USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 17
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CHRISTOPHER OECHLER.
In 1854 Christopher, Henry and Catherine Oechler left their par- ents, their sister Henrietta and their brother Christian in Germany and emigrated to the United States, first locating in Baltimore, Maryland. Christopher, who was born September 16, 1832, settled in Jersey Shore, as did also his brother Henry, and a more extended account of the latter will be found in a sketch of John Oechler, which appears elsewhere in this work.
Christopher Oechler was a shoemaker and followed that occupation for some time, but eventually engaged in the hotel business. In 1868 he erected the Alleghany House, which he conducted successfully for the remainder of his life, and the comfortable entertainment provided for the guests of his hostelry was heartily appreciated by the traveling public. He owned in addition to the Alleghany House other valuable property, including a handsome residence on Lincoln avenue. He was twice elected to the borough council and served as a member of the school board for three terms. In politics he acted with the Democratic party. In early life he joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious affiliations were with the Lutheran church. Christopher Oech- ler died August 16, 1897.
On April 29, 1862, Mr. Oechler was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Gundlach, who survives him. Mrs. Oechler was born in Ger- many in 1844, and three years later immigrated with her parents, Philip and Elizabeth Gundlach, who were worthy representatives of the thrifty and intelligent German farming people. They settled in Pine Creek township and subsequently acquired possession of a farm containing one hundred and ten acres. Philip Gundlach was a deacon of the German Lutheran church and was highly esteemed as an upright, conscientious
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man. Four of his seven children grew to maturity, namely: Eliza- beth, now Mrs. Oechler; Jacob, who is no longer living; Philip and Agnes. Mrs. Oechler has reared a family of seven children, namely : Emma E., Henrietta, Agnes H., Philip J., Henry, Barbara E., and Chris- topher C. Oechler. Emma E. married A. Haas and is no longer living. Agnes H. is now Mrs. George Tallman. Barbara E. is the wife of V. Mitchel. Philip J. Oechler, who is now proprietor of the Alleghany House, married Gertrude Riddle. Henry Oechler married Beulah Schusley.
JOHN OECHLER.
John Oechler, a successful merchant of Jersey Shore, is a son of the late Henry and Julia (Gerlach) Oechler, of this township. His parents were of German birth and his father was a son of Christopher Oechler, who reared a family of five children, three of whom, Christopher, Henry and Catherine, came to the United States in 1854. The others, Henri- etta and Christian, are still living in Germany. Henry Oechler, who married prior to leaving the fatherland, located first in Baltimore, Mary- land, but subsequently settled in Jersey Shore, where he established him- self in mercantile business. Although encountering reverses during the earlier portion of his business life, his sterling ability enabled him to speedily recover from his losses, and he ultimately succeeded far beyond his expectations. In Masonry he had advanced to the commandery. Henry and Julia Oechler were the parents of three children, namely : Carrie and Mary, who are no longer living; and John, the subject of this sketch. Henry Oechler died at the age of sixty-nine years, in 1896, and his wife, who survived him, died in 1904, aged seventy-one years. They were members of the Lutheran church.
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John Oechler was born in Jersey Shore, September 17, 1860. He was educated in the public schools. From his youth he has been identi- fied with the business established by his father, to which he succeeded after the elder Oechler's death, and he displays in a marked degree the many commendable characteristics of his predecessor. He closed out his general store in 1903, took down the old building and in 1905 erected a large three-story brick block, with a frontage of seventy feet, sixty- five feet in depth. The first floor contains two store rooms and an office, and the second and third floors are fitted up for dwellings, with all the modern improvements. He has a residence and another building on the same square, which is occupied by himself and the express company as an office, and owns another lot fronting on Broad street; also large coal docks in the third ward, on the New York Central Railroad. He does a large retail coal business. Both as a business man and a citizen he is deservedly popular, and his future prosperity as a merchant is assured. Mr. Oechler is far advanced in Masonry. He was made a Mason in La Belle Vallee Lodge No. 232, F. and A. M., Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1888; of Chapter No. 222, June 13, 1899; Baldwin Commandery No. 22, October 16, 1900; and Irem Temple Shrine at Williamsport, September 25, 1901. He is a Democrat in politics and attends the Presbyterian church.
