. On Oct. 22, 1862, he enlisted for
service in the Union army in Company H,
178th Pennsylvania \'olunteers, under Capt.
Theo. M. D. Price, for nine months, being

came from

;

•

school,

Mr. Sitler has built up a fine trade and
has contracted for many large buildings. He
married Cora A. Whitmire, daughter of Daniel B. and Mary (Roup) Whitmire, of Centre
township, on March 12, 1891, and they have
Hazel M., born Oct.
children as follows:
30, 1893; Harlan O., born May 2t,, 1898;
and Leona M., born Feb. 17, 1903. Mr. Sitindependent in

Curtis,

a member of the United Evangelical
Church, which he served as class leader for a
number of years was superintendent of the

year.

ler is

Camp

He was

school;

nent

Harrisburg, Pa.
Daniel B. Whitmire died April 9, 1909, and
is buried in the new Ebenezer graveyard in
Centre township. Politically he was a Democrat and served as school director nine years.

and became a prosperous farmer
died aged se\enHe married (first) Eva
ty-four years.
DanKocher. and they had twelve children
Nathan, Peter, George,
iel, William, Aaron,
Henry, Samuel, Lydia, Judah, Rebecca and
Mary. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Mowery, and they had two children. Charles and
of

Main township, where he

the latter dying in childhood.
Miller, who was born in Main
township, there grew to manhood and became
a farmer, owning 280 acres of land, formerly
part of the old John Hartman estate, which

Adam,

William

is now owned by his son Reuben J.
The death of this excellent man occurred in January. IQII. when he was aged

property
^ Filler.

eighty-four years, and he is buried in the
cemetery at Catawissa. William Miller married Elizabeth Shuman. a daughter of Jacob
Shuman. The only child of this marriage was

Reuben J.
Reuben

Miller.
J.

Miller has spent his

life

engaged

agricultural pursuits. Having remained
vith his father he inherited the estate, and
now has a fine 280-acre farm, about 120 acres
of which is woodland.
There he carries on

general farming. A Democrat, he has served
as road supervisor.
The Lutheran Church
holds his membershi]i. but he docs not take
an active part in anything outside his farm.
He has not married.

CHARLES KUNKEL.
war and

veteran of the Civil

a highly respected citizen of

Blooms-

COLUMCIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES
burg, Pa., was born in Roaringcreek township,
Columbia county, Aug. 15, 1844, son of Dan-

and Lydia Kunkel, and directly descended
from a famous German pioneer of the county.
The Kunkel family was founded in Pennsylvania by Georg Kunkel (the name is
spelled Kunckell and Kungel in old documents), a native of Germany, who located in
Berks county, Pa., prior to 1754. In Rupp's
"History of Berks County" his name aj^pears
in a list of taxables of 1756 as George KunckIn 1759, according to Montgomery's
ell.
"History of Berks County," his name is listed
as George Kungel, and in that year he paid
a tax of £6. At the Kunkel homestead in
Berks county is an old hall clock, bearing the
date of 1772, which was placed in the house
at the time it was built, and is the workmanOn
ship of George Miller of Germantown.
the brass face appear the letters "J. G. K."
It is supposed that Georg was given the name
Johann Georg at the time of his birth, but
later omitted the Johann in common usage.
Johann Georg Kunkel own-ed a large tract
of land where Nathan Kunkel now resides,
near Wessnersville, Berks county. This land
iel

Strausser,

born July

1163

buried near Pittsburg; Andrew,

1838, was killed in the battle
of /Vntietam; William married .'^arah Kling15,

Emma Williams; Charles
mentioned below Eli married Eliza Driesbach
Mary h^lizabeth, wife of William
Roup, is buried in Kansas; l-'diza is the wife
of \\'illiam Laura; Jerry married Melinda
Mowery Peter, John and Harriet died young
and are buried in Rosemont cemetery,
Mr. Kunkel was a Democrat
Bloomsburg.
in j)olitics, but never held an office.
Charles Kunkel attended the old schoolhouse in Roaringcreek township, and he well
remembers the slab benches and crude furFor
nishings of that primitive structure.
about three months of each year he went to
school, mostly in the wintertime, until he was
fourteen years of age. Then he confined his
waking hours to the toil of the home farm
until he attained the age of seventeen.
For
two years afterwards he went out to work
as a farm hand for \'astine Boone, and then
served an apprenticeship under Peter Jones
erman and (second)
is

;

at the trade of carpenter, working in I'loomsFor about a year thereafter he drove
burg.

has been in the family name since 1754. The
original tract, which has been subdivided, at
one time included all the upper end of Stony
Run. By his wife Katharina he had a large

family of sons and daughters, including
David, grandfather of Charles Kunkel. Johann Georg Kunkel died at an advanced age
and is buried at Wessnersville.
David Kunkel was born in Albany township, Berks county, June 8, 1769, and was a
farmer, inheriting part of the old homestead
from his father. He and his wife Maria Barbara had six children
Daniel, mentioned
below Rachel Rebecca Eliza
Catherine,

Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. George H.
Jones, First Lieut. E. B. Yordy, Second Lieut.
William E. Sterner. He was assigned to defense service at Roanoke Island, Morehead
City, Fortress Monroe, Baltimore and Harrisburg, and was mustered out at Newbern,

;

The paris unknown.
ents are buried in the cemetery at Wessnersville, Berks county, where so many of the

and one whose name

family lie.
Daniel Kunkel. father of Charles, was born
in Berks county July 3, 1809, and died Jan.
He attended the old-time "sub22, 1888.
scription schools" of the period and was apAfter
prenticed to the trade of blacksmith.
working at this trade until his fifty-tifth year
he bought a farm of twenty-five acres, most
of it woodland which he cleared, and cultiHe married Lydia
vated until his death.
Fahringer, a native of Lehigh county. Pa.,
born Dec. 25, 181 5. died Nov. 13, 1901. She
was a daughter of Amos Fahringer. Children
as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. DanSarah Ann, wife of Edward
iel Kunkel:

wagon

for

the

Aqueduct Mill of L. T.

Paxton.

The beginning of the Civil war caused him
Company B. 103d Pennsylvania

to enlist, in

C, June

Schofield.

25,

1865,

Returning

by Major General
Roaringcreek in July,

Mr. Kunkel was ill for three months from
the effects of the hardships he had suffered
In the following spring he
in the service.
came to Bloomsburg and went to work for

John Sterner

at carpentering.

1867, Mr. Kunkel was married
Bloomsburg to Mary Martha, daughter of
Peter and Sarah (Hawk) Trump, of Orange
township, Columbia county. She died Oct. 4,
1890, and is buried in beautiful Rosemont.
To this marriage were born the following
Minnie Elmerta, born Nov. 30,
children:
1869, who died Aug. 4, 1870, and is buried
in Rosemont; Clora, born Nov. 15, 1875; Lizzie May, born July 14. 1878, wife of A. R.
Frankhn
Titesworth, of Passaic. N. J.
Arthur, born Oct. 13, 1881, who married Hattie Frey, and is living in South Bethlehem,
Pa. and Lula Ann, born Oct. 3, 1884, wife of
A. H. Klase, of Danville.

Dec.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1164

After his marriage Mr. Kunkel continued
and for a short time ran
a private express car between Rupert and
work
Kingston. He has done much carpenter
for the William Neal & Sons furnaces, and
for the last thirteen years has taken care of
to follow his trade

the repair work at the Bloomsburg silk mills.
He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and

a Democrat in his political views, but very independent in action he has been a member of
the Bloomsburg town council.
Socially he is
connected with the Independent Order of
Americans and with Col. W. H. Ent Post, No.
G. A. R., of which latter he has been
;

250,

commander and

now

sergeant.

MARTIN LUTHER THOMAS,
known

citizen of

Berwick,

who

a well
has been iden-

with business interests there for a

tified

ber of years, was born May
Salem township, Luzerne Co.,

16,

Pa.,

num-

1879,

son of

George and Margaret (Bower) Thomas, and
grandson of Henry and Margaret (Rabert)
Thomas. His grandfather was a cabinetmaker and farmer of Salem township.
George Thomas was born in Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa., July 17, 1834, and
after his school period was over learned the
During his early mancarpenter's trade.
hood he carried on farming for his father
He was prominent in
in Salem township.
Democratic politics and served in every township ofifice, and was much respected in Salem
township. He gave liberally to the Lutheran
Church, of which he and wife were members.
She was a daughter of Thomas and Nancy
(Ernst)
Bower, of Nescopeck township.
Firman, who
They had children as follows
married May Swank William, who married
Nettie Bell and (second) Alice Parker, both
of whom were buried in Steuben county,
N. Y., and (third) Ada Wilcox; Charles E..
who married Lucy Crossley; John W\, who
married Millie Seeley
Jennie, who died
young; George W., who married Addie Westover Evan Tobias Benjamin, who married
Emma Stauffer and Martin Luther.
Martin Luther Thomas attended the Stone
Church school in Salem township and also,
during the winters, the Beach Haven school,
and later took a special scientific course ai
Susquehanna University at Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., Pa. During the summers, from the
time he was old enough to be of assistance, he
helped his father as a carjienter. until he
became a clerk in the department store of

house and came to Berwick, going to work
the American Car and
Foundry Company, under Foreman T. R.
Buck and Superintendent John Heavner. He
also was employed in the machine shop of the
tile

in the steel plant of

steel plant when J. R. Searles
tendent, and Fred Stephenson

was superinwas his fore-

Still later he worked in the engine
room of the steel plant and during the summer ran an automobile for C. R. Woodin,

man.

director of the company.

Step by step ]Mr.
in 1907 he was
placed in the coach department under Superintendent L. E. Hess, the general foreman
being Bruce Dietterick. There he continues,
and for the last four years has had charge
of the specialty department of the coach de-

Thomas was advanced, and

partment. In great industrial plants like this
each man advances through merit, hard work
accompanying every step of the way.

Mr. Thomas was married, May 18, 1904,
Sarah Caroline Andress. who was born Oct.
21, 1884, a daughter of Lewis and Margaret
(Hess) Andress, the former a powder maker
for the Du Pont Powder Company at W'apMrs. Thomas's grandfather,
wallopen. Pa.
Peter Andress, was a farmer in Conyngham
township, Luzerne county; his wife was a
Hoch.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have three
children: Luther, born Oct. 21. 1905: Kenneth, born July 29, 1907; and Lenore, born
Aug. II, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas belong
to the Zwingli German Reformed Church.
He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Berwick
Lodge, No. 246, and Berwick Encampment,
No. 131, of which he is a past chief patriarch.
In politics he thinks and votes independently.

;

M. Schain,

Berwick, at that time living
In igoo he left the mercanat Beach Haven.
J.

W. EARLE BROWN,

general farmer, a

well known and universally respected citizen
of Main township, Columbia county, was born
on the farm on which he resides, and which he
owns, Nov. 20, 1 881, son of N. II. W. and

Margaret (Mather) Brown.

The Browns originated in England, and the
of the name mentioned in the family
records was James Brown, who was born in

first

England in 1716. After emigrating he lived
on Long Island, N. Y.. and moved from

first

Warren county. New Jersey.
Daniel E'.rown. son of James, married Rachel
Brands.
David Brown, .son of Daniel, was bom in
New Jersey, Ajiril 2^, 1789. and died Feb. 19,

there to

He married Sally Lowery, in New Jerand they moved thence to Pennsylvania
and settled near Hetlerville. in Columbia
1868.

sey,

COLU.MBIA AND

MONTOUR COUNTIES

county.
Shortly afterwards David Brown
volunteered for service in the war of 1812
and at the close of hostilities received an honorable discharge. The rifle and powder horn
which he carried during the war are in the possession of his great-grandson,
W. Earle
Brown, as is also the family Bible.
Jacob Brown, son of David and Sally
Brown, was born Jan. 28, 18 12, and died June
II,

891.

married Katherine Hutchens,

who was born Aug. 28, 1811, and died Sept. 21,
1900.
Jacob Brown lived in Northumberland
county and later in Beaver,
townships, Columbia county.

Main and Mitiflin
He was a farmer

a man of some consquence in his neighborhood, serving as a justice of the peace, and
was instrumental in helping to establish the
common school system. He was connected
with the New School Lutheran Church at Mifflinville and contributed of his time and money
towards the erection of its house of worship.
N. H. W". Brown, son of Jacob and Katherine Brown, was born in Northumberland
county, near Milton, May 25, 1839, ^^^ ^^^^

and

at Mifflinville, in

1912.

He was

Columbia county, Nov.

28,

educated at Missionary Insti-

now Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa., in early manhood taught school in
tute,

Columbia county, and was also an insurance
agent, but during the greater part of his life
he was a farmer. On Sept. 4, 1866, he was
married to Margaret Mather, by Rev. David C.
John.

The Mathers originated also
were of the Quaker belief.

England and

account of

English persecution of their religious sect they
moved into Wales, and from there emigrated
William Mather, the
to Union county, Pa.
original settler in this country, married MarSamuel Mather, son of Wilgaret Paschel.
liam and Margaret Mather, married Sarah
Harper. William Mather, son of Samuel and
Sarah Mather, married Sarah Bovard and

moved from Union to Columbia
tling in Greenwood valley.

county, set-

Robert Mather, son of William and Sarah
Mather, was married to Phoebe Eves, and
their daughter, Margaret, married N. H. W.
Brown. She was educated in the Greenwood
Seminary at Millville and afterwards taught
school.

Four children were born to N. H. W. and
Margaret Brown, two of whom survive: J.
Walter, who is a resident of Dixon, 111. and
W. Earle, who owns the old homestead in
;

Main township.
W. Earle Brown

Bloomsburg State Normal School.

Prior to
he taught
school, in both Luzerne and Columbia counsettling

down

graduate

the

to agricultural

life,

On Oct. 5, 1911, Mr. Brown was united
marriage, by Rev. 11. H. Helms, with
P.lanche Prey, of Wilkes-Barre, in which
place
her father, a contractor of
Northampton
ties.

county, had settled. Mrs. Brown was educated
in the city schools and is a
graduate of the
high school, a member of the class of 1906.
She was much interested in the study of
chemistry and subsequently took a post graduate course in that branch.

ROBERT

M. SMITH, a resident of Berwick, Columbia county, where he is engaged in
contracting for house and sign painting, was
born at Cunningham, Pa., Aug. 11, 1844, son
John and Catherine (Best) Smith.
The records show that representatives of
both the Smith and Best families settled in
New Jersey over a century ago, the majority

of them becoming agriculturists.
Phineas Smith, grandfather of Robert M.
Smith, was born in New Jersey, where he was

extensively engaged in farming.
John Smith, son of Phineas Smith, and
father of Robert M. Smith, came to Cunningham, and like his father was a farmer. His

death occurred in 1910, when he was aged
eighty-three years, the year following the demise, of his wife, in 1909, aged eighty-one
She was a daughter of Michael Best,
years.
born in New Jersey, where he was a farmer
and school teacher. John Smith and his wife
had children as follows Robert M. Mary,
who became the wife of William Faust, of
Berwick Rosilla, deceased in infancy Alice,
who is the wife of Charles Mason, of Hazleton, Pa.
George, who is a resident of Berwick Evan, is a resident of Nescopeck, Pa.
William, who was accidentally killed Charles,
of Weatherly, Pa.
Lloyd, a resident of
Bloomsburg; and Delia, Mrs. Harvey Singley,
of Wilkes-Barre.
Robert M. Smith, son of John Smith, was
educated at Cunningham, Pa., and when still
a lad assisted his father with the farm work.
Until he was sixteen years old he remained on
the homestead, and then came to Berwick,
where in 1860 he began learning the painter's
trade with a Mr. \'an Houton. After completing his apprenticeship, he followed his trade
until the Civil war period, when he enlisted for
:

;

service in the

mustered
is

1165

Union army, being enrolled and

Troy, Pa., Feb. 26, 1864, for
three years, in Battery K, 3d Pennsylvania
in at

COLUMBIA AND

1166

Heavy

MOMOUR

He was stationed at Fortress
received his honorable discharge

Artillery.

Monroe.

Nov. 9, 1865, and returned to
Berwick, where he remained two years. At
the expiration of that period he went to
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he spent a quarter
of a century, in 1902 returning to his old home,
and he has built up a large business at Berwick as a house and sign painter.
In 1875 Robert M. Smith was married to
Seaneth Price, who was born Oct. 7, 1849, ^^
at Philadelphia,

Wilkes-Barre, Pa., a daughter of William and
Catherine (Grover) Price. William Price was
a shoemaker by trade and conducted a shoeat Wilkes-Barre until his
His wife died in that city aged eightyRobert M. Smith and his wife
four years.
have had children as follows Elisha H., born
Dec. 6, 1879, who resides at Berwick, married
Mae Mack, of that city, and they have one
child. Donald; Edith, born May 7, 1882, died
aged twenty-one years Nina, born July 2, 1884,
is the wife of John Bath, of Berwick, and has
four children, Clinton, Edith, Dorothy and
Doretta; Goldie, born Aug. 7, 1888, is the wife
of James Rhone, of Millville, Pa., and has two
children, Robert and Millie. Robert j\I. Smith

making business

death.

;

a past commander of Capt. C. G. Jackson
Post, No. 159, G. A. R., while Mrs. Smith belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps, of which
she is relief inside guard, and she is also
president of the Ladies' Aid Society of the
Presbyterian Church, to which she and Mr.
is

Smith belong.

HARMAN

MORDAN, a

retired carpen-

Mount

Pleasant township, Columbia
was born at Mordansville, Columbia
county, March 16, 1851, son of George Mordan. The town of Mordansville is named for
ter,

Co., Pa.,

this family.

Daniel

Mordan

lived

Mount

Pleasant

township, where he was a prosperous farmer
and substantial man. His death occurred in
the town named for his family, and his remains
were laid to rest in the Canby cemetery, in

Mount Pleasant township. Daniel Mordan
married a member of the Labor family, and
their children were: Peter, Daniel, John,
George and Peggie (who married Xoah
Drake).
George Mordan, son of Daniel, was born in
Mount Pleasant township and there developed
His death occurred in Greeninto a farmer.
wood township when he was seventy-seven
years old, and he is buried at the McHenry
Church in Orange township, all in Columbia

COUNTIES

county.
George Mordan married Mahalia
Kline, a daughter of Harman Kline, and they
had children as follows Thomas Hannan L. ;
:

;

who married Howard Oman; John;
Margaret, who married Orval A. Welsh William; Jane, who married Herbert Patterson;
Alary,

;

Daniel, and George.
Harman L. Mordan attended the local
schools, and early learned the carpenter's
trade, at which he worked from 1870 to 1900,
retiring in the latter year, content with his
success.
During his active period, he was
kept busy building barns and houses in the
rural regions. Mr. Mordan has invested quite
heavily in farm realty, owning a property of
ninety-eight acres in Mount Pleasant town-

and two eighty-acre farms in Orange
all in Columbia county.
Harman L. Giordan married Rosetta McMichael, a daughter of John and Sarah (Bomboy) McMichael. Two children were born of
this marriage: (i) Myron D., graduated from
the Bloomsburg State Normal, class of 1901.
and is now principal of the Orangeville
He married Delia A. Oman, daughschools.
ter of Jacob and Sarah (Osmun) Oman, and
ship,

township,

they reside in

Mount

Pleasant township. To
(2) Erma

them has been born Velma May.
E.

is at

home.

In politics Mr. Mordan is a Democrat, and
he has served as a school director of Mount
Pleasant township for three years. The famand are
ily all belong to the Methodist Church
Mr. Mordan has
interested in its good work.

accumulated his property through hard and
conscientious work, and he is justly numbered
among the reliable and representative men of
Columbia county.

WILLIAM

OLIVER, of Berwick, is a
as his successful
mechanic,
highly proficient
career in the rolling mills attests. Beginning
work with Jackson & \\'oodin while still a
schoolboy, during vacations, he continued in
the employ of that concern until it was supplanted by the American Car & Foundry Company, by whom he is now engaged as superintendent of the nut factory. Mr. Oliver was
born in Berwick Jan. 24, 1867, one block from
He is a son of Arthur
his present residence.
W. Oliver and grandson of Enoch and Hester
Oliver, who was born July 24. 1805, and
O.

They had six chil9, 1808, respectively.
dren, namely. James, who married Mary Dav-

June

enport

Emma,
phia)

;

(he is buried at Wilkes-Barre)
deceased (she is buried at PhiladelDelphine; Aaron, deceased (he is
;

COLUAiniA AND
buried at Pittston)

who married Mary

;

MONTOUR COUNTIES

Arthur W.; and Daniel,

The

Ebert.

father of this
family was a Democrat in political faith, lie
was of Scotch-Irish extraction.

Arthur W. Oliver was born Sept. lo, 1837,
Beach Haven, about three miles above Berwick. His education was obtained in the common schools. He was one of the first men employed when the rolling mill was started, beginning as watchman, and eventually becoming
at

stationary engineer at the Jackson & Woodin
In 1862 he went into the Union army
as a member of Company A, 74th Regiment,
plant.

Pennsylvania

and

Volunteers,

served

until

after the close of the war, being honorably
discharged Aug. 29, 1865, at Clarksburg, W.
Va. At that time he was acting as teamster.
He served under Capt. John W. Beishline.
Returning to Berwick he resumed work at the
rolling mill,

where he was employed

until his

death, which occurred Jan. 18, 1898, though
his health had been permanently affected by
He was
the hardships of his army service.
entitled to membership in the G. A. R., and

belonged to C. G. Jackson Post, No. 159, of
Berwick. He was a loyal Republican on political questions.
Mr. Oliver belonged to the I.
O. O. F. at Berwick, to the Berwick Beneficial
Association, and to the Methodist Episcopal
On March 31, 1866, he married
Church.

Lynn, daughter of Samuel and
Lynn, of Summerhill, Columbia
She was born March 2, 1843, and
county.
died Aug. 7, 1905, at the Scranton hospital.
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver are buried in Pine Grove
cemetery at Berwick. They had the followWilliam O. Charles R., born
ing children
Dec. 7, 1869, who married Elizabeth Manderberg, and resides at Pittston, Pa. Samuel L.,
born Oct. 7, 1871, who married Elizabeth
Sponenberg, and resides at Wilkes-Barre and
Harry R., born Aug. 19, 1875, who married
Elizabeth Webb and lives in Chicago, Illinois.
William O. Oliver passed his boyhood in
Berwick, moving from his birthplace to RollHe
ing Mill street and later to Vine street.
was educated at the Market street school. In
summertime he worked as call boy at the establishment of the Jackson & Woodin Manu-

Margaret
Caroline

;

facturing

Company.

When

thirteen years old

he began as saw boy in the rolling mill, under
Superintendent T. W. Sherwood, remaining
He then learned bolt
at that work two years.
heating, being employed at that work in the
smith shops, and later he was one of the bolt
operatives, heading bolts, working thus until
His superior was James G.
thirty years old.

1167

Hempstead, now vice jjresident and general
manager of the Continental Bolt & Iron
Works, at Chicago, who took a deep interest
in Mr. Oliver and made a
good mechanic of
him.
When Mr. Hempstead went to Joliet,
ill., he was succeeded by hVank Eaust.
When
he was thirty years old Mr. Oliver was
given
charge of the bolt department, having about

ninety men under his charge, and after thirteen years of successful work in that
position was made superintendent of the nut factory, on July 14, 1910, still serving in that
The department turns out nothing
capacity.
but hot pressed nuts.
His long retention at
work of such resi)onsible nature is sufficient
proof of his trustworthiness.

Mr. Oliver has been a good citizen of his
native place.
As an advocate of the principles of the Prohibition party, he has been active in opposing the .sale and
consumption of
intoxicants.
He belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal Church, in which he is a leading
worker, holding the office of steward and
member of the official board. He has membership in Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O.
S. of A., at Berwick.
On March 27, 1886, Mr. Oliver married

Annie E. Sherman, and they have one child,
Margaret Lynn, born Nov. 16, 1889, who is
married to F. M. Walton, born June 18, 1889,
son of H. E. Walton. The Oliver home is at
No. 310 East Second street.
Nathan Sherman, Mrs. Oliver's father, was
born Feb. 16, 1837, and her mother, Almeda
Ellen (Kishbaughj, was born Sept. 29, 1839.
They were from Sloyersville, Luzerne Co.,
Pa., where they were married ^lay 2, 1863.
Mr. Sherman owned the farm he cultivated
and later became a tamier at Sloyersville.
After his service in the Civil war, from 1863
to 1865, he resumed tanning.
When he removed to Berwick he entered the wheel foundry of the Jackson & Woodin Company, and
after the death of his wife, which occurred
Sept. 10, 1888, he was employed in turn at
Wilkes-Barre and
Smithtown
Allentown,
(North Berwick). Here he died in October,
1902, at the age of sixty-five years, and was
He belonged
Iniried in Pine Grove cemetery.
to the Grand Army of the Republic and lo the
Berwick Beneficial Association, was a member
of the United Evangelical Church, and voted
Mr. and Mrs.
with the Democratic party.
Sherman had a large family: Mary Margaret,
born Feb. 8, 1865, married James Davy, who
was killed in the mines at Nanticoke and left
two children, Annie E. and James her second
;

COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUXTIES

116S

husband was Samuel Stanaway. Annie E.,
born Feb. 3, 1867, married William O. Oliver.
Minerva Ellen was born x\pril 13, 1868. Rebecca Sabins, born Nov. 28, 1869, became the
wife of Milton Baker and mother of George,
Ralph, Cora, Thomas, Annie, Ethel, Freda and
Hulda Adosa, born Feb. 22, 1871, marOllie.
ried Daniel Hill and had a family of fourteen

whom died within a week, of
Clara Delia, born Jan. 30, 1872,

children, five of

diphtheria.

married David Arndt and had five children,
William, Arthur, Mary Bertha. Russell and

dollars per year, although this salary was considerably increased later on. Still he preached
from conviction and love of the service, and
did not look for earthly recompense.
The

death of this most excellent man occurred in
Butler valley, in Luzerne county, Pa.,
Jan.
20, 1876, and he was laid away in the cemeteryat Hazleton, that
county.
Rev. Mr. Young married Rebecca Nather on
Dec. 15, 1833. She was born Jan. 25,
1815, in
Codorus township, York Co., Pa., and died
July 10, 1894. Children as follows were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Young: Cyrus G. was born

Charles. Sarah Estella, born Jan. 30, 1872.
married Thomas Search, of Jamestown, and April 9, 1835 Angeline S., born Oct. 18, 1836,
has three children. Pearl, Ethel and Margaret. married Allen Auchenbach; Rosebella M.,
William G. W., born Aug. 3, 1875, died ^la.y born Dec. 27, 1840. died in childhood; Emeline
Cora M., born Aug. 21, 1844, married Frank Edgar;
20. 1877, and is buried at Nanticoke.
Martha A., born Dec. 16. 1848, married
born
married
Dec.
William
12,
May,
1878,
Charles
Kerbaugh Jeremiah Whitfield is menJones and had two children, Sarah and Martioned below; Laura F., bom Aug. 24,
she
died
and
is
buried
in
1855,
tha;
June 19, 1914,
Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick. James Irvin, married E. J. Drumn.
Jeremiah Whitfield Young, son of Jeremiah
born Oct. 22, 1882, married Lydia Sager and
M. Young, received a liberal public school eduresides in
;

;

Pittsburgh.

and spent the greater portion of his life
in mercantile establishments.
For
working
JEREMIAH W. YOUNG (deceased),
eight years he was with John Wanamaker of
of
was
born
at
New
formerly
Bloomsburg,
and was in the employ of other
Columbia, Union Co., Pa., Oct. 6, 185 1, son of Philadelphia,
Rev. Jeremiah M. Young and a grandson of representative firms until his removal to
Bloomsburg in September, 1906, where he
Henry Young.
passed
away Aug. 16, 191 1. His remains
in
was
born
whence
Henry Young
Germany,
he came to the United States, settling in Co- were interred there, in Rosemont cemetery.
On March 10, 1874, Mr. Young married
dorus township, York Co., Pa. His birth occurred Sept. 7, 1773, and he died March 9. Mary B. Jackson, and they had a daughter
who died in infancy. Mr. Young was a prom1827. His wife, who bore the maiden name of
inent member of the Blue Lodge. F. & A. M.,
was
born
Dec.
Mary Kimple,
29, 1786.
They
had children as follows: Jeremiah M. was in Bradford county. Pa. of Caldwell Consisborn April i, 1806; John A. was born Oct. 22, tory, and of Bloomsburg Commandery, K. T.
He also belonged to the Craftsman Club of
1807; Sarah S., born Nov. 2;^, 1810. died
Barnabas
S.
was
born
in
Bloomsburg.
unmarried;
August,
The Jackson family has been long estab1813; Aaron A. was born July 18, 1816;
Amelia C, born Aug. 31, 1820. married lished in Columbia county. Dr. Josiah JackJoseph Klinefelter; Mary M., born March 17, son, grandfather of Mrs. Mary B. (Jackson)
Young, was one of the prominent physicians
1823, married Benjamin F. Kohler.
Jeremiah M. Young, son of Henry Young, of his day, practicing for some time at Mauch
was born in Codorus township, York Co.. Pa., Chunk, and later going to Dushore, Sullivan
where he grew to maturity. He was engaged Co., Pa., where he died. He married Mary
as a teacher, and subsequently was a justice of Webb Abbott, and their children were: Elizathe peace in his district. Still later he became beth Thompson,
Mary Webb Lippincott,
a local preacher of the Methodist Church, and Emily Woodruff, Frances Gottlieber; Cieorge
was so eloquent and successful in his religious D., and Benjamin R.
work that he was made an evangelist, continuHon. George D. Jackson, son of Dr. Josiah
ing his labors in that capacity for twenty-eight Jackson, and father of Mrs. Young, was born
years. His work took him to different parts of at Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., April 16, 1827.
the State, and he became a well known char- After attaining to years of maturity he became
acter of his church and day. Although he was a member of the firm of J. Jackson & Son.
a powerful speaker and could sway his con- which conducted the leading mercantile estabFolgregations, he never looked for much remu- lishment at Dushore, Sullivan Co., Pa.
neration, his first charge yielding him only fifty lowing the demise of his father the firm becation,

;

COLUMBIA AXD MONTOUR COUNTIES
came Jackson Brothers, and Mr. Jackson continued to follow this line until his death which
occurred Nov. 2^, 1879. The coniniunity considered him one of its representative men. Not
only was he an excellent business man, but
he was a figiire of note in political attairs.
Early espousing the causes advocated by the
Republican party, he rose to local leadership
in its ranks, and as its candidate was elected to
represent his district in the State Senate, filling
that high office with distinction to himself and
beneficial results to his constituents.

Many important measures passed during his
incumbency of this office were either fathered
by him or received his hearty support.
In addition to his mercantile interests Mr.
Jackson owned valuable coal property in Sullivan county, from which his heirs are now
enjoying a comfortable income.
George D. Jackson married Bernice Woodruff, and they had the following children
Mary B. married J. W. Young, and resided at
Bloomsburg, Pa., until her death. Jan. 17,
1915 (she was buried in Rosemont cemetery)
George Corydon is deceased Alice Elizabeth
married Thomas Irving, and they reside in
Bloomsburg; Will W^oodruff, a resident of
:

;

Williamsport, Pa., promoter and coal operator,
B. Winifred is the wife of
P. P. Sturdevant, of Passaic. New Jersey.
It is interesting to note that on her mother's
side Mrs. Young was a direct descendant of
John and Priscilla Alden. whose romantic history has come down through succeeding generations and is celebrated in story.

married Ida Green

WALTER

;

HUGHES, who

in the real estate business at

was born
ship,

Sept.

18,

Luzerne Co.,

engaged

West Berwick,

1874. in Kingston town-

Pa., son of

They had the following children:
the wife of D. O. Coughlin. a
lawyer,
and they have had eight children, si.x surviving; Louisa died at the age of thirteen years;
Ella lived but three years; Eva married M. H.
Croop, a farmer in Briarcreek
and
years old.

Emma

township,
they have three sons; W. Frank, who is a
mining engineer with the Lehigh & WilkesBarre Coal Company, also a dealer in automobiles at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., married Blanche

He was Yaple,
Walter

a man of more than ordinary ability, and devoted his talents to the conscientious discharge
of what he believed to be his duty to the public.

Edward W. and

1169

and they have one

son,

Edward W.

;

A. completes the family.
Walter A. Hughes was reared from the
age
of four years on the farm he
yet owns and
oj)erates in Briarcreek township. Through his
untiring efforts in securing the charter for
Rose Lawn cemetery, dated July 6, 1909, Berwick added greatly to her corporate limits, the

property being now fifteen acres in extent,
and if occasion demands twenty more acres
can be added.
This beautiful cemetery site
is on Mr.
Hughes' land and he is secretary,
superintendent and general manager of the
cemetery company. He is a large handler of
real estate, mainly in Berwick and West Berwick, and during the last few years has done
much improving, having erected new houses
to the value of over fifteen thousand dollars.
In politics he is a Republican, and in all that
concerns the borough he is a very active and
reasonable citizen.
He is a member of the
For five years he was a
hospital board.
member of the first borough council, had been
for five years overseer of the poor, and pays
considerable attention to forwarding move-

ments for the improvement of the public
schools; on April i, 1914, he was appointed a
member, and was also elected president of the
school board of West Berwick.
In October,
1907. he was appointed to the office of justice
of the peace by Gov. Edwin S. Stewart, and
was elected to the office in the following year,
term expiring Jan.

Elizabeth (Norris) Hughes.

his

James Hughes, grandfather of Walter A.
Hughes, was a farmer in Luzerne county all
his life, and the old homestead farm became
the site of a flourishing borough of Luzerne.
Edward W. Hughes was born in Luzerne
county Feb. 5, 1831. and died July 3, 1907.
Farming was his business through life and he
was a man of sterling character, possessing
many of the admirable traits of his Welsh an-

April 19. 1899. ^^^- Hughes was married to Bessie Hagenbuch, a daughter of the
late Thomas A. Hagenbuch, a farmer of Scott
township, Columbia county. Mrs. Hughes has
three brothers
Elmer E., Rutter D. and
Frank.

cestry.

married Elizabeth Norris,

who

was born Oct. 2y, 1831, in Orange county, N.
Y., and came to Luzerne county at an early
day. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes came to Columbia
countv when their son Walter A. was four

1914.

Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have one son, William Thomas, who was born April 9, 1905.
They are members of the First Methodist
Episcopal Church of Berwick.

DANIEL
night

MARKLE.

superintendent

for eighteen years
the American Car

and Foundry Company's plant

Berwick,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1170

was born April i8, 1867, in Briarcreek township, son of Conrad William and grandson of
Jonathan Markle, all natives of the same township.

Jonathan Markle, grandfather of Daniel
had but ten acres of land to begin farming after his marriage, to Eva Adams, so he
R.,

a journey to Red Bank township, Armstrong county, in the hope of purchasing a
more desirable piece of property. The trip
proved disastrous for him, for soon after his
arrival there he was taken ill, death following
about sixty years. He
fast, owing to his age
was interred in the cemetery near the place of
To his marriage were born the
his death.
Moses Eli, who married
following children
Elizabeth Thomas, of New York; Abraham;
Conrad William; Catherine, widow of A.

made

—

;

who married a Mr. Grant and
a
Mr.
Hollacker; Elizabeth, wife of
(second)
A. Thomas, of Ithaca, N. Y. Julianne, who

Lynn;

Abigail,

;

married Jacob Yocum (both deceased) Hannah, married William Thomas, of West Virginia
Mary, who married Richard Turby
(both deceased) Charity, who married Richard Yocum (both deceased) and Levina, who
married a Mr. Savitts. Mrs. Markle died at
the age of ninety-eight.
She is buried in the
Summerhill cemetery.
;

;

Conrad W. Markle was the youngest child,
months before his
birth.
The family was large and his mother
had little to depend on for support, so when
a boy of nine years he was bound out to Peter
Wenner, a farmer, until his twenty-first birthhis father having died six

day.

course the schooling he obtained

was

limited through the necessity for laboring
on the farm, and when he reached his ma-

had only his strong arms and dauntcourage to support him through life. He

jority he
less

to save a small sum of money, and
with this he bought an acre of land and
started to make a home for his already growUntil his son Daniel was four
ing family.
years old he labored at day's work for his
neighbors at Summerhill, and by that time had
accumulated sufificient to buy a parcel of land
along the Susquehanna, one mile below BerIn comparison
wick, measuring five acres.
with the large farms of the times this tiny
tract was considered too small to su])port
even one person, yet by intensive trucking

managed

and the help of the growing children the family managed to make a living and jnit by a
little for the future.
For forty-two years the
father lived on the little farm, each morning
leaving at daylight to walk the track of the

Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad,
through cold and heat, rain and sunshine, caring for the safety of the passengers and earning a living for the family.
Finally, at the
Markle
of
Mr.
and he
retired,
seventy,
age
lived fourteen years afterwards, dying in 1908.
His wife, born in 1828, died at the age of
Both are buried in the Sumseventy-nine.
merhill cemetery.
Mr. Markle served nine months in the
army during the Civil war, and was connected with the G. A. R. of Berwick.
He
was a Democrat and a strict member of the

Methodist Church

Summerhill.

ried Svisan D.. daughter of William
Staley, and their children were:

He marand Sarah
Moses A.

Delia Boone and (second) Clara
Harpster; Charles D., deceased, went to Kansas City, Mo.
Sylvester married Elizabeth
Boyer, of Danville, and (second) a Miss Taylor
William A. died in infancy Frederick
M. lives in Kansas City. Mo. Daniel R. is

married

;

mentioned below; Minor D. married ^Margaret
Stevenson (deceased) and (second) Anna
Nuss; David A. is living in Berwick, Columbia county; Ella died in infancy; Susan Mary
is the wife of David Marlz.
Daniel R. Markle attended the country
schools of Briarcreek township and worked
on the farm up to the age of seventeen, after
which he clerked in the store of W. J. Mansfield, at Bennett, Luzerne county, for seven
months. He then went to Kansas City to work
for his brother, C. D. Markle, acting as bookkeeper in his coal ofiice for eight months.
Returning, he entered the machine shop of
the Jackson & Woodin Company, at Berwick.
He then bought out a bakery and carried on
the business for two years, after which he
sold out to William and John \\'itheridge and
returned to the Jackson & Woodin Company.
Here he was in charge of the rumblers and
worked also in the chipping deparlmcnt. He
next bought a home in West Berwick and
started to work in the rolling mill, passing
steadily from fireman to fagot boss and then

he holds

to night superintendent, the position
at present.

In 1887 Mr. Markle married Ellen, daugh-

Sarah Sponenberger, and
Edith
May, born Sept. 8, 1889, married Roscoe
Brader, who was electrocuted in the Standard Steel Works, at P>urnham, and (second)
Marvin Martin, a foreman in the J. G. P>rill
Car Works, Philadelphia; Grant Raymond,
ter of

Philip and

they have had the following children

bom

Dec.

1895. died Feb. 12, 1901

;

Pauline

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

LrM^"?/
^'^^^'/
Ahce^'a^^^'
1902, Martha ^uAug. 27,
Mr. Markle
a

Democrat

member

^P"^

_i9o6.
in pohtics

Baptist

Church, having held

and

number of

offices in the organization.

Ellen Sponenbergcr (Mrs.
^Larkle) was
born March 10, 1873, in Briarcreek
township,
received her early schooling in the Knob
schoolhousc, and remained at home until her

She was formerly a member of
marriage.
the Methodist Church, but later united with
the Baptists.
Mrs. Markle is of German descent on both sides of her family, and is one
of the eleven children of Philip
Sponenbergcr,
a prominent farmer of Briarcreek
township,
near Berwick.

MARK

E. RITTENHOUSE. a farmer
and truck grower of Briarcreek township,
Columbia county, was born in that township
June 8, 1856, son of Enoch and Catherine

(Kitchen) Rittenhouse.
The first of the Rittenhouse

family

^^''"'''^'"

Rittenhousc, the great-grandfather
Ritlcnhouse. emigrate?! to Ai
ica with his bruiher Nicholas and sister Ehzof

of the Berwick Relief Association,
He IS connected with Lodge No. 246, I. O.
U. t., ot J.erwick, and with the
encampment
of that order. He is an active member of the

1171

Mark

I-:.

abcth, and settled in Columbia county
Nicholas settled in Germantown, Pa., while Elizabcth passed awav soon after coming to this

country.

Henry Rittenhouse, son of William Rittenhouse, and grandfather of ]\Lirk E. Rittenhouse, was born in Briarcreek townsjiip, Columbia Co., Pa., Sept. 7, 1792, and died April
2, 1878; he was buried at Berwick, Pa.
He
was educated in the jiublic schools of his
home locality, receiving such advantages as
could be obtained during the short winter
terms, and in the meantime assisting his
father with the work of the homestead.
He
was reared to agricultural pursuits, in which
he engaged on his own account on attaining

manhood, and became the owner of 240 acres
of land, which comprised nearly all of what
is now Briarcreek settlement, the old homestead farm being now occupied by Milton
Crooks.

married Rachel Hutton, daugh-

James and Hannah (Lee) Hutton, the
latter the daughter of Anthony and Mary
Lee. Anthony Lee was born near Mansfield,
Nottinghamshire,
England, and came to
ter of

America came to this country in 1732 and it
is an old and honored
family of Pennsyl- Pennsylvania in his twenty-second year, soon
vania.
A number of its members have be- after becoming a member of the Society of
come distinguished in various lines of en- Friends. He died in Oley township. Berks
deavor, prominent among whom may be men- Co., Pa., Dec. 12, 1763, in his eighty-fifth
tioned David Rittenhouse, the great American year.
Mary, his wife, died Feb. 8. 1764, in
The children of
astronomer, who was a second cousin of the her seventy-first year.
grandmother of Mark E. Rittenhouse. He Anthony and Mary Lee were as follows:
was born near Philadelphia, Pa., April 8, Thomas, born May 31, 1715, died ]\Iarch 15,
He worked 1791, married in 1736 Eleanor, daughter of
1732. and died April 26, 1796.
on his father's farm up to the age of nine- Thomas and Jane (Hughes) Ellis; Sarah,
teen years, wdien he became a clockmaker, born Aug. 29, 1717, died Dec. 22, 1754, marthus drifting into the making of mathematical ried Henry Willets
John, born Nov. 21,
instruments.
It is said that when he had his
died
10,
Aug.
1719.
1803, married Jane
first sight of the heavens
through a telescope Hughes and (second) Ann Edwards; Samhe fainted. In 1770 he completed, from an uel, born April 7, 1722, died March 10, 1802,
improved model devised by himself, an or- married ^Margaret Hughes Mary, born Sept.
rery, a planetary machine to illustrate and
13. 1724, died April 15, 1793, married John
explain the motions of the heavenly bodies. Wiley and (second) Owen Hughes; Hannah,
He was elected a member of the American born Jan. 19. 1727, died Aug. 25, 1818, marPhilosophical Society in 1768 and in 1769 ried James Hutton; Esther was born June
;

;

made an

observation of the transit of Venus.
treasurer of Pennsylvania from 1777
to 1789, was professor of astronomy in the
University of Pennsylvania from 1779 to
1782, director of the L^nited States Mint at

He was

Philadelphia from 1792 to 1795, was elected
a fellow of the Royal Society of London in
1796, and was president of the American
Philosophical Society from 1790 until his
death.

Mordecai, born Oct. 16, 1733, died
181 2, married Deborah Starr and
(second) Mary Reed.
The children born to Henry and Rachel
(Hutton) Rittenhouse were as follows: Ann
and Enoch, deceased; Mar}% who married
John Rittenhouse. of Canada, both deceased;
Sarah, who married William Heddings, both
deceased; William, who married Eliza Varner, both deceased; Nehemiah, who married
26, 1730;

Sept.

18,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1172

Minerva Dietrich, both deceased Uzila, who
John Maustellor, both deceased
Hannah, who married Wesley Freas, both de;

married

;

ceased; Morris, who married Effie Britton,
deceased
EHzabeth, deceased, who married
a Mr. Kline, of Michigan and Margaret, deThe parceased, who married a Mr. Hull.
ents were buried in Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick, Pa., the mother having passed away
Aug. 17, 1872, at the age of seventy-nine
;

;

years. They were Quakers in religious faith,
and the father was a Republican in his political

views.

Enoch Rittenhouse, son of Henry Rittenhouse, and father of Mark E. Rittenhouse,
was bom in Briarcreek township, Columbia
Co., Pa., Nov. 7, 1820, and died Sept. i, 1901,
aged eighty years, nine months, twenty-four
He was educated in the schools of
days.
Briarcreek township, and proved an earnest
and attentive scholar, making the most of his
opportunities and storing a wealth of knowledge in his mind. He was brought up on the
homestead and worked for his father until
his marriage, following which he operated one
of his properties for several years and then
rented the Bowman farm, a tract of 150
He
acres, where his son Mark was born.

farm for one year and then, in
partnership with Henry Britton, bought the
farm of eighty-eight acres known as the
Hughes estate, but not long thereafter sold
his interest to his partner and rented the Rev.
W. T. D. Clem farm. After spending fourteen years on this land, at the time of his
father's death he returned to the homestead
for one year, and then moved to the farm
now occupied by his son Mark E., and remained there until his death. This property
originally contained fifty-four acres, and was
owned by Peter W'enner and Neddie Stall.
Enoch Rittenhouse married Catherine Kitchen,
of Greenwood township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
who died Feb. 13, 1906, aged eighty-four
Their
years, two months, twenty- four days.
children were Alem, who married Xormanda
lived on this

Kromer. and lives on the old homestead;
Samantha J., who married Clem Marteeny,
of Berwick, Pa.; and Mark E.
Mr. Rittenhouse was a Republican, and served fifteen
years in the capacity of overseer of the poor.
He was a Methodist in religious belief, as was
his wife, and both are buried in Pine Grove
cemetery, at Berwick.
Mark E. Rittenhouse received his education in the schools of Briarcreek
township,
where he secured a liberal education during
the winter terms while
assisting his father

on the home farm during the remainder of
the year.
At the time of his marriage he
removed with his father to the Stall farm,
where he resided for fifteen years, and then
came to the farm which he now owns.
Mr. Rittenhouse was married to Mrs. Sarah
(Hockman Christian, and to this union have
been born three children: Laura Samantha,
who married William Yohe and lives in West
Berwick, has two children, George, and Boyd
)

Alem;

Emma

Catherine lives at home; Isa-

who married William Fischer, of West
Berwick, has one child, Mark R. Mr. Ritten-

dora,

house has recently disposed of a part of his
land, and is now engaged in farming and

He is intrucking a tract of eleven acres.
dustrious, enterprising and modern in his
methods, and has won material success and
He is a Republican, but not a poliposition.
although always ready to give his supHis fraport to good men and measures.
ternal connection is with the Order of the
Owls, and his religious association with the
First Methodist Church of Berwick.
During
his long residence in Briarcreek township he
has formed a wide acquaintance, in which he
tician,

numbers many warm personal friends.
Mrs. Sarah Rittenhouse was bom at Reading, Pa.. March 3, 1858, was educated in the
schools of Berwick, Pa., and remained at

home

until the time of her first marriage,
One child
1879, to Dr. T. H. Christian.
was born to this union, Harry O. Christian,
who married Ella Sponnenberg and lives in
in

Briarcreek township.
Henr}^ Hockman, the grandfather of Mrs.
Rittenhouse, died in Northumberland, Northumberland Co.. Pa., about 1840. and was
buried there. He was married to .Mrs. Catherine (Mull) Diehl, the widow of Jacob
Diehl.
She came from Shoemakersville. Pa.,
and four children were born to this union
:

John, deceased; Mary, deceased: Henry M.;
and a child who died in infancy. Mrs. Hock-

man was

laid to rest in the

Aulenbach ceme-

tery, at

Reading, Pennsylvania.
Henr>' M. Hockman, son of Henry Hockman, and father of Mrs. Rittenhouse. was
born in Pottsville, Pa.. April 8. 1838, and is
now a resident of Centre township, Columbia
county. As a lad he accompanied his parents
to Northumberland county, and after his
father's death went with his mother to Reading,

where he attended

school.

Subsequently

trade of cigarmaker and later
went to Philadelphia, where he devoted himself assiduously to learning the machinist's
trade, at which he worked for some time in

he learned

tiio

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
He remained
the shipyard of James House.
in Philadelphia some three or four years, and
then went to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he
opened a tobacco store and manufactured
where he
cigars, in 1862 moving to Berwick,
continued in the same line of business until
in
the
.Subsequently he embarked
1873.
follow
to
he
continued
which
bakery business,
until his retirement in 19 12.
Miller,
riage was to

Emma

His

first

mar-

was born
April 13, 1840, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (kirling) Miller, and two children were
w4io

born to this union: Sarah, Mrs. Rittenhouse
and Laura, who became the wife of ^I. G.
Smith, of Berwick. Mrs. Hockman died in
1886, at the age of forty-six years, and Mr.
Hockman was married (second) to Mrs. Susanna (Lee) Ent, wadow of Robert Ent, and
is a
daughter of Charles Lee. Mr. Hockman
been
has
and
in
his
views,
political
Republican
honored by his fellow citizens with election
;

to various

those of
public offices, including

councilman of Berwick, in which he served
one year, and constable, in which he acted for
With his family he ata number of terms.
tends the Methodist Church at Berwick, of
which he is a consistent member he has been
;

a class leader and a teacher in the Sunday
He is widely known and highly esschool.
teemed all over this section of Columbia
in Scott
county, now residing at Light Street,

township.
Mr. Rittenhouse has in his possession a
number of cakes that were baked twentythree years ago, when his father, Enoch Rittenhouse, celebrated his golden wedding annibaked in pans that
versary. These cakes were
had been used when the parents were marsame pans
ried, fifty years before, and these
home.
Rittenhouse's
I\Ir.
in
in
service
still
are

ISAL\H T- HESS and his son, Bruce A.
as unHess, are in 'business at West Berwick
descendare
embalmers.
and
They
dertakers
ants of an old German family, whose founders
came to America in the first days of the settlement and founding of Columbia county.
Frederick Hess and his wife, Elizabeth
Pa., to Co(Fleury), came from Easton,
181
in
2,
locating just above
lumbia county
the canal lock at Lime Ridge. Here he bought
acres of land, cleared it and built a home.
followed the trade of stonemason, ran
the Stonytown ferry, and cultivated the farm.
His children were: Henry; Susan, wife of
Samuel Hagenbuch; Rebecca, wife of David
Coleman; and Elizabeth, wife of Charles
Mr. Hess died in 1820, his
fifty

Hagenbuch.

widow

in 1847.

Both are buried

1173
in the

Hidlay

cemetery.

Henry Hess, father of Isaiah J., was born
Dec. 12, 1808, near Easton, Pa. He was a
small child when his father came to Columbia county, and being but twelve years old at
the time of his father's death was taken by
his second cousin, John Hess, of WapwalThere he worked on
lopen, Luzerne county.
He then
the farm until his nineteenth year.
came to Centre township to learn wagonmaking with ]\lichael Hagenbuch. After three
years he went to Lime Ridge, as locktender
on the Pennsylvania canal, holding that position for ten years and sometimes tending his
farm. On March 25, 1832, he married Maria,
daughter of Peter and Sevilla Hayman, natives of Berks county, and they had nine chilThe
dren, two of whom died in childhood.
others were: Sevilla, wife of Dan Mourer,
of Afton; Levina, wife of Wesley Hess;
Joseph A., who married Levina Coleman;
William Henry, who married Sevilla Hayman Isaiah Jacob, mentioned below and
Mr. Hess in
James Harvey, of Berwick.
later life bought a farm of ninety acres near
Lime Ridge, the deed of which, written on
;

;

the
sheepskin, is still in the possession of
family, and there he spent his declining years.
He was a member of the Reformed Church
and had held several positions in the township government.
Isaiah J. Hess

was born May 25, 1848, in
Centre township, and worked on the farm
up to the age of fifteen. He then began the
his
carpenter's trade, and after completing

on his own
apprenticeship began to contract
Lime
account, building a number of houses in
in the undertaking
also
He
engaged
Ridge.
business, being now the oldest person in that
line in the county, having followed it for
In 1903 he moved to Berthirty-five years.
wick and formed a partnership with his son,
Bruce A., under the firm name of I. J. Hess
& Son, who have one of the best establishments in their part of the county. Mr. Hess
of Clark's School of Embalmis a
graduate

ing oi Philadelphia.
In 1875 Mr. Hess married Alice, daughter
of Eleazar Hess, a native of Centre towndied Feb. 28, 1897, aged fortyship, and she
To them were born children as
eight years.
follows: Bessie,

Berwick;

wife of Charles Hartman,
A., mentioned below;

Bruce

M., wife of Harvey Stewart, of West
Berwick; and Dea W., clerk in a hardware
charstore in Rochester, N. Y. Mr. Hess is a

Mary

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1174

member of Washington Camp No. 397,
P. O. S. of A., of Lime Ridge, and was a
charter member of Washington Camp No. 45,
at Shenandoah, Pa., prior to moving to Lime
ter

Ridge.

Bruce A. Hess was born Dec. 21, 1881, at
Lime Ridge, Pa., and attended the pubhc
schools, after his school days taking up the
After a
carpenter's trade with his father.
number of years' service at the contracting
and carpentry business he moved to West
Berwick with his father, and they formed a

Bruce
the undertaking line.
partnership
A. Hess is a graduate of Clark's School of
Embalming and of the Eckels & Genung
in

school, both of Philadelphia.
Socially he is
a member of Berwick Lodge No. 246, I. O.

In 1903 Mr. Hess married Mary Remley,
born May 29, 1882, daughter of Levi A. and
Mary Remley, natives of Orangeville. Airs.
Hess died Feb. 20, 191 1, the mother of three
children, Margaret A., Geraldine E. and

Helen Elizabeth.

On Dec. 21, 1912, Bruce A. Hess married
(second) Pearl Alvaretta Bower, born Aug.
township,
30, 1883, in Fowlerville, Centre
daughter of H. F. and Ida (Mausteller)
Bower, and they have one child, Nola Jane,
born Dec. 31, 1913.
H. F. Bower, born Aug. 25, 1844. is a
farmer in Centre township. His wife, Ida
(Mausteller), was born June 9, i860, and they
'siYl 'MI^H

:u9apiiiiD §uia\o[ioj aqi

B. A. Hess; Samuel E.,

pBq aAcq

who married Mar-

garite Williams; Bessie, Mrs. E.

M. Kocher;

Blanche, Mrs. D. E. Sharretts; Pearl; Esther;
and Florence. In his political opinions Mr.
Bower is a Democrat. He and his wife are
members of Grace Lutheran Church of West

Berwick.

Samuel E. Bower, grandfather of Mrs.
Bruce A. Hess, was born in Berwick in 1813,
and died aged eighty-three years. He was a
farmer. He married Mary Blank, who died
aged seventy years, and they had the following children H. F. Ellis Sarah, who mar:

;

ried Calvin Herring, deceased

;

Elizabeth,

who

married Edward Wagner, deceased and two
children who died young. The father was a
Democrat, and both parents were members
of the German Lutheran Church.
They are
buried at Fowlerville, in Centre township.

descendant of one of the oldest German famHe has been living retired
ilies of the county.
for thirty years, but he has large interests in
Florida orange groves and spends much of
his time in that State.

David Heller, his great-grandfather, was a
tanner by trade and came from Germany
about 1770, settling below Mauch Chunk, Pa.,
where carried on farming
left five children

until his death.

Mike, Reuben, David, Paul

and John.
Paul Heller, grandfather of Samuel K., was
a native of Lehighton, Carbon Co., Pa., where
he married Catherine Sterner, of German anTheir children were
David John
cestry.
Henry; and George \\'., mentioned below.
George W. Heller was born Dec. 13, 1829,
:

;

Sugarloaf, Luzerne county, and educated
common schools of South Easton. He

in the

first worked as boatman on the Pennsylvania
canal and then entered a cotton factory at
In 1849 he moved to Espy
South Easton.
and went to work with his uncle in a boatyard. After 1865 he worked at the trade of
boatbuilder in Wilkes-Barre, Honesdale and
Leonard\ille, Pa., and in New York State.
Upon his return to Berwick he was employed
in the finishing department of the American

Car and Foundry Company, under William
Faust.

