USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 10
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LUCIUS H. WILLARD.
Lucius H. Willard, son of Levi H. and Chloe ( Wilson) Willard, was born July 5, 1845, at West Windsor, Vermont. He is of English descent, the Willards coming to this country from England about 1690. the branch from which our subject descended first settling in Connecti- cut. His father died February 15, 1877, aged sixty-nine years, and his mother May 22, 1888, aged seventy-five years.
When Lucius H. Willard was fourteen years old his parents moved to Rutland county, Vermont, where he was reared and educated. He learned the machinist's trade, and for some time had charge of the build-
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ing and machinery of a large woolen mill at Proctorsville, Windsor county, Vermont. He then operated on his own account, for fourteen years, a foundry and machine shop at Rutland, Vermont. This he con- tinued for some time, and then engaged as a traveling salesman, and in that business found his way to Jersey Shore in 1895. That place was at that time in a stage of arrested development, lacking some one to wake it to a realization of its possibilities. Mr. Willard saw the situation and set about its betterment with his Yankee genius and foresight. At that time there was no theatre in the town, and where the present one stands was an unsightly ruin, the remains of the old Presbyterian church, which had been destroyed by fire some time before. Mr. Willard purchased the property, and in a short space of time the beautiful and commodious opera house of today had taken the place of the blackened walls of the old church. This theatre has a seating capacity of about eight hundred, and is equipped with beautiful scenery, electric lights and all other modern appliances. On the ground floor of the building are two store rooms, occupied by a department store, in which was used the first plate glass front in the town. Office rooms occupy a place on the second floor. Mr. Willard was the prime mover in the enterprise of lighting the borough by electricity. In 1897 he contracted for fifty lights for his opera house as an inducement to organize the electric plant.
In 1864 Mr. Willard was united in marriage with Lucy Eddy, daughter of John L. and Sarah Eddy, of Rutland, Vermont. Of this marriage were born five children: Harry, Albert, Charles, Lewellyn and Mabel, now Mrs. William Terrel. The family all reside in Rutland, where the sons are engaged in business. During the civil war Mr. Wil- lard enlisted for three years and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He is a member of Rutland Lodge No. 29, I. O. O. F., and of the G. A. R. at Rutland.
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W. ASHER BENNETT.
W. Asher Bennett, proprietor of the Bennett Hotel, Jersey Shore, is a representative of an old and highly estimable family of Susquehanna township, Lycoming county, where his birth took place June 3, 1867. His grandfather, George Bennett, who was one of the pioneers in that locality, at one time owned nearly the entire township. His parents, Thomas and Amanda (Yeager) Bennett, were natives of Susquehanna township, and his father was a well-to-do farmer. Thomas Bennett was one of the progressive men of his locality who participated actively in local public affairs, and served with ability in most of the important township offices. He died in 1889 and his wife died ten years later. Their family consisted of eleven children, nine of whom grew to matur- ity, and of these the only ones now living are Oscar, Gussie and W. Asher. The others were Oliver, Ellsworth, Charles, Howard, George and Harry.
After completing his education, which was acquired in the public schools, W. Asher Bennett learned telegraphy and became an operator in the service of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad Company. In 1885 he accepted the responsible position of chief train dispatcher on the New York Central and Hudson River Railway, and continued in that capacity to the company's entire satisfaction for a period of eighteen years, when he resigned. In 1902 he purchased his present hotel in Jersey Shore, which was erected in the previous year by W. S. Dunkle, and in 1905 he enlarged and improved the property. The Bennett is centrally located and finely equipped as regards furniture, fixtures and modern conven- iences. It has ample accommodations for the average number of trav- elers, and its dining-room is capable of seating seventy-five guests. In his new line of business the proprietor has become deservedly popular,
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and his long connection with the railway service, in which he acquired a large number of friends and acquaintances among the traveling public, is sufficient to insure for him a liberal patronage.
Mr. Bennett has served in the borough council two consecutive terms, having been one of the first members from the third ward after its addition to the borough, and he is now a member of the board of assessors. His fraternity affiliations are with Jersey Shore Lodge No. IOI, I. O. O. F. In 1897 he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie B. Smith, of Beach Creek township.
