USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 26
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ILTON W. BOTSFORD, a promi- inent merchant of Nordmont. Sul- livan County, is the eldest son of John C. and Martha (Pennington) Botsford, and was born in Davidson township, Sullivan County, Pa., August 17, 1849.
John Botsford, great-grandfather of our subject, was the founder of the Botsford fam- ily in America. He was born in England. came to America, and served in the French and Indian War. He was twice married and had two sons, John and Levi; the latter was accidentally killed at Utica, N. Y. The for- mer, John, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Oxford County, Conn., and early in life was a glassmaker at Utica,
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N. Y. He removed to Schuyler County, Pa., in 1844. Having saved some money he next purchased sixty acres of forest land in David- son township, Sullivan County, Pa., now owned by William M. Stephens. He engaged in clearing and cultivating the land, building a dwelling house and other buildings and es- tablishing a home for himself and family. He died at the age of eighty-four; his wife, Louise McEwen, lived to the good old age of ninety- two. They were blessed with five children : Louisa, Nancy, Emeline, Sarah, and John C., the father of our subject.
John C. Botsford, father of Milton W. Botsford, was born in Oneida County, N. Y. Early in life he bought a tract of land in La- porte township, cleared it, and there he has lived ever since, enjoying the reputation and success of a practical farmer. There he and his wife are spending their declining years in peace and in the same surroundings which characterized their years of toil. Their ages are, respectively, seventy-four and seventy-six years. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Botsford, viz .: Milton W., our subject; Jesse, who is married and resides in Nebraska; Mary, who married William Stanley and re- sides at the Botsford homestead; Arthur, who married Ella Mosteller, and, together with Judson, who married Minnie Kuner, reside in Athens, Pa .; and Zenus.
At the district school Milton W. Botsford obtained a good practical education, which he found of value to him in after years. After he left school he found employment in the lumber business for seven years, when he went into business for himself by starting a small store at Unityville, Lycoming County, Pa. He continued at this business for eight years, then sold out and removed to Nordmont and pur- chased the C. W. Reeder store and engaged again in the mercantile business. In this en-
terprise he was prospering when he received an unwelcome visit from fire September 11, 1897. His store, also his house and barn, near by, were destroyed by the fire; but, out of the ruins rose a new building, typical country store, with genial Mr. Botsford again behind the counter.
Mr. Botsford was united in marriage with Annie Hirleman, daughter of Henry Hirle- man of Waller, Columbia County, Pa. Their children : Rush, Ernest, Charles, who died at the early age of four years, Harry and Frank. The positions of honor and trust held by Mr. Botsford are the best evidences of the high esteem in which he is held by his friends and neighbors. He has been elected at different times overseer of the poor, inspector of elec- tions, auditor and justice of the peace, and is at present postmaster, which position he has held at Nordmont and Unityville for a period of twenty years. Our subject's wife is a faith- ful and willing worker in the United Evangel- ical Church.
R AY H. DAVENPORT, although a young man, is possessed of wonder- ful business ability and holds the responsible position of superintendent for the Berwick Store Company, Ltd., one of the largest department stores in the state of Pennsylvania.
The store is located in a handsome three- story brick building which is heated by steam and lighted throughout by electric lights. The south side of the store is devoted to a large stock of groceries, crockery, hardware, confectionery, etc., while the north room on the first floor is stocked with a complete line of men's furnishings in the front, and in the rear is a meat and produce market. The
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second floor is equipped with everything in the line of ready-made clothing, hats and caps, boots and shoes, and bicycles. The third floor is heavily stocked with a comprehensive line of household furnishings, having a great variety of the best furniture, carpets, curtains, draperies, etc. In the near vicinity, the com- pany has a large coal yard, also a store where are sold feed, flour and grain. In fact, every- thing that could be desired by the public is kept in this establishment, and thirty-five clerks, five delivery-men, and eight book- keepers are constantly employed to care for the ever increasing business. The store is well arranged and everything is carefully systematized; the clerks are polite and cour- teous and it is a pleasure for customers to trade there.
