USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 28
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John S. Shipman attended the common schools in the vicinity of his home, and thus qualified himself for a life of usefulness and activity. His time and attention has been devoted exclusively to farming, and the neat and thrifty appearance of his broad acres with their substantial out-buildings indicate the supervision of a master hand. His residence is also well looked after by his sister, who acts in the capacity of house- keeper for him, he being unmarried. Mr. Shipman holds membership in the Lutheran church of Muncy, and his political affiliations are with the Democratic party.
JOSEPH F. MICHAEL.
Joseph F. Michael, a highly esteemed resident of Muncy Creek township, where for many years he has occupied a prominent place among the leading business men, was born in Wolf township. Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1834, a son of Peter and Esther (Shoemaker) Michael, and a grandson of Peter Michael, a man of good intellectual attainments, who for a number of years served in the ca- pacity of school teacher. At the time of his death he was a highly esteemed resident of Muncy borough, being about sixty-five or sixty-six years of age.
Peter Michael (father) was born in the vicinity of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. After laying aside his school books he served an ap- prenticeship at the trade of cabinet making, which he followed for many years in connection with undertaking. that being the custom in those early days, but finally he turned his attention to farming, conducting
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his operations in Muncy Creek township, Lycoming county. During his early manhood he carried mail on the route from Muncy to Hillsgrove and Monroton, Pennsylvania. He cast his vote with the Democratic party, to which organization he gave his allegiance upon attaining his majority. By his marriage to Esther Shoemaker the following named children were born: Rebecca, who became the wife of Hiram T. Mc- Carty, of Muncy Creek township; Joseph F., mentioned hereinafter ; Mary, who became the wife of John Houseknecht, of Moreland town- ship; Oliver P., deceased, a late resident of Muncy Creek: Sarah A., who became the wife of Jacob Shade, of Turbutville; Henrietta, who became the wife of Henry G. Opp, of Muncy Creek; Edward W., who served as sheriff of Lycoming county; and Alfred, of Hughesville, Pennsylvania. Peter Michael (father) died in 1880, and his wife passed away in 1879. They were consistent members of the Lutheran church.
Joseph F. Michael, whose name heads this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Muncy township, and after receiving a practical education, which prepared him for the active duties of life, at the age of sixteen, he first turned his attention to the tilling of the soil, remaining under the parental roof, on his father's farm, until twenty-three years of age. In the winter seasons he found employment in a distillery owned by Charles Shoemaker, where he gained a practical knowledge of the distilling business, serving in all about six winters. In 1859 he formed a partnership with John Tolbert and engaged in the manufacturing of brick in Muncy. township. but after conducting a prosperous business for two years they decided to abandon that line of trade. The partners then built a distillery on Muncy creek, a short distance from the resi- dence of Mr. Michael, but after a period of four years, during which
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time their business prospered exceedingly, the plant was destroyed by fire and they then closed out the business.
In 1882 Mr. Michael purchased a piece of land two miles from Muncy, on the Clark Town road, consisting of fourteen acres, and en- gaged in the manufacturing of brick and drain tile; the plant was equipped with modern machinery and the product is of the very best quality. In the spring of 1905 Mr. Michael sold this plant to his son, Joseph Edward, who is now carrying on the business. In 1870 Mr. Michael purchased a tract of forty-one acres of good farm land from Alfred H. Hill on Muncy creek, near the borough of Muncy, and later purchased from the heirs of the Hill estate seventy-three acres more, purchasing all the interests of the heirs except one, and now has in all a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres. He erected thereon a fine brick house and large barn, which was destroyed by fire June 10, 1903, but which was subsequently replaced and which is now occupied by his son, John Michael. In 1894 Mr. Michael purchased from his brother, Oliver P. Michael, a farm of about two hundred and forty acres sit- uated in the upper end of Muncy Creek township, about five miles from Muncy borough, on which he has made many improvements, the prin- cipal one being a large reservoir and wind mill which supplies the neces- sary water, and he has expended at least two thousand dollars in bring-
ing the farm to its present high state of cultivation. His present resi- dence, a large and beautiful white house, from which one can view the grand old Muncy valley, is situated on a plot of six and a half acres of land near the Clark Town bridge crossing Muncy creek, and was erected by Mr. Michael in 1872. In addition to the property already enu- merated Mr. Michael is the owner of about one hundred acres of val- uable land in Muncy Creek and Moreland townships. Mr. Michael has served as justice of the peace one term of five years, and as school di-
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rector one term of three years. Politically he affiliates with the doc- trines of the Democratic party, but sets aside party when it conflicts with the election of the man best qualified for office.