SAMUEL EDWARD DECKER.
Were it not for the steady influx of German immigrants the county of Lycoming would in all probability be lacking in many of the qualities which have helped it to its present prosperity. Among these thrifty Germans was Alexander Decker, who came from Germany in 1834 to see what the new world had in store for him. He settled in Mosquito
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Valley, Armstrong township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and de- cided upon following farming as an occupation, having acquired a knowl- edge of this in his mother country. He had married in Europe Eliza- beth Herman, and came to America with his wife and infant son, Henry.
Henry Decker, son of Alexander and Elizabeth ( Herman) Decker, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, April II, 1833, and died September 6, 1901. He received a good education in the common schools, and being industrious and thrifty like his father he very soon made a success of whatever he undertook. He also became a farmer, and a successful one, but was not content with following that occupation. He turned his attention to building, and some of the handsomest buildings in Lycom- ing county have been erected by him. Mr. Decker was always alive to the interests of the community at large, and served for a long time as a school director; he was also supervisor and assessor in Clinton town- ship. Politically he affiliated with the Democratic party. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and took an active interest in church affairs. He married Mary Herr, and they were blessed with twelve children : Henry, Alexander, Rosanna, Catharine, William, George, Mary, John, Frank, Samuel Edward, Albert and Isaac. Mrs. Decker died July 1, 1902.
Samuel Edward Decker, seventh son and tenth child of Henry and Mary (Herr) Decker, was born December 21, 1873, in Clinton township, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common schools, and his natural aptitude and attention to the tasks set him made his school record a credit to his teachers as well as himself. After leaving school he as- sisted his father on the home farm, and as he was exceedingly fond of all outdoor life he determined to follow the occupation of farming. He established himself independently, and his farm was soon noted for the excellence of its products. Mr. Decker is progressive in his ideas and
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is always ready to adopt any invention or method which will tend to improve his crops. In connection with his farm he has established a dairy, and the " White Deer Dairy," of which he is the proprietor, is famous in all the vicinity for the fine quality of its butter, cheese and cream. Mr. Decker's farm is very extensive and is situated in Clinton township, Pennsylvania. Mr. Decker is a man of enterprise and ever ready to lend his assistance to further any project for the welfare of the town in which he lives. He has been active in public affairs, having served as school director in Clinton township. He is a Democrat and is wide-awake to the interests of that party. ' He is a member of the Lutheran church in Brady township, and a regular attendant there. He is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and also of the National Protective Association.
Mr. Decker married, October 13, 1897, Miss Clara E. Reeser, daugh- ter of Peter F. and Mary L. Reeser. Peter F. Reeser was a farmer and a prominent man in the town in which he lived. He served as school director in Brady township for twenty years. During the progress of the Civil war he enlisted and was in active service as a member of the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry from 1863 until 1865. Mrs. Decker was educated in the public schools and upon leaving them she completed her education in the Lycoming County Normal School. She then taught in the public schools for ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Decker have three children : (1) Miriam L., born near Montgomery, May 25, 1899; (2) Wilbur A., born near Montgomery, August 13, 1901; (3) and Helen M., born near Montgomery, January 29, 1904.
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GIDEON THOMAS.
After a long and successful career as an agriculturist, Gideon Thomas is now passing his declining years in Jersey Shore, free from the cares of active life. He is of English ancestry. His paternal grandmother, who was left a widow with five sons, namely: George, Jesse, Samuel, William and John, emigrated with her children from England to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Shortly after her arrival she married a Mr. Murphy, by whom she had other children. The children of her first union located in various parts of Pennsylvania, and her son, George Thomas, became a successful Methodist preacher.
John Thomas, father of Gideon Thomas, upon his arrival in Phila- delphia, began work as a whitesmith, and he subsequently removed to Lycoming county, where he added blacksmithing to his calling. He eventually engaged in the general iron-working business, in connection with which he conducted a foundry, and was prominently identified with the iron-working industry of this locality in its early days. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and widely known as an earnest religious exhorter. His wife, who was before marriage Mary Murphy, became the mother of fifteen children, nine of whom grew to maturity, namely: Betsey, Margaret, Ellen, Jane, Martha, George, John, Charles and Gideon.
