Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 50

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1090

USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1 > Part 50

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Dr. David H. Montgomery, son of James and Catherine (Burns) Montgomery, was born on the old homestead Dec. 4, 1831: After the completion of his literary education he taught school, at the same time reading medicine with his brother, Dr. Daniel. After attendance on the usual leetures and clinics, he received his diploma from the Phil- adelphia College of Medicine-an institution of repute at the time, but which has long sinee ceased to exist-March 10, 1852 .. He then engaged in practice with his preceptor at Orangeville, which . horn, where he still resides and where he he continued till 1856, when he located in Mifflin- has built up a large practice. In 1889 he

ville. Here by close attention to his professional duties he soon built up a large and herative prae- tice, which he held to the day of his death, which occurred suddenly, though to himself not unex- pectedly, Nov. 21, 1902, it being due to a severe attack of angina pectoris, a disease to which he had long been subject. In 1862 he bought a lot in the village on which he erected a fine residence in which he lived the remainder of his life. He was quite a man in the financial world, being one of the original promoters and stockholders of the North

purchased the property where he now lives and which he improved the same year by the erection of a large store building. He is an active inember of the Columbia County Medieal Society, State Medical Society and American Medical As- sociation, in the various duties of which he takes an active part. He is member of Huntington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M.

On Oct. 26, 1887, by Rev. F. H. Tubbs, the Doe- tor was united in marriage with Daisy May Harris. They are the parents of two children, James R ... 1, 1894.

and West Branch railroad, a stockholder in the Jr., born Sept. 22, 1889, and Mand, born March Farmers' National Bank, etc. Dr. Montgomery was inan of many excellent traits. Physically he Daisy May Harris was born in Bnekhorn. in the honse in which she now lives, Oct. 7, 1866, only daughter of Jacob and Sarah A. (Shoemaker) Har- ris, granddaughter of James and Mary (Sheep) Harris, great-granddaughter of William Harris and great-great-granddaughter of James Harris, who was born in or near Bristol, England. about 1200, and emigrated to America about 1725. set- tling in Sussex county, N. J., where he married Miss Boleyn. On the maternal side she is a grand- daughter of Abrani and Rebecca (Girton) Shoe- maker and a great-granddaughter of Abram Shoe- maker, who was born in New Jersey. He was a sol- dier iu the war of the Revolution, at the elose of which he married Margaret Melick and came to was a splendid specimen of manhood. He was very genial and intuitively inspired everyone with trust in his ability and honesty. In his tastes he was thoroughly domestie. He was a great lover of home. No man's family relations could have been pleasanter. His pastor said of him: "His work has been magnificent and every stroke has been in the interest of right. He read the world in its various phases and if a strong brain and a magnetic. presence are evidences of the good he has derived from following out his own notions of life's best plan, indeed his is a receipt worthy to be followed by all who wish to attain the same re- sults."

In 1854 he was united in wedloek with Amelia, what is now Columbia county. Pa., where he died daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann ( Hess) Kline, about 1845, at a great age He was buried with

and granddaughter of Abram Kline, who prior to military honors in the old Presbyterian cemetery in Bloomsburg. . the Revolution emigrated to America from Ger- many and settled in what is now Orange township. She was born near Orangeville, and after a happy .married life survived her husband but a few months, dying suddenly from a ruptured anenrisin, Pa., was born on the "Harvey" farm, Ang. 21. July 14, 1903. Both sleep in Berwick cemetery. . They are the parents of three children.