CLINTON L. THOMAS.
The Thomas family, of which Clinton L. Thomas is a worthy rep- resentative in the present generation, was founded in America by John Thomas, who was born in England, July 25, 1770, and during his boyhood crossed the Atlantic Ocean, settling in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. He served an apprenticeship at the trade of cutler, and when proficient therein accompanied his brothers-George, Jesse, Thomas, Samuel and William-to Piatt township, Lycoming county. They purchased the old iron furnace on Larry's creek about 1798, which they operated for several years, and then disposed of to Tomb and Slonaker. His wife, Mary (Murphy) Thomas, whom he married De- cember 24, 1797, bore him fourteen children. Mr. Thomas met his death by being thrown from a sleigh on February 20, 1843.
John Thomas, Jr., son of John and Mary (Murphy) Thomas, was born at the Forge on Larry's creek, June 11, 1811. During his boyhood and young manhood he assisted with the labors on the farm, for five years was employed in the saw mill in Loyalsock township which was operated by Manning Stevenson, then followed farming and
Clinton L. Thomas
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lumbering on Larry's creek, and subsequently embarked in the mer- cantile business at Salladasburg, which he continued for over thirty years. He married Mary Ann Cowdrick, daughter of Isaac Cowdrick, and eleven children were born to them. Mr. Thomas died February 18, 1891.
Charles Thomas, son of John and Mary Ann (Cowdrick) Thomas, followed the occupations of farmer and lumberman throughout the active years of his life. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Tack- enberry, and they were the parents of ten children. Their deaths oc- curred respectively in 1878 and 1875.
William Thomas, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Tackenberry ) Thomas, was born in Mifflin township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1829. He resided in his native county until he attained the age of twenty-three when he went to California, where he remained three years. Upon his return home, he engaged in the mill business at Millville, operating the same for nine years, then selling it and pur- chasing the Montgomery Mills, which he conducted until 1885, when he sold them to his two sons: Charles H. and Allen E. Thomas. In January, 1856, Mr. Thomas married Margaret J. Williamson, who bore him the following named children: James E., Allen E., Charles H., Clinton L., Harry H., William W., Maude and Nellie. The father of these children died February 2, 1898.
Clinton L. Thomas, son of William and Margaret J. (William- son ) Thomas, was born January 4, 1864. He is indebted to the com- mon school system for his educational advantages, and after laying aside his school books at the age of sixteen he engaged in farming, which line of work he has continued up to the present time ( 1905). By close ap- plication to his work he has succeeded in giving his family a comfort- able home, and he has also been enabled to lay by a competence for his
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declining years. He is a Republican in politics and member of the Methodist church. Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Alma Buck- ley, of Virginia, born July 21, 1871, a daughter of Thomas and Liz- zie (Sullivan) Buckley. Their children are: Gertrude, born August 13, 1894; Rae, born September 19, 1897; William, born December 29, 1899; Vincent, born July 24, 1901, and Frank, born July 24, 1904.
HENRY STAMM.
Henry Stamm, deceased, who was one of the leading and substantial business men of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, was born in Germany in 1833, where he was reared and educated and there learned his trade of barber. In 1865 he left his native country, sailing for these shores, settling in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, and contributed largely to the upbuilding of that place. He was a barber of no mean repute, and worked at his trade in Jersey Shore for thirty-three years, and during this period made many warm and lasting friends. Beginning on a small scale, by industry and economy he succeeded in laying the foundation of an excellent business and earned an excellent competence. He erected five fine residences in Jersey Shore, besides being the owner of other valuable property.
January 31, 1867, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Land- man, who was born in Germany in 1847, the daughter of Jacob and Gertrude Landman, and emigrated to this country with her parents in 1860. Upon their arrival they located in Jersey Shore, and later re- moved to Nippenose Valley. Jacob Landman was a farmer by occupa- tion. He and his wife were the parents of three children : Sophia, Eliza- beth and Christian, of whom Elizabeth is the only surviving one.
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The death of Henry Stamm occurred in 1899. In his decease the community lost a valuable and influential citizen, and his wife a kind and loving husband.
MATTHEW FOX.