Sept. I, 1864, Mr. Heller enlisted in
E. 209th Pennsylvania \'oluiUeers,
under Capt. .\. C. Mensch and Colonel Kauffman, at Harrisburg, for I'ermuda Hundred,
and was attached to the provisional
\'a..
brigade. Army of the James. He was at the
siege of Petersl)urg, at Richmond, and in the
battles of W'eldon Railroad, Danbury Mill,
Hatcher's Run, I'ort Stedman. fall of Peters-

Company

burg, Ottumwa and Alexandria, \'a. He took
part in the grand review at Washington, May
2T,, 1865, and was mustered out on the 31st
of that month at Alexandria.
He is now a
member of C. G. lackson Post, No. 159, G.
A. R., of Berwick."
In 1852 Air. Heller married Clara Mack, a
native of New Jersey, and they had the folchildren
Henry.
lowing
John,
George,
Molly and Lydia, all of whom died young;
:

Samuel K., mentioned below; .Karon, who
married Dora Burger and James, who married
AFr. Heller is a Republican,
Jane Renville.
and leans towards the Methodist Church.
Samuel K. Heller acquired most of his education in the schools of Lime Ridge, and
SAMUEL K. HELLER, a retired business learned the trade of ])nrl>cr. For a time he
man of Berwick, Pa., was born Aug. 28, 1853, worked at Lime Ridge and then came to Berat Lime Ridge, Columbia county, and is a wick, where he followed his trade for some
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
years, eventually turning to the restaurant
He retired from business in 1894
business.
and since has been interested in orange groves.
Politically he is a Republican, socially a member of Bloomsburg Lodge, No. 436, B. P.
O. E., and Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O.
Mr. Heller married
S. of A., of Berwick.
Jennie, daughter of William and Clarinda
Evans, of Evansville, and they have children
as follows:
Clarence, born Aug. 28, 1876,
who married \'ernice Hosier; Frank, born
Feb. 21, 1878; Martha, born July 13, 1888,

who married Walter Rake and
Samuel; and ^lary, born Jan.

WILLIAM

has one child,

13, 1895.

DAVIS, farmer

of Briar-

creek township, Columbia Co., Pa., was born
May 14, 1864, near Jersey Shore, Lycoming
Co., Pa., son of William T. and Adeline (Edwards) Davis.
Morgan Davis, the grandfather of William T. Davis, was born in Wales, and after

emigrating to the United States worked in
a number of mines in Dauphin county. Pa.,
wdiere his death occurred.
William T. Davis, son of Morgan Davis,
and father of William T. Davis, was born in
Dauphin county. Pa., was there educated in
the public schools, and as a youth divided
his time between the mines and lumber woods.
He was married Feb. 3, 1861, to Adeline Ed-

wards, daughter of John and

Mary (Smith)
Edwards, and they became the parents of
two children: Emmeline, born Dec. 19, 1861,
who died at the age of eleven years and
William T. During the Civil war, the father
enlisted for service in the Union army, join;

ing a regiment recruited in Mifflin township,
Lycoming county, and was stricken with typhoid fever, later dying in a hospital at Washington, D. C, when only twenty-three years
of age. His widow subsequently married T.
H. B. Davis, formerly a resident of Briarcreek township, W'ho is also deceased.
William T. Davis, son of William T. Davis,
was given ordinary educational advantages
in the public schools, and during his youth
lived with his grandfather until his mother's
second marriage, when he accompanied the
There he
family to Briarcreek township.

farm of George Miller for
four years, following which he was employed
in the sawmill of Headley Suit, where, at
different intervals, he has continued to work
He is now the owner
until the present time.

worked on

the

of a finely cultivated tract of thirteen acres,
where he carries on general and truck farm-

1175

ing, and is acknowledged, by reason of the
results he has obtained, to be one of the successful agriculturists of his
locality.

Mr. Davis wa^ married
daughter of Samuel S. and
Sarah (Rheinard) Sitler, and to this union
were born the following children Jennie, who
married Elias Weaver, of North Berwick,
Pa. Samuel, at home Edward, who married
Amanda Yohe, of Briarcreek township; Adeline, who married Oliver Lechlightner, of West
Berwick; Robert, married to Gertrude Curtis
Sept. 8, 1885,

to Delia

Sitler,

;

and living in Briarcreek township;
l^lph,
William, Alverna and Flerbcrt, all at home;
and Mattie Florence, Frederick and Bertram,
who are deceased. Mr. Davis is a Democrat
in politics, and in his
religious views inclines
towards the Evangelical Church.

Samuel Sitler, the grandfather of Mrs.
Davis, was a son of Simon Sitler, and a direct
descendant of Michael von Sitler, who, on
to America from Germany, leased land
for one hundred years in Maryland, this
property being at the present time the site of the
Samuel Sitler was bom
city of Baltimore.

coming

Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa., in
1799, and died in 1863. He received his education in the schools of his day and locality,
and when a young man removed to Briarcreek
in

township, settling on the upper road at the
foot of Knob Mountain. There he purchased
a tract of sixty-four acres, and after clearing
this property added a like acreage to it, and
became one of the substantial men of his
community. He married Elizabeth Shaffer,
daughter of Henr>' Shaff'er, and they were
the parents of the following children: Samuel
S.

;

Levi,

who married Hannah Bower Mary
;

Ann, who married George Miller; Fannie,

who married Henry \'ought; William, who
married Margaret W^itmire; Nathan, who
married Miranda \'arner; and David, who
died young. Mr. and Mrs. Sitler were members of the Lutheran Church, and were buried
graveyard at Briar Creek.
Democrat.

in the

He was

Samuel S. Sitler, son of Samuel Sitler,
and father of Mrs. Davis, was born in Briarcreek townshij), Columbia Co., Pa., and here
spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits
at the blacksmith's trade. An industrious, energetic man. he won success through
the medium of his own enterprise and honest

and work

and everywhere was honored and
for what he was, a zealous and
As a Democrat, he
public-spirited citizen.
was elected to the township board of superdealing,

esteemed

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1176

and there displayed considerable ex-

visors,

died at the age of seventythe faith of the Evangelical
Church, which he had attended for a long

ecutive ability.
two years, in

Mr. Sitler married
Summerhill.
Sarah Rheinard, daughter of Levi and Ellen
(Bower) Rheinard, and to this union were
One died in
born the following children

period at

infancy; WilHam died when three years old;
Delia became the wife of WilHam T. Davis;
Charles, who married Nora Michael, no\y
resides at Berwick; Thomas, a farmer of

Briarcreek township, married Annie Smith,
who is deceased Webster was next in the
family; Mattie became the wife of John
;

Weaver, of North Berwick; Hulda married
Albert Taylor, of North Berwick

Orville, also
a resident of that locality, married Pearl Hart-

man

;

Berwick.
Mrs. Davis was born May 9, 1867, in
Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa. She
;

lives in

Raymond

received

educational

liberal

training in the
to habits of

and was reared

public schools,

Her

early training has
assisted her greatly in helping her husband to
succeed. Like him she is very popular among
those
with whom she has fraternized, and
there are few in the locality of the Davis

industry and

thrift.

home who have

a greater

and appreciative

friends.

number

of sincere

MILTON H. CROOP, a leading farmer of
Briarcreek township, was born Oct. 12, 1861,
in Newport township, Luzerne county, one of
a family of six children.
Henry Croop, father of Milton H., was
born Nov.

1814,

and

lived

Luzerne

for forty years, and then came to
Columbia county, where he farmed until his
death, March 14, 1889. ^^is parents were of
German descent. His wife, Elizabeth, bom
Nov. 14, 1818, daughter of Henry Rasley,
died March 12, 1889, the mother of these
children
Harriet, born in Newport town-

county

ship, April 30, 1845,

now

lives in Briarcreek,

married Wesley Schaffer, a farmer, and they
have four children, Elmer, Mary, Alice and
Charles; Priscilla, born Nov. 24, 1848, married Thomas C. Kocher, of West Berwick,
and died in June, 191 1, leaving six children;
Anna, born Dec. 12. 1850, married George
Kelchner, a postal clerk, and lives in Scott
township; Franklin, born June 25, 1855, a
blacksmith, married Loretta Grimes and died
in 1908. leaving a

widow, who

vester

Bomboy,

lives in

Blooms-

1858, wife of Syla veterinary surgeon, is living

burg; Mary, born Jan.

Salem township, Luzerne county, and has
Milton H. is mentioned below.
Henry Croop and his wife are buried
at the Brick Church in Briarcreek township.
Milton H. Croop was educated in the country
schools and became a farmer at an early age.
'He has resided on his present farm, which
he purchased from his father-in-law, for the
last twenty years.
It has an area of 100 acres
and is in a good state of cultivation. On
April 2, 1890, Mr. Croop married Eva, daughter of Edwajd Hughes, and they have had
these children: Roy, born April 28, 1891, living at home; Walter, born Sept. 13, 1898;
and Frank, born Nov. 29, 1894. Air. and
]\Irs. Croop attend Grace Lutheran Church,
of West Berwick, in which she has been parin

one son, Harold

;

ticularly active, being a

member

of the La-

Society, of the Home and Foreign
Missionary Society, and president of the
Adult Organized Bible class. Mr. Croop is
a Democrat in politics, and served three terms
dies'

Aid

as school director in Briarcreek township.
Edward Hughes, the father of Mrs. Croop,
was a son of James Hughes, who came from
the eastern part of Pennsylvania and settled

Kingston township, Luzerne county. He
a millwright, and followed that business
He owned a farm, which was
all his life.
richly underlaid with coal, and he died wealthy.
By his marriage to Hannah Sweatland he had
the following children
James, Mary, Anne,
Charles, Edward and Margaret.
Originally
a \\ hig, Mr. Hughes later became a Republican.
In religion he was first a Quaker, but
in

was

later

became

member

of the Presbyterian

and his wife are buried in the
Forty Fort cemetery in Luzerne county.
Joseph Sweatland, an ancestor of Mrs. Croop,
Church.

participated

the

which he was killed.
on the monument

Wyoming

Massacre, in
His name is inscribed
at
Wyoming. Luzerne

county.

Edward Hughes, father of Mrs. Croop, born
Feb. 14, 183 1, died July 3, 1907. He was a
prominent farmer of Briarcreek township. His
wife, Elizabeth (Norris), who was born Oct.
18, 1831, daughter of Joseph and Catherine
(Morgan) Norris, now lives at the old homeWest Berwick. They had a family

stead in

Emma, wife of Dennis O.
Coughlin, an attorney, at Wilkes-Barre, has
of four children:

six children, Elizabeth, Clara, Donald (a student in the law department of Lafayette Col-

Edward (also a student at Lafayette
College, who intends to enter the medical proand Walter; Eva, bom Jan.
fession),

lege),

Emma

COLUMBIA AND iMONTOUR COUNTIES
Mrs. Croop; Frank, a civil enWilkes-Barre, married Blanche
Yaple, and has one son, Edward Walter, a
real estate agent of Berwick, married Bessie
Hagenbuch and has one child, William.
7,

1868,

gineer,

;

at the

age of fourteen years. Mr. Breisch is
in politics, has served seven
years
as roadmaster, and has also
given his town-

Democrat

He
ship a signal service as school director.
member of the Lutheran

has been a faithful

Church

GEORGE BREISCH.

living retired after

years spent in agricultural oi)erations,
was born in Catawissa township, Columbia
Co., Pa., Sept. 10, 1835, son of George and

many

Rebecca (Nail) Breisch.
Jacob Breisch, grandfather of George
Breisch, was born in Berks county, Pa., and
as early as the year 1800 came to Columbia
county and settled in what is now Catawissa
He was a stonemason by trade,
township.
but in his later years took up agriculture, and

was engaged
of his death.

the soil at the time
buried in Catawissa
Five children were born

tilling

He was

Union cemetery.
him and his wife George, John, Samuel,
Katie and Susanna.
George Breisch, son of Jacob, was born in
Berks county, Pa., and was a lad when he accompanied his parents to Columbia county.
With his father he learned the trade of stonemason, and like him also followed farming,
becoming one of the substantial agriculturists
of Catawissa township. Here he married Rebecca Nail, and they had children as follows
to

Joseph, John, George, Samuel, William, Betsy,
Katie, Sallie, Susanna, Rosanna, Hannah M.,

Mary M. and

George Breisch, son of George Breisch,
above, was educated in the public schools of
Catawissa township, and until he was twentyfive years old worked on the home farm.
After that time he faced the world on his
own account, continuing operations in Catawissa township until he reached the age of

when he removed

Main

and

purchased the Lowenberger
farm of 172 acres. There he resided until
1905, when he retired from active life and
came to Bloomsburg, where he has since
had his home. Mr. Breisch sold eighty-six

township

acres of his land to his son Lloyd, but still
owns the remainder of the tract, on which he
erected a modern residence and barn.

Mr. Breisch was married to Mary M.
Hagenbuch, daughter of Samuel Hagenbuch,
and they had six children, as follows: Ida,
who married Charles John Lloyd, who married Emma Hallenbach Ernest E., deceased,
who married Belle Wallace Charles, who
married Lottie Krapp; Minnie, who married
Edward Wertman and Josephine, who died
;

;

Mainville, in which he has acted

Both he and his wife were memGrange at Mainville, and he was
formerly a member of the Independent Order

as deacon.
bers of the

Odd

Fellows.

Ernest E. Breisch, son of George Breisch,
was born Dec. 13, 1868, and died Feb. 14,

He began his education in the public
1906.
schools, later attended Bloomsburg State Normal

School, and subsequently entered Lafayette College, at Easton, Pa., from which
he was graduated in the civil and mining engineering course in 1894. At that time he went
into the Virginia coal fields, where he was
engaged in work at the time of his death,

which was caused by injuries received there.
His remains were interred in Rosemont cemeHe married Belle Wallace,
tery, Bloomsburg.
and they had three children, Elsie, Russell
and Ernestine. The widow remarried, and
the family

now

reside in Ohio.

JAMES

LEE, foreman of the rolling mill
in the plant of the American Car and Foundry
Company, at Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa., was
born Sept. 9, 1868, at Morris Run, Tioga Co.,
Pa., son of

James R. and Sarah (Kendrick)

Lee.

Isabella.

thirty-three years,

1177

John Lee, the grandfather of James Lee,
was born in England, and there learned the
When still a young
rolling mill business.
man he came to the United States and located
at Danville, Montour Co., P^a., being not only
one of the

first

workmen

Danville

when

the first rolling mills were erected, but one
of the first men to roll iron rails in this coun-

try.

remained

at Danville until

some time

after the panic which occurred during President Buchanan's administration, and then

went to Brazil, Ind., where until his retirement a few years prior to his death he worked
He was a Republican
in the soft coal mines.
in politics, and active in the work of the
Primitive Methodist Church, of which he was
His children
a member for many years.
were as follows: James R., who is deceased;
John, deceased, who married Hannah Kendrick. of Windber, Pa. Richard and William,
who both died at Brazil, Ind. and Phoebe,
;

;

who

resides at Carbon, Indiana.
Tames R. Lee, son of John Lee,

James

Lee,

was born

and father

Staflfordshire,

1178

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

his
England, Aug. 7, 1839, and accompanied
he was
when
States
the
United
to
parents
His first occupation
thirteen years of age.
was as scrap packer in the Danville rolling
Later he was employed in the ore
mills.
mines at Bloomsburg and Danville, and when
a young man went to Morris Run, Tioga
county, where for some time he followed soft
coal mining. Subsequently he went to Burkes
Station, on the Petersburg road, near Richmond, Va., and bought a farm, but rernained
only one year, as his family became afflicted
He was of a rewith the fever and ague.
turn of mind, and having
ligious and studious

digging coal with his brothers, and then spent
one year at the washer for the coke burner at
Arnot, dug coal at Antrim for one year, and
then went to Gazzam, Clearfield county,

became a local preacher,
after a number of years was ordained a
minister of the Primitive ^Methodist Church,

in the Lewisburg chair factory, working on a wood planer for one year, and then
spent three years in learning the trade of
puddler at the Lewisburg Iron Works. Thoroughly trained for his work, he came to Berwick and entered the employ of the Jackson
& Woodin Company, and after five years as

prepared himself

and

following which he had charges at Arnot,
Covington, Canoe Camp and Morris Run.
When he had spent about fifteen years in
the ministery his health failed, and he decided to try farming in an effort to regain it.
Accordingly he purchased 100 acres near Lewfor twenty
isburg, in Union county. Pa., where

years he was engaged in general agriculture.
At the end of that period he sold his land and
removed to Covington, where he spent the
last years of his life in retirement, although
on occasion he would supply dift'erent pulpits
He was very active in Reof his church.
publican politics, a member of the Republican
State committee from Union county, and
served as a member of the board of school
He was a member of the Odd
directors.
Fellows in Morris Run and the Knights of
Malta in Lewisburg, and at one time held
membership in the Masonic lodge at Elmira,
Mr. Lee's death occurred April i,
N. Y.
191 3, while the mother, who survives him

and resides

at Covington, Pa., is seventy-one
years of age, and still an active worker in
Mr. Lee
the Primitive Methodist Church.

where he drove mules and for one and a half
years was boss mule driver in the mines. On
leaving Gazzam he went to Milton, Pa., where
he w^orked as a puddle helper in the Jenkins
rolling mills, and then went back to the farm
near Lewisburg. Realizing the need of further education, he walked each day to the
Lewisburg high school, a distance of about
four miles, and studied there for two terms.
When nineteen years old he secured employ-

ment

puddler was promoted to night foreman.
Five years later his steady and efficient services gained him the position of foreman, and
at this time he has entire charge of the pudIn 1910 Mr. Lee opened
dling department.
a

cigar store at the

Oak

comer

Second and

Berwick, and has since been
adding different goods to his stock, the business style of the enterprise now being the
Lee \'ariety Store. He has since erected a
new building, and the business is conducted
His success in
by his son Walter H. Lee.
life has come as a direct result of his own
streets,

industry

and

well

directed

eft'orts,

and

through no happy circumstance or chance.
He takes a keen and intelligent interest in
political matters, and has been Republican
county committeeman for the Northwest

ward of Berwick

for the last eleven years.

His fraternal affiliations include membership
in Berwick Lodge, No. 246. Independent Orwas married, at Danville, Pa., to Sarah Ken- der of Odd Fellows Susquehanna CommandSamuel and Sarah ery. No. 18, Knights of Malta; and Reliance
drick,
daughter of
(Thomas) Kendrick, and to this union were Fire Company, No. i, of which he is assistant
born four children: Anna M., who married secretary, and a member of the board of trusHe was appointed a trustee of the
David Evans (deceased) and (second) W. tees.
E. Brown, the latter of Clearfield, Pa. John, Berwick Hospital, and is a member of the
foreman in the mines at Morris Run, Pa., who Berwick Club. His religious belief is that of
married Dora Highmarch James and Sam- the Presbyterian Church.
In April, 1890, Mr. Lee was married to
uel Walter, an attorney, of Brazil, Indiana.
son
of
R.
was
eduClara
A. Milheim, who was born at Milton,
Lee,
Lee,
James
James
cated in the schools of Morris Run. which he Pa., July 7. 1872, daughter of John Wesley
attended until he was ten years old. At that and Elizabeth Jane (Hoppler) Milheim. Mrs.
time he went to work in the soft coal mines Lee was educated at Milton, and resided with
as doortender of the shaft, where he remained her parents until the time of her marriage.
two years. Stibsequently he went to work Like her husband she is very popular in Ber;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
wick, and

a leading

member

of the Ladies'

Aid Society and the Women's Missionary
Society of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and
Mrs. Lee have one son, Waher II., born May
2."], 1891, an enterprising young business man
of Berwick. On March 4, 1914, he married
Blanche Hazel Griggs, Berwick, who was
born March i, 1895, daughter of Joseph C.
and Arlintha (Johnson) Griggs.

Jacob Milheim, grandfather of Mrs. Lee,

was a tenant farmer on the old poorhouse
farm at Mooresburg, Pa., and there died at
an advanced age. He and his wife were the
Israel
parents of the following children
John W. Francis; Gilbert, who lives at
Grovania, Montour Co., Pa. Ruth, who married Albert Robinson, of Danville;
Jane, who
married Joseph Gilbert, also of Danville; and
Elizabeth, the widow of George Gibson, of
The father died when eightyHarrisburg.
two years of age, and the mother aged eighty
years, and both are buried at Mooresburg.
They were members of the Methodist Church,
:

;

and Mr. Milheim was

a Republican in political

matters, although his interest in public affairs
was confined to his support of movements
which he believed would benefit his com-

munity.

John Wesley Milheim, son of Jacob Milheim, and father of Mrs. Lee, was born at
Mooresburg, near Milton, Northumberland
Co., Pa., in 1847, and there received his education.
Early in life he became a brakeman
on the Catawissa branch of the Philadelphia

Reading railroad, was subsequently promoted to fireman, then to engineer of a freight
train, and later, while engineer at Clements'
sawmill, at Sunbury, met an accidental death,
at

the age

fifty-two years,

being struck

on the head by a block of wood thrown from
a

wood

He was

planer.

member

of the

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, a Republican in politics, and a faithful member
of the old German Lutheran Church. He was
buried in the cemetery at jNIilton, Pa., as was
also his wife, who was an active church
worker and a member of a number of resocieties.
Mr. Milheim married
ligious
Elizabeth Jane Hoppler, who was born Dec.
25, 1847, daughter of Mrs. Sarah Ann HopTheir children
pler, and died Jan. 21, 1891.
were as follows
Ida, the widow of Alfred
William Edgar, of
Slifer, of Philadelphia
West Berwick, who married Caroline Shultz
Oscar Laniger, who died in infancy; and
Clara A., who married James Lee.
:

;

MORRIS

1179

WHITMIRE,

general

farmer of Centre township, Columbia
Co., Pa.,
was born in that township
Sept. 12, 1868,
a son of Daniel \\. Whitmire.
David Whitmire, a great-grandfather of
Morris I. Whitmire, founded the
family in
_ Columljia county,
coming here from eastern
He had three sons; David,
Pennsylvania.
William and George.
William Whitmire, son of David Whitmire
and grandfather of Morris I. Whitmire, was
born in eastern Pennsyhania, whence he came
to Centre township, Columbia
county, locating
on a farm of 126 acres on which he carried
on general farming the remainder of his useful
life.
Prior to his death he divided his farm
between his two sons, Isaac and Daniel, share
and share alike, and lived retired until death
claimed him, caused by cancer.
PoHtically
he was a Democrat, but never held ofttce.
Formerly a member of the old Lutheran
Church, he found himself during his latter
life more in sympathy with the United Evangelical Church, and connected himself with
it.
He and his wife are buried in the Old
Ebenezer cemetery in Centre township. William Whitmire married Sarah Bower of Briarcreek township, a daughter of Michael Bower,
and they had children as follows Isaac married Elizabeth Hayman, and both are deceased; Daniel B., who is deceased, married
:

Mary Roup William, who is deceased, was
a traveling preacher; Hiram, deceased, married Sallie Ann Erwine, of Berwick.
Daniel B. Whitmire, son of William Whitmire, and father of Morris I. Whitmire, was
;

born

in Centre township July 9, 1837, and
died April 9, 1909. Like many other farmer
boys, Daniel !>. Whitmire grew up on his
father's farm and alternated working on it
with attendance at the schools of his district.
In 1895 he left the homestead to operate a
new farm of forty-four acres which he bought
from David W'hitmirc, and on that place he

His agricultural operations were always
along the line of general farming, and he made
a success of his work.
During the Civil war
he served for nine months in the Union army,

died.

Company H, 178th Pennsylvania
He was musRegiment, on Oct. 22, 1862.
tered out at Camp Curtin on July 2"], 1863.
Daniel B. Whitmire married Mary Roup,
a daughter of Jacob and Anna (Lehr) Roup,
and their children have been: Armina E.,
born Oct. 4, 1864, married Giarles W. E.
Bower, of Centre township; Lloyd H., born
June 21, 1866, died March 13, 1870; Cora
enlisting in

1180

COLUMBIA AND MOXTOUR COUNTIES

28, 1869, married James W.
Morris I. is mentioned at length below.
Politically Daniel B. Whitmire was a Democrat, but he did not aspire towards public
His interests rather were centered
honors.
in his church, as he belonged to the United
Evangelical denomination, and was class

A., born Dec.
Sitler;

leader for many years, as well as trustee, elder
and deacon. Not only did he render valued
service as teacher in the Sunday school, but
he was also superintendent of it for a long
Interested in educational matters, he
period.
acted as a school director as long as he felt
he could spare the time, and was as faithful in
this respect as he was in all other responsibilities. He and his excellent wife lie buried in the

New

Ebenezer graveyard in Centre township.
Morris I. Whitmire, son of Daniel B. \\'hitmire, attended the school of Centre township
until he was nineteen years old, and worked
for his father until the latter's death, conducting the homestead place and the new farm his
father bought late in life. This latter was sold
after Daniel B. Whitmire's death, Morris I.
Whitmire inheriting the homestead as his
share of his father's estate.
On it he is
on
with
general farming
very satiscarrying
factory results.
In politics Mr.

Whitmire is a Democrat, but
has independent tendencies, feeling that it is
not wise for a voter to confine himself exclusively to party nominees. At present he is
carrying on the work his father started as a
school director, and proving very able as a
Like his
guardian of educational matters.
father he is an enthusiastic church worker,
belonging to the United Evangelical Church,
which he has served as class leader and assistant leader a number of times, and is now one
of the church trustees. At difterent times he
has filled all of the church offices, and is at

present superintendent of the Sunday school.
On Dec. 19, 1895, Morris I. Whitmire married Agnes Remley, a daughter of Levi A. and
Ellen (Thornton) Remley.
Mr. and Mrs.
Whitmire became the parents of the following
children: Helen Mabel, born Sept. 24, 1896,
who died Feb. 12, 1897; Lena Armina, born
Aug. 30, 1898, who died May 8. 1899; Dolah
Alberta, born Nov. i, 1900; Ruth Irene, born
Jan. 21, 1903; and Mahlon Kenneth, born
June 24, 1906.
John L. Remley, grandfather of Mrs. Whitmire, was a stonemason of Centre township,
and followed that trade all his mature life.
He died in Centre township about 1894, aged
sixty years. John L. Remley married Catherine

Whitmire, a daughter of George Whitmire,
and their children were
Levi A. Phoebe,
who married James Shellhammer, of Centre
township; George, who married Alice Young,
of Centre township; Henry, who married Alberta Gerhardt, of Centre township; Alvira,
who married Harvey Hill, of Berwick; and
Alverna, twin sister of Alvira, who married
:

;

Harvey Robbins, of Fishingcreek township.
Mrs. Remley died and was buried in the Old
Ebenezer cemetery in Centre township. Later
John L. Remley was married (second) to Sallie Peifer, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth
(Lowry) Peifer, and their children were:
Nora, who married John Trough, of Berwick;
David, who married Catherine Morris, of
Bloomsburg; Hiram, who married Annie
Gertrude, who married
Jones, of Berwick
Albert Thomas Clara, who married William
Walk Jennie and William, who married
Jessie Walp, of Berwick.
John L. Remley
was a Democrat, but did not hold office, preferring to devote himself to his private affairs.
The United Evangelical Church held his mem;

;

bership and

;

received his generous support.
laid to rest in the new Ebe-

His remains were

nezer graveyard in Centre township, where
so many of his family repose.
Levi A. Remley was bom in Centre township Feb. 14, 1854, son of John L. Remley.
He was educated in the schools of his native

and the Orangeville Academy, after
which he learned the stonemason's trade with
his father.
Following this he was engaged
place

along various

lines, clerking in a store at
Fowlerville, and later in one at Orangeville.
Being licensed to preach the gospel, he became local preacher of some note on the
Rohrsburg circuit, and later took charge of
the church at Rohrsburg, as there was no
All his life he has been
regular clergyman.
a leading light of his church, carrying out
in his everyday duties the principles he advocated in the pulpit, thus wielding a powerful influence
for good.
The Democratic
party has had in him a faithful exponent from
his early days, and he was a school director
several terms, assessor of his township, and
a member of the election board, and is still
interested in seeing the candidates of his
He has now retired from active
party win.

and

is residing with his wife at OrangePa.
Orangeville Grange has in him a
consistent member; he fomierlv belonged to
the P. O. S. of A.
Levi A. Remley married Ellen Thornton, a
daughter of Edward and Leah Thornton, and

life,

ville.

COLUMBIA AXD MOXTOUR COLXTIES
their children have been: Edward, who is
deceased, married Flora Young; Marry lives
with his parents; Lucinda, deceased, married
Bruce Hess, of Berwick; Berdie is at home;

Sherman

married

Romaine

Megargle, of
Mrs. Whitmire.
Mrs. Agnes (Remley) Whitmire, daughter
of Levi A. Remley and wife of Morris L
Whitmire, was bom Dec. 18, 1878, in Centre
Orangeville; Agnes

Prior
township, where she attended school.
to her marriage she worked for a time, thus
gaining a practical knowledge of housekeeping which has proved of great value to her
in her own home.
She is very much interested in Sunday school work, being now a
teacher in that body connected with her
church, and she is also a member of the K.
L. C. E.

MICHAEL EDWARD KINDIG,

con-

and builder of Berwick, Pa., was born
Jan. II, 1881, at Bendertown, Fishingcreek
township, Columbia Co., Pa., son of Charles
Frederick and Rachel (Wenner) Kindig.
tractor

The paternal grandfather of Michael E.
Kindig came from Northampton county. Pa.,
in young manhood to Columbia county and
settled at the Forks in Fishingcreek townThere he continued to carry on general
ship.
farming on his tract of 125 acres until the
time of his death. He and his wife were the
parents of the following children Henry, who
both now deceased
Christopher, who died at the age of eightyfour years
Charles Frederick
Jacob, deceased, who married Hannah Laubach, of

married Catherine White

—

;

Fishingcreek township,

who

now

residing

Susan, who married
John Y. Allegar both deceased Catherine,
wdio married John Emery both deceased;
Ehza, the widow of Fred Hartman and Hannah, who married John Beck both deceased,
at

the

old homestead;

—

—
—

The grandparents were members
odist Episcopal

;

of the Methin the

Church and are buried

cemetery at Jonestown, Pa. The grandfather
was a Democrat, but not a politician.
Charles Frederick Kindig, father of Michael
Edward Kindig, was born Aug. 3, 1831, in
Fishingcreek township, and secured his edu-

1181

his first enlistment during the Civil war
in the army ten months, in the Penn-

he was

sylvania X'oluntcer' Infantry, and when he had
completed his service, received his honorable
discharge, and taken a rest of three months
at home, he reenlisted, as a member of the

203d Regiment. Pennsylvania X'oluntcer Infantry. and continued to serve with that or-

At
ganization until the close of hostilities.
the end of his service he returned to the pursuits of peace, and for forty-five years was
engaged in general farming, barn building
and general carpentering. It was but natural
that he should be successful, his inherent
business acumen Ijringing him forward stcaflIn jwlitics he was a Democrat. A faithful
ily.
member of the Methodist Church at Jonestown, he donated liberally to its movements.
He died Oct. 14, 1911, and was buried at
St. James' Church, near Bendertown, near
which place his widow still makes her home.
Mr. and Mrs. Kindig were the parents of
the following children
John, Jacob and Mary
all died young; one child was stillborn; Susan
married William Peter Kline, of Benton WilHam T. married Elizabeth Hess, of Fishingcreek township, deceased, and (second) Jennie
Hannah married Emainiel
Yohe Laubach
Amanda
Bogart, of Fishingcreek township
married Warren Hess, of Fishingcreek township; Charles Wesley married Lillian Cornebus, and both are deceased Rush E. lives with
his mother in Fishingcreek township Clara R.
married Oland Britton, of that township;
Michael Edward is inentioned below Elias
Elvin married Edith Kline, and resides at
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Hardy H. and Harvey C,
:

;

(

)

;

twins, live with their mother.

Michael Edward Kindig, son of Charles
Frederick Kindig, was educated in the public
schools of Fishingcreek township, in the meantime assisting his father on the home farm unHe then
he was sixteen years of age.
til
served an apprenticeship of four years to the
trade of carpenter, succeeding which he went
to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and followed his trade
for two years, and then made his advent in
Berwick.
Here, in 1908, he formed a partnership with Samuel P. Zimmerman, and they
have since carried on a general contracting
business, in addition to which they deal ex-

cation in the schools of Jonestown. He worked
for his father until he was eighteen years of
age, and in the meantime learned thoroughly
At the time of his
the trade of carpenter.
father's death he and his brothers divided the
homestead place, paying the daughters their
full share of the estate, and on his portion

The Joseph M. Shane
tensively in luml)er.
residence, on Mulberry street, Berwick, stands
as a monument to the skill and workmanship
of this hrm, as well as the Berwick hospital
and other handsome structures. Although

Charles F. set himself assiduously to work,

still

young man, Mr. Kindig has accom-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1182

plished much, and already he
one of the substantial business

accounted

men

of his

community.

Dec. 26, 1906, Mr. Kindig was married
Sitler, daughter of Reuben and Susan
Mr. and Mrs. Kindig are
(Yeapel) Sitler.
members of the Methodist Church, in which
Mrs. Kindig formerly sang in the choir; she
is now a teacher in the Sunday school, a leadei
of the Christian Endeavor Society and an ac.

Ada

worker in the ladies' Aid Society. ]\Ir.
and ]\Irs. Kindig have one son, Fred Edward,
born April 28, 1914. The pleasant family
home is located at No. 1600 Pine street. North
Berwick.
Mr. Kindig is a member of the

tive

Woodmen

of the

World; of

Lieut.

Mrs. Ada (Sitler) Kindig, daughter of Reuben Sitler, was born May 5, 1885, in Fishingcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa.
She received good educational advantages, and mad e
her home with her parents until her marriage,
Like her husband she is widely and favorably
known in Berwick and the surroundine locality.

Creveling Camp, Sons of Veterans, of Bendertown, and of the Berwick Carpenters'
Union, of which he is president, this union
being affiliated with the American Federation
of Labor. He is a Democrat in his political

EDWARDS

THO^IAS E.
is probably one
of the most successful as well as up-to-date
farmers
of
Benton township, Columbia
county, and his achievements are in a great
measure due to his unfaltering energy, comsense and adoption of modern discoveries
and methods to the cultivation of his acreage.
He is a native of Columbia county, having
been born in Centre township Aug. 13, 1843,
son of William Edwards and grandson of
William Edwards.
The Edwards family is

mon

tendencies.

Benjamin Sitler, the grandfather of Mrs.
Kindig, was born in Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa., and spent his life in agricultural
pursuits in the vicinity of Fowlerville, Pa.
He and his wife died in the faith of the
United Evangelical Church, and both were
buried near Fowlerville. Their children were
as follows
Henry, deceased, who married
:

Ann Bellas; Mary, who married Silas
Harmon both deceased; Samuel, deceased,
who married a Miss Frantz; Benjamin, de-

Julia

tention to private pursuits.
He has reared
his children in the faith of the
Evangelical
Church, of which he is himself a consistent
member, being class leader and a member of
the board of trustees at the present time. His
acquaintance throughout this section is wide,
and includes many warm personal friends.

—

ceased; and Reuben.
Reuben Sitler. son of Benjamin Silter, and
father of Mrs. Kindig, was born Oct. 8, 1846,
and died at the age of sixty-six years, in 1912.
He received a liberal education in the public
schools of Centre township, and until bccomA man
ing of age worked for his father.
of versatile abihties, he successively learned
the shoemaker's and carpenter's trades, both
of which he followed at various times, in connection with farming, and in all three pursuits
met with a full measure of merited success,
He married Susan Yeapel, the daughter of
Jeremiah Yeapel, and to this union there were
born four children, as follows: Ada, who
became the wife of Michael E. Kindig; Minnie, who married Joe Alusselman. of Orangeville. Pa.
Dora, who married Ralph Doty,
and resides near Columbia, Pa. and Harry,
who died in young manhood. Mr. Sitler is
a Democrat, but at no time in his career has
he found himself inclined to seek the doubtful
honors to be secured in the field of politics,
having preferred to devote his time and at;

;

of English origin.

William

Edwards, the grandfather, was
the pioneers of Columbia county, owning a sizable farm in Briarcreek township,
which he cultivated until his death. His chil-

among

dren were:

Nathan. Thomas, Edward, WilHam, Samuel, John, Catherine. Elizabeth and
Margaret,

William Edwards, son of William and faThomas E., was born in Briarcreek
township, farmed there for some years, and
then removed to Berwick, where he died at
the age of seventy-seven.
He wedded Martha, daughter of William Stable, and their
children were:
Morris S.. deceased: Major
C, living in Salem township, Luzerne county;
ther of

Thomas

E. Isaac L., a well known physician
of Benton: Margaret, widow of lames Ever;
Susan, wife of ^William B. Bertels
Enima,
wife of Rev. J. H. Tubbes, a Methodist minister; and Frances, wife of Uriah Hess,
Thomas E. Edwards attended the public
schools of Briarcreek township. Columbia
;

;

county, and Salem township. Luzerne county,
in the' intervals working on his father's farm,
where he remained until his twenty-fourth
He started farming for himself in Luyear.
zerne county, remained there nine years, and
then came to Columbia county, buying the
Benjamin Brink jilace of 134 acres. near^Ben-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ton borough.
This he began at once to improve, adding new buildings and fertilizing
the land until now there is scarcely a farm
in the county that will show better results
of intelligent cultivation than his.
The location is admirable for the purj^ose, situated
as it is along the State road from
lUoomsburg
to the mountains, and the excellence of the
soil

has

made

and intensive

respond to good draining

Mr. Edwards was

cultivation.

for ten years engaged in the
milling business
and also had a large trade in lumber.
On Oct. 9, 1867, Mr. Edwards was united
to Rachel Seely, daughter of Jacob and Eeah
(Keene) Seely, and they have six children:

William,

living

living in

erick,

Centre

Benton

Fred-

township;

Seely

;

T. H., a

school teacher in the Philippines, a graduate
of the Bloomsburg State Normal School;
Margaret, wife of Hosea Davis; and JoseMr. Edwards
phine, wife of Charles Bell.
is a Reptiblican in
politics, but votes independently. He has served the township as a
member of the school board and as treasurer.
He is a member of the Methodist Church, in
which he has held all the offices, and is connected with the Grange and the P. O. S. of A.
John Seely, grandfather of Mrs. Edwards,
was born in New Jersey and located in Salem
township, Luzerne county, where he followed
the life of a farmer.
By his wife Mary
(Welsh) he had seven children: Isaiah, Elsie,
Mary, Hilda, Michael, John and Jacob.
Jacob Seely, father of Mrs. Edwards, was
also born in

Salem township, and grew up on
farm where he labored and died. He
married Leah Keene and they had thirteen
children
Frederick John W. Amos Samuel P. Philip H. Edwin C. Henry J. Mary
J., who died young; Martha A., wife of Dr.
the

;

E. Patterson; Rachel, wife of Thomas E.
Edwards; Leah D., wife of Normand Hess;
Minerva J., wife of Wilson Hess; and Cecilia,
wife of Christopher B. Smethers.
J.

AUGUSTUS REITER.

hotel proprietor at

West Berwick, Pa., was born in the city of
Berlin, Germany, Aug. 13, 1869, son of Albert
"

Reiter.

The grandfather of
Joseph Reiter, was born

Augustus Reiter,
Germany,

in Berlin,

where the family resided for generations. He
was a soldier in the German army, and for
many years was connected with the civil service in Berlin, where he died.
Albert Reiter, son of Joseph Reiter, and
father of Augustus Reiter, was born in Ber-

1183

lin, Germany, and in early life followed farmLater he came to
ing in his native country.
America and for a number of years was engaged in coal mining, but in time returned to
the Ivatherland, where he continued

farming

until his death.

lis

children were: Augustus,

Albert, I'eter, Mary and Lizzie, Mary being
a resident of the United States and the wife
of W. A. Price.

Augustus Reiter, son of Albert Reiter, was
employed in the coal mines near Berlin,
Germany, for a number of years. Subsequently he went to England and was identified
with the beet sugar industry, also working in
the coal mines and in the iron works at Liverpool. His journeyings then took him to Glasgow, Scotland, where he followed the same
business for one year, after which he was
in London, Cambridge. Musane, Calambree,
Boddle Park and Rousseau, following his
usual business at all of these places, and
first

visited
Dublin, as well as various
points in Russia, France, Austria and Italy.
He then emigrated to the United States and

also

settled in Shenandoah, Schuylkill Co., Pa.,
where he established himself in the coal business.
For one year he served as city policeman, following which he entered the hotel
business, in which he was engaged there for
about six years, coming to West Berwick in
Here he is conducting a first-class and
1906.
popular house, and well merits the high order
of success which has rewarded his efforts.
On Aug. 3. 1S84, Mr. Reiter was married
to Mary Alice Blauschotz, datighter of August and Lizzie Blauschotz, of Germany, and
to this union have been born the following children: August, who married Christine Salter,
is living at Hazleton, Pa.
Mary, Wilhelm,
Edward and Oscar are all at home Bertha,
deceased at sixteen years of age, George, at
four years, and Fred, at two years, are buried
in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Shenandoah,
;

;

Pennsylvania.
Mr. Reiter is a Republican in politics, and
served as a councilman while a resident of
Shenandoah. Since coming to West Berwick
he has taken an active part in politics, but has
as yet held no office. He is a member of the
Lutheran Church, in whose work he has taken
an active part, and while at Shenandoah taught
a Sunday school class in the German language.
jVIr. Reiter is a charter member of Lodge Xo.
1212, O. O. of Owls; is a member of Anthracite Castle, No. 74, K. G. E., of Shenandoah;
a

member and

Stamm, Xo.

97,

past officer of Shenandoah
Improved Order of Red Men

COLUMBIA AND ^lONTOUR COUNTIES

1184

(this is a German lodge, "stamm" being the
equivalent of tribe) a member of Shenandoah
Lodge, No. 212, D. O. H. ; and also holds
membership in West Berwick Fire Company,
;

No. I.
Mrs. Mary Alice (Blauschotz) Reiter was
born in Germany in February, 1863.
Her
parents, both natives of Germany, died in that
country, and were buried in a cemetery located
about four miles from Berlin.

JOHN

DOSTER, late of Danville, founder
of the furniture business now continued by his
sons Jacob and Theodore under the firm name
of John Doster's Sons, and father also of
John Doster, Jr., the leading undertaker of
the borough, established a reputation for
honor and reliability which his successors take
pride in upholding. He was a native of Gerand began life in typical German
fashion, learning a trade so thoroughly that
he was master of all its branches and the
excellence of his work held his patrons with-

many,

out solicitation. As honest in financial matters as he was thorough in workmanship, his
settlement in the community was a positive
acquisition, both to its citizenship and to its
industrial resources.

Mr. Doster was born in Wurtemberg April
1823, and there learned the cabinetmaker's

trade.

a lack of proper opportudevelopment he came to the United

Owing "to

nities for

States when twenty-five years old, leaving
his native land at a time when hardships were

many, and locating at Danville. Pa., where he
found plenty of work at his trade. As he
was an expert he soon was in prosperous circumstances, and in 1865 established himself
in the cabinet business at No.
510 Church
In 1878 he and his eldest
street, Danville.
son

started the furniture business at Xos.
298-300 Mill street, and he continued to be
actively connected with the business until

1899,

when he

retired, his three sons,

whom

he had associated with him in the meantime,
then taking charge of the business. They remained at the location on Mill street, Xos.
298-300, having a double building three
stories high,

1914.

when

and were together until Jan. r,
John Doster, Jr., with-

the eldest,

drew to give
establishment.

all

his time to his

undertaking

;

beth,

Sunbury, Pa.; and ^Margaret,

ried

Frank

Brown,

who mar-

meat
John Doster,
and is buried
The mother

wholesale

dealer, of Jersey City, N. J.
the father, died Dec. 24, 1905,
in the Odd Fellows cemetery.

passed away June 9, 1876.
John Doster, Jr., eldest son of John
Doster, was born Dec. 28, 1856, in Danville,
and received a good education there in the
As he grew up he became
public schools.
familiar with his father's business, entering
the shop on Church street, and serving an
apprenticeship to the cabinetmaker's trade,
Ii^ 1878 he and his father started the furniture business under the name of John Doster
& Son, at Nos. 298-300 Mill street. The son
was ambitious to branch out. and in 1881 he
attended the Rochester School of Embalming,
two years later taking a course in the Clark
Embalming School, fitting himself thoroughly
for the undertaking business. In which he
has been engaged ever since. For thirty years
he has been the leading undertaker of Danville and the vicinity.
Five years after the
firm of John Doster & Son was started the
two sons Theodore and Jacob were admitted
into the firm, and the name was changed to
John Doster's Sons. In 1899 John Doster,
Sr., retired from the firm, and the three sons
continued the business together until Jan. i,
1914. when John Doster. Jr.. withdrew, his

undertaking i)usiness having grown to such
an extent that it required all his attention,
His two brothers, Theodore and Jacob, are
still conducting the furniture business,
Mr. Doster has an up-to-date ecjuipment.
and is improving his facilities to meet the
modern demands of his business. He has an
automo])ile dead wagon, and in every way
has shown his desire to give his patrons the
benefit of all that present day knowledge can
do for their convenience. Mr. Doster is natfor his business, being sympato render the
last services in such a manner as to bring
solace to the afflicted ones and reflect dignity
upon the departed.
John Doster married Sarah A. Bates, of
Danville, Pa., in 1881.
She was a daughter
of Richard and Tamar (Hunt) Bates, the
former an iron worker. Mr. and Mrs. John
Doster had three children: Augusta" E.
Estella. who married
Baldv Smith, of
I.
urally fitted
thetic

and understanding, able

;

John Doster married Barbara Rutzel. who
was born March 4, 1826, and of the children
born to them six are living: John; Jacob;
Theodore Anna, who married Harry Hoilingshead,

salesman, of Danville
ElizaR. Harris, a salesman,

who married O.

;

Pittsburgh; and Ethel, at home. Mrs. Doster
died March 30, 1911.
Mr. Doster is a member of Christ Memorial Church, of which he
has been a vestrvman for twentv-seven vears.
Fraternallv he belongs to the Odd Fellows.

cdL^l^^o=3^&^

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Montour Lodge, No. 109, and to the Royal
Arcanun,, Montgo.nery Council, No. ^.,
both of Danville
Jacob Dostek, second son of John Doster,
was born Feb. 21, 1859, and was educated in
As soon as old
public school at Danville.
enough he began assisting his father, and has
H...,...H
,n.. a
developed into
practical furniture man.
Fraternally he belongs to the B. P. O. Elks
at Danville,

Lodge No.

754.
Theodore Doster, third son of John
Doster, was born Dec. 22, i860. Growing up
at Danville, he attended the public schools of
the borough and also learned the furniture
business, so that he is now an able member
of the firm of John Doster's Sons. On Jan.
8, 1890, Theodore Doster married Agnes B.
Johnston, a daughter of William C. and

Amanda

Mr. Johnston
Johnston.
was the first register and recorder of Montour county, and has been a man of prominence. For many years he has been a capable

worker

(Blue)

in the

of which he

Mahoning Presbyterian Church,

now a

GEORGE

and he is popand deservedly so.

trustee,

ular in the congregation

leading farmer of
county, was
born in Bloomsburg- Sept. 12, 1875, son of
Richard Ivey, also a farmer. The Ivey family
is of English origin, and its members have
always been farmers as far back as known,
William Ivey, the founder of the family in

IVEY, a

Montour township,

Columbia

this country, was born in England in 1818,
to America, and located in Hemlock

came

township, Columbia Co., Pa., where he farmed
1883, at the age of sixtyfive.
He married Ann Williams, also a native
of England, and they had these children
Richard; Eliza Ann, wife of William Gulliver;
Mary Jane, wife of John Walter; Elizabeth,
wife of George Wilson Sarah, wife of William Pooley William, deceased and Edward
W., a farmer of Columbia county.

at Lieht Street

•

P,^„k<.m

1185
r

•

t3-..

burg f Uoy^V^., "o^liS^'l^a'la'ry jl":;
wife of Ross
Edwards; Clara, at home; Jeswife of Charles Broat; Maude E.
and
ff'
Rachel, at home and four children, Eliza Ann
^^'"'^'' '""^ ^''"' ''''° ^^''^ "^ ^"Hncy'"'
George A. Ivey attended the public schools
;

of his township,
passed through the high
school and completed a term at the
Bloomsburg State Normal. He remained with his
father until his
twenty-eighth year, farming,
and meantime acquired a
thorough knowledge
of agriculture.
lie then began to farm for
himself, purchasing the J. N. Gordon tract in
Montour township, containing eighty-nine
acres.
For a few years he ran a dairy, but

of late years has devoted his efforts to
general
gardening, selling the products of his farm to
the citizens of Bloomsburg.

On March 23, 1904, Mr. Ivey married Izora
Kramer, daughter of Philip D. and Clara B.
(Rote) Kramer, of Millville, Pa., and they
have three children Doyle W., Carol R. and
Ila A., all living at home.
Mr. Ivey is independent in politics,
supporting the candidates he considers most capable
of benefiting the community by
holding office.
He is also a member of the Grange and takes
an interest in the scientific development of the
soil.
He is a member of the Reformed Church
of Bloomsburg, has taken a warm interest in
its activities, and has been the vice
president
of the Christian Endeavor Society for some
:

time.

until his death, in

;

Richard

Ivey

was

born

Minersville,

Schuylkill Co., Pa., and was brought to Columbia county in childhood. He obtained his
education in the public schools and entered the
agricultural career which he is still following

his

farm

Hemlock township.

has

KARL
and

DIETRICH,

specialist, of

consulting engineer
Berwick, Pa., was born in

Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Ky., Sept.

1884,

son of Charles Henry Dietrich.
The family is of German descent. Charles
Henry Dietrich was born .Sept. 19. 1851. in
Fredericksburg, Ohio, to which place his parents had emigrated from Pennsylvania at an
He attended the public schools
early date.

and the Ohio State University, at Columbus,
of which institution he is now the oldest living
alumnus. Mr. Dietrich was for fifteen years a
salesman with the American Book Company,
fifteen years superintendent of the public
schools of Hopkinsville, Ky., and for five
years a mining engineer in Mexico. He is a
Republican in politics, and an attendant of the

brought the cultivation of his land up to the
standards set by the greatest agricvilturists of
the age and is a thrifty and careful manager.
He married Mary Jane Cooper, who died July
He married Minnie
12, 1905, and they had sixteen children Sarah
Presbyterian Church.
A., wife of Charles Freese, of Bloomsburg; Rackerby Laudy, of Columbus, Ohio, who was
Richard, Hving in Buft'alo, N. Y. John C, of born June 14, 1861, in Hopkinsville, Ky., and
Bloom township; George A.; R. W., living they had children as follows: Karl L. Lois
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1186

Bartholomew, born Jan. 7, 1891
den, born Jan. 8, 1895 and Neil
;

;

Amy

Logsborn

Kittrell,

Sept. 29, 1901.

in the
common schools of Hopkinsville, Ky., entered
the Kentucky State University at Lexington
in 1900, and graduated therefrom in 1905.
For a time he was employed as engineer on the
Louisville & Nashville railroad, and then entered the Baldwin Locomotive Works, at Phil-

Karl L. Dietrich began his education

where he remained two years. He
came to Berwick on the first day of July, 1907,
and was engaged by the American Car and
Foundry Company, in the mechanical engi-

adelphia,

neering department.

On June 29, 1907, Mr. Dietrich married
Mollie Davis Garnett, who was born Nov. i,
Annie
1884, daughter of William Davis and
were
who
of
Garnett,
Hopkinsville,
(Lacey)
9, 1838. and Jan. i. 1850, respecMr. and "Sirs. Dietrich have had one
Karl Lander, Jr., born July 9, 1912.

born April
tively.

child,

Mr. Dietrich

independent in his political

attends the Presbyterian Church,
a member of the Tau Beta Pi fraternity.

affiliations,

and

1865, died Sept. 3, 1871 Samuel BritJuly 16, 1873, who resides at
Foundryville and is connected with the Amer-

Dec.

;

tain,

born

ican

Car and

Foundry Company, married

Bessie Klinger, of Foundryville, and they have
three children. Mrs. Sarah M. Klinetob died
Aug. 22, 1882, and is buried with her husband
He was a member of the
at Moore's Church.
Reformed denomination, she of the Evangelical.

David Goodwin Klinetob obtained a district
education and afterwards took up
farming in Briarcreek township, where he has
continued ever since. He has taken an active
part in public affairs in his township and as
one of its reliable and substantial citizens has
been called upon to hold offices of responsischool

bility.

has ser\ed as inspector of elections

and for four terms was auditor of BriarIn political faith he is a
creek township.
Progressive.
Mr. Klinetob married Kate Ella Fenstemaker, who was born May 13, 1862, one of the
eight children of Jacob and Ruth Anne
(Garney) Fenstemaker, of Foundry\ille, the

mother from Wyoming, Luzerne county.
They were Methodists in religious connection.
farmer of Briarcreek township, was born in Philip and Catherine (Walters) Fenstemaker,
Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa., March 28, Mrs. Klinetob's grandparents, were farming
Mr. and Mrs. Klinetob have had four
1861, son of Christopher and Sarah M. (Hos- people.
Daniel Webster, born Jan.
children, namely
ier) Klinetob.
who
is employed with the American
was
his
25,
Klinetob,
1883.
grandfather,
Christopher
born Aug. 17, 1785, in eastern Pennsylvania, Car and Foundry Company, married Anna
and they have two children. Glen
probably in Macungie township, Lehigh (then Canouse,
Wilbur
Northampton) Co., Pa., and so far as his Woodward, and Webster Keith
descendants know was a farmer in Luzerne Floyd, born Aug. 30. 1886, now operating the
He married Catherine Hetler, who leading store at Foundryville. married Carrie
county.
was born May 21, 1786, and survived him, his Devoe. and they have one son, Goodwin
Frederick Sheldon, who was bom
death occurring Nov. 7, 1874. hers on Feb. Devoe
who was
27, 1882. They are buried at Moore's Church, May 21, 1892, and Walter lirittain.
born June 24, 1894. are both at home. Mr.
in Salem township, Luzerne county.
Christopher Klinetob, the father of David Klinetob and family attend the Methodist
G. Klinetob, was born Sept. 26, 1828, in Lu- Episcopal Church at l-'oundryville. and he is a
zerne county, and was a farmer there until trustee of the congregation, which he has also
He is a member of
1880, when he moved to Foundry ville. Colum- served as class leader.
bia county. His death occurred Feb. 19, 1891, Washington Camp No. 105, P. O. S. of A., of

DAVID

GOODWIN

KLINETOB,

;

He married Berwick.
age of sixty-two years.
Sarah Margaret Hosier, who was born Nov.
ALFRED C. SHAFFER, a prominent
2, 1837, also of German ancestry, a daughter
of a farmer in Luzerne county, and they had farmer of Centre township, was born ^^ay 8,
the following children
John Ellis, born May 1852, in Briarcreek township. Columbia
21, 1859, who lives at Foundry ville, married county, son of William and grandson of FranArdee Garrison, and they have had two chil- cis Shaffer. The family is of German descent.
Francis Shaffer was born near l)elhlehem.
dren, one deceased David (joodwin is mentioned below; Leorah May, born Nov. 25, Pa., and after arriving at manhood's estate
1862, is the wife of J. B. Fenstemaker, a came to Columbia county, bought over three
photographer at Berwick, and they have four hundred acres of land, clearecl a part of it,
sons and one daughter; Wilbur Franklin, born built a cabin, and took unto himself a wife in

at the

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
the person of Nancy Hetler.
To this union
there came five children:
William; Xallian,

who went to Jones county, Iowa Catherine,
who married Samuel Dalius, of Maine town;

ship; George W., of Greene county, Iowa; and
Mary, who married I'enjamin Miller both
deceased. ]\Irs. Shaffer died in iiS^i and her
husband in 1833, and both were buried in the

—

Brick Church graveyard.
William Shaffer was but eleven years old at
the time of his father's death, and was the eld-

A neighbor, Philip Freas, although
he had a large family himself, took the boy
est child.

into his home and reared him to manhood.
William worked for his board and clothes with
Philij) b^reas and his brother, Andrew Freas,
and after a few years they bought a canalboat
in partnership, carrying on a coal and general

1187

Centre Grange, lie is a Democrat in
politics,
and has been a .'School director for three
years.
Mrs. Rachel (bVeas) Shaffer was born in

Bnarcreek townshij) Jan.

