Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume II, Part 31

Author: Collins, Emerson, 1860- ed; Jordan, John Woolf, 1840-1921
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York : Lewis
Number of Pages: 626


USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 31


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THOMAS A. THOMAS.


Thomas A. Thomas, president of the Williamsport Clutch and Pulley Company, one of the leading enterprises of that thriving city, is a man of strong mentality, absolute business integrity and quick and unerring judgment. He has a large and influential circle of friends, and commands the esteem of his fellow-citizens, with whom he is identi- fied in every public enterprise of importance.


Thomas Thomas, grandfather of Thomas A. Thomas, was born in Wales, was reared, educated and married in his native land, and about the year 1829, accompanied by his wife and two sons, Thomas and David, came to the United States, the journey in those early days being much more of an undertaking than it is in the present day of progress. They settled on the Connecticut Western Reservation, in Ohio, started to clear a small farm, and in addition to this they secured employment at carpentering where they could. After a residence of almost a year in their new home the father was killed while assisting his neighbor building a log house, and thus the care and support of the mother de- pended on the efforts of the two boys. They continued in this way until about 1835, in which year Thomas died and David went to work alone.


David Thomas, father of Thomas A. Thomas, devoted the greater part of his time to carpentering, the court house, several churches and a great number of houses in Portage county standing as monuments to his ability and skill along those lines. He was remarkably successful in prosecuting his calling, and as a prominent and influential citizen was widely and favorably known. His sterling worth and strict integrity won him the confidence and regard of all with whom he was brought in contact. David Thomas was united in marriage to Ann Bevan, and the


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children born to them are as follows: Thomas A., mentioned at length hereinafter. Charles C., who married Mary Davis, and their children are: Edith and Bessie. Mary A., who became the wife of William Harris, is the mother of a large family, and they reside in Niles, Ohio.


Thomas A. Thomas is a native of Ohio. After completing a com- mon school education he was employed in various capacities until the age of nineteen years, when he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Regiment, which was under the command of Captain Gilbert, and later under Captain Mason. The regiment was busy fol- lowing the noted rebel, Morgan, and many were the skirmishes and fights they had with his command. At the battle of Stone river they were a part of the Army of the Cumberland, but later at Kingston, Georgia, they were detached and became a part of the Army of Georgia. Mr. Thomas participated in General Sherman's famous march to the sea, and was in every battle and skirmish that his regiment participated in from the time of his enlistment in 1862 until his discharge, June 6, 1865, and during the entire time was never wounded or taken prisoner. He took part in the grand review in Washington, D. C., in May, 1865, re- ceiving his honorable discharge at that time.


He at once returned to his home in Ohio, secured what employ- ment he could in different lines, and by dint of thrift and economy saved sufficient money to allow him to go to school and prepare himself for an accountant, which calling he followed until 1879. He then came to Erie, Pennsylvania, and in company with B. B. Brown engaged in the iron business, handling the raw material, and this has continued up to the present time (1905), making an uninterrupted partnership of a quarter of a century. After they had made a successful start of this enterprise they established the Erie Specialty Manufacturing Company, which they conducted until they got it on a paying basis and then dis-


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posed of it. In 1889 they went to New York state and established 3 power transmission company, which they continued to conduct until 1902, in which year the plant was destroyed by fire. At that time Williamsport, Pennsylvania, offered them inducements to bring their plant to this city, and in the same year the Williamsport Clutch and Pulley Company was formed, with Mr. Thomas as president. This furnished employment to about fifty men, most of whom are skilled mechanics, and thus in addition to the benefits derived by the members of the company it is beneficial to many others. Mr. Thomas casts his vote with the Republican party, the principles of which he has firmly adhered to since attaining his majority. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Free and Accepted Masons.


Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Harriet Hall, daughter of Jesse Hall, who was one of the settlers of the Connecticut Reservation, and a western pioneer, and whose family consisted of eight other chil- dren, namely: Caroline Hibler, Miriam Burnett, David, Christian Oliver, Nancy J. Price, William H., Clarissa Miller and Jesse A. Hall. The following named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas : Willard J., married Maud Weigel, issue: Elsie and Boyd Thomas. David Anson, married Lena Mentley, issue: Eleanor Ruth Thomas. Millward T., married Bertha Wilcox, issue: Gladys and Virginia Thomas. Charles C., unmarried. Harriet B., unmarried. George H .. unmarried.