Matthew Fox, deceased, who for many years was actively identi- fied with the varied business interests of Lycoming county, and noted for his integrity and uprightness of character, was a native of Ger- many, born at Reitlingen, Wurtemberg, October 22, 1832, a son of John and Mary E. (Brown) Fox.
John Fox ( father) was also a native of Germany, in which country he was reared, educated and married, and from whence he emigrated to the United States in 1840. He was a miller by trade in his native land, but after his arrival here settled on a farm in Shrewsbury town- ship, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he followed farming as a means of livelihood. His wife, Mary E. (Brown) Fox, who was born in the same city in Germany in which her husband was born, Reitlin- gen, bore him two children: Matthew, mentioned hereinafter; and John, who is a lumber manufacturer in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, being the proprietor of a planing mill and other plants necessary for this line of work. John Fox ( father) died in the borough of Hughesville, and his wife died on the homestead farm.
Matthew Fox was eight years of age when his parents emigrated to this country, and being a bright, intelligent boy, was able to read and write German at that early age, and the knowledge he obtained in his native land was supplemented by a course of study in the district school in Shrewsbury township, Lycoming county. He turned his at- tention to farming and lumbering, following the latter occupation
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throughout all the years of his active career, and in 1875 came to Hughesville and there conducted a hotel, known as the American House. in connection with the above named pursuits. He was energetic and persevering, honest and conscientious in all transactions, and therefore merited the success which attended his efforts. As a citizen he was active and alert, aiding to the best of his ability every enterprise that tended toward the progress of the town and the welfare of its residents. He held membership in the Lutheran church, to the maintenance of which he was a liberal contributor. He was a member of Muncy Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and his political affiliations were with the Democratic party, the principles of which he firmly advocated during his lifetime.
Mr. Fox married, May 12, 1850, Mary E. Gundrum, who was born on a farm near Jersey Shore and was six months of age when her parents moved to a farm in Wolf township, where she lived until about fourteen years old, when her father moved to a farm near Hall's Sta- tion, Pennsylvania, and there she met and married Mr. Fox. Her father, Samuel Gundrum, son of John Gundrum, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, and died at Duboistown, Pennsylvania, about 1895. He married Catherine Buch, who was born on a farm near Wat- sontown, Pennsylvania, and died about 1840. She was a daughter of John Buch, a native of Germany, a farmer, and one of the old settlers of his section of the state. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fox, namely: George W., who is engaged in the railroad business, and is also a merchant in Potter county; he married Florence Allen, of Mon- toursville, Pennsylvania, and their children are: Mildred, William A., Gertrude, deceased; Helen, Robert, and Kenneth Fox. Caroline, un- married, resides at home. Mary M., unmarried, resides at home. John B., unmarried, resides at home. Samuel E., married Mrs. Rebecca Van
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Dyke. Alberta, unmarried, resides at home. Matthew Fox, father of these children, died at his home in Hughesville, in July, 1878. His widow and family reside in a beautiful and commodious home on Sec- ond street, Hughesville, and enjoy the acquaintance of a number of the representative people of that town.
G. M. KELLER.
G. M. Keller, one of the enterprising young business men of Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, was born in Lockhaven, Penn- sylvania, August, 1864, the son of Peter W. and Elizabeth (Schied) Keller, both natives of Germany, who emigrated to this country in 1847, locating in Lockhaven, Pennsylvania. Peter W. Keller was actively and extensively engaged in the lumber business, subsequently becoming a contractor of some repute. One of his most notable contracts was the laying of the water pipes at Lockhaven. He was an excellent business man, and was held in the highest regard by his fellow citizens. He served one term as treasurer of Clinton county, and was a worthy mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. During his life of usefulness and indus- try he accumulated a fortune, which at his death, which occurred in 1892, was left by will to his widow, who now resides in Lockhaven. Of the four children of whom Mr. and Mrs. Peter Keller were the parents, three survive: W. H., Elizabeth and G. M.