1855, was eduand resided at
home uiUil her marriage. She is a membe'r
of the Lutheran (Brick
Church) Church of
Briar Creek.
Her father, William L. Freas,
was one of a large family and was born Oct.
8, 1825. dying in December,
iH(j^. Her mother,
b'annie Rittenhou.se, was born
June 4, 1834,
and died May 21, 1895.

cated

the

jniblic

](>,

.schools,

JFSSF O. eDW\ARDS, who for many
years has been connected with several of the
great industrial enterprises at Berwick, was
born April 18, 1861, near Millerstown, Perry
Co., Pa., son of David and Mary Ann (Hoops)

ship]>ing trade for a season. After selling out, Edwards.
William was engaged in many vocations, finally
John Edwards, the grandfather of Jesse O.
settling down upon the farm in Centre town- Edwards, was a native of Wales and belonged
On emigrating to
ship where he resided until his death, July 30, to a family of Quakers.
He was the United States he .settled in Chester county.
1902. His wife died June 27, 1902.
married in Luzerne county. May 7, 1844, to Pa., and there the remainder of his life was
Sophia, daughter of John and Catherine Het- passed. His son, David Edwards, the father
ler) Mowery, and they had the following chil- of Jesse O., was born in Chester county, and
dren
Winfield S. married Flora Mosteller; early in life learned the trade of potter. After
Wesley married Harriet Knoop; Alfred C. learning his trade he kept a general store at
married Rachel Freas William M., Fannie Paoli. Chester county, but later sold his store
and bought a farm in Perry county, which he
D., Sarah Jane and Mary ^L are deceased.
Alfred C. Shaffer attended the country conducted for a while. Selling out, he started
schools and worked on his father's farm until a pottery in Millerstown, Pa., which he carhe was twenty-seven years of age, and then ried on for a year or more after the death of
married and moved onto the farm which he his wife, and then disposed of it and lived renow cultivates. This tract of land was the tired until his death. His wife died in 1869.
property of his father and he worked it on He was buried at Limeville. Chester county,
shares for his father until he was able to pur- and his wife at Millerstown. They were dechase it outright.
Upon this piece of 116 vout adherents of the Quaker faith, and Mr.
acres he now carries on general farming and Edwards was a Republican in his political
stock raising, at which he has been very suc- views. Seven children were born to Mr. and
cessful.
Mrs. Edwards, three dying young; George,
In 1879 Mr. Shaffer married Rachel, daugh- born in 1849, who married Josepha Westler;
ter of William L. and Fannie (Rittenhouse)
Emma: Wilmer, born in 1859, who was killed
Freas, and they have had the following chil- at Tecumseh. Neb. and Jesse O.
dren
Sarah Jane, born April 15, 1880. marJesse O. Edwards received his education in
ried Charles Holder, of Bloomsburg; Sophia the public schools of Millerstown. which he atBlanche, born March 9. 1882, married Arthur tended until ten years old. at which time he
Marbeck, of Bloomsburg Amelia Grace, born became an orphan and was left to shift more
His early training was
Dec. 20, 1883, married Ralph \an Liew, of or less for himself.
Bloomsburg; Fannie Mae, born Dec. 30, 1885, supplemented by two winters of schooling in
married James Sober, of Berwick; Otwell J., Chester county and three winters at Village
born Nov. 4, 1887, married Annie Mensinger, Green, Delaware county, and in the meantime
and is living at home; Pearl Irene, born Feb. he worked during the summer months on the
of Berwick; farm of Daniel Thatcher, a Quaker, until he
3, 1890, married Roy Hunter,
died March was sixteen years of age. Mr. Edwards came
born
10,
Morris,
1892.
June
Boyd
22, 1905 Estella Creasey, born June 8. 1894. to Berwick in 1878 and for one year worked
Mr. Shaffer is a member in the pottery shop of Henry Freas, then going
is living at home.
and is connected with to the plant of the Jackson & Woodin ComChurch
the
Lutheran
of
(

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1188

pany, where he became an employee in the
wood car shop under Abram Cortright, and
remained about five years. His next place of

employment was the pipe foundry, where he
learned to make cores under George Moorehead, and remained eighteen years as a coremaker. Leaving that employment, Mr. Edwards worked three years as carpenter for
Joseph Faust and Daniel Reedy, in Berwick,
and one summer for Charles Ransom, at Plymouth, and then returned to Berwick and entered the steel plant under the employ of John
R. Searles and WiUiam Williams, superintendent. Later two departments were made, coach
and freight car, under Bruce Deitterick, superintendent, and during the last seven years
Mr. Edwards has acted in the capacity of gang
His long and efficient services have
leader.
him
high in the regard and confidence
placed
of his employers, and it is said that there is
not a more efficient or thorough workman in
the plant.

ure of the powers in authority and was arrested, and after his release disposed of his

and went to Asbury, Pa., where
he purchased a farm. There the remainder of
his life was passed in agricultural pursuits, his
industry and energetic efforts gaining him a
handsome competency. Politically a Democrat, he took some active part in local affairs,
hotel interests

and was known as a man of

influence.
With
his family he attended the Methodist Church.
Mr. Stiles married Mary Ann Hartman,

daughter of Isaac Hartman, of Benton, Pa.,
and they became the parents of the following
children: Catherine, who became the wife of
(jideon Beishline

Oklahoma

;

Louis,

Frank, now a resident of
who married Annie Cham-

who married James M. Gearhart
(deceased) and (second) Jesse O. Edwards;
Maggie, who became the wife of William
The
Clark; and Eva, who is unmarried.
mother of these children passed away at Berwick in 9 10, and was laid to rest in the cemeberlain; Ida,

Politically a Progressive, Mr. Edwards has
been active in civic affairs, having served effi-

councilman and president of the
board of councilmen of Berwick, in which
capacities he has shown a conscientious reciently as

spect for the high responsibilities of public
He is a member of the First Methoservice.

Episcopal Church, and belongs to Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O. S. of A., of Ber-

tery there.
Isaac Hartman, the maternal grandfather of
Mrs. Edwards, was for years a resident of
Benton, Pa., where he was well and favorably
known. He was the father of four children,
as follows:
Abraham, Isaac, Daniel and

Mary

.Ann,

who married John

J. Stiles.

dist

wick.

Mr. Edwards married Gertrude Estella
Fenstermacher, born Nov. 21, 1861, daughter
of William and Phoebe (Garney) Fenstermacher, and a relative of James Fenstermacher, of Berwick. Mrs. Edwards died Jiuie
7, 1898, and was laid to rest in the Pine (jrove
cemetery. To this union were born three children
Carl, born May 6, 1882, who married
Ida De Haven (buried at Pine Grove) and
(second) Esther Wolfe; Russell, born May
Mr.
19, 1886; and Helen, born Nov. 15, 1890.
Edwards married for his second wife Mrs.
Ida Gearhart, born Dec. 26, i860, widow of
James M. Gearhart, and daughter of John J.
and Mary Ann (Hartman) Stiles, of Asbury,
Columbia Co., Pa. By her first union ]\Irs.
Edwards had two children
Lester, born Jan.
29, 1879, married Virginia Frantz; Hazel,
born July 11, 1892, died March 29, 1895, and
was buried at Pine Grove, where her father
:

also lies at rest.

father of Mrs. Edwards, was
years one of the prominent and influential citizens of Benton, Pa., where he was
proprietor of a hotel.
During the "Fishing
Creek Confederacy" he incurred the displeas-

John

for

J. Stiles,

many

CHARLES

WESLEY

HAGEXBUCH

(deceased), farmer, was born June 2, 1844, in
Centre township, Columbia county, and was
a son of Michael and grandson of John Hagenbuch. The family is of pure German ancestry.

John Ilagenbuch was a native of Northampton county. Pa., but was very young when his
parents brought him to Columl)ia county, settling just east of the Hidlay Church.
By his
wife Catharine (Driesbach), John Hagenbuch
had eight sons, as follows
Conrad, a weaver,
was given thirty-five acres by his father;
Simon, a farmer and freighter, was given
si.xty-three acres; John, also a farmer, was
given fifty-seven acres, and later bought out
Conrad Jacob, a wheelwright and painter,
started with thirty acres
Michael, a wheelwright, had seventeen acres and a timber lot
Daniel, a farmer, had sixty-three acres, and
afterwards bought out Simon and Charles;
Junius, a weaver, began with twenty acres
Charles, a blacksmith, started with twenty
:

;

acres, sold out to Daniel,

moved

Northum-

berland county and died at Sinking Springs.
John Hagenbuch. the father, died aliout 1845;
his wife preceded him to the grave many years.
Michael Hagenbuch. father of Charles Wes-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
married Mary Hess, daughter of John
Hess, and they had the following children:
Jackson, deceased; Charles Wesley, deceased;
William; Levina, who married Enos L. Fowler, both deceased; Catherine, the widow of
Isaiah Freas and one child that died in inley,

;

fancy.

Charles

W. Hagenbuch

married Sarah K.

Seybert, who was born Jan. 8, 1847, daughter
of Thomas and Deborah (Fowler) Seybert, of
Luzerne county, and the following children

were born to them: Lloyd, born May 21,
1870, married Jennie Hughes, of Lime Ridge,
and lives in New York Josiah, born February
18, 1876, is also residing in New York; Henrietta J., born Sept. 15, 1874, lives at home;
Frank W., born June 14, 1880, married Ethel
Faust, and resides in Berwick.
Mr. Hagenbuch was a Republican and attended the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
died April 21, 1882, and is buried in Pine
Grove cemetery, Berwick. Mrs. Hagenbuch
is still in the possession of good health and
resides in the home established by her husband, at No. 411 Chestnut street, Berwick,
;

Pennsylvania.

Thomas and Deborah (Fowler)

Seybert,

her parents, lived in Luzerne county. Mrs.
Seybert was a daughter of Daniel Fowler, of
Columbia county. The following children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Seybert: Elmira,
deceased, was the wife of Samuel Flicks;
Anna, deceased, was the wife of Joseph Frey;
Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Clarence
Jackson Josiah, married Ella Fairbush, of
Philadelphia Frances, deceased, was the wife
of John Gilroy, living in Williamsport Sarah
K. is the widow of Charles W. Hagenbuch.
;

;

ELMER

RUNYAN,

Spruce Run, Pa., where he became a well

known man. He married Mary Ann Johnson,
who survives him, being now ninety years
and

they

had

children

follows:

Frank, lane, Alice, Susan, John and Elmer

W.
Elmer W. Runyan learned the trade of
beplasterer and followed that employment,
ing for a period engaged at the Danville
Asylum.

Later he engaged

Montour township, Columljia

farming in
Co., Pa., where
in

he bought an eighty-five acre farm, operating
same until igo2, when he moved to BloomsThere he was interested in difburg, Pa.
ferent

until his (katli. Vd). 2,
1907.
laid to rest in the Lazarus
in

Montour townshij).
Elmer W. Runyan

He was tenderly
Church Cemetery

married .Ann .Maria
Giger, a daughter (jf John (jigcr and a sister
of Josiah II. Giger, of Jilcjomsburg. Mr. and
Mrs. Runyan had two children:
Clark \i.,

who married Daisy

Bogart, is a carpenter residing at r.loomsburg; Joseph W., also a carjjenter, resides with his mother, at No. 575

Main street, Bloomsburg. Mrs. Runyan also
owns an excellent farming proi)erty in Dutch
\'alley as well as four residences at Bloomsburg. For many years she was a member of
the Lazarus Lutheran Church, but is now
connected with the Lutheran Church of
Bloomsburg. Mr. Runyan wa.^ a most estimable man, and his memory is cherished by
those who knew and a]>preciated his many
excellent traits of character.

HARRY FAHRINGER. dealer in lumber
and builders' supj)lies at Berwick, Columbia
Co., Pa., was born at Nanticoke, Luzerne Co.,
Pa., March 31, 1884, son of Frank and Emma
(Harrison) b'ahringer.
Isaac Fahringer. grandfather of Harry, is
an old settler of Columbia County, and for
years was a contractor and builder in and
about Fishingcreek townshiiJ, where he still
resides.

Frank Fahringer, son of Isaac Fahringer.
was also a contractor, formerly of Nanticoke
and later of Berwick, where he is still residing.
His wife is a daughter of Jarius Harrison, an
early merchant of Columbia county. Mr. and
Mrs. Frank h\ahringer have had si.x children:

who

is a resident of Ilammontl, Ind.
a musician, of Idaho; Christine,
who is cashier for the Bell Telephone Company; Maria and Ida. who are both at home;

Guy

\V.,

;

Raymond,

late of BloomsW.
burg, Pa., was born at Spruce Run, Columbia county, in 1850, son of Shepherd Runyan.
Shepherd Runyan was a carpenter of

old,

1189

lines

of business,

including teaming,

and Harry.
Harry Fahringer attended the schools of
Nanticoke and Huntington Mills Academy,
and then taught in a summer school at Huntington Mills. He also taught school in Fishingcreek township, but later abandoned that \)Tofession to learn the woodworking trade.
\\'hen he was eighteen years of age his father
bought the business owned by D. A. Michael,
comprising a lumber yard and planing mill,
and Ilarrv Fahringer became his assistant,
.so continuing until he
Harry) bought the
(

business, which he has since operated alone,
handling lumber and builders' supplies, and
controlling a large trade.

On June 25, 1904,
ried to Nellie Kile,

Mr. Fahringer was marat Nesco-

who was born

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1190

Lula (Lee)
peck, a daughter of George and
Kile, the former of whom is still living, the
Mr. and Mrs. Fahringer
latter deceased.
Lee H. Francis
have had four children
The
Russell; George F. and Lula Jane.
which
the
Church,
to
Baptist
family belong
Mr. Fahringer serves as deacon and as suFraterperintendent of the Sunday school.
and the
nally he belongs to the Odd Fellows
Arcanum, and is secretary of the

engaged with the \Tilcan Iron Works, of
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he spent the next
Thence he
four years as a patternmaker.
went to Tamacjua to become superintendent
of the Wtlcan Iron Works at that point, and
built heavy engines, air compressors and minIn
ing machinery for about twelve years.
August, 1907, he came to Berwick to engage
with the American Car and Foundry Company, and is now superintendent of the gray

latter.

iron foundry, also handling all the repairs
for small works and commercial castings.

;

Royal

RICHARD BATES,

whose

skill

as a pat-

Mr. Bates was married

Catherine

ternmaker has made him one of the desirable
men at his trade at Berwick, was born at
Danville, Montour Co., Pa., June 26, 1869,
son of William and Mary Alice (Hunt)

Marteery, a daughter of Clem and Samantha
( Rittenhouse
Marteery, of Berwick, Pa.
Children as follows have been born of this
union: Clemuel Paul, who was born Dec. 31,

Bates.

i8(;4, member of the class of 191 5, Pennsylvania State College, mechanical engineering
course; and Martha Lenore, born Jan. 16,
1896. An Episcopalian, Mr. Bates is a vestryman and is serving as secretary of the vestry.
Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Mahoning Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M., of Dan\ille; Tamaqua Chapter. No. 177, R. A. M..
Ivanhoe
of which he is a past high priest

William Bates was born in Durham. England, in 1839, coming of excellent English
He had come to the
stock, and died in 1874.
United States and settled at Danville, Pa.
Prior to his immigration he had been educated in the

common

schools of his native

)

and became widely and favorably known
music teacher and chorister, teaching
The Episcopal Commandery, Xo. 31, K. T., at Mahanoy
music to bands and choirs.
Church held his membership. His wife was City Caldwell Consistory, thirty-second dea daughter of Richard and Alice Hunt, and gree. A. A. S. R., of rdoomsburg; and Rajah
Sarah married John Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading.
their children were:
Doster; Elizabeth married William Maiers
EMORY D. HAGENBUCH, now living
Joseph
John married Catherine Haughey
retired upon his farm at Light Street, is a
died young Richard completes the family.
The maternal grandfather, Richard Hunt, prominent and greatly respected farmer of his
was born in 1805. and both he and his wife section of Columljia county. He was bom
Tamer were natives of (ilasgow. Scotland. Dec. 26, 1848, at Light Street, son of William
They were very young when brought to New H. and grandson of Simon Hagenl)uch, all
York, and later to Danville, Pa. There Rich- farmers and residents of Pennsylvania.
ard Hunt became a rolling mill man, working
Simon Hagenbuch. the grandfather, was a
in both the old Cock Rol)in rolling mill and son of John, a farmer of Northampton county,
the Rough and Ready plant, and for twenty and lived at Summcrhill. near Orangeville,
years he was employed on the old "Crocodile where he cultivated a tract of sixty-three acres
Squeezer.'' In 1870 he retired, and he died in and freighted by wagon from Philadelphia to
land,
as a

;

His wife's
1875, at the age of seventy years.
father was a civil engineer and well-to-do.
Coming to America when she was a child, he
surveyed land at Tamacjua. Pa., and was killed
by accident on the afternoon of the day he
was making out the deed for land on which

he proposed to go farming.
Richard Bates was graduated in 1887 from
the Danville high school, and that year began
working in the pattern sho]) of the Mahoning

Foundry & Machine Company, of Danville,
under l<"orbes \"annan. Leaving this concern,
he went to the shop of Thomas j. Hunter, o^
Philadelphia, Pa., and for the following eight
months worked as a i)attcrnmakcr. Then he

He
points in the central part of the State.
married Elizabeth Miller, and their children
were: Elisha Samuel; William H. George;
;

;

Rachel; Mary (Polly), Mrs. Sitler; Sarah,
wife of Freas Fowler, a farmer of P>riarcreek
township (she is the only one of the family
now living, and has one child. Ada A.) Hannah, wife of Isaiah Bower; and Caroline, wife
of George A. P>lain.
William H. Hagenbuch. the father of
;

Emory D., was bom in Light Street and followed farming most of his life. In 1876 he
removed to Bloomsburg. remained there for
four years, and then went to Light Street,
where he died Dec. 20, 1880. His first wife

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
was a Bittenbender, and they had two daughters

and

Samantha, who died

at the

aj^^e

of ten

;

Pernielia, also deceased.

Ily his marriage
M., daughter of Jacob and Nancy
(Dennis) Keller, he also had two children.
Emory D. and Willetta, the latter dying when

Mary

eighteen months old.
Emory D. Hagenbuch was educated in the
public schools and at Dickinson Seminary,
He remained on the farm
Williams])ort, Pa.
with his father until he was thirty-two years
old, and farmed for himself until 1907, since
which time he has lived retired. He has a
fine farm of eighty-four acres near Light
Street and takes a .pride in its upkeep and
In 1870 Mr. Hagenbuch married
cultivation.
Ardelia E. Creveling, daughter of H. D.
Creveling, a sketch of whom is to be found
elsewhere, and they have had three children
Reber Willett, who died at the age of four;
Nettie A., wife of B. J. Grimes, living in
Maryland and William H., a salesman for
Moyer Brothers, druggists, of Bloomsburg.
Mr. Hagenbuch is a Republican, has served
as school director and supervisor of his townHe is
ship, and is at present tax collector.
president of the Columbia County Agricultural
Association and takes an active part in the
work of that organization.
:

;

ALONZO

MAUSER, who

engaged

as a lime burner and in other business, located at Grovania, on the line of Columbia

and Montour counties, was born

Cooper

township, Montour county, March 19, 1877,
son of John F. Mauser, grandson of William
Mauser and great-grandson of Christian
Mauser, a descendant of an old German
family.

Nicholas Mauser was a native of Germany
to this country in 1779, settling
in Montour (then Northumberland) county,
Pa., where he cleared land and built himself

and emigrated

He was

a home.

Revolutionary soldier.

at rest in the Ridgeville churchyard,
in Cooper township.
left one son, Chrislies

tian,

and two daughters, Mrs. Deaffenbaucher

and Mrs. Kocher.
Christian

and died

Mauser was born March

May

1866.

27,

1779,

married Cath-

erine Sickler, who was born April 21, 1786,
and died Dec. 20, 1862. They lived on the old

homestead, where Mr. Mauser followed farmTheir children were: Joseph, who maring.
ried
Lydia Frey
Betsey, wife of John
Krumm Barbara, wife of Michael Wertman
John, who married Lydia Wertman Michael,
who married Catherine Wertman Jacob, who
;

;

1191

William, who
Maria, who married
Wertman; Famiy, who marrietl
Thomas Cole; Molly, wife of Edmund White;
and Catherine, wife of Thomas Cole.
Jacob Mauser, son of Christian, born Dec.
1818, on the old homestead, followed
13,
farming there and died on that place July 27,
He and his wife had three children:
i8r>(j.

married
married
Michael

Catherine

Maria

Krumm;

h'rey

;

E., widow of Isaiah Hagenbuch, resides
(irovania; Lydia died in infancy; Aaron C,
born July 21, \>>4^), married ICllen Kiefer, and
resides on the old .Mauser homestead.
William Mauser, son of Christian, and the
grandfather of Alonzo A., lived in Cooper
township, where he followed the trade of
blacksmith and had a large business among the
farmers.
He also farmed and was engaged
llis
in this vocation at the time of his death,
remains arc in the Odd I'^ellows cemetery at

Mary

He married Maria l-"rey. and
Danville, I'a.
their children were:
Abijah; I^lizabeth, wife
of Paul Shultz; and John F., father of Alonzo
A. Mauser.

lohn F. Mauser was born in Cooper township and followed farming most of his life.
He now has a fine farm of 100 acres in that
township, in the highest state of cultivation.
He married Mahala, daughter of Henry llartWilliam,
zel, and they have had five children:
living in Dover, N. J.; Charles, at home;
Sadie, who married George John, living at
and
deceased
Luther,
Washingtonville
Alonzo A.
Alonzo A. Mauser attended the common
schools of the townshij) and worked at farmstarted
ing until he was twenty-one. He then
out for himself, working on a farm at RidgeNext he was employed
ville for two years.
on the railroad for two years, and then
bought the Simon Reichard farm. Jan. 15,
191 1, and leased another tract of 109 acres,
all limestone, where he is engaged in burning
the stone for lime. This is an old quarry and
Mr. Mauser has built three kilns, he produclime per day and
ing five hundred bushels of
;

;

He ships most
of the product, but has a fine local trade in
Besides he carries on a
the nearby towns.
coal business, is in the grain trade, and has a
small store for the sale of cigars, tobacco
and other staples.
employing six men constantly.

Mr. Mauser married Sarah Krum. daughter
of Jonas and Hester (Hagenbuch) J;^rtun,
William,
who" had the following children
:

George, who married Cora Reeder: Mary, who married Luther
Reese; and Sarah, who married Alonzo A.

who married

Harriet Frye

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1192

Mr. and Mrs. Mauser have two ter of George Hawk, and they have three children: Mary M., Ehzabeth and Edward, Jr., all
children, Pauline and Mary, both attending
Mr. Mauser is a Republican, and has attendnig the Bloomsburg State Normal
school
Mr. White is a Republican in his
served as school director, and as president and School.
convictions, and he and his wife are
tax
repolitical
been
has
he
of
the
board;
secretary
He members of the Lutheran Church,
ceiver of Cooper township since 1908.
is a member of the Lutheran Church, of which
-.,t^
^ ro
r
ADAIMS, a retired farmer of
JACOB
he has been deacon for some years.
Columbia
Catawissa
township,
county, was
Mr Mauser is a very popular man in his
m
Locust
that county Nov.
born
township,
in
Monfriends
has
numerous
section, and
tour and the surrounding counties. He is a 23, 1846, and is a descendant of Casper

Mauser

fine example of the citizenship of
and a credit to his ancestors.

this region

•

Adams, the first ancestor of the family in
America, whose posterity is numerous m Co-

lumbia and Northumberland counties.

Casper Adams, the grandfather, was born
April
25, 1735. in Langendiebach, Ofl:"enburg,
Hemlock
township,
grower
Little is known of his early life,
county, was born in Mahoning township, Mon- Germany.
tour county. May 31, i860, son of Edward Coming to America, he first settled in Berks
White and grandson of Hugh White, all na- county, Pa., and later m Northumberland
tives of Pennsylvania and farmers by occupa- county, where he was one of the pioneers of
tion.
He learned the trade of saddler and for Ralpho township, owning and cultivating sevHe died
a time was employed at it, but returned to eral hundred acres of land there.

LESLIE

WHITE,

a farmer

and fruit
Columbia

farming as a permanent source of income.
Hugh White, founder of the family in
America, was a skilled mechanic and worked
at railroad and canal contracting during most
of his Hfe.

resided part of the time at
and died at Nescopeck.
His wife was Elenora Kelly, and thev had five
children:
Edward; John, who died in Danville; Hugh, who died in the West; Margaret,
wife of Elijah Sechler; and William, who died

Mauch Chunk,

Pa.,

in Illinois.

Edward White was born in Valley township,
Montour county, March 16, 1825, received a

common

school education, and followed the
trade of brickmason for a number of years,
In 1850 he established himself on the farm of
eighty acres in Mahoning township upon
which he died in 1904. He married, in 1852,
Mary Magdalene Mauser, daughter of Christian Mauser, and they had seven children
Ellen, Arthur, William, Leslie H., Idella, Edward L. and John P.
Leslie H. White obtained a fair education
in the common schools of the
county and completed his course in a private school. He was
employed as saddler for nine years in Columbia and Montour counties, and then
began
farming in the section two miles above Buckhorn. In 1906 he bought the William
Appleman place of 102 acres, improved it, and set
out over 900 fruit trees of various kinds. He
is greatly interested in horticulture and will
have one of the finest fruit farms in this section of the State when the trees are in full
:

bearing.

Mr. White married Alice E. Hawk, daugh-

1832, and

Jan- 26,

Church

buried near the

While

Ulue

Berks
county he married Elizabeth Hinkle, and they
had a family of six sons and six daughters:
Frederick; John; Casper; Samuel; Leonard;
Peter; Nellie, wife of George Startzel; Susanna, wife of Samuel Startzel; Elizabeth,
'^^ife of George Libby; Polly, wife of Peter
Strausser; Maria, wife of Jacob Kreher; and
Catherine, wife of Samuel Anspach.
Samuel Adams, father of Jacob W., was a
He
resident of Locust township all his life.
cultivated the ground, and reared and cducated his children, and after a useful and upright life was laid at rest at Numidia, dying
i" 1864.
On Nov. 14. 1830, he married Susanna Yeager, and they had six children
John; Washington; William; Jacob W.
^lary, wife of Abe Sharp; and Sarah, wife
in

Ralpho township.

;

of Jacob Gilbert.

Jacob W. Adams attended the common
schools in Locust township, meanwhile working on the home farm, and in time began farmIn
ing and huckstering on his own account.
1898 he removed to Catawissa and bought the
''Three Points Hotel." which he conducted for
eleven years. He then sold the hotel and retired.
He still retained the farm of forty-five
acres.

In June, 1865, ^\r. .\dams married Cathdaughter of Peter Gearhart, and they
have had the following children:
Samuel,
Hving at Rupert William, living at Berwick
Wesley, living at home; and Cora, wife of
Charles Young, a merchant in Catawissa
erine,

;

township.

Mr. Adams

Democrat and

COLUMBIA AND AlONTOUR COUNTIES
has served as school director and trustee of
the school board m Catawissa
township, and

member

of the grand jury.

le is a

mem-

her of the United Brethren Church of Roaringcreek townshij), and has served as treasurer
of the Sunday school. Some years ago he
donated a small tract of land to the church.

well

known and

highly

respected

citizen.

ORION MILTON HESS,
for the American Car and

officer

special

lives at

Waller,

who married

lane,

1193

Jackson township; Lydia

[osiah Kline
lives at
"Houston, Texas; Alinas Cole, wh'o married
Rhoda Roberts, lives at Watrousvillc, Mich.;
Amelia Ann, deceased, married Josei)h Carpentcr, of Laporte, Sullivan Co., Pa. Clarence
;

Wellington, who married Mary |. Kile, lives
in
Sugarloaf towni^hip; Herbert Ma'yville,
who married Kate E. Davis, lives in Beaver
town.ship; Samuel Leclaire. who married
b:iizabeth Hildebrand, lives at Herwick Sadie
;

Foundry Company

Augusta, who married l^>oyd H. Dodson,
at
Berwick; Orion Milton completes

lives

was born June 19, 1864, in Sugarthe
loaf township, Columbia Co., Pa., son of family.
Orion Milton Hess attended school in
Joseph O. Hess, grandson of George Hess,
and great-grandson of William Hess.
Sugarloaf township, and worked on his
William Hess and his brother John Hess father's homestead until he was sixteen years
came from Northampton county, Pa., to Co- old. y\t that time he left home, and worked
lumbia county, William locating in Benton among neighboring farmers until he was
township, and his brother in Mifflin township, twenty-two years of age. While thus engaged
Both a farmer and miller, William Hess he continued his .studies and prepared himself
acquired large interests, building a gristmill for teaching. As soon as he was al)le to i)ass
in Benton township, and he
spent the re- the examinations he began teaching school,
mainder of his life in the locality. He and his and so continued for eighteen years, the
wife had eleven sons and two daughters. In greater portion of the time in his native townHis ship. He then moved to Berwick and was
religious faith he was a Methodist.
political views made him a Democrat.
employed by the American Car and Foundry
George Hess, a son of William Hess, was Company as repairman in the machine shop
born in Benton township, where he acquired of the steel plant for six months, when he was
his education and became a farmer and miller, appointed special officer at that plant, which
He owned a number of valuable farms in position he still retains. He is a Democrat,
Benton township and one in Sugarloaf town- and has been auditor and town clerk of Sugarloaf township.
ship, and was a man of considerable means,
Fraternally he belongs to
He and his wife Elizabeth (Brown) Hess had Benton Lodge, No. 746, I. O. O. F.. and ^^a^y
the following children
Samuel John Wil- Frantz Lodge, No. 370, Daughters of Reliam; Elijah; Wesley; Joseph O. Mary Ann, bekah Washington Camp No. 105. P. O. S.
who married Jacob Kline and Martha, who of A., of Berwick, which he served for sevwas killed in her father's mill when twelve eral terms as president Sugarloaf Council,
years old. Like his father George Hess was No. 150, American Mechanics; and Susquea Methodist in religious faith and a Democrat hannah Commandery No. 18, Knights of
The Christian Disciples
in politics.
Malta, of Berwick.
Joseph O. Hess was born in Benton town- Church of Berwick holds his membership, and
ship, in 1818, assisted his father on the latter's he is a teacher in its Sunday school,
Orion AI. Hess married Cora B. McHenry,
farms, and attended school until he attained
S. Frank,
his majority. At that time his father gave him and they have had two children
the lOO-acre farm in Sugarloaf township who was born Dec. 3, 1889; and Luella, bom
which he continued to operate until his death, Oct. 20, 1895.
in October, 1889.
S. Frank Hess, son of Orion Milton Hess,
A Democrat, he held the
Not only was educated in Sugarloaf township and the
office of assessor of his township.
was he a Methodist, but he was a trustee of Berwick high school, as his parents moved to
the borough when he was twelve years old.
St. Gabriel's Church of Sugarloaf township,
and he and his wife, who died in 1876. are laid Later he took a three years' course in the
to rest in the graveyard adjoining that church. Bloom.sburg State Normal School, from which
Joseph O. Hess married Helen Cole, a daugh- he was graduated in 19TO. For the next two
ter of Ezekiel and Sarah (Jackson) Cole, and years he taught school in Briarcreek township
their children were:
Zachary Taylor married and one year of this time was at the Red Rock
Priscilla Fritz, and lives in Michigan
Mary school, the other year being supervising prinElvira, who married Henry H. Hirleman, cipal of the Briarcreek township high school.
at Berwick,

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1194

At present he

is a painter in the passenger car
department of the American Car and Foundry
Company of Berwick. Always an athlete, he

was a very popular football player. He belongs to Berwick Lodge. No. 1138, B. P. O. E.,
and in politics he is a Democrat.
Luella Hess, daughter of Orion Milton
Hess, was educated in the schools of Sugarloaf township and Berwick high school, being
graduated from the latter institution in 1913,
and is now at home. She belongs to the ChrisChurch.
Mrs. Cora B. (McHenry) Hess, wife of
Orion Milton Hess, was born Aug. 31, 1868,
in Jackson township, a daughter of Silas W.
McHenry, granddaughter of Absalom McHenry, and great-granddaughter of Thomas
McHenry, who was born in Ireland. He married, and settled in Orange township, Colum-

tian Disciples

bia Co., Pennsylvania.

Absalom McHenry was

a farmer

all

his life,

operating in Benton township. He was born
in Columbia county, at Rohrsburg, on the
Samuel McHenry farm, and married Permilla
Kline, born in Orange township, near ( Jrangeville,
daughter of George and Catherine
(Johnson) Kline, natives of New Jersey, who
settled near Orangeville. The children of Mr.

and Mrs. Absalom McHenry were: Lowry
M. married Catherine Kitchen, and both are
deceased
Clinton married Martha Jackson,
and both are deceased; Edward married Mary
Ann Hess, and both are deceased George,
who married Alice Remley, lives at Benton
Catherine, deceased, married Benjamin Savage, who lives in Jackson township Lavina is
deceased Silas W. is mentioned below.
In
politics Mr. McHenry was a Democrat, while
in religious faith he was a member of the
;

;

W. McHenry was born May

18, 1834,

in Sugarloaf township, on the Clarence Laubach farm, and died Nov. 12, 1886. Growing
up in Benton township, he was also engaged
in farming for some time, and then served an

apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. When
he was sixteen years old he began teaching
school, and with one exception spent all of his
winters in teaching until he died. The winter
that he did not teach school he was engaged in
building a new house for himself. During the

summers he worked at his trade, and thvis kept
Democrat, he was very active in his
busy.
party and served as county commissioner of
Columbia county at the time the MoUie ]\laguires were hanged. During his tenure of the
office the new jail was Iniill at Bloomsburg.

Silas

W. McHenry

;

Daughters of Rebekah
Nescopeck Council.
No. 160, Daughters of Liberty: Queen Esther
Temple. No. 4, Ladies of the (iolden Eagle,
of Berwick, and Camp No. 70, Patriotic Order
She is president of
of Americans, Berwick.
the Ladies' Aid Society of the Christian
Disciples Church of Berwick, and has been
;

largely instrumental in forwarding the work
of that organization, placing its charities upon
a firm and systematic basis. She is also interested in Sunday school work, teaching a class
and exerting a strong influence for good
among her pupils. Both she and Mr. Hess
stand very high in their church and among
their neighbors, who hold them in affectionate
esteem.

WILLIAM

Christian Church.
Silas

who was born Nov. 25, 1838, daughter of
Joseph and Mary Butt, and died Nov. 18,
Their children were:
Permilla. de1907.
ceased, who married H. Atley Lemons, lived
in Greenwood township; Allen Z., who married Ellen Derr, lives in Coganhouse. Lycoming county Ella, who married Ezra O. Hess,
lives in Jackson township; Cora B. is Mrs.
Orion M. Hess. Mr. McHenry belonged to
Benton Lodge, No. 746. I. O. O. F. The
Christian Church held his membership and he
was a very prominent church worker. He and
his wife are interred at Waller, in Jackson
township. Columbia county.
Mrs. Cora B. (McHenry) Hess, daughter
of Silas W. McHenry, and wife of Orion Milton Hess, was educated in Jackson township.
Her school days over, she remained at home
until her marriage.
Possessing more than
ordinary ability, she has taken an active interest in matters pertaining to her neighborhood,
belonging to Mary h'rantz Lodge. No. 370.

married Theodosia Butt,

H. MOORE, a farmer near
Foundryville, Columbia county and also a
dealer in ice, was born in Salem township,
Luzerne Co.. Pa.. Dec. 7. 1879, son of William

W. and Anna (Walton) Moore.

William
Moore, his grandfather, followed farming in
Luzerne countv on land that he cleared him-

self.

William W. Moore, father of William TL.
was a farmer in Luzerne county and died
He
there when aged seventy-three years.
married Anna Walton, who was one of a famShe was reared in the
ily of seven children.
faith of the Societv of Friends.
They had
seven children: William H. is mentioned below: Joscj^h. who is a blacksmith at Berwick,
married Gertrude Hughes and has two children Bruce works in the American Car and
Foundry Company's plant Sophia is the wife
;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
of Archie Bittner, vice president of the Berwick Trnst Company; I'earl, who is deceased,
was the wife of Hnrl Davis, a hotclkcci)cr at
Berwick (she left one child); Lemuel is a
farmer in Luzerne county, on the home farm
;

Blanche C. resides at home.
William LI. Moore, son of William W.,
Moore, was educated in the public schools of
Salem township. Eor five years he worked in
the shops of the American Car and
Eoundry
Company at Berwick, and then bought a farm
of lOO acres in Briarcreek
township, near
Foundryville. where he follows general farmAs there is a fine pond on his place he
ing.
turns

advantage, operating ice wagons
during the summer seasons, having made provision for the storing of ice
during the winters,

On May 19.
May Kile,

1904, Mr. Moore married Fannie
wdio was born Aug. 28, 1880,
daughter of James and Ella (Varner) Kile,
of Berwick, and granddaughter of John Wesley and Esther (Hess) Kile, who had a family
of fourteen children. Mr. and Mrs.
John W.
Kile are buried at the Coles Creek Church, in
Columbia county. He was a farmer in Sugar"
loaf township

all life.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had three children:
Harold and Gladys, who died in infancy; and Deri, born Aug. 20, 1910. a sturdy
child.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore attend Moore's
He
Evangelical Church in Salem township.

member

of the Woodmen of the World
at Berwick, and a Democrat in
political faith.
is

WALTER RUFUS MOLYNEAUX,

man

of the shearing department of the

fore-

Amen-

can Car and Foundry Company, at Berwick,
Pa., was born Sept. 24, 1881, in Sullivan
county. Pa., son of Edward T. and Mary
(hrear) Molyneaux.

Edward Molyneaux.

the great-grandfather

of Walter R. Molyneaux, was born in England, and upon emigrating to the United States
settled in Bradford county. Pa., near Towanda. There he took up a tract of 110 acres,
which he cleared, building upon it a log house
and barn, and he carried on general farming
life.
He was a Republican in
his political views, and an influential man in
his day.
In his religious belief he was a mem-

throughout his

ber of the Primitive Methodist Church. Mr.
Molyneaux died at the age of eighty-two years
and his wife when seventy-six years of age.
and both were laid to their final rest in the
cemetery at Overton, Pa.
They w^ere the
parents of five children, as follows:
Joel.
who married Elvira McCarty, of Overton;

1195

Daxid; Jesse; James; and Sarah, who was
the wife of Daniel Waters, of Minnesota,
James Molyncanx. son of Edward Molyand ^M-andfalher of Walter R.
neaux.
Molyneaux, was also born in England, and

was

when

youth

brought

Bradford

county, La., where he received his education
"">
the pu])lic .schools.
He was reared to
the life of an agriculturist on his father's
farm, and there continued to be engaged in
lie died
tilling the soil throughout his life,
<it
the age of eighty-six years, in the faitii
of the Lrimitive Methodist Church, in which

he and his wife were active, and they
were buried at Overton. Mr. Molyneaux
was a stalwart I'rohibitioni.st.
He and his
wife were the parents of the following children
Watson, a veteran of the Civil war.
who went to Omaha, Nebr. hrederick, who
married Getty Gaynor, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.;
Joseph, who married Cora Matthews, of
^^oth

;

Omaha. Xebr. Edward T. Charles, who
married Margaret Bleiler. deceased, of Missouri; Jabez, who married Jesse Sayles of
Philadelphia, Pa.; Margaret, who married
David \Varl)urton of Cherokee. Iowa; Clara,
"^'^"'"''''^ >^'' McCarty, of ICdwardsville
'J^Z
^^^^^
;

;

'^""'\^" ''°''''X\ ""I'^l.^f
'^''13
^^
'^'""^'

^^^^^^^^"T^"^,t^'f^''^'

'"^':"^''

Pennsylvania

^^'^^^^ TMolyneaux son of ames \ o y°^
"^^"^' ^"'^
1'^^''^^
,^^^'^f
^"^"'^ ^[""^y^^"^
^^'^
l^o^estead m
"^^"^' Y^'
?"
?^'\
Fa. and there
his
I"

^>^''^'^^^^'\

spent

^'"""ty.

entire active career with the excei)tion or four
years which he passed on a small tract in
Sullivan county, prior to the death of his
T-or manv vears he carried on genfather.
eral

farming, but' he has now retired from
He is a Republican in poliand has served very acceptably as school

active pursuits.
tics,

and judge of election, and
has been county commissioner of Bradford
county for seven years. He is widely known
and highly esteemed, and he and his wife are
active in the work of the Primitive Methodirector, supervisor

Pa., where they
the parents of the
Orville. deceased, who
following children:
married Caroline Warburton. of Philadelphia;
Raymond, who married Nellie Rinboldt. of
Nescopeck Walter Rufus Jacob, w4io resides
at Dorranceton. Luzerne county; Bruce, who
married Hattie Bleiler, of Nescopeck; and
Charles Pratt and Ruth, who reside on the
dist

Church

reside.

Beaumont,

They have become

;

old homestead.

Walter Rufus Molyneaux, son of Edward
T. Molyneaux, was educated in the public
schools of Bradford county, and after com-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1196

pleting his studies worked four years as a
miner in Sullivan county.
Succeeding this
he went to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and served his
apprenticeship to the machinist's trade at the
Vulcan Iron Works, after which he came to
Berwick and entered the employ of the

American Car and Foundry Company.

His

his steadfast attention to detail and
his faithfulness to duty soon attracted the attention of his employers, and he was promoted
ability,

foreman, now being in
position
charge of thirty-two men. He has continued
to merit the confidence of his employers and
the respect and esteem of those under him.
to

the

Mr. Molyneaux is a stalwart Republican. He
and his wife are members of the Methodist
Fraternally he is conEpiscopal Church.
nected with Berwick Lodge, No. 246, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Berwick
Tent, No. 282, K. O. T. M. and he also belongs to the Berwick Relief Association.
;

Mr.

Molyneaux

was

married,

Feb.

19,

1912, to Catherine Warburton, who was born
at Campbellville, Sullivan Co., Pa., Jan. 17,
1880, daughter of Murray and Jennie (Nor-

ton) Warburton.

HENRY CHARLES FREY.
for the

yardmaster

American Car and Foundry Company

Berwick, was born at Plymouth, Pa., March
25, 1880, son of Charles Franklin Frey and a
grandson of Ezekiah Charles Frey.

Ezekiah Charles Frey was born in Nescopeck township, Luzerne county, in October,
His education was received in the
1819.
schools of his neighborhood and he became a
prosperous general farmer, the owner of 180
acres of land on which his old homestead still
stands.

cleared off a good portion of this

A
put it under cultivation.
Democrat, he took an active part in politics,
although he held no office. He belonged to the
German Evangelical Church. His first wife,
Elizabeth Buss, born in February, 1819, died
property and

Oct. 2, 1850, bore him the following children:
Jacob died in childhood Edmund Jones, born
Dec. 23, 1845, died May 5, 1892, and is buried
at Kansas City, Mo.; Louisa, born in 1848,
married Louis Boyer, and lives at Columbus,
Ohio; Mary E., born Sept. 15, 1850, married
Clinton Cary.
The second wife of Ezekiah
Charles Frey, Hannah Buss, born in 1827,
died Nov. i, 1863.
She was the mother of
these children:
Charles F. died in iqoo;
James, born in 1854, died May 16, 1913, and
is buried at Columbus, Ohio
Milton F. lives
at Kansas City, Mo. Margaret McHenry is a
;

;

resident of Nescopeck, Pa. Silas died in infancy; Lucinda died in infancy.
;

Charles Franklin Frey, son of Ezekiah
Charles Frey, was born in Nescopeck town-

Luzerne

ship,

Co., Pa., Sept. 2, 1853,

and was

educated in the schools of his township. In
young manhood he was a farmer, operating
his father's property, and also worked as a
stone cutter.
Later he became a locomotive

engineer on the Pennsylvania railroad, and
continued with the company for thirteen years.
An Evangelical Lutheran, for many years he
was a local preacher, although he was not ordained until 1896, four years prior to his death,
which occurred in 1900. Pie was a Democrat
in political faith, and served as a school
director for a number of years.
He was a
member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers, Knights of Malta and Improved
Order of Red Men.
Charles Franklin Frey married, on Feb. 20,
1874, Delphine Girard, a daughter of Joseph
and Sarah Girard, and they had the following
children:
Mary Elizabeth, born March 5,
1875, died in childhood and is buried at Montreal, Canada; Ida, born Feb. 10, 1877, married George M. Hendricks, and resides at

Berwick, Pa.; Adora, born April 20, 1879,
married Harr}^ Snyder, and resides at Berwick Walter, born in ^lay, t886, died in infancy, and is buried at Three Churches,
Nescopeck township, Luzerne Co.. Pa. Henry
Charles is mentioned below
Lyman, born
Sept. 4, 1884, is unmarried and resides at Berwick; Asa Fillmore, born Nov. 25, 1888, is unmarried and resides at Altoona, Pa. Ozicl,
born March 7, 1891. is unmarried and resides
at Berwick; Esther Zola, born June 25. 1893,
died in childhood, and is buried at Three
Churches.
Henry Charles Frey attended public school
in Nescopeck township, and after graduating
worked as a butcher for a time. He then engaged in railroad work for two years, being in
the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In 1903 he engaged with the American
Car and Foundry Company as brakeman. and
;

;

in two years was made a conductor.
Two
years later he was promoted to be yardmaster.
which position he still fills with capable alert-

Mr. Frey is independent in his political
views and has never come before the public
ness.

for

office.

attends the

Bower Memorial

United Evangelical Church, but is not a member.
For some time he has been a member of
Knapp Lodge No. 462. F. & A. M., Caldwell
Consistory. A. A. S. R.. Bloomsburg. and Berwick Lodge. No. TT38, B. P. O. Elks.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
On

Dec. 25, 1905, Henry Charles Frey marGrace Lowery, and they have one daughter, Delphine Carohne, who was born Dec. 19,
Mrs. Frey was born Dec. 25, 1882, a
1907.
daughter of George and Caroline (Sitler)
Lowery, was educated in the public schools of
Evansville, and after her graduation remained at home until married.
George Lowery, father of Mrs. F'rey, was
independent in politics, held no offices and belonged to no societies. His wife was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Both
died in Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
when Mrs. Frey was two years old. Their
children were
Charles Eber, who married
Laura Grassley; Alice Eudora, who married
Clarence Trego Morris Raymond, who married Blanche Heacock Edith May, who married Lloyd Heacock
George Roscoe, who is
unmarried; a stillborn infant; and Grace, who
is Mrs. Frey.
ried

;

ll!i7

two churches,

later adding sixty-four acres
Jn 19(^2 he went into the lumber
adjoining.
business, buying timber tracts and cutting the
trees into merchantable lumber with a
portable sawmill.
In this he has been very suc-

and although his lumbering operations
have been large he has also found time to at-

cessful,

tend to his extensive farming interests.

Mr. Suit married Annie

E.,

Andrew and Annie

daughter of

(i'etersonj Hillstrom, and
Cordelia A.,
they had the following children
:

born July

Louise S., born June 22,
1893; and William H., born Aug. 10, 1896,
who died when eight years old. Mrs. Annie
E. Suit was born Dec. 21, 1868, and died Nov.
5,
1896, and was buried in the Methodist
churchyard at Summerhill. Subsequently Mr.
Suit married (second) iVnnie, daughter of
14,

1891

;

George and Susan Jane (Richards)

Pursell,

of Jordan township, Lycoming county, and
they had the following children: Walter A.,
born Oct. 29, 1897; Clarence G., April 18,
1899; Grace E., Aug. 19, 1900; Olive M., Feb.
14, 1902; Hattie M., April 16, 1903 (died in
infancy); Lovera A., Alay 31, 1904; Arline

JACOB NATHAN SULT, a timber buyer
and lumberman of Briarcreek towmship, was
born in that township Jan. 3, 1866, son of
Adam Suit and grandson of John Suit, for H., May 11, 1906; Doretta P., Jan. 26, 1909;
fifty years a resident of Columbia county.
Jacob N., Dec. 13, 1910; Jennie E., Feb. 21,
John Suit came from Easton, Pa., more
than one hundred years ago, and was a resiMr. Suit is a Democrat, has been township
dent of Columbia county for almost fifty supervisor three terms, is a member of Salem
His son, Adam, was the father of (jrange (Luzerne county), and is connected
years.
with the Junior Order of United American
Jacob N. Suit.
Adam Suit was a well known farmer in Mechanics at Berwick. He is a member of the
Briarcreek township, where for thirty-seven Methodist Church, which he has served as
years he served as justice of the peace, dying trustee, elder, deacon and steward, superinApril 24, 1910, at the advanced age of eighty. tendent and assistant superintendent of the
He married Savilla Sitler, who was born in Sunday school, and president of the Epworth
the same township, of German ancestry, and League.
died in 1887. To them the following children
Mrs. Annie (Pursell) Suit was born Nov.
were born Headley, a lumberman and farmer 8, 1878, in Unityville, Lycoming Co., Pa.,
of Briarcreek township, who is married and daughter of George Pursell, and granddaughhas nine children; Jacob Nathan; Charles W., ter of Joseph Pursell, a farmer, who was the
William,
a farmer of Salem township, Luzerne county, father of the following children:
who married Abella Hartman and has five who married Isabel Crossley Annie, wiflow
children
Alexander, an employee of the of Ellis Miller; Jane, deceased wife of WilGrandfather and
American Car and Foundry Company at liam Polk; and George.
North Berwick, who married Anna Cope and grandmother Pursell are buried at Millville,
has six children; Alary, the wife of Ellis Lycoming county.
Stout, a farmer of Salem township, Luzerne
George Pursell is now (1914) sixty years
Sarah,
He was educated in the schools of
mother
of
three
children
of
and
age.
county,
who is the wife of Robert Paden, of Berwick, Jordan township, Lycoming county, and was
and has six children and Lizzie, deceased.
obliged to take up the burden of life alone at
Jacob N. Suit attended public school in the age of ten. He worked around among the
Briarcreek township and one term at the farmers and drove a team until he had manHuntington High School, and then went to aged to save enough to go to work for himwork for his father. He married at twenty- self. Then he sub-rented a farm of 108 acres
three, and leaving the parental home bought from Mrs. Morse, a sister-in-law of his wife's
twenty acres of land at Summerhill, near the grandmother, and he and his wife took care of
:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1198

when by her
Mr. Pursell's wife
was Susan Jane, daughter of John and Catherine (Lilly) Richards, and to them were born
the aged lady until her death,

will they inherited the farm.

William, who died
the following children
Mrs. Annie Suit;
of
twin
a
was
July 5, 1908,
Samuel is reJames married Edith Day wait;
sidino- in Briarcreek Theodore and Jacob are
twins, the latter married to Florence Heaps
Mr. Pursell is
and the former unmarried.
:

;

He is a Democrat in politics,
still farming.
and in religion has a leaning towards the
United Evangelical Church.
Mrs. Annie (Pursell) Suit was educated in
public schools of Unityville. Lycoming
from the time
county, and supported herself
She is a member of
she was ten years old.
the Methodist Church at Summerhill.

the

HARRY ROBERT

EAST, foreman in the
of the steel plant
shear
and
department
punch
of the American Car & Foundry Company,
at Berwick, Pa., was born Jan. 6, 1882, at
Berwick, son of George W. East, grandson
of Robert East, and great-grandson of Samuel East.

Samuel East was born

England, and was

a youth he felt that his
advantages were limited and that he could
better his condition by working for himself,
and accordingly he left the parental roof,
Subsequently he learned the trade of cabinetmaker, and after securing a small competence
was married in his native land, where all of
his children were born.
They were as fol-

lows: Thomas, who married Angeline Henry,
both being now deceased; John, who married
Mary Sterner, both now deceased; Robert,
who married Julia Herring; and Mary Ann.
who married Joel Saxon, of Berwick, both debetter opportunities
awaited himself and children across the
waters, Samuel East emigrated to the United
States, the journey in the slow-going sailing
vessel consuming six weeks, and after a short
time in New York the family removed to
The father went from that
Pottsville, Pa.
point to Beaver Meadows, near Hazleton,
where he spent some time as a miner, and
eventually removed to Espy. Columbia county,
where he was a tenant farmer on the }^Iellen
He lived to advanced years, and died
estate.
in the faith of the Methodist Church.
He
and his wife were buried in Scott township.
Robert East, son of Samuel East, was born

Deciding

that

England, March 17, 1828, and died in BerHe early learned
wick. Pa., Aug. i, 1886.
the trades of stationary engineer and carpenin

Beaver Meadows and Weathand after his marriage resided for
Espy, where he was proprietor of a
chopmill. In 1868 Mr. East came to Berwick
and entered the employ of the JacksonWoodin Manufacturing Company, as a truckbuilder, and later was associated with Freas
Brothers as an engineer in their planing mill,
at his trades at
erly. Pa.,
a time at

continuing in this latter connection until his
death.
Mr. East was a Republican, and his
fraternal connections were with Espy Lodge,
No. 681. of the Odd Fellows. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Church, with
which his wife was also connected, and both
Mr.
are buried in Pine Grove cemetery.
East married Julia Herring, daughter of Ludwig Herring, whose wife was a Barrox, and
they became the parents of three children:
David, w^ho married Jennie Smith
George
W'., deceased and Martha, who is unmarried,
George W. East, son of Robert East, and
father of Harry R. East, was born at Espy,
;

;

Scott

31, 1857,

there educated.

ceased.

When a lad of sixteen years he accomter.
panied his parents to Pottsville. later worked

Columbia

county, Aug.
Berwick, Pa., September

township,

and

12, i8go.

<lied at

early learned habits of industry

and thrift, and when a lad secured employmcnt in the Espy brickyards, where he worked
until twelve years old. At that time he accompanied his father to Berwick and with him
entered the services of the Jackson &
Woodin Manufacturing Company as general
repairman, a position which he held until his
death, which was accidental, caused by the
fall of a bar of iron which burst a blood-vessel in his head.
He married Sarah Hortman,
daughter of William B. and Catherine
l-'oulk
Hortman. and to this union were
born the following children
Grace, born
July 20, 1879, who for sixteen years has been
one of the most efficient and popular school
teachers of P.erwick Harry Robert Charles
W., born Oct. zj, 1888, who has a position in
the steel yard of the American Car & Foundry
Company, checking. Mr. East was a RepubliHe enjoved the advantages of membercan.
ship in Washington Camp No. 105, P. O. S.
of A., at Berw'ick. and was a devout member of the United Evangelical Church,
Harry Robert East, son of George W.
East, is a graduate of the Berwick high school,
(

)

;

He was but fifteen^ears of
1901.
age when he began to contribute to 'his own
support, working in the blacksmith shop with
class of

the repair

gang of the American Car & Foun-

dry Company. In the wood car shop, in August. 1897. he sustained an accident which, no

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1199

would have thoroughly disheartened of the fifth grade in the Market street school.
of less courageous spirit, and which She has been well known in educational
cost him the thumb and first tinger from his circles of lierwick for si.xteen years, and is
Nevertheless he graduated from equally prominent in the work of the Bower
right hand.
high school and secured employment as a Alemorial United Evangelical Church, where
clerk under R. L. Kline, with the Berwick she had been ])rcsident of the Christian V.wStore Company, with whom he remained deavor Society, and is teacher of the young

doubt,
a

man

about four months, then again entering the

ladies in the

American Car & Foundry Company, where he was given charge of an axle
Here Mr. East displayed his indomitlathe.
able spirit and energy. Placed in competition

Charles

plant of the

with

men

of sterling ability, in spite of his

drawback he proved himself so valuable to
his employers that he was raised to the position of assistant foreman and then foreman
in the iron house, and after about one year
learned coremaking and took a position with

Hoyt & Woodin in the malleable iron department. After about three years spent in this
connection he entered the steel plant as a
His
helper, assisting on the punch machine.
ability and faithful devotion to duty here
earned him the position of aisle foreman
"gang leader"), from which
was chosen as foreman in
the punch department, and subsequently was

(known locally as
responsibility he

given the position he now holds, that of foreman of the punch and shear department in the

Under

his charge are grave retheir discharge he has
himself so capable that his employers

steel plant.

sponsibilities,

and

proved
have the utmost

faith in him.

Having worked

ert

I'^ast,

Sunday

.school.

East, brother of Harry Robgraduated from the Berwick high

school in 1907, was formerly a ])unch oj)eralor
in the steel plant, in the steel passenger department of the American Car and h'oundry
Company, and is now a checker in the steel
lie is prominent in
yard of that company,
fraternal circles, being a member of Washington Camp No. 105, P. O. S. of .\.. and of
Berwick Lodge of Elks, of which he has
been esteemed knight, and is still farther ad-

vanced now.

