USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume I > Part 37
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(4.) Mark Adams Champion, born at Tuckahoe, New Jersey, March 19, 1833, and learned the blacksmith trade, working for a num- ber of years at Mckinney's, where he made the irons for the great Sus- suquehanna Boom, at Williamsport. He married Annie Marie Kauder, born in Wittenberg, Germany, May 6, 1833, who died while on a visit to her brother, Rev. Frederick Kurtz, at Brooklyn, New York, Jan- uary 25, 1883. She was the daughter of and Margaret (Leh- man) Kauder. From Mckinney's Mr. Champion removed to the vil- lage of Warrensville, in Eldred township, Lycoming county, where he carried on an extensive blacksmithing and wagon building business un- til 1864, when he purchased a general store and was appointed post- master. He successfully carried on his mercantile business and con- ducted a large farm for a number of years, disposing of the store in 1882, and the following year removed to the city of Williamsport, where he has since been engaged in the fire insurance business. To Mark Adams and Annie Marie (Kauder) Champion were born two daughters, Margaret Jane, at Warrensville, October 16, 1856; and Elizabeth Adams, at the same place, January 9, 1869. Margaret J., graduated from Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in the class of '79, with honors. May II, 1882, she married James Barber Krause, Esquire, a member of the Lycoming county bar, and to them have been born a son, Mark Champion Krause, at Williamsport, July 3, 1883, and a daughter, Annie Marie, at Williamsport, August 30, 1894. (See sketch of James Barber Krause.) Elizabeth A. mar- ried Warren S. Stouck, dying November 5, 1894, leaving to survive her a daughter, Helen Stouck, and a son, Harold M., now deceased.
(5.) William James Champion, youngest child of Joseph and Elizabeth (Adams) Champion, was born at Heshbon, Pennsylvania, in 1840, learned blacksmithing and worked with his brother, Mark A.,
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until he enlisted in the fall of '61, in Company C, One Hundred and Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He saw active service in the Army of the Potomac, and was mortally wounded in the first day's figlit at Gettysburg, where his regiment was part of the First Army Corps, under the gallant Reynolds. Learning that his brother was wounded, Mark A. made the trip to the battlefield, going by the way of Carlisle and crossing the Blue Mountains on foot. He found the wounded man in a red barn on the Baltimore pike, that had been improvised into a hospital. The wounded brother being able to walk, he was spirited out of Gettysburg and brought home, where he died July 12, 1863, and was buried at the " Christian Hill burial ground," at Warrensville.
WILLIAM LOUIS KING.
William L. King, of Williamsport, district manager for the Mu -- tual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, is a na- tive of the city in which he now resides, born October 26, 1867.
John King, grandfather of William L. King, was born in Emmits- burg, Maryland, and came to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1806. In 1841 he located in the city of Williamsport and engaged in the pot- tery business on East Fourth street, continuing the same until 1855, when he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, in which he was highly successful. He married, March 21, 1829, Mary Drebinstadt, daughter of Christopher Drebinstadt, whose wife was a Mackert, and seven children were the issue: Martha, born January 26, 1831, died April 18, 1831. Samuel, born March 1, 1832, died March 14, 1832. William L., born July 31, 1833, died March 7, 1866. Margaret A., born December 13, 1835, died March 6, 1876. Henry J., born June 16,
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1838, mentioned hereinafter. Mary E., born November 6, 1840, widow of William N. Jones. Emma J., born May 10, 1843, widow of Hiram Pidco. John King (grandfather) died June 15, 1860.
Henry J. King, third son of John and Mary (Drebinstadt) King, and father of William L. King, was born in Maytown, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1838. In 1840, when two years of age, he was brought to Williamsport by his parents and his education was acquired in the common schools of that place. He remained under the parental roof until twenty years of age, and then went with George D. Edkins, building canal boats for six years. At the expiration of this period of time he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company on car repair work, and remained in their service for thirty-nine years, being now a pensioner of the company, having been placed on the retired list December 1, 1903. For thirty-three years of this long period of service he had charge of the wreck train between Sunbury and Renova and Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and Elmira, New York. He is a member of the Third Presbyterian church of Williamsport, having joined the same in 1877, and for two decades held the office of deacon. He takes a keen interest in religious work, also in the growth and prog- ress of the social and material affairs of his adopted city. He is a Re- publican in politics.
