USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 27
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Mr. Larson married, in 1882, Anna Carlson, who was born in 1857, in Sweden, and in 1884 emigrated to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Larson are the parents of the following children: Charles; Hilmer; Jennie; Augustus; Frank; and Walter.
5 ABNER CONNOR.
Abner Connor, one of the worthy citizens of Cummings township, and a farmer of considerable experience and ability, is a native of Cam- mal, McHenry township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, born May 27, 1842.
John Connor, father of Abner Connor, was born on Sugar Island, in Pine Creek, Pennsylvania, in 1824, and died February, 1896, aged seventy-two years. He was a farmer and lumberman, and a most estimable and public-spirited citizen. He married for his first wife Emily Campbell, a native of Cammal, Lycoming county, who bore him three children: Abner, Jane and a deceased infant. Her death oc- curred in 1844. He married for his second wife Lillie Work, and their children were: Miles, deceased; Mary, deceased; Ellen; Ann; Martha, deceased; Emma, deceased; and Ellis, deceased.
The parents of Abner Connor moved to English Mills, Cummings township, Lycoming county, when he was two years of age and he was
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reared and educated in that vicinity. His life since then has been spent in Cummings township, where he has, like most of his neighbors, turned his attention to farming in summer and lumbering in winter, and thus his career has been useful and profitable. In 1867 he purchased his present farm of one hundred acres, which he has improved and beauti- fied. He has built two fine houses thereon; the first was destroyed by fire in 1888, and the second by the flood of 1889. He is now living in the third house, which was improvised for the time being out of the wreck which remained of some of his out-buildings. While thousands of dollars were lost in the flood by the destruction of his dwelling house, one hundred and sixty apple trees and thirty acres of his farm, yet he is not discouraged, but keeps working steadily on to retrieve a portion of the loss. His fellow citizens have chosen him to fill the office of supervisor of Cummings township, in which capacity he is serving most honorably and acceptably.
Mr. Connor, like many other brave and loyal citizens of the com- monwealth of Pennsylvania, when the state and nation needed men, tried and true, volunteered his services in the Civil war, enlisting in 1861 as a private in the Fifth Pennsylvania Reserve for three years. He participated in many battles, among them being the following: First and second battles of Bull Run, seven days before Richmond, Antietam, Fredericks City and Fredericksburg. He was transferred to Battery A, First Pennsylvania Artillery. He was wounded twice, receiving a bayonet pierce in the neck and a ball in his left leg. He was honorably discharged from the service of the United States government in 1863, whereupon he returned to his chosen vocation and life of usefulness. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 349, of Jersey Shore.
Mr. Connor married, June 8, 1863, Sarah Parker, born January
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II, 1842, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Parker, and their children are John H., born in 1864; Lizzie, 1866; Alvin A., 1868; Miles T., 1871; George M., 1874; and Emma J., 1880. Sylvester and Sarah Parker, grandparents of Mrs. Connor, were natives of Connecticut, fol- lowed farming as an occupation, and were the parents of ten children. Henry and Elizabeth Parker, parents of Mrs. Connor, were natives of Muncy, Pennsylvania, and their family consisted of six children, namely : Mrs. Maria Buscher, Mrs. Lorena Navel, George, Harry, Sarah (Mrs. Abner Connor), and Mrs. Susan Buscher, deceased. They were all born in .Cummings township. Henry Parker died in 1868, and his widow in 1888. Henry Parker followed farming and lumbering in his native town, and in 1843 moved to Cummings township, where he fol- lowed the same lines of business.
MICHAEL SECHLER.
Michael Sechler, a prosperous farmer of Montgomery, Pennsyl- vania, where he has resided since 1868, is a descendant of a German an- cestry, his great-grandfather having emigrated from that country at an early date, settling in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he reared a family, two of whom, Jacob and Michael, located in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1798.
Michael Sechler (grandfather) was a potter by trade and manu- factured crockery on his farm. He was active and prominent in the affairs of the community, served as justice of the peace for many years, and during the Revolutionary war served as one of the body-guards of General Washington. He was united in marriage to Rebecca Lowe, and in 1802 they settled on a farm where the borough of Montgomery is now located, and there they reared a family of eight children, as fol-
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lows : William, Abraham, Antis, Rebecca, Mary, John, Catherine and Olivia. During the "Big Runaway" Mrs. Sechler was among those who escaped by canoes from their homes along the Susquehanna river. and found protection at Fort Augusta.
