Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 112

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318

USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania > Part 112

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TANNERIES .- In 1842 Enoch Copley and Simeon Woodruff built a tannery at Brandt. A few years

S A Lyon

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after it was purchased by F. H. & O. Burt, and about 1852 it was conveyed to Brandt & Schlager, and by them the business was conducted until a short time ago. In 1857 Pembroke White erected a tannery at Schlager's. In this tannery F. H. Burt also had an interest for a few years, when it was sold to William Tremain, and subsequently purchased by Brandt & Schlager, and until a few years since the business here was carried on by them in connection with the business at Brandt. Hemlock bark in this locality having become very scarce, operations at these tan- neries were permitted to cease, In 1876 Fulmer's tannery, at Lanesboro', was erected. In June, 1886, it was burned, but at once rebuilt, and in this one tanning is still continued, but the the principal part of the bark used is brought from remote points on the railroads.

LANESBORO' .- When Martin Lane settled here he called the place Lanesville, and subsequently his son, Jesse Lane, changed the name to Lanesboro'. The Lanesville post-office was established in 1820, when Martin Lane was commissioned postmaster. His successors were Silas Comfort, commissioned in 1822 ;. William Hilborn, in 1825; Charles Hatch, in 1827. In 1829 the name was changed to Lanesboro', and Charles Hatch continued postmaster until 1832, then Nathan S. Williams was appointed, and he was fol- lowed by Benjamin Compton in 1841; William R. Conklin, in 1847; Seth A. Lyons, in 1849; Nehemiah C. Whitcom, in 1853; Laurens Norton, in 1854; S. A. Lyons, in 1861; Laurens Norton, in 1867; and Noah Bisbee, December 10, 1867, almost twenty years ago.

The first store in this place was conducted by George Noble and Nathan S. Williams. It stood where Newell's store is now, and it was erected in 1822. The first hotel was conducted by Charles Hatch. It stood on the west side of the road leading up the Canawacta, and if it were standing now it would be directly under the iron railroad bridge. Lanesboro' now is a very pretty village, having a number of better private residences than can be found in many larger and more pretentious villages. In this place there are three stores, one hotel, one mil- linery store, one cigar manufactory, one meat market, one foundry and machine-shop, one wagon-shop, two blacksmith-shops, one grist-mill, one saw-mill, one tannery, one church and one school building.

SETH A. LYONS .- His grandfather, David (1737- 1803), with three brothers, emigrated to America and settled at Roxbury, Mass., before the Revolutionary War. He early imbibed the spirit of hostility to British oppression, and lent a willing hand in pitch- ing overboard the obnoxious tea into Boston Harbor. He married Abigail Draper (1740-1829), and had children,-Dr. Jere, a graduate of Cambridge, a physician at Coleraine, Mass., until his death, in 1825; Jesse ; Seth, who was a soldier of the Revolution ; Abigail ; Nancy ; David ; Aaron; Dr. Joel, who was

also a physician near Coleraine, Mass .; Polly and Daniel. The latter came from Massachusetts in 1812 and settled at Great Bend ; was the father of David Lyons, of Lanesboro'. Aaron Lyons was born at Roxbury, Mass., in 1780, but when four years old his parents removed to Coleraine, where he afterwards engaged in farming, and lived there until his death, in 1863. In 1804, he married Mary Miner (1779- 1863), a native of Connecticut. Their children were Alvin (1805-33); Catherine C. (1807-48), was the wife of Robert Miller, late of Jackson ; Seth A. (1809-80) ; Gilbert M. (1811-36) ; Mary A. (1814-84) ; David A. (1816-81); Frederick D. (1819), a merchant in Sus- quehanna for nearly thirty years ; Charles T. (1822), a druggist at Waverly, N. Y. Seth A. Lyons was born at Coleraine, Mass., July 29, 1809. His early education was such as farmers' boys obtained in those days at the district school. He was early taught that industry and economy were necessary to success in life. Deciding to learn a trade, he became an ap- prentice to a chair and cabinet-maker in his native town, and served his full term. While serving his apprenticeship, he economized his time and added to his store of general information and knowledge of books. In 1832 he came to Lanesboro', Pa., and associated himself with Putnam Williams and Robert Miller, and established a manufactory for sash, blinds, chairs and cabinet work. For this pur- pose they erected what is now the main building used by the Barnes Manufacturing Company. With a practical knowledge of the business, yet with little money capital, Mr. Lyons entered upon the prosecu- tion of this enterprise with a pluck and energy that was deservedly successful. The firm of Williams, Lyous & Miller continued the business about four years, when they dissolved, and Mr. Lyons carried it on alone until 1845. The principal outlet for the products of the manufactory was at Honesdale, where he had a store-house, to which poiut they were trans- ported with teams. In 1834 he married Esther, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Fowler) McKune, who was born September 13, 1812, near Wurtsboro', Sullivan County, N. Y. The same year he com- menced the erection of the dwelling that became his home until his death, and so far completed it as to go to housekeeping in it before the year closed. In 1845 he became associated with B. R. and Joel Lyons in the mercantile business at Lanesboro', but continued in the firm but one year, and then entered into part- nership with T. P. Badger, which continued until 1852, when Mr. Badger retired, and he conducted the business alone until 1863. Their children are Fran- cis Alvin, born November 30, 1834 ; Lucius and Ju- lius (twins), 1840 ; the former died in 1847 and the latter in 1849. Francis A., after completing a pre- paratory course at the Montrose, Binghamton and Oxford Academies, in 1857 entered the sophomore class of Union College, at Schenectady, N. Y., and graduated therefrom with honors in 1860. Upon his