On November 8, 1860, Mr. Michael married Elizabeth Hoof, eldest daughter of John and Catherine ( Mackey) Hoof, who were the parents of other children, namely: George, Mary, Samuel, John, Emma and Margaret Hoof. John Hoof was born in Neseopeck, Lu- zerne county, followed shoemaking for several years, and then turned his attention to the making of brick. For a period of four months after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Michael resided in Clarkstown, removing from there across the creek, where they have resided ever since. The following named children were the issue of this union: Cora, born August 31, 1861, became the wife of Samuel Hartley, and they reside in Turbutville, Northumberland county ; John, born November 10, 1862, married Rebecca Beeber, and their chil- dren are: Grace, Chester, Beeber, Elizabeth, and Helen Esthe; Bertha, born March 22, 1866, became the wife of Henry Snyder, no issue; Mar- garet, born July 17, 1868, became the wife of Anson P. Starr, and their children are: Wilber, Elda, and Mildred; Esther, born September 25, 1870, died November 13, 1885; Joseph Edward, born April 3, 1874, married Lilian M. Presler, no issue; he is connected with an extensive brick yard and works. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. They are highly respected in the community in which they have resided so many years.
S. ELLSWORTH BICKELL, M. D.
Dr. S. Ellsworth Bickell, of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, a leading member of the medical profession, is also held in high regard for his public-spirited and intelligent service to the community both in official
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station and in a private capacity. He was born May 25, 1864, a son of Matthias and Elizabeth (Cohick) Bickell, and comes of a sturdy Ger- man ancestry.
John Bickell, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1830. Previous to his emigration he served as a soldier in the disastrous Rus- sian campaign under the Great Napoleon, and of the twelve hundred members of the regiment only six returned alive to their homes. Upon his arrival in this country he took up his residence in the state of Penn- sylvania, and subsequently settled at Block House, Tioga county, where he became the owner of forty acres of land, whereon he resided up to the time of his death, and where he followed his trade of gardener. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and in all his relations with his fellowmen endeavored to follow the teachings of the same. Mr. Bickell married for his first wife Dorothea Keltz and they became the parents of three children: John, George, and Catharine, whose births occurred in Germany, in which country they spent their entire lives. He married for his second wife Elizabeth Snyder, who bore him the following chil- dren : John, Matthias, Andrew, Mary, Hannah, Susan, Rachel and Sarah.
Matthias Bickell ( father) was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 10, 1824. He accompanied his parents upon their removal from his native land, and was reared and educated in Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He served an apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter, which line of work he followed at Blossburg and Block House, Pennsyl- vania, and in the state of Ohio for many years. Subsequently he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, conducting his operations on a two hundred and ninety-five acre farm which he purchased in 1875 and on which he erected several substantial buildings. He was in every
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respect a trustworthy citizen, and merited the respect of the community in which he resided. He was a member of the Christian church, a staunch adherent of the Republican party and affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Cohick, daughter of John Cohick, bore him the following children: Lydia, who became the wife of James Davidson; John, a resident .of Michigan; Montgomery, a resident of Newberry, Pennsyl- vania; William, a resident of Porter township, Pennsylvania ; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of E. Hemford; Joseph, a resident of Jer- sey Shore, Pennsylvania; Elmer; McClellan; S. Ellsworth, mentioned hereinafter; Grant; and Gearie.
