USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume I > Part 5
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Laten Legg Stearns, son of John and Abigail (Legg) Stearns, was reared in the town of Speedsville, New York, whither his parents re-
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moved when he was three years of age. He obtained a practical educa- tion in the public schools adjacent to his home and at an academy in Groton, New York, completing his studies at the age of sixteen. The following three years he was engaged in teaching school in New York state, and at the expiration of this period of time spent one year on his father's farm. In 1844 he purchased a farm in New York state, which he cultivated and on which he resided for several years. In 1850 he came to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and at once embarked upon his first mercantile venture, becoming associated with his brother-in- law, L. N. Muir, in the conduct of a general store at Jersey Shore, where they carried a large stock of goods, including drugs and chem- icals. In 1861, when the country became involved in civil war, he entered the Union army as a sutler for the Eighth Pennsylvania Cav- alry, serving in that capacity for four years, and subsequently held the same position in General Gregg's brigade. After the close of the war he opened the first northern stock of goods at Lynchburg, Virginia, remaining there for a period of six months. He then came to Williams- port, Pennsylvania, and in the fall of 1865 opened a general store, the stock composed of dry goods and groceries, formerly conducted by Rich- mond & Van Fleet, at the corner of Market and Third streets, Williams- port, which he conducted most successfully until October, 1889, a period of almost twenty-five years.
In 1885 he admitted his three sons to partnership, and two years later they purchased the building, which has since been known as the Stearns block, which was remodelled and fitted up for their extensive business. Some idea of the extent of their business may be had when it is stated that the first year after their removal to the present location the business increased over one hundred thousand dollars. They con- duct their business in a very systematic and methodical manner, their
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books being marvels of ingenuity and accuracy. The firm conducts business under the style of L. L. Stearns & Sons. Mr. Stearns has not confined his attention solely to mercantile pursuits, but has become inter- ested in a number of manufacturing concerns. He is one of the charter members of the Demorest Sewing Machine Company, the National Fur- niture Company, and the Lycoming Opera House Company. He is an honored member of the Ross Club, of which his sons are charter. mem- bers. He is a firm advocate of the principles of Republicanism, and by his ballot has supported the candidates and measures of that party. Mr. Stearns is quite proud of the fact that he never worked for anyone but his father and himself, and to his own well directed efforts and good management is due his success in life.
On his removal to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Mr. Stearns and his family floated down the river on a raft in consequence of the roads being impassable by reason of the great freshet of that year. All of their household goods were piled upon the raft, and the family occupied the little shanty that always formed a part on the river floats of those days. This was a very novel and interesting experience for them, and one to which they often refer.
On September 17, 1844, Mr. Stearns was married to Sarah Cath- erine Muir, of Speedsville, New York, daughter of Robert and Eliza- beth (Haines) Muir, who were also the parents of six other children, namely: Caroline, wife of John Stearns, and mother of two children : Calphena and Hannah Stearns; Edmundson, who married Hannah Nel- son, and their children are: Robert and Caroline Muir; George, who married Delia Taft, and their children are: Emily, Hannah and Harry Muir; Lucius, who married Amanda Martin, and two children were born to them : Jane E. and Robert Muir; Elizabeth, unmarried; and Marion,
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wife of George Humphrey. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stearns, as follows :
I. Delphine Elizabeth, born August 30, 1846, at Speedsville, New York, became the wife of James Sanderson Lawson, a banker of Will- iamsport, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1873; their children are: William Colingen, born September 8, 1874; Katherine Stearns, born April 9, 1877; and James S., Jr., born February 19, 1881. The mother of these children died in 1904.
2. Jonathan Augustus, born April 12, 1848, in Speedsville, New York, married, November 1, 1873, Sarah Lyon, of Williamsport; he died in 1902, leaving one child, Thomas Lyon, unmarried.
3. Emily Abigail, born February 23, 1850, at Speedsville, New York, became the wife of Anthony G. Lyon, of Philadelphia, November 7, 1872; he died June 5, 1890, leaving one son, Laten Stearns Lyon.