John S. Montgomery, son of Hugh R. and Sarah S. (Moll) Montgomery, formerly senior member of the firm of J. S. Montgomery & Co., Pottsgrove. 1859. After his school days were over he followed the profession of telegrapher for a number of years,

218

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

being employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Julick, Germany, about 1653. Margaret Foll- Railroad Company from 1883 to 1888. In August, mer is a daughter of Simon Follmer, he a descend- 1888, he purchased a store in Pottsgrove which he ant of Michael Follmer, one of three brothers ( then conducted alone for a time, but in the fall of 1889 he took in as a partner his brother Daniel M. This tled on what is now the Reuben Hoffa farm, near partnership was contimied till 1901, when Daniel withdrew and William A. entered the firm, which continued to do a large retail mercantile business in the prosperou's community in which they were located. In 1894 they purchased a lot on whichi they erected a large and substantial store building and residence. John S. Montgomery sold his in- terest in this store in 1905. He is an enterprising man, taking an active part in all that pertains to the welfare of his town. He is a member of the Pottsgrove Lodge, I. O. O. F.

On March 14, 1902, he took unto liimself a bet- ter half in the person of Jane S. McWillianis, Rev. A. B. Herr officiating. Jane S. McWilliams was born near Pottsgrove, April 5, 1871, daughter of John C. and Susan. ( Rissel) McWilliams.

Mary E. (Montgomery ) Marsh, daughter of Hugh R. and Sarah S. (Moll) Montgomery, was born on the "Harvey" farm Nov. 20, 1860. She

received her education at the Pottsgrove schools. 1891, and Mae Montgomery, born at Pottsgrove On March 27, 1879, she was joined in marriage, Feb. 9, 1904.

by Rev. H. Graham Finney, to Charles N. Marsh. They farmed his father's farm in Turbut township for several years, when they purchased a tract of land along the banks of the Chillisquaque creek. They lived on this for some years, improving it by the erection. of a fine brick house and a substan- tial bank barn. In 1898 Mr. Marsh accepted a po- sition with the First National Bank of Milton, and leaving the farm, which they still own, they pur- chased and moved to the property at No. 128 Centre street where they still reside. They are the parents of one child, Hugh M., who was born in Turbut township, Nortlinnberland county, June 13, 1880. All are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Marsh was elected an elder of their church in 1901.

Charles Newton Marsh was born in Turbut town- ship, Northumberland Co .. Pa., June 25, 1858. He received his education in the common schools, Limestoneville Academy and Millersville Normal School, tauglit school for some years, and also fol- lowed surveying. He still devotes his spare time to the latter occupation and to fire insurance. He was elected justice of the peace in 1889 and lield the office until liis removal from this township, in he bought a farm near Snydertown, Pa., on which 1898. He is the only son of Minner Gulick and they lived till 1813, when they exchanged it for Margaret ( Follmer ) Marsh, grandson of Isaac and a farm near Klines Grove, Pa .. now known as the Saralı (Gulick) Marsh and great-grandson of Isaac old Eckman homestead. They were the parents of and Elinor (Griggs) Marsh, whose ancestors fled eight sons and three daughters. His great-great- grandfather Eckman was an old settler of War- ren county, N. J. ; he was the father of three sons and four daughters. from Scotland during a rebellion and settled near "Flemington, N. J. Elinor Griggs was a, native of Flemington, N. J. Sarah Gulick was a daughter of Minner Gulick, a captain in the Revolutionary Daniel M. Montgomery, son of Ingh R. and Saralı S. (Moll) Montgomery, was born on the war, whose ancestors came to this country from

called Vollmer) who came from Bavaria and set- . Follmer's Church, about 1722 or 1773.

Sarah A. ( Montgomery) Eckman, daughter of Hugh R. and Sarah S. ( Moll) Montgomery, was born on the "Lindner" farm Sept. 20, 1863. She received her education in the common schools and at Pottsgrove Academy. On March 1, 1888, she was united in the bonds of matrimony with Wil- liam H. Eckman, by Rev. J. O. George. They purchased a property in Sunbury, Pa., where they lived for some years. Mr. Eckman being connected with the Pomfret Manor Cemetery Company. In June, 1891, they bought the "Bieber" farm, a beau- tiful tract of land lying near Pottsgrove, to which they removed in 1893, and on which they still re- side. They have since built a handsome and com- fortable dwelling on it and have made it a model farm. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church. They are the parents of two children : Clara A., who was born in Sunbury, Pa., Ang. 14,

