USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume I > Part 17
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
Mr. Mansel has always been a good citizen, but never an office- seeker. He is ever ready to lend his aid in all philanthropic enterprises, and takes a special interest in the Boys' Industrial Home. He is an ardent worker in the temperance cause, and in 1896 was elected mayor of Williamsport on the Prohibition ticket. His administration was such as to deserve the respect of all good citizens and to give much satisfac- faction to his constituents.
He has been the treasurer of the Williamsport Board of Trade since its organization, and a member of the board of directors, also a member of the board of directors of the Boys' Industrial Home. Mr. Mansel is first vice-president of the American Assurance Company of 14 South Broad street, Philadelphia.
208
LYCOMING COUNTY
Mr. Mansel married, in 1874, Margaret Hartswick, daughter of John Hartswick, of Centre county, Pennsylvania, and they have two children : Bernard Hartswick, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, a D. D. S., and Harry Southard Mansel, who is a bookkeeper for his father.
WILLIAM DECKER.
Lycoming county has among its citizens many men of more than average intelligence and ability, who are doing a great work for its im- provement and advancement. Prominent among these is William Decker, of Montgomery, sole proprietor of the Montgomery Table Works, manu- facturer of extension tables, desks, tabourets, etc., also president of sev- eral leading enterprises. He was born October 15, 1861, in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, a son of Henry and Mary (Herr) Decker.
He resided on the paternal farm until eighteen years of age, in the meantime attending the Pine street school (district school), completing his course of instruction there at the age of fourteen years. He then located in Montgomery, Pennsylvania, and there, through his own energy and perseverance, learned the trade of carpenter, becoming a thorough and expert workman. The following ten years he successfully con- ducted a contracting and building business, and in 1888, in company with C. W. Fehr and H. M. Weller, organized the Montgomery Table Works. At the expiration of one year Messrs. Weller and Decker pur- chased the interest of Mr. Fehr, and in 1903 Mr. Decker purchased Mr. Weller's interest in the business and has since conducted the same on his own account. The first year's output of the plant being $10,000, has increased from year to year, until the present time (1905) it is over $200,000, this wonderful increase being attributable to the energy, am-
William Locker
T'he ! 1 .3 Publishu
209
LYCOMING COUNTY
bition and perseverance displayed by Mr. Decker in the management thereof. In the fall of 1905 Mr. Decker intends to remove his plant to his new brick building, which is now in course of construction, two stories in height and more than twice the floor space of his old factory, and which will have a capacity for $400,000 of business per year. The factory is the largest in Montgomery, and is equipped with a three hun- dred horsepower steam plant and the most modern and latest improved machinery, such as is not surpassed by any other company in his line in Lycoming county, and also gives constant employment to a large num- ber of people, thus making it the leading enterprise in Montgomery. This was the only plant that ran ten hours per day during the panic of 1893, and Mr. Decker enjoys the proud distinction of never having missed a pay day in his works. The principle which he has carried out throughout his active business career has been to please the old customer as well as the new one, and by strictly adhering to this rule he has se- cured a foremost place among the business men of the county, and is in possession of a handsome competence.
Mr. Decker is president and the largest stockholder of the Mont- gomery Electric Light & Power Company, which was organized in 1896, at which time he was elected to this responsible position. Montgomery was the only town in Pennsylvania of its size that had electric lights, this fact attesting to the aggressive and progressive spirit of its promi- nent citizens. He is also president of the Montgomery Furniture Com- pany, which was incorporated during the year 1905 with a capital stock of $30,000, and of the H. Hughs Store Company, which is conducting a department store, the largest establishment of its kind in Montgomery. He is vice-president and general manager of the Penn Furniture Manu- facturing Company, which gives employment to seventy-five men, and vice-president and a leading director of the First National Bank of
210
LYCOMING COUNTY
Montgomery, which institution was organized chiefly through his in- strumentality, he being chairman of the organization committee. Al- though not yet in the prime of life, Mr. Decker is undoubtedly the most prominent and influential citizen in Montgomery, is regarded highly by all who have the honor of his acquaintance, and takes a very live interest in public affairs, especially along the lines of religion and education. He is a director of the Susquehanna University, and was recently chosen sec- retary and treasurer of the County Sunday School Association, a very prominent factor in the religious life of the county, and has continually held official positions in the Evangelical Lutheran church, of which he has been a member since the age of eighteen. Mr. Decker, being of a very unassuming and retiring disposition, claims that his success is partly due to the characteristics inherited from his father, and to the influence of his wife, who has been a worthy helpmate in every sense of the word.
