USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 25
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in which he was engaged for fifteen years. He has been for forty years a resident of Woodward township, where he owns and cultivates a farm of eighty acres upon which he resides, also another farm of one hundred acres, and still another of forty-five acres, upon which one of his sons resides. He has been honored with the office of overseer of the poor and also with that of supervisor of the township. The former office he held for ten years. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Hauser married, October 29, 1859, and his children are: I. Peter, who married Bertie Abernatha and has one child, Tricksie. 2. George, who married Lena Olan and is the father of six children : Pearl, John, May, Blanche, Harry and Florence. 3. Anna, who is the wife of George Lutzenberger and has eight children: James, Lizzie, Clara, Jennie, Annie, Edward, May and Eugene. 4. Catherine, who is married to John Greenaway and has five children : John, Ella, Catherine, Hannah and William. 5. Maggie, who is the wife of Eugene Street and the mother of one child, Lewis. 6. Lizzie, who married William Sheets and has two children : Margaret and George. 7. John, who mar- ried Alice Bastian and has five children : Viola, Lizzie, Margaret, Eugene H., and Archie. 8. Harry, who married Clara Umpstead.
REVEREND WILLIAM R. CAMPBELL.
The name of the family of which the Reverend William R. Camp- bell, of Slate Run, is a representative, is one fraught with association for every student of Scottish song and story. In the history of the land where the race had its origin there is none more honorably distinguished.
The Pennsylvania branch of the Campbells was founded by Samuel Campbell, whose ancestors, like so many of their countrymen, had found
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a refuge from political troubles in the north of Ireland. Prior to the Revolutionary war he emigrated to the American colonies and settled in the Juniata valley, where he reared a family.
Among the children of Samuel Campbell were two sons, John and Robert. The latter was born in 1765, and at the age of twelve entered the colonial army as a musician. At the close of the war he and his brother John bought land at Jersey Shore from a man who had some difficulty with the Indians in consequence of which he was obliged to sell. The brothers subsequently sold or exchanged this land for property at Round Island, where they engaged, though in a, crude and small way, in the manufacture of lumber and in milling. Robert Campbell was a close student of the scriptures, through the influence of which, and not by the exhortations of preachers, he was converted to the Baptist faith. After receiving baptism administered in the form most acceptable to that de- nomination, he became a preacher and continued in the ministry for twenty years.
Mr. Campbell married Rachel Morrison, and the following children were born to them: I. Samuel, who became a licentiate of the Baptist church. 2. George. 3. Michael, mentioned at length hereinafter. ' 4. Young. 5. Abner, who was born in 1801, and carried on an ex- tensive lumber business in partnership with his brother George, the two brothers owning about fifteen hundred acres of timber land. Abner married Elizabeth Gamble and their children were : Emily, John, Salome, H. W., Mary J., Stephen, Cordelia, Almira, Rachel and Eunice. His second wife was Rhoda Dugan, by whom he was the father of four chil- dren : Lorenzo, William, Elizabeth and Abigail. 6. Robert. 7. John. 8. Jeremiah. 9. Priscilla. 10. Margaret. II. Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jacob Tomb, of Tomb's Run.
Michael Campbell, son of Robert and Rachel (Morrison) Camp-
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bell, was born October 26, 1794, and followed the calling of a farmer, in Cammal, where he was the owner of considerable land. He was twice married, his first wife being Mary Hostrander, to whom twelve children were born : Priscilla, Sarah, Hiram, Richard, Michael, Margaret, Fannie, Mary, Harriet, Cordelia, and two who died in infancy.
The second wife of Michael Campbell was Hannah, daughter of William Barrett, a native of London, England, and a gunsmith by trade. With his wife (also a native of London) and their children, he emigrated to the United States, settling at Pittsburg, where he followed his trade. His children were: Margaret; Susan; Rebecca; and Hannah, who was born in 1805, and was one of the flower girls who took part in the wel- come accorded by the city of Pittsburg to General Lafayette in 1824. Hannah Barrett subsequently became the wife of Daniel Beauvoir, by whom she was the mother of five children: Wilhelmina, Henrietta, Eliza, Elizabeth and Cornelius. After the death of her husband she was married to Michael Campbell, as mentioned above, and they were the parents of four sons: Enoch, deceased; William R., mentioned at length hereinafter; Lafayette; and Truman.