4. George Livingstone, born November 1, 1853, unmarried.
5. Charles Robert, born March 24, 1856, at Jersey Shore, Penn- sylvania, married in 1884, Jane Hays, and their children are: Rachel Hays, born September 6, 1885; Catharine, born March 14, 1888; Emilie Lyon, born June 22, 1889; John Walker, born November 15, 1895, died February 6, 1897; Martha Jane, born March 21, 1897; George Living- stone, born January 12, 1899; Delphene Elizabeth, born February 24, 1900; and Joan Hays, born November 14, 1902. Mr. Stearns and his family attend the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport.
JOHN ARTLEY BEEBER.
Among the many professions in which men engage none require more skill and ability than does the legal profession, of which John Artley Beeber is a representative, a member of the firm of J. A. & W. P. Beeber, of Williamsport. He is also president of the First National
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Bank of Williamsport, which is the oldest national bank in this section of the state, and one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of his native county. He was born in Muncy, Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, April 6, 1845, the eldest son of Teter D. and Mary (Artley) Beeber, and a descendant of one of the pioneers of the West Branch Valley.
The name of Beeber is frequently met with in the records of the church, and is appended to the constitution. The founder of the family in America was Valentine Bieber, who came from the German Palatinate, probably in the vicinity of Zweibrucken, sailing from Rotterdam via Cowes, in the ship " Betsy," S. Hawk captain, arriving at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1768. He was a German Lutheran (Hugue- not). He was accompanied by his three sons-Nicholas, Adam and Johannes-and his brother Michael. Valentine and his sons settled in Maxatawney township, Berks county, Pennsylvania. The descendants of the three sons, with the exception of two sons of Adam, remained in the Muncy Valley.
Johannes Bieber (John), who sometimes spelled his name Beaver, was born in 1761 and died in 1846. He enlisted his services in the Revolutionary war, was appointed court martial man, and upon the ces- sation of hostilities settled on Muncy Creek in Lycoming county in 1783. He there acquired lands by the medium of war-pay warrants, and his entire time was devoted to the quiet but useful calling of agriculture. His brothers came to Lycoming county about the same time, and all were active in the forming and building up of Immanuel's Lutheran church, Clarkstown, probably the first church in the bounds of Lycoming county, and their names were signed to the constitution in 1794; the remains of the three brothers were interred in the churchyard connected therewith. John Bieber married Mary J. Dimn or Dimner, born in 1762, died 1818,
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supposed to have been a sister of Christopher Dimn, who settled in Muncy Valley in 1796, a son of John Dimn, who emigrated from Wur- temberg, Germany, locating in Berks county, Pennsylvania. Four sons and five daughters were born to them, all of whom settled in the imme- diate vicinity.
Colonel Jacob Beeber, son of John and Mary J. (Dimn) Bieber, born 1787, died 1863, changed the name to the form now used. He settled on a farm two and a half miles south of Muncy, on Milton Road, where his widow resided until her death, also his bachelor son, Charles Hall, born 1820, died 1896, who served as county treasurer of Lycoming county during the year 1850, and was a firm supporter of James Buchanan. Jacob Beeber was appointed colonel of a militia company, was a conspicuous figure at annual "Muster days," and an active and prominent member of the Democratic party. He was married twice. His first wife, Mary Dimn, who died in 1824, bore him three sons and three daughters. His second wife, Elizabeth Dimn, a sister of his first wife, born 1792, died 1880, bore one son and two daughters. His wives are supposed to have been the daughters of Christopher Dimn.
Teter Dimn Beeber, son of Colonel Jacob Beeber, was born in 1815, died 1876. During his early life he was a farmer and blacksmith, con- ducting these operations in the borough of Muncy, and later was a coal merchant. He was an ardent advocate of the cause of temperance, was one of the first to espouse it in Muncy, and he and his brother John were largely instrumental in establishing the Lutheran church of that town. In 1841 he was united in marriage to Mary Jane Artley, born in 1818, died 1869, a daughter of John and Christiana Artley, of Muncy town- ship, and their children were: John Artley, born in 1845, mentioned hereinafter; Thomas Rissell, born 1848, now pastor of the First Pres- byterian church, Norristown, Pennsylvania; and Dimner, born 1854, for
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many years a judge of the superior court of Pennsylvania, and now a practicing lawyer of Philadelphia. Mr. Beeber (father) served in the capacity of county commissioner of Lycoming county, was a prominent Republican, and gave a strong support to the policies of Abraham Lin- coln.