Mr. Decker married, September 27, 1894, Adaline U. Bubb, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, who was born near Montoursville, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas L. and Sarah (Scott) Bubb, and of this union five children were born: Vivian Bubb, Bernice Vir- ginia, Sterling Randolph, William Thomas and Maxine Inez. Mrs. Decker being formerly a Methodist, has since marriage joined the Evan- gelical Lutheran church. Mr. Decker is a Republican in politics and has adhered strongly to the principles of that party since the silver cam- paign, although all the other members of the Decker family are strong adherents of the Democratic party.
211
LYCOMING COUNTY
CHARLES GLEIM.
Charles Gleim, born September 24, 1844, at Lebanon, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, cashier of the Lycoming National Bank at Will- iamsport, Pennsylvania, is a lineal descendant of the Rev. John Gott- fried Gleim, a Lutheran pastor, of Wiesbaden, Germany (same family as that of the German poet, Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim), who, meeting in Germany Casper Fahnestock, had been deputed by Drs. Muhlenberg, Passavant and others to persuade Protestant divines to come to America, was induced in 1754 to leave his native land. Upon his arrival here he located in Germantown, Pennsylvania, where he preached the gospel until his death, in 1757. In company with Weiser, Matthias and others, he published a work entitled " The Inspired."
George Christian Gleim, son of the Rev. John G. Gleim, was born in Germany, April 7, 1736. He accompanied his father to America, served in the war of independence, and in a skirmish was severely wounded in the head and face by a British dragoon near Philadelphia. He married Anna Maria Matthias, of Germantown, Pennsylvania, and twelve children were the issue of this marriage. His death occurred at New Holland, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1817.
Charles Gleim, son of George C. and Anna Maria ( Matthias) Gleim, was born April 7, 1775. He was the first sheriff of Lebanon county, his commission bearing the date of November 29, 1813. He also represented his county in the legislature in 1824-5 and 1825-6. He married Mary Elizabeth Gorgas, a granddaughter of John Gorgas, who, coming from Holland late in the seventeenth century, settled in Germantown, Penn- sylvania. Mr. Gorgas was a Mennonite in religion, and his descendants were Seventh Day Baptists, identified with the religious life at Ephrata. Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He married Sophia Rittenhouse, a granddaughter of William Rittenhouse.
212
LYCOMING COUNTY
Joseph Gleim, son of Charles and Mary Elizabeth (Gorgas) Gleim, was born at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1806. He received a good education, and after laying aside his books learned the trade of printer, which he followed for many years, thereby gaining a comfort- able livelihood for his family. He was the founder of the Lebanon Courier. He was originally a Whig in politics, but later in life changed his allegiance to the Democratic party. He was a consistent member of the German Reformed Church. He was active and prominent in the affairs of his town and county, and held various offices by commission from the state authorities. He married Rose Ann Embich, who was born November II, 1824, a daughter of Major Frederick and Lucetta (Doebler) Embich, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Her paternal grandfather was John Frederick Embich, one of the first sheriffs of Lebanon county, and her maternal grandfather was Major Abram Doebler, a participant in the war of 1812.
Charles Gleim, son of Joseph and Rose Ann ( Embich) Gleim, ob- tained his educational advantages in the common schools of Lebanon. In 1858 at the age of fourteen he learned telegraphy and secured em- ployment along that line in his native town. At the death of his father the main support of a large family devolved on him, but he was equal to the emergency. From 1863 to the close of the Civil war in 1865 he served in the capacity of civilian clerk in the army, and in 1866 he secured employment at bookkeeping in the city of Williamsport. In the fall of that year he became teller of the Newport Deposit Bank, the following year became cashier of the Lykens Valley Bank, Millersburg, serving until 1873, a period of six years, was then appointed to a similar position in the Lycoming County Savings Bank, Williamsport, which was con- verted into the Lycoming National Bank in 1875, and is serving in that capacity at the present time (1905). He is connected with the First
212
LYCOMING COUNTY
Presbyterian Church, member of its session, and closely identified with the various branches of work of that body. He is a Republican in politics. Mr. Gleim is a man of artistic temperament, socially inclined, possesses a fine tenor voice, is well known as a singer of note, and since making Williamsport his home has been identified with the best musical interests of the city.
On June 24, 1869, Mr. Gleim was married to Mary Elizabeth Nessly, daughter of Samuel and Catharine Norton Nessly, of Hancock county, West Virginia. Mrs. Gleim was educated at Morgantown Seminary, West Virginia. Her father, Samuel Nessly, a sucessful coal operator, was a descendant of Jacob Nessly. one of the pioneers of Ohio, a rugged character of the times when the conquest of the land was disputed by the Indians.