Samuel Kisner. father of Mrs. Minnie
Viola (Kisner) East, was born in February,
1843, at Mauch Chunk, Carbon Co., Pa., and
He was educated in Ludied Dec. i, 1903.
zerne county, and there learned the trade of
carpenter, which he contiiuied to follow

throughout his life, operating principally at
Edwards\ille and
Kingston.
Shickshinny,
Upon coming to Ilerwick he was for a time
engaged in hauling sand for Alfred Culp,
being his occupation at the time of his
Mr. Kisner was married to Amy
Hendershott, who was born in June, 1840,

this

death.

and died Jan. 26, 1899, and their children
were:
Wesley; Edward; Elizabeth, who
married Christopher Bates, and lives in Edwardsville; Harry, who married Marjorie
Walters, of Plymouth Charles Jennie, who
married Harry Seegar; Lillian, who married
Alfred,
Theodore Scott, of Wilkes- '.arrc
who is deceased: and Minnie \iola. who was
born at Edwardsville, Luzerne county, Dec.
Mr. Kisner was a Republican in his
times.
8, 1885.
Mr. East was married to Minnie Viola political views. With his wife he was a reguin
Kisner, daughter of Samuel and Amy (Hen- lar attendant of the Presbyterian Church,
both are
and
died,
which
of
have
faith
union
the
this
to
and
they
dershott) Kisner,
Grace M., born Aug. 24, buried in Forty Fort cemetery.
come two children
Henrietta
John Fisher Hortman, the maternal greatand
1,
J., born July 2^, 1914.
191
Mr. East is a Republican in his political grandfather of Harry R. Ea.st. was a
and came from
views, and fraternally holds membership in merchant of Belvidere, N. J.,
to
of
State
Pennsylvania, opening a general
A., that
Washington Camp No. 105, P. O. S.
and later moving to MontoursBerat
of
store
O.
F.
No.
Aerie
1281,
E.,
Espy,
Berwick;
died at the age of seventy
he
the
where
of
ville.
wick; and Tent No. 282, Knights
He married Catherine Bloom, who
Maccabees. With his family he attends the years.
Bower Memorial United Evangelical Church. died at Bloomsburg. and they became the
Mary Elizabeth,
Grace East, sister of Harry Robert East, parents of five children:
Sarah
Ann, who
Isaac
school
married
Berwick
who
the
Artley;
was graduated from
high
who marin the class of 1898, and is at this time teacher married John Bennett; Abraham,

his

way

steadily

upward from

the lowest rung

of the ladder in his trade, he is thoroughly
familiar with its every detail, and is able to
Not alone
assist newcomers and learners.
has he won the esteem of his superiors in
office in the concern with which he is connected, but he has also gained and maintained
the friendship of those under him, who are
ready to look to him for leadership at all

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1200

a native of Montour county, born on July 8,
1858, son of John Fry and grandson of Henry
Fry, who settled in Columbia county in the
The latter was a farmer by
early days.
occupation.
John Fry was born in 181 3, in Columbia

Martha Freas; Fisher, who died at the
B.
of
twenty-five years; and WiUiam
age
William B. Hortman, son of John Fisher
Hortman was born at Belvidere, N. J., Oct.
He was
13, 1820, and died April 7, 1884.
educated principally in Bloomsburg, and as a
became a clerk for the firm of Woodin

county, and

cipally

ried

youth

Calfas, in their stove
ville, later becoming the

Pennsylvania canal.

Foundryfoundry
owner of boats on the

continued that busi-

ness ten years, deriving his principal revenue
from the carrying of coal to Baltimore. Subthe owner of seventy
sequently he became
acres of farming land in Briarcreek townColumbia county, but six years 'before
ship,
his death his health

failed and he came to
Berwick, where he lived quietly until the
He married Catherine
time of his demise.
Foulk, who was born Jan. 5, 1827, daughter of Peter and Mary Magdalene (Sitler)

and passed away March 31, 1889.
the parents of the following
became
They
children: John F., born May 26, 1850, married Ellen Remley, deceased; William H..
born Sept. 29, 1852, married Ellen Swank,
Foulk,

Centre township; Mary Cathborn
erine,
June 4, 1854, married William
Pifer, of Luzerne county; Frank Stewart,
born Jan. 10, 1856, married Luella Metz, and
they live in Philadelphia Sarah Jane was born
Oct. 5, 1857; Loring A., born March 23, 1859,
married Ida Sitler (deceased) and (second)
deceased, of

;

Mary Swank,

Abraham

of Pittsburg;

Lincoln,

born Dec. 8, i860, died young; Isaac Artley,
born April 6, 1862, married Nellie Howell, of
Philadelphia; Anna Margaret and Jacob
Sampson, twins, were born Sept. 4, 1864, the
former now married to William Allabaugh, of
Luzerne county, and the latter a resident of
Kingston, Luzerne Co., Pa. Rosa Adela, born
Aug. 9, 1866, married Kinney L. Keller, of
Sayre, Pa.; Willard W., born June 27, 1868.
married Anna Bower, of Berwick. Mr. and
Mrs. Hortman are buried in Pine Grove ceme;

tery.

Republican in poHtics. Mr. Hortman

served as justice of the peace in Briarcreek
township, and was widely and favorably
known as one of the stalwart men of his community. During the time of the Civil war, he
was recruiting officer in Berwick. In his early
years he was an Episcopalian, but later in life
joined the Methodist Church, in the faith of
which both he and his wife died.

was engaged at farm work printhroughout his life, dying in 1898 at
Mausdale, in Valley township, near Danville.
He married Rebecca Sandel, who was born
Feb.

A. FRY, senior member of the
firm of the Danville Milling Company, has
been associated with that concern since April
I, 1895, commencing as an employee. He is

what

Mr. and Mrs. Fry had a family of seven

chil-

John, who lives at Mausdale, Pa.;
Catherine, wife of Charles Diehl, of Danville, Pa.
William, who is engaged with his
brother George at the mills; Elizabeth, deceased wife of William Flora, of Anthony
Montour county
township,
George A.
Phoebe, wife of Charles Kelley, of Pottsgrove, Northumberland Co., Pa. and Peter,
of Plymouth, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania.
After leaving school George A. Fry did
farm work until sixteen years old, when he
went to live with Philip F. Maus, of Mausdale, in whose employ he remained for eleven
years.
During the next seven years he was
dren:

;

engaged in railroading \vith the Philadelphia
& Reading Railroad Company, at the end of
that period ^April i, 1895
coming to work
at what was then the H. A. Hargrave flour

—

He was thus
Danville, as engineer.
until 1898.
That year with his two
partners, John H. Dietz and Charles J. Lawrence, he formed what has since been known
as the Danville Milling Company, renting the
Mausdale mill, at Mausdale, owned by P. E.
Maus, son of Philip I*". Maus. They operated
that mill until Jan.
i,
1901, when they
bought their present mill from the Reading
mill

engaged

Iron Company, operating it ever since. The
production at this mill averages one hundred
barrels daily.
The present company has put
in a complete equipment of modern machinery, and the mill is conducted according to the
most up-to-date methods. The officers of the
company are George A. Fry, C. J. Lawrence
and John H. Dietz. This mill is one of the
oldest, in point of continuous existence, in
eastern Pennsylvania, and was one of the first
It was formestablishments in the vicinity.
merly known as the \\''aterman 5: Beaver Mill.

The

GEORGE

1823, in Valley township, in

now Montour county, daughter of George
and Anna (Moser) Sandel, farming people,

present

owners

b}^

their

progressive

have won the reputation of being
among the most enterprising men of Danville,
and their reliable and honorable methods of
dealing have placed them among the most
policy

COLUxMBIA AND
substantial.

IMr.

Fry

MONTOUR COUNTIES

devoted to his busi-

niciu

marks

their

last

1201
resting place.

Their

who married
who married

Peter

ness and home interests, taking no part in
poHtics or any pubhc atifairs.
Socially he is

children were:

member and past master of Mahoning
Lodge, No. 516, F. &: A. M., and of Montour
Lodge, No. 109, L O. O. F., both of Danville.
He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran
Church, and is a member of Pine Street
Lutheran Church of Danville, J. H. Mussel-

Bcchtel
Isaac
a good common
school education, and was reared as a farmer
boy.
]£\entually he became the owner of the

man, pastor.
Mr. Fry has been twice married, his first
wife being Margaret Roland, a native of Danville, daughter of James Roland, and by this
union there were three children Mary, born
March 15, 1883, who is at home; Anna, born
:

1885, wife of Paris B. Andies, of
Jeannette, Pa.; and Alice, born Dec. 3, 1887,
The mother died Dec. 27, 1889,
at home.

July

14,

aged thirty-two years. On March 29, 1898,
Mr. Fry married Catherine Phillips. There
Mrs. Fry
are no children by this marriage.
was born May 10, 1869, at Danville, daughter
of Squire Joseph Reese and Mary (Allegar)
Phillips, the father a native of Wales, born
24. 1828.
viving his wife,

Aug.

and passed away

He died
who was

Jan. 17, 1895, surborn Oct. 23, 1830,

Sept. 12, 1890.

ISAAC E. YOST, deceased, formerly a
resident of Bloomsburg, was born in Montour
township, Columbia county, Oct. 24, 1842, and
died in Bloomsburg Nov. i, 191 2. He was a
son of Dr. John George Yost, and his grandfather Yost was a- native of Lehigh county,
Pa. He lived near Allentown, where he died.
He was the father of the following children:
John George, Harmon, Aaron. Jessie. John.
Joseph, WilHam. Catherine. Celissa (who died
young) and Rebecca.
Dr. John George Yost, father of Isaac E.
Yost, was born in Lehigh county. Pa., in 1803,
and died in Bloomsburg in 1875. Learning
the blacksmith's trade in young manhood, he
decided upon farming, and coming to
Columbia county in 1826 located in Montour
township, where for a short time he operated
a farm. However, having had a good educalater

he determined to enter the medical proand studied to that end. When he
had completed his medical course he bought
the Scott property in Bloomsburg. and resided
there, spending the remainder of his life engaged in an active practice.
Dr. Yost married Mary M. Kocher. a
daughter of Peter Kocher, of Northampton
county. Pa., born in 1808 and died in 1878.
Both Dr. and Mrs. Yost are buried in the
tion,

fession,

Rosemont cemetery, where
76

a beautiful

monu-

Mowery;
;

Eleanora,

Elizabeth,
and Isaac E.
E. Yost received

Isaac

old homestead in Montour township, which
had been in the family for nearly a century.
Mr. \'ost sold this property in ji)i\ to Boyd

Fry.

had removed

Bloomsburg

in 18.S1,

when he

retired from agricultural pursuits,
and resided at No. 138 East Fifth street, owning his home there as well as other T.loonis-

burg

realty.

Isaac E. Yost married Catherine E. Keefer,
a daughter of Abraham Keefer. who was for
many years a tailor of Orangeville, Columbia
county. Mrs. Yost was born in 1840 and died
in 1908, and is buried in Rosemont cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Yost had children as follows:

George; Bruce O. lunma, who married Lloyd
Smith; Ada, who married h^dward Gcaringer;
Mary M., who is at home and Acob, who died
For many years
at the age of eighteen years.
Mr. Yost was a consistent member of St.
Matthew's Lutheran Church. A Democrat, he
served as a school director for four terms
while residing in Montour township, and also
as president of the board, and as supervisor
and overseer of the poor. After coming to
Bloomsburg he was a member of the council,
and served as assessor and supervisor.
Mr. Yost was one of the substantial men of
his community and his death left a vacancy not
His funeral services were coneasily filled.
ducted at his late residence Nov. 4, 191 2, Rev.
His remains were laid
I. E. Byers ofticiating.
to rest by the side of his beloved wife in Rose;

;

mont cemetery.

JOHN H. SMETHERS, teller in the Berwick National Bank, was born in Berwick
He is a son of Jacob C.
Tune 29. 1877.
Smethers, whose sketch appears elsewhere in
this work.
Mr. Smethers attended public school in his
native city until he entered Woods business
he completed
college, at Wilkes-Barre. where
a full commercial course. For a time after his
his father in the
graduation he worked with
contracting business, but finally entered
employ of the Jackson Woodin Company,
maining a short time and leaving to enter
service of the Berwick Store Company,

the
re-

the
as

clerk to F. A. Witman. He remained in this
six years, when he became
position for nearly
a clerk in the Berwnck National Bank, receiv-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1202

ing gradual promotion until he
courpresent position as teller. His uniform
him
won
has
bank
the
of
the
to
patrons
tesy
many friends, and his careful attention to his
business has made him an invaluable member
of the bank's force.

reached his

MABERY

ACHY, a farmer of Catawissa
township, Columbia county, was born in Locust township, that county, Feb. 19, 1870, son
of Ephraim Achy.

Ephraim Achy was born at Amityville,
Berks Co., Pa., and coming to Columbia
On June lo, 1902, Mr. Smethers was mar- county in young manhood settled in Locust
A tailor, he found ready employried to Margaret M. Dod'son, a daughter of township.
ment at his trade both in Locust township and
John and Rosa Belle (Ritter) Dodson, a hisat Centralia, working at the latter place during
tory of whose family appears elsewhere in this
work. Mr. and Mrs. Smethers have two chil- the Civil war. In conjunction with tailoring
Ritter Dodson, bom May 22, 1903, and Mr. Achy found time to operate a farm.
dren
When he retired he settled at Catawissa, Pa.,
John Jacob, born Aug. 11, 1914.
he died when seventy-nine years old.
Mr. Smethers is a Republican and has filled where
He
married
Maria Snyder, and their children
various offices in the city government. He is
were: Jefferson, Franklin, Harriet, Amanda,
a member of Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O.
O. F., and Berwick Council, No. 1761, Royal Anna and Mabery.
Mabery Achy went to school in both CenArcanum, of which latter he is a past regent.
tralia
and Catawissa, and was taught farming
He and his family are members of the Presin all its details, so it was but natural that he
five
terms
served
he
has
and
Church,
byterian
should engage in that line of work. In 1896
as trustee, being now secretary of the board of
within a
trustees and superintendent of the Sunday he went to Catawissa township, but
moved
to Centre township, where he
year
school.
five years.
Returning to Catawissa
Mr. Smethers comes from one of the oldest passed
he has developed into one of the
township,
families of this section, one whose members
of his region.
have been identified with its advancement and prosperous agriculturists
married Lestie Jamison, a
Mabery
Achy
growth. They have taken an active part in the
of Benjamin Jamison, of Berwick,
various activities of their locality, and ranked daughter
Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Achy became the parents
among the honored and respected citizens. of the
Anna Maria
following children
Since April, 1907, John H. Smethers has been
is a teacher in the Catawissa pubwho
Mary,
and
Loan
secretary of the Berwick Building
lic schools; George; Ilarr}^; Hattie
Frank,
Association, one of the most substantial of the
and Laura. In his political ideas Mr. Achy is
State.
a Democrat, and
greatly interested in
Mr. Smethers is a son of Jacob C. Smethers educational mattersbeing
has taken an active part in
and grandson of Henry Smethers, born in such affairs in
his district, having been a
The latter's wife, Lu- school director for six
1830, died in i860.
years, and now servcinda, survived him and married George Haras president of the board. For two terms
ing
man. To her marriage with Mr. Smethers
he was tax collector, and has always been a
were born Lamon, now a resident of RockThe Methodist
public-spirited, efficient man.
land. Texas Jacob C. and George, deceased,
Church of Catawissa holds his membership.
who married Harriet Edwards.
Fraternally he belongs to the K. G. E.
Jacob C. Smethers, born Dec. 26, 1854, in
Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa., died Feb.
SAMUEL FREAS KEPNER, who has
He married Alice M. Hess, and they been connected with the postal ser\'ice at Ber4, 1914.
had a family of four children
John H., wick since 1902, has lived in that borough
Aaron H., Amy B. and Nora E.
from boyhood. The family came hither from
Mrs. John H. Smethers is a daughter of the Luzerne county. Pa., where he was born, at
late John Dodson, of Berwick, who was born
Wapwallopen, Sept. 2, 1876, son of James
He is a grandson of Daniel
Sept. 13, 1838, in Yorkshire, England, and Harvey Kepner.
died Nov. 23, 1914. He and his wife Rosa B. Kepner.
Daniel Kepner was born in Salem township,
(Ritter), who survives him, had the following children:
Eugene (deceased), Marietta Luzerne Co., Pa., and died in Millcrstown,
(deceased), William A., Anna (Mrs. John Pa., at the home of his eldest son, 1900. He
Shoemaker), Ella A. (Mrs. Edward H. was an Evangelical minister at Salem, Mt.
Humphries), Elizabeth (Mrs. Mayberry Bach- Zion, and surrounding points, and traveled
man) and Margaret M. (Mrs. John H. over much of the country. He married Leah
Smethers).
Christ, and their children were
James Har:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
vey; Levi, who married Anna Black, who is
deceased and buried at Millerstown Anna,
wife of Charles Hass; John A., who married
;

Lydia Myers (deceased) and (second) Ella
Stackhouse; Daniel A., a minister, married to
Jennie Hoch; Harriet, wife of Nicholas Frey
Norah, wife of Abner Stettman William, who
married Maria Shelley Jacob, married to May
Sweffler and George, married to Mary Seeley.
James Harvey Kepner was born June 12,
1850, in Juniata county, Pa., and died March
After his school days he
4, 1889, in Berwick.
learned the carpenter's trade and worked in
the powder mill at Wapwallopen. In 1882 he
came to Berwick and entered the wood car department of the Jackson & Woodin plant,
when William Faust was superintendent, reHe married
tiring from active labor in 1888.
Emma Frances Frease, born Oct. 17, 1853,
daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Sloyer)
Frease, and they had children as follows
Bruce A. Samuel F. and Laura Mabel, who
married Adelbert R. Kingsbury. The parents
were members of the Evangelical Church.
The father was a Republican in politics and
fraternally was connected with Susquehanna
Commandery, No. 18, Knights of Malta, at
;

;

Berwick.

120:^

they have had one child, lr\in Crispin, born
Jan^ 14, 1907.
The Kisner family moved to this region
from Bucks county. Pa. John Kisner, Mrs.
Kepner's grandfather, was born on a farm in

Briarcreek township, Columbia county, and
himself owned a farm of sixty-six acres,
which he cleared and cultivated, raising general crops.

He was

a Democrat, and a

mem-

ber of the Evangelical Church. To him and
his wife Catherine (Boss) were born the folStephen married Rebecca
lowing children
Savage; William married .\mclia liowcr and
(second) Mary Fowler; Hettie married John
Kelchner; Savilla married i^amuel Knorr;
Maria married Emmanuel .Sitler; Catherine
married Daniel Harman John married Eliza
Matilda Paden.
John Kisner, son of John, was born March
and had com3. 1843, ^^ Briarcreek township,
mon school advantages. He was engaged in
a
general farming and carpenter work, renting
farm in his native township. His death ocand he was buried in Pine
curred in
:

;

1891,

Grove cemetery, Berwick. His widow. Eliza
Matilda, is a daughter of James and Elizabeth
(Markle) Paden, of Forks, Columbia county.
They were the parents of the following children Elmer, who married Stella Seybert and
:

Samuel Freas Kepner was six years old
Adelaide Hinchliff; Jessie ^Iay. dewhen the family removed to Berwick, and he (second)wife of Clark Bower, buried in Pine
ceased,
received his education at the old Market Street
Grove cemetery \^erda. Mrs. John SwallenAcademy and the Third street high school, berg; Emma. Mrs. Kepner; and Irvin.
under Professor Richardson, graduating from
lames Paden. father of Mrs. Eliza ^Tatilda
For ten years he was
the latter institution.
Kisner. was born in the neighbor(Paden)
employed in the wheel foundry of the Jackson hood of Forks, in Eishingcreck township. Co& Woodin Manufacturing Company under H. lumbia
ancounty, and was of Scotch-Irish
W. Kirkendall, foreman and superintendent,
served in the
he
war
the
Civil
During
cestry.
being transferred from there to the storehouse Union army, and he died at Forks shortly
of the steel plant, under Thomas R. Buck,
after the close of the war. when about fortyhead storekeeper, and J. R. Searles. superinwas his occupation,
eight years old. Farming
tendent. After two yeaVs there he returned to
he owned seventy-six acres of land, part
and
the wheel foundry for about three months.
of which he cleared. He was a Democrat and
In 1902 he took the examination for the postal
member of the German Reformed Church.
as a
service, and passing was engaged four years
His wife. Elizabeth (Markle). daughter of
a substitute, on Nov. i, 1906, being appointed
Daniel and Katherine Markle. of Fishingcreek
R. S. Bowregular postman, under Postmaster
township, survived him many years, dymg
man. He has served as such ever since, with Nov. II.
came from
1899. The Markle family
characteristic fidelity, and is highly thought of
settlement at Forks, in
a
made
and
Germany
in the community, where his work brings him
Eleven children were
Fishingcreek township.
into contact with most of the residents of the born to Mr. and Mrs. Paden. of whom we
at Berborough. He belongs to two lodges
have the following record: Maria Catherine
;

Knights of Malta, married James Evans, who is deceased Eliza
He is a Matilda married John Kisner. deceased
No.
105.
Camp
member of the Bower Memorial United Evan- Daniel Frederick (deceased) married EhzaMr. Kepner has no beth Sinscenbaugh Hiram W. married Isagelical Church. Politically
Amanda
belle M. Kocher. who is deceased;
party ties.
who is deSamuel
married
Meyers,
and
Elizabeth
Mr. Kepner married Emma Kisner,

wick,

and

Commandery No.

S. of

18,

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1204

Phoebe Allen (deceased) married
George Edler; David Francis married Norah
Sweppenheiser; Sarah Ann married John
Knight, who is deceased; James Buchanan
died young Lana i\lice married Frank Fluck
Rebecca Jane married George Eveland.

ceased;

;

Mr. Hock married Alartha McCasslan, a
daughter of Marvin McCasslan, of MontoursThe following children have been
ville. Pa.
born to Mr. and Mrs. Hock: Mildred, who is
deceased Carrie, who married Ray S. Kress;

who resides at Eyersgrove, Pa.
Murrell, who is at home
George, of Mt.
Pleasant township and Carl, who is attending
school.
Mr. Llock is a Democrat in political
ler

Scott,

;

MICHAEL B. HOCK, steward of the poor
farm of the Bloomsburg poor district, situated
in Mount Pleasant township, Columbia county, belief.
was born in that township April 6, 1861, son
WILLIAM H. KREISCHER. shipping
His paternal greatof George W. Hock.
grandfather came from Germany to the clerk for the American Car and Foundry ComUnited States at an early day, three of this pany, at Berwick, was bom in Columbia
family immigrating at the same time, Michael, county. Pa., Aug. 18, 1878, son of Henry and
He located in Co- Mary (Strausser) Kreischer.
Felty and Munny Hock.
lumbia county, Pa., and founded a branch of
John Kreischer, grandfather of William H.
the family in this locality.
Kreischer, was born in 1809 and died in SepCasper Hock, grandfather of Michael B., tember. 1896. He was a general farmer, operlived in Hemlock township, working among ating a farm of eighty acres in Locust townthe different farmers, his services being in re- ship, and also owned and operated a limestone
quest in clearing the land, as he was a very quarry, selling his product for building purIn politics he was a Republican. Religefficient axe man. His death occurred in Hem- poses.
The following children were iously he was a member of the Lutheran
lock township.
born to him and his wife:
George W., Church. John Kreischer became the father of
;

Michael, Christian, Eli, Leonard, Rachel,
Catherine, Elizabeth, Annie, Ella and Susan.
George W. Hock, a son of Casper Hock,

the following children:
Jerry, born in 1846,
was a soldier during the Civil war, and died of
typhoid fever two weeks after his discharge,

was born in Bloom township, where he was in 1865, unmarried; Peter, born in 1847, who
employed on various farms by the day and also married Hannah Ziegler, has been an invalid
in sawmills.
He died at the somewhat early for thirty-five years; Isaiah, born in 1851.
age of fifty-seven years, and his remains were married Adeline Stewart, and lives at Aristes,
interred in Dutch Hill cemetery.
George W. Pa. Ilenn,' was born in 1857; Zachariah, bom
Hock married Mary Aloyer, a daughter of in 1862, married Sarah Tyson, and is buried
John Moyer, and they became the parents of at New Media; George, born in 1867. married
the following children
Alice, Michael B.. Ida Shay, and lives at Croll. Pa.
Matilda,
Lawrence. Israel, Estella, Clement, Eliza, born in 1854. married Francis Hummel, and
lives at Croll, Pa:.
Ralph and Rennie.
Mary, born in 1859, marMichael B. Hock went to the local schools ried William Hanubach. and lives at Aristes,
and began farming in Greenwood township as Pennsylvania.
a laborer. Later he began farming for himHenry Kreischer was born in Locust townself on rented land and became noted for his
ship, Columbia Co., Pa., in February, 1857,
success.
During his boyhood he planted corn while his wife was born in February, 1859, at
on land now included in the town of Mill- Aristes.
ville.
In 1903 Mr. Hock took charge of the
William H. Kreischer was educated at
poor farm, which has jurisdiction over the Rupert, Pa., where he attended the public
town of Bloomsburg, Scott, Sugarloaf and schools, and his first
employment was with the
Greenwood townships, and the borough of Delaware. Lackawanna
W^estem Railroad
Millville.
Since he has taken over the man- Company as news
agent, his run being between
agement of affairs all of the present sub- Northumberland and Scranton. After a servstantial buildings have been erected, and the ice of five
years in this capacity he became a
system now in vogue was planned out by him. brakeman on the same division, thus contiiuiThe farm comprises 135 acres, which is well ing for a year. He then located at Berwick
cultivated, providing for the needs of the in- and was appointed car service clerk for the
mates, now numbering eleven. Conditions are same company, holding that position for four
;

;

(S:

commend the management to the
taxpayers, while at the same time the unfortunates receive sympathetic attention.
such as to

On Jan. i, 1902. he left the road to
engage with the American Car and Foundry
Company as yardmaster, being so employed
years.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
for four years, when he was made nialcrial
tracer in the supply department, and then for
two years was clerk in the steel yard, hantlling
all the steel records.
For the next three
months he had charge of the shij)ping and inspection of the holt and nut works, and for
the last two years has heen shipping clerk and
inspector in the mine wheel department, where
he was recently injured hy stepping into a
hole; as a result of his accident he was afrticted

with acute synovitis.

On Sept. 4, 1906, William H. Kreischer was
married to Bertha Johnson Stuart, horn at
Fredericksburg. Md., Feb. 12, 1884, a daughter of William J. and Sarah Dorcas (Manly)
Stuart, and granddaughter of Caleb Stuart.
Mahlon

of
Mrs. Kreischer, married Sarah Rodney, a
sister of Caesar Rodney, one of the signers of
Mahlon
the Declaration of Independence.
Stuart was a large landowner and possessed
many slaves, living in the South.
Stuart,

the

great-grandfather

Caleb Stuart, born at Fredericksburg. Md.,
He
in 1805, died when over eighty years old.

1205

Miss
is

liassell and (second) l-jiiily Patterson,
a real estate dealer of New "S'ork
City Mary
;

married John Perrins, an eyelet manufacturer,
of Seymour, Conn., operating in
partnership
with his brother, Thomas Perrins; Sarah Dorcas

is Mrs. Stuart.
William j. Stuart and his wife had the f<jl(lertrucle. born March 17,
lowing family:
1S78, married Horace .Manley. and lives at
(2) Ruth, born May 5. 1882,
Phila(le]i)hia.
is nnmarried and lives at
(3)
Jersey Shore.
Mabel, born March 24. iHSfj, married Ray
(joodell. and lives at Suffield. C"onn.
(4) Milton C, born March 30, 188G, gra<luatcd fnjm
the Boys' high school in 1904, with second
(

)

honors, received a scholarship for the L'niversity of Pennsylvania on his merits, and
graduated from that institution in 1909 with
honors. He was then elected a member of the
faculty of the Rensselaer Polytechnic School,
Troy, N. Y., and was instructor of the senior

thermo-dynamics and shop
and steam engineering. During his third term

class in calculus,

at Rensselaer he received the flattering offer of

was the owner of a large plantation and many a position as steam engineer for the Cambria
The maiden name of his wife was Steel Comi)ar.y, at Johnstown, Pa. On May
slaves.
Martha Johnson, and she was a daughter of 2, 1914. he married Miss Ethel Averna HinchHenry and Martha (Rodney) Johnson. The man, of Merchantville. N. J. She is a musichildren of Caleb Stuart and wife were: cian of rare ability. (5) Mamie, bom Aug. 5,
and

Philip, who married Charlotte Harris,
lives at Bridgeville. Del. Joseph William J.
Hannah, who died at the age of twenty-one
;

years

;

Anna

;

who married Richard
who died at the age of
and Mary, who died in

Liza,

Augustine; Penelope,
twenty-five
childhood.

William

years;
J.

Stuart was born at Fredericks-

His wife, Sarah
Dorcas (Manly) Stuart, was born at Dorset,
Vt., April I, 1848, and died Aug. 17. 1890. at
She was a
Fowlerville, Columbia Co., Pa.
daughter of Marcus and Mary (Dunton)
Manly. Growing up at Philadelj^hia, she was
and a
graduated from the Girls' high school
normal school and taught in the schools of that
Marcus Manly, her
city for eight years.
father, was a manufacturer of iron fences for
for the
graveyard plots, and held the contract

burg, Md., July 23, 1836.

production of all the steel for the Schuylkill
man's
bridge at Philadelphia. This excellent
death was caused by the explosion of an emery
His remains were interred in Rose
wheel.
Lawn cemetery, Philadelphia. The children
of Marcus Manly and wife were
Jennie had
charge of the clinic at the Children's hospital.
nurse durPhiladelphia, and was a Red Cross
staing the Spanish-American war. being
tioned at Porto Rico; Robert, who married a
:

1868, married Arthur Hazzard. who is a steel
contractor, throughout the South, and
lives at Atlanta. Ga.
(6) Bertha Johnson was
educated in the schools of Berwick, and was
graduated from its high school in 1903. For
three years prior to her marriage she taught in
the sixth grade and was under Prof. J. \\'.
jail

Snyder's principalship.
Mr. and Mrs. Krei.scher have had the folRuth Elizabeth, born July
lowing children
27, 1907; William Henry, born Sept. 24. 1009;
Richard Stuart, born Jan. 19, 1912; and Mary
Dorcas, born April 24. 19 13.
Mr. Kreischer is a Democrat in political
faith.
Fraternally he belongs to Berwick
Lodge. No. 246. I. O. O. P.. and the Berwick
Benefit Association.
Formerly a member of
the Rupert Methodist Church, where he was
leader of the Epworth League, he now belongs
to the Presbyterian Church of Berwick.
:

DAVID MAUSER

(deceased) was born in
township, Columbia Co., Pa., a
son of Joseph, grandson of Christian and
a German
great-grandson of Nicholas Mauser,
Mr.
is now Montour county.
what
of
pioneer
Mauser was a blacksmith by trade, but devoted

Montour

himself to farming late in life.
Nicholas Mauser was a native of

Germany

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1206

to this country in 1779, settling and James L. (deceased).
Mrs. Mauser still
Montour (then Northumberland) county, lives on the old home property, and is happy in
cleared land and built himself a home. He was the affection of her adopted daughter and her

and emigrated
in

a Revolutionary soldier. He lies at rest in the
Ridgeville churchyard, in Cooper township.
He left one son. Christian, and two daughters,

Mrs. Deaffenbaucher and Mrs. Kocher.
Christian Mauser was born March 8, 1779,
and died May 2J, 1866. He married Catherine Sechler, who was born April 21, 1786,
and died Dec. 20, 1862. They lived on the
old homestead, where Mr. Mauser followed
farming. Their children were: Joseph, who
married Lydia Fry; Betsey, wife of John
Krumm; Barbara, wife of Michael Wertman;
John, who married Lydia Wertman; Alichael,
who married Catherine Wertman; Jacob, who
married Catherine Krumm
William, who
married Maria Fry; Maria, who married
Michael Wertman
Fanny, who married
Thomas Cole Molly, wife of Edmund White
and Catherine, wife of Thomas Cole.
Jacob Mauser followed farming on the old
homestead, where he was born, and died there.
He and his wife had three children Mary
;

;

widow

of Isaiah Hagenbuch, resides in
Grovania Lydia died in infancy Aaron C,
born July 21, 1849, married Ellen Kiefer, and
resides on the old Mauser homestead.
Joseph Mauser, father of David, was born
in Cooper township and followed farming as
an occupation. He bought the old Fry farm
and lived upon it until his death. He was
buried in the Lazarus churchyard.
To his
marriage with Lydia, daughter of Jacob Fry,
were born the following children
Noah, who
died at Mifflinburg, Pa. David William, living in Lewisburg; Annie, wife of Henry
Lazarus Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Fry and
Ellen, wife of Levi Weaver, living in BloomsE.,

;

children.

Krumm came

from Lehigh county.
Cooper township, Montour county,
where he farmed until his death. He married
Maria Brobst, and their children were
John,
Gideon (father of Mrs. Mauser), Thomas,
Charles, William, Noah, Jonathan, Nathan,
Elias, Mary, Abbie and Lydia.
Gideon Krumm, father of Airs. David
Mauser, was a shoemaker, and also followed
farming in Cooper township, where he died
and was buried, as were all the other early
John

Pa.,

members of the

family, in the churchyard of
the Lazarus Lutheran Church.
He married
Elizabeth Cromley, who died in 1901, aged
seventy-six, while he followed her to the grave
in 1910, at the age of eighty-nine.
They were
the parents of children as follows: Sarah
J.,

widow of David Alauser John S. Mary
David; Amanda; Lydia; Fannie; H. Margaret Ellen Delilah, who died at the age of
fourteen Alice, who died at the age of eleven
Charles, who died young; and Catherine, who
;

;

died in infancy.

GEORGE W. WATERS,

now

retired, re-

siding at Catawissa. was bom in that borough
Feb. 22, 1842. son of George Waters.
His
patemal grandfather was a resident of New

Jersey prior to his removal to Catawissa. Pa.,
where he established himself as a tailor. His
death occurred in Catawissa. and he is buried
here. His children were George and Aaron.
George Waters, father of George W., spent
his life at Catawissa, doing
day work. Here
he died, and he. too. is buried in the cemetery
where lies his father's remains, known as the

Union graveyard.
He married Eliza BenDavid Mauser learned the trade of black- singer, and their children were: Capt. Samuel,
smith and followed it for several years, but who died at Elizabeth City. N. C, a
captain of
finally took charge of his father's homestead the 6th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, comin Montour township, living there until his manding
Company A. during the Civil war:
death, Dec. 10. 1902. He was interred in the Jeremiah Aaron George W.
Dennis Harcemetery of the Lazarus Church, of which he rison Perr>'; and Mary, who married John
was a member. He was a Democrat and Heycock.
served several years as school director.
He
On April 22, i86r, George W. Waters enmarried Sarah J. Krumm, daughter of Gideon listed in Company A, 6th P. R. \. C,
assigned
and Elizabeth (Cromley) Krtmim. They had to the Army of the Potomac, and served for
no children of their own, but reared a daugh- three years. After he received his honorable
Annie S. Krumm, daughter of John discharge he was
ter,
employed bv the governKrumm, taking her at the age of seven. She ment, under Col. W. \\'. Wright, in construcmarried George C. Thomas, and is living on tion corps, and was
employed at bridge buildthe Mauser homestead. They have had seven ing until the close of the war.
Returning to
David M., Harry K., Preston C. Catawissa. Mr. Waters worked for the Philchildren:
Boyd W., Helen S. (deceased), Mildred Edna, adelphia &• Reading Railway Company a short
burg.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1207

period, and then became a helper in the Cat- the widow of James Shultz; Ann, deceased
awissa blacksmith shop.
Later he was em- who was the wife of Hiram BrownMiles'
ployed at the mines of Johnstown for a short Frank, killed at Nanticoke, Pa., while railroadtime, and then returned to Catawissa, where ing, who married (first) May McCoe and
he became a machinist for the same railroad (second) Libby Willcox, of New York- and
company, in whose employ he continued for Robert, who died at an early age.
On Feb. 29, 1912, he was
Miles Murry received his education in the
forty-six years.
placed on the retired list with a pension, and public schools of Bloomsburg and Beach
is now living at Catawissa at the home of his
Haven. He then worked on the home farm
son John, having withdrawn from active life, for two years, and in 1861 received
an'apMr. Waters is a member of Hoagland Post, pointment under the United States
governof
the
Veteran Asso- ment to go to Maryland and break mules for
G. A. R., of Cata\yissa;
ciation of the Philadelphia & Reading Rail- use in the Union service. He
spent some time
road; the P. O. S. of A., and the K. G. E. in this occupation at Conscippio, three miles
In religious faith he is a Lutheran. In pol- from Perryville Springs, and then
spent about
two weeks at Fortress Monroe, after which he
itics he is a Republican.
George W. Waters married Sarah Rohr- was transferred to the ist and 2(1 Brigades
bach, a daughter of Reuben and Abby Rohr- of the 2d Division, 5th Army Corps, as a teambach, and she died in 1894, the mother of the ster. He went then to the Peninsula, Harrifollowing children John, who is a well known son's Landing and other points, and was
druggist of Catawissa, married Florence Tay- ordered into the ambulance corps, with which
He was present
lor, a daughter of James and Deborah Tay- he remained three months.
at the battles of Second Bull
lor, and their children are Deborah and John
Run, Snicker's
Reynolds died in 1881 Tressa married Harry Gap and Antietam, and through his coolness
Hosier, son of George B. and N. P. Hosier, and bravery justly earned the regard and adand they have had two children, John and miration of his comrades and officers. While
Mrs. driving a team in the ordnance
Richard, the latter dying in 191 3.
department,
Waters is buried in Greenwood cemetery, bringing ammunition to the front at Mine Run,
Catawissa. Mr. Waters is affectionately styled Nov. 4, 1863, he was captured by the men
"Uncle George" by both young and old at Cat- under Colonel White, C. S. A., on the old
awissa.
plank road before the Wilderness, prior to
the time General Grant took command of the
MILES MURRY, a retired resident of Union forces. He was taken as a prisoner to
Berwick, was born at Bloomsburg, Columbia Richmond, Va., where he was put in PemberCo., Pa., Nov. 4, 1844, a son of Joseph and ton Crow's tobacco warehouse, being confined
there for three months. In the spring he was
Catherine (Kearns) Murry.
The maternal grandfather of Miles Murry taken to Andersonville, and remained in the
was of French and German descent and was terrible stockade there fourteen long months,
brought to Maryland when a lad. There he At the time of General Sherman's famous
followed agricultural pursuits throughout his march to the sea, the Confederate authorHe married a lady of German descent, ities became alarmed lest their prisoners fall
life.
whose family had also emigrated to Maryland into the hands of the noted Union general,
and accordingly transferred them to different
at an early date.
Joseph Murry, father of Miles Murry. was points, Mr. Murry being sent with a consignboni in Maryland in 18 16, and died in North- ment to Lake City, Fla. Later he was sent
umberland. Pa., in 1889, and is buried at to Baldwin, Fla., where he was released and
Beach Haven, Luzerne Co., Pa. He was edu- told to make the best of his way back home,
cated in the public schools of Bloomsburg, With no money, little clothing, and in
Pa., following which he learned the trade of wretched health, weary from long imprisonbrickmaker, later tended the lock at Beach ment, he made his way to a boat which took
Haven, and finally worked on the Pennsyl- him to Annapolis, Md., and from that point
vania canal. Mr. Murry was a Democrat in proceeded to Washington, D. C, where he
the Odd Fellows, and was paid off by the United States government,
politics, fraternized with
He had served
followed the teachings of the Episcopal Church and returned to his home.
In 1840 he mar- three years and eight months in the ranks of
in his religious tendencies.
After a short rest, in
ried Catherine Kearns, and they became the his country's fighters.
of 1866 he became engaged in boatparents of the following children: Margaret, the spring
who died at the age of thirty-one years Mary, ing on the Pennsylvania canal. During the
:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1208

next year he operated boats on his own account, and in 1868 became a railroad man.
For one year he was a brakeman, then advanced to fireman, in which capacity he acted
four years, and at the end of that time, by
reason of his faithful and efficient service,
was promoted to engineer, a position which
he held for thirty years as one of his company's most valued and trusted employees.
After serving as engineer of a passenger train
for twenty-one years Mr. Murry retired, in
1908, and since that time has resided at his
pleasant home, No. 119 Iron street, West

and both are deceased; Byron Elwood died
when a child Annetta married Mr. ^Slurry.
Annetta (Swank) Alurry, daughter of William Swank, was born March 10, 1855, in
Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa. She lost
her mother when she was but four years of
age, but was carefully reared and educated
by her father, with whom she made her home
until the time of her marriage to Mr.
Murry.
Like her husband she has a wide acquaintance
in Berwick and the
surrounding country, and
is held in the
highest regard by all with whom
;

she has

come

into contact.

Berwick.

Mr. Murry is a member of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers, and of Kingston
Lodge, No. 395, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows.
In political matters he is a DemoHe now belongs to the Baptist Church
crat.
of Berwick, was formerly a member of the
church at Northumberland, Pa., and for a lonof
term of years held the office of treasurer. He
married Annetta Swank, daughter of William
and Desire (Turner) Swank, and they became
the parents of the following children
Evelyn,
:

who married William Somers, resides in
Bloomsburg, Pa. Charles, who married Alice
Bloom, also lives at that place Edward makes
his home in Berwick, Pa. George is a resident
;

;

of the Buckeye State James Lowery married
Harriet Hoover and lives in Nescopeck, Luzerne Co., Pa.; Pauline resides with her par;

WILLARD

FOWLER, who

conduct-

ing a plumbing and heating business at Berwick, was born in that place Aug. 20. 1873,
son of Charles D. Fowler, and grandson of
Gilbert H. Fowler.
The family is of English descent. Benjamin Fowler, the first ancestor of the family
in Columbia county, came hither from Reading, Pa., soon after the close of the Revolutionary war. He was bom in England, and as
a boy entered the British army,
being in many
of the battles with the colonists, finally surrendering with Cornwallis at the battle of Yorktown. After that he went to the Wyoming
valley, but meeting with a hostile reception
changed his location to Reading. From there

he came to Columbia county with packhorses,
and located land in what is now Centre townents.
ship, but after a short time was driven away
William Swank, father of Mrs. Murry, was by the Indians. He returned to Reading and
born in Salem township, Luzerne county, and there married, later coming back to Columbia
county and making another attempt to estabthere received his education in the
public
He and his wife lived and died
schools. At the age of sixteen years he com- lish a home.
menced operations on his own account, work- here, and were buried in Briarcreek township,
at the Stone Church.
ing among the farmers of his locality, and
Gilbert H. Fowler, son of Benjamin, was
when he had accumulated enough means invested in a threshing outfit, which he worked one of a family of nine children. He followed
for many years. Eventually he became one of his father in the care and cultivation of the
old farm, he and his brother William
the substantial men of his
buying
community, and
He was
died respected and esteemed by all who knew the place from their father in 1836.
him.
He was a member of the Methodist twice married and had ten children. Charles
Church, and he and his wife, who died when D. being one of this family. The father died
Mrs. Murry was four years old, are buried at March 24, 1873. -it Elizabeth City. N. C.
Beach Haven, Pa. His political views made where he had gone for the sake of his health,
him a Democrat. The children of William and is buried in the Berwick cemetery.
Charles D. Fowler was born in Briarcreek
and Desire Swank were as follows:
Mary
township
Aug. 26. 1835, and for a time was
married
Manas Remeally, and both are
Jane
in farming and
Later he
teaming.
deceased; Celeste, deceased, was the wife of engaged
opened a furniture store, and subsequently
Sylvester Williams Margaret married George
conducted a
and heating business in
Kishbaugh, and both are deceased; John mar- Berwick. Heplumbing
died Feb. 20, 191 1. at the age of
ried Mary Remeally, and both are
deceased
His wife Susan A. (WilSarah is the widow of John Masters Erastus seventy-six years.
liams) was born June t8. 1836. daughter of
died young; Joseph married Ellen
Kishbaugh, John H. Williams, a farmer of Briarcreek
;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
township. ]\Irs. Fowler is still living with her
son Willard G., at the age of seventy-eight
These children were born to Air. and
years.
Mrs. Charles D. Fowler:
Emma Florence,
born April 22, 1863, is the widow of C. F.
Finch, of Berwick; Charles E., born Jan. 30,
1867, died ^Vpril 1, 1871; Blanche Victoria,
born Aug. 23, 1869, is the wife of John Fox,
of Bloomsburg; Willard G. is mentioned below; Sarah Maria, born Aug. 7, 1876, died

March

24, 1886.

Willard G. Fowler was educated

in the pubschools and graduated from high school in
1892. While attending school he acted as assistant secretary of the Y. M. C. A. at Berwick, under H. A. Lord, the secretary, beginning in 1890, and held the position until 1897.
After his graduation he entered the store of
lic

Swazy & Bower
for three years.

work and was

as clerk, remaining with

them

then took up electrical

two years,
after which he worked at the plumbing and
heating trades until 1899. From that date till
the present time he has been in the business of
plumbing, heating and wiring, making a specialty of fine sanitary fittings.
On Oct, 19, 1899, Mr. Fowler was united in
marriage to Ann M., daughter of Alexander
M. and Katherine Dupuy, natives of Shickshinny, Luzerne county, and descendants of
the pioneers of that part of Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Airs. Fowler are members of the
Methodist Church he is secretary of the men's
Bible class and member of the official board,
while she is also interested strongly in the
work of the church. He is a member of the
Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O. S. of A.
Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F. Berwick
in the business for

;

Council, No. 176, Royal

Arcanum, and Sus-

quehanna Commandery, No.

18,

Knights of

Malta.

ELAIER KLINGER

well

known

to the

citizens of Berwick, Pa., where he has spent
the greater part of his life, connected with

some of the great industries of the place. He
was born in Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa.,
April 17, 1870, son of Gideon and Lydia (Varner) Klinger.
Gideon Klinger w^as born April 6, 1846, at
Conyngham, Luzerne county, and there secured a common school education. In young
manhood he adopted the vocation of agriculturist, which he followed in Salem township

coming to Berwick to become a wheel
molder in the plant of Jackson & Woodin.
Later he became a molder in the pipe fac-

until

tory, but resigned his position in 1894 or 1895

because of

1209

and since that time has
Klinger is a Democrat, but
not a politician or an oilice seeker, lie married Lydia Varner, daughter of
Jonas and
Elizabeth (Shaflerj Varner, of Salem township, and three children were born to this
union: Calvin, who married Florence Davis;
Ki'We Alay, who became the wife of C. E.
Aloore; and l-^lmer.
Elmer Klinger was still a small child when
brought to Berwick, and here secured hi:> eiluill

lived retired.

cation

health,
Air.

the

street school,

old

academy and the Second
Aliss Sue Thompson and

under

Professor Smith.
In Alarch, 1887, he laid
aside his bo(jks and began his career as an
employee of the Jackson & Woodin Company,
in the pipe foundry, under George Aloorehead, foreman, and H. F. Glenn, superintendIn 1889 Air.
ent, remaining about two years.
Klinger was sent to the blacksmith shop as

under William Boyles. foreman, remaining in that capacity seven years and then
becoming timekeeper and shipping clerk for
a like period.
Following this he was made
assistant foreman and timekeeper to .Superintendent James Hemj)stead and Superintendent
Frank Faust, and was subsequently transhelper

ferred to the general office as clerk, taking

charge of the quantity books in the mechanical
department and remaining in that jiosition for
a jjeriod of six years. During about three and
a half years he has been in the general office,
and for the last one and a half years of this
time has been in the export inspection department under J. J. AIcBridc, which department

New A'ork office. Air. Klinger
consecutive promotion through faithful application to duty and well directed inHe is
dustry, combined with natural ability.
respected and esteemed by his superiors and
is known as one of his department's most valuable men.
comes under the

has

won

89 1, Mr. Klinger was marWilliam S.
and Alartha J. (Tubbs) Harris, and two chilAlartha
dren have been born to this union
Alexander
married
born
3,
1893,
April
A'lay,
I. McKechnie and has one son, Elmer John,
born Sept. 21, 1913; Paul A. was lx)rn Feb.

Nov.

12,

ried to Jennie Harris, daughter of

15, 1895.

\\'illiam

Klinger,

Harris, the grandfather of Mrs.
a farmer of Salem township,

was

Luzerne county, and was married to a Atiss
Scott, by whom he had the following children
William S. and James, deceased
Philip
:

;

lacob,

deceased,

who married

Mary, who married
ceased;

Frances,

Ella

Keller;
both de-

Dreisbach.
Clark

who married

Fred-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1210

—

Samuel Shaffer, son of Samuel, was bom
and (second) William Clewell all deat
deceased.
also
and
Lewisburg, Pa., and learned the cooper's
ceased and Lloyd
Floyd,
William S. Harris, the father of Mrs. trade from his father, following it in what is
fami in now Montour county, Pa. Later he settled in
Klino^er, was bom on his father's
Salem township, Luzeme county, in 1845, and Hemlock township, Columbia county, where
vocation of agricul- he engaged in farming, and subsequently went
early in life adopted the
In 1862 he enlisted for service in a to Bloom township, where he farmed until his
turist.
death. He married Margaret Culp, a daughPennsylvania regiment of volunteers, fought
the Civil war, and upon his ter of Peter Culp, of Montour county. They
gallantly through
return at its close came to Berwick and se- had children as follows: Mary, who married
cured employment in the wheel foundry of the Michael Snyder; Jane, who married Benjamin
He was a sue- Lee; Henry; Matthias; David; William; SamJackson & Woodin Company.
cessf ul business man and highly esteemed cit- uel John Simon, and Charles,
left a
Samuel Shaffer was born at Danville, Monizen, and when he died, Feb. 12, 1879,
wide circle of friends to mourn his loss. He tour Co., Pa., Nov. 10, 1838, and in young
was a Republican in politics. Mr. Harris mar- manhood leamed the carpenter's trade, which
ried Martha J. Tubbs, who was born in 1846, he followed at Bloomsburg, being thus enfor fifty-five years. As the volume of
daughter of Earl and Rebecca (Parkes) gaged
children:
his
business
the
had
and
following
required, he gave employment to
Tubbs,
they
William, who married Mamie Van Home (de- from two to twelve men, and he built a numthe city as well
ceased) and (second) Cordelia Van Home; ber of the best residences of
as some of the business houses, including the
Daniel, who married Felicia Ann Keck Earl
Elias, who married Elizabeth Blaine; Simon, Farmers' National Bank building,
Samuel Shaffer married Catherine Zigler, a
who married Emma Crispell Nathan, who
married Emma Barlow Jemima, who married daughter of Daniel Zigler, and they had the
Milo Hoyt; Martha, who married William following children James; Charles; Edward;
Harris Joseph, and Jennie.
Harry Boyd Samuel Fannie, who married
Mr. KHnger is independent in his political Amos Melick Emma J., who married Percy
views, preferring to use his own judgment Johnson and Margaret, who is at home,
Edward Shaffer, son of Samuel Shaffer,
in the choice of candidates best fitted for pubHe has acted acceptably in the attended the local schools and learned the carlie service.
and penter's trade with his father, working at it
capacities of auditor and register assessor,
Later on, however, he enat this time is overseer of the poor, in each for some time.
of his offices displaying an appreciation of gaged in various kinds of work until he emthe duties and responsibilities of public posi- barked in his present business, now operating
He belongs to Bower Memorial United a tobacco and cigar store and billiard and pool
tion.
A genial, rooms on Main street. His establishment is
Evangelical Church at Berwick.
of the best in the city, and is thoroughly modern
the
he
man,
companionship
enjoys
jovial
his fellows, and is a popular member of Wash- in every way.
He carries a full line of toof
A.
S.
No.
P.
O.
smokers' supplies of all
and
bacco.
Camp
105,
Camp
cigars
ington
No. 10082, Modern Woodmen of America, kinds, and caters to the very best trade. Mr.
and the American Service Union of New Shaffer has long been numbered among the
York, also holding membership in the Penn progressive business men of Bloomsburg, and
Mutual of Philadelphia. His acquaintance in is popular in the local lodge of Elks. No. 436.
Berwick is large and his friends numerous.
to which he belongs, as well as with the peoericci

;

EDWARD SHAFFER,

a tobacconist, of
Bloomsburg, was born in that city April 25,
1874, son of Samuel Shaffer and grandson of
Samuel Shaffer.
Samuel Shaffer, his great-grandfather, lived
in Lewisburg, Pa., and was a cooper by trade.
The family is of Scotch origin, but the time
and circumstances of its foundation in this
country are not really known. Samuel Shaffer
had a large family, among them being: Jackson, Samuel, Dr. Wallace and Pegg}^ (who
married a Mr. Wallace).

pie generally.

On Sept. 15, 1894, Mr. Shaffer married
Jennie Smith, daughter of Prof. Freeman
Smith, an alumnus of Poughkeepsie College.
Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer have children as follows
Clark, Harold, Catherine, Albert and
Ralph.
:

MARGARET

MRS.
R. GEISINGER, the
present postmistress at Espv. Pa., is a descendant of the oldest families in the State on both
sides of her ancestry.
Her father, Herman
G. Creveling, Esq., was descended from John

COLUMBIA AND MOxXTOUR COUNTIES
and Charity Creveling, members of the Society of Friends, who were pioneers in Scott

On her husband's death she bepostmistress, the position she now holds.
Herman G. CreveHng was born May 19,
1826, near Espy, and was a son of Andrew

township.

came

and Rebecca (Waters) CreveHng. He was
educated at Espy and reared on a farm. He
married three times, and by his first union, in
1847, to Margaret Hester Willett. daughter of
Abraham Willett, had three children Margaret R., Mrs. Geisinger; Ardelia E., wife of
Emery Hagenbuch, of Light Street and one
His second wife
child who died in infancy.
was Louisa M. Kuhn, and they had one child,
Cornelia, who died at the age of two years.
Mr. Creveling's third marriage was to Mrs.
Catherine Everitt, nee Ruckel, and they had
one child, Clinton R., who is living at Espy.
Mr. Creveling died in 1889.
David Geisinger, deceased, was born April
He was in9, 1845. and died Dec. 17, 1892.
terred in Almedia cemetery. From childhood
he was obliged to make his way in the world
unaided, and at the age of nineteen he enlisted
in Company E, i6th Regiment. Pennsylvania
Volunteer Cavalry, serving until the close of
the Civil war and receiving two severe wounds.
In 1868 he married Elizabeth Buff, who died
the same year, and on March 9, 1871, he married Mrs. ]\Iargaret R. (Creveling) Kisner,
daughter of Herman G. Creveling and widow
:

;

Amos

Y. Kisner, a veteran of the Civil
war and a member of Company E. 209th
Pennsylvania Volunteers. By her first husband Mrs. Geisinger had one child. Leroy, who
died at the age of fourteen.
By her second
of

husband she had three children Harold D..
employed with George E. Elwell & Son, printers, of Bloomsburg; William H.. who died
young; and Ardelia E., a teacher of music at
:

Berwick. Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Geisinger was appointed postmistress
at Espy in 1897 and has filled that position
successfully since. She has the friendship and
with
support of all who have had dealings
The office is in the fourth class.
her.

GEORGE MILTON HENDRICKS,

who

for the last seven years has been yard clerk
at the American Car and Foundry Company's
at
plant at Berwick, was born Aug. 2. 1873.
Northumberland Co., Pa., a son of

1211

George Milton Hendricks, was born near Xorristown, Pa., in 1779, died July 26, 1826, and
was buried at Salem. Pa. He attended school
HI I'enn
township, Union Co., Pa., and afterwards became a farmer. He married iClizabeth Dewees, who was born in
1790, in Chester county, and died
Sept. 28, 1853. and her
burial was at Ponifret Manor,
Sunbury, Pa.
Both were members of the Lutheran Church.
Benjamin ]'>anklin Hendricks, son of Samuel and grandfather of
(ieorge Milton Hendricks, was born in Snyder county, Pa.. Sept.
26, 1811, and died Oct. 20, 1883, at Port Royal,
Va. He was buried at Pom fret Manor. Sunbury, Pa.