Ray H. Davenport, the subject of this re- view, was born February 4, 1874, in Craw- ford County, Pa., and is a son of Levi and Civil (Hills) Davenport. He removed to Ber- wick in 1891 and became entry clerk in the store of Jackson & Woodin, serving in that capacity for five years. At the expiration of that time the firm was merged into the Ber- wick Store Company, Ltd., when our subject, on account of his thorough knowledge of the affairs of the firm, was made superintendent and has since faithfully performed the duties of that position. He is a man of marked ability and has won not only the approval of his employers, but the confidence and respect of those under his supervision.
Mr. Davenport formed a matrimonial al- liance with Idella Bloss, a daughter of John Bloss of Berwick, and they are the happy par- ents of two children, namely : Donald H., and John B. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Malta, and Lodge No. 246, I. O. O. F., of Berwick. Politically Mr. Davenport is a Republican.
SCAR LEWIS. The gentleman whose name heads this review is a highly es- teemed and respected citizen of Sulli- van County, Pa., and stands foremost among the representative agriculturists of Davidson . township. He is an ideal farmer, owning one hundred and fifty-three acres of highly im- proved land located near the village of Nord- mont, and has been engaged in the prose- cution of that independent calling, farming. all his life. He was born in Sugarloaf township, Columbia County, Pa., March 3, 1838, and is a son of David and Hannah (Robbins) Lewis, and a grandson of Daniel Lewis.
Daniel Lewis was a native of the state of New Jersey and was a blacksmith by trade; early in life he became a resident of Sugarloaf township, Columbia County, locating on Coles Creek: there he followed his chosen occupation in connection with some farming. He was the father of the following children : David, Abraham, Aaron, Anna, John, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah and Elizabeth.
David Lewis, the father of our subject, was also born in New Jersey, and during his boy- hood days he worked in his father's black- smith shop, serving an apprenticeship to the trade. He continued at that trade all his life. In 1838 he began the cultivation of the soil; he erected a sawmill, which he also operated. His homestead is now in possession of his son Jas- per. He was prominently known in his com- munity as a man of many sterling qualities and he enjoyed the respect of a large circle of friends. He departed from this life in 1890 at the age of seventy-eight years. He was joined in marriage with Hannah Robbins and as a re- sult of the union ten children blessed their home, namely: Catherine; Elizabeth; Mary; Martha; Oscar; Clinton; Francis M .: Jasper; and two who died in infancy. The mother of
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ANDREW A. HEIM.
MRS. HESTER K. HEIM.
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our subject passed from this earth at the age of sixty-seven years.
Our subject acquired a liberal education in the schools of his native township and left the parental roof at the age of twenty-six, shortly after his marriage, going to White Hall, Mon- tour County, Pa., where he worked at farm- ing. He soon returned to his native township, but remained there but a short time, when he removed to Davidson township, Sullivan County, and rented the John Keeler farm for five years. At the expiration of that time he purchased his present property. Our subject has made many improvements upon the farm since taking possession of it, such as building a new house, new barns and outbuildings, and to-day his farm ranks among the best in the county. Mr. Lewis is enterprising, progres- sive, and is interested in all measures that tend to promote the welfare of the county; he is an honest, upright citizen and neighbor, and commands the respect and esteem of the entire community of which he has so long been a valuable member.
Mr. Lewis was. united in marriage with Catherine Haines, a daughter of Clark Haines of Columbia County, and they are the proud parents of two daughters, as follows: Lizzie, wife of A. C. Shaw of Shickshinny, Pa., and they are the parents of one child, Ruth; and Edna, wife of C. Turney, and they have been blessed by two children, Myrtle and Grace. In politics Mr. Lewis is an ardent Democrat and served as supervisor during 1897-98; and as tax collector during 1898.
NDREW A. HEIM, a capitalist and business promoter of Shamokin, who has been actively and prominently identified with the industrial and financial his-
tory of the Shamokin coal fields, is a son of John Jacob and Mrs. Christiana (Weingarten) Heim, nee Mannal, and was born in the city of Philadelphia, October 11, 1828.