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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

return from college he entered his father's store to assist him in his extensive business. In 1862 he married Harriet, daughter of C. A. and Philura Mc- Neil, of Oxford, N. Y. They have children,-Ray, Ralph A., Coloma B. and Harry F. The eldest son, Ray, is a graduate of the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, and a successful practi- tioner at Uniondale, Pa. In 1863 Mr. Lyons asso- ciated his son Frank in business with him, under the firm-name of S. A. Lyons & Son. In connection with the mercantile business, Mr. Lyons was largely engaged in the manufacture of lumber, owning and operating a saw-mill, and also carrying on a farm. In 1873 he had an attack of partial paralysis, after which he gave up his place in the store, relinquishing the mercantile business into the hands of his son ; · but with unimpaired mental faculties, and with all his old-time skill and ability, he" continued to make improvements and actively manage his large business until his death, in 1880. In politics he identified himself with the Whig and Republican parties, and although not a politician, yet took much interest in public affairs. He was postmaster for several years, served as justice of the peace one term, and was school director for years. Mr. Lyons was a member of the Universalist Church at Susquehanna. His widow, who survives him, resides at the homestead. He was a man of sterling integrity and honesty of purpose, and his loss was deeply felt in the town which his life of business activity and industry had done so much towards developing and improving.

BARNES MANUFACTURING COMPANY .- The enter- prise carried on by this company and its predecessors has been to Lanesboro' and vicir ity a very important one. The following articles are among the list manu- factured at this place : The Climax Circular Saw-Mills, steam-engines, plows, cultivators, road-scrapers, axle- boxes, sleigh-shoes, cauldron kettles, Bush's iron fence, castings and machine fittings for mills, tanneries and factories, derrick gears, crow-bars, picks, shovels, wire-rope, etc. In 1834 S. A. Lyons, Putman Williams and Robert Miller built a sash and blind-shop where the Barnes manufactory now stands. Mr. Lyons had eight dollars in cash to begin with, and C. A. Miller, who is now living in Susquehanna, states that his father, Robert Miller, and the other partner, Mr. Williams, were no better off than was Mr. Lyons. Yet these men were industrious and honest, hence able to get credit, and so commenced chiefly on borrowed capital. Subsequently the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Lyons for a time conducted the business alone until 1843, when he sold out to Amos Barnes. The machinery was then taken out of the shop, and it was converted into a foundry and machine-shop. However, since that time the buildings have under- gone several important changes. The circular saw- mills constructed by this company, have been shipped to points far and near, and are now in use in many of the States and Territories from Florida to Montana.

When the Erie Railroad was being constructed, and the shops at Susquehanna were under process of erec- tion, a great deal of work for the railroad company was done at this place. Benjamin Alesworth, the principal one among a gang of counterfeiters that in- fested Harmony some years ago, called at the Barnes foundry with a model for a lifting-machine, as he called it, and wished castings made to conform to his model. Mr. S. H. Barnes told him " that he did not think the machine would prove to be very practical, as it would not lift anything very high." Alesworth responded " that he did not care so much about its lift- ing high if it would only lift hard." The castings were consequently made according to the model, and after- wards it appeared that this lifting-machine was the powerful press that the counterfeiters used in making the money so freely passed in this locality at that time, At the time the press was made, Mr. Barnes had no idea that it was to be put to such a use, and since its real use was revealed he has looked upon lifting- machines with a degree of distrust.