John Artley Beeber, eldest son of Teter D. and Mary Jane (Artley) Beeber, was reared in his native township, and there received a public school education, which was supplemented by a four years' course at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, from which institution he was gradu- ated in 1866. He then commenced reading law in the office of Hon. William H. Armstrong, of Williamsport, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1868. Since that date he has been engaged in the active duties of his profession, and his practice extends into the several courts of the state. He is a member of the firm of J. A. & W. P. Beeber, of Will- iamsport, is one of the well known members of the Lycoming county bar, and is recognized as a safe, careful and judicious lawyer. He is forceful and eloquent in pleading his cases, and the interests of his clients are his first and paramount thoughts. For several years prior to 1884 he was a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of Will- iamsport, and on May I of that year was elected president, succeeding Abraham Updegraff, the first president of that institution, which posi- tion he has filled with credit and ability up to the present time.
Mr. Beeber is a staunch Republican, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs, as well as in the social and material develop- ment of Lycoming county. During the years 1875-76 he served as city solicitor, the only public office he has ever held. During General Lee's invasion of the state he served in the Twenty-sixth Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Militia. He was one of the organizers of the board of trade, is one of the managers of the Williamsport Hospital, a member of the
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Brandon Park Commissioners, and president of the Ross Club. Al- though quiet and unassuming in his manner, Mr. Beeber has a wide circle of friends and business associates.
On June 21, 1870, Mr. Beeber married Alice Amanda Clapp, who was born in 1847, died 1902, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Upde- graff) Clapp, of Muncy. Daniel Clapp, born 1821, died 1882, was a descendant of a family that settled in the West Branch Valley at an early day. He moved from Northumberland county, where his birth occurred, and eventually settled in Muncy as a merchant and lumber- man. He was one of the wealthy men of the valley, took an active inter- est in all measures that concerned the welfare of Muncy, being instru- mental in the building of its public schools, and assisted in the organiza- tion and was a director in the First National Bank of Williamsport, the first national bank in the valley. He married Catherine L. Updegraff, who was born in 1822, at the present time ( 1905) a resident of Muncy, daughter of Samuel Updegraff, of "Long Reach," who was a son of Derrick Updegraff, an early farmer and tanner on "Long Reach." The Updegraff family, who have always occupied a prominent place in the history of Lycoming county, trace their ancestry to Abraham and Dirck Op Der Graeff, who were associated with Pastorious in the original set- tlement of Germantown, Pennsylvania, and were among the four signers of the first known public protest against slavery in America. Two chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beeber: Mary J., and William P., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The family hold mem- bership in the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport.
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THE CORYELL FAMILY.
In the history of the northern central regions of Pennsylvania and of the southern tier of counties of New York state the surname Coryell has been associated with occurring events for a full century. In early Tioga county, New York, history the name Coryell for many years was intimately associated with the development and growth of that interest- ing locality, and there were among its pioneers those of the name Coryell who were conspicuous figures in its civil and political history, and whose influence always was for the public welfare. The same name and the same family also is found in early Bradford county, Pennsylvania, his- tory, and there too its representatives were men of influence and strength; and representatives of the family in some of its branches found their way over into Wyoming county and even within the borders of old Lu- zerne, the mother of counties in that section of the state. Another branch of the same family effected a lodgment in Lycoming county, but came from Lambertville, New Jersey, and New Hope, Pennsylvania. A ferry connecting the two places was run and owned by two brothers and whose ancestors were French Huguenots. There they became an essen- tial part of its history and development, numbering among its repre- sentatives many men of achievement-men who accomplished results in the varied activities of life. It is with this branch of the Coryell family that we have particularly to deal in this narrative; but of the old stock of the immediate family there remains but one representative-John Burrows Coryell, of Williamsport, born there May 19, 1822, and for more than sixty years in the mercantile and industrial history of that section of the state.