William H. Eckman was born in Upper Augusta township, Northumberland county, Aug. 7, 1855. He is a son of Peter Eckman, who was born near . Klines Grove, Pa., May 10, 1831. He was a farmer nearly all his life, but for about fifteen years was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He was a lifelong member of the M. E. Church. He died July 31, 1906, and was buried at Sun- bury. . In 1849 he married Angelina Shipe, a daugliter of Michael and Judith ( Huberter), who was born in Lower Augusta township, Northmuni- berland county, March 13, 1833. His grandfa- ther, Jacob Eckman, was born Sept. 22, 1805. and died April 19, 1876, was a native of Bloons- bury, N. J. On July 26, 1826, he married Em- ma Gulick, born Dec. 6, 1802, died April 7. 1883. whose paternal ancestors were English. On the maternal side she was descended from a Hngne- not family named Gano, who fled from France to America during a religious persecution in the eigliteentli century, His great-grandfather, Charles Eckman, was born near Bloomsbury, N. J .. in 1779, married Margaret DeWitt in 1800, and lived on a farm near his birthplace till 1807, when

----- ---

219

. NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

"Auten" farm Sept. 27, 1865. At the death of to the life of the agriculturist. He rented his his father he left the old honte and after taking farm and removed to Pottsgrove, where he led a retired life until 1901, when he joined his broth- er, John S., in the mercantile business from which lie retired in 1906. He is a Presbyterian and a member of the Odd Fellows. He is unmarried. a commercial course at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., ae- cepted employment from the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company as telegrapher. This vocation he followed for some years, occupying various loca- tions, mostly on the main line between Harrisburg H. Bryson Montgomery, son of Hugh R. and Sarah S. (Moll) Montgomery, was born on famous "Johnstown flood" of 1889. He was in the "Morgan" farm August 27, 1868. After and Pittsburg. He very nearly lost his life in the the Conemaugh tower at the time, but fortunately he saw the huge wall of water approaching, and quickly deserting the doomed locality he safely reached the hills. A. minute after tower and all were destroyed. The same year, 1889. he formed a partnership with his brother, Jolin S., in the

his school days were over he entered into a three years' apprenticeship with MeKillip Brothers, pho- tographers, of Bloomsburg,' Pa. At the comple- tion of this term he built and operated a gallery at Williamstown, Pa. He continued here till 1895, when he bought a lot at No. 143 South Front mercantile business at Pottsgrove, which con- street, Milton, Pa., on which he erected a splendid tinued until 1901. He then withdrew from the brick residence and gallery, which he occupied for firm and removed to Hazleton, Pa., where he opened a store. During the year he bought a lot at No. 237 West Broad Street on which he built a large three-story store and dwelling into which he moved the following spring, and which he still occupies. a number of years, and where he did probably the largest photographic business in the county. He was an expert photographer and in addition an extensive dealer in cameras, frames and other ac- cessories. He has sold out his studio and is now extensively interested in the sand business.

On April 4, 1893, he married Mary L., a daugh- ter of John and Clara (Buss) Koons, who was born in Lyeoming county Jan. 15, 1873. She bore him two children, Florence and Mildred May, both of whom died during infancy. Unfortunately his wife went into a decline which developed into that scourge of our race, consumption, and terminated fatally June 30, 1896. She is buried in the family plot in the upper cemetery at Milton.

On April 12, 1899, he again assumed the marital relation by uniting in marriage with Annie L. Le- their descendants. Both are members of the Trin- ity Lutheran Church.

van, Rev. H. P. Corser officiating. They have one child, Elwood Watson, who was born at Potts- grove April 4, 1900. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Annie Louisa Levan was born at Ottawa, Pa., Jan. 10, 1877. She received her education in the common schools and at Bloomsburg Normal School, graduating from the latter institution. She is a daughter of Charles D. and Sarah C. (Watson) Levan. and a granddaughter of Charles and Mary A. ( Follnier) Levan, the former of whom was born in southern France in 1800, and when a young man came to America, where he died in 1881.