Abraham Sechler (father) was a farmer by occupation, an active and public-spirited citizen, and was honored by his townsmen by elec- tion to the office of justice of the peace, in which capacity he served for several years. In 1854 he removed with his family with the exception of one son, Michael, to White Rock, Illinois, where they were regular attendants of the Baptist church. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Bower, bore him twelve children, namely: William, John, Michael, Elizabeth, Antis, Joseph, Rebecca, Mary, James, Abraham, Dallis and Sarah.
Michael Sechler, third son of Abraham and Sarah (Bower) Sechler, was born in Clinton township, June 6, 1827. At the age of twenty, after completing a common school education, he accepted a clerkship in a store, continuing the same until 1852, when he engaged in business on his own account at New Columbia, Union county. At the expiration of two years' time he returned to Clinton township, conducted the same line of business until 1857, in which year he was elected to the office of register and recorder for a term of three years, during which time he performed his various duties with the greatest efficiency. He then pur- chased a farm in Armstrong township which he operated successfully until 1865, then removed to Williamsport, remaining until 1868, and then took up his residence in Montgomery, where he has resided ever since, being the owner of two valuable farms, the products of which yield him a goodly return for his labors. Mr. Sechler has also served as justice of the peace for many years, having been elected on the Demo- cratic ticket, the principles of which he has always firmly adhered to.
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In 1857 Mr. Sechler married Katherine Porter, daughter of Robert and Nancy Porter, residents of Lycoming county for many years, the former named having been born in Ieland in 1790 and ac- companied his parents to this country when two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Porter were the parents of five other children, as. follows : George W .; James, deceased; Rachel; Hannah, who became the wife of Luke Egar, a resident of Clinton township, and their children are: Rachel, Kate, Nancy, Robert P., Charlotte and Fannie Egar; Frank, who married Charlotte Piatt, and resides in Clinton township. The following named children were the issue of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sechler : Anna E., born January 14, 1858; Robert C., born December 8, 1859, married Fanny Seadam, and one child has been born to them, Robert P., May 17. 1902; they reside in Montgomery, and Mr. Sechler is engaged in the planing mill; Sarah, born December 9, 1861 ; Nellie, deceased; and Lottie, deceased. Mrs. Sechler, mother of these children, died August 22, 1880.
WILSON PERSUN.
Wilson Persun, a highly esteemed resident of Montoursville, a son of Henry and Lucy (Potter) Persun, was born in Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, August 16, 1840. He is a descendant of an old and hon- ored German ancestry.
Henry Persun ( father) was born in New Jersey, October 12, 1808, and there spent his boyhood and early manhood days. In 1838 he mi- grated to Cherry township, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, residing there until 1858, a period of twenty years, when he removed to Lyco- ming county, where the remainder of his days were spent. On Decem- ber 15, 1834, he was united in marriage to Lucy Potter, who bore him
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eleven children: George, Rachel, Delilah, Wilson, mentioned herein- after; Albert, who served four years in the Twenty-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers; Maria; Freeman, who went as a substitute just before the close of the war; Hester; Charles W .; Rose; and an- other child who died in infancy. Mr. Persun died February 24, 1883, aged seventy-four years, preceded by his wife, July 28, 1882, aged sixty-seven years.
Wilson Persun attended the common schools of his birthplace, and after laying aside his school books turned his attention to farming, which occupation he has made his life-work, and by perseverance and tireless industry he has made his farm one of the most productive in a section which is noted for fruitfulness and fertility. He has always manifested a deep interest in public affairs, and for the past twenty years has served his township in the capacity of school director, assessor and tax collector. His patriotism and love of country was evidenced by the fact that he was willing to sacrifice his life if need be in the dark period of the na- tion's history, the Civil war. He enlisted in the Third Regiment, Heavy Artillery, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served two years and nine months. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of the Grange, and a Re- publican in his political affiliations.
On July 4, 1867, Mr. Persun married Mandy Stryker, daughter of Isaac and Mary Stryker, and their children were as follows: Mary Alice, born March 5, 1868, became the wife of Frederick Hiller, and their children are: Ersul, Harry and Robert Hiller. Harriet, born June 30, 1870, became the wife of William Yocum, and their children are: Royman, Lestie, Clarence, Ellwood, Frederick and Ersul Yocum. Clara V., born August 27, 1873, became the wife of James Riley. Clyde, born November 2, 1876, resides at home.