A man

of great business enter-

he owned a tannery at Sunbury, was an
extensive real estate operator, and owned 400
acres of farm lands in hVederick
county. Md.
He was one of the early members of the
prise,

Republican party and was active in public affairs, and socially he was a member of the
Masonic fraternity. He married .Anna Maria
Shindle. who was born Sept. 21, 181 6, a
daughter of Rev. J. P. Shindle, and died Dec.
Like her husband she was of the
9, 1877.
Lutheran faith and was buried at Ponifret

Manor. Sunl)ury, Pa. The following children
were born to Benjamin Franklin and Anna
Maria Hendricks Samuel Shindle, born Dec.
18, 1835, died Feb. 7, 1890; William McClough, born Aug. 10, 1837, died June 11,
1875 Jacob, born July 22, 1839. died Nov. 20.
Elizabeth Dewees, born July 27, 1841.
191 1
married S. P. Overton; Martin Luther, liorn
June 4, 1843, died June 11. 191 1. married
Amelia Bright: Susan .\nn. born I-'eb. 16,
:

;

1845. died at Allentown. Pa.. July 5. 1862;
Louise Leisenring. born Dec. 29. 1847, married Milton Hemperly
Mary Sophia, born
Oct. 2^, 1849, died Dec. 11, 1906; Catherine
Young, born Dec. 25, 1850, died May 21.
1872; Isaac Newton was born Dec. 24, 1853;
John P. Shindle. born Sept. 6, 1855, died Aug.
22. 1892; .Anna Maria was born Feb. i, 1858.
;

family burying ground is at Pomfret
Manor.
Samuel Shindle Hendricks, son of Benjamin Franklin and father of George Milton
Hendricks, was born at Sunbury. Northum1'he

berland Co., Pa.. Dec. 18, 1835. In youth he
attended the district schools and also an academy at Sunbury. afterwards working on a

farm and also running a tannery for his grandSunbury,
Samuel' Shindle and Annie E. (Horning) father. He was a Republican and for a time
Hendricks, grandson of Benjamin F. Hen- had charge of the mail route between Sunbur\dricks and great-grandson of Samuel Hen- and Hazleton and was continued in office until
the change in the administration, in 1882.
dricks.
of
After retiring from ofiice he worked at cabiSamuel Hendricks, great-grandfather

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1212

netmakincT until the close of his

life,

his death

buried in
occurring*'Feb 7, 1890. He was
Annie
married
He
cemetery.
Sunbury

the
E.

July 18, 1837, and
and was buried in the
of
Sunbury cemetery. She was a daughter
conJacob Horning (formerly an attorney
nected with the Union county bar at New Berin the Union Seminary
lin) and was educated
Both she and husband
at New Berlin, Pa.
were members 'of the Lutheran Church, and
he was a member of the Masonic fraternity.
They had the following children: William B.,
born May 10, 1855, married Annie Harris,
and died April 25, 1884 (he was buried in
Alice M., born Aug. 2,
Pomfret Manor)
Ella A., born May
1857, died June 21, 1858;
the
attended
high .school;
Sunbury
6, 1859,
Martin Luther, born Nov. 16, 1861, is a railroad employee in the ticket office at Sunbury
Susan Ann, born July 13, 1864, died Dec. 27,
cem1881, and was buried in the Sunbury
died
Nov.
born
1866,
11,
etery; Elizabeth,
Dec. 26, 1900, and was buried at Pomfret
Manor (she was educated in the Sunbury
Conservhigh school and the New England
Feb. 16,
born
of
Edwin,
Music) Joseph
atory

Horning

died Dec

who was born
13,

1880,

;

1870,

railroad

telegrapher, married May
is a resident of Ber-

Taylor; George Milton
'

•wick.

George Milton Hendricks, son of Samuel
and Annie E. (Horning) Hendricks, was

educated in the public schools of his native
When yet a youth he secured
city, Sunbury.
employment as night telephone operator at
Sunbury and shortly afterwards obtained a
clerical position in the engine house of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company at NescoHe
peck, which he held for fifteen years.
then accepted his present position with the

American Car and Foundry Company, his long
and continuous services in these offices indiMr. Heneating his dependable qualities.
dricks has had neither time nor inclination for
public office, but is nevertheless deeply interested in the public welfare. He casts his vote
Reared in the
with the Progressive party.
Lutheran faith, he belongs to a church of that
denomination. He is a member of the Berwick Beneficial Association.

Aug.

12,

1898,

Mr.

Hendricks

was

united in marriage with Ida J. Frey, and they
have one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who was

born Sept. 15, 1899.
Charles Franklin Frey, father of Mrs. Ida
J. (Frey) Hendricks, was a farmer in NescoHe marpeck town.ship, Luzerne Co., Pa.
ried Delphine Girard, and they had the fol-

lowing children:

Mary

Elizabeth, born

March

young and was buried at :\Iontreal; Ida J. is the wife of George Milton
Hendricks; Adora, born Apnl 20, 1879, married Harry Snyder, and they reside in Berwick; Walter, born in May, 1886, died very
young and was buried in the cemetery at
Three Churches, Nescopeck Henry Charles,
born March 25, 1880, married Grace Lowery;
Lyman, born Sept. 4, 1884, is unmarried and
lives at Berwick Asa Fillmore, born Nov. 25,
1888, is unmarried and lives at Altoona, Pa.
Oziel, born March 7, 1891, a resident of Berwick, is unmarried Msther Zola, born June 25,
1893, died young and was buried at Three
1875, died

;

Churches.
Ida J. Frey, daughter of Charles and Delphine (Girard) Frey. was born in Nescopeck
township, Luzerne Co., Pa.. Feb. 10. 1877.
She was reared there and graduated from the
township schools, and afterwards, until her
marriage on Aug. 12, 1898, engaged in dress-

making.

RICHARD

ANGELL.

the oldest living

employee in the plant of the American Car
and Foundry Company at Bloomsburg. Pa.,
was born in Buffalo. N. Y., son of George and
Elizabeth Angcll. His father came from England, and his mother was a native of this
country.

George Angell was a Democrat and a mernHe and his
ber of the Episcopal Church.
Richard B. Mary Ann,
wife had children
Francis, a musiresiding in Geneva, N. Y.
cian, residing in New York City and George,
who lived in Ohio, and died in Geneva, N. Y.
(he was a natural musician),
:

;

B. Angcll received a common
education and inherited a talent for
In 1871 he entered
music from his father.
the employ of Robbins Brothers, who owned
the plant now operated by the .\mcrican Car

Richard

school

and Foundry Company, at Bloomsburg. and
in 1873 he changed to the machine shop of
Lockard Brothers, where he worked until
1898, when the business was bought by the
Jackson & Woodin Comixiny. They retained
him for two years, and when the American
Car and Foundry Company bought this shop
the company continued him in their employ,
He was for a time in the machine shop, and
was then made storekeeper. As the duties
became heavier and he advanced in years the
company offered to retire liim on a pension,
but he refused and
life

lias

continued

in the actire

which he has been accustomed, the

company making him

assistant

storekeeper,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
which position he holds at this time. There
is no man in the employ of the
company better or more favorably known than Mr. An^ell.
His careful attention to duty, faithfulness and
honesty are recognized alike by employers and
fellow workmen. He takes a keen interest in
all civil and religious matters in liloomsburg
and enjoys the respect and esteem of his
townsmen. It is such men as Mr. Angell. who
make the interests of their employers their
own, who contrilnite to the success of any
enterprise with which they are connected.
Mr. Angell was first married in 1870 to
Estelle, daughter of John Ludlow, of Scranton. Pa., and in 1888 to Marietta E. Lynn. He
and his wife are members of the Reformed
Church. He is a Democrat in politics, but
independent on important questions.

DANIEL

FEGLEY, proprietor of FegCatawissa, was born in Cooper

ley's cafe, at

township, Montour Co., Pa., Sept. 18, 1870,
son of Samuel Fegley and grandson of John
They
Fegley, a miller, of Helfenstein, Pa.
are descendants of Bernhard Fegley, a native
of Switzerland.
Bernhard Fegley, the first of the line in this
country, came to Pennsylvania in its earliest
days, locating in Montgomery county, near
East Greenville. No further record is found
of him except that of his death, which oc-

curred

1782

Longswamp

township.

Berks county. Of his son, Peter, there is also
no definite record save that he was born in
Montgomery county and settled in Douglass
township, where he died. The name Fegley
has been translated into the English form of
Bird, and is borne by many persons in New
Jersey, descended from the same ancestor,
Bernhard Fegley.
John Fegley, son of Peter and grandfather
of Daniel E.. moved from Berks county and
settled in Helfenstein, Pa., where he ran a
fulling mill. Later he moved to Roaringcreek,
Columbia county, where he ran a fulling mill
and sawmill. His death occurred at HelfenHe had seven children, Eliza. Ella,
stein.
Anna. Lelia. Samuel. Nathaniel and John.
Samuel Fegley was born in Catawissa townatship. Columbia county. Sept. 14. 1847.
tended the jmblic schools, and as he developed
into manhood became a stonemason and plas-

1213

mour Berkheimer; Harry;

h:iizabeth

;

Alonzo;

Clark; Sadie, wife of Frank Fleming; Hattie, wife of Robert
Farley; Mary; Samuel;

and luigene.

Daniel E. Fegley attended public school in

Montour county and followed farming for
seven years, after which he worked at the
trade of plasterer for two years.
As time
passed he saw an opening in tlie livery business and at once entered it, conducting a stable
for fourteen years.
For a time he was employed as a railroad man and in x^-jq-] he
opened the restaurant at Catawissa which he
now conducts. He has a good location, and
commands a fine trade among the residents of

Catawissa and surrounding county.
On Oct. 30, 1891, Mr. Fegley married Hannah Walter, daughter of William Walter, and
they have seven children: Charles E., Annie.
Lawrence, Lester, Paul, Lee and James. Mr.
Fegley is a Democrat in politics, and has
served as constable for seven years.

HENRY

KECK,

a retired farmer,

now

Columbia county, was born
in Fairmount township, Luzerne Co.. Pa.,
Aug. 13, 1847, son of Peter and Julia (Klineliving at Berwick,

tob) Keck.

Solomon Keck, his paternal grandfather,
was of German ancestry. He was a soldier
in the war of 1812.
In the early part of I7()0
he came to Luzerne county from Allentown,
Pa., bought a farm near Nescopeck, and followed agricultural pursuits to the end of his
life.
He married Catherine Henry.
Peter Keck, son of Solomon and Catherine
(Henry) Keck, was born at Nescopeck, Luzerne Co., Pa., in 1809.
During his earlier
years he engaged in farming and afterwards

was variously occupied, for many years serving in public offices. He assisted in the conAt
struction of the old Pennsylvania canal.
one time he was postmaster at Fairmount,
Luzerne county, and served three years in the
of tax collector of Fairmount township.
one of the early mail carriers between
Berwick and the smaller towns and prol)ably
was as well known as any man of his day in
In politics he was a Repul)lican.
this section.
He lived to extreme old age, retaining all his
office

He was

faculties until he was one hundred years old.
his death occurring two years later at the home
In 1883 he
of his son, Christopher Keck.
came to live in Berwick, and at the time of
his death. Dec. 31. 1910. was the oldest person

All of his life was spent at his trade,
terer.
and he now lives at Catawissa, retired from
the labors and hardships of a life of usefulFor many years he had been
ness and merit. He married Elizabeth Baylor, in this region.
who died Dec. 21, 1908, and they had children a member of the Bower Memorial United

follows

Daniel E.

;

Cora, wife of Sey-

Evangelical Church.

Pie married Julia Kline-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1214

tob, who was bom in Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa., daughter of Christopher and
Catherine (Hettler) Klinetob.
Christopher KHnetob was of German ancestry and was one of the pioneer settlers in
Salem township, Luzerne county, where he
followed farming all through his active life,
surviving to the age of ninety years. He married Catherine Hettler and she also lived to
old age, being ninety-six years old at the time
of her death.
Mrs. Julia (Klinetob) Keck died in 1872,
the mother of seven children
Catherine, who
resides near Shickshinny, Luzerne county, is
the widow of John Richard; Nathaniel lives
in Luzerne county; Philissa Ann, who is a
resident of Wilkes-Barre, is the widow of
Daniel Tubbs, who was a veteran of the Civil
war; Christopher is a resident of Salem town:

ship,

Luzerne county William and Mary Ann
Henry S. was the second young;

are deceased.
est.

Henry S. Keck was reared on the home
farm and attended the local schools during his
boyhood. For twenty years he was engaged
in farming in Columbia county, and still owns
his farm property.
In 1890 he moved to
Berwick, where he served in the office of
street commissioner.
Later he embarked in
a transfer business, continuing in the same
more or

retirement in 1912,
at which time he was appointed
janitor of
the Chestnut street public school, the duties
of which position were not onerous and served
to occupy the time of a man who had been
active all his Hfe and to whom idleness did
not appeal. He held this position about one
line,

less, until his

year.

In 1872 Mr. Keck was united in
marriage
with Desiah Turner, who was born in Luzerne county, a daughter of John and Sybil
(Seybert) Turner. The father of Mrs. Keck

tracted struggle and

wound through

was injured by

a gunshot

his left lung.

Mr. and Mrs. Keck are members of the
Evangelical Church, and he has frequently
served in church offices.

HERMAN

LEGIEN.

The

great

in-

dustries of

any section depend for their continuance and prosperity on the united and intelligent efforts of the men who carry on the
various departments, and when one individual
is advanced beyond another it is quite sure to
be because of his capacity and technical knowledge. For twenty-five years, off and on, Herman R. Legien has been identified with the car
building industry at Berwick, and in his present position of assistant foreman in the passenger car department of the American Car
and Foundry Company occupies a place of
much responsibility. He was born Oct. 14,
1872, in the Rhine Province, Prussia, Germany, son of Henuan R. Legien, with whom
he came to the United States in 1874.
Herman R. Legien, Sr., the father, was born
in the north of Germany, May 21, 1837.
He
had much natural ability, and attended school
at Koenigsburg, and graduated from a college with qualifications for a professional life.
His tastes, however, led him to learn the mill-

wright's trade, and he operated gristmills, and
made a business of figuring on the construction of canals and other large jobs, in
his native land.
He served as a soldier
in 1866, in the Austrian war, and also as a
soldier through the Franco-Prussian war, takIn 1874 he
ing part in the siege of Paris.
also

came

to America, where his brother Rudolph
also settled, the latter serving as a soldier in
the Civil war; he was treated in and discharged from a hospital in Ohio. Herman R.
Legien followed his trade of millwright

through Sullivan county. Pa., where he first
was a farmer in Luzerne county all his life settled, and in Bradford and Columbia counand both he and his wife died there. Five ties, this State. He had three children: Herchildren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Keck: man R. Robert, who married Ida Smethers
John Franklin is deceased: Gilbert, who is a and Emel.

;

man of Berwick, married Susan
Herman R. Legien, his father's namesake,
who was born in Columbia county and was but two years old when the family came
now deceased; Arthur, who carries on his to the United States. He attended school at

business

White,
is

father's farm in Columbia
county, married
Louise Grassley, and they have four sons.
Frederick, Doyle, Donald and Homer; Peter
is a farmer in Canada
Blanche is deceased.
In politics Mr. Keck has
always been identified with the Republican
He did his
party.
:

part in giving assistance to the administration
during the Civil war, and one of his brothers,

Christopher Keck, served

all

through the pro-

Summerhill,

Briarcreek township, Colum-

bia county.
His first place of employment,
in 1889, was in the
foundry and the freight
car department of the Jackson & Woodin plant

Berwick, where he continued for two years,
meanwhile pursuing his studies by himself and securing a
first-grade certificate,

in the

which entitled him to teach school. In i()04
Mr. Legien wciU back to the passenger car

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
department and was foreman under James
Chamberlain. He helped to construct the first
steel passenger car turned out by the American Car and Foundry Company, and since
1904 has been assistant foreman in the passenger car department.
Mr. Legien was married in 1897 to Emma
Michael, daughter of Adam and Mary Jane
(Bower) Michael, of Briar Creek, Columbia
county.
They have one son, Paul Donald,
who was born at Berwick May 18, 1898. Mrs.
Legien was born at Sunmicrhill on her father's
farm in Briarcreek township, and was educated in the Miller school.

Stephen

Michael,

grandfather

Mrs.

Legien, was born in Beaver valley in 1819,
and died at Berwick in 191 1, living to the age
of ninety-two years.
His business throughout his active life, which continued until 1894,
when he retired, was farming, and he owned
300 acres of valuable land, all cleared and
under cultivation. He was one of the early
settlers in Beaver Valley and became one of
the substantial men there. He married Sarah
Gensil, and they had children as follows
:

who married Mary Jane Bower;
Gideon, who married Delia Doak; Jane, who
married G. B. W. Hosier; Obet, who married Ida Merkel W. Ellis, a physician, who
married Laura McHenry; Anna, who married Dr. G. B. Klinetob David, who married
Emma Shaffer; and Lydia, who married
George Smith. The parents of this family
were among the early members and supportAdam,

;

Beaver Valley Evangelical Church.
Stephen Michael was a Democrat in politics
and probably held local office. He and his
wife were buried in the Summerhill cemetery,
ers of the

in Briarcreek township.

Adam

Michael, eldest son of Stephen, was

born in Beaver Valley, and later, perhaps
about the time of his marriage to Mary Jane
Bower, moved to Summerhill, Columbia counLike his father he also was an agriculty.
turist, and owned eighty acres of well im-

He retired from active labor in
In politics he always supported the
1904.
principles and candidates of the Democratic
party, and he and his wife were consistent
members of the Evangelical Church. The
family is one held in high regard all over the

proved land.

Adam Michael
were: Matilda, wife of Freeman Harmon; Norah, wife of Charles E. Sitler; George, who married Mattie Brown: WilHam, deceased; Warren, who married Bessie
Stackhouse; Morris, who married Dora
Schultz; Ray, who married Lillian BeishHne;
county.

and

The

his wife

children born to

1215

Clarke, who died young; and Emma,
the wife of Herman K. Legien.

who

Mr. and Mrs. Legien are members uf the
He was reared in the
Evangelical Church.
Uemocratic parly and has -always supported
its principles, but has been no seeker for office.
Lie has been quite active in the fraternal
order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Berwick
Lodge, No. 246, of which he is a past grand,
and he has served as representative of his
lodge to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania at
Philadelphia,

LORENZO

D. ROHRBACH, a prominent
Franklin
Columbia
township,
county, was born Jan. 21, i860, son of William
and Lavina (Startzlerj Rohrbach. and is a
descendant of an old German family who were
among the first settlers of this section of the

farmer

State.

William Rohrbach, father of Lorenzo D.,
in Bethlehem, Pa., Nov. 29, 1816, son
of Jacob and Mary (Fenstamecher) Rohrbach, natives of Berks county. Pa. His grandfather, Lorenzo, came from Germany in youth,
settled in Berks county, and served in the
Revolutionary war. He was an iron worker,
and operated one of the old-time forges then
in use.
His age was 105 at his death, and his
wife died in her ninety-eighth year. Jacob
Rohrbach, son of Lorenzo, was born in Berks
county in 1781, and died in his seventy-fourth
year. He was a farmer and came to Catawissa
township, Columbia county, in 181 7.
William Rohrbach remained on his father's
farm until his marriage, working at his trade
of tailor. He followed lumbering for a number of years, built a sawmill, and cleared land,
which he later farmed. He died Oct. 2S, 1897.
He and his wife had eight children Margaret,
wife of John Ashworth Lorenzo D.; Lydia,
wife of Ervin Vought; Mary C. Lavina L.
Harriet A., wife of Charles
William E.
Zenith
S.
and
Reigel
Lorenzo D. Rohrbach worked on his father's
land until he was twenty-one and then began
After two years he purto farm on shares.
chased the Rheuben Regal farm of 109 acres,
and added to it twenty-one acres from the
Samuel Loreman estate. This he is now culMr.
tivating and has greatly improved it.

was born

;

Rohrbach

is engaged
market at

truck farming, find-

Mount

Carmel and
Shamokin. He is interested in the culture of
the
peaches and apples, and is a student of
modern methods of farming. Politically he
is a Democrat, in religion a member of the
Methodist Church.
ing

his

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1216

On April 2, 1882, Mr. Rohrbach married
and
Josephine, daughter 'of Rheuben Regal,
of
wife
Bessie
children:
had
five
have
L.,
they
Charles Feltma^ ;• Grace and Delphine, deceased and Mae a-nd Adlar C, living at home,
;

ISAAC
ful

MOWREY

was one of the successfarmers of Montour township, Columbia

county, residing in the section called "Dutch
Valley'" where he owned a tract of fifty-six
acres of very fertile land. His paternal greatand
grandfather was a native of Germany,
located probably in Montgomery county, Pa.,
where his son Peter, the grandfather of Isaac
Mowrey, was born. Peter Mowrey removed

from his birthplace to Seneca Lake, N. Y.,
where he died. •He had seven children Peter,
John, Jacob. 'Joseph, Isaac, Christina and
:

Elizabeth.

John Mowrey, born in Montgomery county,
came to Montour (then Northumberland)
county, Pa., in 1820. He was a stonemason,
and he purchased a partially improved farm,
built a fine stone and brick house on it. and
began to mine the ore which underlaid the
He became very prosperous and was a
land.
He married
prominent citizen in his time.
Catherine, daughter of Jacob Wireman, of
Montgomery county, and they were the parents of nine sons and four daughters: Jonas,
Charles, Mary, William, Henry. Peter. Jacob,
Isaac, Elizabeth, John, Michael S., Sarah and
Catherine.
Isaac Mowrey was educated in the country
schools of his time, and as all his ancestors

were farmers, he took naturally

to agricultural

Until 185 1 he cultivated the ground, and
in that year began working in the iron mines
of this section, continuing thus for three years,
Then he moved to Columbia county and purchased the farm where his widow lived until
His death ocher death, March 21, 1913.
curred Oct. 31, 1910, and he was buried in the
cemetery of the Lazarus (St. Peter's) Lutheran Church, of which in later life he was a
life.

the old homestead in Montour township. She
was born Dec. 5, 1836, in Northampton county,
Pa., about six miles from Easton, at a place
called the "Pond," and came to this section in
a "prairie schooner'' with her parents when
she was but six weeks old. With the Yosts
came also the family of Charles Peifer, now
From the time of her
living in this region.

Mrs. :\Iowrey was never away
from the old homestead, and she spent her de-

arrival here

dining years there with her granddaughter,
Pearl E., who is a graduate of the 1908 class
of the Bloomsburg State Normal School and

now engaged

as a stenographer.

]Mrs.

Mowrey

was a charter member of the Lazarus Lutheran
Church, built in 1857, and always took an active interest in the welfare of the organization.

Georgk Ycst Movvrev was born on the
old homestead. Oct. 13. 1855, and attended
the public schools, graduating from the State
Normal at Bloomsburg. For ten years he
taught school, six years in his native town and
four years in Cooper township, Montour
He then took up the occupation of
county.
farming, to which he devoted his entire time
and energies, in 1880 taking charge of the farm
of his father-in-law, Henry Lazarus, which
he controlled until 191 1. when he purchased
the valuable farm on the road between Bloomsburg and Danville, in the "Dutch X'alley" settlement, where he now lives. Here he built a
of
gristmill, and combines the occupations

farmer and

miller.

1878 Mr. Mowrey married Elizabeth J.
Lazarus, daughter of Henry and Anna
(Mauser) Lazarus. She died in I'^ebruary.
1912, at the age of fifty-five years. They had
four children: (i) Guy A., who is a graduate
of the State Normal School, a school teacher
In

-md a skilled woodworker, in 191 3 purchased
the old Mowrey homestead, where he now resides,

engaged

farming; he married

Mary

Conway, of Riverside, Northumberland Co.,
Pa.
(2) Ursa \'. is married to Cleveland
Boyer and resides at home with her father,
member. Previous to joining this church he (3) Dora S. and (4) Ruth E. are at home,
had assisted in its construction. In 1854 he
Mr. Mowrey is a Democrat and has served
married Eleanora, daughter of John G. and on the schoolboard for fifteen years. He is
Mary (Kocher) Yost, and they had four chil- a member of the State Grange. He is an
dren: George Y. Olevia, who died young; elder, deacon and trustee of the Lutheran
Mary Catherine, deceased, who was the wife Church, of which he has been a member for
of Daniel E. Heberling, and had three chilforty-one years, and is superintendent of the
dren. Eleanora. Bertha May and Pearl E. and Sunday school, which position he has held for
;

;

Lloyd Franklin, general passenger agent of the
Burlington route at Denver, Colo., who married Hattie R. Bidelman and has had two childrcn, R. Blair (deceased) and Lloyd Glen.
Mrs. Eleanora Mowrey resided on a part of

the last twenty-three years.

CLARENCE

J-

HOPPES.

a reliable citi-

zen and well known business man of I'crwick,
^yho for a number of vcars has been connected

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
with the American Car and Foundry Company, was horn at Berwick Dec. 25, 1872. lie
IS a son of Ehas and Mary Kramer
(Smith)

Hoppes.

ment, of which

lie

1217

was made

assistant fore-

man.

Being thoroughly acquainted with the
details of the husiness and rdiahle in
every
way, the com])auy has more than once sent

Ehas Hoppes was horn near Shickshinny, him as representative to New York
City
March 10, 1837. After attending the
Mr. Hoppes was united in
with
common schools he was engaged as a teamster Jessie (iordner, who was horn marriage
Ian. 20 18-^
for the Jackson & Woodin Company, at Ber- a daughter of
Jonathan R. and Sarah Ja^iie
wick, and also worked at the Foundryville (Zehner) Gordner, of Jordan
townshii), LyAt present he coming county. They have one
plant of Jackson & Woodin.
.son, Gordner
Pa.,

a police officer

for their

successors,

American Car and Foundry Company,
plant at Berwick.

married Mrs.

the

in the

Mary

(Kramer) Smith, widow of Hiram Smith and
daughter of Alexander and Parmelia Kramer,
who had the following children Alhert, who
married and had children
Mary, Ahrani,
Andrew. John, Alfred, Josephine and Parmelia; Lucinda, who married a Snyder and
had Mary, Vincent, William, Albert (whose
:

children are Myrtle, Joletta, Lee and Lloyd)
and Emma (who married a Swank and had

two

Elias,

horn

Nov.

1894.
the

Mr. and

.Mrs

Hoppes are niemhers of

Bower MemoUnited Evangelical Chunh.
fe votes

rial

with the Prohihition j)arty and has served the
city in the (jthce of register assessor.
He is
identified with
Washington Camp No. 105,
P. O. S. of A,
Jonathan R. Gordner. father of .Mrs.
Hoi)])es, was horn June 3. 1819, "i lordan
township, Lycoming Co.,

i'a.,

and

at'tend'ed

the public schools.
For some years he oj^-rated a farm of eighty acres. After the death

Lloyd and Charles) and Mary, of his first wife he came to Berwick and for
married Hiram Smith, to which a time was engaged in the
huckstering busimarriage were born Eliza. Mary, Charles, ness, following which he began the manufacDavid (who married and had a son Edward), ture of Dr. Gordner's Cough Syruji and InFrank (who married and had Lilly and Mary), dian Compound, and traveled extensively
and Daniel (who married and had Clinton through the country selling the same. He died
and Bessie). The second marriage of Mary in Berwick Aug. 5, 1891, and his burial was
was to Elias Hoppes, and they had children at Summerhill. On Feb. 25, 1841, he married
as follows
George T. Maud, who married Mrs. Ellen McCarty, and they had three chilJohn William, born Oct. 8, 1841, marGeorge Schrader; Jennie, who married Reu- dren
ben Graver Hanley, deceased, who was buried ried Mary Smith; I'llizabeth Tane. born .Aug.
in Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick; Clarence 26, 1843, married Oliver Clewell Mary CathElizabeth; and Sterling, who married Fan- erine was born Jan. 22, 1846. The mother is
J.
children,

who

;

first

;

nie Frey.

buried in Jordan township, Lycoming county.

Clarence J. Hoppes obtained a public school
education at Berwick, attending the Market
street school.
During 1886-87 he learned
painting and was employed under Colonel
Seely in the paint department of the Jackson
& Woodin Company, continuing there until

1848. Mr. Gordner married
9,
Sophia Zehner, and the following children
were born to them
Sarah Ann, Nov. 2, 1848;
Ellen Josephine, July i, 1850 (married Harry

1896.

earnest church worker and a serious
thinker on religious subjects, it was in this

year that both he and wife became impressed
with convictions that led them to unite in the
missionary work being done by the \'olunteers
of America, and during 1896-97-98-99 they
traveled as missionaries over a wide extent of

On March

Fetterolf, of Jamaica, Long Island, N. Y.
Cordelia Alice, June 28. 1854 (married Wilson Deitterick) George Zehner, Aug. 4, 1857
and Daniel Theodore, June 2},, 1859. All but
Mrs. Fetterolf have now passed away and are
buried in Jordan township. The second wife
died and is buried at Summerhill, Briarcreek
)

June ir, i86r, Mr. Gordner
Zehner (a sister of his second wife), who was bom Sept. 30, 1833, and
She is buried in Pine
died Oct. 18, 1912.
Grove cemetery, Berwick. The children of
Anna May is the
this union were as follows:
wife of Frank B. Fowler, and they have two
children. Frederick and Paul (married Martownship.

married Sarah

garet Suit)

ican

and has one

Car and Foundry Company. On July 12,
1912, he went into the passenger coach depart77

;

the work taking them to Philadelphia, Norristown and other places in the
State, and to Bound Brook, N. J. Mr. Hoppes'
health failing, he decided to "return to Berwick. Coming back in the latter part of 1899,
he entered the paint department of the Amer-

country,

;

Belle

the wife of Charles Stout,

(who married Arthur
Edburgh and has one child, Karl) Ida
child, Lily

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1218
Lilly

the wife of

Gross Meyer, a drugmarried May Sit-

gist of Wilkes-Barre Irvin
ler and they have two children,
;

Maud (who

married Ernest Hicks and has one child, ThurJessie B. is
ley) and Frederick (deceased)
the wife of Clarence J. Hoppes.
;

JOHN JOSEPH DUGGAN,

an employee

American Car and Foundry Company
at Berwick, was born Nov. 14, 1883, at Ivy,
Albemarle Co., Va., son of Patrick L. Duggan.
Patrick L. Duggan was born in Ireland,
where he was educated, and coming to the
United States in young manhood located first
at Germantown, Pa., but later went to Ivy,
Va., where he became an overseer on the
Joseph T. Lee general farm, retaining that
position for a number of years. Subsequently
he engaged in a general store and hotel business, but died a few months thereafter, being
of the

down with pneumonia.
Mary Ellen Moran, who was
taken

married
also born in

Ireland, and died at the age of forty-two years.
Their children were: Mary married Charles
F. Schoder, of South Easton, Pa.; Catherine
resides at Philadelphia; Margaret married M.

Giboney, a letter carrier, of Phillipsburg,
N. J. Annie married George Ewadinger, of
South Easton, Pa. Nora resides at Richmond,
Va. John J. is next in the family Patrick is
foreman of the silk mills at Pen Argyl, Pa.
Florence resides at South Easton, Pa. After

;

he worked under Wilson Yeager, being later
under Harry Ent and William Jarrard.
John J. Duggan married Grace ^Nlay Beach,
and they have one son, Donald Francis, who
was born Dec. 22, 191 1. Politically Mr. Duggan is a Democrat. He is a member of the

Holy Name Society of St. Clary's Roman
Catholic Church of Berwick, and he also be-

longs to the German Roman Catholic Knights
of St. George, No. 181, of which organizaHe is a member of the
tion he is president.
National Protective Legion, No. 1436, of
which he is a past president; of Pewaukee
Tribe, No. 240, Independent Order of Red
Men; and of Berwick Aerie, No. 1281, Fraternal Order of Eagles, of which he is past

worthy president, had been trustee, and is
now serving as secretary. Mr. Duggan also
served one year as president of the Eagles'

Home

In religious connection he is a
Club.
of the parish of St. Clary's Roman
Catholic Church of Berwick, which he is serving as auditor.
Grace May Beach, wife of John Joseph

member

Duggan, was born

in Canton township, Bradford Co., Pa., March 31, 188", a daughter of
Gurden G. Beach, and granddaughter of Erastus Beach.
She was educated at Athens, Pa.
Like her husband she is a member of the National Protective Legion, No. 1436.
Erastus Beach was bom about 1823, and
died in Burlington township, Bradford Co.,

the death of Patrick L. Duggan his widow
carried on the business until her death. PolitBoth were conically he was a Democrat.
sistt'nt members of the Roman Catholic Church
of Charlottesville, Va., and are buried in St.
Paul's Episcopal cemetery at Ivy, Virginia.
John Joseph Duggan attended the public
schools of Ivy until he was eleven years old,
when he entered St. Vincent's Roman Cath-

Pa., in 1882,

Orphanage, at Roanoke, Va., where he
At
remained until seventeen years of age.
that time he left the orphanage, and going to
Phillipsburg, N. J., began learning the tinsmith's trade, at which he served an apprenAfter finishing his
ticeship of three years.
with
Pursel
& Brant he reapprenticeship
mained with that firm for a year longer, and
then entered the employ of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company at Lambertsville, as an
After six months
iron worker in the shops.
he went to Easton, Pa., where he spent six
months, being in the shop of Stephen Nagle.
Following that he came to Berwick and went
into the steel passenger car department of the
American Car and Foundry Company, where
he has been employed for ten years. At first

bert, Avho

olic

was educated

when

fifty-nine years old.

Bradford county, where he
learned farming and later carpentering and
also became a stonemason, and followed all
three callings.
Mr. Beach married Elizabeth
Griswold, a daughter of Horace and Hannah
in

whom

(Stone) Griswold, the latter of

to be ninety-seven years old.
Erastus
and his wife had the following family:

lived

Beach
Adel-

was married three times, his first
wife being Almedia Hoagland, and the third
survives him and makes her home in New
York State Adelen, who married Lewis Carl,
and lives in Lycoming county. Pa. Jessie
Helen, who married George Kilmer, and lives
in Lycoming county
Gurden G. and Luella,
who died young. The family homestead comprised forty-five acres, and on it the above
mentioned children were reared.
Erastus
Beach was a Republican and active in the
ranks of his party.
The Methodist Church
of Leroy held his membership and he gave it
;

;

loyal support, holding all of the church offices
and contributing generously to its good work.
He and his wife are interred in the East Canton burial grounds in Bradford county.

COLUMBIA AND .MONTOUR COUNTIES
Gurden G. Beach, who was born Sept. ii,
1857, in Leroy township, Bradford Co., Pa.,
was educated in his native locality, and until
he attained his majority assisted his father on
the farm and worked among the neighbors,
He then learned to be a tanner, and worked
at that trade until he began farming as a tenant seven years later. For live years he continned as a tenant in Bradford county, at the
end of that time coming to Berwick, where
he now resides, being labor boss in the wood
shop of the American Car and Foundry Company. He organized a lodge of the National
Protective Legion at Berwick, and is active
in its operation.

Gurden G. Beach married Emma Hoagland,
in Leroy township, Bradford Co., Pa.,

born

1857, a daughter of Carpenter and
Jane (Riggs) Hoagland, and they are the
Merton
parents of the following children
L., who married Caroline Jones, of Athens,

July

Pa.
Grace May, who married John Joseph
Duggan and Clyde C, at home, who married
;

;

Matie Smith, of Nescopeck. Mr. Beach is a
Prohibitionist and very active in supporting
the principles of that party. Calvary Methodist Church of West Berwick holds his membership, and he is serving as a trustee at present, and is president of the Bible class.
Joseph Hoagland, grandfather of Airs,
Beach, was a farmer of Sullivan county. Pa.,
and married Hannah McMullen. They had
the following children:
Carpenter; Patricia,
who married Jesse McCarty both deceased;
Charles, who married Dorothy Bloom Sam-

—

;

ried Daniel A. Fitzwater, of Bradford
county
Seymour D., born (an. 22, 1850, married Mary

M. Kelly, of llradford county; Charles O,
born April 2O, 1853, niarried Luella Tillotson, of Leroy, Pa.; Emma marrietl Gurden
G. Beach. Carpenter Hoagland and his wife
are buried in Beach Flats
cemetery, Bradford
county. He was a Republican and' an active
worker in his party, and held all of the township offices.
Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow.
The Methodist Church held his membership and received his active suj^port.

Mrs. Emma (Hoagland) Beach was educated in Leroy township, Bradford Co., Pa.,
and remained at home until her marriage. She
belongs to Calvary Methodist Church of West
Berwick.

17,

uel

1219

Hannah, who married Alfred Fellows

—

both deceased; Susan, who married Christopher Wilcox both deceased; Ellis; and
Nancy, who married George Vroman. In re-

—

was a Quaker.
Carpenter Hoagland was born in Sullivan

ligious belief the father

county. Pa., Oct. 17, 1817, and died in his
He was educated in
seventy-seventh year.
his native county and learned farm work in
boyhood. Later he learned to be a plasterer,

JOHN DEILY,

superintendent

the

Bloomsburg fair grounds, was born at Allentown, Pa., Aug. 2, 1833, son of John Deily,
and grandson of Daniel Deily.
Daniel Deily was born in Germany, came
to the United States in young manhood, and
settling in Lehigh county. Pa., became one of
the early residents of Allentown. where he
died after a useful

dren were

life

as a farmer.

His

chil-

Daniel, David and John,
John Deily, son of Daniel Deily, was born
:

Allentown, Pa., and was a farmer all his
He brought his family to Columbia
county, buying a farm on Roaring creek, in
the township of that name, and there died;
he was buried in Numidia cemetery. John
Deily married Susan Housinick, and they had
the following children
Isabella, Phenis, Priscilia, Susan. John, Abel, Hannah, Sarah, Asa
in

life.

and Annie Alaria.
John Deily was only a child when his father
came to Columbia county, and he remained
at home until he was eighteen years old. in
the spring of 1850 coming to Bloomsburg to

work

for Eli Barton, of

Montour township,

whom

of fifty acres which he operated until thirty
He then resumed
years before his death.

he remained about eight years,
He then began farming, renting the Barton
farm for thirty-five years. Then he rented
the Pete Evans property in Hemlock townand
ship, came to Bloomsburg once more,

work

after a year rented Dr. Mifflin's

and moving

Bradford county bought a farm

at his trade, so continuing until stricken
with asthma, which invalided him for a number of years before death claimed him.
Carpenter Hoagland married Jane Riggs,
who was born July 7, 1824, and died in her
Her mother's maiden
seventy-seventh year.

name was Susan Van

Fleet.

Carpenter Hoag-

land and his wife had the following children
Deborah Anne, born July 26, 1843. died Aug.
mar5 1843- Lucinda, born Sept. 27, 1844,
:

with

farm

Bloom

township, which he operated for six years.
Returning to Bloomsburg once more he has
since 1901 been the superintendent of the
Bloomsburg fair grounds. His comfortable
_

No. 546 West Main street,
Mr. Deily married Mary Shrock, and they
William, who marhad children as follows
ried Alvena Fausey, lives in Bloomsburg;
residence

Samuel A. died

California; Delilah,

who

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1220

now a widow resid- responsible positions with the Columbia and
who married Anna Montour Electric Company, and was superinBloomsburg
Russel, Hves in Bloomsburg; Anna, who mar- tendent of the electric light plant at Cata-

married Frank Eyerly,
ing in

Isaiah,

;

ried Charles Knecht, lives at Beach Haven,
After the death of his first wife Mr.

Pa.

Deily married (second) Mrs. EHza B. (Appelman) Diehl, widow of George E. Diehl,
and she died May 31, 1892, aged forty-four
nine months, six days. Both wives are

years,

buried in Rosemont cemetery, Bloomsburg.
Mr. Dei^y is a Republican and has served
as a member of the city council of Bloomshis memburg. The Lutheran Church holds
bership and has in him a conscientious supporter.

Having worked hard

all his life

and

it is a
practiced thrift when it was needed,
that he has
to
realize
to
Mr.
Deily
pleasure
accomplished a good deal and that he stands
well with his associates.

wissa.

delphia
He is a
and of

was born Feb.

22, 1874, in Catawissa, and obtained his education in the public schools of that borough.
He learned the painter's trade, but became a

railroad man by preference, being now one of
the most popular conductors on the Philadel-

& Reading railroad.
George Giger, great-grandfather of Thomas
R. Harder, was of German parentage and
He married Margaret Stratton, and
birth.
their children were
Mascal, George, Edward,
John, Maria, Harriet and Rebecca (Mrs.
phia

Parker, of

Mahanoy

City).

of
Harder,
grandfather
Thomas R., married Mary Meyers McAllister, who was born Sept. 14, 181 1, and died
Dec. 14, 1849. Their children were: Charles
Thomas Err, Dec. 15, 1842;
B., born in 1841
George H., March 22, 1845 Mary Rebecca,
Dec. 28, 1849; Sarah Jane, Dec. 14, 1847. Mr.

Washington

;

Harder was a wagonmaker by trade and a
Republican in

politics.

George Hughes Harder, father of Thomas
R., was born March 22, 1845, and died March
He was a painter by trade and the
9, 1906.
first chief of police of Catawissa.
At the
beginning of the Civil war he enlisted in the
I32d Pennsylvania Volunteers, and after his
discharge reenlisted in the 3d Heavy Artillery and 1 88th Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving until the close of the war. He was a member of the Methodist Church, a Republican,
and a member of the G. A. R. He married
Mary C. Longenberger, daughter of Daniel
and Harriet Longenberger, on Aug. 20, 1870,

and they had the following children
Thomas
Roy, John Raymond (unmarried), Nellie
Pfahler and Ruth G. John Raymond has held
:

Philayears.

member

of the Order of L. F. and E.,
Lodge No. 349, F. & A. M., of Catawissa. Nellie P. and Ruth G. Harder, daughters of George H. Harder, are graduates of
the Catawissa high school, the former of the
class of 1899 and the latter of the class of
Nellie Harder has been a teacher for
191 1.
nine years in the Catawissa public schools.
Daniel Longenberger, father of ]\Irs. George
H. Harder, was a blacksmith by occupation.
Democratic in politics, and a member of the
Lutheran Church. He married Harriet Giger,
daughter of George and Margaret Giger, and
their children were:
Clarence, who married

Emma

THOMAS ROY HARDER

He has been a fireman on the
& Reading railroad for seven

Hofifman

;

Edward, unmarried George,

who married Myrle Rhodes;

;

who

Harriet,

married Henry Fox; Elizabeth, who married
a Vlx. Wirtz; Marguerite, unmarried; Caroline, who married a Mr. W'oodgert; Minnie,
who married a Mr. Ludwig; and Mary C,
wife of George H. Harder.
Thomas Roy Harder was educated in the
public schools of Catawissa, and learned the
trade of painter. He entered the railroad business and has now been in the service for
eighteen years, being at present a conductor on
the Philadelphia & Reading railroad. He is a
Republican, and has been a member of the
council of Catawissa for eight years, serving
as president for two years.
He is a member
of the Order of Railroad Conductors, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Knights of the

Golden Eagle, and Catawissa Lodge, No. 249,
F. & A. M., at Catawissa. On July
3, 1912, he
married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Archibald Thompson and Catherine Jane (Millard)
Lewis. They have no children.
Archibald Thompson Lewis was born Aug.
He was a
14, 1844. and died at Catawissa.
native of Gibraltar, Berks county, a railroad
engineer, and a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted at Bloomsburg. He was a Republican in politics, and for
many years president
of the council of the Lutheran Church.
He
and his wife had four children, viz.: Harry
Archie, born April 26, 1884, married Laura
Johnson; William Henry, born Feb. 6. 1873,
is married, lives in
Kentucky, and has three
children; John Warren, born Aug. 18, 1871,
married Sarah Jones, of
Bloomsburg. Pa. and
Mary Elizabeth is Mrs. Harder.
Samuel Thompson Lewis, grandfather of
Mrs. Thomas R. Harder, was born at Gib;

COLUMBIA AND :\IONTOUR COUNTIES
Berks county, was a forgeman and later
a railroad shop man. He was a
Republican and a member of the Lutheran Church.
raltar,

life

1221

Northumberland county, and worked on his
father's farm until he was
twenty years old
He then believed that he had a call to the
ministry and began to prepare himself for that
work. Taking a course at Freeburg Academy,

His wife was Sarah Ohl.
Cathenne Jane Millard, mother of Mrs.
Thomas R. Harder, was born Nov. 25, 1845, lie later entered Dickinson
Seminary, at Wiland was a member of the Lutheran Church, liamsport. On April
29, 1858, he' married
Her father, Jacob Millard, was born "in Berks Rosalthe Batcheler, born Dec'
5,
1837, at
county, married Elizabeth Orange, and had Trout Run, Lycoming Co., Pa., daughter of
the following children
William Henry, mar- James and Sarah (Crist) Batcheler, and
ried; Reuben, married; Sarah Ann, wife of J. they had one child, Anna, who nix'irried Dr.
McBride; Helen Rebecca, wife of Emanuel Thomas S. Chapin, of Berwick. Mr.
Hummel Jacob, who married Laura Girton then went to Northumberland county Savidge
and enBenjamin, unmarried; and Catherine Jane.
gaged in the butcher business, which he followed for eight years.
this time his
RALPH A. SAVIDGE, ex-professional first wife died, April 15,During
1870, aged thirtybaseball player, now an employee in the pas- three years, four months, ten
days.
Having
senger coach department of the American Car been ordained and licensed as a local preacher,
and Foundry Company, was born in Jersey- he took up the ministry and was made a memtown, Columbia Co., Pa., Feb. 3, 1879, son of her of the Pennsylvania Conference. On Dec.
Rev. George V. Savidge, a retired Methodist 28, 1872, he was married (second) to Maria
Louise, daughter of John and Mary (Austin)
clergyman of Berwick.
Joseph Savidge, grandfather of Ralph A., Blanchard, and they "had three children Minstudied for the Lutheran ministry in North- nie, who died at the age of twenty-six Ralph
umberland county. Pa., but was never ordained Austin and F>ederick Emerson.
Rev. G. V. Savidge served the following
by the General Council. He became a contractor at an early age, and in partnership with charges: Conyngham, Luzerne county ElysJacob Martz helped build the Catawissa rail- burg, Northumberland county; Helfenstein,
road from Tarentum to the Susquehanna river. Schuylkill county Jersey town, Madison townHe then went into the timber business, buy- ship, Columbia county Buckhom, Hemlock
ing land and cutting the timber into boards at township, Columbia county; Benton, Benton
his own mill.
He also operated a pottery for township, Columbia county Bloomingdale.
a number of years. Purchasing a farm of 140 Luzerne county;
Beach Haven, Luzerne
acres, he cultivated it for a time, and also pur- county Jerseytown, Columbia county Town
chased the Jacob Martz farm. Later he sold Hill, Luzerne county; and Mifllinville. Mitflin
the first farm and just before his death dis- township, Columbia county.
Returning to
posed of the lOO-acre Martz place. He re- Berwick about eight years ago, he is now livtired to his home in Sunbury, where he died ing retired, on East Fifth street. He was once
:

;

at the

being

age of eighty-three years, his remains
taken to Upper Augusta township,

;

a Republican, but
tionist.

now

a strong Prohibi-

Formerly he was a member of the

Northumberland Co., Pa., for interment. He Knights of Pythias. He attends the Metliohad married Catherine, daughter of Daniel dist Church and is still connected with the
Kiefer, and they had the following children: conference.
Ralph A. Savidge was educated in many
George V. Edward, who married Agnes Guffey Lewis, who married Mary Batcheler, of schools, being obliged to change whenever his
Northumberland county Sarah, living in Sun- father was moved to a new charge. In spite
bury; Alice, who married Amos Gross both of these handicaps he succeeded in preparing
deceased John, now of Sunbury, who mar- for Dickinson Seminary, where he studied two
ried Mary Hower (deceased) and (second) years; had one term at Bloomsburg Normal,
Mary Rheimard (deceased) and Eliza, who and a year at Wyoming Seminary. He then
Mr. taught school for two years, married, placed
married William Neidig, of Sunbury.
Savidge was a member of the Methodist his wife in the school as his successor, and
Church at Sunbury and had held all of the entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. After
offices within the gift of that organization, his graduation he became a professional baseHis wife, who died at the age of ninety-five, is ball player and was in the following teams:
;

;

—

;

buried at Sunbury.
George Valentine Savidge was educated in
the schools of Upper Augusta township,

Savannah, Ga. CharlesCincinnati,
Montreal, Canada
Ohio; Rochester, N. Y. ^Montgomery, Ala.;

Jacksonville,
ton, S. C.

Fla.

;

COLUMBIA AND AIOXTOUR COUNTIES

1222

Memphis, Tenn.

;

included in the Eastern, Na-

tional, Southern and South Atlantic Leagues.
His professional experience covered about ten
Returning to Berwick Mr. Savidge
years.

Samuel Snyder, grandfather of Mrs. Savwas a native of Mifl^in township. He
was a farmer, a justice of the peace for several years, and served as sheriff of Columbia

idge,

After the expiration of his term he
Bloomsburg and returned to Mifflinville,
where he died at the age of seventy-five. He
was a Methodist, a member of the choir, and
the passenger had held all the offices in the church. He married Hester Brown, and they had children:

secured employment with the American Car
and Foundry Company, in the passenger car
department, was later made night foreman of
the bolster department of the freight car shop,
is now again employed in
car department.
Mr. Savidge was married, Sept. 14, 1907,
to Nola Belle, daughter of Allison W. and
Clara A. (Hess) Snyder, and they have had
Donald Snyder, born Aug. 28,
two children
1908; and Bernice Blanchard, born May 17,

and

1910.

Joseph Blanchard, grandfather of Mrs. G.
V. Savidge. who died at the age of eighty,
was a member of the Methodist Church and
resided in Luzerne county. He and his wife
are buried in the cemetery at Muhlenburg.
John Blanchard, his son. was educated in the
schools of Bloomingdale and worked on a
farm in his youth. Later he bought a farm of
100 acres, which he cultivated until his death.
He married Mary, daughter of Shadrach and

Mary (Gregory) Austin, and they had eight
children
Evelyn married Haskell Clark, and
both are deceased Joseph, deceased, married
Lydia Holcomb, who is living in California
Elizabeth married Jackson Robbins, and both
are deceased Caroline is the widow of James
Post, of Shickshinny; Maria L. is mentioned
below; Shadrach married Cordelia ]^Ioss,
of Bloomingdale; Martha married Chester
Beisher, of Luzerne county Abegail died aged
:

;

Mr. Blanchard was a justice of
eight years.
the peace for twenty-five years and a county
commissioner for one term. He was a member of the Methodist Church, a very devout
man, and noted for his honesty and fair dealHe and his wife are buried at Bloominging.
dale.

Maria L. Blanchard, daughter of John
Blanchard, and wife of Rev. George V. Savidge, was bom Dec. 14, 1841, in BloomingRoss township, Luzerne county, and was
in Bloomingdale
Academy.
Nola Belle Snyder, wife of Ralph A. Savidge, was born Nov. 7, 1881, in Mifflinville,
daughter of Allison White Snyder. She was

dale,

educated

educated in the schools of Mifflinville, took a
course at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport,
and attended one year at the Bloomsburg
Normal.
She then tavight school for two
years in Mifflin township, and later took up the
milliner's profession, which she followed successfully until her marriage.

county.
left

Violet, widow of Herman Eckroth, of Mifflin
Mr. and Mrs.
township; and Allison W.
Snyder are buried at Mifflinville.
Allison White Snyder, father of Mrs.
Savidge, was born June 15, 1855, in Mifflin
township. He was educated in the schools of
the township and at Bloomsburg, and took up
the carpenter's trade.
Later he entered the
general store business, which he conducted for
thirty-two years, and then retired to live in
Berwick. He married Clara A., daughter of
Aaron and Esther (Bittenbender) Hess, and
Nola Belle
they had children as follows
Vere, born June 3, 1883, wife of Hugh Stebbins, of Wellsboro; Homer H., born May 6,
1885, a physician in Scranton, Pa.; and Irene,
born May 4, 1891, a school teacher at Berwick.
:

Air.

Snyder

Democrat

in politics

;

and a

Methodist in religious connection, he and his
wife belonging to the First Methodist Church
at Berwick.
He held the ofifices of elder,
trustee and steward and was also assistant
superintendent of the Sunday school.

LEWIS OXLEY, of Catawissa, a retired
locomotive engineer, was bom Feb. 13, 1835,
in
Luzerne county. Pa., two miles from
Conyngham. He is a son of Peter and Eve
(Moyer) Oxley, both of whom resided in that
His mother was a
county until they died.
native of Berks county and a member of the
Moyer family which has had such close connection with the history of that portion of
Pennsylvania. Of their large family of eleven
children but one, Lewis, has survived. There
were three sons and eight daughters.
Lewis Oxley had but little schooling in his
childhood, being obliged to go to work at an
early age, and commencing in the coal mines
as a mule driver.
His ambition was higher,
however, and at the age of sixteen he went to
work for the Little Schuylkill Railroad Company, at Tamaqua, Pa., as brakeman. Gradually he worked up in his chosen profession.
He was employed on the Reading road between Pottsxille and Port Richmoml. next
took the position of fireman on the Catawissa
Williamsport railroad for two years, and
(!v:

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
was with the Lehigh Valley road, at
Beaver Meadows, until Sept. i6, 1861. At
then

1223

that section of Louisiana for

him

two years, during
which time he contracted swamp ague, on
which account he was sent to hospital at Baton
Rouge and later to New Orleans, in the intervals of the attacks of fever and
ague doing
guard duty. From there he was sent to the
hos])ital at Fort Schuyler, from which he was

work for the Philadelphia ^r Reading Railway
Company, with whom he held a position until
he was seventy years old, being then retired
upon a pension. He had been a railroad em-

gagements he had a number of close escapes
from death, was struck in the leg by a bullet,
lost the little finger of his left hand, and received a saber cut in the arm. While in the
city of New York, in 1863, he was a sergeant
in one of the searching parties
during the cele-

time the outbreak of the Civil war caused
to enlist, and he saw service until its
close. After the war he was roundhouse foreman for the Lehigh & Susquehanna Railroad
Company at Wilkes-Barre, and later held the
position of engineer for almost twelve years,
In 1877 he located in Catawissa and started to
this

ployee for fifty-three years altogether.
On Oct. 28, 1867, Mr. Oxley married
Catherine, daughter of Thomas and Mary
(Everett) Wampole, of Penn Haven, Pa.
Mrs. Wampole was a native of Lehighton and
her husband of Catawissa. He was a stonemason and resided in that borough. Mrs.
Wampole by her first marriage, to W'illiam
Gordon, of Lehighton, had one son, William,
now deceased. By her marriage to Thomas
Catherine
Wampole she had four children
(Mrs. Oxley); Rebecca, widow of Lewis
Meyers, now^ living in Catawissa; and two
deceased.
:

Sept.

16,

1861,

Mr. Oxley enlisted

G, 8ist Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, at Beaver Meadows, Pa., being sent
to camp at Kendall Green, near Washington,
and later to Maryland Heights. From there
he was sent to Alexandria, whence, in company with the 6 1st New York, the troops were
transported by railroad to the Rappahannock

Company

river.

Returning

to Alexandria, his

regiment

sent on the steamer "S. R. Spalding" to
Fortress ]\Ionroe, but could not land, owing to
high water. They went up the York river and

was

unloaded at Shipping Point, whence they
drove the Confederates back after a sharp

discharged

May

brated draft

Mr. Oxley

has been

18,

1865.

In his

many

cn-

riots.
is

man of remarkable memory.
many parts of the country,

strange and interesting occurrences, and can remember them with a vividness that holds the attention of those to whom
he relates them. He is a member of the G.

experienced

A. R. post at Wilkes-Barre, has been a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge of that city for
forty years, and is a past commander of the
Knights of Pythias; he is also a member of
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
Division No. 263, at Wilkes-Barre. With his
wife he belongs to the Lutheran Church.

GEORGE B.

KILE, who

employed

in the

passenger car department of the American
Car and Foundry Company at Berwick, was
born in Jackson township, Columbia Co.. Pa.,
Jan. 17, 1863, son of Nehemiah Kile, and
grandson of William Kile,
William Kile carried on agricultural operations in Sugarloaf township, owning about one

hundred acres of land. He lived to advanced
His children
age, and was always a farmer.
were
James was twice married, his second
wife being Elizabeth Carnes; Anderson married Susannah Kline; Wesley married Hester
Ann Hess; Jackson married Angeline Hess;
Nehemiah is mentioned below; Sarah married
William Peterman; Hannah married Hugh
PoSchultz Julia married William Hess.
The
Mr. Kile was a Democrat.
litically
Methodist Church held his membership, and
:

From there they marched to Pearl
Bottom and burnt the bridges, crossed the
river and proceeded to Fair Oaks and Seven
Pines, Va., being in a series of battles and
skirmishes for seven days. Mr. Oxley fought
from Gaines' Mills to Harrison's Landing, bein
ing wounded in the left hand and remaining
After his dis- he attended services at the old stone church in
the hospital for two months.
he and his wife are
charge he went on a visit and while there was Sugarloaf town.ship

skirmish.

