USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume I > Part 21
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2. Rachel married Robert Bennett and resided in Lycoming county, where she died about 1893.
3. Francis, who was a farmer, and died in Lycoming county ; he was a faithful soldier during the Civil war.
4. Samuel W., who resides in Williamsport, and is serving as turnkey under his brother, Sheriff William Riddell.
5. Mary J., unmarried.
6. William, to be further mentioned hereinafter.
7. Louisa, who died about 1890, unmarried.
William Riddell, son of Robert Riddell, passed his boyhood days upon the homestead farm, and obtained his education in the district schools. In 1871 he married Miss Jane Turley, who was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Enoch and Amanda Turley; her father was born in England, and her mother in New Castle. After his marriage Mr. Riddell settled upon the homestead farm in Susquehanna
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township, which he cultivated until 1904, when he was elected sheriff of Lycoming county. He entered upon the duties of his office on Janu- ary 2, 1905, and removed with his family to the residential portion of the jail, which they now occupy. Conscientiously devoted to the faith- ful performance of whatever duty is incumbent upon him, he is known as a model officer, carefully guarding every public interest, and temper- ing his conduct toward the prisoners committed to his charge with all humanity and mercy that are compatible with their safe keeping. With a healthy appreciation of the duties of citizenship, he bears a full part in the promotion of every community interest, and gives a hearty and intelligent support to all religious, educational and moral efforts. He is an active member of the Democratic Club and other civic organiza- tions.
To Mr. and Mrs. Riddell have been born three children: Robert C .; Irene; and Gertrude, who became the wife of Philip J. Oechler and resides in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania.
HARRY N. SCHNEE.
Harry N. Schnee is the grandson of William Schnee, who was by trade a tanner, born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He married and had the following children :
I, Henry ; 2, David; 3, Levi; 4, Augustus, the father of Harry N. Augustus Schnee was born at New Berlin, Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1817; he was a shoemaker by trade. He married Anna Caroline Benfer, daughter of Samuel Benfer, of Michigan. They had eight children : 1, Howard, of Kansas; 2, Souvilla, of Northumberland; 3, Horace, died in infancy ; 4, Ada, wife of Joseph Shamp, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania ; 5, Harry N .; 6, Ida, of Philadelphia, unmarried; 7,
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Leanora, wife of John Shock, of Bigby, Mississippi; 8, Luther, of Phila- delphia.
Harry N. Schnee was born in New Berlin, Pennsylvania, September 21, 1861. He was educated in the common schools, and in 1879 began to learn the trade of a machinist with the Levi Houston Machine Company, Montgomery, Pennsylvania. After serving an apprentice- ship of three years, he came to Williamsport in 1882 and worked as machinist for Rowley and Hermance for four years. In 1886 he com- menced clerking in the Hepburn House, continuing there until 1889, and then went to Tamaqua, where he clerked for Robert A. Moyer, re- turning to Williamsport in 1892 and purchased of Robert A. Moyer the Senate Hotel, No. 347-49 Court street, which hotel he is still con- ducting.
In 1881 he married Cora M., daughter of Charles and Lydia Moyer, by whom two children have been born: Florence M., aged twenty-one years; Clarence E., aged nineteen years.
Politically, Mr. Schnee is a Republican. In religion he attends the Reform church. He is a member of the following civic orders : Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks Number 173, Williamsport; Knights of Malta Number 17, Williamsport; Red Men Number 228, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. Among the business factors of his city, none is held in higher esteem by the general public than Mr. Schnee. He is ever fore- most in all that tends to help build up and maintain the good reputation of Williamsport. His son, Clarence E., having been reared in a proper manner, is an ornament to the social life of this place and counts his friends by legions.
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GEORGE WESTPHALL CROLL.
George Westphall Croll, a representative citizen of Williamsport, and head of the pioneer plumbing house of the city, one of the largest of the kind in this section of the state, is a native of Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, born May 28, 1837. son of Christian and Mary Ann (Fisher) Croll, the former named having been of German origin, his parents hav- ing emigrated to this country from Germany in the nineteenth century.