S. Ellsworth Bickell spent the early years of his life in Piatt town- ship, Lycoming county, and there acquired a practical education in the common schools, the knowledge thus gained being supplemented by at- tendance at the Jersey Shore Academy and the Muncy Normal School. He matriculated at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine, April 4, 1888. He began the active practice of his profession at Jersey Shore, where he still resides, and during the intervening years has built up a large and constantly increasing patronage and has also won the esteem of his fellow practitioners. He also serves in the ca- pacity of surgeon and physician for the Beach Creek Railroad, and ex- amining physician for the Prudential Insurance Company, the Penn Mutual Insurance Company, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Train- men.
Dr. Bickell has contributed in large degree to the advancement of community interests through efficient service in the borough council. He was elected to that body in 1893 for a term of three years. He was again elected in 1903, and served as president of that body, and at
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various times as chairman of important committees. It was largely through his effort that the work of street paving was inaugurated, and, as chairman of the paving committee, he personally supervised the lay- ing of thirteen thousand feet in 1904, and about the same amount in the present year (1905). In a personal capacity he gave to the village one of its most important improvements in the laying out of " Bickell's Ad- dition," a tract of sixty acres which was a portion of the Jacob Bubb farm of one hundred and eighty acres which he purchased in 1900. This addition now contains about ninety buildings of modern construction, several of which he built and sold to their present owners. In 1902 he built his own family home on Allegheny street, which is one of the most beautiful pieces of residential property in the county. He donated one- half of the ground for the silk mills of the Bloomsburg Silk Mill Com- pany, which were erected in 1903, and went into operation in March, 1905. He is a member of the Jersey Shore Land and Improvement Company, and of the Central Oak Grove Land Company. Among his real estate holdings is the fine Mathew Furgeson farm of one hundred and thirty acres, which he purchased in 1895. Dr. Bickell is an active member of the Presbyterian church, is affiliated with La Belle Valley Lodge, No. 232, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a Republican in politics.
Dr. Bickell married, in 1891, Miss Florence Burke, who was born at Lewisburg, Union county. Pennsylvania, May 18, 1871, a daughter of the Rev. J. C. and Lela (Burrell) Burke. Her father was pastor of the Third Lutheran church of Baltimore, Maryland, and her mother was a sister of the late Dr. James Burrell, of Willianisport, Pennsylvania.
Dr. and Mrs. Bickell are the parents of one child-Harold Burke, born October 10, 1900.
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J. FRANK FLEMING, M. D.
J. Frank Fleming, M. D., a leading physician of Trout Run, and a man of great public spirit, strong personality and wide influence, was born in Mill Hall, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1860, the seventh son of Isaac and Margaret Ann ( Stradley) Fleming.
Isaac Fleming ( father), the founder of the family in the United States, was born in Halifax, England, December 8, 1817, and emigrated hither in the year 1840. He was engaged in the woolen factory busi- ness, and was successively located in Center, Clinton and Lycoming counties. He settled in Hepburn township, Lycoming county, in 1866, and was assigned to the position of foreman of the Balls Woolen Mills, rendering therein efficient and capable service. He is living at the present time (1905). He married Margaret Ann Stradley, who bore him the following named children, all of whom are living except one. and all have been active and prominent in the affairs of the community : John W., deceased, passing away August 2, 1905. He was prominent in educational circles, and at the time of his death was the Nestor of Lycoming county teachers, having taught in the schools of that county for about forty consecutive years. William H. Samuel S. Hudson R., a successful miller, conducting a large and lucrative business. He is a member of the Valley Forge Memorial Commission, and for years was a prominent member of the Williamsport School Board. Edward S. Wilson I., a resident at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. He holds an im- portant position in the State Department at Harrisburg, and stands high in Masonry. J. Frank, whose name heads this sketch. Eugene S. Car- rie E., wife of Elmer Rathwall.