William R. Campbell, son of Michael and Hannah Barrett (Beau- voir) Campbell, was born July 18, 1843, in Lycoming county, and for twenty years resided as a farmer in Tioga county. In 1880 he was called to the ministry of the Baptist church, and after serving for twenty years as a licentiate was regularly ordained. We take the following extract from the " Blossburg Advertiser ":
" A council composed of delegates from eight churches of Tioga Baptist Association met with Morris Baptist church on August 31, 1900, . to consider the advisability of ordaining William R. Campbell to the gospel ministry. Rev. Philander Reynolds, of Stony Fork, was chosen moderator and Rev. W. B. F. Brown clerk. After a careful and thor-
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ough examination the council recommended ordination. Reading of scripture and prayer by Deacon N. C. Brace, sermon by Rev. W. B. F. Brown, ordination prayer by Rev. T. C. Davis, right hand of fellowship by Rev. William Young, charge to candidate by Rev. Philander Rey- nolds, charge to church by Rev. G. M. Smith, benediction by Rev. W. R. Campbell." Mr. Campbell is now pastor of Morris Baptist church.
Mr. Campbell married, December 9, 1866, Elizabeth Miller, and they have been the parents of the following children : I. Edward E., deceased. 2. Isabelle, who in 1886 became the wife of William J. Mon- tanye, by whom she was the mother of one son, Leon, who is now de- ceased. In 1888 Mrs. Montanye was left a widow and has for many years been an accomplished and successful educator, having been a stu- dent at Mansfield State Normal School and the Ohio Normal University, from which institution she graduated in 1900 with the degree of Bach- elor of Science. From her early girlhood to the present time she has taught in the schools of Pennsylvania, New York and Washington. She taught eight years at Slate Run, where she is now principal of the high school. 3. Hannah, who is the wife of J. O'Day. 4. Orlina, who was a successful teacher in Tioga and Potter counties and is now the wife of M. Dyer. 5. Walter J. 6. Ivan C.
Mrs. Campbell is a granddaughter of Charles and Jane (Mullen) Miller, who were the parents of two children; a son and a daughter. The son, Jacob Miller, was born in 1822, and lived for about fifty-two years on Pine Creek, where he was a farmer and lumberman, owning the farm upon which his son-in-law, the Reverend William R. Campbell, now lives and which consists of one hundred acres. In addition to this he was the owner of another tract of two hundred acres. He married Isabelle -, and their children were: Jane, Elizabeth, who was born in 1846, in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, and became the wife of
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William R. Campbell, as mentioned above; Charles, deceased, Rebecca, Caldwell, William, Andrew, Jacob and Mary. Mr. Miller, the father of the family, died in August, 1898, at the age of seventy-six.
THE WOLF FAMILY.
Germany was the original home of the family represented by Ben- jamin G. Wolf and Benjamin T. Wolf, of Slate Run, the first ancestor of whom we have any authentic knowledge being Michael Wolf, a na- tive of Berks county, Pennsylvania, who had among his children two sons : John, mentioned at length hereinafter, and Henry M., who is still living.
John Wolf, son of Michael Wolf, was born in Berks county and was a blacksmith by trade. He and his brother Henry M. went to Water- ville, where John followed his trade. He married Nancy Bonnell, and their children were: Catharine, George B., Michael and Benjamin G., mentioned at length hereinafter. Mr. Wolf, after the death of his wife, married Sarah Herritt, by whom he was the father of four children : John, Sarah, Ida and Caroline. All the children of both marriages are now living. George B. and Michael served in the Civil war. Mr. Wolf, the father, died at Waterville, in 1880.
Benjamin G. Wolf, son of John and Nancy (Bonnell) Wolf, was born July 22, 1836, and with the exception of a brief period spent in Waterville, has passed the most of his life in Brown township. He engaged in farming and was twelve years in the lumber business, own- ing Sugar Island and possessing a half interest in twelve hundred acres of land near Jersey Mills. He was eleven years the proprietor of the Mountain House in Slate Run. For ten years he held the office of jus- tice of the peace, serving both in Cummings township and in McHenry
22
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township, where he was supervisor for four terms. He is a charter member of the I. O. O. F., at Slate Run, having joined the order in 1885.
Mr. Wolf married, in 1861, Miss D. A. Tomb, daughter of Ben- jamin Tomb, and the following children were born to them: Harriet, who is the wife of L. Tomb; Willis, deceased; Benjamin T., mentioned at length hereinafter ; and Nellie, who is married to R. App.