Christian Croll (father) was a merchant tailor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for forty years, conducting the business on Chestnut street, near Thirteenth street. He died at the age of seventy-four years. His wife, Mary Ann (Fisher) Croll, bore him the following children : Mary Ann, died, unmarried, at the age of sixty years. Edwin Martin, who in 1861 enlisted for three months' service in the Civil war, later re- enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, as second lieutenant, serving three years, and subsequently re-enlisted again and went to Washington, D. C., where he remained until the close of the war. He died, unmarried, and his remains were interred in the Woodland cemetery at Philadelphia. Virginia, who be- came the wife of W. C. Green, issue : William, deceased ; and Florence, wife of George E. Mann; the family resided in Fall River, where the remains of Mrs. Green are buried. George Westphall, mentioned at length hereinafter. Catherine Cordelia, wife of W. H. Bellows, a re- tired shoe merchant of Philadelphia, no issue. William Eugene, who is engaged in the insurance business in the city of Philadelphia.
George W. Croll was reared in his native city, Philadelphia, and received a public school education, remaining under the parental roof until he attained his majority. In early life he learned the trade of a plumber in Philadelphia, and in 1858 came to Williamsport and secured
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a position with the firm of Jamison & White, serving them as journey- man off and on until 1861, in which year he purchased the above named business, which was located on East Third street, below Market, associ- ating himself with Jacob A. Turner. In 1866 he moved the business to West Third street, on the present site of the Lycoming opera house, but in 1876 dissolved partnership with Mr. Turner and moved to the Andrus Block. In 1889 he moved to the Linck Block, West Fourth street, and in 1897 removed to the Weightman Block, 410 Campbell street, where he has since engaged in the general plumbing business. For many years he carried on gas and electric fittings with his business, and was the first man to handle that line in Williamsport. He was a sub-contractor on the government building, and furnished the gas fix- tures for the same, also furnishing the fixtures for the Trust Building, the City Hospital, the Hotel Updegraff and the City Hotel. He is rec- ognized as one of the prominent business men of Williamsport. Mr. Croll is a Republican in politics, but has never sought or held public office, preferring to devote his leisure time from business with his family and friends.
Mr. Croll married, December 23, 1861, Almeda F. Covert, daugh- ter of Elisha and Margaret (Woodward) Covert, the latter being a daughter of the late Judge Woodward, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They reared a family of four children : William Eugene, born March 19, 1864; he followed the plumbing and electric business for many years with his father, and at one time was foreman for the Williamsport Gas Company. Later he went to Trenton, New Jersey, where he was en- gaged in the same line of business, and in March, 1905, was killed at Trenton, New Jersey, by a passenger train, while walking on the track. His remains were brought to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and interred in the Wild Wood cemetery. Margaret Almeda, born July 19, 1865, is
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now the wife of A. G. Heston, a traveling salesman for a plumbing house in St. Paul, Minnesota, and they are the parents of three children : Christine Cordelia, Jane Lancaster and Westphall Croll; the family re- side in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Blanche Cordelia, born July 3, 1876, died December, 1882. Adelaide Virginia, born 1878, died December, 1882. Mr. Croll and his wife reside in a comfortable and commodious residence at No. 680 Campbell street, Williamsport, and enjoy the ac- quaintance of a wide circle of friends.
CHARLES DUNKLE WOLFE.
Prominent among the prosperous and enterprising business men of Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, who bear an enviable reputation for integrity and trustworthiness, is Charles D. Wolfe, a native of Lewisburg, Union county, Pennsylvania, a son of Jacob A. and Sarah Jane (Stein) Wolfe, who are the parents of six children, as fol- lows: Milton E., who married Alice Reedy, and among the children born to them was Pearl, Jacob and Henry. Charles Dunkle, mentioned at length hereinafter. Emma, who became the wife of John Aumiller, and mother of the following named children: William, Nellie, Charles, Jennie, Margaret and Frances. Samuel B., unmarried; George M., un- married; Jackson G., unmarried. Jacob A. Wolfe (father) married for his first wife Rebecca Simmers, and their children are: Joseph H., who married Mattie Lacey, and they have the following children : John L., Jennie M., George E., Jacob H., Charles H., Lillie L., Warren R., and Joseph W. Wolfe. John B., who married Nellie Woods, and their children are: Glen and Nellie. Elmer E., who married Lizzie Goughler, and one child was born to them, Geraldine.