;

14th

New

Cavalry, and was sent to Texas.

The

induced to

York

enlist

Company

reo-iment went to Alexandria, La., where they
built a log dam. and from there marched
through Franklin to New Iberia, where they
camped. Thence Mr. Oxley went as far as the
Texas line, and returning went to Brashear
He was located in
City and New Orleans.

buried in the cemetery adjoining that church.
Nehemiah Kile, son of William Kile, was
bom in Sugarloaf township, and there received
his educational training, in the meantime
working on his father's farm. As soon as he
was able he bought a farm of 118 acres in
Jackson township, which he operated until his
death, which occurred when he was about

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1224

seventy-eight years old. He married Malinda
Kline, a daughter of x\braham A. and Catherine (Roberts) Kline, and their children were:
Boyd, who died at the age of forty-one years
William Floyd (twin of Boyd), who resides in
;

He becemetery. 'Sir. Kile is a Democrat.
longs to the Berwick Beneficial Association.
The Baptist Church of Berwick receives his
support, as he is a member of same.
Mrs. Kile was bom at Nescopeck, Luzerne
Co., Pa., Nov. 10, 1865, and was educated in
the public schools of Nescopeck and Berwick.
For three years prior to her marriage she
Like her husband she was a
taught music.
member of the Baptist Church at Berwick.
Thomas M. Lee, father of ]\Irs. Kile, was
bom in 1823, and died in 1895, aged seventytwo years.
He was educated in Luzerne
county, where he learned the carpenter's trade,
following it much of his life; later on he engaged with the American Car and Foundry
Company as saw filer. During the Civil war
he enlisted in the Union army as a carpenter
from Nescopeck, and served for three years,

Jackson township; George B.; Burton, who
died of measles when two and a half years
old; John B., who married Emma Meeker, of
Jackson township; and Annie Catherine, who
married S. Dyson Savage, of Berwick. ^Nlrs.
Malinda Kile died at the age of thirty-two
Later Nehemiah Kile married (secyears.
ond) Christina Cotterman, a daughter of
David and Annie (Seybert) Cotterman, and
by this marriage there were children as follows:
David, who married Annie Long,
widow of Dawson Long Aaron, who married
Grace Fritz
Sadie, who married Charles
Ertwine, of Benton; Wilson, who married
Mary Reider; Ira; and Cyrus, who died of the being engaged in building bridges and doing
measles when two and a half years old. Ne- similar construction work. He married Ellen
hemiah Kile was a Democrat and served as Cooper, and they had the following children
school director and supervisor of his township. Charles, who died young Lulu
and ElizaHe was a Methodist in religious faith, and he beth, who died young. Mr. Lee was a Repuband his first wife are buried at Waller, in lican, but held no offices. For years he beJackson township. The second wife survives longed to the Methodist Church of Berwick.
him and is living upon the homestead in Jack- He and his wife are buried in Pine Grove
son township.
cemetery at Berwick.
George B. Kile was educated in the schools
of his native township, and until he was sixMENSCH, a farmer of Montour
teen years of age made himself useful on his township, Columbia Co., Pa., was bom at
father's farm. At that age he entered the em- Catawissa, that
county, July 28, 1879. son of
ploy of neighboring farmers in Briarcreek John S. Mensch, and great-great-grandson of
township and so continued for three years. Christian Mensch, one of the early German
He then moved to Berwick and was employed settlers of Berks county.
in the lumberyard of the Jackson & Woodin
Christian Mensch settled in Franklin townManufacturing Company for three more years. ship, Columbia county, after leaving Berks
In 1887 he started to work in the yards of the
county, occupied and cultivated 400 acres of
Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, land, and was buried at Catawissa. He and
as brakeman, and later became a conductor, his
Adam.
wife, Sabina, had si.x children:
being thus engaged for twelve years. He was Abraham, John, Peter, and two daughters,
then made yardmaster, and held that position whose names are not obtainable.
John
for two years. At present he is employed in
Mensch, the son, was a farmer, and married
the passenger car department and is one of the Catherine Heimbach.
Their children were:
trusted men of the American Car and Foundry
Sarah, Michael, Eliza, Jessie, Christian, Maria,
Company.
William, Abbie and Catherine.
George B. Kile married Lulu Lee, daughter
Michael Mensch, grandfather of Frank, was
of Thomas M. and Ellen (Cooper) Lee, and born on the old homestead in Franklin townthey had the following children
Nellie, who ship and remained there farming for the
married Harry Fahringer, of West Berwick;
greater part of his life. He was a school diAnna, ifiarried to D. Randall Nicholls, of Ber- rector and supervisor of the township, and a
wick, Salem township Charles Mary, married highly esteemed citizen.
He married Marto Roy Barnard, Berwick; Jennie, at home;
garet, daughter of John Shunian, and they had
Francis, \yho died at the age of two years, and four children
Thomas M.. deJohn S.
is buried in Pine Grove
ceased
cemeter}' at Berwick
Catherine, wife of Owen Clayton;
and Clarence, deceased in infancy, who is and Matilda, wife of William
P.ciniinger.
buried in the same cemetery. Mrs. Kile died
John S. Mensch. father of Frank, was eduand
is
buried
in
Pine Grove cated in the public schools and followed farmJuly 17, 191 2,
;

;

FRANK

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
ing for the greater part of his life, now spending his days on his model farm of 150 acres in
ColLiml)ia county, near Bloomsburg. He married Matilda Zarr, daughter of Daniel and
Hannah (Cleaver) Zarr, and they have had
thirteen children
Flora, at home George, a
railroad man, living at Jersey Shore William,
living in Bloomsburg; Clafa, wife of Winthrop C. Bryfoglc, of VVilliamsport Daniel Z.,
cashier of the Shickshinny National Bank J.
Harry, living at Rupert; Margaret, wife of
Clark Clever, of Philadelphia Morris, living
in Camden, N. J. Charles, a railroad man, of
Rupert; Adah, wife of Emerson Fisher, living
:

;

1225

Mensch; and Anna M., wife of Uriah Bangs,
li\ing in Berwick, Pennsylvania.

William McMahan, son of Benjamin, was
a civil engineer by profession, and died at
Pawpaw, 111. He married Sarah Ann Clark,
and they had four children: John Clark, William B., Harriet E., and Mary E., who died
in youth.

;

CHARLES B. KLL\1{, who since 1913 has
been engaged as a finisher in the pas.senger
coach department of the American Car and
Foundry Company, at Berwick, Pa., was born

Sept. 22, 1872, at Orangeville, Columbia Co.,
Pa., son of Abraham Lincoln and Mary
(Hess) Kline.
The Kline family was founded in the
Frank Mensch attended the public schoolsof Alontour township and worked at farming United States by the great-grandfather of
with his father until he was eighteen, then en- Charles B. Kline, Gottfried Kline, who came
to this country with his family and settled at
tering a greenhouse, where he worked for two
Orangeville, Pa., and here spent the remaining
to
his
father
he
with
worked
years. Returning
him for five years more, after which he took years of his life. He was a native of England
and for some years carried on farming in
up electric railway work for four years. For
a time after that he was interested in a dairy, Orange township.
Daniel Kline, the grandfather of Charles W.
and then in September, 1910, bought the Isaac
in the footsteps of his father,
Mowrey farm of loi acres, established a Kline, followed
a farmer near the Green creek
first-class dairy, and is supplying numerous l^ecoming
customers in Bloomsburg. On Aug. 27, 1901, bridge, in Orange township, Columbia county,
he married Jennie McMahan, daughter of where in addition to owning a tract of eightyacres of land he carried on an extenJames and Margaret (Manning) McMahan, eight
He married Ella
sive threshing business.
and they have three children
Mary Esther,
and Caroline
of
Shultz,
John
daughter
Frank Edward. Mr.

Wilkes-Barre; Frank; and
berry, at home.

Guy and May-

Maude

Mensch

Charlotte and
is a Democrat, and a

member

of the

(Moore)
Rohrsburg,

Lutheran Church.

who came from above
and they became the parents

Shultz,
Pa.,

Abraham Lincoln
of the following children
was
Elizabeth: Rewife
whose
Montgomery,
:

James McMahan, father of Mrs. Mensch,
was a descendant of the McMahans of Scotland, several of whom settled in Northumberland county. Pa., in the early days of the reThe first ancestor in America was
John, from whom Mrs. Mensch draws her
public.

through John (2), Benjamin, and James.
McMahan married Esther J.
Brearley, a native of New Jersey, and had
nine children
William, Mary J., James, MarSarah
Esther, Hannah, Harriet and
A.,
garet,
line

Benjamin

John B. James McMahan at first farmed in
Valley township and then moved to Mount
Pleasant township, where he bought the D. R.
Appleman farm of ninety-one acres. Here he
resided until his death, July 21, 1883. His remains were interred in the I. O. O. F. ceme-

married Margaret,
and Rebecca (Kisner)
Manning, and they had children as follows:
William, who owns and cultivates the home
farm in Mount Pleasant township; Lizzie,
who died young; Jennie, wife of Frank

tery

daughter

Danville.

Jacob

;

who married John Parker; and Charwho is unmarried and lives at Sunbury,

becca^
lotte,

Pa. Mr. Kline was a Democrat in politics and
a member of the Presbyterian Church, in the
faith of which he died at the age of sixty
years.

Abraham Lincoln Kline, the father of
Charles B. Kline, was born in Orange townand
ship, Columbia Co., Pa., April 22, 1842,
was there educated in the common schools.
Like his father and grandfather he was a

farmer by vocation, and cultivated the old
homestead place of eighty-eight acres, in addition to which he operated a threshing machine,
doing a large business

among

the agriculturists

of his locality. He was a Democrat in his
his famviews, but was not a politician. With
the Presbyterian Church, and
ily he attended
died in its faith. June 5, 1908. Mr. Kline married Miss Mary' Hess, of Fishingcreek townbom Feb. 11. 1840,
ship, Columbia Co., Pa.,
of Aaron and Elizabeth (Stiner)

daughter

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1226

born May 22, 1907; and Donald Richard,
born Oct. 30, 1909.
Daniel Rhinard, the paternal grandfather of
Mrs. Kline, was for many years engaged in
general farming operations on a rented tract
of land at New Columbus. Luzerne Co., Pa.,
and was known as a hard-working and industrious citizen, a stanch Republican, and a faithful member of the Evangelical Church.
He
married Emmeline Martz, and they became

Hess, and they became the parents of the folAaron, born in 1870, unlowing children
married; Daniel M., who married Rose Rupple; Charles B. George, born May 13, 1874,
who married Lavina Santee; Anna, deceased,
who was the wife of Lee \\'hitenight and is
buried at Orangeville; William \\'., born Feb.
10, 1876, who married Mary Anderson; Bruce,
who died Sept. 17, 1900, aged nineteen years,
eight months, thirteen days, and is buried at
Rohrsburg; Jennie, who married John W. Sit-

beth,

;

the parents of the following children
Lemuel; Mary, who married Levi Remley; Cordelia, who married Ira Doty Eliza, who mar:

ler; and John.
Aaron Hess, the maternal grandfather of
Charles B. Kline, was an early farmer of Fishingcreek township, Columbia county, where he
owned one tract of 130 acres and another of

;

Evan Naugle Alice, who married Newman Bower; Hannah, who married Eugene
Doty Lucinda, who married Isaiah Clewell
100 acres, in addition to much valuable timber- Irvine, who married Norah A\'eaver; Norman,
land. His life was passed in agricultural pur- who died young; Carrie, who married William
suits, and his death occurred in 1892, when he
Doty; and Clara, who died young.
Lemuel Rhinard, the father of Mrs. Kline,
was about seventy years of age. Mr. Hess
ried

was born Feb. 5, 1857, at New Columbus,
Luzerne Co., Pa., and was there educated in
\Mien a young man he
the public schools.
came to Berwick, where he secured employment with the Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, and for thirty-fiv'e years was
under William Faust in the wood car shop.
At the end of that long period, which was
characterized by faithful and efficient services,
he resigned his position and engaged in business on his own account as a carpenter and
contractor. Mr. Rhinard married Mary .'^itler,
and they became the parents of the following
children
Lilly, who became the wife of
Charles B. Kline: Bruce, who died young and
was buried at Summerhill Jennie, who became the wife of Richard Kishl)augh; Ralph,
who married Martha Sponenberg Harry
Edith, who married Harr>^ Riddal Edward,
who died young and w^as buried at Summerhill; Edna, who married \\'altcr White; and
Pearl.
Mr. Rhinard is a Democrat in his political views, and socially is a member of the
Berwick Beneficial Association. Mrs. Rhinard is a member of the North Berwick LTnited

;

Kline's school, at Orangeville, and left his
native place in the fall of 1893, coming at once

where he secured employment in
car shop of the Jackson & Woodin
Manufacturing Company, under Gideon Beishline, foreman, and Harry Glenn, superintendent.
In 1906 he resigned this position to enter
the employ of the Berwick Store Company,
but after one year returned to his old employment at the wood car shops in September,
191 1, he again became associated with the Berwick Store Company. Mr. Kline accepted his
present position, that of finisher in the American Car and Foundry Company's passenger
to Berwick,

the

wood

;

coach department, under John Brigham, head
boss, in September, 191 3, and here he has
steadily advanced in the confidence of his emMr. Kline is a Democrat in politics
ployers.
and has taken an active interest in the success
with

Camp No.

105, P.

religious connection

S. of A.,

with the

Evangelical Church.
Jacob Sitler, the maternal great-grandfather
of Mrs. Kline, was born in Germany, and in
young manhood emigrated to the United

affiliated

and

States,

of his

his

Bower Memo-

United Evangelical Church, which he is
serving as a member of the board of trustees.
Mr. Kline married Lilly Rhinard. daughter
of Lemuel and Mary (Sitler) Rhinard, and
three children have been born to this union
Lena Alice, born May 16, 1899; Nola Eliza

;

of his party in this section.

;

married Elizabeth Stiner, and they became the
John, who
parents of the following children
married Mary Trexler; Mary, w4io married
Abraham L. Kline; Benjamin, who married
Amanda Hess Ira Harry, who married
Lavona Eveland; Peter; Matilda, who married Joseph Albertson
Eliza, who married
Nathan Dreisbach and Aaron, who married
Harriet White.
Charles B. Kline received his education in
;

;

where he passed the remaining years
life.
Among his children was Levi

the grandfather of Mrs. Kline, who
married Hannah Bower, daughter of Solomon
Bower, a farmer, and had the following children
Mary, born Sept. 7, 1852, who became
the wife of Lemuel Rhinard
Hurley, who
married Fanny Deitterick
Edward, who
married .Mice Kisner; George; James McClel-

Sitler,

rial

;

COLUMBIA AND .MONTOUR COUNTIES
Ian, who is deceased
Elora Smith Jennie
becca, both of whom
buried at the Brick
;

;

1227

John H., who married Church. Fraternally he is a member of Berand Solomon and Re- wick Camp, No. 162, Woodmen of the World.
died young and were
Gertrude Mildred Guinan was born in
Church in Briarcreek Rochester, N. Y., June 9, 1889, and began her

township, Cokmibia county.

FORREST NEWBERRY RITTER,

clerk

education there in the public schools. Moving to Pittsburg with her parents she attended
the schools of that city and Allegheny, was

paymaster of the American employed by Boggs & Buhl of Pittsburg, and
Car and Foundry Company, at Berwick, was came to Berwick in 1904. Her father, James
born in Turbotville, Pa., Jan. 4, 1886, son of Guinan, was born in Scottsville, Pa., and was
Thomas Ritter and grandson of William a carpenter by trade. He married Margaret
Ritter.
Doherty, of Buffalo, N. Y., and they had but
William Ritter was born at Sinking Springs, the one child.
near Watsontown, Northumberland Co., Pa.,
Samuel Goodlander, maternal grandfather
and was educated in the country schools of the of Forrest N. Ritter, was born near New CoHe learned the trade of tailor and lumbia, Pa., Dec. 18, 1821, and obtained a
county.
went into business for himself at an early age, common school education. He was a carpenat New Columbia, Pa., where he was also a ter and a farmer.
On Sept. 29, 1864, he enhotelkeeper.
During the Civil war he was a listed in the 199th Regiment, Company C,
He married Sophia Seese, from Milton, Pa., and was mustered out June
recruiting officer.
and their children were
John, who mar- 28, 1865, at Richmond, Va. He died May 18,
ried Mary Noll
1898. His wife, Sarah (Bennage), born Now
James Thomas William
George and Ada, wife of Rev. Hiram Douty. 22, 1830, died Nov. 16, 1907. Their children
Lizzie Ada, wife of Walter Newberry
Mr. Ritter was a Republican and a member of were
the Methodist Church.
John Horace; and Mary Alice, wife of
Thomas Ritter was born July 3, 1849, in Thomas Ritter.
New Columbia, Union Co., Pa., was educated
WILLIAM H. ARTLEY, deceased, a lifein the common schools, and became a carhe
ento
maker.
Turbotville.
long farmer of Franklin township, Columbia
Moving
riage
tered into partnership with George W. Trox- county, was born May 23, 1859, son of John
He then and Katherine (Strauser) Artley, and grandell, and later with Henry Bitner.
went to Lewisburg and established a business son of Christian Artley.
Christian Artley was born in Germany, but
He married Mary Alice Goodfor Irimself.
lander, born April i, 1852, daughter of Samuel coming to this country in young manhood loand Sarah (Bennage) Goodlander, and they cated in Franklin township, where he became
Ernest L., who mar- the owner of 429 acres of land, all of which
had children as follows
ried Sarah Rearick and (second) Florence he cleared. In 1842 he divided his land among
his sons, giving each an equal amount, thus
Rine Samuel and William, who died young
of
wife
Davis
wife
of
William
providing for them generously. He was inSarah,
Lizzie,
marHarry Dentler; Harry, who died young; and terred in the Catawissa cemetery. He
Mr. Ritter was a Republican, a ried a member of the Hower family and they
Forrest N.
member of the Lutheran Church, and belonged had children as follows: Solomon, Daniel,
to the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Lewis- Henry, John, Christ and Bastian.
John Artley was born in Franklin township
burg.
Forrest N. Ritter attended the public schools and brought up on his father's homestead,
of Lewisburg and then took a course in Kel- which he was given in the division of the propIn September, erty which took place in 1842. On this farm
ler's business college there.
a position he erected new buildings, and added greatly
took
and
to
Berwick
1904, he came
with the American Car and Foundry Com- to the value of his holdings. By his marriage
to Mary Weaver he had the following named
pany, under Paymaster S. W. Dickson, who
was succeeded by S. R. Pealer and Henry children: John; Christ; Jake; Regina Kathwho married Reuben Roup; and
Traugh. Mr. Ritter is a Republican and at erine; Maria,
who married Samuel Leiby. John
He
council.
Rachel,
the
town
of
secretary
present
married Gertrude Mildred, daughter of James Artley was a member of the German Reand Margaret (Doherty) Guinan, and their formed Church. In politics he was a Demois buried in the Catachildren are: Helen Margaret, born July 28, crat. Like his father he
wissa cemetery.
born
Atlee
Thomas,
and
8,
1912.
April
1910;
William H. Artley was always a farmer,
Mr. Ritter attends Holy Trinity Lutheran
in the office of the

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1228

and operated his grandfather's homestead,
which he purchased, growing all kinds of seed
grain, chestnut trees and fruits, in addition to
general crops. His death occurred April 28,
1914, and he is sincerely mourned, for he was
a good husband and father and a congenial
neighbor, always ready to lend a helping hand.
William H. Artley married Annie Berger,
a daughter of Elijah and Sarah Berger, of
Franklin township. They had children as follows
Mae, Arthur, Nelson, Daisy, Florence
and Edith. Mr. Artley was a Methodist.
good Democrat, he was elected by his party
to the office of school director and gave universal satisfaction in the discharge of his
duties.
man of industry, he worked hard
and took a justifiable pride in the appearance
of his premises and the fertility of his land.
:

CHARLES WESLEY BAKER,

a puddler
department of the American
Car and Foundry Co., Berwick, Pa., was born
Oct. 6, 1869, in Scott township, Columbia

in the rolling mill

county, son of Samuel Wesley Baker and a
grandson of Melanchthon Baker. The family
is of English descent.

Melanchthon Baker was born

New York

State Aug. 28, 181 1, and followed the occupation of bridge building. He came to Columbia
county and worked on the Pennsylvania canal
as boatman, carrying coal to the Southern
markets. At first he ran boats for one of the
freight carrying companies, but later owned
a boat of his own.
few years before his

death he retired, and he lived with his son,
Samuel W. Baker. He owned a home and five
acres of land in Centre township, which he

cultivated occasionally.
He married Asenath
McAllister, who was of Irish parentage, and
their children were
Adelia Jane, born ]\Iarch
:

married Theodore C. Fowler, of
Bloomsburg; William Erastus, born Jan. 27,
1835, married Hetty Fenstermaker; Mary Delilah, born April 21, 1836, died Jan. 5, 1837;
Clarissa Rebecca, born May 11,
1840, died
Sept. 21, 1840; George Milford, born Sept. 8,
now deceased, married Alverna CrevelJ841,

21,

ing,

1832,

who

lives in

Espy; Samuel Wesley was

the last survivor of the family.
Mr. Baker
died Nov. 2, 1878, his wife Dec.
5, 1868, and
both are buried at Almedia. He was a
Republican and a member of the Methodist Church.
Samuel W. Baker, father of Charles W.,
was born July 12, 1844, in Centre township,
and attended the Miller schoolhouse until his
fifteenth year.
He was a boatman on the
Pennsylvania canal, as was hi^ father before
him, and followed that employment until 1890,

when he

farm in Scott township
then came to Bloomsburg
and was sexton of churches until his death, at
which time he was sexton of the First Methodist church. For thirty-two years he was on
the Pennsylvania and Erie canals, carrying
retired to a

for four years.

coal and grain.
He enlisted in Company E,
209th Regiment, Pa. Vols., was mustered in at
Harrisburg, and went to the front, but arrived
He then
just after the battle of Petersburg.
did picket duty until Lee's surrender, returned
to Alexandria, Va., and after participating in
the grand review in Washington was mustered
out at Harrisburg, May 31, 1865.
Mr. Baker married Alargaret Alice, daugh-

ter of Isaac and Hannah (Garrison) ]\lusgrove, and they had children as follows
Charles W. is mentioned below; George ?\lilford, born Feb. 5, 1872, married Mary Hopper, of Pittston, Pa.; William Grant, born
:

Sept. 8, 1874. married Lillian Geiser, of Hemlock township; Lilly A., born Dec. 12, 1878,

married Gurney Lyons and (second) Byron
Chaundy, of Detroit, Mich. and Nora Ella,
born Oct. 24, 1881, married Albert Cox, of
Bloomsburg. Mr. P.aker was a member of the
Methodist Church, of Lodge No. 681, Odd
Fellows, and was commander of Col. W. H.
Ent Post, No. 250, G. A. R., of Bloomsburg,
;

at the time of his death,

May

29, 19 14.

Charles Wesley Baker was educated in the
school at Webbs Run, Scott township, working on the canal with his father in the summer
and attending school in the winter, until he
was twenty years old. He then went to Milton, Pa., and secured a jiosition in the rolling
mills as assistant puddler, in which capacity he
served two years.
continued in the mills
there for two years more as puddler, and then
moved to Berwick and took a position as puddler with the Jackson & Woodin Manufactur-

ing Co.

remained with the firm after

was merged into the American Car and Foundry Company, and is still employed in the puddling department, of which James Lee is

has been continuously in
twenty years.
Mr. Baker married Cecilia Graham, daughter of Philip and Rebecca
Farber) Graham,
and they have had the following children
Clara; Elsie, wife of Prof. James TJgman, of
Philadelphia Elva, deceased Pauline Dorsuperintendent.

this establishment for

(

;

etta

;

Elizabeth

;

and Charles.

Mr. Baker is independent in political matand is a Methodist in religious affairs.
He is a member of the Berwick P.eneficial
Association and of Berwick Lodge, No. 246,

ters,

O. O.

!•.

COrX'MI'.lA

AND MONTOrR COUXTIKS

1229

Philip Graham, grandfather of Mrs. Ikikcr, rison, of Salem township, Luzerne county;
was an EvangeHcal minister, and followed the Zebeth, who lived in Michigan John, who
profession all his life. He and his wife, whose lived in Richland county, Ohio; Jose])h Wilmaiden name was Snyder, are Iniried at Liver- liam; Samuel and Peter, of Richland county.
They were the parents Ohio; Catherine, wife of Samuel Owen, of
pool, Pennsylvania.
of the following children: Susan, who mar- Mount Pleasant township; Sarah, wife of
ried Rev. Henry Grcnninger
Anna, widow Andrew Mellick l*:iizabeth, wife of a Mr.
;

;

Columbia, Pa. WilElizabeth,
Abraham,
deceased;
liam; Philip;
Mrs. Leiphart, deceased and John, living at
Carlisle, Pa., who married Martha Hefkin.
Philip Graham, son of Philip, learned the
trade of shoemaker, but for many years devoted himself to religious work.
Always a
of the
minister
a
he
became
devout
man,
very
Evangelical denomination, and when he retired from the ministry resumed shoemaking,
which he is now following at Almedia, Columbia Co., Pa., where he makes his home. During the Civil war he served in the Union army,
N. J. He
enlisting Jan. 27, 1865, at Trenton,
was mustered in the same day, as a member
of Company E, 40th Regiment, which was attached to the 1st Brigade, 6th Army Corps,
and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac,
under General Grant. He participated in the
battles of Petersburg and Cedar Creek, and
was honorably discharged and mustered out
Politically Mr. Graham is a
July 13, 1865.
a member
Republican, in religious connection
of the Evangelical Church. He married Rebecca Farber, of Jackson township, who died

of George Ileim, living

;

at the age of fifty-six years and is buried at
Almedia, Pa. Six children were born to this
West Anna,
union
Philip, who lives in the
;

widow

who was

secretary
of the Hahnemann College, at Philadelphia,
ChristoPa.; CeciHa, Mrs. Charles W. Baker;
married Jennie Thompwho
deceased,
pher,

of George Mattice,

Emerson, of Indiana; Isaac, mentioned below;
and Henry, who lived in Indiana.
Isaac White, grandfather of Frank B., was
born in Light Street, Columbia county, in
1815, and educated in the country schools. He
was a farmer and owned about 140 acres in

Mount Pleasant townshij). In i860 he sold
out and came to Almedia. where he erected a
made and sold lime, lie died in
His wife was Catherine, daughter of
Andrew Mellick, and their children were:
Sarah E., wife of Kester McMichael; John
H., who married Christine Ilippenstecl h-liza
Peter, Mary
J., wife of John H. Vanderslice
C. and Andrew E., who died young; Henry
Newton, mentioned below; Esther B., wife of
(jeorge Hartman Isaac D., who married Lilly
Wilson; Alger K., who married Laura Patand Frank G., who married Jennie
terson
Mr. White was a Republican and a
Zahn.
school director, and attended the Methodist
Church.
Henry Newton White was born r)ct. 22,
185 1, in Mount Pleasant township, and at-

limekiln and
1871.

;

tended school at Millville. He also attended
the Millville Seminary.
Moving to Almedia
he engaged in the lime business, for a time
did a trucking business on his farm, and now
devotes his time exclusively to the lime bus-

He is independent in politics and is
ofvery popular, having held all the township
He is a member of the Methodist
fices.
Church and of Lodge No. 289. I. O. O. F., of
son; Margaret, who married Barton Payden;
Mr. White married Florence P.,
Lemmons.
Espy.
and William, who married Bessie
daughter of loseph and Deborah (Fowler)
Millville. and they
BRITTON WHITE, cashier and White, from'lola, nearchildren
the following
Harry E.,
had
have
the
of
the
at
Bloomsburg plant
paymaster
to Sue Mellins;
married
1880.
Oct.
born
was
28,
American Car and Foundry Company,
born March 2, 1882 Ora C, born
born June 13, 1890, in Almedia, Columbia Co., Ralph S..
married to Edward Campbell;
II,
1884.
and
prominent April
Pa., and is a member of a large
born
the first Nellie, born Aug. 10. 1886; Annie B..
were
founders
among
whose
family
below;
mentioned
Frank
B..
1888;
State.
25.
Aug.
to settle in this part of the
G.. born Aug. i. 1892, who is
Peter and Elizabeth (Britton) White were and George
Almedia.
at
buried
Scotch-Irish
contingent
among the first of the
Frank B. White attended the common
who settled in this part of Pennsylvania, and
of Almedia, graduated from the high
schools
beStreet
of
Light
they came to the locality
the State Normal at Bloomsburg,
and
school
famfore 1800. Here they lived and reared a
In
course.
in 1828, and then took a commercial
widow
his
and
181
in
5
ily Peter dying
ofifice of the
the
entered
he
at
August, 1910.
and both are buried in the cemetery
at BerHenry, Anrerican Car and Foundry Company,
Bloomsburg. Their children were
to J. F. Long, holding
as
GarMrs.
stenographer
wick,
who died in Indiana; Mary Maud,
iness.

FRANK

;

1230

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

the position until 1912, when he was transferred to Bloomsburg, as time clerk, under
Superintendent W. V. Johnson. On Feb. i,
1913, he was made cashier and paymaster,
which position he now holds. Mr. White is
independent in politics, and is a member of
He is a
the Methodist Church at Almedia.

in the marble works, where he familiarized himself with another branch of the
As he became better known in the
business.
vicinity he began to take contracts for the

of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 289,
of Espy, and of Washington Lodge, No. 265,
F. & A. M., of Bloomsburg.
Joseph White, grandfather of Frank B.

abiHty and sense of artistic values, combined
with conscientious performance of whatever
he undertakes. Among the conspicuous examples of his work in Danville are the Beaver
Library, a number of the large furnaces, and
the steel mill, besides many others for which
a thorough knowledge of all the details of his
business was necessary to success. The large

member

White, was born March 25, 1800,

Light

He was a
and died Dec. 2, 1858.
farmer, owning a tract of 100 acres above
lola, near Sereno, which he occupied and
He was a Repubcultivated until his death.
lican and a member of the Methodist Church.
By his first wife, Lydia A., daughter of John
Robbins, a farmer and justice of the peace of
Greenwood township, he had these children
Sarah C, wife of John Johnson; Alem Britton, who married Esther E. Geisinger, and is
a merchant of Light Street; John A., who
married Elizabeth Ward and resides in Richland county, Ohio; Melissa J., wife of Henry
Muller, of Northumberland county; Mary E.,
wife of David Owen; Anna A., wife of Samuel White; Harriet M., wife of Thomas
Wright, of Millville; and Eliza R., wife of
Stephen Fornwald, of Washington, Ind. The
mother of this family died Dec. 7, 1835, at
Street,

ment

of buildings, and important stone
work, and the class of construction intrusted

erection
to

him

carries

its

own recommendation

of his

Methodist Church at Lewisburg, Pa., costing
twenty-five thousand dollars, is another buildThere are few coning of his construction.
tractors in this region who have attained
higher standing, or produced as much worthy
of note, and Mr. Rogers deserves great credit
for his achievements. The spirit of the workman who really cares for his calling has animated all his productions. In stone work he
makes a specialty of granite monuments.

Mr. Rogers married EUma M. Kelly, who
was born in September, 1849, ^t Lansing,
Smith and
?vlich., only child of Benjamin
Margaret (Henry) Kelly. Her father was a
native of Union county. Pa., was a carpenter
by trade, and came to Danville to follow that
the age of thirty-eight years.
By his second work when a young man. After his marriage
wife,
Deborah, daughter of Daniel and he moved to Michigan, where he died in the
Charity Fowler, Joseph W'hite had but two year 1850.
His father also died when his
children:
Joseph E., a merchant of Light family was young, and Benjamin S. Kelly was
Street, who married Clara Tubbs and Flor- reared
by Judge Marshall, of Union county.
ence P., wife of Henry Newton White, of His
wife, Margaret (Henry), daughter of
Almedia.
George and Catherine (Crane) Henry, remarried, becoming the wife of Joseph Bear,
DAVID J. ROGERS, of Danville, general a blacksmith. She died in 1895, aged over
contractor, whose principal business is in sixty years.
stone work, has been following that line since
^Ir. and Mrs. Rogers reside at No. 718
he settled in the borough, in the year 1868. Front street.
They have had two sons
Some of the most creditable structures in the Ernest Claude, who has a granite works at
town, both as substantial improvements and Sunbury. Pa., is married to Dora Grove they
architectural successes, are his work, and the have no children. Charles D., now store mannumber of large contracts at other places ager for McCrory & Co., at Punxsutawney,
which have been awarded him shows clearly Pa., married Lena Markle.
the reputation he has established.
Fraternally Mr. Rogers belongs to Be&ver
Mr. Rogers is a native of South Wales, Lodge No. 132,
Knights of Pythias, of Danborn Aug. 17, 1846, son of John and Rachel ville; to Montour
Lodge No. 109. IndependRogers, who were also born in that country. ent Order of Odd Fellows, at Danville, and
He grew up in his native land, and was a to the Freemasons, in which he has attained
youth of eighteen years when he came to the thirty-second degree.
He was formerly
;

;

America, locating first in Tioga county, Pa. a member of Wellsboro
Lodge, No. 317, F.
In 1 868 he came to Danville, Montour county, & A.
M., and now holds membership in the
where he at once began to work as a stone- chapter (R. A. M.). Crusade
Commandcry,
mason and cutter, later also finding employ- No. 12, K. T.
(of which he is a past com-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
mander), and

Caldwell Consistory (thirtysecond degree), all of Bloomsburg; and in
Irem Temple, A. A. O. N. AI. S., of Wilkes-

Barre, Pa. He was reared in the faith of the
Presbyterian Church.
Though interested in
the general welfare, and particularly in the
advancement of his home town, he never
mingles in political life or public affairs of

any nature.

ROBERT CORNELISON

has estabhshed
business in his section of Montour
county as a contracting carpenter, and he has
He was
also followed farming successfully.
a

fine

born

May 3, 1856, in Liberty township, this
county, son of William Cornelison, and belongs to a family whose members have been
associated with the borough of Danville from
and prominent in local affairs.
Joseph Cornelison located here when Dan-

Eckart; Sarah, born May 19, 1825, died Sept.
13, 1852, married Jefferson Adams; Susanna,
born June 29, 1829, died Aug. 9,
The
1831.
father of this family, born May
17, 1789, died
Aug. 18, 1851 the mother, born Aug. 9, 1788,
died Sept. 16, 1863. Both the wives of
Joseph
Cornelison are buried in the Odd Fellows
cemetery at Danville.
Jacob Cornelison, grandfather of Robert
Cornelison, disappeared, and nothing was ever
afterwards heard of him. He married Mary
;

McCalment, a native of Ireland.
William Cornelison, son of Jacob, was born
near Danville, Jan. 8, 1820, and all his life
followed the trade of stonemason in Montour

He died March 20, 1899. I" October,
1848, he married Jane H. Bond, who was bom
April 28, 1825, in what is now Montour

county.

daughter of Charles and Margaret
(Hunter) Bond, natives of the North of Ire-

early days

county,

was but a small settlement, in striking
contrast to the now thriving business center
widely known throughout the State for its
up-to-date establishments and institutions. He
and his family were associated with many of
the first industrial enterprises, and to such of
her early residents as these does Danville owe
With wonderful foreits present standing.
sight and pride they had faith in the success
she would attain, and none who have had the
good fortune to see Danville in recent years
can doubt the correctness of their predictions.

land.

ville

Joseph Cornelison was born in Holland and
upon coming to this country first settled in
the State of New Jersey, but soon afterwards

moved

Montour

to Danville,

he established the

first

where

Co., Pa.,

blacksmith shop.

followed that line of work the remainder of
his life, died in the town, and was laid to rest

Grove cemetery. His wife, whose maiden
name was Martin, was also buried in Grove
cemetery. They had the following children:
Joseph, who was the first male white child
in

born

William;

grandfather of Robert Cornelison, mentioned below Isaac Cornelius James Massey Mary,
Mrs. Yorks; and Anna, Mrs. Best.
Joseph Cornelison, the first male white child
born in the vicinity of Danville, was the orig;

Danville;

;

Jacob,

;

owner of the "White Swan" hotel in that
He had two children by his first wife
(whose name we do not know), viz.: John,
born July 24, 181 1, and Mary, born Feb. 7,
His second marriage was to Letitia
1813.
Cousart, by whom he had four children Reinal

town.

becca, born Sept.

1819, died

May

1890,

married John Sperring; Jacob, born June 17,
1822, died July i, 1865, married Phoebe

1231

Airs. Cornelison died July 2, 1882.

union there were four children, of whom
three survive: Charles, born Dec. 10, 1852,
died Aug. 16, 1856; Robert was born May 3,
1856; William, born July 6, 1859, living on the
old homestead in Liberty township, Montour

this

county, is also a carpenter and farmer; Margaret B., the eldest, is the widow of Joseph

Dean.
Robert

Cornelison had average common
school advantages, and subsequently worked
out for farmers until eighteen years old, after
which he taught school several terms in
Liberty township. He then learned the trade
of carpenter with James Stecker, of Liberty
township, and has ever since been engaged at
that calling.
For a number of years he
worked at his trade in various towns in PennMilton
(where he spent three
sylvania
years), Lewisburg (two years) and Pittston

—

(two years), and since 1885 ^'^^ '"''^s been takHis eming contracts on his own account.
ployment has taken him all over this section,
and he has had considerable work of importhaving built seven silk mills for the
Ilartman Silk Company. The first of these
was the one at Danville, and so satisfactorily
constructed that he has erected mills at Buffalo, N. Y., Berwick, Pa., Watsontown, Pa.,
Susquehanna, Pa., Shickshinny, Pa., and
South Danville. Many residences in Danville
arc also of his construction, and no contractor

ance,

in this locality

has a better reputation for re-

ability to comis a member
plete a contract intelligently. He
of the carpenters' and contractors' union at
Danville, and influential in his community as
liability

man

and honesty, and the

of substantial worth and progressive

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1232
ideas.

The farm on which he

lives in

Valley

township consists of sixty acres, ten of which
Mr. Cornelison has not been
are in timber.
associated with politics in any way and has
no party connections. He has reared his famtheir connection
ily in the Reformed faith,

being with St. John's Church at ]\Iausdale.
On July 24, 1879, Mr. Cornelison married
^Margaret R. Dyer, who was born in Liberty
township, Montour county, daughter of Josiah
and Catherine (Corson) Dyer, and died in
She
1887, at the age of twenty-eight years.
left two children
Charles, formerly a farmer
of Liberty township, now^ a butcher in Toms
River, N. J., married Florence Beyer, daughter of Levi Beyer, and they have two children,
Donald and Myron. Emma Jane is the wife
of Charles Appleman, a farmer, son of Pierce
and Mar}' Jane (Hendricks) Appleman, the
latter still living; they have three children,
Mr. Cornelison
Robert, Earl and Helen.
:

married (second) Jan. 14, 1886, ]\Irs. Sarah
Ada (Bogart) Surber, wndow of George Surber, of Liberty township, whom she married
Mr. and Mrs. Cornelison had
Jan. I, 1879.
two children Aaron Raymond, born June 29,
1890, and Winifred Ada, born Oct. 23, 1892,
now the wife of Horace Appleman, a farmer
of A^alley township; she has one child, Sarah
:

Cornelison.

Ada Cornelison was born Feb.
Valley township, daughter of
Aaron and Anna Elizabeth (Corson) Bogart,
of Liberty township, the former of whom was
bom June 26, 1830, and died March 17, 1908;
the latter, born Dec. 3, 1833, is still living.
John Bogart, the grandfather of Mrs. Cornelison, was an early settler of Montour
Mrs. Sarah

17,

1857,

Her great-grandmother

Catherine (Crossley) Wintersteen, mother
Hugh Wintersteen, was born in
Valley township, Montour county, Sept. 22,
1841, daughter of Joseph H. and Mary Ann
(Snyder) Crossley. Her father, born in Valley township July 7, 1817, attended at the Sidler schoolhouse and in youth worked for his
Later he enfather, who was a stonemason.
of Joseph

gaged in farming in West Hemlock township
on a place once owned by Jeremiah Wintersteen (deceased), for eight years, and then
moved to \'alley township and bought what
is now the Almshouse farm, which he
operated
for fifteen years.
After selling that farm he
moved to St. Joseph county, Mich., where he
followed agricultural work until seven years
before his death. He married Mary Ann

Snyder, born July 3, 1820, and they had six
children: Catherine; Hiram H.. born Sept. 19,
1846, now residing in the western part of the
United States; Alfred, born Aug. 16, 1848,
also living in the West Wesley, born March
18, 1851, who died Sept. 22, 1872; Susanna,
born Sept. 22, 1856, married to Bert Fenstermacher; and Sarah Jane, born June 26, 1861,
married to Stephen Fenstemiacher. Joseph
H. Crossley and his wife were buried in St.
Joseph county, Mich. In politics he was a
Democrat.
Joseph Crossley, father of Joseph H. Crossley, was born Nov. 15, 1787, and died Oct. 30,
1863.
By trade a mason and plasterer, he
helped to build the old stone mill at Mausdale,
now owned by Philip E. Maus. He always
lived in Valley township, Montour county,
where he owned a large tract of land. His
wife. Catherine (Heimbach), died May 21,
1858, aged sixty-seven years, nine months, one
;

ma- day. They had children as follows Joseph
The H. has been previously mentioned Catherine
mothers of both wives of Robert Cornelison became Mrs. Koup; Elizabeth married Joshua
were sisters.
Aaron and Anna Elizabeth Stettler; Peter, born Sept. 5, 1819, died March

county.

ternal line

the

was Elizabeth Hendrickson.

;

(Corson) Bogart had a family of nine chil- 30, 1892, married Mar>' K. Mausteller, born
dren John Thomas, who is on the fam- Jan. 24, 1827, died Feb. 13. 1902; Margaret
married George Budman and lived in ^^lichiSarah Ada, Mrs. Cornelison
ily homestead
Rachel married a Rishel Reuben marEllen, wife of William Thomas ^Madden, of gan
ried Alartha \\'illson Benjamin, who lived in
Danville; Dora, wife of Charles W^intersteen
Anna, wife of Frank S. Hartman, of Liberty Michigan, married Mary K. Shultz Mary A.,
township; Etta, wife of Daniel E. Hine, of born Jan. 18, 1827, died Dec. 21, 1905. marLiberty township; Elmer; and Blanche, wife ried John K. Faux, born Feb. 14. 1821. died
of Frank Pettibaker, of Liberty township.
July I, 1883; Harriet married Benjamin
Kramer; Thomas, born April 3, 1830, died
WTNTERSTEEN, one Jan. 13, 1908, married Harriet Lazarus, born
JOSEPH
of the substantial citizens and representative Oct. I. 1833, died Aug. 17, 1872; Jane, born
men of West Hemlock township, Montour in 1836. died in 1906, married Andrew J.
county, was born in \'alley township, same Emmet, born in 1833. died in 191 3.
county, Oct. 12, 1863, son of John W. and
Joseph H. Wintersteen attended school more
Catherine (Crossley) Wintersteen.
or less regularly until lie was nineteen years
:

;

HUGH

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
of age, in the Sidler schoolhouse in Valley
township, and among his teachers he recalls
very kindly Martha Crossley and George li.
Kase. He continued to work for his father
on the home farm until within six months of
his majority, when he went to
Maryland,
and for a short time tried laboring in the
lumber camps. Then- he came to Danville,
where he was employed for a short period in
the State Hospital for the Insane.
For one
year afterward he worked on a farm for Calvin Shultz, in X^alley township, and then engaged in hauling lumber for John Benlield,
from Pine Summit, conveying building lumber through two counties. Continuing that
work for three years, he returned to the State
Hospital and worked three years on the farm
belonging to the institution, and it was during this time that he wisely invested in land,
purchasing his present farm of 149 acres and
128 perches in West Hemlock township.
After leaving the State Hospital farm Joseph H. Wintersteen moved on his present
farm, sixty acres of which are yet in timber.
Ever since he has been engaged in carrying

on general farming and raising stock, making
a very satisfactory showing in both lines,
usually having thirty-five hogs to dispose of
each year. He is a plain, practical man, interested in his business and thoroughly understanding it, and is numbered with the township's best

Oct.

and most thrifty agriculturists.
8,
1889, Mr. Wintersteen was

united in marriage with Mary Elizabeth De
Long, Rev. D. L. Fogleman, pastor of Trinity
Lutheran Church, Danville, performing the

ceremony. She was born June 16, 1861. in
Light Street, Scott township, Columbia Co.,
Pa., a
daughter of Peter and Caroline
(Troxell) De Long, was educated at Mt. Zion
school, in Cooper township, and remained at
home with her mother, following dressmaking
Her grandparents were
until her marriage.
Henry and Susanna (Seibert) De Long, the
former of whom was born Aug. 4, 1807, probHe moved to
ably in Lancaster county, Pa.
Orange township, Columbia county, and from
there to near Hidlay's Church in Centre townAll his life he was a farmer, and he
ship.
owned two properties, one of which is now

possessed by his son-in-law, Simon Sitler. He
married Susanna Seibert, born Dec. 13, 1806,
died June 16, 1868, a daughter of Andrew
The children of Henry and Susanna
Seibert.
De Long were Peter ; Rebecca, who married
:

1233

married Saraii Dcitrich; and Elizabeth, who
married Simon Sitler. Mr. De Long and his
wife were active in the llidlay Lutheran
Church, in which he was an elder, and they
were buried in the graveyard there.
Peter De Long, son of Henry and father of
Mrs. Wintersteen, was born in Centre township in November, 1830, and died in 1865. He
attended school near the old homestead and
then learned the carpenter's trade, which he
followed nearly all his life, becoming a general contractor, erecting barns and
dwellings.
Later he moved to Light Street, and subsequently succumbed to an attack of typhoid
fever, dying on his father's old farm, to which
he had gone in hopes of regaining health.
He
was buried in the graveyard at llidlay Church
he was a member of Hidlay Reformed Church.
He married Caroline Troxell, who was born
in November, 1830, a daughter of Jesse and
Fannie (^Miller) Troxell, and the children of
this union were: William Albert, born April
24, 1858, at Mechanicsville, Montour county;
Mary Elizabeth and Fanny Susan, born Dec.
Peter
4, 1865, wife of Joseph H. Baylor.
;

;

De Long gave

his

political

support to the

Democratic party.
Mrs. Caroline (Troxell) De Long, mother
of Mrs. Wintersteen, was a woman of unusual
qualifications and many admirable traits of
She was born in Cooper township,
character.
Montour county, a daughter of Jesse Troxell,
by his second marriage, and grew up on her
father's pioneer farm, where she lived until
her marriage. After her husband's death she
returned to her own people in Cooper township, where she followed tailoring for five
She
years, keeping her children with her.
then kept house for Benjamin Fry for fifteen
years, afterward buying the farm of sixty
acres in Cooper township on which she died.
Her son. William Albert, now operates the
farm.
She was a member of Lazarus T-utheran Church and was buried in the Odd
Fellows cemetery at Danville.
Jesse Troxell, father of Mrs. De I^ng, was
born at Allcntown, Lehigh Co., Pa., and died

Cooper township. Montour county, when
over eighty years of age. sur\'iving his four
sons. He owned a large farm in Cooper town-~
ship and devoted his entire life to agriculture.
He was twice married, having no children by
The second was to Fannie
his first marriage.
Miller, a daughter of Philip Miller, and they
had the following children: Caroline married
Peter De Long; Elijah died young; Sarah
in

Henry Hagenbuch and (second) Cyrus Mcis the widow of
Henry Hester, wdio died young William, married Amos Weaver Salesa
William
died
Emanuel
Ranch
who
young
who died when aged twenty years John,
Joseph
:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1234

died in infancy; Philip died when over twenty
years of age; Eliza was next in the family;

Eannie married Nathan

Krum; Sabina lives
Mary married Jacob

Mechanicsville;
Jesse Troxell was a Democrat
in politics.
He belonged to the Reformed
Church and his wife to the Evangelical

Hendrickson.

Church at Bloomsburg, and they were first inThat tract of land
terred in the old cemetery.
was subsequently sold and their bodies were
removed to the Odd Fellows cemetery at
Danville.

known

in the local fraternal bodies,

being a

past grand of ^Myrtle Lodge, No. 858, I. O.
O. F., at Danville, and a member of the B.
P. O. Elks Lodge, No. 754, at Danville.
Politically he is a Republican.

14,
1889, Mr. Fenstermacher
Susan May Schultz, daughter of
Russell and Catherine Schultz, farming people, of Benton, Columbia Co., Pa.
They have
one child, Pearl Irene, now engaged as bookkeeper and stenographer.

April

married

Mr. and Mrs. Wintersteen have had two
BARTLEY ALBERTSON, deceased, was
John Patterson, born Dec. 17, 1890, a progressive farmer of Greenwood township,
who assists his father on the farm, was mar- Columbia county, and for a number of years
ried Sept. 24, 1914, to Ella Rebecca Brobst
a business man at Rohrsburg, in that townGrier Joseph, born Dec. 27, 1904, died March ship, well known in various associations and
Mr. Wintersteen and his wife be- respected for his dependable integrity demon2^, 1905.
He was a
long to Straub's Church, in Frosty Valley, strated in all his transactions.
Valley township, which at the present time he native of Fishingcreek township, Columbia
Like all his kindred county, born May 29, 1849.
is serving as an elder.
he is a Democrat when it comes to politics.
Edward Albertson, father of Bartley AlHis fellow citizens have more than once shown bertson, was born in Greenwood township,
their confidence in his ability and integrity l)y followed
farming, and raised his family on
He married Elmira
electing him to office, and he has served two the old homestead.
terms of three years each as school director, Ikeler, of Mount Pleasant township, Columand two terms as auditor.
bia county, and they had a family of five chilchildren:

;

dren

GRANT FENSTERMACHER,

proprietor of the "City Hotel" at Danville, and one
of the faithful officials of that borough, has
resided there since 1886. He was born March
1865, in Columbia county. Pa., son of
George Washington and Caroline (Zhanders)
Fenstermacher, farming people.
Mr. Fenstermacher received a public school
education and in his youth was engaged on
the farm. For one year he followed that occupation in Ogle county, 111. In 1886 he be-

28,

came an attendant

at the State Hospital for
Insane, Danville, being thus employed
two and a half years, after which he was

the

barber at that institution from March 2, 1889,
until he left in April, 1910.
Mr. Fenstermacher then opened a restaurant in the
"Arcade Hotel," which he carried on for two
years, in April, 1912, buying the "City Hotel,"
which he is now operating. By strict attention to the wants of his guests he has
acquired
an excellent patronage, which is

increasing

under his efficient management. Mr.
Fenstermacher has been connected with the
steadily

administration
director

local

and councilman,

as school
both of which

afifairs

he served three years. It was during
term as councilman that the electric street
railroad was constructed and Mill street was
offices

his

paved.
at

that

The

electric light plant

time.

Mr.

was

Fenstermacher

also built
is
well

Miles is a luml)erman at Junctionville,
Louisa, of Rohrsburg, is the widow of
Mathias Kramer, and has had one child
Bartley was next in the family Clark died
leaving a widow (who died in March, 1913),
:

Miss.

;

and three sons, who
lives in New York.

live at

Rohrsburg; Eddie

Bartley Albertson was brought up on his
farm and attended school in the
neighborhood. He was successful at general
farming, which he followed in Greenwood
township, and he showed his enterprise in the
purchase of the first traction engine and steam
thresher in that township, which he owned
and operated for twenty years in connection
with his other work. He was also engaged in
lumbering to some extent, and for years kept
hotel at Rohrsburg. doing well in all those
lines.
His fellow citizens elected him to the
office of supervisor, in which capacity he
served them faithfully four years. His political
association was with the Democratic
party. He attended the Presbyterian Church,
and fraternally was a Mason.
His death
occurred Feb. 22, 1914.
On Oct. 18, 1869, Mr. Albertson married
Mary A. Welsh, one of the eleven children of
John A. Welsh, of Orangeville. Columbia
county. Three children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Albertson: (i) Bruce E., born June 25,
father's

1870,

lives

on the old farm

Greenwood

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
township, and has been serving as township
collector for the last live years.
He married
Alta May Whitnight, who died in July, 1898,
leaving one child, Edna Leota, born March
II, 1893; she is taking a course of training in
nursing. (2) Earnest I., born Nov. 15, 1876,
died Nov. 20, 1896. (3) Bertha Lillian, born
Dec. 15, 1882, died April 27, 1901.

JAMES BOYD McHENRY,

one of the
best known citizens of Columbia county,
former sheriff and hotel man, was born Feb.
8, 1851, in Greenwood township, son of Benjamin, grandson of Daniel and great-grandson of Daniel McHenry, who founded the
family here in pioneer times.
Daniel McHenry, the great-grandfather,
was born in the North of Ireland, of Scotch-

and came to this country befor the Revolution, in which he fought with
the Colonial forces. He was a pioneer settler
in Columbia county, Pa., leaving his former
home with an ax and six months' provisions,
and taking up a claim of six hundred acres in
Fishingcreek township (where the borough of
Stillwater is now located), later owned by his
Irish parentage,

grandson, Daniel I^lcHenry.

and

felled trees

built a log cabin, the first building erected

in the county north of Orangeville, with the
nearest neighbor at that town, six miles distant, and the nearest market at Northumberland, thirty-four miles away. His family was
He married Mary
soon established here.
Stevens, sister of Col. William Stevens, a distinguished officer of the war of 1812, and a
well known horseman of Steuben county, N.
Y. Mr. and Mrs. McHenry had the following children Benjamin, who owned a part of
the old homestead, followed farming and
lumbering, and died of yellow fever while going down the Susquehanna river with a raft ;
Daniel is mentioned below John was a famous
hunter of his day, and was grandfather of
John G. McHenry; Uriah was a farmer, and
by trade a shoemaker; Moses, born in 1791,
died in 1855; Elias, a farmer and lumberman,
was occupied all his life in the place where he
was born (he was a colonel in the State
militia and a very active man in every way) ;
:

;

Martha was Mrs. CoUey; Susan was Mrs.
Edgar,
Daniel McHenry, son of Daniel, above, was
born March 27, 1783, in Chillisquaque, Pa.,
and died on his seventy-ninth birthday. He
had seventy-two grandchildren and greatWhen he grew to manhood
grandchildren.
he purchased one hundred acres of the original homestead from his father and carried on

farming,' there to the

1235

end of his active years,

Mary Coleman, who was born

married

1792, daughter of Benjamin Coleman, a native
of New York State, and died Oct. 12, 1865.
Eleven children were born to this marriage:

P.enjamin, late of Benton; William, of iJushore.
Pa.; Moses, of Beaver township,
Columbia county; Uriah P., of Millville;
Elizabeth, who married George Laubach (both
deceased
Sarah, who married James ICdgar
(both now deceased); Mary, who married
Elisha Albertson, of Greenwood township;
Adeline, wife of Thomas Pealer, of Renovo,
Pa. Martha, wife of Jacob C. Carey, of Cambria
Charlotte, wife of George Laubach, of
)

;

and Joseph F., of Stillwater.
Benjamin McHenry, son of Daniel and
Mary (Coleman) McHenry, was born May
13, 1812, in Fishingcreek township, and had
Orangeville

;

the record for longevity in the family, dying
May 28, 1905, at Benton, aged ninety-three
He passed his closing
years, fifteen days.
years there in retirement, and is buried at
Benton.
By occupation he was a farmer,

spending practically all his life in agricullural
and he made a substantial success,
After acquiring a common school education
he began work. For several years he farmed
jnirsuits,

Fishingcreek township, moved thence to
county, returned to
Columbia county and Ijought a fine farm of
sixty acres in Greenwood township, and during the latter part of the Civil war period conducted the hotel known as the "Cottage Inn,"
in

Mauch Chunk, Carbon

For twenty-six
Fishingcreek township.
years he operated a threshing machine, and
it is said that he whipsawed more lumber than
any other one man who ever lived in the
in

county.