The great-grandfather of John Burrows Coryell was George Coryell, the period of whose life dated back into the eighteenth century.
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He married and had children, and among them was a son, George Coryell, whose wife was a Miss VanBuskirk; and their son, Tunison Coryell, who married Sarah Burrows, was the father of John Burrows Coryell of Williamsport. Sarah Burrows was a daughter of John Bur- rows and Jane Torbert, and John Burrows was a son of John Burrows of whom little is now known.
Tunison Coryell was an important factor in the early history of Lycoming county, and he was especially interested in the settlement and development of Williamsport long before the city was brought into ex- istence, and even before it became a lumbering center of any considerable prominence. The active period of Tunison Coryell's business life cov- ered the first half of the last century, and aside from his personal interests in promoting the growth of the locality in which he lived he was in a sense a public man, the records showing that he was prothonotary of Lycoming county, and also at one time was collector of internal revenue for the district of which Williamsport was a part. He was a contractor on public works and improvements, and as a result of his efforts in life he accumulated a comfortable fortune. He was variously identified with the interests of the locality and was one of the pioneers of the lumber business in the region. Politically he was a Whig and Republican, and in religious preference a Presbyterian. Tunison Coryell and Sarah Bur- rows had seven children: Jane, who married John Gibson and had seven children-William, Sarah, John, James J., Weir, Charles and Mary Gibson: John Burrows, who married Margaret Bingham and had four children; George, who died at eighteen years of age; Mary, who never married; Sarah, who never married; Francis, who died in infancy ; Charles, who married Harriet Miller, and had three children-Robert S., Elmer and George Coryell.
John Burrows Coryell, second child, oldest and only surviving son
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of Tunison Coryell and his wife Margaret Bingham, was born in Will- iamsport, May 19, 1822. His early education was acquired in the com- mon schools, after which he learned and took up land surveying, but at that time there was little employment in civil engineering, and therefore he abandoned that pursuit and went to Towanda and assisted his father in the construction of a dam. There his health failed, whereupon he returned to Williamsport and found employment as clerk in the West Branch Bank. In 1843 he started in mercantile business in Warrens- ville, and afterward carried on the same business in Montoursville. After about five years these interests were sold and Mr. Coryell removed to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and established a line of canal barges for the transportation of freight and merchandise from that point to New York; but at the end of two more years he disposed of this enterprise to very good advantage, returned to Williamsport, and, in company with Ralph Elliott and J. Hyman Fulmer, established a large general store. After a short time Mr. Coryell succeeded by purchase to the sole pro- prietorship of this business, and carried it on with good success until he finally sold out to his former partner, Ralph Elliott.
About this time Mr. Coryell was appointed general agent at Will- iamsport for the Adams Express Company, and during his incumbency of that position many hundred thousand dollars passed through his hands, and he was responsible for its safe custody and transmission; but during his long service with the company he lost but one package of the com- paratively small value of sixty dollars. This is remarkable when we consider the vast amount of money handled by him and the crude express methods which were then employed by the company, and the dangers and inconveniences attending the duties imposed upon an agent. How- ever, he resigned his position when his cousin, George Bubb, was col- lector of revenue, and became a deputy in his office; but this life of itself
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was not sufficiently active for him, and he soon joined with a company of nine others in the purchase of a considerable tract of land at St. Mary's and the organization of the St. Mary's Coal Company. For two years the company operated without material results, and at the end of that time Mr. Coryell resigned his clerkship, removed to St. Mary's and as- sumed personal charge of affairs there. Among other things he estab- lished a store there in partnership with Dr. Eben J. Russ. This was the beginning of a long, pleasant and profitable relation, and one which has continued to the present time. During those many years they never had a word of difference. As opportunity offered the firm extended its business to other places, and at one time traded to the amount of $100,000 per year. A detail of all the firm's operations is not necessary to this narrative, and it is sufficient to say that they were almost invariably suc- cessful, and were carried on without friction throughout a period of thirty years, and with mutual profit to both partners. In 1876 Mr. Coryell bought the residence he now occupies on East Third street in Williamsport. The structure has been remodeled and enlarged, making it one of the most elegant homes in the city, and within its walls peace reigns supreme, and it is a seat of comfort and generous hospitality.