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ROBERT M. HUSTON.
Robert M. Huston, a late resident of Muncy, Pennsylvania, was born June 16, 1833, in Pennsdale, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, a son of James and Rachel (Clayton) Huston, and died February 2, 1897. He acquired his education in the common schools adjacent to his home, and throughout his active career discharged all the duties devolving upon him in a highly creditable and efficient manner.
He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Lilley, born in Muncy, Penn- sylvania, January 23, 1860, a daughter of John and Esther (Gilbert) Lilley, whose family consisted of other children, namely: Susan, Amanda, Emerson, Aaron, Esther, and Matilda Lilley. John Lilley (father) was born in Clinton township, Pennsylvania. Four children were the issue of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Huston, as follows : Mary, born September 16, 1882, became the wife of the Rev. John Rey- der, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and they are the parents of one child, Robert Huston Reyder. Estelle, born August 22, 1884. R. Quay, born November 4, 1885. James, born April 9, 1888. The three younger children reside at home with their mother, who is living in the same house to which she was brought as a bride. The family are highly respected in the community.
LANCASTER D. HERRITT.
One of the stirring business men of Jersey Shore is Lancaster D. Herritt. Mr. Herritt is the son of William Herritt, who was born in Lycoming county and has always led the life of a farmer. He married Harriet Dusenberry, a native of Pen Yan, New York, and the follow- ing children were born to them: I. Olive Louise, who is the wife of James Cox, of Pittsburg. 2. Lancaster D., mentioned at length here-
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inafter. 3. Emma J., who graduated from Lock Haven Normal school, later took a course at the Teachers' Training school, Edinboro, Pennsylvania, and has been for eleven years a teacher in the Hazleton schools. 4. William T., deceased. 5. Harry L., who is associated in business with his brother, Lancaster D. 6. Charles R., who is a mer- chant in Waterville. 7. Raymond T., who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Herritt, the parents of these children, now reside at Jersey Shore.
Lancaster D. Herritt, son of William and Harriet (Dusenberry) Herritt, was born in 1865, at Waterville, Lycoming county, and re- ceived his early education at his native place, subsequently taking a course at a business college in Williamsport. In 1891 he went into the lumber business at Waterville, and followed that calling in various places until 1899, when he removed to Jersey Shore. In 1901 he estab- lished himself in business as a wholesale and retail dealer in lumber and all builders' supplies, adding this to his already flourishing business. As a manufacturer of lumber he operates several saw-mills situated in various places where he has large tracts of lumber land varying from one thousand to fifteen thousand acres each. He employs from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five men the year round. Politically he is a Republican in national issues, but in local matters an independent, always considering the merits of the candidate without relation to party.
Mr. Herritt married, June, 1895, Carrie M., daughter of Robert and Matilda Maffet, of Williamsport, and four children have been born to them: Helen; Frances Louise; Hamilton; and Geraldine.
JOHN NEVINS, M. D.
Dr. John Nevins, deceased, one of the early physicians of Oil City, Venango county, and later of Montoursville, Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, was born in the state of Vermont, February 13, 1802.
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When he was about six years of age his parents removed to the vicinity of Silver Lake, New York, where he was reared and educated, later taking up the study of medicine, which profession he followed throughout the active years of his career, achieving prominence and suc- cess. He removed from New York state to Oil City, Venango county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1865, in which year he came to Lycoming county, settling in Montoursville.
Dr. Nevins was married twice. His first wife, whose maiden name was Esther Brown, bore him the following named children: Byron, born July 4, 1845, deceased; Alice, October 29, 1847 ; Emma, 1848, de- ceased; Mary, December 4, 1851 ; John, August 9, 1853; Harriet, May 20, 1855; Adalaide, May 23, 1857; Emmaline, September 15, 1859; Adeline and lda (twins), December, 1860, the latter named being now deceased.