His father, John Jacob Heim, was born in the Province of Alsace-Lorraine, France, now of Germany, but later located in the Province of Wurtemberg, Germany, where he lived un- til 1826. He was one of Napoleon's soldiers and was one of the famous Reserve Corps at the Battle of Waterloo. Seeking a wider field for his industry and talents, in that year he came to America, landing in the city of Balti- more, Md. Remaining there but a short time he removed to Philadelphia, Pa., where he found employment at his trade, that of silk weaver. He married while a resident of that city and soon after located upon a farm near Muncy, Pa., subsequently locating in Dan- ville, Pa., where he followed various lines of business. For some years he was superin- tendent of a factory in Danville, but at the time of his death in 1869 he was a resident of Sullivan County. He was a man of pro- gressive ideas, far in advance of the majority of the people with whom he was thrown in contact at that day. The common school system met with decided opposition on the part of a large proportion of the people in his section, but in him it found one of its stanch- est friends and strongest advocates. At one time he was one of six in his township favor- ing its adoption, but by strenuous efforts in behalf of the institution the six carried the day. So it was in all matters of public im- provements, such as canals, roads, etc., he was always among the most potent advocates of their adoption and promotion. Politically, in his early life, the father of our subject was inclined toward the Jacksonian school of Democracy, but the policy of the old line Whigs on the subject of internal improve-
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ments appealed to his spirit of progressive- ness, and he affiliated with the party of Clay and Harrison. Religiously he was a consist- ent member of the Evangelical Church. He married before coming to the United States and had one son, Jacob, an agriculturist of Freeport, Ill. His union with Mrs. Christiana Weingarten, nee Mannal, resulted in the birth of one son, the subject of this sketch.
Andrew A. Heim had few educational ad- vantages as his was the day of the old "sub- scription" schools, and when the public school system was adopted he attended but a short time, when he was called upon to fight. his own way in the world. However, he made the best of his opportunities and obtained a fair schooling, which has been supplemented by careful study of the events which happened from day to day and which have been re- corded in newspapers and other publications. At the age of sixteen Andrew was thrown upon his own resources and he went to a vil- lage of 500 inhabitants which has since grown into the city of Scranton, and there he was employed as a laborer in building the first rolling-mill in that vicinity. We next find him at Danville where he was similarly engaged for about six months, when he became an apprentice to learn the trade of carpenter. In 1850 the coal industry was just being opened in the vicinity of Treverton, and realizing that that section offered superior advantages for the plying of his trade, our subject went there and for two or three years was actively engaged in contracting and building. Most of the larger and more substantial buildings of that place are yet standing as evidence of his early enterprise and genius. In 1853 he launched in another business enterprise, that of building coal-breakers, but also continued his former business as a contractor, carrying it on under the direction of a foreman or su-
perintendent. Thus he continued until 1863 when he moved to Shamokin and constructed the Burnside Colliery for Stephen Bittenbend- er & Company. In the following year he re- built the Bear Valley Colliery and subsequent- ly operated it by contract; he also built and operated another colliery, the George Fales of the Bear Valley Company, operating it by contract; he rented both in 1872, operating them for several years in connection with others. In 1869-70 he built the Monitor Col- liery at Locust Gap but sold it the same year to George W. Johns & Brother. During the autumn of 1874, in association with a number of others, he opened up a soft-coal mine at Reynoldsville, Jefferson County, Pa., and suc- cessfully operated it until 1884. In 1881 he and Mr. Audenried built what is known as the Black Ridge Colliery near Hazleton, Pa., which they operated until the fall of 1882, when they disposed of the plant.
Recounting the facts of Mr. Heim's life is sufficient testimony to his activity and indus- try as a business man and a general business promotor. In addition to his identification with the coal industry he has been active in the promotion of other lines of business which have resulted in material benefit to the town of Shamokin. He has been prominently con- nected with the Shamokin Banking Company for years, having served as director, vice-presi- dent and president. He also is a director of the Shamokin Manufacturing Company; of the Shamokin Industrial Company; is largely interested in real estate; and always has been active in the promotion of the town's inter- ests. In private life Mr. Heim is held in the highest esteem and has many friends in the several localities in which he has resided. Our subject has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1855, and he is a prominent Mason,
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being a member of Sunbury Lodge No. 22. F. & A. M., and a Master Mason.
When Lee attempted to invade Pennsyl- vania, at the time the great battle of Antie- tam was fought, Mr. Heim was elected a lieu- tenant of a company of his fellow-citizens which was hastily organized for the emergen- cy, but he declined the position and went out with the company as a sergeant. The com- pany was Company K, 18th Regiment.