Gideon Thomas was born in Mifflin township, Lycoming county, August 3, 1818. His boyhood and youth were spent in attending school. In early manhood he turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits, and he finally purchased a farm of two hundred acres, which he carried on with profitable results for the remainder of his active career.
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In 1898 Mr. Thomas relinquished his activities and removed to Jersey Shore, where he is now spending his time in rest and recreation. For- merly he was quite active in local public affairs, having served with marked ability in some of the important township offices. He is among the oldest living Methodist church members in this locality, having for many years been a class leader, and he has always taken an active part in the religious work of the community.
Mr. Thomas has been twice married. On October 17, 1841, he married for his first wife Miss Mary Ramsey, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (English) Ramsey. The Ramseys were among the early pioneers in Lycoming county, having settled here at an early period when its aboriginal inhabitants, the Indians, were their nearest neighbors. Sarah English, maternal grandmother of Mrs. Thomas, was a daughter of John English, who served seven years in the revolutionary war and was a commissioned officer in the continental army. Thomas and Sarah (English) Ramsey were the parents of twelve children, and those who are now living are Thomas, James, Sarah J., Elizabeth and Ellen B. The others were Mary, John, William, Fanny, Margaret, Allen and another child who died in infancy. Mary, who became the first wife of Gideon Thomas, died in 1898, aged eighty-one years. She was the mother of six children, namely: Sarah J., born March 9, 1843; Anna E., born March 6, 1844; Mary E., born August 16, 1846; William M., born October 15, 1848; Sarah Jane (2d), born December 13, 1851 ; and Martha A., born May 1, 1855. Of these the only survivors are William and Martha A., who married for her first husband John Douglass, by whom she had four children, and for her second husband she married a Mr. Wixon. On October 8, 1901, Mr. Thomas married for his second wife Mrs. Ellen B. Martin, nee Ramsey, a sister of his first wife.
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JAMES ROBINSON, SR.
No man is better known or more highly respected in Woodward township than James Robinson, Sr. On the paternal side Mr. Robinson is descended from a sturdy and honorable line of Scotch-Irish who came to this country during the colonial period and finally found their way to Pennsylvania.
John Robinson was born about 1781, in Sunbury, Northumberland county, and about 1800 came to Lycoming county, where he became extensively engaged in the lumber business as well as in agricultural pursuits, owning at one time nearly one thousand acres of land, of which he cleared one hundred and twenty-five acres, being a practical farmer. The house stood on the line of Lycoming and Anthony town- ships. He took a deep interest in the cause of education, served as school director, and allowed the first school ever organized in the town- ship to be held at his house. He took an active part in public affairs and in politics was always a Democrat. He was a zealous member of the old Lycoming Presbyterian church at Newberry.
Mr. Robinson married Mary, daughter of John Baker, of Berk- shire, England, who came to this country when she was sixteen years of age, and settled in Piatt township, and their family consisted of the following children : Eleanor, deceased, as are her three sisters, Polly S., Margaret D., and Martha Jane; John D .; Isaac, deceased; and James, mentioned at length hereinafter. The death of Mrs. Robinson occurred September 5, 1855, and the father of the family passed away April 19, 1868, being then about eighty-seven years of age. He was a man of keen foresight and strict integrity.
James Robinson, son of John and Mary (Baker) Robinson, was born September 20, 1821, in Lycoming county, where he was educated in the common schools. After he ceased to be a pupil he served for four
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terms as a schoolmaster and then engaged, as his father had in early life, in the lumber business and in farming. For some years, in con- nection with his two brothers, he successfully operated a saw-mill which had been built by their father in Anthony township. He afterward erected a saw mill on Larry's creek, and this he operated for eighteen years with gratifying results. About the same time he purchased a farm of one hundred and seven acres, situated in Anthony township, and later bought a farm on the State Road, consisting of one hundred acres, which he owned and cultivated for twenty years. In 1870 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and four acres, on the bank of the West Branch, where he now spends the evening of his days in serenity and comfort. In addition to these farms he purchased in 1896 fifty acres in Mud Run.