THE HARMAN FAMILY.


Among the esteemed and respected families of Williamsport, Ly- coming county, Pennsylvania, stands out conspicuously the one of which this sketch treats. David Harman, the first of whom there is any record, was a life-long resident of the Black Hole Valley, where he followed the


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quiet but useful calling of agriculture, thereby providing a comfortable home for his family. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Walt- man, bore him a number of children, six of whom are living at the present time ( 1905), namely :


I. Fannie, who became the wife of Nicholas Scheid, and one child is the issue of the union, Sarah Scheid.


2. Sarah, who became the wife of Jason Van Buskirk, no issue.


3. Charles Harman, who was born on the old homestead in the Black Hole Valley. He attended the public schools for a short period of time, and then started to earn a livelihood for himself, doing whatever presented itself for the first year. The following year he became pro- prietor of the National hotel, and after successfully conducting the same for two years turned it over to his father and immediately afterward (in 1871) he established a livery business, which he has conducted ever since. In 1878, in partnership with James Derr, he engaged in the under- taking business, adding this to his other line of work, and they continued thus until 1885, in which year they dissolved partnership. Mr. Harman then continued the business alone, purchasing from Mrs. Flower a fine residence on West Third street, in a central location, and with land enough to build his stables and give him room for his undertaking busi- ness. He uses his influence and deposits his vote in favor of the Demo- cratic party, and is a loyal citizen, upholding the best interests of his fellow-townsmen. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and a member of all the Masonic bodies, and Irem Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Lentz, daughter of Adam and Sarah ( Rickard) Lentz, of Williamsport, and among the children born to them were the following: John, deceased, who mar- ried Jennie Crow, no issue; Catherine, who became the wife of Isaac Greenbaum, and mother of eight children: Minnie, Elizabeth, Myrtle,


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Anna, Margaret, Joseph, Charles and George; James, who married Jane Grimes, and their children are: Harry, Mary, Margaret, Charles, Edward and James; Margaret, who became the wife of William Wood, no issue; Jane, who became the wife of James Moore, and their chil- dren are: Ruth, Asa and Marjorie; Mary, who became the wife of William Yeagle, and mother of three children: Bertha, Maud and Mollie; William, who married Matilda Carpenter, and their children are: Vera, Grant and Clare; Lehman, unmarried; and Effie, who be- came the wife of Theodore Harrison, and their family consists of three children : Parton, DeVon and Cecil.


4. Emma, who became the wife of Michael J. Miller, and they are the parents of one daughter, Mame, wife of Jesse Weightman, and mother of one child, Ruth Weightman.


5. Samuel B. Harman, who was born on the old homestead in the Black Hole Valley. His education was obtained in the public schools, and his first occupation was in a lumber mill, where he learned the busi- ness in all its details. He continued at this until he was about twenty years of age, when he entered into partnership with his younger brother, McClellan, and they established a grocery business, which they con- ducted for a number of years. After the dissolution of this connection he continued the business on his own account until 1884, in which year he disposed of it, and in January, 1885, he went to the National Hotel as proprietor, continuing as such for fifteen months. He then entered into partnership with his brother Charles in the livery and undertaking business, continued the connection for about a year and a half and then disposed of his interest to his brother. He once more assumed the pro- prietorship of the National Hotel, remaining until the spring of 1891, when he purchased the property known as The Old Corner Hotel, one of the landmarks of early Williamsport, which he has conducted up to


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April, 1905, when he sold the personal property, but retains the real estate. He recently purchased a residence property on East Fourth street, and is the owner of one of the pretty homes for which the city of Williamsport is noted. He is a member of the Lutheran church, a Democrat in politics, and his fraternal affiliations are with Lodge No. 173, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was united in marriage to Mary Steinhilper, one of five children born to John and Theresa (Stern) Steinhilper; their children are: Eva, who became the wife of Charles Foucart, and their children are: Elsie, Tessie, Eva and Charlotte; Mary, aforementioned as the wife of Samuel B. Harman, and they were the parents of one child, Eva May, who died at the age of thirteen months; Rose, who became the wife of George Flock, and their family consists of three children : Frederic, Ruth and Samuel Harman Flock; Fanny, who became the wife of William Lamade, and two chil- dren were born to them: Williard D. and Verner; Louise, who became the wife of William C. Hopler, and they are the parents of one child, Harold Hopler.