Benjamin T. Wolf, son of Benjamin G. and D. A. (Tomb) Wolf, was born February 22, 1874, at Jersey Mills, receiving his education in the schools of that place and of Slate Run, whither his parents moved in 1888. He is now proprietor of the Brooklyn House at that place. The building was erected in 1880 and is the oldest hotel structure in Slate Run. It was purchased by Mr. Wolf from James B. Tomb in April, 1904, and is well patronized. Mr. Wolf is a musician, being a good performer on the cornet and trombone. He is a member of the Frater- nal Order of Eagles and the Protective Legion.
Mr. Wolf married, November 10, 1896, Della B. Tomb, and they have had one daughter, Hazel E., who is now deceased.
HON. WILLIAM W. HART.
Prominent among the representatives of the legal profession in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, is Hon. Will- iam W. Hart, who was elected to the high and honorable office of judge in November, 1901, and took his seat January 1, 1902, his term of office to expire January 1, 1912. He was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1843, a son of Adam and Eleanor (Pollock) Hart.
Adam Hart ( father) was born on Warrior Run, Northumberland
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county, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1788, and died May 8, 1890, having at- tained the extreme old age of one hundred and one years, ten months and two days. He was reared and educated in his birthplace, and upon attaining young manhood settled in Black Hole valley, remaining there until the close of his long and useful life. He followed the quiet but useful calling of agriculture throughout his active career, thereby pro- viding a comfortable home for his family, and his health being unusually good, despite his great age, he was enabled to go about his farm and attend to the various duties pertaining thereto until within two or three years of his decease. His wife, Eleanor (Pollock) Hart, who died almost a quarter of a century prior to his death, at the age of sixty-eight years, bore him nine children.
William W. Hart attended the public schools of his neighborhood and later pursued a course of advanced studies at Tuscarora Academy and Dickinson Seminary. He then began the study of law under Hon. J. J. Metzger, and after passing a creditable examination was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county in 1869, and since that date, a period of thirty-five years, has been actively engaged in the duties of that pro- fession.
In 1874 Mr. Hart was elected district attorney of the county, and was re-elected in 1877, serving in that office six consecutive years. In 1882 he was elected to the state senate to represent the district embracing the counties of Lycoming, Columbia, Sullivan and Montour, and served his full term of four years. During his incumbency of that office he served in the capacity of a member of the judiciary committee, also of the committee on municipal affairs and education, and that on canals and inland navigation. In 1884 he was an alternate delegate to the Democratic national convention held at Chicago, and four years later he represented the sixteenth congressional district at the Democratic
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national convention at St. Louis, casting his vote for Grover Cleveland for president of the United States. He has always been an ardent ad- vocate of the principles of Democracy as laid down by Thomas Jeffer- son. He served for a number of years as solicitor for the board of commissioners, and was recognized throughout the length and breadth of his native county and state as one of the successful members of the bar.
Mr. Hart married, in December, 1877, Frances L. Montgomery, daughter of Dr. Hugh Montgomery, of Muncy, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Hart are consistent members of the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport.
GARDNER BRUCE MILNOR.
Gardner Bruce Milnor,. county school superintendent of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, is the son of Joseph Wright and Mary Jane (Taylor) Milnor. For family history see sketch of Harvey G. Milnor. He was born at Warrensville, Eldred township, Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, November 16, 1870, and graduated from the Lycoming County Normal School, 1889. He has taught in Eldred and Hepburn town- ship, DuBoistown and Ralston. He entered Lafayette College, at Easton, in 1893, graduating in 1897. He was a member of the Chi Phi Greek Letter fraternity and Franklin Literary Society; member of the " Melange " (Junior Annual) and "the Lafayette " (College Weekly) board, and editor-in-chief of the latter publication during senior year; also a member of the "Touchstone " board, a literary monthly which he helped to found. He was the class poet at Commence- ment in 1897, and a member of the faculty during the summer sessions of the Lycoming County Normal School from 1893 to 1897. He was assistant principal from 1897 to 1900 and principal from 1900 to 1903.
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January 15, 1903, he was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of county superintendent of schools, J. George Becht, and was unanimously re-elected May 2, 1905, for a term of three years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and in religion a Presbyterian.
WILLIAM H. HARTMAN.
William H. Hartman, one of the most prominent coal merchants of Williamsport and its vicinity, is the son of George and Caroline (Mengel) Hartman, natives of Schuylkill county. George Hartman was a section foreman on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad for many years and died in Schuylkill county in 1891.