During Mr. Robinson's residence on State Road he held for nine years the appointment of postmaster, his administration of the duties of the office affording much satisfaction to all concerned. In Anthony township he served one term as justice of the peace. The offices which he has held in Woodward township include those of tax collector, auditor and overseer of the poor. He has also been a member of the school board and at different times has served as president and secretary, mak- ing in all a period of sixteen years. His politics are Democratic and he is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Robinson married, July 15, 1855, Martha, daughter of Aaron Missimer, of Nippenose township, and the following children have been born to them: I. Annie, who is the wife of A. J. Gamble, and the mother of five children: Mary, Robinson, Martha, Anson and Shem. 2. James B., who married Matilda Stewart, now deceased, who was the mother of five children, three of whom are living: James R., Ollie K. and Willard. 3. Adella, who is married to J. C. Littley, and has
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had two children, one of whom, J. Clement, is living. 4. Letitia. 5. Geneva E., who married E. J. Hughes, and has four children : Mar- tha, Gladys, Dwight M. and Rowland. 6. J. Ranson, who is a physi- cian, married Sarah Campbell, and has had four children, two of whom are living: Mary and an infant. Dr. Robinson is a graduate of Bal- timore Medical College and is a resident of Cammal, Pennsylvania. Dr. Robinson's residence was destroyed by fire in the summer of 1905.
D. C. SMITHGALL.
D. C. Smithgall, proprietor of the River Side Hotel, located in the little town of Linden, one of the best conducted hotels on either side of the river between Jersey Shore and Williamsport, is no novice at this business, as he has been successfully conducting the same for the past thirteen years, eleven of which were as proprietor and owner of the Loyalsock Hotel, and since April, 1905, at his present location. He was born in Upper Fairfield township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1842, son of Jacob and Dorothy (Streiley) Smithgall, and grandson of Jacob and Elizabeth Smithgall.
Jacob Smithgall (grandfather) was a native of Germany, from whence he emigrated to this country in 1812, accompanied by his family, which consisted of his wife, Elizabeth, and children: Margaret, Ellen, John, Jacob and David. He located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but in 1815 removed to Eldred township, Lycoming county, where he pur- chased a tract of land. The sons became active and loyal citizens of their adopted country, and faithfully performed their share in the develop- ment and prosperity of the communities in which they resided.
Jacob Smithgall (father) was born in Germany, and was five years of age when his parents migrated to the United States. He followed
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farming and lumbering as a means of livelihood, and being a man of sterling qualities was honored by election to several township offices, including those of supervisor, overseer of the poor and school director. His wife, whose maiden name was Dorothea Streiley, and who was a native of Lycoming county, bore him seven children, five of whom are living at the present time (1905) : Jacob, William, Mary, Julia, and D. C. Smithgall, and Sophia, deceased.
The common schools of Lycoming county afforded D. C. Smithgall the opportunity of obtaining a good English education. For the first twenty-eight years of his active career he was a successful farmer, thus following in the footsteps of his forefathers. In 1893 he abandoned this pursuit in order to devote his attention to the hotel business, which he has followed ever since, and in which he has achieved a large degree of financial success. The River Side Hotel is large and roomy, is cheerful and homelike in appearance, and everything that will con- tribute to the comfort of the weary traveler is looked after most care- fully by both the host and hostess, under whose efficient management the house has gained an enviable reputation. The dining room is sup- plied with all the delicacies of the season, and the bar is stocked with the best brands of liquors and cigars.
In 1862 Mr. Smithgall was united in marriage to Sarah C. Myers, a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. Seven children were the issue of this union, five of whom are living, namely: Lizzie, wife of F. L. Goldy; Alice, wife of William Allen; Margaret, wife of H. Thomas ; William, and Thomas Smithgall.
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JOSEPH T. LONG.