In many respects Mr. Coryell has been an important part of the business life of Williamsport and Lycoming county, in manufacturing and banking circles, in the church, and in political history. He was one of the first directors of the Lycoming National Bank, and has been its president since 1896. For many years, too, he has been connected with the Lycoming Savings Bank. With his father he assisted in establishing the Williamsport Gas Company, still existing, and he is a director in the Edison Illuminating Company. He was the principal founder of the Coryell Fiint Paper Company, now operated by his sons, John G. and Bingham H. Coryell; was one of the organizers of the Hermance Chem-
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ical Company, and also of the Otto Chemical Company, the works of both of which are in Mckean county. He is deeply interested in Will- iamsport, its growth and its continued prosperity. For many years he has been a member and liberal supporter of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and has given of his time and means for the advancement of party principles, but never has he shown an in- clination for political office.
Mr. Coryell married, November 28, 1855, Margaret Bingham, daughter of James Bingham, of Williamsport. They have four chil- dren : James B. Coryell, lawyer, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, now president of Cambria Coal Mining Company, married Mary Mayer, and has one child-Charles Mayer Coryell. Sarah Coryell, who married John K. Hays, and has three children : John Coryell Hays, James Hays and Margaret Coryell Hays. John Gibson Coryell, who married Lourina Davidson and has one child, John Burrows Coryell (2nd). Bingham Hood Coryell, who married Marie Stewart and had two children: Cle- ment Stewart Coryell and Margaret Bingham Coryell.
John Gibson Coryell, third child, second son of John Burrows Coryell and Margaret Bingham, is a native of Lycoming county, born in Williamsport, March 26, 1861. His early education was acquired in the Williamsport public schools, Dickinson Seminary, the State Sem- inary at Mansfield, the Pennsylvania State College, and the celebrated Hill school at Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where he finished his studies. Returning to Williamsport he was for three years an employe in the Ly- coming National Bank, and at the end of that time became assistant manager of the Williamsport Iron Nail Company, in which capacity he remained two years. He then acquired an interest in the I. F. Blood- good Company, Limited, which was engaged in the manufacture of sand and flint papers and glue. At that time the company had a small plant
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in Loyalsock township, but after Mr. Coryell entered the concern and undertook its management the business soon so increased as to necessi- tate new and enlarged works and better shipping facilities. Therefore, in 1892 the plant was removed to Williamsport, and since that time the company's business has steadily increased. The works have about thirty- five thousand feet of floor space, and give regular employment to about forty workmen. The company also operates an excelsior mill which employs about fifteen hands ; and it is not by any means an idle or unde- served compliment to say that in a great measure the success which has attended the operations of this company during the last twelve or fifteen years has been due to the business capacity of its managing officer, John G. Coryell. Mr. Coryell also is interested in the Coryell Coal and Iron Company, and in the Cambria Coal Mining Company. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Presbyterian church, and in politics is a Republican. He married, April 3, 1902, Lourina Davidson, daughter of Alexander Davidson, of Oil City, Penn- sylvania. Lourina Davidson Coryell is the third of four children of Alexander Davidson.
Bingham Hood Coryell, son and youngest child of John Burrows Coryell and Margaret Bingham, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylva- nia, August 8, 1865. He was educated in the Williamsport public schools, Dickinson Seminary, the Lawrenceville and Media Academies, and Lafayette College. After leaving college he soon became identified with the business management of the Coryell Flint Paper Company, in association with his father and next older brother, and continued there until 1894, when he withdrew and organized the Coryell Construction Company, for general contracting work. Although a comparatively new enterprise in Williamsport, its business nevertheless is extensive, and employs in all its departments from two hundred to three hundred
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