William A. Montgomery, son of High R. and Sarah S. ( Moll) Montgomery, was born on the short by the grim reaper July 23, 1900. During "Morgan" farm in Liberty township Sept. 2, 1862. He received his education in the Pottsgrove schools. After the death of his father, in 1881,

the whole of her brief life she had been an active. earnest, consistent member of the Presbyterian: Church. All that is mortal of our dear sister. the he took charge of the old home and farmed the first of our family circle to pass to the great le- place, thus making a home for his mother and vond. now rests in the family plot at Milton. his younger brother and sisters. In 1895 he Aliee Jane ( Montgomery ) Sheddan, daughter of Hugh R. and Sarah S. (Moll) Montgomery, was bought the farm and occupied it for some years. Unfortunately he sustained a severe sunstroke, the horn on the old farm along the banks of the Cl.il- results of which compelled him to forego the hard work and exposure to the heat of the sun ineident

lisquaque Dec. 17, 1813. She completed her cda- cation in the confmon schools of her native town-

: On March 20, 1895, he was united in marriage, by Rev. J. A. Adams, to Sarahi A. Billmever, who was born in Liberty township, near Oak Grove. Oct. 12, 1820. She is a daughter of Henry and Hannah ( Floree) Billmeyer, and great-grand- daughter of Martin Billmeyer, who with his father. Martin Billinever, came to what is now Montour county and took up (more than a century ago) a large amount of land in the vieinity of Billmey- ers dam, which still remains in the possession of

Clara B. Montgomery, daughter of Hugh R. and. Sarah S. ( Moll) Montgomery, was born at the old home in Chillisquaque township, Nov. 29, 1820. After completing her education at the publie schools and at Pottsgrove Academy she chose the profession of photography, which she learned with her brother Bryson at Williamstown. but her health proving delicate she never followed it except as an amateur. She made her home with her mother at Pottsgrove. During a visit to Atlantic City in the summer of 1899 she contracted a cold which finally terminated in that dread disease, consumption. After a lingering illness, which she bore with Christian fortitude, her poor young life was cut

---

220

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ship and at Pottsgrove Academy. In addition she staid with her mother for some years after her took a number of courses in music, an art in which father's death, but finally left home and learned she became an adept. On August 12, 1896, she dressmaking. She also lived for several years with was joined in the bonds of wedlock to Rev. Wil- the family of Henry HI. Grotz, in Bloomsburg. liam B. Sheddan. They are the parents of two On April 28, 1887, she was united in marriage to children, Ralph Montgomery, born at McEwens- Clement V. Delong, of Orangeville, but the period ville, Pa., June ?4, 1897, and Boyd Robert, born of her wedded life was very brief, as he died Sept. at Little Oxford, Warren Co., N. J., Sept. 8, 1902. 1, 1887. On April 26, 1900, she again entered Dill L. Swank. They at once moved into their own house in Fernville, near Bloomsburg, where they lived until 1901, when they rented it and moved to Hazleton, where Mr. Swank had accepted

William Boyd Sheddan was born at the old the matrimonial ranks, taking for her life partner Sheddan homestead, which has been in the pos- session of the family since 1774, April 8, 1867. He is the only child of John K. and Marietta J. (Wilson) Sheddan, and the great-grandson of James Sheddan, who was born in Ireland in 1744, a situation as foreman in a large woodworking and who came to America thirty years later, set- plant. Their child, George Nesbit, born March 4, tling on what is now the Sheddan homestead. His 1902, they were unfortunate enough to lose by grandfather, William Sheddan, and his wife's death, from cholera infantum, July 3, 1902. grandmother, Sarah Sheddan Montgomery, were brother and sister. At the age of nineteen he first