AARON GILBERT SHIFFLER.
One of the oldest and most respected citizens of Lycoming county is Aaron Gilbert Shiffler, of Williamsport. Mr. Shiffler is a member of the old Gilbert family which has long been resident in Lebanon, and is of good colonial and revolutionary stock.
Christian and Catherine (Gilbert) Shiffler were the parents of the following children: George, who was for a time a schoolmaster, then served as clerk in a general store, and died as the result of an accident; Henry, who married, had a family and resided in Dauphin county ; Margaret, who married and had no children ; Elizabeth, who married and was the mother of several children; Benjamin, who married, had a family and lived in Mansfield, Ohio; Mathias, who married, had a family and went west; Christian, who married, had a family and lived in Harrisburg; Catherine, who married and was the mother of a num- ber of children; John, who remained unmarried; Aaron Gilbert, men-
214
LYCOMING COUNTY
tioned at length hereinafter; one, name is unknown: Levi, the youngest child, lived in Lebanon, where he died. Christian Shiffler, the father of this large family, was the blacksmith of his native village in early days and owned a farm in later life.
Aaron Gilbert Shiffler, son of Christian and Catherine (Gilbert) Shiffler, in his boyhood attended the public schools and assisted in the labors of the farm. He also learned the trade of a carpenter and builder. Upon attaining his majority he went to Mansfield, Ohio, where he worked at his trade for a year, and then tiring of the place went to Milwaukee. He remained there for another year and then directed his course toward the Missouri river but, owing to the fact that he was a carpenter, was stopped at one of the country taverns to assist in the construction of a building. After completing this work he returned to Harrisburg, in the vicinity of which he had been born and reared, and from there removed to Middletown, where he stayed for a short time. In 1854 he went to Williamsport and was employed by a contractor in building the bridge across the Susquehanna. In 1855 he went to Northumberland and built the bridge there. The same year he purchased land in Williamsport for a residence on East Third street. He was the founder of the Keystone Bridge Company of Pittsburg, and was the constructor of bridges in various parts of the country ; at Washington, District of Columbia, across the Potomac, at St. Louis, across the Mississippi, at Philadelphia and many other places. In 1890 he retired from active labor. Previous to this event he had purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres just beyond the city limits, which he cultivates for purposes of general farming. He has a portion reserved for a dairy farm, having from fifteen to twenty-five cows. He has erected two barns and all other necessary buildings, in addition to a beautiful house equipped with all the modern improvements.
215
LYCOMING COUNTY
During the Civil war Mr. Shiffler was drafted, but was able to obtain a substitute, being compelled by the imperative demands of duty to remain at home. He belongs to the Masonic order, affiliating with Lodge No. 106, F. and A. M., and is the oldest Mason in the county, having joined in 1855. He is an Independent in politics and belongs to the Lutheran Church.
Mr. Shiffler has been thrice married. His first wife was Eliza Edkin, of Monroe county, by whom he was the father of three children, one of whom, Elizabeth, died in infancy, and a son who died young, and another, George, married and had three children. After the death of his wife Mr. Shiffler married her sister, Joanna Edkin, and when he was left a widower for the second time espoused Susan Weiss. By this third marriage there were six children: Grace; Susan; John; Mary, who is the wife of Albert Stetler; Allen; and Gilbert. Mr. Shiffler, who has attained to the advanced age of eighty-three, is enjoying in his retire- ment the fruits of a well spent life.
CHARLES F. EVANS, JR.
No city in Lycoming county or indeed in Pennsylvania has greater reason to congratulate itself upon the excellence of its executive force than has Williamsport, and in point of capability for the duties of his position and promptness and fidelity in discharging them, no official of the city ranks second to Charles F. Evans, the present chief of police. Mr. Evans comes of Pennsylvania stock and is the grandson of Charles and Eliza (Fether) Evans. The family name would seem to indicate a Welsh ancestry.
Charles Evans, son of Charles and Eliza (Fether) Evans, was by trade a country shoemaker. In December, 1846, he enlisted at Danville,
216
LYCOMING COUNTY
Pennsylvania, as sergeant in Company C, Pennsylvania Volunteers, for service in the war with Mexico. In August, 1848, the war having ended, he was discharged at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The following year he went to Buffalo, New York, and on October 18, 1849, enlisted for five years' service in Company E, First United States Infantry. In Decem- ber, 1849, he was sent to Fort Brown, Texas, and continued to serve in the regular army until April 16, 1852. By a special order, No. 34, of the adjutant-general's office, Washington, District of Columbia, dated March 6, 1852, he was discharged at Ringold Barracks, Texas.