Mr. McHenry married Lovina Conner,
daughter of John Conner, a well-to-do farmer
in Greenwood township, and her death long
preceded his, occurring Oct. 16, 1885. when
she was aged seventy-six years, six months,
three days. To this union were boni children
as follows:
Montraville, a practicing physician of Exchange, Pa., died Dec. 2, 1910, aged
months, nineteen
seventy- four years, ten
days Alfred, a blacksmith, made his home in
;

Pa.; Norman settled in Fishingcreek towmship, Columbia county; Thomas C,
a physician, died Sept. 7, 1892, aged fortynine years, six months, twenty-eight days;
Ira R. is engaged in the undertaking business
at Benton
Mary was the wife of M. Smith,
and both are deceased; James Boyd is men-tioned below Lloyd is deceased Alvaretta is

Cambria,

;

deceased.

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1236

James Boyd McHenry was reared in continued farming operations, which occupied
Greenwood township, and attended the him all of his active life. Retiring some time
Greenwood Seminary. In 1863 he removed before his death, he resided in a brick house
with his parents to Fishingcreek township, near Washingtonville, at what was called
where he spent three years, and at the age of McCormick's Comer. His death was occaan accident, a tree falling on him.
eighteen went to Cambria, Pa., where he sioned by
passed four years learning the trade of blacksmith. Locating in Roaringcreek, he later removed to Benton, in 1875, and he continued
to follow his trade there until he assumed the
duties of sheriff of Columbia county, to which
office he was elected in the fall of 1894.
Meantime, in 1883, he had built the well
known "McHenry House," at Benton, and
was its proprietor for ten years before he entered the sheriff's office, and after serving his
three-year term he was again proprietor, at
different times, for seven years, retiring from
The house was
that line in the year 1906.
burned in 1896, but immediately rebuilt, as a

handsome three-story

structure, 42 by 80 feet
INIcHenry also built two
large dwelling houses, renting them, and he
owns a large farm and personally supervises
He was formerly a director
its management.
of the First National Bank of Benton.
number of years ago he joined the Odd
Fellows lodge there.
On Feb. 8, 1871, Mr. McHenry married
Maria Moore, who was born Nov. 2, 1849,

in dimensions.

]\Ir.

daughter of George Moore, of Sugarloaf
Four children
township, Columbia county.
have been born to this union ( i ) Annetta,
:

bom

March 14, 191 1. She
was the wife of William M. Kline, and had
two children, Boyd and Edith. (2) Rebecca
Aug.

26, 1872, died

born Aug. 30, 1882, in Benton village,
married Harvey Belles, and died April 14,
Mr. Belles is a
1908, leaving no children.
business man at Benton.
(3) Lloyd C, born
April 2, 1884, in Benton village, is engaged in
the automobile livery business at Benton. He
married Nellie Croom, and they have one son,
A.,

James Edward. (4) T. C, bom Oct. 30, 1886,
in Benton village, died when six
years, six
months old.

Jesse Gresh married ]Mary Derr, who died in
1872, aged sixty-six years. She was a daughter of J. Derr; his wife was a weaver, and

they came from Berks county to NorthumberMr. and Mrs. Jesse Gresh had
land county.
Isaiah D.,
children as follows
Joseph D.
who resides at Milton, Pa. George, of Washingtonville Ephraim five who are deceased
and Sarah, who married Pritt Odell, of New
:

;

York

;

State.

Joseph D. Gresh, the eldest of the family,
was given but few educational advantages,
for there were no public schools in the vicinHe early began
during his boyhood.
and
brickmaking,
securing
employfarming
ment at the latter on the construction work
at old Fort Brady, and so continued until he
was twenty-five years old.
Until 191 2 he

ity

continued farming in Limestone township,
where he settled after he was twenty-five. In
that year, however, he sold his farm, and
moving to Washingtonville lived retired until
his death, Jan. 3, 1914.
He is buried in the

Lutheran cemetery at Washingtonville.
Mrs. Gresh, whose maiden name was Anna
Eliza Bogart, was born May 10, 1837, daughter of John and Mary (Gaumer) Bogart, of
Liberty township, and died May 2. 1910, aged
seventy-two years, eleven months, twentytwo days she is buried in the Odd Fellows
Children as follows
cemetery at Danville.
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gresh: Dora married Charles Gibson, of Washingtonville, and
has one child. Burgess, bom Dec. 19, 1888,
who graduated from Jeft'erson Medical College June 6, 1913, and is now serving a oneyear interneship in New York and Philadelphia hospitals; Effie N., born July 19. i860,
is the widow of
James Boudeman, of Mooresburg (they had no children) Jesse B., born
Aug. I. 1872. is operating a flour mill at
Mooresburg, Pa. Mr. Gresh was a member
of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of
;

;

JOSEPH

D. GRESH, late of WashingtonJNIontour county, was born in Northumberland county, Pa., Oct. 11, 1832, son of
Jesse Gresh.and grandson of George Gresh.
The latter died in Berks county, Pa. His
ville,

wife was Catherine S. Gresh.
Jesse Gresh, son of George Gresh, was bom
in Berks county. Pa., and died in 1884,
aged
seventy-nine years. Leaving his native county
with his wife he went to Milton, Pa., and in
1835 located in Derry township, where he

Washingtonville. Politically he was a Democrat, and held office as member of the school
board, having been a man of sound judgment
and wide experience, which he was willing to
place at the disposal of his fellow citizens.

THOMAS
man
ship,

SCHOTT, a retired business
bom in Rockland town-

of Danville, was

Berks Co., Pa., Oct.

1836,

son of

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Anton

and

Schott

grandson

William

office

Schott.

seeker.

president of the

12;{7

From 1874 to 1887 he was
German Society of Danville.

William Schott was born in the Slate of
Jersey, and was taken to Berks county,

New

WIl.lJAAI CLARENCE SCIIWEPPEMwhen a boy by his parents.
IIEISER, who is engaged in agricultural purAnton Schott died in 1866, aged seventy- suits in Mifflin township, Columbia county,
two years. He was a native of Berks county, was born in that township July 7, 1871, son of
In young man- Isaac Taylor and Julia Anna (PulYj SchwepPa., and farmed all his life.
hood he married Harriet Rohrbach, who was ])cnheiser.
Pa.,

also born in Berks county, daughter of Mrs.

Jacob Schweppenheiscr, the grandfather of

Susanna Rohrbach. Mr. and Mrs. Schott William Clarence Schwepj^enhciser, was bom
We in Alifllin township. He married Rebecca
became the parents of nine children.
have record of the following Isadore Rosa, Suit, of Salem township, Luzerne Co.. Pa.,
who is married and lives at Philadelphia; and they became the parents of the following
Lucinda, who married Charles Seder, of children
Abraham, who married Elizabeth
l^endred Clark, and both are buried at MifRingtowni \'alley, Pa. and Thomas A.
:

;

Schott when only ten years old
school to begin working on his father's

Thomas A.
left

farm, and remained at home until twentyeight years old, when he went to Schuylkill
county, Pa. There he found employment in
the coal mines, and later turned to teaming,
but left that line of business tb embark in a
general mercantile enterprise in Schuylkill
county. After nine years he sold his business
and for four years was a salesman for an agIn 1871 Mr.
implement house.
Schott came to Danville, where he continued
to handle machinery for four years more, at
the expiration of that period buying his presricultural

ent property and beginning to deal in coal.
sold for two years on the canal, and continued in that line for thirty-four years, when
he retired. In the meanwhile he was interested in establishing his two sons in the
grocery business.
Mr. Schott married Elizabeth Hartman,
who was born in Germany, a daughter of

ilinville

married

;

Isaac Taylor; Horace, deceased, who
Frances Seibert, and is buried in

Salem township; Lydia, who married John
Schrek, and both are buried at Mifflinville;
W'illiam, who died young, and is buried at
Mirninvillc; and Fannie, deceased, also buried
Mifflinville.
The father of the foregoing
children was widely and favorably known to
the pioneers of Mifflin township. He was the
owner of 550 acres of land, which he cleared,
building a small log cabin in which he and his
wife lived. This cabin, which has been torn
down but recently, stood on the site of the
Wyoming Indian massacre, in which several
of the Schweppenheiscr children had narrow
escapes, being compelled to flee to the fort at
Catawissa. while the father himself barely
escaped death by hiding in a hole in the
ground of his little home. He was the first
to build a flat at Stony Town ferry, and in

numerous ways showed his progressive spirit
and enterprise. He held the esteem of his
Peter and Anna Hartman, and came to Amer- neighbors throughout this section, was a conMrs. Schott died in sistent member of the Lutheran Church, and
ica in her childhood.
Democrat.
1865, the mother of one son, Joseph A. Schott, in political connection a

now boss at the Price mill he married
Meinzer, and they have six children.
Later Mr. Schott was married (second) to
Mollie Hartman, a sister of his first wife, and
they have had ten children. We have record
who

;

j\Iary

George, who is in the hotel business at
Philadelphia (his wife's name is Anna)
Elizabeth, who married Fred Snyder, a machinist of Philadelphia, and has six children
Theresa S., who is manager of a knitting mill
of

;

Anthony W., who is proprietor of a hotel at Sunbury, Pa. (he married
Ann Leek and has four children) Harry H.,
a resident of Philadelphia (he is married and

at Philadelphia

;

has one child) and Lena, who is at home.
Mr. Schott belongs to the Catholic Church.
A Democrat in politics, he has never been an

Taylor Schweppenheiscr, son of
and father of William Clarence
Schweppenheiser, was born in Mifflin township, Sept. 26, 1829, and died Feb. 2, 1908.
He was brought up to agricultural pursuits,
and reared to habits of industry and integrity,
which he followed to such good advantage
that he accumulated 600 acres of land, part
of this in timber. After clearing his property
he erected buildings and made other improvements, and in addition to carrying on general
farming with much success was the proprietor
of two general merchandise stores. He also
contracted for bridges, schoolhouses and other
Isaac

Jacob,

structures.

;

Mr. Schweppenheiser married Julia .\nna
who was born in 1846, and died in 1897,

Pufif,

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1238

became the parents of the following born in Mount Pleasant township, that
Pardu Abram, born Aug. 17, 1868, county, Jan. 6, 1884, a son of Isaac Lewis
moved to Chicago; Jacob Taylor, born Nov. Artman.
Samuel Artman, great-grandfather of
6, 1869, married and moved to Chicago, 111.;
William Clarence is next in the family; Clark Delroy Artman, was a weaver, and
Clarie Elizabeth was bom Feb. 18, 1874; spent the greater part of his life in the vicinity
Rush F., born May 6, 1876, died Sept. 13, of Schuyler, Pa., residing on a tract of four
acres which he cultivated, at the same time
1877.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Schweppen- carrjang on his weaving business, making
At his
heiser was a decided influence for good in his carpets and various other goods.
as a death his son Jonathan inherited his loom.
terms
several
for
and
served
community
dis- Samuel Artman had the following children:
justice of the peace and school director,
of Clark D.
charging his duties in a conscientious and im- Jonathan was the grandfather
In religious matters he was Artman Aaron taught school in young manpartial manner.
a Lutheran, but did not seek offices in the hood, later became a justice of the peace, and

and they
children:

;

church.

William Clarence Schweppenheiser, son of
Isaac Taylor Schweppenheiser, received ordinary educational advantages in the public
schools of i^Iifflin township, and remained at

home

assisting his father in the duties of the
until reaching the age of twentyAt that time he purchased a
of
own and continued to operate
his
property

homestead
one years.
it

until after the death of his

mother, April

11,

when he sold his farm and went to BerHere he found employment on public
works, took up railroading for about one
year, and subsequently engaged in the manu-

1897,
wick.

facture of candy, but at the request of his

people returned to Mifflin township and again
engaged in farming, being employed by a
number of neighboring agriculturists. In the
spring of 191 3 he bought his present place,
and has continued to operate it since with
He uses modern methsatisfactory results.
ods and has advanced ideas, the entire appearance of his property showing the presence of

good management, energy and

thrift.

a Democrat in politics and in religious belief
a Lutheran, but has not cared for public or

church

offices.

Mr. Schweppenheiser married Jennie ReloNyer, who was born Aug. 31, 1872, in
Mifflin township, and to this union have been
born two children William Clark, born April
19, 1900; and Iva Gertrude, born Feb. 10,
tice

1903.

Daniel Nyer, father of Mrs. Schweppenheiser, is a native of Mifflin township, and
now spends the greater part of his time in
Weatherly, Pa., having retired to some extent from agricultural pursuits, which he has
made his life work. Mr. Nyer married Jillen
Hartzell, also a native of Mifflin township.

CLARK DELROY ARTMAN,
of

a farmer

Centre township, Columbia county, was

held that office for fifteen years while residing in Lycoming county Emmanuel was next
in the family
Charles was a farmer and
school teacher
Daniel, who married Jennie
King, was a captain during the Civil war;
David was a local preacher and pension official; Lewis was killed in the service during
the Civil war ;*5Margaret married Peter Lilly;
Mary married a Mr. Devalt and (second) a
Mr. Bellman. Politically Samuel Artman was
a Democrat.
The Baptist Church in the
vicinity of Schuyler. Pa., held his membership. He and his wife arc buried in the ceme;

;

tery at Turbotville.

Northumberland county.

Jonathan Artman, son of Samuel Artman,
was born Sept. 3, 1828, and died Nov. 16,
1886. He was reared in Montour county, attending school at Schuyler, and taught school
in his younger days.
As was but natural, he
learned the weaving trade with his father,

and prior to
woolen mills

his

marriage worked at

in the

For a considerable time he was employed by his brother at
Jersey Shore. Pa., and was also with the
George \*aners Woolen Mills near Orangeat Briar Creek.

Pa. When his father died he inherited
the weaving business and devoted himself to
it the remainder of his life, his death occurville.

ring at Larry's Creek, near Mordansville. Pa.,
his wife are buried at Millertown,

and he and
in

Mount

county.

Pleasant

In politics he

Columbia
township,
was a Democrat.

Jonathan Artman married L^zilla Kline, a
daughter of Harmon Kline, whose wife's
maiden name was Fox. Mrs. Artman was
born Nov. 4. 1832. and died Jan. 19. 1893.
The children of this imion were Mary mar:

ried

Henry

and

Guinter,

lives

Jersey
deceased,
married Amos Sallada. of Williamsport. Pa.
George V. married Emma Strausser. and lives
at Jersey Shore, Pa.
Harmon, who is deceased, married Delia Whitenight, and lived
Shore.

Pa.

;

Sarah Jane,

who

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1239

Bloomsburg, Pa. Charles I., who married
Clara Cohick, lives in Centre township; Rev.
Daniel married Amelia Oaks, and (second)
Ida
Emmanuel married Susan

spending one year on the farm of

and lives at Light Street, Pa.;
Elizabeth married Peter Hillard, of Mordansville; Isaac Lewis is next in the family;
Margaret, who is deceased, married George

AFount Pleasant town.ship, and remained there
for two years. Storing his own
farming materials he became overseer on the U. C. liarton farm, and after eighteen months went to
the J. A. Creasy farm, where he has been for
the past three years,
farming on shares. A
Democrat, he has been township committeeman of Mount Pleasant township. Fraternally he is a member of Espy Lodge, No. 68,
1. O. O. F., and of the
Supreme Encampment,
I. O. O. F., at
Espy. Mr. and Mrs. Artman
belong to Centre Grange, and while not connccted with any religious denomination they
incline towards the teachings of the Methodist Church.

;

Hartman,

Strausser, of Centre township.
Isaac Lewis Artman, son of Jonathan Artman, was born July 17, 1862, at Mordansville,
Columbia Co., Pa., and educated in the schools
of Mount Pleasant township.
Until he was
twenty years of age he worked among the
farmers of his neighborhood, and at that age
married.
He burnt lime in Dutch Valley,
Montour Co., Pa., for fourteen years, for

David Mauser, and then began farming, buying the property of 160 acres in Mount Pleasant township, on which he still resides.
Six
years ago he went to work in the bolt and nut
department of the American Car and Foundry
Company, at Berwick, where he spent a year,
acting as foreman, meanwhile leaving his son
Clark in charge of his farm. In politics he
is a Democrat, and has served as a school
director.
Fraternally he belongs to Millville
Lodge, I. O. O. F., to the Relief Association
connected with the American Car and Foundry Company, and to the Grange of the
Valley of Millville. He is a member of the
Kitchen's AI. E. Church, and has been ordained as a local preacher, so that he attends
conferences and supplies charges. As chair-

man

of the building committee of Ikeler's
Church, of Mount Pleasant township, he gave
valuable assistance during the erection of the
He is very active in
present church edifice.
church work of all kinds and has served in
all the offices of his denomination, being now
a trustee of his church and superintendent of

Few men

On May

23, 1905,

marriage
daughter of
:

;

Dreibclbis,

Amos W. and Anna

(Ikeler)

Elias Dreibelbis, grandfather of Mrs. Artwas a carpenter in Mount Pleasant

man,

township, where he worked at his trade for
many years. He lived retired some years
prior to his death, which occurred when he
was over seventy years old. \\'hile on a visit
to some of the children in a more Western
State he was taken sick, and his son Amos
brought him home, where he died about a

year later on the old Dreibelbis homestead in
Mount Pleasant township. He and his wife
are buried at Dutch Hill, in ATadison townHe was a Democrat. Although not a
ship.
church member, he inclined towards the
Methodist faith, and his wife was an earnest

member and

active worker in that denominawhose teachings their children were

and

Isaac L. Artman married Henrietta Oman,
a daughter of William and Sarah (Crawford)
Oman, and they have become the parents of
the following children: Clark Delroy; Harry
Mauser, who died at the age of sixteen years
Ray Franklin, who is at home; Irene Frances,
at home and Maynard Orland, at home.
Clark Delroy Artman attended the schools
of Mount Pleasant township, and spent one
year at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport,
Following
Pa., taking an academic course.
this training he worked by the day on different farms until over twenty-one years old,

Mr. Artman was united
Caroline

Amos

towards moral

uplift.

Frank

Mr. and Mrs. Artman have two
Isaac, who was born March
1906; and Mary Anna, born April 26. 1909.

Dreibelbis.
children

brought up.

school.

with

stand higher in
Sunday
public opinion than he, and his influence for
good is very strong and constantly exerted
the

Kline, at Welliversville, and then worked on
his father's
property for one year. Later he
moved on the McClelland Ikeler farm in

tion,

Elias Dreibelbis married a Miss Shoemaker,
their children were:
Stuart, who is a
resident of Seattle, Wash, (his wife's name is

Amos W. Frances, who married
X'ictoria)
a Mr. Oman, of Iowa Justis, who resides in
;

;

xXebraska Allie, who married Lloyd KelchEmeline, who marner, of Seattle, Wash.
ried Emmanuel Gilbert, of Mount Pleasant
township Myron, who resides in one of the
;

;

Western States

;

and Mrs. George Oman,

Amos W.
bis

and

Dreibelbis, son of Elias Dreibelfather of Mrs. Artman, was born in

Pleasant township, where he was
reared and educated. He learned the bricklaying trade after he had attained his major-

Mount

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1240

his father on
ity, prior to that time assisting
the farm. Becoming a contractor and builder,
he worked at that calling for a number of

and

years,

now

living retired.

Some

time

ago he bought 130 acres, twelve acres of
which is in woodland, and he also owns a
property at Bloomsburg on which he resided

came

America and

settled at

Manayunk,

Pa.,

for a time, but later, with a companion, took a
skiff from Pittsburgh and floated down the
Ohio river into the Mississippi river, where he
hired out as a fireman on a packet boat. Remaining in that occupation until the war broke
out, he entered the Confederate army, and participated in some of the greatest battles of the
war, including Gettysburg and Bull Run.
After the war he spent the balance of his life
in Memphis, Tenn., as chief detective for the

years, moving to his farm
and still residing there. Politically a
Democrat, he served as a justice of the peace
for a long period, was also tax collector, and
Mr. Dreibelbis IMemphis Railway Company. (4) John came
held other township offices.
is a member of White's M. E.
Church of to America and became a railroad builder, asMount Pleasant township, which he is now sisting in the construction of some of the most
serving as steward; both he and his wife are prominent railroads in the United States, after
which he connected himself with Oliver
very active in church work.

number of

for a

in 1902,

Amos W.

Dreibelbis married Anna Ikeler,
daughter of Eli and Caroline (Krause)
Ikeler, and they have had children as follows:
Mary, who is at home; Caroline, Mrs. Art-

Brothers, of Pittsburgh, iron manufacturers,
until his death.
He was
twice married.
(5) James was the father of
Daniel Joseph.
(6) Mary left Ireland and

man

went to England, where she became forelady

;

Carl,

Academy;

who

a student at the Gettysburg
who is a school teacher

Elizabeth,

Centre township; Ida, formerly principal
of the Canby schools Arthur EHas, who is an
electrician with the American Car and Foundry Company at Berwick; Esther and Ruth,
in

;

students

the

Bloomsburg State Normal

School and Stuart, who is at home.
Caroline (Dreibelbis) Artman, daughter of
Amos W. Dreibelbis and wife of Clark Delroy Artman, was born near Millertown, in
Mount Pleasant township. May 24, 1883. She
was reared in her native place, and studied in
the local schools, also taking a year's course
;

the

Bloomsburg

State

Normal

School,

Mrs. Artman joined White's M. E. Church
in Mount Pleasant township, but transferred
to the congregation at Fowlerville, and is now
a member of the Ladies' Aid Society there.

DANIEL JOSEPH WHALEN,

general
superintendent of the Milton, Pa., plant of
the

was

American Car and Foundry Company,
born

Jan.

1879,

the

city

son of James Whalen,
and grandson of Daniel Whalen, of County
Waterford, Ireland.
Daniel Whalen, the grandfather, was born in
Portlaw, County Waterford, Ireland, and received what education the schools of the parish
afforded at that period.
Later he became
Allegheny,

Pa.,

gamekeeper for the Marquis of Waterford, a
position he held for many years. He married
Mary Finncrty, and they had the following
children:
(i) Patrick came to America in
the forties, and was never heard of again. (2)
Martin came to America and settled in Fall
River,

Mass.

(3)

William, a

woodturner,

where he remained

one of the largest cotton mills.
Daniel
his wife were devout Roman
Catholics, and their remains were laid to rest
in the parish churchyard of Portlaw, County
Waterford, Ireland.
James Whalen, father of Daniel Joseph
Whalen, was born in Portlaw, County Waterford, Ireland, and was educated in the pay
schools of that parish.
In his early years he
in

Whalen and

worked in the cotton mills, and later went to
Wales to learn the iron business in the rail
mills of that country. He emigrated to America, and settled in Pottsville, Pa., where he
found employment in the coal mines, remaining there for about a year. From that city he
went to Danville, Pa., and entered the employ
of Waterman & Beaver as straightener in the
rail mill.
During the flood of the Susquehanna
river in 1865 ]\Ir. Whalen assisted in opening
the Pennsylvania canal, from Nanticoke to

Sunbury, the flood having made the canal unnavigable. He rcmainedin Danville until the
spring of 1866, when he went to Pittsburgh,
Pa., and entered the rolling mill on the South
side, of which Oliver Brothers were the proprietors, as heater and puddler, continuing in
their employ for thirty-six years.
He then
went with the Pressed Steel Car Companv,
where he was engaged until the death of his
wife, in 1907, at which time he came to T.erwick, and spent the remaining years of his life
with his son, Daniel J. Whalen. He died in

He married
191 1, aged sixty-three years.
Ellen Maloney, daughter of lohn and Winifred
(Ryan) Malonev. and ihev'had the following
Daniel Toseph." mentioned below;
children:
John and Williaml who died while young;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
James,

who was drowned

Edward, an

the Ohio river;

assistant undertaker,

who

lives in

Allegheny, Pa.; Mary, who died young; and
Winifred.
James Whalen was a Democrat, and he and
his wife were members of St. Francis Xavier
Roman Catholic Church. Mrs. Whalen died
when hfty-threc years old, and both she and
her husband were buried in Calvary cemetery,
Pittsburgh.

John Maloney, the maternal grandfather of
Mr. Whalen, was born in County Kilkenny,
Ireland, and was raised on a farm. Leaving
the farm he went to Wales, where he worked
in the coke ovens. On emigrating to America
he settled at Johnstown, Pa., where he found
employment in the coke ovens, and was later
made superintendent of Morrel's Coke Ovens,
at Connellsville, Pa., which position he held
until

1888,

when he
The

daughter Ellen.

retired to live with his
few years of his life

1241

twelve children, as follows: Edward- Elizabeth John, who died
aged twenty-six' years
Rose Ann, Mrs. D. J. Whalen; Mamie, who
married John Kane; xN'ettie Gertrude;
James,
deceased; and several other children who died
in infancy.
Mr. Ferris was a Democrat. He
was a member of St. Francis Xavier Roman
Catholic Church, and is buried in
Calvary
cemetery, Pittsburgh.
John Magreevy, maternal grandfather of
Mrs. Daniel J. Whalen, was a native of Rosconnor, in County Down, Ireland, and lived
and died in the house where he was born. He
was a son of Daniel and Katie (Rogan)
He was educated in Belfast,
Magreevy.
County Antrim, and became a "schoolmaster."
He studied the deaf and dumb language in order to instruct some pupils he had in his school
who were both deaf and dumb. His ancestors
for many generations followed the nursery
•

;

last

business, keeping a large nursery between
Mary's Catholic Home of Ballynahinch and Downpatrick. At the death
the Little Sisters, in Pittsburgh, where he died of his brother, William Magreevy, John Maat the age of eighty-nine.
John Maloney had greevy took up the business and continued in
the following children
Edward, who mar- that occupation until his death. He was an
ried Kate Gallagher; Michael; Mary, who died educated and highly respected man, was a
when she was twenty-three years old and member of the Roman Catholic Church in the
Ellen, Mrs. James Whalen. Mr. Maloney was Parish of Loughinisland, and is buried in Saul
a Republican, and he and his wife were de- graveyard, parish of Saul, where St. Patrick
vout members of the Roman Catholic Church, celebrated his first mass.
He died aged
Both are buried at Nineveh, near Johnstown, seventy-three years. His wife was a McCor-

were spent

St.

;

Pennsylvania.
Ellen (Maloney) Whalen, the mother of
Daniel J. Whalen, came to America with her
father, and was raised in Johnstown, Pa., with
her two cousins: J. J. Alaloney, who is now a
retired merchant of Johnstown, and Helen

Maloney, who is now deceased, and who married John Edmonds, and moved to Springfield,
Ill.,

in 1885.

Rose Ann Ferris, the wife of Daniel Joseph
Whalen, was born and educated in Allegheny
Her grandparents, Edward and
City, Pa.
Anne Ferris, had two children, Patrick and
Anna, both now deceased. They were prosperous farming people in the North of IreHer father was born in Ireland, emiland.
grated to America, and settled in Pittsburgh,
where he was married to Mary Magreevy, who
had preceded him to this country, also coming
After their marriage they
from Ireland.
moved to West Virginia and settled on the
farm of his wife's uncle. Mr. Ferris was an
After remaining a short
expert horseman.
time on this farm they moved back to Pittsburgh, and he became stable boss for Oliver
Brothers, in which position he continued until
his retirement.
They were the parents of

Surviving him are the following chil(i) John is on the old homestead, conducting the nursery business. He has a large
mick.
dren:

and is well known by many people in
country who go over to visit.
(2) Mrs.
Crickard, of Pittsburgh, has two sons, John
and Patrick, and one daughter, Miss Mary
Crickard. (3) Mrs. Edward Ferris, of Pittsburgh, is the mother of Mrs. Daniel J. Whalen.
(4) Mrs. Rose Patterson also lives in Pittsfamily,

this

burgh.

Mrs. Whalen's great-grandparents on her
side were Robert and ^Margaret
(Lim) McCormick. Their family are all de-

mother's
ceased.

Daniel Joseph Whalen was educated in the
public schools of Allegheny, Pa., and when
thirteen years of age started to work in the
rolling mills, pulling up doors for the heating
Later he worked in the guide mill,
furnace.
He left the rolling mill and entered the employ
of the Schoem Pressed Steel Manufacturing
Company, manufacturers of small miscellaneous parts of pressed steel for car equipment,
and later manufacturers of complete_ equipment for steel cars. Mr. Whalen assisted in
the building of the first all-steel car constructed

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1242

by that company. This company was later sold
At the
to the Pressed Steel Car Company.
age of twenty-one years Mr. Whalen

left their

employ and entered the employ of the Pittsburgh Bridge Company, a branch of the
American Bridge Company, and was made
night superintendent, in which position he remained for two years. Then he resigned to
enter the employ of the Pressed Steel Car
Company as general foreman of the preparation department, where he remained one and
a half years. Upon the organization of the
Standard Steel Car Company he accepted a
similar position with them, and remained until
September, 1903, when he resigned to accept
a position with the American Car and Foundry
Company, at Berwick, Pa., and was advanced
to general foreman of construction and erection, and later to general foreman of the steel

freight car department; this position he creditably filled until May i, 191 5, when he became
general superintendent of the Milton (Pa.)
plant of the American Car and Foundry

Company.
Mr. Whalen was married

St.

Francis

Xavier Roman Catholic Church, Pittsburgh,
Pa., by Rev. Father Ward, to Rose Ann Ferris.
They have had the following children
James Joseph, born Sept. 20, 1900, and John
:

Ferris,

bom May

29, 1906.

Mr. Whalen is a thorough steel car man,
having been in that business since pioneer days.
He is a Democrat, a member of the Berwick
Club, and he and his family are members of
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Berwick.

JOHN

SMETHERS

A.
is head of the firm
of John A. Smethers & Son, florists, of Berwick, who have one of the largest establishments of the kind in Columbia county. Mr.
Smethers was employed for a number of years
as an iron molder, giving up that work to enin his present line, in which he has been
decidedly successful. He was born in Luzerne
county, Pa., in January, 185 1, and his parents
were the late John and Elizabeth (Fenstermacher) Smethers.

gage

John Smethers was born in Salem, Luzerne
Co., Pa., where he had his home for some
time. In early life he followed
farming, and
by trade he was a blacksmith, coming to Berwick to enter the employ of the Jackson &
Woodin Company, with whom he continued
during the remainder of his active years. His
death occurred in Berwick May 15,
1894.
During the Civil war he enlisted in support
of the Union, being a member of the
52d Regi-

ment, Pennsylvania \*olunteer Infantry, from
Columbia county, and after taking part in
many battles and skirmishes was discharged on
account of disability; he returned to Berwick
at the close of his service.
His wife, Elizabeth (Fenstermacher), who died in Berwick

March

11, 1895,

was born

in Mifflin township,

Co., Pa., a member of one of the
oldest families in the county. Seven children
were born to her and Mr. Smethers: Sofarus,

Columbia

who

Berwick and is married to CathEdwards; John A.; Mary, wife of

lives at

erine

Charles Berlin, of Berwick; James, a resident
of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Savilla, who married
Rev. F. S. Vought, of Berwick, Pa. William,
of Berwick; and Philip McClellan, of Berwick.
;

;

John A. Smethers obtained his education in
the public schools of Berwick.
He learned
the trade of iron molder in the Jackson &

Woodin Company's foundry, where he was
until twenty-five years ago, when he
decided to engage in business. As a florist he
employed

has been one of the most prosperous in Columcounty, the valuable experience he has
acquired combining with his business ability
to insure such success that he is regarded as
bia

one of the local merchants who help to make
a distinctly progressive showing for the town.
Six years ago he took his son into partnership in the flower business now being conducted under the name of John A. Smethers
& Son. Mr. Smethers has a good record for
public service, having been a member of the
school board of Berwick for six years.
He
belongs to the P. O. S. of A. camp and commandery at Berwick, and has passed all the
chairs.

In 1872 Mr. Smethers married Alvaretta R.
daughter of Jacob and Savilla
(Smith) Clossen, natives of Columbia county,
who lived long in Berwick; ten years before
his death Mr. Clossen moved to Light Street,
where he died. Mr. Clossen was master mechanic and superintendent in the Jackson &
Woodin foundry for many years. Three chilClossen,

dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Smethers Katherine, Hurley K. and Annie,
:

the
in

first

named employed

as a school teacher

Berwick.

IIuKLEv K. Smethers is well known in
fraternal circles, holding membership in Knapp
Lodge. No. 462, F. & A. M. Berwick Caldwell Consistory, A. A. S. R., Bloomsburg. and
:

Irem Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S.. WilkcsBerwick Lodge. No. 246, I. O.
Barrc, Pa.
O. F. Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O. S.
of A., Berwick
and Susquehanna Com;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
mandery, No. i8, Knights of Malta, at Berwick. He married Pearl Longenbcrgcr. She
is a member of the United Evangelical Church
of Berwick.

1243

follows:
Lola, Mrs. Heacock; Jennie, Mrs.
William Kisner. of Pittsburgh; Effie, wife of

G. S. Stevens, of Shickshinny, Pa., wholesale
confectioner (they have one child, Glenn Z.)
Zoe, married to Eli Ensor, a farmer, living at
Kettle Falls, Wash, (they have one child,
Paul) Ruth, wife of John Lawson, a farmer,
of Kettle Falls (they have one child, Lcona
Roberta) and I^iura, wife of William Avery,
a farmer (they have one son). The mother of
this family died in 1903 and is buried in Mc;

JEREMIAH RALPH HEACUCK,

of
family of
French extraction numerously represented in
Columbia county. His great-grandfather came
to this country from France, and his grandfather was born in Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania.
William E. Heacock, father of Jeremiah

Greenwood township, belongs

to a

Ralph Heacock, was born in Greenwood townHaving learned the
ship, Columbia county.
trade of painter he has followed that
for the last thirty years, and as he has
cellent education he also engaged in
teaching, regularly for twenty-seven

calling

an exschool
years,

During the
previous to taking up painting.
Civil war he was a loyal Union man, and
served three years in the army with Battery F,
•

2d Pennsylvania

Artillery,

as topodischarged in

acting

He was

graphical engineer.
1865 at Wheeling, W. Va. Mr. Heacock married Mary E. Smith, whose family was of German descent; her father was a farmer. To
Mr. and Mrs. Heacock was born three children:
Jeremiah Ralph; William Earl, who
died in infancy; and Ina May, who married
Bion Hartman, a farmer, of Waller, in jackson township, Columbia county.

Jeremiah Ralph Heacock was born in Greentownship, Columbia Co., Pa., Aug. 27,

wood
1871,

and obtained

home

his education in the schools

From

early life he has
been engaged in agricultural work, and for

of the

locality.

some time he was employed at lumbering. He
is now farming in Greenwood township, where
his

industry

and straightforwardness have
respect and good will of all

commanded the
who know him.

On May 31, 1905, Mr. Heacock married
Lola Brunstetter, who taught school for three
terms before her marriage; she was educated
common schools and at the Bloomsburg
Normal, attending that institution for two
years. Mr. and Mrs. Heacock have one child,
Reber Ralph, born April 11, 1909. They are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
George Brunstetter, Mrs. Heacock's
father, was a builder and farmer by occupation. His wife, Mattie R. (Kline), a native of
Orange township, Columbia county, was a
in the

daughter of John Kline,
ing as well as farming.

who worked

at paint-

Seven children were

born to Mr. and Mrs. Brunstetter, the only
son dying in infancy. The daughters were as

;

Flenry's graveyard.
bia county.

CHARLES

Orange township, Colum-

M. HESS,

a successful con-

and builder of Bloomsburg. has been
engaged in that business there since 1886,
and there are many substantial evidences of
his workmanship in the city.
Born June 3,
1862, at Beach Haven, in Luzerne county, Pa.,
he is a son of Reuben Hess and a descendant
of a family of Swiss origin founded in this
country by Samuel Hess, who came to America
with a colony of his countrymen in 17 12. He
settled at what is now Pecjuea, in Lancaster
tractor

county,

Pennsylvania.

Jeremiah Hess, great-grandfather of Charles
M., brought his family to this section from
one of the lower counties of Pennsylvania,
settled at Beach Haven, Luzerne county, and
followed farming and the trade of stonemason.
He died there and is buried in the graveyard
at Wapwallopen.
His children were: John,
Abraham, Jacob, William, Jeremiah, and several daughters.

Jeremiah Hess, grandfather of Charles M.,

was born at Easton, Northampton Co., Pa., in
1
79 1, and was a boy of twelve when he moved
with his parents to Luzerne county, settling in
Salem township. He learned milling and followed it for eight or nine years, acquiring
property and erecting a mill at Wapwallopen.
This he traded for a farm in Salem township
and later bought another tract there (part of
which he sold), upon which he continued to
live the remainder of his life.
He followed
farming and though he lived retired from
active work the last twenty or twetity-five
years of his life continued to oversee the cultivation of his farm.
He died there Feb. 12,
1877. when eighty-six years old, and is buried
at Beach Haven, as is also his wife Mary.
They were members of the Reformed Church,
He was
in which he took an active interest.
twice married, the first time to Mary Fenstermacher, born March 11. 1797. in Luzerne
county, daughter of Philip Fenstermacher.
She died on the farm Feb. 14, 1858. About

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1244

two years later Mr. Hess married a widow,
Mrs. Ruckle, who died shortly after him.
Thirteen children were born to the first union,

father until twenty-four years old. He then
took up carpenter work at Bloomsburg, and
after following same for two years as journey-

whom ten reached maturity, viz.
bom July 13, 1814, married Lavina

man engaged in business for himself, in 1886.
His principal contracts have been for dwellings
and barns in Columbia county, though he has
also put up six houses in Wilkes-Barre.
He
has built eight in Berwick, eight in Rupert, two
in Espy and over forty in Bloomsburg, in-

Philip,

Smetter

Jan. 26, 1837; Stephen, born Jan. 13, 1816,
died March 26, 1816; Susan, born March 30,
1817, married

John Fenstermacher March

1838; John, born March 10, 1819, married
Elizabeth Herter Dec. 4, 1845 Mary Magdalena, born March 17, 1821, married Thomas
Brader March 2, 185 1 Jeremiah M., born Feb.
22, 1823, married Maria Pohe Jan. 26, 1843;
Nathan, born March 6, 1825, married Sina
Sprohl Dec. 5, 1848; Aaron W., born Nov. 30,
1827, married Hetty Bittenbender Jan. 2, 1855;
Elizabeth, born June 25, 1829, married Charles
;

;

Hill May 25, 1848; Reuben, born Aug. 4, 1831,
married Lavina Knorr Jan. I, 1857; Catherine,
born April 4, 1835, married Frederick Hill Jan.
12, 1854, and died at Dixon, 111.; a son, born
Sept. 20, 1836, died the same day; Amanda,
born May 25, 1838, died Jan. 28, 1844.
Reuben Hess, now the only survivor of the
family above named, was born Aug. 4, 1831,

Salem township, Luzerne county. He was
reared to farming and followed that work until
twenty-one years old, when he began boating
on the Pennsylvania canal. After ten years
of such employment he commenced farming
on his own account in Salem township, where
he continued to live for twenty-two years,
in

eluding his own fine residence at the corner
of Third and Leonard streets, which he erected
in 1894.

Mr. Hess

known

well

in local fraternal

O. O. F., the Red
Men and the P. H. C. His religious connection is with the Methodist Church and he is
a Democrat on political questions.
On Dec. 7. 1885, Mr. Hess was married to
Miriam A. Depew, who was born April 20,
1854, at Dixon, Lee Co., 111., and was a daughter of Jonathan and Annie (Kleintob) Depew.
She died Feb. 8, 1912, aged fifty-seven years,
and is buried m Rosemont cemetery at Bloomsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Hess had one daughter,
D. Mae, now the wife of Norman Cox and
residing at Bloomsburg.
Jonathan Depew, father of the late Mrs.
belonging to the

circles,

Charles M. Hess, was in his earlier life a resident of Luzerne-county, Pa., and was a farmer

by occupation. Thence he moved West in 1847
with his wife and family, then consisting of
five children, the journey from Pennsylvania
finally moving to Bloom township, in Columbia to Illinois being made by wagon and taking
There he settled at the mouth of thirty-seven days. They settled in Lee county,
county.
Fishing creek, buying a farm on which he re- 111., where the parents passed the remainder of
mained for two years, until his retirement, their lives and are buried. They had the folHe then moved to Bloomsburg, where he re- lowing children Alexander A., who was a
sides at No. 155 West Third street,
enjoying soldier in the Civil war and served as flag
well earned leisure after a busy and useful bearer Rosanna Miranda Charles Frances
career.
Mr. Hess is one of the oldest Odd Fidelin Sarah Jane and Miriam A., who marFellows in Columbia county, having joined the ried Charles M. Hess,
order in 1867, and he is a past noble grand.
He is a member of the Methodist Church, and
THEODORE PARKER is a farmer of
a Democrat in his political views.
Greenwood township and a member of one of
On Jan. i, 1857, Mr. Hess married Lavina the most respected families of that part of
Knorr, daughter of Thomas and Polly (Sher- Columbia county.
His parents, Humphrey
man) Knorr, and they have had five children: and Rebecca (Lemons) Parker, were natives
Mary A., who died when six years old Ida, of Greenwood township, where they farmed
who married A. J. Learn, of Bloomsburg; on the
place occupied and operated' by their
Charles M. Cora, who married David Jones, son Theodore. In his earlier
years Humphrey
and died in 1900; and Reuben Harry, of Ber- Parker
His family
kept hotel at Millville.
wick, Columbia county, engaged as a mail consisted of five children, viz.
Joseph, marcarrier,
j-ied Clara Staley, and has had three chilCharles M. Hess began his education at
dren, only one surviving he was a farmer in
Beach Llaven, attended public school, and later Greenwood
township, and is now living in
studied at the Bloomsburg State Normal
Hughesville with his son. John, also a farmer
School. From an early age he became familiar in Greenwood
township, died Jan. 9. 1913 he
with farm work, which he followed with his married Harriet
Staddon. and thev have had
:

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
several children, one
deceased.
Theodore
Laura is deceased.

deceased.
on the

Harvey

home

fann.

Theodore Parker was born Feb. 28, 1856,
Greenwood township, and obtained a good
education in the local schools. Farming has
always been his occupation, and he has always
lived on his father's land in Greenwood township, where by his thrifty and prosperous
career he is keeping up the reputation which
in

1245

2ioth

Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers,
under Lieut. J. P. Evans, the company afterwards being under the command of Capt. J.
N. Hughes. He was sent to Troy, N. Y.,
to be examined, and then returned to Mainville on a furlough of ten days, and was ill
for two weeks.
After his recovery he was
ordered to Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and mus-

attaches to the name he bears.
On Oct. 7, 1880, Mr. Parker married Narcissa Rote, daughter of Daniel Rote, a farmer
of Madison township, whose children were as
follows David, who is a farmer in Pine town-

in, being then sent to the front at PetersHe participated in the fights at
burg, Va,
Hatcher's Run, Five Forks, Stony Creek, and
in the skirmishes when the railroad was torn
up during Weldon's raid. In the latter raid he
was taken ill and forced to drop out of the
ranks, but remained right along with his regi-

Lycoming county Mary, Francis, James,
William, Margaret, Milton, and Regina, all
To
deceased; and Narcissa, Mrs. Parker.

by way of Richmond, and was present at Lee's
surrender.
He was mustered out with an

ship,

;

Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been born three
Mildred, born June 19, 1883, who is
at home; Bernice, born March 29, 1886, married to William Hoover and living at Detroit,
Mich.; and Edward B., born June 19, 1889.
Mr. Parker and his family attend Friends'
Meeting. There are no residents of Greenwood township more thoroughly respected.
children

W.
retired farmer and
justice of the peace, now living at Bloomsburg, Pa., was born April 26, 1847, ^t Main-

SHUMAN,

JpHN

Columbia county, son of Isaiah Shuman,
Main township. His grandfather, Jacob
Shuman, came from Germany to America dur-

ville,

ing the settlement of the county, and located
at Mainville, where he owned a large tract of
land.

Isaiah Shuman, father of John W., was
born in Main township, and there gained his
education in the little log schoolhouses of the
He carried on general farming and
time.
He was a
operated the "Mainville Hotel."
Democrat in politics, but never held ofifice.
He was a devout member of the Lutheran
church. His wife, Mary Ann, was a daugh-

and their chilAbraham, who married Mary

ter of Philip Miller, of Espy,

dren were

Knapp and (second) a Miss Evans; Erastus,
who married Amanda Gruver, and lives in
Fort Wayne, Ind. John W., mentioned below

;

Lloyd, living in East Bloomsburg ]\Iary, deceased, buried in Mainville and Harriet, who
also lies in the Mainville cemetery.
John W. Shuman was educated in the
schools of Mainville and in Kingston (Pa.)
;

;

After graduation he taught school
Mainville for three winters, working on the
farm in the summer. During the Civil war

Seminary.
in

enlisted,

Sept.

14,

1864, in

Company

tered

ment, going back to Appomattox Court House

honorable discharge on May 30, 1865, at the
age of eighteen, one of the youngest of the
veterans of the time.
After the end of the war Mr. Shuman went
to Selinsgrove and there attended school, and
then in partnership with his step-father bought
a farm of two hundred acres at Mainville.
which he continued to operate until in the
s])ring of 1907, he retired to live in Bloomsburg. The farm is now rented to Frank Hendershot.
Mr. Shuman was married to Harriet E. John, who was born Aug. 30, 1847,
daughter of Jesse and Mary (Low) John, the
father a native of Wales. To Mr. and Mrs.
Shuman were born seven children Jesse E.,
:

born July 30, 1869, married Mazie John, and
is practicing medicine in Bloomsburg; Warren
N., born Nov. 29, 1878, is practicing medicine
at Jersey Shore; Dora, born Aug. 15, 1871,
died Nov. 13, 1879, and is buried in Mainville; Mary F., born June 7, 1873. died Nov.
buried in Mainville cemetery;
2, 1881, died May 25,
buried in Rosemont cemeter>%

II, 1879, ^"<i ^s

Myron

B.,

born July

1909, and is
Bloomsburg; Howard O. was bom June 16,
1886; Louise E., June 9, 1888.
Mr. Shuman is a member of the Methodist
Church and very active in its affairs. When
the Mainville Church was built in 1880 he
gave the ground upon which it was erected.
He is a Democrat, and has taken a warm in-

W'hile a
Mainville he served as school
director, constable, tax collector and justice
of the peace, holding the latter office for ten
for two
years, first by appointment and then
terms by election. He was a candidate for associate judge of Columbia countv, on the Democratic ticket, but failed to obtain a majority.
He has high standing in Masonry, being a
terest in the success of his party.

resident

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1246

past master of Catawissa Lodge, No. 349, and
has attained the thirty-second degree.

THEODORE

B. SHAFFER, late
REV.
pastor of the Christian Church at Berwick,
Pa., was born in Briarcreek township, Columbia county, Feb. 24, 1869, son of David and

Caroline (White) Shaffer.
David Shaffer, the grandfather

Rev.

Theodore B. Shaffer, was born in Germany,
and when a young man came to the United
States, settling in Briarcreek township, where
he became a prominent agriculturist and
owned several farms. He also took an active
part in local political affairs and was widely
known in Columbia county.
David Shaffer, son of David, and father of
Rev. Theodore B. Shaffer, was born March 6,
1833, on his father's homestead farm in Briarcreek township, Columbia Co.. Pa., and was
here engaged in farming to the time of his
He
death, which occurred Oct. 27, 1877.
married Caroline White, born Jan. 24, 1847,
daughter of John D. White, an agriculturist
of Fishingcreek township, and she still survives, residing at Berwick. Five children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer: Hon. Charles
A., of Berwick, a member of the State LegisTorrence L of
lature; Rev. Theodore B.
Sayre, Pa., in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company; Fannie M., the wife of
Ira Bower, of Berwick; and J. David, who is
also in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at Sayre, Pa.
The mother
remarried, becoming the wife of Ira Letteer,
and by that union had one child, Eltha, now
the wife of James Armstrong, of Wilkes;

Mr. Letteer is also deceased.
Theodore B. Shaffer, son of David Shaffer,

Barre, Pa.

received his early education in the
country
schools of Briarcreek township, and spent his
boyhood on the home farm. Later he became
clerk in a store at Berwick, and after a short

period went to Catawissa, where for about one
At the end of
year he continued clerking.
that time he entered the
academy at Orangeville, and finally became a student in the college at Ada, Ohio, whence he went to Plymouth, Pa., and established himself in the
mercantile business.
About twelve months

he went to Shenandoah, Pa., where he
contmued m business for three years, but
eventually sold out and removed to WilkesBarre. While there he demonstrated his
public spirit and
courage by taking up alone the
hght for free bridges, and later secured the

later

support of the people generally, seeing his
earnest efforts bear fruit in
1899, when the

Berwick bridge was declared free. He was
the organizer of the Free Bridge Association,
and in this connection became so widely known
all over Luzerne county that he was made Republican candidate for the office of county
commissioner, but owing to political conditions
at the time met with defeat at the polls. Later
Mr. Shaffer moved to Sayre. Pa., where he
became connected with the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company as special officer, and subsequently was made chief of detectives for the
company.

resigned his position in Janaccept the pastorate of the

uary, 1910,
Christian Church

continued to

Berwick.

officiate until his death,

Here he
and few

pastors have been more generally beloved by
He had taken an active and intheir people.
telligent interest in political affairs, and
ever aimed to elect the man best fitted

had
for

His fraternal connections were with
the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., at Sayre, Pa.,
Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F.. and
Washington Camp No. 105, B. O. S. of A., at
Berwick.
Mr. Shaffer died Nov. 18, 1913,
from the effects of an accident he had while
office.

assisting to build the tabernacle for the Dr.
Henry W. Stough evangelistic campaign at

Berwick.

April 25, 1893. Rev. Mr. Shaffer was

married to Alice

May

P>.

Golightly.

who was bom

10, 1866, in

Newcastle. England, daughter of Joshua and Alice (Greener) Golightly,
who were born June 9, 1836, and June 27.
1840.

respectively.

England and came

They were

natives

country at an early
day, locating at Plymouth, Pa., where the
father was superintendent of one of the minHe
ing companies, being an expert miner.
met an accidental death in 1893, and his widow
died Nov. 15, 191 1. They were the parents of
four children
Thomas I., a resident of
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Mrs. Shaffer, widow of
Rev. T. B. Shaffer; Elizabeth, who is the wife
of Charles Renshaw, of Savre, Pa.
and
Joshua, who lives at Wilkes-Barre.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
to this

;

Shaffer,

namelv

was

Theo

T.,

bom March

24,

student in Albright College,
Myerstown. Pa., for one term. 'and is now
employed in the finishing department of the
American Car & Foundry Company at Berwick; Alice Caroline, born June 15. 1895. is
making her home with her n"iother.'
1894,

JOHN CADMAN. a veteran of the Civil
war. and a retired business man of Bloomsburg, was born in England in 18^6. son of
Enoch Cadman.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
Enoch Cadman was born

England Jan.

31, 1812, and died at Bloomsburg, Pa., March
26, 1898; his remains were laid to rest in

Rosemont cemetery.
In young manhood
Enoch Cadman came to the United States and
settled at Bloomsburg, Pa., where he became
an iron miner, and continued in this line of
work until within seven years of his death,
when he lost his sight. A Methodist in religious belief, he took great comfort in his
church, especially after his

liazeltine, and their
Joseph, who died in Blooms-

children were:
burg Mary, who married John Frey John
Enoch; Rebecca, who married Nathan Tovey;
and James. Mrs. Cadman died March 12,
1852, aged forty-five years. Mr. Cadman then
went to Hemlock township, where he lived for
a couple of years, marrying (second) while
there Betsy Robins, by whom he had two children, ]\Iartha and Charles.
John Cadman, son of Enoch Cadman, was
only a child when his mother brought him to
join his father in the new home beyond the
seas.
The lad grew up in Bloomsburg, and
was educated in the common schools there and
in Hemlock township.
He worked in the
mines until he and his father commenced taking mining contracts, and continued thus until
1910, working at various places in Columbia
;

;

county.
Enlisting during the Civil war in Company
E, 103d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Mr.
Cadman served until the close of the war, or
for a period of seven months. Upon the organization of Ent Post, G. A. R., he joined
that body, and has been an enthusiastic member ever since.
Republican, he has served
in the city council, but resigned on account of
an enforced absence from the city owing to
The family belong to
his business contracts.

the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Cadman was married

to Bridget Barrey,

1843, who died in 1893.
children as follows Benjamin F.,
ing at Millville, Pa. Mary C, who

born

;

They had
who is livis at home
;

Paul, deceased
John, who is living in St.
Louis William, a resident of Jerseytown, Pa.
Charles E., who is living at Hughesville, Pa.
;

;

and removed from there to (jermany. jjrobably when a young man.
Jacob Patrick, the grandfather, was born
in Germany, and has spent his long life there.
When his relatives in America last heard from
this venerable member of the family he was
ninety-four years old and still lived on his
farm near Hanover.
August Patrick, the father of Gus Patrick,
was born and reared in Germany. When he

Enoch came

aflliction.

Cadman married Emma

;

and Emma, who is a public school teacher of
Bloomsburg, living at home.

GUS PATRICK, proprietor of the North
Berwick Bottling Works, was born at AlburNov. 10, 1877, son of
tis, Lehigh Co., Pa.,
August and Christina (Stuches) Patrick. His
of Scotland
great-grandfather was a native

1247

to the

United States he located

lirst

Lehigh county, Pa., and found employment in
the steel mills there. Later he moved to Mahanoy City, in which neighborhood he went
to

work

coal

mining, continuing

that

dangerous calling until he lost his life in a
mine accident, June i, 1892. He married a
daughter of Abraham Stuches, both natives
of Germany, where the father was a farmer.
When
this marriage taking ])lace in Germany.
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick came to America they
had three children, and five more were born
on this side of the Atlantic ocean. All died
and none of
early except the youngest, Gus,
the others was living at the time of his birth.
The mother died in November. 1888.
Gus Patrick obtained his education in the
after which
public schools of :\Iahanoy City,
he learned the baker's trade, including the
allied business of candymaking. his instructor
business is still
being Fred Reidinger, whose
Patrick clid
Mr.
Llowever,
continued there.
not care to follow this trade, and when the
war liroke out he de-

Spanish-Atnerican
termined to become a soldier. He enlisted in
Company E, 8th Pennsylvania \'olunteers,
from Mahanoy City, and during his eleven
months of service was stationed with his reg-

iment

Camp McKcnzie. Camp

and

at other points,
tered out, at Camp

Hastings,

and when he was musMcKenzie. Ga.. it was

with the rank of corporal.

still

retams a

comrades and is a memCamp, Spanish- American War

his
lively interest in

ber of Jamison
Veterans.

After being mustered out of the army Mr.
Patrick came to Berwick, and here entered the
and Founflry
employ of the American Car
he continued
Company, with which concern
to the Berhe
when
until
changed
work
1904.
He rewick Consolidated Gas Company.

On
that corporation until 1908.
his presestablished
he
that
of
year
luly 17th
ent bottling business, and also was with the
end of that year, since
gas company until the
which time he has devoted himself entirely
mained with

to his

own

botenterprise, operating the only

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1248

in Greater Berwick.
He manukinds of soft drinks.
Mr. Patrick married Sadie Pauline Ramer,

tling

works

factures

all

who was born

Beaver

valley,

Columbia

of Josiah and Sarah
Ramer, who are residents of Berwick, Mr.
Ramer being in the employ of the borough.
Eight children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Patrick:
Emily, bom Dec. 17, 1897,
who died when five weeks old Florence, born
Dec. 14, 1899; Beatrice, born June 22, 1901
county,

daughter

;

Bertha, born Sept. 20, 1902 Harrison, born
Jan. 10, 1904; Gordon, born Aug. 3, 1908;
and Frederick and Floyd Albert, twins, born
July 22, 1912, the latter dying when two
;

After remaining there one year he
returned to Danville, becoming master mechanic of the Mahoning Rolling Mill ComHis work was
pany, under F. P. Howe.
there for two years. Having made a reputation, his services w-ere in demand, and he was
next engaged, in 1888, by the Lukens Iron &
drafting.