Mr. Heim was joined in marriage with Bar- bara Kester and unto them were born seven children, three of whom grew to maturity : Arthur William, a merchant tailor of Read- ing, Pa .; David W., assistant cashier of the Shamokin Banking Company; and Charles Franklin, who is engaged in the real estate business in Philadelphia. Our subject's first wife, Barbara, suffered intensely, her health having failed. She was for twelve years help- less and died in March, 1897, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mr. Heim married as his second wife Mrs. Hester Eisenhart, nee Kulp, who was born and reared on a farm three miles southeast of Sunbury and was a daugh- ter of Samuel Kulp.
Politically Mr. Heim is a Republican and whilst he has never been an officeseeker in any sense, although frequently importuned to accept office, yet he always has taken a deep interest in the cause of good government. He was a Democrat up to 1856, but became a Re- publican on the organization of the party which succeeded the old Whigs. While in Trevorton he served as a school director, as poor director, and in 1858 was elected justice of the peace and served one term.
Religiously Mr. Heim is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been an active worker since he was nineteen years of age, having held various offices. At the present time he is serving as trustee.
On preceding pages, in connection with the above life history, the publishers of this work present excellent portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Heim. They will be viewed with interest by all the friends and acquaintances of our sub- ject and wife.
OHN T. COLT, one of Northumber- land's most esteemed retired mer- chants, was born in that borough July 8, 1827, and is a son of Alexander and Mary Ann (Taggart) Colt.
Alexander Colt, our subject's father, was born at Cross Roads, in the western part of Chester County: his father was of Scotch- Irish descent, was banished from Ireland dur- ing the religious rebellion, came to this coun- try and settled in Chester County. Alexander Colt migrated to Northumberland, Northum- berland County, about 1820, in search of a place where he might settle and satisfy his aspirations, which were those of a thoroughly ambitious spirit. With no trade or capital he entered the employ of his uncle, Alexander Colt, a skilled blacksmith, and became him- self an adept blacksmith; in those days all wagon and carriage iron-work was done by hand, and in that line of work he became a skilled mechanic and succeeded his uncle, car- rying on the business at the corner of Water street and Weakley's alley. His wife, Mary Ann Taggart, who died in the prime of life. was a daughter of David Taggart. To them were born six children : Sarah, who married John Brantigam; John T., our subject: Mary, wife of A. B. Barrett; Susan, who married Dr. McKey; Henry, who married a Miss Keefer and is living in Philadelphia; and Deborah. who married John Chesney. Our subject's father was active in the politics of the bor-
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ough, supporting the Whig party and later becoming a Republican. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He worked at his trade for many years, accumulating a fine property and spending in retirement the last few years of his life, which came to a close at the venerable age of eighty years.
John T. Colt, our subject, was educated in the public schools and learned the black- smith's trade of his father and followed it for about thirty years at the corner of Queen and Front streets; then, selling out, he entered the mercantile business and continued in it until about 1889, keeping a general store, in which he was very successful. He erected sev- eral buildings, principally on Queen street, and dealt in real estate. He has remodeled his present residence, which is on Market street, facing the beautiful Park Square. It was built about 1800 by James Lee.
Our subject was united in marriage with Catherine Harrison, a daughter of William Harrison, who was a member of a prominent family of the borough. Mr. and Mrs. Colt are the proud parents of two sons: John E., a much esteemed citizen, who carries on a large insurance business, married Emma Kembell, and has three children,-Margaret, John and Catherine; and James, who assisted in his father's store, and died at twenty-eight years of age. Mr. Colt served many years as over- seer of the poor, was a member of the borough council, and was treasurer of the borough for three years, and was also treasurer of the school board several years. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias for twenty- eight years, and during that time he has served, without any opposition, as treasurer; he is also a member of the Conclave. Our subject is a firm Republican. In religious views he is liberal.
ORACE WILLIAM BURG, M. D., is not only a leading and skilful physi- cian and surgeon of Northumberland County, but is also burgess of Northumber- land borough, and is regarded as one of the most active and energetic men of that place. He was born May 10, 1852, in Lower Wind- sor, York County, Pa., and is a son of Philip William and Mary A. (Eckert) Burg.