After completing a public school education, J. Frank Fleming learned the trade of weaver with his father and worked at it until de-
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clining health warned him to abandon the same. The following two years he gave his attention to farming. He then became a student at the Muncy Normal School with the intention of following the profes- sion of teacher, and after completing his studies there taught a school in the vicinity of Linden and brought it to a high degree of efficiency. Later he taught two terms at Oak Grove, and was subsequently engaged as principal of the schools at McIntyre. In the meantime he had decided to study medicine, and after his term as principal expired matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Maryland, from which he was graduated with high honor. He was also a student of Dr. Nutt, of Williamsport, and after graduation assisted him in his practice for about six months. He then assumed the practice of Dr. Crawford, at Trout Run, Pennsylvania, owing to his being unable through illness to attend to his professional duties, and after the death of Dr. Crawford he came into full control of the same. Dr. Fleming has resided ever since at Trout Run, where he has built up and retained a lucrative practice, and also has won the respect and esteem of the en- tire community. He has kept in touch with the advanced thought along the line of his profession by membership in the Lycoming County Med- ical Society, West Branch Medical Society, Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. Dr. Fleming has served several terms on the United States Pension Board of Lycoming county. He has always evinced great interest in the cause and progress of education, and has served in the capacity of school director and at times president of the Lycoming County Directors' Association. He is a Republican in politics, and was once the nominee of his party for the office of coroner. He is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In religion he is a Methodist.
Dr. Fleming was married in 1884 to Lizzie Hinkal, a descendant
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of a pioneer family of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and four chil- dren were born to them: Howard C., Mildred, Ellsworth, and Margaret who died at the age of five years. Mrs. Dr. Fleming died September 10, 1902.
IRVING L. TRUMAN.
Irving L. Truman, one of the leading business men of Trout Run, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, is a native of Owego, Tioga county, New York, was born September 7, 1851, and a son of Lucius and Mary P. (Leach) Truman, and grandson of the late Asa H. and Elizabeth Truman.
Early in the eighteenth century, Asa H. Truman (grandfather), was a prominent business man of Owego, the county town of Tioga county, New York. He was engaged as a country merchant and lum- berman, selling general merchandise and manufacturing lumber, which he rafted down the Susquehanna river on the spring freshets. He ac- quitted himself in such a way as to gain the confidence and esteem of all with whom he was associated, and his business capability was recog- nized throughout the community. His wife Elizabeth bore him one child, Lucius, mentioned at length in the following paragraph.
Lucius Truman ( father) was born in Owego, New York, April 18, 1818. He was reared and educated in his native town, and sub- sequently became one of the leading merchants and lumbermen thereof, gaining a reputation for integrity and trustworthiness. At the break- ing out of the rebellion he assisted in raising and organizing a com- pany of Union volunteers in Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. On May 15, 1861, he was mustered into the service as first lieutenant of Company E, of the First Rifles (the Bucktails), and was mustered
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out as quartermaster of the same regiment, July 28, 1865, having served with conspicuous fidelity and ability for four years. ("History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-65," prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates, gives the following in Vol. I .: "Lucius Truman, rank Ist lieutenant, mustered into service May 29, 1861, promoted to quartermaster March 1, 1863.") In 1840 Mr. Tru- man was united in marriage to Mary P. Leach, born in Owego, New York, 1816, and their children were as follows: Albert A., born in Owego, 1841; Harriet A., born in Owego, October 22, 1843; L. Fer- dinand, born in Owego, December 23, 1846; Mary Elizabeth, born in Owego, October 17, 1848; Irving L., born in Owego, September 7, 1851 ; Lilla, died in childhood; and Hermon L., born in Elmira, August 3, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Truman died at their home in Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1890, and in 1864, respectively.