Charles D. Wolfe obtained his early education in the public schools
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of Lewisburg, and pursued a course in advanced studies at Bucknell Uni- versity. While a student at the latter named institution, he employed the time not devoted to study to learning telegraphy, and in order to obtain sufficient capital to give him a fair start in life secured what em- ployment he could find, serving in the capacity of clerk in a store and as messenger. Upon the completion of his studies at Lewisburg he, in company with A. S. Sheller, engaged in the brokerage business, this con- nection being dissolved after the expiration of six months. Mr. Wolfe continued the business alone until 1893, when he came to Williamsport and engaged in the same business in partnership with the late Captain Bly, who retired from the business in 1899. Since that date to the pres- ent time (1905), a period of six years, Mr. Wolfe has been sole pro- prietor, achieving a large degree of financial success. He is a member of the Board of Trade, also a member of the common council from the Fifth ward of Williamsport. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, was exalted ruler of his lodge four years, was district deputy of the state, and now a member of the committee of ap- peals and grievances. He is also a member of the Williamsport Wheel Club, of which he was its president for two years. His political affilia- tions are with the Republican party.
Mr. Wolfe married Margaret Ross Fisher, only daughter of Will- iam Smith and Annie H. (Moyer) Fisher, and two children have been the issue of this union: Charles Conard Dunkle, who died in infancy ; and Charles Dunkle, Jr.
Mahlon Fisher, grandfather of Mrs. Charles D. Wolfe, was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, February 8, 1810. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the schools of the neighborhood. At the age of sixteen he began an apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter, and after becoming thoroughly proficient therein, followed this line of work
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up to the year 1848, when he removed to Stockton, New Jersey, and entered into partnership with his brother, Johnson Fisher, in an extensive grain and lumber business. This connection continued until 1855, when he came to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he had learned that there were extensive coal and timber lands which others had failed in an at- tempt to develop. Among the friends of his boyhood he had no diffi- culty in finding those who, with unstinted confidence in his ability, were ready to contribute and risk the means required to bring forth the hidden treasures of the forests, which placed him as well as those connected with him in positions of ease and opulence. At the time of his death, Decem- ber 28, 1874, he was connected with many business interests in Williams- port. He was president of the Susquehanna Boom Company and the Valentine Iron Works. He was largely interested in the lumber firms of Reading, Fisher & Company; Teneyke, Emery & Company; and the planing mills of Reading, Fisher & Reading. He was one of the or- ganizers and a director of the old Lumberman's National Bank, and was one of the original members of the Williamsport Land Company. He was the incumbent of several public offices, among them being that of county treasurer while a resident of New Jersey. He was a Republican in politics, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.
Mahlon Fisher married Mary Stein, and the following named chil- dren were born to them: John S., who married Elizabeth Jennison, and their children are: Edward, Lewis, Mary and Mahlon. Anna J., who became the wife of John E. Jones, no issue. Elizabeth, who be- came the wife of William H. Taylor, no issue. William S., mentioned hereinafter. Mary, who became the wife of Dr. William Du Four, and their children are: William, Joseph and Charles. Alfred E., who mar- ried Julia Fisher. Charles B., who married Louisa Fisher, and they are the parents of two children : Charles and Neri.
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William Smith Fisher, father of Mrs. Charles D. Wolfe, was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey. His educational advantages were obtained in the public schools and seminary of his native town, and throughout the active years of his life engaged in the lumber business. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, under the command of Captain William B. Shant, served three months, and was discharged July 31, 1861. He then re-enlisted for three years as a private in the Two Hundred and Third Regiment, was commissioned by Governor Curtain as captain of Company G, Eighty-ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and was dis- charged June 22, 1864. He then re-enlisted in the Eighty-ninth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was detailed as clerk in the head- quarter department on account of his superior penmanship. After the cessation of hostilities he returned to Williamsport and at once resumed his lumber operations.
Mr. Fisher married Annie H. Moyer, and four children were born to them, namely : Frederic, who died at the age of three years. Moyer, who died at the age of eight months. Mahlon, who died in infancy. Margaret Ross, aforementioned as the wife of Charles D. Wolfe.