Upon the breaking out of the Civil war Mr. Evans was again mus- tered into the service of the United States. April 18, 1861, he enlisted, at Camp Curtin, Pennsylvania, as a private in Company A, Third Regi- ment. Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three months' service. After his enlistment he was appointed sergeant-major of the regiment, and was discharged at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, July 30, 1861, by reason of expiration of term of service. October 1, 1861, he re-enlisted at Camp Cameron, Pennsylvania, as corporal of Company F, Seventy-sixth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three years' service. September 6, 1864, he was discharged near Petersburg, Virginia, by reason of promo- tion to the rank of first lieutenant in Company K, Seventy-sixth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was finally mustered out of the service by a special order No. 113, department of North Carolina, at Raleigh, July 18, 1865, " by reason of the war having ended." He re- tired from the service with a captain's commission dated July 1, 1865, abundantly earned by the years of faithful military service which had incontestably proved his devotion to his country.
Captain Evans married Sarah Klapp, and the following children were born to them: Charles, mentioned at length hereinafter; Thomas,
217
LYCOMING COUNTY
who lives at Los Angeles, California, is married and has a family ; Clar- ence; and Maud, who is the wife of Henry Rich.
Charles F. Evans, eldest child of Charles and Sarah (Klapp) Evans, was born April 5, 1859, in Hartleton, Union county, Pennsylvania, and was but eight years of age when his parents moved to Russellville, East Tennessee. They remained there six years, and it was therefore in the schools of that town, as well as in those of his birthplace, that the boy received his early education. In 1873 Charles F., our subject, returned to Pennsylvania, and he then went into the lumber woods in the service of Samuel Hartman, an uncle of his mother. Mr. Evans' field of labor was in the forests of Union county, and there he remained until 1877, when he transferred himself to the woods on the West Branch. He labored in these forests until 1889, when he obtained a position witli the Standard Oil Company as superintendent of construction on the southern pipe line. While thus engaged he studied stationary engineer- ing, and on the completion of the line took charge of one of the company's stations, remaining in their service until 1896, when he retired from active life on account of ill health. After a few years, his health being restored, he obtained a position with the Deemer Lumber Company, resigning at the end of three years in order to become the proprietor of a hotel, an occupation which he soon abandoned.
In 1903, when John Frederick Laedlein was elected to the mayor- alty, Mr. Evans, who since 1892 had made Williamsport his home, was tendered the appointment of chief of police for a term of three years, and in 1905 was reappointed by Mayor Seth T. Foresman for a term of three more years. As the incumbent of this office Mr. Evans has displayed marked executive ability. He has under his command a force of twenty men with which he covers eighty-eight miles of streets. For so small a force this is one of the most efficient in the state. Mr.
218
LYCOMING COUNTY
Evans has been asked many times to assist other cities in the capture of noted criminals. He has never refused his aid and has extended many courtesies in that direction. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies of his city and of Irem Temple, Wilkesbarre. In politics he is a strong Democrat.
Mr. Evans married Lydia E. Bentz, and they have one child, Elsie Blanche. Mrs. Evans is a daughter of John Adam and Elizabeth (Fisher) Bentz, who came from Germany and settled at Lockport, Penn- sylvania. Their other children are: I. George, who married Christine Harmon and has two children; 2. Frank, who married Jennie Cripps and has five children : William, Alice and three others; 3. Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of George Anderson and has five children: Charles, William, Emma, Harry and Merrill; 4. Elizabeth, who married Samuel S. Yoder, and is the mother of five children: Blanche, Elsie, Lurline and two others.
EDWARD LEON TAYLOR.
Edward L. Taylor, treasurer of the city of Williamsport, Pennsyl- vania, having been elected to that important office in 1899, re-elected in 1902, his term of office expiring in 1905, and again re-elected in 1905, term expiring in 1908, is a native of the city in which he now resides. In politics he is a Republican, and the manner in which he has met the responsibilities devolving upon him in a public capacity, has won for him the esteem and confidence of his constituents and fellow-citizens.