William H. Hartman, the son of George and Caroline ( Mengel) Hartman, was born in Port Clinton, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1852. His early years were passed in his native county, and he was educated in the schools of Port Clinton. He afterwards took a position as clerk in that borough and in 1881 came to Williams- port, Pennsylvania, and entered the freight and ticket office of the Phil- adelphia & Reading railroad as a clerk. Subsequently he was promoted to the position of chief clerk, which position he held until December, 1890, except for a brief period in 1888, when he was sent to Shamokin to look after the interests of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Com- pany there. In 1890 the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company erected an extensive coal yard at the foot of Hepburn street, and this was rented by Mr. Hartman. He embarked in the coal business with his proverbial energy, and handles more coal than any other dealer in the city.
During his residence in Port Clinton, Mr. Hartman was a member of the borough council and the school board. He also served two terms
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in the city council in Williamsport from 1898 to 1902, and was tendered the nomination on the Democratic ticket, unanimously, for mayor of the city, but declined the honor as interfering with the strict perform- ance of his business duties. Mr. Hartman is very public spirited and is always ready to lend a helping hand in any project that will further the interests of the city. He is a subscriber to the guarantee fund of the Board of Trade. He enjoys great popularity socially, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Hartman married in 1879, Nora A., daughter of E. J. Kirlin, of Schuylkill county, and they are the parents of three daughters: Car- rie, married Fred W. Talley, in 1904; Ena, and Marguerite. Mr. Hart- man and family are members of the First Presbyterian church of Wil- liamsport. He has been secretary of the Finley Sunday school for a number of years. Politically, Mr. Hartman is a stanch Democrat.
THE TOMB FAMILY.
The numerous family of which George W. Tomb and Sylvester R. Tomb, of Slate Run, are representatives, is of English origin. The first ancestor of whom we have any authentic account was Jacob Tomb, a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, who settled about 1755 at Slate Run, being one of the pioneers on that part of Pine Creek. He owned a large tract of land extending from Cammal to Cedar Run and appears to have erected a grist-mill and a saw-mill, both of which he operated. He sent his lumber down in rafts, and returned, supplied with provis- ions, in canoes. It is recorded, to his honor, that he was a great friend to the Indians, and that when other white men were obliged to flee to Antisfort he was allowed to remain at home and was unmolested in the discharge of his duties. He combined with a peaceable, good-natured
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disposition the possession of great physical strength, being able to lift a barrel of cider and drink out of the bung-hole. He could also take two flour barrels, one under each arm, and walk off with them.
This notable ancestor, so famed for muscular pre-eminence, was no less distinguished for ability of a very different kind. He was a cele- brated musician, and had in his possession a violin made by one of the Italian masters in the art and bearing the date 1721. It is a rare and costly instrument of exquisite tone and is now owned by his grandson, Sylvester R. Tomb. It is a noteworthy fact that all the children of Jacob Tomb, with one exception, were musicians.
Jacob Tomb married Elizabeth, sister of Robert Campbell, one of the early settlers at Cammal. Mrs. Tomb had been previously married twice, first to a Mr. Ross, by whom she had one son, Stephen, and the second time to Mr. Dickerson, to whom she had likewise borne one son, John. By her marriage to Jacob Tomb she was the mother of the fol- lowing children :
I. Jacob. 2. John, mentioned at length hereinafter. 3. Samuel, also mentioned at length hereinafter. 4. Benjamin, who married Har- riet Calahan and was the father of the following children: Matthew. Maria, Sarah J., Delilah, Caroline, Mary E., Trivette, Jacob, Benjamin, Denison and Rachel A. 5. Robert. 6. George, who married Eliza- beth Johnson, by whom he had three children. 7. Rachel, who be- came the wife of John Gamble and the mother of the following children : Henry T., George M., Benjamin, Andrew, Mary and Sarah Jane. 8. Elizabeth, who was married to William Herritt, by whom she had twelve children : Benjamin, Jacob, Robert, John. William, George W., Stephen, Jackson, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah and Campbell. After the death of her husband Mrs. Herritt married John Gamble. 9. Jane, who was the wife of Cornelius Cole and, like her sister Elizabeth, became the mother of twelve children: Lucy, Catherine, Jacob, John, Harriett,
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Campbell, William, Effie, Mary A., George and two who died in in- fancy. The children of Jacob and Elizabeth Campbell (Dickerson ) Tomb were twelve in all, three having died in infancy.
John Tomb, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Campbell (Dickerson) Tomb, was born in October, 1802, at Slate Run, and owned five hundred acres of land lying along and adjacent to Pine Creek. In addition to his labors as a farmer he engaged extensively in the lumber business, owning a saw-mill at Jersey Mills, which he operated in company with his half-brother, Stephen Ross. It is stated on authority that this Stephen Ross drove a team of elks which he had captured and broken to the harness. John Tomb married Jane Cole and their children were: Eleanor ; Philip; Michael; Jacob; Ann ; Sarah; John; Lydia ; George W., mentioned at length hereinafter, and William C. There were two who died in infancy.