Annie H. (Moyer) Fisher, wife of William Smith Fisher, was the only child of Solomon and Margaret R. (Huling) Moyer, the former named being the son of Frederic and Mary (Zeckman) Moyer, and the latter a daughter of James and Margaret (Ross) Huling. Margaret (Ross) Huling was the daughter of Michael Ross, of early Williamsport history. Solomon Moyer (father) was born at Maryetta, where he attended public schools, and then went to farming. He removed from his native town to Duboistown and at once engaged in the lumber busi- ness, which he followed until the railroad destroyed his water power, when he retired from active pursuits. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and a Republican in politics. He died in 1895, aged seventy-seven years.
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GEORGE WASHINGTON EVENDEN.
Honored and respected by all, there are few men in the city of Will- iamsport, Pennsylvania, who occupy a more enviable position than George W. Evenden in business circles, not alone on account of the suc- cess he has achieved, but also on account of the honorable, straightfor- ward business policy he has ever followed. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and his excellent manage- ment have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today his.
Thomas Evenden, father of George W. Evenden, was born in Kent, England, September 16, 1823, a son of John and Sarah (Chalklin) Evenden. He was reared, educated and learned the occupation of florist in his native country, and on March 19, 1849, when in his twenty-sixth year, braved the dangers of the Atlantic ocean in order to make for him- self a home in the new world. He first located in New York and Brook- lyn, where he was employed in gardening for more than three years, and at the expiration of this period of time returned to England. In 1853 he again came to the United States, locating in Williamsport, Pennsyl- vania, where he engaged in gardening until 1858, when he established the florist business which is now conducted under the style of Evenden Brothers. He was progressive and enterprising, his business career was alike successful and creditable, and his reputation unassailable.
Thomas Evenden was married in England, in 1853, to Mary Bald- win, who died July 8, 1879, leaving three children, namely : George W., mentioned at length hereinafter. William J., who married Martha Crossmore, and five children were the issue of the union, as follows : John, Madeline, Harry. William T., and Martha. Elizabeth, who be- came the wife of Richard Painton, and their children are: Edward, Be-
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atrice, Percy, John, and Leslie. On December 23, 1885, Thomas Even- den married for his second wife Belinda Diller, of Hanover, Pennsyl- vania. Martha (Crossmore) Evenden, wife of William J. Evenden, was the daughter of Jacob and Sarah ( Home) Crossmore, who were the parents of four other children, namely : Molly, who became the wife of William Kraemer, no issue. Georgianna, who became the wife of James Swan, and their children were: George, India, Walter and John. Sally, unmarried, has been serving in the capacity of housekeeper for William J. Evenden since the death of his wife. William, who married Ellen Young, and their children are: Edward and James.
In early life George W. Evenden attended the public schools of Williamsport, and his éducation was completed at a commercial college. He then entered the business established by his father and learned flori- culture in all its branches, later on adding to it the quiet but useful calling of agriculture. He worked hard and faithfully and when his father retired from active pursuits in 1879, George W., being the eldest son, took charge of the business and with the assistance of his brother, Will- iam J. Evenden, has brought it to its present extensive proportions, under the style of Evenden Brothers. In the beginning they had three small houses and at the present time (1905) they have twenty-one houses, covering an area of fifty-six thousand six hundred and seventy square feet of land; they run five boilers, and in the near future contemplate having a central heating station for all houses. They have under culti- vation eighty-five acres of land, fifty of which is their own property and the remainder is hired. The floriculture, while covering all branches for general use, still makes a specialty of carnations, roses and also flowering plants for the retail, wholesale and jobbing trade, and these receive high commendation for beauty. What is not devoted to floriculture is put down for market produce, and the name of Evenden is a sufficient guar-
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antee of the quality of their productions. Mr. Evenden is well posted regarding the history of this section of the county and its wonderful de- velopment, and has been a potent factor in making the business in which he is engaged one of the most flourishing in Williamsport. His intelli- gence, good citizenship and fine character entitle him to the esteem of his acquaintances, and his friends are many and sincere. He is a mem- ber of the Board of Trade, a member of the Episcopal church, a member of Lodge No. 397, Free and Accepted Masons, and a staunch adherent of the principles of Republicanism. He has always manifested a deep interest in the social and material development of Williamsport, and con- tributed liberally of his means to the charitable, religious and educational institutions of the city.