AMOS BARNES .- The progenitor of the Barnes family of Lanesboro', was Benjamin Barnes, who came from Wales and settled in Connecticut earlier than 1635. Upon the breaking out of the Pequod War he was commissioned captain of a company, and led his men through many a bloody hand-to-hand conflict with the blood - thirsty savages. Oliver Barnes was a native of Litchfield, Conn., and was the father of Amos, who was born at that place the 7th day of November, 1797, being the youngest of five sons. His brothers were Abijah, Bela, Jacob and Salma, and he had sisters-Mabel, Olive and Milla.

In the year 1800 Oliver Barnes removed with his family to Colesville, Broome County, N. Y., and settled on the banks of the Susquehanna River, a short distance above the present site of the Ouaquaga post-office. Oliver Barnes was one of the very early settlers in that region, for at that date the country along the valley of the Susquehanna was almost an unbroken wilderness. Amos was too young to realize this radical change from the comforts and conveniences of civilization to the discomforts and privations of a pioneer life, and as he grew to manhood he became imbued with the spirit of devel- opment and improvement so characteristic of the sturdy pioneers of that day, and to him and his co-workers the present generation are indebted for the grand transformation scene that made the valley of the Susquehanna a "thing of beauty and a joy for- ever." He early turned his natural mechanical skill to account by learning the carpenter's trade, and many specimens of his handiwork may still be seen in the vicinity of his early labors.

In 1823 he married Mary P. Welton (1799-1849), daughter of Eli and Anna Sanford Welton, of Coles- ville, who was born in Plymouth, Conn., where her parents resided until she was seventeen years old,

Amos Barnes

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when they removed to Colesville. They had children, -Simon H. (1825), Luther (1826), Almina (1828-31), Eli (1830), Anna K. (1831) and Almon (1833). In 1843 Mr. Barnes came with his family to Lanesboro', and while he was not one of its early settlers, yet the era of its advancement and growth was inaugurated about the time of his coming. He brought to his new home the same industry and energy for devel- opment and improvement as characterized his pioneer life. Following the bent of his mechanical inclinations, he purchased, before coming to Lanes- boro', the sash and blind-factory of Seth A. Lyons. Here he manufactured shingles, etc., until 1850, when, taking his eldest son, Simon H. into partnership, the factory building was remodeled and partially re- built, new machinery took the place of the old, and the new firm commenced the manufacture of castings, plows and general machinery, under the firm-name of A. & S. H. Barnes. He married at Lanesboro', in 1850, for his second wife, Maria T. Orcutt (1809), born in Madison, N. Y., to which place her parents removed from Stafford, Conn. They afterwards became residents of Binghamton, N. Y., where they died.

In 1867, Luther, another son, entered the partner- ship, and the firm became A. & S. H. Barnes & Co. By strict business methods, coupled with business integrity and fair dealing, the firm did a thriving and prosperous business, the financial benefits from which did not accrue to them alone, but were shared by their neighbors, to many of whom it gave lucrative employment. In 1875 his two sons, Simon H. and Luther, purchased his interest and he retired from the manufacturing business. Although past the allotted age of man, yet the active business habits of a lifetime would not allow him to seek a retirement he had so well earned, and from the time he left the firm until his death, in 1880, he was most of the time actively engaged in building. He had some eccen- tricities, but was a kind parent, a genial neighbor and thoroughly conscientious and honest. He hasleft land- marks all along his life's pathway of his handiwork, attesting his indomitable energy and perseverance. Of his family who survive him, his widow, surrounded by the comforts that his successful business life garnered, spends part of her time at the homestead in Lanesboro', and the remainder with friends in Bing- hamton. Simon H. and Luther still continue the business of the Barnes Manufacturing Company, and the other two sons, Eli and Almon, are connected with the establishment. The daughter, Anna K., presides at the old homestead; and thus the whole family remain near the paternal roof-tree.