G. M. Keller was reared in Lockhaven, Pennsylvania, there receiv- ing his educational training. There he entered into an apprenticeship to learn the trade of jeweler, later removing to Philadelphia, where he completed his term. In 1887 he returned to his native town, where he opened a jewelry store, in the conduct of which he was engaged, being attended with considerable success until 1902, when he removed to Jer-
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sey Shore. In his establishment in that place Mr. Keller carries a full and complete line of sporting goods and phonographs, besides attending to his ever increasing patronage in the jewelry line.
Mr. Keller has held the position of watch inspector for the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company since 1902. He is a thoroughly capable mechanic, and discharges the duties of this respon- sible position with the greatest efficiency and credit. Mr. Keller is cer- tainly to be congratulated upon his well-deserved and gratifying suc- cess in his chosen line of business.
Mr. Keller is a member of the Royal Arcanum. He has in his pos- session a large and valuable collection of Indian relics.
ROBERT H. BASTIAN.
Prominent among the old and well-known residents of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and those who have contributed in a large de- gree to the upbuilding of the town, is Robert H. Bastian, who was there born, in White Deer Valley, December 17, 1855, the son of Peter and Mary (Harris) Bastian, and grandson of Frederick Bastian. Fred- erick Bastian and his wife were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, who emigrated to this country, locating in White Deer Valley, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in the early days of its settling. Frederick was a cooper by trade, and a manufacturer of flour barrels. The children born to him and his wife were: George, William, Abraham, Joseph, Robert, Washington and Peter, all of whom served in the war of the re- bellion; besides these were Charles, James, Dallas, Peggy, Hettie, Elizabeth, Susanna and Martha, and four who died in childhood.
Peter Bastian, son of Frederick and father of Robert H. Bastian, was a native of White Deer Valley, and by trade a carpenter, but was
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also interested in lumbering and other enterprises. He was a man of sterling qualities and an excellent business man. When the great civil war broke out and the call for volunteers was urgent, he was foremost among those who responded to the call, enlisting in Company H, Fifty- first Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and after three years of active service was honorably discharged. He was united in marriage to Mary Harris, also a native of White Deer Valley, and among the children born to them was Robert H. Bastian, mentioned at length here- inafter. The death of Peter Bastian occurred October 2, 1888, when he was sixty-two years of age. He was a man held in high respect by his fellow townsmen, and in his death the community lost a useful and in- dustrious citizen. He was survived four years by his wife, who died in 1892 at the age of sixty-one years.
Robert H. Bastian was reared and received his educational train- ing in Antesfort, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. In early life he be- came identified with the lumber industry in his vicinity. At the inaugu- ration of the Bush Creek Railroad Company, Mr. Bastian became one of their employees, retaining his connection with this company until it was merged into the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company, with which concern he is now connected, being employed in the capacity of pipe fitter, discharging the duties of his position with the greatest efficiency and credit, one of the company's valuable men. During his residence in Jersey Shore, to which place he removed in 1885, Mr. Bastian has contributed largely to the upbuilding of the place. He erected three splendid residences in the Third ward, and also the house which is now his residence. The first property he purchased from a Dr. Kline, and this was destroyed by fire December 5, 1899. Un- daunted and undiscouraged by this misfortune, Mr. Bastian immediately set himself to the task of rebuilding, and soon erected a modern and
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handsome structure on the site. Though by no means a wealthy man, Mr. Bastian has, by dint of honest industry and close application, earned for himself a handsome competence.
Mr. Bastian is a man of excellent business acumen and sterling qualities. He is well known throughout the community, and the fact that he enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow-townsmen is in some part demonstrated by his election as town constable, in which capacity he served for fifteen years, and two years on the board of health. He is a charter member of Lodge 101, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and is a past noble grand in that body.
March 17, 1881, Robert H. Bastian was united in marriage to Annie J. Lehman, of Sugar Valley. No children were born of this union. Mrs. Bastian's parents were natives of Germany, who settled in Mosquito Valley when they emigrated to this country. Their children were: John, who died in the civil war; Samuel, Lizzie, Laura, Emma, Augustus, Alexander, Annie J., Mary and Henry, deceased. Mrs. Bas- tian's maternal grandfather was Alexander Decker, a native of Ger- many. His wife, Elizabeth, was of German origin, and a most ex- cellent and intelligent woman.
CHARLES FORSBORG.