(I) John Taylor, the immigrant ancestor, was born in England, in 1639. He married, December 12, 1666, Mary Selden, daughter of Thomas Selden, of Hartford, Connecticut. Their children were: Esther, born December 9, 1667; John, January 6, 1670; Thomas, June 5, 1672;
219
LYCOMING COUNTY
Stephen, 1674; Mary, October 12, 1676, died in early life; Thankful, 1680; Jacob, 1685; Samuel, December 3, 1688; Ebenezer, March I, 1697. John Taylor, father of these children, died at his home in Had- ley, Massachusetts, October 17, 1713; his wife passed away January 7, 1713.
(II) Ebenezer Taylor, youngest son of John and Mary (Selden) Taylor, was born March 1, 1697. He was among the pioneer settlers of Granby, Connecticut, taking up his residence there in 1727. He married Mehitable Smith, who was born May 9, 1696, a daughter of Deacon Samuel Smith, of East Hartford. Connecticut. Their children were: Jacob, born July 10, 1718; Ebenezer, March 24, 1723; Lois and Mary.
(III) Jacob Taylor, eldest son of Ebenezer and Mehitable (Smith) Taylor, was born July 10, 1718. He was a prominent, influential and wealthy citizen of Granby, Connecticut, and he was one of the eight residents who possessed large estates in that section of the state. He was the owner of large tracts of land, whereon he conducted extensive operations, his product consisting mostly of grain. He served as select- man in 1771. The supposition is that he participated in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Taylor was married twice, his wives having been members of old and distinguished families. His first wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Lane, bore him three children: Ithamar, Samuel and Benoni. His second wife, Ruth White (Rood) Taylor, widow of Daniel Rood, bore him four children: David, who married Lorinda Burr, issue, seven children; Silas, mentioned hereinafter; Jerusha and Lucinda.
(IV) Silas Taylor, second son of Jacob and Ruth Taylor, married Lydia Towne, of South Hadley, Massachusetts. Their children were : Ozial, born May 8, 1792; Justus, February 1I, 1794; Allen, December
220
LYCOMING COUNTY
23, 1795; Clarrisa, May 5, 1799; Roxanna, July 22, 1801; Roland, 1804; Zabina, April 29, 1808; Alzena, January, 1810; Murilla ; George, 1818. The first five of these children were born in Granby, Massachu- setts; the sixth in the state of Connecticut, and the remainder in the state of Vermont.
(V) Roland Taylor, fourth son of Silas and Lydia (Towne) Tay- lor, was born in Connecticut in 1804. For a number of years he con- ducted farming in Monson, Maine, and subsequently engaged in the lumber business, purchasing eleven hundred acres of timber land with a saw-mill, and thereafter was an extensive manufacturer of lumber. He married Pamelia Colton, of Massachusetts, who bore him the fol- lowing named children: Frank, born 1827; Jane; Emeline C., 1832; Louisa W., 1833; John Colton, November 16, 1835. Mrs. Taylor died in Monson, Maine, whither they removed shortly after their marriage. Mr. Taylor married for his second wife Mrs. Folsom, and for his third Mrs. Lucy Morton.
(VI) John Colton Taylor, youngest son of Roland and Pamelia (Colton) Taylor, was born in Monson, Maine, November 16, 1835. He attended the public schools and Monson Academy, and up to the age of twelve assisted with the work of the farm. From that early age until he was nineteen, he worked at lumbering, in which line of business his father was extensively engaged. He then came to Williamsport, Penn- sylvania, to work for Canfield & Colton, lumber manufacturers, re- maining with them for twelve years. During this period of time he be- came an expert in that particular business, and after severing his connec- tion with the aforesaid firm established a business of his own as a lumber prospector. He served for three months during the Civil war. Mr. Taylor married Laura A. Smith, eldest child of Isaac and Harriet Smith, who came to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, from Maine; their
221
LYCOMING COUNTY
family consisted of five other children, namely: Daniel, who married Sarah Pratt, and their children were: Isaac, Daniel W., Charles H. and Clara L. Smith. Henry, who married Martha Allen, and their children were: Harry and Margaret Smith. John, who married a Miss Pratt, and they are the parents of one child, Ruth Smith. Harrison, who married Jennie Ripley, of Erie, and their children were: Marjorie and Harry Smith. Elizabeth, who became the wife of Henry Colton, and their children were: Meade, who married Elizabeth Irvin, and two children were born to them, and George, who married a Miss Shaw, and they are the parents of one child. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, three of whom are deceased. The living ones are: H. Colton, born July 21, 1857; Edward Leon, April 19, 1870; Harriet L., January 17, 1860; Caroline, June 7, 1866; Marguerite F., July 23, 1879.
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.