Irving L. Truman, fifth child of Lucius and Mary P. (Leach) Truman, attended the public schools of Elmira, New York, whither his parents removed. From Elmira he removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then to Owego, New York, and from there to Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, where at the age of seventeen he engaged as clerk in the general store conducted by his brother, Louis Ferdinand Truman, and served for three or four years. He then went to Michigan, but at the expiration of six months returned to Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and for a year or more worked for his father in a sash and blind factory. In 1877 he took up his residence in Trout Run, Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, where he found employment as a clerk with the firm of F. R. and N. B. Weed, with whom he remained until September, 1883, when he purchased the lumber interest of Daniel Moyer at Roaring Branch, Pennsylvania, and engaged in manufacturing lumber in part- nership with A. F. Neyhart, under the firm name of Neyhart and Tru-
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man, this connection continuing for one year. Mr. Truman then dis- posed of his interest to Thomas Lundy and Adam Striley, and went to Bodine, Pennsylvania, and in partnership with Robert Innes embarked in the mercantile business, conducting a general store for one year, when he sold out his interest to his partner. In November, 1885, Mr. Tru- man came to Trout Run, Pennsylvania, purchased a lot and built a store, and again embarked in the mercantile business. In 1892 the store was destroyed by fire, but he rebuilt the same and then rented it. Later he purchased the store, and in partnership with F. P. Snyder again en- gaged in the mercantile business, continuing until June, 1900, when he purchased Mr. Snyder's interest in the same. April 3, 1901, Mr. Tru- man purchased the general store and building of the firm of Thomas Ward, which he is conducting successfully at the present time ( 1905). In addition to the lot above mentioned, Mr. Truman purchased in 1885 a fine timber tract in Trout Run, on which he erected a saw mill which he operated successfully for three years, and then disposed of the same, but is still engaged in the lumber business. In 1900 he purchased the Turner property, consisting of about five hundred acres of a timber tract and twelve houses. In the same year he erected a house, built another in 1904, and the following year erected a large double dwelling, from all of which he derives a goodly income. He erected his own residence, a modern and comfortable structure, in 1891. In April, 1905, he opened a flag and curbstone quarry, where the best material of this kind can be secured, and which promises to be one of the leading enterprises of this section. The esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens is evidenced by the fact that he was appointed a director in the Ralston Telephone Company, treasurer of Louis township three years, and auditor and overseer of the poor, several terms. He is a staunch sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party.
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Mr. Truman married, in 1882. Clara W. Wise, a daughter of the late Charles and Barbara Wise, and they are the parents of one daughter, Jessie, born May 25, 1883. She was a student of Dickinson Seminary, from which institution she was graduated with honors in the class of 1905, receiving a free scholarship for a college in Baltimore, Maryland. She, however, decided to attend another, and is now ( 1905) pursuing her studies at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York. Mr. Truman and his family attend the Presbyterian church, and for a period of four years he has served as trustee of the same.
CHARLES F. PLANKENHORN. DANIEL PLANKENHORN.
The family of which these two brothers are worthy representatives is of German origin, its members having been loyal and faithful in every relation of life, honorable and God-fearing people, whose chief charac- teristics were thrift, industry and perseverance.
John Plankenhorn ( father) emigrated to the United States, accom- panied by his mother and two sisters, and after a long and tedious jour- ney landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they resided for a few years. In 1849, after his marriage and the birth of his first child, Mr. Plankenhorn moved to Williamsport, Lycoming county, where he pur- chased twenty acres of land which he cleared and started a small farm thereon. Later he added two purchases, one of twenty acres and one of sixteen acres, thus making his farm fifty-six acres, the same being located in Armstrong township, now South Williamsport. He raised large quantities of cattle and sheep and, being a weaver by trade, which he learned in the old country prior to his emigration, he took the wool and had it carded, then wove it himself, and his good wife made it into
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cotton for the family, her children wearing many a suit that was grown on the farm. During the time that he was clearing and building up his property, he also worked at whatever he could find to do, his remunera- tion being but fifty cents per day. In 1852 he engaged in the dairy business, and the success which he achieved in this undertaking was the result of hard work and close application. Mr. Plankenhorn and his wife reared a family of six children, namely: Charles F., mentioned in the following paragraph. Joseph, who married Rebecca Miller, who bore him six children: John, who married Mary Lambert, and their children are Helen and John; William, Joseph, Fonslow, Harry and Laura. Joseph married for his second wife Agnes who bore him one child, Benjamin. Daniel, mentioned in the following para- graphs. Benjamin, who died unmarried at the age of twenty-eight years. Christian, who married Rebecca Rothfuss, no issue. Mary, who became the wife of James Burke, and their children are: Pearl, who became the wife of Leslie Tucker; Delia, William, Emily, La Rue and Charles Burke.
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