Joseph Titus Long, one of the representative business men of Lycoming county, and who is actively identified with all that concerns the best interests of the community, comes of an honored Revolutionary ancestry. His paternal great-grandfather, George Long, was an emi- grant from Germany who settled in New Jersey, enlisted from there for service during the war for independence, and after peace was restored settled on a farm in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, where he died.
Nicholas Long, son of George Long, married Ruth Bishop. They resided at Muncy, Pennsylvania, and among their children was Francis F. Long, who married Sarah Jane Quay. Of the last named marriage were born three children: I. Joseph Titus, further mentioned herein- after; 2. Sarah Titus, who married Albert Pennell, and to them was born a daughter, Gertrude; after the death of her husband, Mrs. Pen- nell became the wife of Hon. Willard B. Wells, of Ionia, Michigan; 3. Oscar R. Long, who married Annie Freeman, of Detroit, Michigan, by whom he had a daughter, Grace.
Joseph Titus, eldest child of Francis F. and Sarah Jane (Quay) Long, was born in Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 10, 1845; he was educated in the public schools. In August, 1862, when under seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Company G (Captain C. B. Davis), One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and joined the Army of the Potomac in Virginia, after the second battle of Bull Run. After his regiment was mustered out at Harrisburg, he returned to Williamsport and entered the employ of his father, who was engaged in a planing mill and lumber business. This Mr. Long continued to follow until 1894, when he retired from
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that business altogether, and in 1895, in company with F. B. Thrall and Daniel Kavanaugh, founded the wholesale grocery firm of F. B. Thrall & Company. This continued until the following year, when Mr. Long and Mr. Thrall purchased the interest of Mr. Kavanaugh and formed a new partnership, retaining the original name. The firm is one of the largest wholesale houses in the county, and occupies a finely equipped modern store which they erected in 1899.
Mr. Long has attained high rank in the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with all the bodies of the order. He is also a member of Williamsport Lodge, No. 112, I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church, and is a director in the Young Men's Christian Association. In politics he is a Democrat. He is held in high esteem in both business and social circles, and his name is a synonym for integrity and public spirit.
Mr. Long married, in 1868, Miss Catherine Hall, daughter of Thomas and Catherine M. Hall. The father was of English descent, and his ancestors came to Williamsport with the early settlers. He was born in Lycoming county, and was a farmer by occupation, living near Williamsport, where his children were born. His wife was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. Mr. Hall died at the age of fifty-six years, and was long survived by his widow, who died at the age of eighty-five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Long was born a son, Harry Oscar, who married Miss Alta Coup. After the death of his wife, Mr. Long married her sister, Emma Hall, in 1872.
GEORGE A. BROWN.
Woodward township counts among her progressive and prosperous citizens George A. Brown. Mr. Brown is a son of William and Nancy (Wilson) Brown, of county Tyrone. Ireland. In 1848 they emigrated
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to the United States, whither three of their children had preceded them. They were accompanied by their daughter Sarah and their sons, William and James R. The latter served the entire four years of the Civil war. During his first enlistment he was severely wounded at the second battle of Bull Run, and while serving his second term lost an arm at the battle of South Side Railroad. After coming to this country Mr. and Mrs. Brown resided at Jersey Shore, where they both died within a few years.
George A. Brown, son of William and Nancy ( Wilson) Brown, was born March 10, 1832, in county Tyrone, Ireland, where he was reared and educated. In 1847 he came to the United States, accom- panied by his brother Alexander and his sister Fannie. They settled at Jersey Shore, where George followed various pursuits until 1854, when he was employed as a miller by E. B. Campbell, of Phelps. In 1865 Mr. Campbell took him into partnership and they operated two mills, the second mill being at Safe Harbor. In 1868 Mr. Brown sold out his interest and purchased a farm at Level Comus, consisting of one hun- dred and forty acres, for which he paid eighteen thousand dollars. This farm he still owns. In 1886 he bought the farm upon which he now lives and which consists of sixty acres. For this farm he paid nine thousand dollars. Both these estates are in a high state of cultivation and are models of agricultural enterprise and taste. In politics he is a Republican and is strongly attached to the principles of the organiza- tion. He was bred a Presbyterian, but now belongs to the Lutheran church, of which his wife is a member.
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