Dill L. Swank was born at Hetlerville, Pa., March 16, 1865, son of Obadiah and Elizabeth taught school at Balls Mills, followed by a year ( Kirkendall) Swank, grandson of George and each at Chestnut Grove and Limestoneville. He Elizabeth (Hutchins) Swank and great-grandson then matriculated at Bucknell University, from of John and Catherine (Hover) Swank.

which he graduated in 1895, with the degree of Ph. B. Then for three years he taught at Potts- grove, McEwensville and Milton. He became a

John C. Montgomery was born in Liberty town- ship, Dec. 19, 1867. After the death of his father he lived for a number of years with William Curry student in Princeton Theological Seminary and at Mausdale. Being of an economical and sav- completed the course in 1900. During this time ing disposition, he accumulated quite a sum of he supplied several churches. On Aug. 18, 1900, money, with which, with his patrimony, he pur- he received a call to the First Presbyterian Church chased a large tract of land known as the "Beaver" of Oxford, N. J., and was ordained and installed farm, located in Pine township, Columbia Co., pastor of the same, Jan. 30, 1901, and which Pa. Here he lived for some tinie following farni- charge he served till the summer of 1904, when he ing aud himbering. But owing either to misman- accepted the position of Librarian at Princeton Theological Seminary, removing to the latter place was so unfortunate as to lose all his property. in August of that year. His address is No. 5 Lin- den Lane, Princeton, New Jersey.

Concerning the children of Robert G. and Su- san (Nesbit) Montgomery,

agement or the dishonesty of others, or both, he Thinking he might succeed better elsewhere. he located at Claymount, Ill., where he still resides. He is a farmer, and so far as is known he is un- married.

James F. Montgomery was born in Liberty town- Zelma Agnes (Montgomery) Smith, daughter ship, on the old Montgomery homestead, Jan. 26, of Dr. Daniel W. and Margaret (Curry) Mont- 1862. He lived at home until the death of his fa- gomery, was born in Orangeville, Pa., Jan. 19. ther. Shortly after this event he removed to 1847. Orangeville, where he worked at carpentering. In 1883 he purchased a farm in Orange township. He lived on this until 1903, when he rented it and

James B. Montgomery, son of Dr. Daniel W. and Margaret (Curry) Montgomery, was born in Or- angeville July 6, 1819. He received his education moved to the Daniel MeHenry farm at Stillwater, at Orangeville Academy, Bloomsburg Institute. where he remained one year and then returned to Dickinson Seminary and Poughkeepsie Business his own farm. On June 2:, 1885, he married Jen- College. For many years he has followed the hon- nie R. Sharpless, who has borne him the follow- orable calling of tiller of the soil, although he ing children : Robert S., born Dec. 26. 1886; does the directing rather than the actual labor, Laura May, born Oct. 13. 1888 (died March 27, and owns and manages several of the handsomest 1891) : Clement D., born Oct. 28, 1890 : Maud A., farms in the county, of which he is justly proud. born Sept. 1, 1892 : Wallace W., born May 6, 1894 He lives in Orangeville, in the house built by his (died Aug. 15, 1895) : William C., born Feb. ? , father a half century or more ago. He is no politi- 1896; Clara C., born Nov. 27, 1898. Jennie R. cian, but takes an active part in all that pertains Sharpless was born in Orangeville. Pa., Oct. 15, to the welfare of his native town : is a member of 1865, daughter of Samuel A. and Mary ( Everitt) Sharpless.

the council of Orangeville borongh. In 1871 he was united in marriage with Mary E. Lee, who has

Ida May ( Montgomery) Swank was born on borne him three children: Mary Grace, born Feb. the old Montgomery homestead, Feb. 8, 1864. She 18, 1872; Cora Agnes, horn Nov. 25, 1875; and

221

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

James Curry, born Oct. 17, 1877. All are mem- wife, Catharine Herb, also of Berks county, lived bers of the Presbyterian church.