Philip William Burg, our subject's father. was born in Amsterdam, Holland, and during the early part of his life, after locating in this country, carried on a very extensive tobacco business in Baltimore, Md., and amassed a fortune. Selling out his business he pur- chased a very fine farm and grist-mill in Low- er Windsor township, York County, Pa., where he engaged in farming and milling for several years, and lived at the time of his death. He married Mary A. Eckert, a daugh- ter of Jacob Eckert of Northumberland. To them were born three children : Clinton, who died young; Horace William, our subject; and Somers, now deceased, who was engaged in mercantile business. Our subject's father was a Whig in his political preferences, and later a Republican. He served as justice of peace, besides officiating in many other minor offices.
Horace William Burg, our subject, was a young lad when his mother, after the death of his father, returned to Northumberland, where she resided the remainder of her life. He attended the public and high schools there, and then attended the New Ber- lin Academy and Dickinson's Seminary at Williamsport, Pa., and also graduated from the Williamsport Commercial College in 1873. He read medicine with his uncle, Simon W. Burg, M. D., of New Berlin, and at a later period with Joseph Priestly, M. D., of North- umberland. He was graduated from Jefferson
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Medical College in 1877, and at once located in Northumberland and opened an office for the practice of his profession. His success in his chosen calling has been most gratifying, and to-day he stands pre-eminent among the best physicians and surgeons of the county. He has a very extensive practice in the sur- rounding country and is called upon to at- tend many cases in Sunbury. In 1875 Dr. Burg married Cora H. Simpson, a daughter of Col. A. C. Simpson, an attorney at Selins- grove, who formerly lived in Northumberland, Pa. These children have blessed our subject's union : Edwin; Stoddard; Mary Blanche, who died at the age of three years; one who died in infancy; and Dorothy. Dr. Burg re- cently enlarged his fine residence and built a new barn; he has also erected on the same lot a neat and commodious office with all modern improvements. He is a very active Democrat; he served one term as burgess some time ago and is now filling out the second year of the present term; he has also been assessor and has held many other minor offices, and in so doing he has contributed much to the prog- ress and improvement of the borough.
Our subject, Dr. Burg, is of a social dispo- sition, and so has considered it both pleasant and profitable to become a member of the fo !- lowing societies, in which he has served as an officer : Jr. O. U. A. M .; Knights of Pythias. and Conclave of the same order; and Knights of Malta. Professionally he is a member of the Sunbury Medical Society and of the American Medical Association. His wife is an Episco- palian, while he is inclined to be liberal in his religious views.
AVID CAMP, who is interested in sev- eral of the most important enterprises in Mount Carmel and formerly was a very prosperous merchant, is known as one of
the most enterprising and public-spirited resi- dents of Mount Carmel, this county. Mr. Camp is a son of Benjamin and Magdalena (Hinkle) Camp and was born November 22, 1834, in Elysburg, Northumberland County, Pa. His paternal grandfather, Henry Camp, and ma- ternal grandfather, Abram Hinkle, were pio- neers who were farmers near Elysburg. Both died near Bear Gap and were buried in the Reed Church cemetery. Henry Camp and his wife reared a family of seven children: Benjamin, the father of our subject; Samue'; David; Lambert; Mary, who became Mrs. John Long; Sarah, who married Daniel Hill: and a daughter who was the wife of Daniel Bloom, all of whom are dead.
The father of our subject, Benjamin Camp. was born in Northumberland County. He was a carpenter and builder by trade, also a farm- er, combining both occupations very success- fully. In 1837 he removed from his farm near Elysburg to the lower part of Columbia Coun- ty, this state, where he died in 1870 at the age of seventy-two years. In politics the father was an ardent Republican, having formerly been a Whig, but he never sought office. He was an active and influential member of the Lutheran Church. To him and his beloved wife was born a family of twelve children, two of whom died in infancy, and the others were reared as follows: Abram; William, who was killed in a coal-breaker August 8, 1854, at Green Ridge, Pa .; Lavinia, widow of David Everett; Samuel, a farmer residing at New Media, Columbia County, Pa .; Benjamin, who is in the employ of the Dupont Powder Com- pany, at Ashland, Pa .; Daniel, who resides in Mount Carmel; David, the subject of this sketch; Mary, the wife of Jacob Culp of West Shamokin; Hannah, wife of Joseph Boyer of Mount Carmel; Sarah, who is Mrs. Joel Cox and resides near Millville. Columbia County, Pa.
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