Steel Company, of Coatesville, Pa., assuming
the duties of master mechanic and superintendent of new construction. In this capacity
he laid out and erected the plant, which today is one of the largest of its kind in this
part of Pennsylvania. He remained with the
Lukens Company for a period of sixteen
years and then returned to Danville, where

months old.
he was engaged by Curry & Co., and was
Mr. Patrick and his family belong to Holy made assistant to Air. Curry. At the death
He is identified of Mr. Curry the company was reorganized
Trinity Lutheran Church.
fraternally with Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. and bought the present plant, forming what is
O. O. F. Berwick Aerie, No. 1280, F. O. E., now the Danville Foundry & ^Machine Comof which he is a past president; and Berwick pany.
In 1905 Mr. Vannan was made genLodge, No. 1 138, B. P. O. Elks. In politics eral manager, which position he still holds.
he is a Republican, and he held the office of Undoubtedlv Mr. Vannan inherits mechanical
school director one term in Briarcreek town- ability from his father, Forbes H. \^annan.
who was one of the best master mecl^anics of
ship.
his time, and his talents have developed
IRVIN VANNAN, Sr., general manager through experience until he has an amazing
of the Danville Foundry & ]^Iachine Com- grasp of all the details of the business under
pany, was born at Scranton, Pa., Oct. 12, his care.
On July 26, 1883, Mr. Vannan was mari860, a son of Forbes H. and Emaline (Parr)
Vannan.
His educational training was ob- ried, at Danville, Pa., to Sarah Antrim, who
tained in the public schools at Wilkes-Barre, was born in Dewart, Northumberland Co.,
Pa., and at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston,
Pa., daughter of William L. Antrim, a dePa.
After completing his schooling he went scendant of the Antrim family from County
with the Wyoming X'alley Manufacturing Antrim. Ireland, and his wife Hannah Com;

Company

Wilkes-Barre (now the X'ulcan

Iron Works), and served his apprenticeship
to the machinist's trade
his
father was
master mechanic of the works.
Having finished his term of apprentice;

ship,

Mr. Vannan moved

Danville,

and

entered the employ of the Montour Iron and
Steel Company, for wbich his father, Forbes
H. Vannan, was then master mechanic.
There he served an apprenticeship at mechanical drafting.
Having acquired a practical as well as theoretical knowledge of his
business, he was well fitted to take a position
of importance.
Leaving Danville, he went to
the General Oliver Powder Mills at Laurel
Run, near Wilkes-Barre, and was made the
master mechanic, which position he filled for

months.
Having a desire for broader
experience in his chosen work, he left the
powder mills and took a position with the
Dixon Manufacturing Company, of Scranton, being given charge of the laying out of
six

all

their

work

the shop.

His duties

re-

quired a technical knowledge of mechanical

Hammond, born in Milton, Pa., a
descendant of Friends stock. Mr. and Mrs.
Vannan have had the following children: (i)
Paul A., born in Danville. March 25, 1885,
is a member of the firm of which his father
is general manager; he married Helen Ireland, and they have one child. Frederick
Forbes.
(2) Forbes, W., born in Scranton,
ley

Pa.. April 4, 1887, died Sept. 17, 1887.
(3)
was born in Coatesville, Oct. 26,
and (4) William Donald was born in

Irvin, Jr.,

1895,
Coatesville, Sept. 17, 1897.

a member of St. Paul's
Episcopal Church, which he is
serving as treasurer of the board of trustees,
superintendent of the Sunday school, and
leader of the choir.
Fraternally he is a
member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 859, I.
O. O. F., of Scranton. Pa., and of Montgomery Council, No. 962, Royal Arcanum.
]\Ir.

Vannan

Methodist

FRED KELLEY SMITH, clerk

in the time
of the American Car and Foundry ComNorthpany, Berwick, w^as born in Milton,

office

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
umberland Co., Pa., May 9, 1887, son of Jacob
Smith and grandson of William Smith.
William Smith, the grandfather, was born in
He was a
Clintondale, Pa., Jmie 15, 1824.
puddler and heater by trade, following that
occupation nearly all of his life. During the
war of the Rebellion he served under two enlistments in the Northern army, first entering
Company B, 5th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment, \'olunteer Corps, Infantry, on May 27,
He was mus1 861, for three years' service.
tered in June 21, 1 861, and saw considerable
active service before his discharge, on account
Later he served
of disability, Feb. 7, 1863.
another term, was taken prisoner by the Confederates, and was confined in both Libby and
Mr. Smith married
Andersonville prisons.
Lavina Long, who was born in Howard, Pa.,
on Dec. 30, 1829, daughter of John Long, and
John, deceased,
they had children a.S follows
married Annie Wolf; Jacob, deceased, married A'lary M. Thomas, and they were the parents of Fred K. Smith; William died when
ten years old; Milford married Ida Slusser;
Oran married Lottie Knecht (deceased) and
(second) Dora Miller; Ella, deceased, married
William Spearing Jennie married David East
Clara died unmarried Ceanie married Albert
(iunther; Susan married Henry Williams.
:

;

The

parents of this family died at Berwick,
Mr. Smith Oct. 17, 1887, and Mrs. Smith Aug.
I, 1901, and are buried there, in Pine Grove
cemetery. Mr. Smith was a member of Capt.
C. G. Jackson Post, G. A. R., of Berwick, and
belonged to the Presbyterian Church of Ber-

wick when Rev. Mr. Dickson was
Politically he was a Republican.

pastor.

Jacob Smith, son of William, was born at
Crescent,

Lycoming

and was educated

Co., Pa., Sept. 17, 1855,

in the schools of

Howard,

Pa. He learned the trade of roller, at the age
of sixteen entering the Jenkins rolling mill at
Howard, as catcher. Later he went to Milton,
Pa., where he was catcher in the Jenkins &
Schoyer rolling mill, and after a time moved
to Millvale, Pa., working as catcher in a horse-

Subsequently Mr.
Smith went to Bellefonte, Pa., and entered the
Valentine wire mill, where he worked as a
rougher. Leaving there he took employment
shoe mill at that place.

at ~\Iilesburg. in the mill of Lynn
McCoy,
and thence returned to Howard for a short

Afterwards he went back

Milton as
extra roller in the Jenkins mill and when he
left went to Williamsport, Pa., and worked as
rougher, on the 18-inch mill in the Valentine
From Williamsport he changed
rolling mill.
to Providence, R. I., and worked as rougher
time.

1249

horseshoe mill, coming back to Pennsjdvania and working at Howard and Milton sucThen for about twenty-two years
cessively.
he was established at Berwick, Pa., in the employ of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing
in a

Company, advancing from rougher to roller.
Moving to Zanesville, Ohio, he made only a
short stay there, returning to Berwick for a
brief period.
He was next at Scranton, Pa.,
where he was employed as roller and roll
turner for three years, after which he was
again at Berwick, spending fourteen years in
the Berwick plant of the American Car and
Foundry Company (formerly the Jackson &
Woodin establishment). He died Feb. 10,
191 3,

and

buried in Pine Grove cemetery,

Berwick.

On
to

Oct. 17,

881, Jacob Smith

was married

Mary M. Thomas, who was born

Jan. 2,

Howard, Pa., daughter of Isaac and
Carolina (Dry) Thomas, and three children
were born to them
William A., born July
29, 1882, married Lillian Wolf and has chili860, in

Mary Bernice, Florence Minerva, Eleanor Gertrude and Nathel Phyllis Fred K. is
second in the family Walter S., born Nov. 5,
1889, married Etta Sponenberg, and has children, Helen Smith, Clara Jean and Fred
dren,

;

Wilham.
Mr. Jacob Smith was well known in local
fraternal bodies, belonging to Berwick Lodge,
No. 246, I. O. O. F. Washington Camp, No.
105, P. O. S. of A. and Lieut. E. S. Griffin
Camp, No. 8, Sons of Veterans, of Scranton,
Pa. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church of West Berwick and active in
;

;

work, serving as a trustee at the time of
In politics he was a Republican.
Fred K. Smith was educated in the public
His
schools of Berwick and West Berwick.
first regular occupation was as call boy in the
rolling mill of the American Car and Foundry
Company, and he continued in that capacity
for nine months. In 1903 he entered the steel

its

his death.

plant of the same company and was a rivet
heater for tw(/" ears, after which he was employed in the o. ^^e shop offices for one and
He was promoted to the time
a half years.
office as clerk under chief time clerk George F.
Brockmann, and has been employed in that
capacity to the present time.

On March 25, 1913, Fred K. Smith married
Lula Seiwell, who was born Feb. 21, 1894, and
they have one child, Christine Mary, born May
28, 1914.

Fred K. Smith has numerous

social connec-

tions in the borough, holding membership in
A. M., Berwick;
Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1250

126, Woodmen of the
Col. A. D. Seely Camp, No. 25, Sons

Berwick Camp, No.

World

;

the Grinders Club of West Berwick (charter member), which he has served
as secretary for two years and he belongs to
the Berwick Band (J. O. Boyles, director),

of Veterans

;

playing the bassoon. He is also well known
as a piano player, having played in the different orchestras, including the J. O. Boyles
orchestra at Berwick and Alexanders orchesHis religious connection
tra, of Bloomsburg.
is with Calvary Methodist Church, of West
Berwick, and he serves as assistant organist
and also has charge of the orchestra in the
Sunday school. As may be inferred Mr. Smith
is very much interested in music, and he has
taken an active part in the development of
musical interests in the borough. Politically
he supports the Washington Progressive party,
and he has acted as election inspector.
Isaac Thomas, maternal grandfather of Fred
K. Smith, was born April 23, 1812, and died
Jan. I, 1881. He was a forgeman by trade and
was an expert in his line, following that occupation all his life in Bald Eagle Valley, Pa.
He married Carolina Dry, who was born at
Tyrone, Pa., Dec. 25, 181 5, and died June 20,
To their marriage were born children
1905.
as follows
George D. died in a hospital at
Washington, unmarried Isaac married Nancy
Holden, who is deceased Harry married Han:

;

nah Wetzel Furlim, John, Thomas, William,
Lizzie and Nancy died unmarried Margarite
married Joseph Bush Mary M. married Jacob
Smith Rebecca married George Regel, who is
:

;

deceased.

During the Rebellion Isaac Thomas, Sr.,
served the Union cause as a member of Company H, I loth Pennsylvania Regiment, and his
son, George D., served in the same company
and regiment with him. Shortly after his return from the war Isaac Thomas had both his
legs cut off below the knees at Tyrone, Pa.,
on the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad
he was given a life pass on that road. He
;

lived for eighteen years afterwards,
traveling
around on short crutches, and died of

apoplexy, aged sixty-nine years. He is buried
at Howard, Pa., while his wife, Carolina, is
interred in Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick.
He was a
Politically he was a Democrat.
crack shot with the muzzle-loading rifle manufactured in his time.

EDWARD FOREST BOWER,

of Berwick, has taken a good citizen's part in promoting the conditions most desirable in a comBoth in the
munity of modern standards.

pursuit of his chosen calling and as a supporter of moral issues he is a recognized force
for good among those interested in local questions of vital importance. Mr. Bower is a son
of Noah Newman Bower and a grandson of
Solomon H. Bower, and belongs to a family
which has been settled in Briarcreek township,
Columbia county, for several generations.
George Alichael Bower (called ^lichael), the
first ancestor in America, was born in Germany, and came to this country at the age of
thirteen years, taking up the occupation of a
farmer.
He first purchased a farm in the
Lehigh valley, in Pennsylvania, after his marriage locating in

Kutztown, Berks county, and

later, in the latter

part of the eighteenth cen-

tury, settling in Columbia county, where he
purchased a partially improved farm in Briar-

creek township of a Mr. Disserand, a Frenchman. At the time that section was sparsely
settled and there was but a single house where
Berwick is now located. Mr. Bower cleared
some 120 acres, which land is now owned by
John Fester, and there resided the remainder
of his life. His wife's maiden name was Hill,
and to their union were born the following
children:
Jacob, Michael, Solomon, Daniel,
Of these,
Phelina, Catharine and Abraham.
Solomon was the great-great-grandfather of
Edward F. Bower, and his son Solomon was
the great-grandfather.
Solomon H. Bower, the grandfather, was
born in Briarcreek townshi]), and there owned
a small tract of land, w'hich he cultivated. Besides taking care of his own land, he worked
for neighboring farmers, and also followed
various other occupations, laboring in the limestone quarries. He married Boawn Lockard,
daughter of Alexander Lockard. and the folJames
lowing children were bom to them
McClellan, who married Amanda Benscoter
:

;

George Hurley, who married Ella Yohey
Noah Newman Freas J., who married Dorcus
Dewitt (she is deceased) Harry R., who married Ora Adams; Joseph L.. married Minerva
Moore and (second) Carrie Hidlay and John,
deceased.
The parents were buried at Summer Hill, in Briarcreek township. Mr. Bower
was a Democrat in political sentiment.
Noah Newman Bower, father of Edward F.
Bower, was born Jan. 25, 1857, in Briarcreek
township, and was educated in the township
schools.
For a number of years he was in
the employ of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company at Berwick, becoming an
experienced car builder. He gave up this work
to follow farming, owning a tract of fifty acres
at Summer Ilill and Foundnville. in Briar;

;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
creek township, which he still operates. He
carries on general agriculture, and in connection does carpenter work. He has taken some
part in local public affairs, having served as
school director and several terms as tax collector.
In politics he is identiiied with the
Democratic party. He attends the Methodist

Mr. Bower married Alice Martha
Church.
Rhinard, who was l)orn Nov. 20, 1857, daughter of Daniel and Ellen (Eckrotej Rhinard,

who

died at the age of thirty-two years. She
buried at Summer Hill, in Briarcreek townMr. and Mrs. Jjowcr became the parship.
ents of the following children: Edward h'or-

Frank H., who married Cora Mack Laura
M., wife of Frank Hess; John E., residing in
Briarcreek township Jennie I., wife of Dallas

est;

;

Thrash

;

and Arthur L. and Myrtle

R.,

who

reside at Berwick.

Edward Forest Bower was born

Sept. 28,
1876, in Briarcreek township, and there received his early education in the public schools.
For two terms he was a student at the Genoga
Institute, Jamison City, Pa., and prepared himself for the teacher's profession, which he began to follow in 1893. For one term he was
in Fishingcreek township, and then
for five terms in Briarcreek township, after
which he took up business pursuits, entering
the employ of the Berwick Store Company as
a clerk in the auditing department, under J. F.

engaged

1251

Sixth street, which he erected about thirteen
years ago. He has always been ready to give
lime and attention to movements which he
considers beneficial to the general welfare, and
he has been specially active in such affairs as
a prominent member of the Bower Memorial
L'niled Evangelical Unirch, at Berwick, and
its allied
He has been a member
enterprises.
of the official board of the
congregation, and
served as secretary of the board for three

For eight years he has been class leader,
has served one year as president of the
Keystone Christian l-'udeavor League, and he now
has the young women's class in the Sunday
school, which he has been teaching for seven
Mr. Bower's ability and exi)erience as
years.
an educator have made him valuable in this
field also, for he organized a teachers'
training

years.

at the Sunday school and taught in
for two years, and he is now district superintendent of the teacher training in Sunday
school district No. i, of Columbia county.

department
it

Mr. Bower has taken
lic

affairs, that is as

little

direct part in pub-

office holder,

though
he has served as clerk in Briarcreek township.
Politically he is a Democrat.
Socially he is a

member

Susquehanna

Commandery,

Long.

Knights of Malta, Berwick.
In 1899 Mr. iiower married Mary C. Garrison, who was born April i, 1870, in Salem
township, Luzerne county, and there received
her early education, later taking a two years'

two

course

His experience in this position covered
six years in
years, and he followed it with
the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna &
Western Railroad Company, at Berwick, in

the
l>loomsburg State Normal
Though she prepared for teaching she
remained at home until her marriage. Like
in

vSchool.

various capacities. He was first in the freight
house, was baggage master for a time, and later
was in the car service department and acted
as clerk in the freight house. When he gave
up this work he rented the farm of his fatherGarrison, a tract of 108 acres in
in-law,

her husband she is a prominent worker in the
liower Memorial U. E. Church, and is one of
the assistant teachers of the Sunday scliool.
Mr. and Mrs. Bower have had three children,
born as follows: Russel Woodward. March

Salem township, Luzerne county, which he cultivated for about two years. Returning to the
Westemploy of the Delaware, Lackawanna &

Mabel Arline, April

Henry

ern Railroad Company at Berwick, he spent
another two years as clerk in the car serv'ice
department, after which he resumed teaching,
to which he has since devoted all his time. Air.
Bower taught tw^o years in Salem township.
Luzerne county, thence changing to Briarcreek
he taught
township, Columbia county, where
one
and
one
for
school
year at
the Millers
year
For the last two years he has
Foundr>^ville.
had charge of the seventh and eighth grammar
at North Berwick, where
grades in the school
been
have
ser\-ices
his
highly satisfactory to all
Mr. Bower makes his home in
concerned.
East
Berwick, in the residence at No. 316

31, 1901

;

Howard

Leroy, June 25, 1903; and
6,

1906.

Mrs. Bower is the great-granddaughter of
Matthias Garrison, who ser\'ed in the Revolu-

He
tionary^ war from New Jersey.
Amwell township, Hunterdon Co., N.

lived in
J.,

later

and Knowlton, Warren
county, same State, where he died. By occupation he was a farmer. His wife, Elizabeth
in

Sussex

county

(Fortner), born July 13, 1744, died July 13,
1825. aged eighty-one years, and is buried at
Their children were
Mifflinville. Pa.
Mary,
:

wife of Emanuel Kirkendall Jacob, who married Annie Seeley; Joseph, who married Mrs.
Annie (Seeley) Garrison; Benjamin; Matthias; Elizabeth, wife of Edmond Freeman;
and Rachel, who married Matthias Fisher.
Benjamin Fortner, Mrs. Elizabeth CFort;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1252

a son of Benjamin
ner) Garrison's father, was
Fortner. His wife. Isabelle (Douglass), was a
dauo-hter of Lord Archibald Douglass (son of

Bothwell

in 1691,
Janfes Douglass), born
in 1 781, at Glasgow.
died
and
Scotland,
Castle,
to America and subsequent exHer

coming

periences before her marriage were very tryHer father first married Jane Edmunds,
ing.
who bore him the following children: Isabelle, James, Sholto, Joseph, Jane and Charles,

When

he remarried the stepmother practically
a servant of Isabelle, who finally decided
to leave home. She started for America with
a lady bound for Philadelphia, but the vessel
was captured by pirates, who brought the pasthose
sengers to Philadelphia, but released only
who could pay ransom. Isabelle was practi-

made

her time being bought by
township, Hunterdon Co.,
N. J., then at Philadelphia on business. He
took her to his home, expecting her to work
out the sum he had paid. There she met Benand
jamin Fortner, who fell in love with her,
accumulate
to
worked
enough
together
they
money to redeem her. After their marriage
cally sold as a slave,

man from Amwell

of years in Hunterwhere nine children were
born to them two more children were born
after their removal to Sussex county, X. J.,
where both Mr. and Mrs. Fortner died.
Matthias Garrison, son of Matthias and
Elizabeth (Fortner) Garrison, was born in
East Orange, N. J., Oct. 30. 1777, and lived

they lived for a
don county, N.

number

T-,

;

New

Jersey until after his father's death,
to Pennsylvania. In Decernber, 1800, he married Susanna Seeley, who was
born Feb. 24, 1784, and by whom he had a
Elizabeth, born
family of twelve children:
Dec. 8, 1801, married Joseph Brierton, and
died in IlHnois Elsie, born Nov. 6, 1803, married Jacob Cope, of Moore's Church, Salem
township; Benjamin died young; John, born

when he removed

died young; Joseph, born July 26, 1840, married Sidney H. Pollock; Drusilla, born Aug.
16, 1842, married Tobias Henry.
Henry Garrison, father of Mrs. Edward F.

Bower, was born Jan. 31, 1836, in Salem townLuzerne county, where he was reared
and educated. He assisted his father at home
with farm work until his marriage, at which
time he moved to Bloomsburg. Columbia
county, rented a farm near that town, and was
engaged in its cultivation for a few years,
Then he was at Nanticoke, Luzerne county,
where he carried on a huckstering business for
some years, later settling in Salem township,
Luzerne county, where he bought a tract of
one hundred and eight acres, about five acres
of which is in timber. He cultivated that place
ship,

until six years ago, when he rented the property and moved to Berwick, where he has since

lived retired.

;

July 23, 1813, married; Nathan, born Dec. 3,
181 5, married a Miss Seybert and (second)
Rachel Lyons; Mar}^ born Jan. 12, 1818, died
when three years old; Matthias, born April
24. 1820, married Mary E. Girton; Jacob, born
Aug. 25, 1822, died young; Susannah, born
Sept. 15, 1824, married William H. Harris.

Nov.

(second)

29,

1832.

Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick. The folchildren were born to this union:
Elliott W., deceased, married Sarah Wright;
Jacob S. married Ella Martz; Charles B. married Lizzie Phillips Mary C. is the wife of Edward Forest Bower; Thomas J. resides at Berwick; Harry L. married Jennie Seibert Irvin
M. married Lillian Seibert.
in

lowing

;

MRS.

MARY ELIZABETH

CLAPP, who

now

a highly esteemed resident of Waverly,
N. Y.. has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances at Danville, Pa., where she was
is

Her father. James Cornelison, belonged to an old family of Montour
at Danville, where he
county and was

born and educated.

bom

became a man of substance and of business
For a number of years he folimportance.
lowed the blacksmith's trade, afterwards embarking in the mercantile business, and for
thirty years

old

conducted a general store

Dean property on Mill

street,

the

retiring

his death. He married
a daughter of Alexander and
Margaret (Stewart) Ryan, and the following
children were born to them:
Isaac, who became a noted Presbyterian minister, married
Agnes Forsythe, of Northumberland, Pa.;

Mr. Garrison married about ten years before

Mary White, who was born Nov. Margaret Ryan,

and by whom he had these children:
born Nov. 30. 1833, died when ten
years old; Henry, born Jan. 31, 1836, married
Abigail Brader; Martha, born July 6, 1837,
17, 1797,
B..

Alem

of the Stone Church in Salem township, and very prominent in all its work, serving as exhorter, class leader and steward. He
is now united with the Bower Memorial U. E.
Church, at Berwick, and one of the zealous
workers in that organization. Politically he
is a Democrat, and while residing in Salem
township held the offices of poor overseer and
school director. Mr. Garrison married Abigail
Brader, who died June 15, 1899, and is buried

;

Aug. 8, 1808, moved to Illinois in 1845; Sarah
died young; Rachel, born March 22, 181 1, married Enoch Walton William Garrison, bom

Mr. Garrison was formerly

member

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1253

Stewart, who was superintendent of the
Bloomsbiir<( (Hvision of the J). L. & W. Railroad, with oflices at Kingston, I'a., married
Rebecca Smith, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Robert

Although Mrs. Clapp continues to reside at
by no means has forgotten or
her girlhood home. Frequently
she visits in Danville, and keeps in repair the

Dunlap never married Mary EHzabeth became the wife of Henry Clay Clapp Mar-

comfortable residence her father built here.

garet is the wife of Daniel Connolly, of
Scranton, Pa. The parents of the above family are buried side by side in the Odd Fellows
cemetery at Danville.
They were members
of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church.
Jn
politics the father was a Republican.
]\Irs. Mary Elizabeth Cla])p was reared in a
home of plenty and completed her education
in the Danville Academy,
in her native city
she was married to Henry Clay Clapp, who
was born at Athens, Pa., of solid old Quaker
Pie was a son of a prominent man of
stock.
Athens, Nathaniel Clapp, who served several
terms in the State Legislature. Three children

C. i'JlILLlPS, of Bloomsburg, is
a representative of an old family which came
into this section from Sullivan county, Pa.,

;

\\ avcrly, she
lost interest in

;

were born

who

]\Ir.

and Mrs. Clapp: Margaret,

the wiie of Allen Kirby, agent for the
D. L. & W. Railroad, at Nichols, N. Y., and
is

they have one child,
Elizabeth,

who

Henry Clay Kirby Mary
of Henry Clay
;

the wife

Thatcher, a shoe merchant at Detroit, Mich.,
and they have two children. Walter Scott and
Henry Clay Thatcher and Henry Clay, cashier
of the Carson City \'alley Bank, who is in;

terested also in mining.
At the time of his marriage Henry Clay
Clapp was engaged in the construction of the
Brooklyn waterworks, the contractor for the
same, and during the period of building Mr.
and Mrs. Clapp resided in Brooklyn and
Jamaica, Long Island. W'hen the above con-

was completed Mr. Clapp went to Scranton, Pa., where he engaged in railroad contract
work for the D. L. & W. Railroad Company,
building tunnels and doing general railroad
tract

He secured the contract, which he subto double track the D. L. & W. system
was
from Binghamton to Buffalo, N. Y.

work.
let,

widely known for the number and importance
of his contracts and for the complete efficiency
which marked his every effort. For a number
of years prior to his death he lived retired, and
he is buried at Wavcrly, N. Y. In spite of a

rugged early life, as demanded by his profession, Mr. Clapp was able to retire in early
middle life, apparently in good health, hence
his sudden death, which occurred in New
York City, where he had gone to meet his
daughter returning from school, was a great
shock to his family and friends. He was an
honorable and law abiding citizen, but was
never willing to accept public office. He voted
with the Republican party.

RALPH

where Washington

Phillips, great-grandfather

of Ralph G. Phillips, lived and died, lie was
twice married, his son, Henry G. Phillips,
grandfather of Ralph G., being born to the first
union.
Plenry G. Phillips was born in Sullivan
county, Pa., and settled at Bloomsburg in the
early days of the town. He was an ore smelter
by trade and followed that business during his
early years, but for many years he clerked in
the store of the Irondale Company^ at BloomsHis wife,
burg, where his death occurred.

whose maiden name was Sarah A. Swisher,
was a daughter of John Swisher, and was born
and reared at Jerseytown, Columbia Co., Pa.
They had one son, John S.
John S. Phillips was born at Bloomsburg,
where his entire life was spent. In youth he
learned the trade of printer, which he followed
throughout his active years, and at one time
was owner in part with Daniel Beckley of the

Columbia County Republican.

However, he

sold his interest in the pajK^r after a brief connection therewith, and engaged in job printing,
which he carried on as long as he remained in
business. He met an accidental death on the

Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad at
Bloomsburg. On Feb. 14, 1854, Mr. Phillips
married Mary Gross, daughter of Zebelian P.
and Louisa R. (Cook) Gross, and she survives him, now residing on Main street,
Bloomsburg. Two children were born to this
union
Ralph G. and Frank D. The latter,
born Feb. 11, 1879, is a traveling photographer,
:

at present in California.
Ralph G. Phillips was born April 14, 1872,
in Bloomsburg, where he obtained his educa-

attending the common schools and later
When fourteen
State Xonnal School.
he
learn
old
commenced
to
years
photography
tion,

the

under H. A. McKillip, and he had barely
reached his majority when he engaged in business on his own account in 1893. When the
First National Bank building was erected he
established himself there, and he has a thoroughly up-to-date studio with all facilities for
turning out the high-grade work for which his
establishment has become w^ell known. During the summer season Mr. Phillips goes to

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1254

Eagles Mere, Pa., where he also has a studio,
and by enterprising business methods combined with a thorough familiarity with the artistic and technical requirements of the profession he has succeeded in building up a patronage which is still showing steady expansion.

In his personal relations with his fellow men
Mr. Phillips has exhibited the same desirable
qualities which have characterized all his business transactions, and he is a much respected
citizen though he has never had any desire to
take part in public affairs.
Mr. Phillips married Jessie B. Ent, and they
five children
Dreyer E., Marian L.,
Ralph G., Jr., Alonzo and Mary. In religion
Mr. Phillips is an Episcopalian.
Mrs. Phillips is a granddaughter of Peter
Ent, who was born in Roaringcreek township,
Columbia county, Feb. ii, 1811, son of Charles
and Elizabeth Ent. He was a carpenter and
contractor, and during the later years of his
life carried on a mercantile business and also
an iron furnace at Light Street. He was a
prominent Democrat, and was serving as one

have

of the county commissioners

when

the county

W., Nelhe M., Jessie B. and Alinnie E. Mr.
Ent was a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 264,
F. & A. M., of Orangeville, and also of the G.
A. R. In politics was a Democrat. The family attend the Episcopal Church.
Griffith John, the ancestor of Ralph G.
Phillips on the distaff side, was born in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, in 1683. With many
others of that locality he emigrated to Pennsylvania, landing at Philadelphia, Feb. 11,
1709, and settled in one of the Welsh townships in the district known as the "Welsh
Barony." On July 23, 1714. he was married
to

Ann

Williams, daughter of Robert Wil-

surnamed "the King of Goshen." About
1714 he purchased a farm in Uwchlan town-

liams,

ship, Chester county, being one of the first
settlers there.
had six sons and six daugh-

most of

He
whom removed

to other parts
of the State, settled and raised large families.
One of his sons, Martin John, was the builder
of the first house in Armstrong county. Pa.,
and his descendants are numerous in that section of the State.
Griffith John, Jr., son of Griffith, was born
ters,

seat was removed to Bloomsburg; was collector of tolls at Beach Haven was elected a
member of the House of Representatives of

Pennsylvania, and served two terms, 1856-57,
and was a delegate to the Democratic conven-

Sarah Lloyd, daughter of Humphrey Lloyd,
and they reared one son and six daughters,
namely: Abia, Rachel, Leah, Mary, Grace,
Hannah and Rebecca. One son died in in-

;

tion at Charleston, in i860.
at Light Street.

died in 1876

Uzal H. Ent, son of Hon. Peter Ent, was
born Jan. 13, 1838, at Light Street. He obtained his education in the public schools there,
and enlisted Oct. i, 1861, in Company D, 84th

Pennsylvania Volunteer
first

Infantry, becoming
lieutenant and serving until October, 1862,

Uwchlan township, Chester county, Aug. 26,
was a farmer, as was his father beOn March 13, 1752, he married

1729, and
fore him.

fancy. All of these children in later years beresidents of Northumberland and Columbia counties. After the death of his wife Grif-

came

fith John. Jr., moved to Shamokin township,
Northumberland county, and there died Aug.

now lying in the burying
Roaring Creek, that county. His
only son, Abia John, is buried in the Friends'
burying ground at Catawissa, Pennsylvania.
Hannah John, daughter of Griffith John, Jr.,
was born in 1765. She married David Phillips,
who was born in 1762 and died May 21. 1813,
and their children were
Rebecca, David,
21, 181

when he was honorably discharged on account ground

of physical disability. He participated in the
Winchester, Port
following engagements
Republic, Cedar Mountain, Thoroughfare Gap
and second Bull Run. On leaving the army
he came home, and in 1863 enlisted as an
emergency man was made captain of Company H, 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia,
and served about six weeks was under fire at
Hagerstown, Md., while following up Lee's
army on its retreat to the Potomac. He then
returned to Light Street, and was engaged in
farming and milling for ten years. In November, 1879, he was elected sheriff of Columbia
county, serving three years, and was subse:

;

employed as bookkeeper in Krug's
He died Aug. 4, 1890. Mr. Ent
was married June 10, 1863, to Helen M. Martz,
of Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and they had
six children
Alonzo M., Ramsay M., Oscar

quently
planing

mill.

his remains

Abia, Stephen, William, John, Daniel, Griffith,
Sarah and Hannah. The children resided in
parts of Northumberland. Sullivan and Columbia counties.
Judge M. J. Phillips of Muncy
Valley, Sullivan county, is a son of Griffith
Abia Phillips also resided in
Phillips, above.
Sullivan county, and had two children, ("icorge
Washington and Joseph Reese. The children
of Joseph Reese Phillips were
Matilda, Kate
:

The
(Fry), Joseph, Amelia and Margaret.
latter is the wife of D. N. Dioffcnbachcr. sujicrintendcnt of the Danville public schools.

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
OSCAR

E. LETTEER, postmaster at Berwick, Coluniliia Co., Pa., was born in Fair-

125;

Normal at Bloomsburg, and took a business
course at Scranton.
After completing his
schooling, Mr. Letteer clerked in a store at

mount township, Luzenie Co., Pa., April 19,
1879, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth A. (Har- Jamison

City, Pa.,

and

later

became associated

with the Central Pennsylvania Lumber Company, continuing with this concern for seven
years as assistant to the woods superintendent.
In 1906 he came to Berwick and in July entered the employ of the American Car and

rison) Letteer.

Samuel Letteer came of French stock. He
in Luzerne county. Pa., became a
farmer, and in 1885 moved to Greenwood
township, Columbia Co., Pa., where he was engaged in farming from that time to 1892, in Foundry Company, in its finishing de])artnient,
which year he went to Jamison City, Pa. That continuing with them until December of that
place continued to be his home until 1909, year, when he went into the office of J. R. Sutwhen he came to Berwick, where he died Dec. ton as clerk. In 1908 he severed this connecLlis wife tion to engage in his present business, and now
22, 191 2, aged seventy-seven years.
was a daughter of Dillinger Harrison, a school represents all the leading old-line insurance
teacher and farmer, who spent his life in companies in both fire and life, also handling
Luzerne county, dying at Register, that county. some of the most desirable real estate in the
Mrs. Letteer resides at No. 41 1 A \\'alnut township. ^Ir. Letteer was appointed a jusShe and her husband tice of the peace by Governor Tener in the
street, Berwick, Pa.
had seven children, all living: Alice D., Mrs. spring of 191 1 and was elected to the office in
Tubbs, of Bloomsburg, Pa. Emma, who mar- the fall of that year. He has also served as
ried R. J. Force, of Berwick Catherine, who deputy tax collector, holding that office durmarried A. C. Taylor, of Delta, Colo.; Jessie, ing 1908. On Sept. 9, 1913, he was appointed
who married A. C. Young, of Berwick Fannie postmaster at Berwick, by President \\'ilson.
settled

;

who married O. E. Smith, of Gouldsboro,
Wayne Co., Pa. Harry J., a graduate of
Poughkeepsie College, who lives at Williamsand Oscar E. The five daughters
port, Pa.
L.,

;

taught school.
Alice Delphinc Letteer was born May 20,
i860, near Fairmount Springs, Luzerne county,
and resided on a farm during her school days.
After leaving school she taught the Red Rock,
Montgomery, Harrison, Hoover and Broad-

all

schools, in Luzerne county, and the
Dodson, Davis and Mountain Grove schools,
in Columbia county.
Subsequent to her marriage she taught one term at the Hoover school,
near her old home. On May 30, 1882, she was
married to Frank Emory Tubbs, who was
born June 11, i860, in Luzerne county, and
died May 15, 1900; he is interred in the
Bloomsburg cemetery. He was a farmer, and
later engaged in the manufacture and sale of
fertilizers.
They had but one child, Beulah
Vesta, born April 26, 1889, who graduated
from the Bloomsburg high school in 1906, and
from Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa.,
in 1908.
On April 23, 191 3, she was married
to Augustus Frank Bachinger, a native of
Montour county, born July 27. 1886, and a
representative of the American Tobacco Company. Mr. and Mrs. Bachinger have one son,
named after his father, born Jan. 10, 1914. All
of this branch of the family are residents of
Bloomsburg.
Oscar E. Letteer was educated in the local
schools in Columbia county and the State

way

Fraternally he belongs to the Elks lodge Xo.
T138) at Berwick, the Berwick Odd I'ellows
lodge (No. 246), and the Sons of Veterans,
being qualified to membership in this on account of his father's war record.
On April 14, 1904, Mr. Letteer was married
to Erla M. Hirleman, a native of Columbia
county, born ]\Iay 24, 1880, daughter of
(

Charles and Mazie (McHenry) Hirleman,
both natives of Columbia county, where the
father has been an engineer for many years
he is now residing at Jamison City. Mrs. Letteer is one of four children: Mrs. Letteer;
Walter, who resides at Newark, N. J. Eva,
who married Firm Smith, of Benton. Pa. and
Hazel, who is living at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Letteer are members of the
Christian Church.
They have a daughter,
;

;

Eloise.

A. KEPNER, superintendent of the
car erecting department of the American Car and Foundry Company, was bom Jan.
3, 1850, in Perry county, Pennsylvania.
The Kepner family is of German ancestry,
and settled first in this country in southeastern

JOHN

wood

Pennsylvania, probably Berks county. From
there the great-grandfather of John A. Kepner removed to Juniata, Pa., where the grandfather, Jacob Kepner, was born.
Jacob Kepner engaged in agriculture, and also conducted
a transportation business between Juniata and
Baltimore. The trip took about six weeks for
each outfit, going and coming, and was the

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1256

only available way of marketing the farm
products, and securing the supplies necessary
for the various communities. Six horses were
necessary to haul the old-fashioned wagons,
as the roads were rough, and in place almost
Jacob Kepner died in Perry
impassable.
county and was buried there.
Daniel A. Kepner, the father of John A.,

was born Jan. 25, 1825, in Perry county, Pa.,
near Newport. As a young man he learned
the builder's trade, which he followed successfully in the various towns on the Juniata river,
and along the west branch of the Susquehanna.

He was "for many years a local and itinerant
minister of the United Evangelical Church,
and later was ordained as a minister of that
denomination. He received only such education as the common schools of the locality afforded, but his natural ability as a speaker
and reasoner won him recognition in his vicinIn politics he
ity as one of its leading citizens.
was a Whig, and later united with the Republican party, voting for Lincoln at his first election.
He took a deep interest in the raising
of troops for the Civil war, and had charge of
the funds of his township for that purpose.
In 1847 ^^- Kepner married Leah Christ,
who was born Oct. 9, 1826, daughter of John
Christ, one of the early settlers of his locality,
and of German ancestry. Their children were
as follows: Levi H., who lives at Millerstown,
who married Joseph Hause, now
Hagerstown, Md. John A., mentioned below William Jacob and George, who
reside in Berwick, Pa. Harriet, who married
Nathan Fry and lives in Juniata county, near
Norah, who married
Thompsontown, Pa.
Abner Stutz and lives at Thompsontown, Pa.
and Rev. Daniel L., who married a Miss
Kerchner, and now lives at Hughesville, Pa.,
where he is pastor of the United Evangelical
Church. Daniel A. Kepner died April i, 1901,
Pa.; Annie,

living at

;

American Car and Foundry Company,

to tjie

present time, covering a period of over thirtythree years.
He was promoted at various
times, and in 1910
ent of the wood

which position he

was appointed superintendcar

still

erecting
holds,

department,

On Jan. 30, 1870, Mr. Kepner married Lydia
Myers, of Slocum township, Luzerne county,
Children as follows were born to this marriage: Edward B., now in the mercantile business at Philadelphia, married Lynda Long,
daughter of C. C. Long, of Danville, Pa. Ada
;

William Krug, now living in Berwick. Pa.; Harry, Frank and Lillian all died
young. Mrs. Kepner died April 20, 1904, and
was buried in Pine Grove cemetery, Berwick,
In 1906 Mr. Kepner married (second) Ella
J. Stackhouse, daughter of Nelson B. and
L. married

Priscilla (Franklin) Stackhouse.

In politics Mr. Kepner is a Republican in
national affairs, but independent in local matters.
He has served his townsmen as burgess
of Berwick, and has taken an active interest
in the affairs of his party in town, county
and State matters. Mr. Kepner is a member
of the Methodist Church, and has serv^ed as a
member of the official board for twenty-six
He also served as superintendent of
years.
the Sunday school for several years, and has
been a liberal contributor to that church and
its various activities.
He was one of the first
to join the Y. M. C. A. of Berwick, and has
served continuously as a member of the board
of directors for thirty-three years.
He was
chosen vice president and served in that capacity for one year, and was president for three
years. He is one of the earnest workers of the
institution, which has done so much for the
young men of I'erwick, and is ever ready to
give his time and means to the advancement
of its interests. Mr. Kepner is a Past Master
of Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M., which
he has served as secretary for twelve years.

wife Feb. 7, 1894; they are buried at
Millerstown.
John A. Kepner received his education in
FEDORCO, notary public and prothe common schools, and later attended the prietor of a general store and steamboat agency
New Berlin Seminary, in Union county, where at West Berwick, Pa., was born in Austriahe fitted himself for teaching, an occupation Hungary in 1877, son of George and Anna
which he followed for several years in Union (Senglar) Fedorco.
and Luzerne counties. In 1873 he entered the
George Fedorco, father of John Fedorco,
employ of the DuPont Powder Company, in was born in Austria, as was his wife Anna
Luzerne county, where he remained for eight (Senglar). In his native country he was enWhile a resident of that section he gaged in mining. Leaving the land of his
years.
was elected justice of the peace, serving un- birth in 1881 he emigrated to the United
til his removal to Berwick.
On June 7, 1881, States, locating in Mahanoy City. Pa., where
Mr. Kepner entered the employ of the Jack- he followed his chosen vocation until his death,
son & Woodin Manufacturing Company, and which occurred April 20, 1903.
He and his
has been with this firm and its successor, the wife had but one child, Tohn.

his

JOHN

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
John Fedorco, son of Gcorfjc Fcdorco, accompanied his mother lo America in 1890, and
from New York City, where they landed, proceeded to Mahanoy City, joining the father.
Shortly thereafter he secured a position with
the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron
Company, and after two years with that concern hecame a clerk in the estahlishment of M.

Mayernik, of Mahanoy City, h'ive years later,
when his employer sold his husiness, Mr.
Fedorco entered the employ of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and continued with that concern for live years, until he
became private secretary for John Fisher,
He
banker, remaining with him two years.
came to West Berwick in September, 1904, and
established himself in business as the proprietor of a modest general store, and through
his
able management, skill and business
acumen his patronage has grown to large prolie handles foreign money orders,
portions,

conducts a first-class steamship agency, and
has a large stock of general merchandise, his
specialties being the famous Crown furnaces
and Globe ranges. His establishment, at Nos.
1144-46-48 Freas avenue, at the corner of

Warren

one of the important business houses of West Berwick, and his activities
in the field of trade and commerce have materially added to this community's business
street, is

prestige.

Nov. 13, 1905, ]\Ir. Fedorco was married
to ]\Iary A. Polchik, who was born in AustriaHungary, and was brought when a child to
America by her parents, Andrew and Teresa
(Yuhos) P^olchik, who are still living. There
were three children in the Polchik family
Anna, who is the wife of Joseph
]\Iary A.
Ceperko; and Joseph. 'Mr. Fedorco has long
been prominent in fraternal circles as a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the West
Berwick Grinders, the National Slavonic SoUnion and
ciety, the First Catholic Slavonic
He and his wife are members of the
others.
Roman Catholic Church at Berwick.
:

;

for the transferring of pecjple and
property
across the river, and this point became known
as "Hicks' Ferry." Among his family was a
son, Mahlon, born in 1 790, who engaged with
his father in the ferry business until the lime
of the war of 181 2, then being waged between
England and the United Slates. He had left
his home to join the war, and
proceeded as
far as Northumberland when he learned that
his services were not re(iuired. Starting home,

when he reached Centre township, in Columbia
county, he engaged himself to Joseph Millard
as farmer, and in 1816 married the only daughter, Phoebe, remaining upon the same premises until his death, which occurred in 1868.
1'here were born lo this union nine children,
live sons and four daughters, as follows: Benjamin, Joseph, Jesse, Mordecai, Rebecca,

Phoebe, Mary, Mahlon and Anna.
Jesse Hicks, the third son, having reached
such age as to be of service, returned to the
ferry business of his grandfather, where he assisted his brother, Benjamin, who had assumed
charge of it for several years. Wliile there
he became acquainted with Mary Jane, the

daughter of

Alexander Hughes and Mary

(Willetts), his wife, and having returned

merchant,
of Berwick, is a member of a worthy family of
Columbia county known here for over a cena member
tury, the posterity of Jesse Hicks,
of the Society of Friends who established himHe had been livself in this region in 1800.
in Bucks county, and in the year mentioned
ing

lobrought his family to Luzerne county and
cated along the Susquehanna river, about six
miles northeast of Berwick. Here, the topog-

to
raphy of the land lending itself especially
the purpose, he erected and operated a ferry

home

1846 he married Miss Hughes anil opened a
grocery store at what is known as Willow
Grove, on the farm of his father, near the
in

canal, catering especially lo the canal trade.
Jesse Hicks built the brick house now the property of Leone Cryder and also the frame house
now the property of Samuel Conner estate at
this point, and continued the mercantile business there from 1846 until 1876. To the union
of Jesse Hicks and Mary Hughes were bom
seven sons: Mahlon A., Willelt Millard, D.

Webster, William C, Jesse Leoni, Benjamin
Ptcach and Charles, the last two dying in
infancy.
D. \\'ebster Hicks

was married Sept. 14,
1872. to Lydia Seybert, the daughter of Reuben
and Lydia Seybert. and lo them were born the
Charles L., Jesse Reuben,
following children
:

Millard Wilbur.

MILLARD WILBUR HICKS,

ll!57

W. and Mary

Anna
J.,

J..

Mildred M.. Sterling
Millard Wilbur,

whom

Mildred M. and Sterling

survive at this

wntmg.
Millard Wilbur Hicks was born March 20,
1879, at Orangeville. Columbia Co., Pa., and
began his education in the Orangeville schools,
later attending the Scranton Business College.
He served three years. 1904 to 1907, in the
United Stales regular army, being a member
of the 80th Company. Coast Artillery, and was
discharged at Key \\'est. Fla.. as sergeant of
his company.
Returning to Berwick, he en-

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1258

tered the mercantile business, in which he is
still engaged, having built up a profitable grocery trade during the eight years he has given
his attention thereto.

In his earlier manhood

Mr. Hicks was a bookkeeper at Scranton for
In matters affecting the public
four years.
welfare he supports the best element and the
best movements without regard to party affiliation, and he shows his desire to cooperate in
the promotion of local interests by his membership in the Business Men's Association.
Socially he belongs to Camp No. 105, P. O. S.
of A., and to Nest No. 1212, Order of Owls,
and his religious connection is with the First

Methodist Church of Berwick.
On June 21, 1900, Mr. Hicks was married,
at Binghamton, N. Y., to Augusta Titchen,
who was born in 1880 in Bradford county. Pa.,
third daughter of John and Mary (Carr)
Titchen, well-to-do farming people of that

Car and Foundry Company has been identified
Mr. Shoewith them in various capacities.
maker was married Sept. 4, 1869, to Frances
Their son, Michael Ellsworth ShoeEbert.
maker, born April 23, 1871, died Jan. 14, 1910,
leaving one child, James Harris Shoemaker,
born Nov. 27, 1906. Bertha, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. William Shoemaker, born May 30,
1875, married William James Harris, July 12,
1900.

WILLIAM

member

RUSSELL,

of Danville,

family long settled at
Washingtonville (Derry township), Montour
county, and comes of Revolutionary' stock on
both paternal and maternal sides.
He is a
son of James Russell and grandson of John
is

who came from Letterkenny, County
Donegal, Ireland, and crossed the ocean to
America in the vessel "Congress," the voyage
He settled in Chester
taking eleven weeks.
Russell,

Her father, a native of Germany,
came to this country when twelve years old, county. Pa. His wife, Ann (Saybury), was
Like many Scotchand during the Civil war enlisted from Troy, a native of Scotland.
Bradford Co., Pa., serving three years and nine Irish families, the Russells have for the most
months in the Union army. After the war he part been associated with the Presbyterian
started farming on his own account, and con- Church.
tinued at that calling until his retirement, a
James Russell, father of William M. C.
few years before his death, which occurred Russell, was born Sept. 17, 1804, at Derry
in Derry township, Montour Co.,
eight years ago, in 1907, at the age of seventy Church,
and
died July 25, 1882, in Point townin
his
thrift
and
labPa.,
farsightedness
years. By
He followed
ors he became a well-to-do farmer, and he and ship, Northumberland Co., Pa.
his family were respected throughout the farming all his life, and also teamed to Philaneighborhood. He married a member of the delphia and Harrisburg, hauling freight. He
John Carr family early settled in the vicinity, settled in Northumberland county, across the
and she died nine years ago, when sixty-three river from Lewisburg, and there remained
years old.
They had two sons and five until his death. He was a well known ^ilason
in his day, holding membership in the lodge
daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Hicks have had three chil- at Lewisburg, and was honored with the office
dren: Pearl, born in Bradford county, July of master in that body. His wife, Jane Mc21, 1901 Josephine, who died in infancy; and Williams, born June 21, 1813, was a daughter
county.

;

Millard Wilbur, Jr., born Sept. 23, 1907, in
Bradford county.

WILLIAM SHOEMAKER, son of Michael
and Levina (Heacock) Shoemaker, was born
May 31, 1844, in Greenwood, Columbia Co.,
Pa. He enlisted in the Union army June 17,
1863, joining Company C, 28th Regiment,
Pennsylvania Emergency Men, and was discharged July 28, 1863. On Feb. 24, 1864, he
reenlisted, becoming a member of Company
D, i88th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was
discharged May 22, 1865, at the McClellan U.
S. A. General Hospital, Philadelphia, on account of wounds received while in action at
Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864. Mr. Shoemaker in his younger days was a patternmaker,

but since the organization of

The American

of Robert and Jane (Curry) Mc Williams,
and granddaughter of Robert Curry, one of

the earliest settlers of this part of Pennsylvania. He was born in the North of Ireland
Time 9, 1 741, and educated in the schools of
his native country, where his father was a
He came to
well-to-do linen manufacturer.

America

in
on Mahoning
settling
1772,
creek, in what is now Valley township, Montour Co., Pa., and there followed farming.
He was a Presbyterian in religious belief,
served as a trustee of his church, and was
one of the first to give his money and influence towards the propagation of the gospel in
these parts. He was killed and scalped by the

Indians June 9. 1780. He and his wife were
captured by the Indians and taken about a
mile below Red Point, near where No
«;

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES
schoolhouse stands, and he was shot through
the legs and knees, and because he could not

walk was brained with

clubs.

His wife was

carried across the mountains, and during the
night, to prevent her escape, she was placed
between two Indians, who laid on her skirt,
However, she had a pair of shears hidden in
her skirt, and she cut herself free and returned
to the fort.
Finding her husband, she took
him up the river in a canoe, and soldiers from
the fort walked along the bank to protect her.
She buried him in the old Grove cemetery, but
his body was later transferred to Fairview

Mr. Curry had married Jane McWilliams in Belfast, Ireland, and four children
were born to them: James, who was born in
Ireland and settled in Ohio; Robert, who settied on the north branch of the Susquehanna
river; William, who settled on the home place
in Valley township, Montour county (he married Jane Moore and they were the parents of
cemetery.

being

known

1259

as Chulasky.

In 1901 he

to Danville, where he has since
I'or several years he was

made

his

came
home.

employed at the
Structural Tube Works as fireman, and is now
He is rcacting as watchman at the plant.
gardcd as a substantial citizen of the borough,
held in high respect by all who know him.
Mr. Russell married Emma Specht, who
was born Oct. 17, 1854, in Union county, Pa.,
daughter of Michael and Louisa (Earnsworth) Specht and granddaughter of

Adam

Specht, who came from New 'Jersey and who
was a Revolutionary soldier. Louisa b^arnsworth's mother was a Clark, daughter of William and Nancy Clark.
Mrs. Russell died Nov. 26, 1912. She was
the mother of three children, namely: Nellie,
graduate of the Danville State Hospital, is
now the wife of J. C. Fought, of Unityville,
Pa., and has four children; Carrie graduated
from the Danville Hospital, as nurse, in 1904,
but for some time kept house for her father,
until her marriage. Feb. 5, 1914, to Ralph K.
LefHcr, of Millersburg, Pa., now engaged as a

Hon. James Curry, associate judge of the
and Jane, the first white child born
between the north and west branches of the
Susquehanna river, who married Robert Mc- street railway conductor in Brooklyn, N. Y.,
Williams. The sons were well-to-do farmers, where they reside, at No. 485 Seventeenth
noted for their honesty and integrity.
To street (she is a member of the Pine Street
James and Jane (McWilliams) Russell were Lutheran Church) Margaret, a graduate of
born eight children, of whom three survive: the Danville high school and a graduate nurse,
John, born March 30, 1835, died in November, was formerly engaged as private secretary to
1906; Mary Jane, born Dec. 27, 1837, died in the supervisor of the State Hospital at NorOctober, 1907; Robert McWilliams was born ristown. Pa., but is now keeping house for her
county)

;

Jan. 20, 1840; Samuel, born April 21, 1842,
died Oct. 22, 1898; Margaret, born Dec. 7,
1844, died July 11, 1900; William McCard is
mentioned below-; Hugh, born Oct. 11, 1852,
Robert C, born July
lives at Shamokin, Pa.

father,

E. D.

PENTZ,

merchant

tailor.

Danville,

Montour county, Pennsylvania,

;

26,

1856,

lives

umberland county.
died Dec.

Northumberland, NorthThe mother of this family

1888.
C. Russell

WilHam M.

was born April

21,

1847, i" Northumberland county. Pa., across
the river from Lewisburg, and there lived
with his parents to the age of thirty-four years,
After his school days were over he engaged in
farm work, in connection with which he also
followed threshing for eight years.
Coming
to the vicinity of Danville in 1901, he was
engaged in truck farming for some time, and
later followed the same line at West Branch,
Northumberland Co., Pa.
Subsequently he
bought what is known as the old "Half Way
House," at one time a well known hotel, the

homestead of his parents, at Cameron station,
in Northumberland county.
During the days
when business was active along the canal Mr.
Russell kept store at Cameron station, and
w^as also postmaster at that point, the office

WILLIAM HARRISON HAUCK, who
has been engaging in educational work very
successfully, was born Aug. 7, 1893. son of
Wesley Oliver Hauck. grandson of William
Harrison Hauck and great-grandson of
Joachim Hauck. who were among the substantial German citizens of Columbia county.
Joachim Hauck was a farmer and lumberman of Beaver township, Columbia Co., Pa.,
and during most of his life was engaged in
He was a
cutting timber on Buck mountain.
Democrat in politics and an adherent of the
His wife was Lucinda
Lutheran Church.

Troy, a native of Beaver township,
William Harrison Plauck, son of Joachim,
was born in September, 1844, in Beaver township, and followed the occupations of lumber-

man and

miller.

He was

member

of the

Lutheran Church and a Democrat. He married Harriet Fleming, who was born in 1845,
and whose parents, George and Mary (Crohl)

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

1260

Nancy and Ida. By the third
Jerewho married Ida Johnson; Cora; Pierce;
To Mr. and Mrs. Hauck and Daniel, who married ]\Iary Ertwin. Mr.

Fleming, were farming people he was born in
1803 and died in 1885; she was born in 1809,
;

and died in 1882.
were born eight children
\\'esley Oliver
Levan
of
wife
Wellington, who
Joseph
]\Iary,
married Grace Martine George, who married
Mary Love; Clara, wife of Miles Fisher;
Ella, unmarried; ISIinerva, wife of William
Kruck and William, who died unmarried at

ond

miah,

Longenberger was a farmer, a Democrat, and
member of the Lutheran Church,
John Longenberger, father of Mrs. W. O.
Hauck, was born in 1853. He was a farmer
and railroader. He adhered to the principles
of the Democratic party, and was elected to
the offices of school director and road superthe age of twenty-three.
born
He was a member of the Lutheran
Hauck
was
visor.
Oliver
26,
July
Wesley
He married Harriet Fisher, born in
1869, in Beaver township. He was a lumber- Church.
man, miller and farmer, and Hke his father a 1857, and among their children were: John;
He attended the William; Tirma Fanny, wife of Joseph E.
Democrat in politics.
Methodist Church. He married Jane Longen- Drew; Nora, wife of Perry Haycock; Annie,
berger, who was born July 26, 1857, daughter wife of Andrew Mahlor; Samuel, who marof John Longenberger, and they have had ried Minna Defrain; and Jane, wife of Wesley
William Harrison; Hattie O. Hauck. Some of the family are deceased.
three children:
Samuel Fisher, Mrs. LongenlDerger's father,
May, born Nov. 26, 1896; and Florence Milwas born in 181 5, and died in 1873. By occudred, born INIarch 9, 1899.
John Longenberger, grandfather of Mrs. pation he was a stonemason and farmer. In
Wesley O. Hauck, was born in 1810 and died politics he was a Democrat, in religion a
He was married three times, first to Lutheran. His wife, Mary (Kellar), born in
in 1898.
Nancy Yetter, born in 1822, who died in 1852, 1824, lived to the age of forty-seven years,
and third to Airs. Liebey. We have the f ol- They had children as follows William, Susan
lowing record of his children: By the first (Mrs. S. Henderlighter), Frank. George,
William Oliver, ]\Iiles, Elmer, Samuel. Peter and Harriet (Mrs. Longenmarriage:
Francis, Mary, Jane and Alfred. By the sec- berger).
:

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iv)/aR

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