Henry J. King married, December 24, 1863, Rachel A. McKay, born February 3, 1836, died June 23, 1900, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Pursell) McKay. Their children are as follows: John P., born September 22, 1864, proprietor of the Lima House, Lima, Ohio; he married Nettie King, issue, Wallace. William Louis, born October 26, 1867, mentioned hereinafter. Harry L., born October 29, 1869, book- keeper for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. George S., born Sep-
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tember 17, 1871, bookkeeper for Goodyear's Lumber Company, at Gale- ton, Pennsylvania.
William Louis King obtained his educational advantages in the public schools of Williamsport. He gained his first business experience in the Williamsport Furniture Company, where he was employed for one year as a packer in the shipping department. He then entered the em- ploy of the Otto Furniture Company and for five years filled a similar position with this concern. In 1889 he accepted a position as agent for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jer- sey, was promoted to that of district manager, and in this capacity has built up one of the largest agencies in central Pennsylvania, his office being located in the Trust Building, 120 West Fourth street, Williams- port. The business of the company which he represents is exclusively life insurance, and he has under his personal supervision seven counties, namely : Lycoming, Clinton, Bradford, Tioga, Potter, Sullivan and Northumberland.
In addition to his responsible position of district manager with its manifold duties and obligations, Mr. King is a director in the Susque- hanna Trust Company, treasurer in the Sonestown Manufacturing Com- pany, and interested in the lumber business. He is an active and promi- nent member of the Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church, and a mem- ber of the official board connected therewith. He is a member of Ivy Lodge No. 397, Free and Accepted Masons, of Williamsport; Adoniram Council No. 26; Lycoming Chapter No. 222; Baldwin Commandery No. 22 ; Irem Temple, Ancient Order of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkesbarre; and the Temple Club.
On June 28, 1894, Mr. King was united in marriage to Mary M. Birmingham, born May 25, 1870, a daughter of the late John and Mary J. (Konkle) Birmingham, who were the parents of two other children,
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namely : Frank, deceased; and Eliza K., wife of Frank J. Guinter, a member of the firm of F. J. Guinter & Company, grocers, No. 1016 Heburn street, Williamsport. John Birmingham ( father) was a stair builder by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. King are the parents of three children : Donald B., born June 28, 1896. Helen, born December 30, 1903. Marian, born December 12, 1904.
CHARLES WORMAN YOUNGMAN, M. D.
Dr. Charles W. Youngman, son of George W. and Ann E. (Lud- wig) Youngman, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1858. He received his early education in the public schools of his native city, was then placed under the instruction of private tutors, and for a short time attended Dickinson Seminary. In 1879 he entered Jefferson Medical College, from which institution he was graduated in 1883. Instead of taking a postgraduate course he accepted a position as resident physician in the Jefferson Hospital, which he filled acceptably for one year. He then came to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and opened an office for the general practice of medicine and surgery. Shortly after his selecting this city for the practice of his profession, he was asked to take a position on the board of health, and continued to serve thereon until 1899, when he was selected as health officer of the city, a position he has held ever since. For a number of years Dr. Youngman was a member of the hospital board of surgeons in this city, and at the present time (1905) is on the surgical staff and member of board of managers. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and a Republican in politics.
Dr. Youngman was united in marriage to Margaret Porter, daugh- ter of John and Rachel Porter, and their children are as follows: Rachel Porter died aged thirteen, in 1905: Elizabeth Ludwig, Sarah Porter, Charles Ludwig, and John Crawford Youngman.
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John F. Porter, father of Mrs. Youngman, was born in Lycom- ing county, Pennsylvania, a son of William and Rebecca (Fribley) Porter, who were the parents of six other children, namely: Hannah, unmarried; Catherine, wife of John Kyle Hayes, and mother of five children, James, Calvin, William, Rena, and Laura May; Sarah, who became the wife of Levi Blair; Rebecca, who became the wife of Albert Richards, and their children are, William and Maud; Lucy, who became the wife of Ira Moore, and they are the parents of five children; and Hattie, who became the wife of Cyrus Brown, and one son has been born to them, Charles Brown. John F. Porter (father) married Rachel Hayes, daughter of Robert and Mary (Allen) Hayes, the former named having been a son of William Hayes, who with his father, John Hayes, then a widower, came to this country from Ireland and married two sisters by the name of Thompson. William Hayes was the father of seven children : James, Samuel, Robert, John, Nancy, Rachel and Eliza- beth. All of these were unmarried but Robert, whose wife, Mary (Allen) Hayes, bore him three children, namely: Elizabeth, who be- came the wife of Philemon R. Hayes, and mother of two children, Mary and Anna. Ellen, who became the wife of Peter Lilley, and their chil- dren are: Robert, Elizabeth, Samuel, Emma and Simon. Rachel, who became the wife of John F. Porter, and two children were born to them : Margaret, aforementioned as the wife of Dr. Youngman; and Nancy, who became the wife of Walter Shooter.