Charles Forsborg, a thrifty mechanic of Jersey Shore, who has been actively concerned in developing the Third ward of that borough, is a native of Sweden and immigrated in 1880.
His parents, John E. and Christine (Thor) Forsborg, immigrated from Sweden in 1891, and are now residing in Jersey Shore. Of their children the only one now living is Charles, the subject of this sketch, who began to learn the blacksmith's trade at the age of fourteen years.
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and subsequently followed it as a journeyman in his native country for some years. With the exception of six years spent in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, he has resided in Jersey Shore ever since coming to the United States, and for nearly twenty years has been in the employ of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company as a general blacksmith. As a resident of the Third ward he has been prominently identified with its development, and has erected three buildings, includ- ing a store. In politics Mr. Forsborg is a Republican, and has repre- sented his district as a delegate in the assembly convention. His frater- nity affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member and a trustee of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Forsborg was married in Sweden, November 3, 1878, to Miss Hilma P. Harrw, who was born in 1860. Her parents, Charles and Ulrich (Thor) Harrw, who immigrated in 1894 and reside in Jersey Shore, have had eleven children, seven of whom came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Forsborg have a family of four children, namely: Edmond K., Frank E., Robert G. and Helen E., all of whom were born in Jersey Shore. Edmond K. Forsborg married Miss Leona Walsh, and has one son.
EBENEZER WHITE.
Among the prominent and successful business men of Jersey Shore is Ebenezer White, who has been actively identified with the growth and prosperity of that locality, and whose progressive tendencies were in no small measure instrumental in developing the Third ward district.
Mr. White was born in Jersey Shore, in October, 1837. His parents were Jonathan and Sarah (Hopkins) White, who immigrated from England about the year 1831, settling in Jersey Shore, and his
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grandfather, William White, who soon followed them, spent his de- clining years in this locality.
Jonathan White was for a number of years engaged in the butcher- ing business. In 1856 he purchased a farm in Nipponose township, and for the succeeding twenty years was engaged in the buying and selling of live stock in connection with agriculture. He died in 1876, surviv- ing his wife, whose death occurred in 1873. Jonathan and Sarah ( Hop- kins) White were the parents of three children.
With the exception of three years spent in the service of his coun- try during the civil war, Ebenezer White has been a life-long resident of Jersey Shore. Educated in the public schools, he began at an early age to assist his father in the butchering business, and was subsequently associated with him in the live stock business. In 1862 he enlisted in the Thirteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, for three years' service in the civil war, during which he participated in many notable engagements, and was honorably discharged in August, 1865. Upon his return from the army he resumed the cattle business, contin- uing in company with his father until the latter's decease, when he turned his attention more exclusively to agricultural pursuits, purchas- ing a farm of eighty acres situated west of Jersey Shore. He later added a tract of thirty acres to his holdings, and with the extension of the New York Central railway and the establishment of its shops in that locality, his property rapidly increased in value. Taking advantage of the opportunity for developing the locality which eventually became annexed to the borough of Jersey Shore as the Third ward, he sub- divided his property into house lots, which sold readily at good prices, and his farm is now occupied by modern residences, some of them being both handsome and pretentious. Some time since Mr. White retired from active business pursuits.
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In 1878 Mr. White married Miss Sarah J. Callahan, daughter of William and Nanacy Callahan, of Jersey Shore. Their children are Sarah M., Jonathan N., and Minnie Belle. Sarah M. is now the wife of Dr. R. B. Hayes, an account of whom will be found elsewhere in this work.
NELSON B. MESSIMER.
Nelson Barnfield Messimer, son of Phillip M. and Harriet Hall (Reigle) Messimer, was born February 4, 1858, at Jersey Shore, Penn- sylvania. They were the parents of seven children, namely: William L., now living in Fayette county, Pennsylvania; C. O., of the Bermuda Islands; Florence, deceased; Nelson Barnfield, our subject; Howard M .; F. H., a resident of Elmira, New York; P. N., a resident of Jersey Shore. The family is of German descent. The grandfather, Aaron, came from the southeastern part of Pennsylvania and settled in Lyco- ming county. The maternal grandparents, Reigle, were of Scotch-Irish descent and were old residents of Clinton county.
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