On May 2, 1866, Dr. Nevins was united in marriage to Eliza Shinkle, who was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1830, a daughter of John and Mary Shinkle. When ten years of age, Eliza Shinkle accompanied her parents to Union county, Pennsylvania, where she resided until nineteen years old, when she came to Montours- ville, Lycoming county, where she has made her home ever since. At the present time ( 1904) she is living in her own comfortable home on Washington street, where she has resided for the past thirteen years. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Montoursville, and a most estimable woman in every respect, esteemed and respected by a wide circle of friends. One child has been the issue of this union : David Shinkle Nevins, born August 30. 1869, employed as a finisher in the furniture factory, and resides with his mother on Washington street. He was united in marriage to Minne Collins, daughter of Henry Nelsa Collins.
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WALTER J. ARTLEY.
Walter J. Artley, an esteemed and respected citizen of Montours- ville, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he has resided for almost a quarter of a century, was born May 6, 1860, in Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, a son of Abram and Margaret (Bannet) Artley.
Abram Artley ( father) was also a native of Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, residing at the present time (1904) in the old homestead, at Liberty, with his wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Bannet. They are the parents of four children, all of whom were reared to become active and useful citizens of the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The names of their children are as follows: Walter J., mentioned at length: hereinafter; Emma, who became the wife of John Taylor, and nine children have been the issue of this union; William T., who mar- ried a Miss Stailey, and two children have been born to them; and Mary, who became the wife of Dr. James Bitter, and their family con- sists of four children.
Walter J. Artley was indebted to the common schools of Tioga county for a practical education, which has been a potent factor in the success which has attended his efforts. He resided with his parents until he attained his majority, after which he started out to earn a live- lihood for himself. His first practical experience was gained by selling Pictures, later he added from time to time other articles, and at the present date ( 1904) is extensively engaged in the sale of wagons. He is a practical, thoroughgoing business man, and his energy and enter- prise have been rewarded with large financial gain. Mr. Artley is a member of the Lutheran church, an adherent of the Democratic party, anil actively connected with the Protective Order Sons of America.
On March II. 1886, Mr. Artley was united in marriage to Haner-
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ate S. Edler, daughter of Christian and Charlotte Edler. Their children are: Lottie May, born September 26, 1887; Edith Myrtle, born July 26, 1889; Henry Edler, born September 19, 1891; and Clarence Rue, born September 9, 1897. These children are now students in the public schools of Montoursville.
Christian Edler, father of Mrs. Walter J. Artley, was born in Will- iamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1821. He was reared and educated in his native town, and on October 27, 1846, married Catharine Follmer, who was born December 29, 1822, and died two weeks after the birth of her daughter, Catharine Jane, born Septem- ber 6, 1846. Mr. Edler married for his second wife Charlotte Follmer, a sister of his first wife, the ceremony being performed on July 26, 1849. Their children were: William Follmer, born August 26, 1850, married Rosa Pubb, who bore him two children: Jannice May and Augusta Wallia, and died June 24, 1889; Mary Noville, born November 1, 1852, became the wife of William Tule, and their children are: Barrows H., Robert N. and Lottie E .; Joseph S., born December 31, 1854, died March 2, 1857 ; aged two years, two months and two days ; Clara Amelia, born March I, 1857, became the wife of Daniel Keeler, and mother of six children.
DANIEL C. GRIGGS.
Among the highly cultivated and therefore productive farms of Montgomery, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, which give ample evi- dence of the care and labor bestowed upon them, is the one owned by Daniel C. Griggs, son of Jayson and Sarah Griggs, who was born De- cember 15, 1815, acquired a common school education in the vicinity of his birthplace, and since attaining manhood has cast his vote with the Republican party. For the long period of thirty-five years he has re-
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sided in Montgomery, during which time he has witnessed a constant growth and development of all its interests.
Mr. Griggs was united in marriage to Mary Ann Edener, and the issue of this union was the following named children: William, born January 24, 1842, died January 24, 1902; Sarah J., born April 16, 1846, became the wife of William Schooley, and they are the parents of one child, Griggs Schooley, born July 16, 1879; they reside in Montgomery ; Margaret A., born May 8, 1848, became the wife of Antis P. Sechler, and their children are: Griggs, Adella, Rebecca and Bertie Sechler : the family reside in Clarence, Arkansas; Hannah E., born July 8, 1850; Emma, born October 31, 1853; Anna R., born April 24, 1857, became the wife of Samuel Seibert, and two children were born to them; Bertha, who was burned to death; and Ella, who resides at Roaring Springs, near Altoona, Pennsylvania; Mr. and Mrs. Seibert reside at Newberry, near Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
GEORGE HELFRICH GOOD.