OTTO WEIMER TURNER.
Otto Weimer Turner, proprietor of the Turner Studio of Will- iamsport, Pennsylvania, who is acknowledged the leading artist in this section of the state, was born in Lycoming county's metropolis, July 8,
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1881. He is a son of Jacob Alburger and Rosa (Otto) Turner, and grandson of Edward Turner, who for many years was engaged in the carpenter business in the city of Philadelphia. Jacob A. Turner ( father) married Rosa Otto, a daughter of Boda Otto, deceased, who was a banker and lumberman in Lycoming county. Mr. and Mrs. Turner were the parents of the following named children: Anna, deceased ; Helen A., Edward T., George, Otto W., and Ralph.
Otto W. Turner, whose name heads this article, was educated in the city schools of Williamsport. At the age of eighteen he started out alone to fight the battles of life. He entered the employ of B. Frank Puffer, who was one of the leading photographers of Williamsport, and at once started in to master the business in every detail, never over- looking the least point in the same, and how well he perfected himself the present can tell. Mr. Turner remained with Mr. Puffer five years, at the expiration of which time, in 1903, he opened up his present studio at No. 341 Pine street. Although a young man Mr. Turner stands far in advance of his competitors, and is acknowledged by all to be the leading artist in this section of the state. He not only is a worker, but is also a careful student, continually trying to make improvements in his calling, and as a result his patrons are some of the most prominent citizens in the city of Williamsport and vicinity. In politics Mr. Turner is a Republican.
Mr. Turner married, September 9, 1902, Emma H. George, a daughter of Stanton George, who was prominent in the public affairs of Williamsport. Two children have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Turner, as follows: Margaret George, born September 1I, 1903; and Otto Weimer, Jr., born December 13, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are members of the First Baptist Church of Williamsport.
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THE WALTZ FAMILY.
John George Waltz, the emigrant settler of the family, left Ger- many with his wife and two sons, Michael and George, June 9, 1804, and after a long voyage arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 18 following. They settled on a farm in Blooming Grove, the name of a section of Lycoming county located a little below Warrens- ville, and the remains of Mr. and Mrs. Waltz were interred in the pri- vate grounds of the original location. The eldest son, Michael Waltz, was the pioneer of the "Mountain branch" of the family, so called because he settled on the mountain and cleared a farm. The younger son, George Waltz, was the pioneer of the "Mill Creek branch," so called because he settled in the valley.
George Waltz followed farming throughout the active years of his life. He settled on the farm in the valley, where he and his wife, whose maiden name was Catharine Kiess, reared a family of children, as follows: Samuel, who was a farmer in the Quinneshockeny creek, where he lived and died; John, who also lived and died in the same place, a farmer by occupation ; George, who was the owner of an ad- joining farm, where he lived and died; William, mentioned hereinafter ; Abraham, who lived on the old homestead in Blooming Grove; Gottlieb, who lived on the old homestead; Doley, who became the wife of Will- iam Kiess, a farmer in Quinneshockeny creek; Catherine, who became the wife of Abraham Kiess, who also resided in Quinneshockeny creek. George Waltz and his wife were buried in the old family burying ground.