Mary Elizabeth Lee was born in Seott township, Columbia Co .; Pa., in October, 1851. daughter of Charles and Mary E. (Liyler) Lee and grand- daugliter of David and Susanna Lee.

S. PIERCE BOYER, farmer, of Lower Ma- hanoy township, Northumberland county, lives on part of the old homestead of his grandfather, Peter Boyer, who moved to this county in 1831 with his family. The Boyers are from Berks county, Pa.,

The emigrant ancestor of the Boyer family was John Philip Beyer, who came from the Palatinate to Philadelphia in 1731, with a number of chil- dren. He settled in Frederick township. Mont- gomery Co., Pa., but later lived in Amity township. in the lower end of Berks county, where he died in the spring of 1753, at a ripe old age. He be- longed to the Swamp Lutheran Church, and was buried by the pastor, Rev. Henry Melchior Mul- lenberg, who reports the matter fully in the "Hal- leschen Nachrichten." His will is on record at the Philadelphia courthouse, and in it some of his children are named. Among his sons were Jaeob, the aneestor of the Boyertown branch of the fall- ily ; and Johann Heinriell.

Johann Heinrich Boyer was born in 1:14, in the Pfalz, Germany, and died May 2, 1814, in the one hundredth year of his age. In 1743 he was married to Magdalena Kirchner, and among his children-six sous and one daughter-were Philip and Heinrich.

Philip Boyer, born Dee. 14, 1754, died July 31, 1832. His wife, Christiana, who was born in 1:54, also died in 1832, and both were buried in the old graveyard at Amityville. Philip Boyer made a will the year before his death, while a resident of Amity township, and in it he mentions the follow- ing children : Michael; Jacob, who had a son Philip; John; Peter; Mary, married to George Koch ; and Daniel, born in 1792. who died in 1825.

Peter Bover, son of Philip, was born in Amity township, Berks county, and in 1831 came to Northumberland county with his wife and family. which then consisted of twelve children, the young- est two having been born in Lower Mahanoy town- ship, where they settled. His 170-acre farm in that township is now owned by one Frank Phillips. Later he moved to Dauphin county. where he owned a valuable farm and mill property for which he paid $12,000, and he died in that eounty about 1850-51, at the age of sixty-five years. He is buried at Hoffman's Church, in Lykens township, Dauphin county. Though a stonemason by trade, he was engaged principally in farming, in which he was very successful and prosperous. He was a strong man, noted for his courageons disposition, and was known locally as "Wammas" Boyer. His

to the age of eighty-four. They were the parents of fourteen children, as follows: Benjamin, Sally, Elias, Isaae, Rachel, Mary, Hettie, Gabriel, Abra- liam, Catharine, Josiali and Benneville (twins), John and Leah, the two last named born in North- umberland eounty.

Jolin Boyer, probably an uncle of Peter Boyer, above, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war.

Abraham Boyer, son of Peter, was born in Amity township, Berks county, and came with the where the name has long been a representative one. , family to Lower Mahanoy township, where he

passed the remainder of his active and successful life with the exeeption of the years he was at Millerstown, Perry county. Like the Boyers gen- erally, he was noted for his industry and thrift, and he beeame one of the most extensive farmers in Lower Mahanoy township. owning about 500 aeres of land. He died in . Lower Mahanoy town- ship Sept. 28, 1894. Abraham Boyer married Cath- arine Anderson, daughter of John and Mary ( Har- rold) Anderson, and to them were born .six chil- dren, namely: S. Pierce: Amelia, who married Henry Kieffer, of Dauphin county, Pa .: John, deceased; Elias D., of Limestone, Upper Augusta township, this eounty: Hannah, married to John Lahr, of Pillow, Pa. : and Peter, of Pillow.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 50

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co. Number of Pages: 1090

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1090