ISAAC B. MAITLAND.
I. B. Maitland, connected with the E. Keeler Company of Williams- port, Pennsylvania, as stockholder and general manager, was born at Scranton, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1864, the son of William B. Maitland and wife, Sarah A. (Keeler) Maitland. The father, William B., was born February 6, 1830, in Robinson township, Berks county, and the mother, June 15, 1844, in the same place. The father is a manufacturer of steam boilers. His father, Alexander Maitland, was born near Chester, Delaware (formerly Chester) county, Pennsylvania, and our subject's great-grandfather, Alexander Maitland, came from Scotland in 1777. They were all farmers living in Berks and Chester counties, Penn- sylvania. I. B. Maitland's grandmother on the paternal side was Martha Magowan. On the maternal side his grandmother was Emily Keeler and his grandfather John Keeler. The great-grandfather, John Keeler, came from Germany. The grandmother's name was Emily Keeler, her
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parents being John and Martha Slingluff, Quakers, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Isaac B. Maitland was educated in Bloomington, Illinois, gradu- ating from the high school of that city in 1880. In 1881 he commenced learning the boilermaker's trade in his father's shop at Peoria, Illinois. There he continued to work until 1885, when he moved to Bellefont, Pennsylvania, where he still followed the same line of business with his father until 1888. During that year he came to Williamsport, Penn- sylvania, and began work for the Keeler Company as their bookkeeper in 1889, treasurer in 1893, and general manager in 1900, which position he continues to hold. He has come to be a large stockholder in the ex- tensive works of the Keeler Company, manufacturers of steam boilers.
Politically Mr. Maitland is a supporter of the Republican party. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies and in religious affiliations is a member of the Trinity Episcopal church. He was married October 3, 1889, to Minnie B. Garman, daughter of Daniel and Louisa (Schroyer) Garman, of Bellefont and Milton, Pennsylvania, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Maitland have been born: I, Louisa G., born September 3, 1890; 2, I. Barton, born October 4, 1893; 3, Sarah, born December 8, 1896; 4, Robert H., born April 25, 1904.
GEORGE B. M. METZGER.
George B. M. Metzger, an attorney-at-law of Williamsport, Penn- sylvania, was born in that place, August 3, 1864, son of Hon. J. J. and Hannah (Hess) Metzger. Hon. John J. Metzger was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1838, and married in 1858. His father was George Metzger and the mother was Susan (Dieterick) Metzger, they being the grandparents of the subject
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August Rock.
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of this notice. Hon. John J., the father, was elected president judge of Lycoming county in 1881, and re-elected in 1898, having been ad- mitted to the bar in 1860. In 1862 he was elected district attorney for the term of three years. In 1866 he was a member of the Williamsport city council. From 1869 to 1872 he served as a member of the board of education, and the last named year was a delegate to the state con- stitutional convention. Politically he was a Democrat, and in religious matters affiliated with the Lutheran church. As a lawyer he attained eminence, and as a judge gave full satisfaction because of his wise, just decisions. His children were: Verus H., who became a state senator, now deceased; Ella Z., now deceased; George B. McClellan; Floy May; and Hannah Margaret. Mrs. Metzger died in March, 1870. He died in the autumn of 1900.
George B. McClellan Metzger, who is an active member of the Williamsport bar, was educated in his native town at the public schools and at Dickenson Seminary, subsequently attending Pennsylvania Col- lege at Gettysburg; he completed his course at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1884. He then read law in his father's office and was admitted to the bar in April, 1887. He began the prac- tice of law as a partner of his father and brother.
In 1883 he married Mary, daughter of Philip Wagner, of Easton, Pennsylvania, by whom five children were born: Ella Zaidee; Clarice Geraldine, now deceased; Hannah Margaret; Mary W., and Helen C. The family belongs to the St. Paul's Lutheran church of Williamsport.
AUGUST KOCH.
Marked business ability and cultivated scientific tastes are not as a rule found together, but this exceptional combination exists in August Koch, one of the well-known citizens of Williamsport. Mr. Koch is
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