SIMON H. BARNES, the eldest son of Amos Barnes (1797-1880) and Mary P., his wife (1799-1849), was born August 10, 1825, in Colesville, Broome County, N. Y., at which place his father had resided since 1800. During his boyhood he availed himself of the meagre educational advantages at that time afforded

by the public schools of the county. When old enough to be of assistance, he aided his father, whose occupa- tion was that of a carpenter and builder. About 1840 his father was engaged in distilling essential oils and manufacturing essences, and himself and brother Luther gathered most of the herbs and materials for their manufacture. In the fall of 1843 his father re- moved to Harmony township, and settled at Lanes- boro'. In the fall and winter of 1845 he attended a select school at Ouaquaga, N. Y., and in 1846 he at- tended another term of select school near that place. The studies most congenial to him were mathematics and the mechanical sciences, and he applied himself with much zeal, with a view of preparing himself for a teacher, a step he contemplated for the purpose of securing means wherewith to obtain a collegiate edu- cation, to which his aspirations then tended. The fall he reached his majority he engaged to teach a district school in Jackson. At this time (1846) the New York and Erie Railroad was being constructed, and railroad men and contractors came on to build and put up the important bridges and works in and about Lanesboro' and Susquehanna. Mechanical labor being in great demand, and the work requiring large quantities of lumber and other material, Mr. Barnes concluded that the railroad offered better financial inducements than the school-room, and by paying one dollar and fifty cents a month bonus, he secured a Mr. Badger to carry out his contract with the Jackson School Board. He then commenced work for the Erie Company, and, under a contract, built two boarding-houses, store, blacksmith-shop, cement and lime-sheds and other small buildings. Besides . these contracts, he furnished nearly or quite a half- million feet of hewn timber, which was used in the "false work," so called, of the famed stone viaduct at Lanesboro'. In this work he employed a large number of men and teams.

He also worked on the wooden bridge at Lanes- boro' and the river bridge at Susquehanna, and as- sisted in building the depots on the line of the road between that place and Port Jervis, and had charge of the erection of the depot at Great Bend. In fall and winter of 1849-50 he went to Centre Village, N. Y., and completed a toll-bridge over the Susquehanna River, built a toll-house and also a hotel. In 1850 himself and father associated themselves together, under the firm-name of A. & S. H. Barnes, for the manufacture of castings, mill machinery, plows, etc., and from 1852-55 they furnished large quantities of railroad castings for the shops at Susquehanna. He was mnar- ried to Martha A. Hunter, daughter of Jesse Hunter, of Cortland, N. Y., who died in 1855. In 1867 he married Anliza Jones, daughter of Horace and Betsey Jones, of Coventry, Chenango County, N. Y. In 1867 his brother Luther became a member of the firm, and the three conducted the business until 1875, when himself and brother purchased their father's interest, and, under the title of the "Barnes Manufac-

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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

turing Company," they have conducted the business to the present time.

While the manufacturing business, to which Mr. Barnes has devoted the best part of his life, has never developed a great mine of wealth, yet, by industry and frugality and correct business, as well as social habits, he has acquired a modest competence that, in the ab- sence of an overreaching ambition after wealth, will leave his later years free from financial anxiety. Though never a dealer in real estate, yet, through transactions incident to his business, he is now the owner of ten or twelve hundred acres of land, and the firm owns from eight to ten hundred acres more. In 1869, for his own convenience, he purchased a sur- veyor's compass, and although possessing no previous. knowledge of the business, he unraveled its mathe- matical mysteries, and to-day enjoys a local reputa- tion as an accurate surveyor.

Althoughi his own private business has demanded his entire time and attention, yet he has always shown a lively interest in the prosperity of his town- ship, and during a large share of his life he has been designated by his fellow-townsmen to officially as- sist in the administration of its local affairs. In 1853 he was constable and collector, and posted the notices of election at the time Susquehanna borough and the township of Oakland were created from the old town of Harmony. For a quarter of a century-from 1861-86 -- he was a justice of the peace. He has been a school director for fourteen years, and served as auditor for several terms. In politics Mr. Barnes was originally a Whig, but he joined the Republican ranks when that party was organized, and has ever been one of its most zealous and active adherents, and served a number of years as county committee for Harmony.

Mr. Barnes is non-sectarian in his religious views and beliefs, and has never connected himself with any church society, although a contributor towards the support of the ministry, and other objects having for their aim the benefit of mankind. His wife is a member of the Episcopal Church.