6. George B. McClellan (commonly known as Clellan) Harman was born on the old homestead in the Black Hole Valley. He attended the public schools in South Williamsport, and after completing his edu- cation went to work in a grocery store to learn the mercantile business. He served in the capacity of clerk for five years, during which time he became thoroughly familiar with the grocery business in all its many details, and at the expiration of that period of time established a busi- ness of his own on Market street, Williamsport, opening a first-class restaurant. Later he became proprietor of the National Hotel, in Will- iamsport, which he conducted for two years, after which he conducted the Tivoli on Market street, continuing about five years, and the fol-


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lowing two years the Federal was under his management, and then the National for nine years. He then removed to his present location and started the Alpha, which is now the finest equipped hotel outside of the large cities, and which makes a specialty of high-class trade, serving all the luxuries of the seasons at their respective times. He is actively connected with several musical organizations, and being an artist of considerable ability on the slide trombone, his services are frequently in demand as a soloist. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Key- stone League, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, affil- iating with Lodge No. 173. He is a staunch adherent of the principles of Democracy. Mr. Harman married Nellie McDermott, daughter of John and Kate (Downs) McDermott, whose family consists of three other children, namely: James E., Marion and Peter. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harman: David M. and Marion Emily.


FLOCK FAMILY.


The Flock family of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, which has numerous representatives well established in life and occupying posi- tions of usefulness in the community, is of German origin, the ancestral home being in Kirch Heilingen, Prussia. There was born in 1824 Henry Jacob Flock, a son of Carl F. W. and Mary Dorothea Flock. He received a common school education, and was then apprenticed to a stone mason, and after finishing his trade traveled as a journeyman, in accordance with the traditional customs of the country. During his youth he also creditably served the required term of five years in the Prussian army. He was a man of twenty-nine years when he emigrated to the United States in 1853. He first stopped in Elmira, New York, and in the following year located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. For


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several years he worked at his trade, aiding in the construction of bridges for the Pennsylvania railroad, the Dubois Mill at Williams- port, and several furnaces in that part of the state. He afterward fol- lowed boating on the canal. In 1865 he entered upon an independent career. In June, 1865, he purchased the old City Brewery, which he greatly improved and modernized, putting in an entirely new equipment, making the establishment equal to any in the state, and supplying a product which came into instant favor through a large field. He operated the brewery with great success until his death, and accumulated a comfortable estate. He was a communicant of the Lutheran church, and reared his family in its faith. In politics he was a Democrat, and fraternally he was affiliated with the local lodge of Odd Fellows. He was a man noted for industry and integrity, and was held in high regard in the community. In 1855 he married Eva Barbara, daughter of John and Eva Catherine Metzger, both natives of Germany, and of this union were born seven children: I, Catherine Elizabeth; 2, Charles Fred- erick William, deceased, to be further mentioned hereinafter; 3, Henry Jacob, deceased ; 4, Mary Dorothy, died in infancy ; 5, John Henry, to be also further named; 6, Jacob George, of whom see further; 7, Herman Frederick William. The father of this family died November 16, 1883.


CHARLES FREDERICK WILLIAM FLOCK, eldest son of Henry Jacob and Eva Barbara (Metzger) Flock, was born in Williamsport, Pennsyl- vania, June 18, 1857. He began his education in the schools of that city, pursued advanced studies in Dickinson Seminary, and completed a business course in the Williamsport Commercial College. While thus well equipped for a business career, he was also an accomplished practical brewer, having learned every feature of the art. For four years prior to the death of his father he had the management of the business, and for six years succeeding that event he was both manager and book-