George W. Tomb, son of John and Jane (Cole) Tomb, was born March 21, 1841, at Slate Run, where he was educated and has spent his life. In early manhood he was engaged in the lumber business, but has for a number of years devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He is living on property which formed part of his grandfather's estate. Po- litically he is a Republican.
Mr. Tomb married his cousin, Mary A., daughter of Cornelius and Jane (Tomb) Cole. who was born in 1842, on Pine creek. The fol- lowing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tomb: I. Della S., who is married to E. W. Wier. 2. Lucy A., who is the wife of A. J. Her- ritt and the mother of seven children : Walley, Leonard, Irvin, Susan, Reba, Edith and Mary. 3. Saralı J., who became the wife of Simon Abby and has three children: Nellie A., Earl and Ethel B. 4. Edith M., who married B. French and has one child, Ralph H. 5. Martha E., who is the wife of Charles Gumper, by whom she has three children :
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Hattie C., William C., and Edith M. 6. Irvin C., who married Martha Reppat and has two children: Mildred E. and Clifford. 7. Freeman J. 8. Laura B. 9. Eliza E., who is the widow of John A. Peterson and the mother of two sons: Harry H. and John A. 10. George G.
II Emma L.
Samuel Tomb, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Campbell (Dickerson) Tomb, was born in 1806, at Slate Run, and was a farmer and lumber- man, owning about three hundred acres of land. He was twice mar- ried, his first wife being a Calahan, who bore him two sons: Lemuel and Henry. His second wife was Priscilla Campbell, by whom he was the father of the following children: Sylvester R., mentioned at length hereinafter; Richard; Erastus; Rebecca; Margaret; Lafayette; Hen- rietta ; Clarence; Adeline; and Mary. The death of Mr. Tomb occurred in 1888.
Sylvester R. Tomb, son of Samuel and Priscilla (Campbell) Tomb, was born in 1844, at Slate Run, where he received his education. Like his ancestors, he has been a farmer and lumberman, and is now the owner of sixty-five acres of good bottom land which is under cultivation, besides two hundred and fifteen acres of wild land. Like his grand- father and uncles, he is a musician, and spends some of his happiest hours in playing on the violin, which is one of the most precious legacies bequeathed by Jacob Tomb to his descendants.
Mr. Tomb married, in 1863, Anna J., daughter of Hiram Hilburn, and they are the parents of the following children: I. Willard, de- ceased. 2. W. B., who married Mary Comstock, by whom he had three sons: Earl, Harry and Lester. After the death of his wife he married Pearl Beck. 3. Charles. 4. Martha E., deceased. 5. Myr- tle M., who became the wife of E. Engbert, and died, leaving one son, L. J. 6. Hiram O., who married Maud Brooks, and has one daughter, Jennie Fey.
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I. L. WILLITS.
A man who combines the qualifications of a practical farmer and a first-class mechanic is I. L. Willits, of Piatt township. Mr. Willits is a grandson of Asher D. Willits, a successful farmer and blacksmith. His wife was Elizabeth King and they were the parents of the following children : D. K., mentioned at length hereinafter; F. C .; D. A .; Rob- ert A .; Margaret J. ; William ; Rachel; Flora, deceased ; and an unnamed infant. Mr. Willits, the father, died of smallpox in 1863.
D. K. Willits, son of Asher D. and Elizabeth (King) Willits, was born April 15, 1844, in Pine Run, Lycoming county, owns ninety acres of farm land and is a practical agriculturist. He is a worthy citizen and has held the offices of supervisor and school director. He married Anna E. Drake, and their children are: I. L., mentioned at length herein- after; C. G .; Warren A .; R. K .; H. P .; John A .; Cora D .; Anthony ; Margaret J. ; and Anson.
I. L. Willits, son of D. K. and Anna E. (Drake) Willits, was born January 28, 1866, at Level Corners, Lycoming county, and was reared in his native township, where he attended the common school. In early life he learned the trade of a carpenter and builder and also worked for some time on the railroad. Devoted as he is to his chosen work as an agriculturist and carpenter, and owning and cultivating, as he does, sixty-eight acres of land, his duties as a citizen are not neglected, and he served at one time as constable of the township. He is a worthy member of the I. O. O. F.
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