William Waltz, fourth son of George and Catharine ( Kiess) Waltz, married Mary Herr, who was born in Blooming Grove, Pennsylvania, daughter of George Herr, who came to this country from Germany. After his marriage William Waltz and his wife settled on a farm in
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Upper Fairfield, where he followed farming as a means of livelihood. He was a member of the Baptist church. He was a Democrat in poli- tics, casting his vote for the nominees of that party with the excep- tion of Abraham Lincoln. He died January 18, 1885; his wife died March 20, 1876. They were the parents of the following children : I. George, a farmer in White Deer Valley; he married Mary Sheets, who died September 13, 1896, and twelve children were the issue: Elias, George M., Pierce A., Phillip, Lizzie, Clara, Fannie, Tillie, all of whom are living, and Edward, Daniel, Catherine and Julia, deceased. 2. Catherine, who became the wife of Christopher Bidelspacher, a farmer, resided in Blooming Grove. Their children are: William, John, Mat- tie, Jennie, Maggie and Mary. The mother of these children died October 20, 1894. 3. Doley, became the wife of Jacob Entz, a farmer, and resided in Upper Fairfield. Their children were as follows: Will- iam, Eliza, Andrew, Lydia, Catherine, deceased; and Edward, deceased. The mother of these children died February 10, 1896. 4. Mary became the wife of John Entz, a farmer, and resided in Upper Fairfield; their children were as follows: Henry, Abraham, Samuel, Catherine, Amanda, Lizzie, and Jacob, deceased. John Entz, father of these children, died August 10, 1896, and his wife died March 8, 1900. 5. Barbara, became the wife of Samuel Ulmer, a farmer, and resides in Nebraska. Their children are: William, Edward, a minister of the Gospel; Lizzie, Bertha, and Emma. 6. Gottlieb, mentioned hereinafter. 7. Abraham, who married Lizzie Hetner, and they reside on the old homestead of William Waltz, their father. Their children are: Margaret, William, Ardella, Elmer, Laverne. 8. Caroline, became the wife of Frederick Fultz, a farmer, resides in Oklahoma. Their children are: Harry, William E., Charles F., and Flora A., and Mary Elizabeth, deceased. 9. William, who married Josephine Randall, resided in Williamsport. Their chil-
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dren are: Floyd R., Merab, Josephine, William, Carl, deceased; and Clarence, deceased. The father of these children, who was a prominent contractor and builder in Williamsport, died November 19, 1897. 10. Martha, became the wife of Daniel Brucklacher, a farmer, resides in Blooming Grove. Their children are: William and Tillie. II. An- drew H., who married Lizzie Lamade, daughter of Dietrick Lamade, is a contractor and builder, residing in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Their family consists of two children, Clara and Ora.
Gottlieb Waltz, second son of William and Mary (Herr) Waltz, married Fannie G. Randall, who was born in Cogan House, a daughter of Orin Randall, who was born in Oxford, Chenango county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Waltz settled in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he followed contracting and building for almost thirty years, continuing the former occupation at the present time (1905), and during this time erected many of the leading buildings of that section. Mr. Waltz is a Baptist in religion, and a Republican in politics. Their family con- sists of five children : Carrie M., wife of D. E. Ehman, resides in Will- iamsport. Ornan H., is an architect by profession, resides in Ithaca, New York. He married Nica Hibbard, daughter of Milan Hibbard, of Elmira, New York. William L., mentioned hereinafter. George R., a law student at Cornell University. Abigail C., resides at home, is engaged in the public schools.
William L. Waltz, second son of Gottlieb and Fannie G. (Randall) Waltz, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He was reared in his native city, attended the public schools and graduated from the high school with the class of 1900. He read law with the firm of Read- ing & Allen, and was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county in 1902. In February, 1904, he was elected a member of the select council, and enjoyed the distinction of being the youngest man ever elected to fill
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that responsible position. He is active and energetic, and a promising future is in store for him. He was president of his class in school, and is now president of the Waltz Family Association. He is a Baptist in religion, and a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Lycoming County Law Association, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, Brandon Lodge No. 1007, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
WILLIAM H. MILLER, M. D.
Dr. William H. Miller, a regular practitioner of the city of Will- iamsport, Pennsylvania, was born February 23, 1857, at Berwick, Penn- sylvania, the son of Rev. David W. and Maria L. (Miller) Miller. He descends from French and German ancestry, who came to America about 1765. His great-grandfather on the maternal side was Captain Mead, who served with honor in the French and Indian war, while his uncle, Samuel Miller, aided in the suppression of the rebellion from 1861 to 1865. However, the greater number of his ancestors attained to positions of honor and usefulness in the religious world. Her father, David W. Miller, was a faithful minister of the gospel for fifty years and was, in his profession, eminently successful.
William H. Miller obtained his literary training at the private schools, Freeburg Academy, Union Seminary and Susquehanna Uni- versity. After receiving his good educational qualifications Mr. Miller followed the profession of a teacher in the state of Pennsylvania for a period of ten years, having been principal of the Washington school, containing the largest number of pupils of any in the city of Williams- port, for seven years. He finally applied himself to the thorough study of medicine and graduated from the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and settled in the practice of his chosen
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profession at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he now ranks high as an able physician and surgeon. He is an esteemed member of the Lycoming County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Association and the American Medical Association.