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keeper. Subsequently the Flock Brewing Company was organized, his brothers, J. Henry, J. George and William, coming into the corpora- tion, and in the systematization of the business Charles F. W. Flock con- fined himself to managerial duties, in the capacity of president, in which he continued during the remainder of his life. A man of great energy and enterprise and of fine business qualities, his activities were not con- fined to the industry with which his name was principally identified. He was actively connected with various commercial and financial interests, among them the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company, the Williamsport Clutch and Pulley Company, and he was also a director in the Grit Publishing Company. A Democrat in politics, he was an acknowledged leader in party affairs, and was called to various public positions. He served for two consecutive terms as a member of the select council, and in that body rendered efficient service upon the com- mittees on highways and sewers and gas and water, and was chairman of that on joint supply of light and water. On several occasions he was prominently mentioned for the mayoralty, but in each instance declined the proffered honor. He was a leading member of various orders and societies, in all of which he was deservedly popular. He held high rank in the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in Ivy Lodge, No. 397, of Williamsport, August 9, 1897, received the Fellow Craft degree November 2, 1897, Master Mason degree December 17, 1897, and the capitular degrees in Lycoming Chapter, No. 222, Royal Arch Masters, June 13 and September 12, 1899. He was knighted in Bald- win II Commandery, No. 22, Knights Templar, December 19, 1899; received the cryptic degrees in Adoniram Council, No. 26, Royal and Select Masters, March 19, 1903, and in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite received the fourth to the fourteenth degrees on January 31,. 1900, and the fifteenth to the thirty-second degree, inclusive, June 28, 1901.


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He also held membership in Williamsport Lodge, No. 173, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in the local lodge of Odd Fellows. He was an enthusiastic hunter and trap shooter, and was president of the West Branch Rod and Gun Club. He was also a leading member of the Williamsport Turn Verein. He was for a number of years an effi- cient member of the National Guard, and rose to the rank of second lieu- tenant of Company B, Twelfth Regiment. With his family he was a member of the Lutheran church. March 23, 1882, he was married to Mary, daughter of G. E. Otto Siess, of Williamsport, whose personal sketch follows this in the work, and to them were born seven children : H. Jacob, Eva Barbara, G. E. Otto, Howard, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Frederick P., born September 2, 1888, died February 14, 1889.


Mr. Flock's death occurred October 20, 1904, under dramatic and peculiarly distressing circumstances. In company with a party of close personal friends he had gone into Maine on a hunting expedition, their rendezvous being Lake Millinocket, in the north central part of the state, where they set up a camp which they expected to occupy for a fortnight. On the third day after their arrival, after an arduous out- ing, Mr. Flock ate his meal with an unusual avidity which was ascribed to the severity of the exercise which he had taken. Early next morning he was found to be in great physical pain in his chest and arms. Dr. Campbell, his friend and family physician, who was sleeping in an adjoining tent, was summoned, and found the stricken man pale and haggard, who in response to a question said: "Before II:30 tomorrow I'll be dead." Dr. Campbell administered restoratives and his patient dropped into a quiet, healthful sleep, which continued during the re- mainder of the night. In the morning he arose as usual, ate a slight breakfast, and although still suffering some pain expressed himself as about recovered. A few hours later he proposed to go hunting, which


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Dr. Campbell forbade, to his great disappointment, as he asserted, "I'm not a sick man, and there's no reason why I shouldn't go." The physi- cian was obdurate, however, and would not give his consent. The party went out on a hunt, leaving Mr. Flock and the cook at the camp. Shortly afterward Dr. Campbell felt disquietude on account of leaving Mr. Flock, and returning to the camp found him sitting up conversing with those about, apparently in usual health and spirits. Suddenly Mr. Flock arose to his feet, saying, " I think I'll go and lie down," but sank back upon his bench, apparently too weak to stand. He did, however, straighten himself, but a moment afterward fell forward upon his face, life extinct. His death was due to heart failure following upon his at- tack of acute indigestion the night before. The remains were at once conveyed to his home in Williamsport. No death in years caused more widespread gloom there, and the pathetic manner of his demise added much to the sympathetic character of the observations heard on every side. The funeral was attended by a very large concourse of deeply affected friends, which included representatives from every walk in life. The funeral services were conducted in accordance with the ritual of the Masonic order. And so passed away a young business man of splendid qualifications, and one who in his personal character had en- deared himself to the entire community, making a sincere mourner of every one with whom he had been thrown in contact, in whatever rela- tion.