THE HARMONY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT was formed in 1873. The district includes Lanesboro' and Schlager's. In 1874 a nice two-story framed building was erected. Accommodations for three departments are provided. The rooms are well furnished with improved desks, pure slate black- boards, maps and other furniture in keeping with the attractive exterior appearance of the building. In front and surrounding it there is a beautiful lawn ornamented with a plentiful supply of young hard- maple shade-trees, and from the street to the front- door excellent blue flag-stones are laid for a walk. The house and grounds are kept in good order. The first board of directors was composed of C. E. McCoy, F. A. Lyons, M. J. Taylor, J. M. Thomas, D. W. Norton and S. M. Munson. The directors at the present time are E. I. Carr, president ; C. E. McCoy,

secretary ; T. J. Nicholson, treasurer; and J. M. Thomas, Charles Schlager and Fred. James. Since the organization of the school the following-named persons have conducted the school as principals : O. F. Payne, C. E. Harris, Miss Gertrude Miller, Miss N. J. Adams, Miss Madge Force, C. C. Stillson and J. H. Young. There are about one hundred and fifty pupils that attend this school.

CHARLES E. McCOY was born in Erie County, N. Y., in 1824. He came to Harmony in 1859, and engaged in lumbering, which business he followed about twenty-five years. In 1880 he opened a flag- stone quarry near Lanesboro', and is a jobber and con- tractor for furnishing and laying stone walks and pavements in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He has been a school director in the independent district of Lanes- boro' since the district was formed, in 1873. He held the office of president eight years, and for the past nine ycars he has been secretary. Before he left his native county he was twice elected justice of the peace, the first time when he was but twenty-two years of age. He is now acting justice of the peace at Lanesboro', elected to that office in 1886.

THOMAS NICHOLSON was born in Ireland, and came from Dublin to America in 1846. In 1851 he came to Lanesboro' with a very limited capital, en- gaged in harness-making, and gradually extended his business into other lines of trade. He filled the office of school director nine years ; treasurer of town- ship, seven years; constable and collector, three years.

THE NICHOLSON GUARDS .- An independent mili- tary company was organized in the spring of 1887 by Thomas Nicholson. The company is composed of nineteen young men living at Lanesboro', and bears the above title. It is uniformed, armed and already quite thoroughly drilled. Mr. Nicholson is captain.

THE LANESBORO' LYCEUM is a literary society or- ganized in December, 1875. The charter members were O. F. Payne, Ralph E. Stewart, S. H. Barnes, C. H. Yelvington, M.D., F. A. Barnes, A. P. Yelvington, Almon Barnes, H. K. Newell, M. J. Taylor, C. E. Mc- Coy, A. J. Taylor, Fred. Thornton, S. M. Munson, D. W. Norton, D. W. Newell and A. S. Munson. M. J. Taylor was the first president; R. E. Stewart, secre- tary ; and S. M. Munson, treasurer. The following persons have held the office of president : M. J. Tay- lor, S. M. Munson, H. K. Newell, C. E. McCoy, J. T. Stewart, C. E. Harris, P. S. Morton, D. C. Yale, J. R. Comfort, George Flogans, James Fowler, S. H. Barnes, H. C. Bross, Rev. J. R. Wagner, Rev. T. C. Roskelly, Almon Barnes, H. W. French, H. H. Barnes, S. W. Tarbox, Fred. James, Rev. Wm. Bixby and James Lovelace. R. A. Lyons is now secretary and treas- urer, and S. H. Barnes is vice-president. The num- ber of members at present is forty-eight. During the winter season debates and literary entertainments are regularly held. These meetings are well attended and the benefit derived from them has been inestimable.

S. H. Barriers

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LANESBORO' LODGE, No. 66, I. O. G. T., was insti- tuted March 9, 1887, by O. T. Smith, D. G. C. T., with twenty six charter members. The officers are R. A. Lyons, C. T. ; Lottie McKune, V. T .; H. E. Taylor, Secretary ; G. W. Foster, F. S .; Mrs. Frank Com- fort, A. S. ; Frank Neeley, C .; Mrs. H. Patrick, T .; F. A. Buckley, M. ; Agnes Neeley, D. M .; Mrs. Mary Tuscom, G .; B. A. Barnes, S .; Clara Warner, R. H. S .; Emma Neeley, L. H. S .; Newell Lounsbury, P. C. T.

THE STARRUCCA VIADUCT spans the Starrucca Creek near its mouth, and upon it the tracks of the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad are laid. It is one of the most imposing structures anywhere to be seen. It is built of solid masonry, twelve hundred feet long, ninety-eight feet high and wide enough for double tracks, having seventeen beautifully symmetri- cal arches, over which the ponderous locomotives, with their long trains, run as smoothly as on solid rock. The structure was laid during the years 1846-47, and cost about three hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. From those visiting Lanesboro' this viaduct receives a great deal of notice.

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Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 112

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848- Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck Number of Pages: 1318

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318