The family of which George H. Good, a farmer of Muncy, Penn- sylvania, is a representative was founded in this country by three broth- ers, who emigrated hither from Switzerland during the period im- mediately antecedent to the American Revolution. Jacob Good, one of the three brothers, settled near Allentown, Pennsylvania, and there fol- lowed farming. He married a Miss Troxel and reared a family of eleven children: Peter, Daniel, John, Henry, Mary, Andrew, Salome, Jacob, Lawrence, Catherine and Susan.
Daniel Good, second son of Jacob Good, was reared in Allentown, and resided there until about three years after his marriage to Catherine Helfrich, of Allentown, when he purchased a farm near Bloomsburg.
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Pennsylvania, whence they came to the vicinity of Penn's Dale, Lyco- ming county, in 1832, and located upon a farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres purchased by Mr. Good the previous year, whereon they passed the remainder of their lives. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Good were as follows: Michael, Annie, Catherine, Daniel, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Lydia and Amelia. The family were consistent members of the Lutheran church. Daniel Good died in 1855. aged sixty-nine years.
Michael Good, eldest son of Daniel Good, was born near Allen- town, Pennsylvania, June 7. 1813. In 1855 he purchased the home- stead farm near Penn's Dale, whereon he erected a number of new build- ings which greatly improved the property. He labored earnestly to im- prove the public school system in his district, and was a foremost agent in the promotion of every material and moral interest. He cast his vote for the candidates of the Republican party. He married, October 28, 1841, Sarah Beeber, eldest daughter of Valentine Beeber, of Muncy, and; their children were: Harriet Elizabeth, deceased ; Daniel Franklin, who served a short time in the war of the rebellion; John Irvin, deceased : George Helfrich, mentioned hereinafter; Michael Horace; William Val- entine : Sarah Jane, who became the wife of D. M. Keller, veterinary surgeon, Williamsport; Mary Emma, deceased; Charles Rollin, veterin- ary surgeon ; and Margaret Alice Good. Mr. and Mrs. Good, who were members of the Lutheran church, died June 6, 1877, aged sixty- four years, and December 15, 1877, aged fifty-eight years, respectively.
George H. Good, third son of Michael and Sarah ( Beeber) Good. was born on the homestead farm in Penn's Dale, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1849. He acquired his education in the common schools in the neighborhood of his home, and in February, 1889, pur- chased his father's farm, whereon he resided until his death, in 1896, and
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on which his widow now resides with her son, who is managing the homestead farm.
Mr. Good was married March 10, 1875, to Sarah Ann Bonine, born July 28, 1849, daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth Bonine, who were the parents of three other children, namely: Mary E., deceased; Susan E., and Alice. Archibald Bonine was a native of Philadelphia, and re- sided for many years in Muncy. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Good: Edith Elizabeth, May 20, 1876, resides with her mother; and Archibald Beeber, September 2, 1880, who resides on the old home- stead. He married Bertha Myers, and they are the parents of two children : Beatrice A., born June 7, 1900; and George D., born May 16, 1904.
JOHN S. SHIPMAN.
John S. Shipman, a prosperous agriculturist of Muncy, Pennsylva- nia, where he has conducted extensive operations since 1889, is a native of Moreland township, the date of his birth being March 24, 1831. His parents were Jacob and Caroline (Britton) Shipman, his grandparents were John and Charlotte (La Rue) Shipman, and his great-grand- father was Jacob Shipman, who came with his family from Essex county, New Jersey, where he located upon his arrival from Holland, and settled upon a tract of two hundred acres in Moreland township.
Jacob Shipman ( father) was born in New Jersey. For many years he followed farming as a means of livelihood. He was not a member of any church organization, but supported and aided in the building of many churches. By his marriage to Caroline Britton, who was born March 24, 1800, the following named children were born: Margaret, July 17, 1821 ; Amos, October 28, 1824; Charlotte, May 24, 1827; El- mira, April 17, 1829; John S., March 24, 1831 ; Sarah Ann, March 20,
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1833; Lucie, August 5, 1835; and Mary Jane, March 10, 1841. Jacob Shipman, father of these children, died August 12, 1888; he survived his wife many years, her death occurring September 16, 1872.
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