Like many another of his age and profession, he is by membership associated with the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Independent Order of Red Men fraternities. In all public enterprises he is ever ready to do his share toward the upbuilding of his city, county and commonwealth. It may also be added that he is strictly temperate in all things, even does not use any kind of liquor, tobacco, tea or coffee, which is indeed a very rare exception. His medical practice is large and his friends, both within and without his profession, may be called legion.
ROBERT H. THORNE.
Robert H. Thorne was born July 26, 1863, at Mcclintockville (now Oil City), Pennsylvania, a son of William and Matilda (Badger) Thorne. The paternal grandfather was Peter Thorne, who married Elizabeth Byers, daughter of John Byers. They were of German de- scent and all identified with the German Lutheran church.
From the best obtainable records extant it is learned that the Thornes came to Butler county, Pennsylvania, from Westmoreland and Armstrong counties, eastern Pennsylvania, between 1750 and 1800, as in the history published for Butler county, on page 37, there is an ac- count of a Martha Thorn being rescued from the Indians at Kittanning, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, in 1756. Again, on page 531 of the same historical work, is described the early settlers who came in 1804, together with sons of the pioneers of adjoining counties, such names as the Thornes, Barnharts, etc., all coming to seek homes for themselves.
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In the list of taxable property for Middlesex township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, for 1803, it is found that John Thorn (tanner). Robert Thorne (single man ) and John Thorn ( farmer ) were tax payers. In view of the fact of there being two John Thorns, it is difficult to de- termine positively which branch the subject of this sketch descends from, but from all records and traditions in the family it would seem quite clear that it was from John Thorn, "the tanner." The same account of the family also states that in 1805 the "Pioneer Thorn died and a large tree was cut down and hollowed out like a canoe or 'dug-out,' and hauled to the grave, after the fashion of a sleigh." This funeral was the extreme simplicity of pioneer life in those days in this country.
It was about 1800 when Peter Thorne was born, and it is believed he was the son of John, the tanner, spoken of. Peter married Elizabeth Byers, whose father was John Byers. This marriage was in or about the year 1820. She was the granddaughter of George Byers, who served in the revolutionary war from 1776 to 1779, and also in the war of 1812, in Colonel Cook's Pennsylvania regiment. He died in 1823, aged sixty- seven years. By the above union the following children were born : John, married Polly Shakely; William, married Matilda Badger; Peter, married Jane Brown; Catherine, married Frederick Barnhart; Daniel; Susan, married Daniel Kepple.
William Thorne, son of Peter and Elizabeth Thorne, was born March 31, 1827, at Buena Vista, Fairview township, Butler county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm until he became of age, when he went to the town of Butler to learn the cabinet-maker's trade. He married Matilda Badger, October 14, 1847, and removed from Buena Vista to Harrisville, in the same county, and from there to Kittanning, in 1851. In 1853 he removed to Fairview, Butler county. In 1858 he removed to Oil City, Pennsylvania, and in 1871 back to Fairview, Butler
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county. Subsequently he moved to North Clarendon, Warren county, Pennsylvania. In 1895 he went to Mars, Butler county, where he died of acute pneumonia, February 6, 1896. He was a staunch Republican, and of the German Lutheran church.
Robert H. Thorne's paternal grandparents were John and Isabella Hudson Badger. John Badger was born in county Derry, Ireland, in 1782, and emigrated to the United States in 1822, settling in Clinton county, New York. Later in his life he disposed of his property there and moved to Butler county, Pennsylvania, about 1829. Here he pur- chased two hundred acres of land in Center township, which he cleared up and made for himself an excellent farm. On this place he died Au- gust 22, 1871. His wife, Isabella Hudson, probably of English extrac- tion, was married in county Derry, Ireland, emigrating to this country in 1829, and died on the homestead in Center township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1865. Eleven children blessed this marriage union, as follows: Eliza, married John Thompson; Mary, married Jacob Boyd ; James, married Mary Elliot; William, deceased; John, de- ceased; Nancy, deceased; Matilda, married William Thorne; Jane, mar- ried William Colbert; Margaret, married George Shaffer ; Rosanna, mar- ried David Cameron, and one who died in early youth. Mr. and Mrs. Badger were members of the United Presbyterian church. Politically he was a Democrat. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and passed through New York state during the anti-Masonic days when it was unsafe to acknowledge any connection with that order. By this union six children were born: John Nelson, single; William Winfield, married Ida Hale; Emma V., married Robert E. Darling; James Hud- son, deceased; Robert H., married Ada J. Weymouth; Ella Nora, de- ceased.
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