JOHN HENRY FLOCK, son of Henry Jacob and Eva Barbara (Metz- ger) Flock, was born in Williamsport, August 24, 1860. He was edu- cated in the public schools of his native city, received a thorough prac- tical training in the Flock brewery and was soon advanced to the posi- tion of superintendent, in which he acquitted himself with excellent abil- ity. The new brewery, which adjoins the old one and is one of the


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largest in the state, with a capacity of fifty thousand barrels, was erected in 1899. The Flock Brewing Company is also interested in the lumber business in the southern states, conducting business under the style of the Saluda River Lumber Company; also the Border State Lumber Company, with headquarters at Greenville, South Carolina. In 1880 Mr. Flock went to Philadelphia and was there engaged in the brewing business with the firms of J. & P. Baltz and Hensler & Flach, leading brewers of that city. In 1880, the same year, he returned to Williams- port, and since then has been engaged in the business founded by his father. He was initiated in Ivy Lodge, No. 397, Free and Accepted Masons, October II, 1897, received the degree of Fellow Craft Novem- ber 17, 1897, and Master Mason December 17, 1897. In Lycoming Royal Arch Chapter, No. 222, he received the degrees of Mark Master, May 12, 1903, and Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch Master, June 4, 1903. In Adoniram Council, No. 26, Royal and Select Mas- ters, he received the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master, Octo- ber 2, 1903. In Baldwin II Commandery, No. 22, Knights Templar, he received the degrees of Red Cross, October 8, 1903; Knight Templar, November 17, 1903, and Malta, March 15, 1904. In the Ancient Ac- cepted Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty-second degree.


He is a prominent member of the Williamsport Turn Verein and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. In politics he is a Democrat. In May, 1886, he married Elizabeth Foura, and they are the parents of five children : Henry Jacob, Carl, Catherine Elizabeth, Eugene Campbell, and Ralph Metzger, died at the age of fourteen months.


JACOB GEORGE FLOCK, son of Henry Jacob and Eva Barbara (Metz- ger) Flock, was born in Williamsport, September 15, 1864. He, like his elder brothers, was educated in the public schools of that city, and later attended the commercial college. He then entered the employ of


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C. F. Gordon & Company, proprietors of a dry goods store on Pine street, Williamsport, and served one year as assistant bookkeeper. He then entered the freight office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and served in the capacity of bookkeeper for four years, after which he entered the Flock brewery and served in the various departments, then assumed management of the bottling department, which position he still holds, and also (1905) fills the position of secretary of the Flock Brew- ing Company. He is a Lutheran in religion, and holds membership in the local Turn Verein. He was initiated in Ivy Lodge, No. 397, Free and Accepted Masons, August 9, 1897, and received the degrees of Fellow Craft November 2, 1897, and Master Mason December 17, 1897. In Lycoming Royal Arch Chapter, No. 222, he received the degrees of Mark Master March 10, 1903, Most Excellent Master, March 16, 1903, and Royal Arch Master, March 16, 1903. In Adoniram Council, No. 26, Royal and Select Masters, he received the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master, May 18, 1903. In Baldwin II Commandery, No. 22, Knights Templar, he received the degrees of Red Cross, April 29, 1903, Knight Templar, April 29, 1903, and Malta, March 15, 1904. In Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite he has received the thirty-second degree. On March 1, 1888, he married Rosa Steinhilper, daughter of John Steinhilper, of Williamsport, whose birth occurred April 1I, 1864. Their children are: Kathryn Elizabeth, born September 19, 1889, died July 16, 1890; Frederick Paul, born November 11, 1896; Ruth Eliza- beth, born April 29, 1898, and Samuel Harman, born October 7, 1902.


HERMAN FREDERICK WILLIAM FLOCK, son of Henry Jacob and Eva (Metzger) Flock, was born in Williamsport, March 15, 1870. He attended the common and high schools of that city, graduating from the latter in the class of 1890. He was engaged in the orchestra business for nine years, during which time he served as pianist for the Elite




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