USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 35
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ers' Home at Fountain Springs, Schuylkill county. He also put in the underground crossing at East Third street, Williamsport.
Mr. Kelley, like his father, takes great interest in target practice and is a fine shot. He was for many years a member of the Williams- port Gun Club, an organization which has since been disbanded. He has on his grounds a building fully equipped for target practice, and his collection of guns is exceptionally rare and costly, including some of the finest pieces obtainable. Mr. Kelley cherishes a commendable pride in the fact that he has been the architect of his own fortune, his spacious residence, furnished with every facility for comfort and enjoy- ment, being one of the evidences of his success. He gives to the Demo- cratic party his influence and vote and is a member of the Roman Cath- clic church.
Mr. Kelley married, in 1866, Agnes, daughter of John Smith, who came to this country with her parents at the age of six years from Lan- caster, England. Her mother was born in Dumfries, Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have no children, but have brought up and educated several, but without adopting any of them. One of these children was Nellie Cotter, now deceased, another being Nellie Farrell, now the wife of F. C. Cumings, of Williamsport, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley also gave a home and an education to Frank J. Ross, a Hungarian boy, sending him to the high school and afterward to the Commercial College at Williamsport. He is now set- tled at Jersey City. Miss Minnie Schenck, another protege, has for ten years been an inmate of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kelley, and is known as the greatest female target shot in the world, a fact which, notwithstanding Miss Schenck's shrinking from notoriety, the sporting papers have not failed to mention.
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NEWTON H. CULVER.
One of those men whose influence both in mercantile transactions and in the conduct of public affairs always makes for justice, honesty and progress, is Newton H. Culver, of Williamsport. Mr. Culver comes of old colonial seventeenth century stock, tracing his descent from David Culver, of Massachusetts. His son, Joseph Culver, was a soldier in the revolutionary army. Subsequently he was married to Rebecca Root, and early in the nineteenth century moved his family to Scipio, Cayuga county, New York, which was then a wilderness.
Simon Culver, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Root) Culver, lived in Scipio, New York, where he cultivated a farm. He was a soldier in the war of 1812-15. Subsequently he filled for many years the position of a deputy keeper in the state prison in Auburn, New York. He mar- ried Susanna Calkins, daughter of a Welsh Baptist preacher, and they had a family of seven children, all of whom grew to maturity. I. Augus- tus, married Elizabeth Minor, and had three children. 2 and 3. Per- milla and Permelia (twins) ; the former married Samuel French and left descendants, and the latter became the wife of Sylvanus Dunham and had no children. 4. Mary Etta, married John Stiles, and had one daughter, Nellie, who is the childless widow of the Rev. Dr. Fawsett. of Kankakee, Illinois. 5. Eber, mentioned at length hereinafter. 6. Saloma, who became the wife of J. H. Bristol, and has two children : Homer and John. 7. Leander, deceased.
Eber Culver, fifth child of Simon and Susanna (Calkins) Culver, was educated in the public schools and academy at Auburn, New York. At the age of sixteen he went to Dayton, Ohio, where for three years he applied himself to learning the carpenter's trade with his brother-in- law, Sylvanus Dunham. He then returned to Auburn and engaged in
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business as a carpenter and builder. In 1847 he formed a partnership with Thomas Nelson, under the firm name of Nelson & Culver. In 1848 this partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Culver went to California, taking the overland route. The journey was made in wagons, with ox-teams, part of the time on horseback, or on foot. They finally ar- rived in Sacramento, where Mr. Culver had an illness of six months' duration, after which he went to work in the mines. He decided after a time that his trade was more lucrative than mining, and thereupon re- turned to Sacramento City, where he remained until 1851, when he returned to his home in Auburn, remaining for a short time, and then went to Elmira, working as a builder in both places. His success was much facilitated by a knowledge of architecture which he had acquired in early life and which enabled him to plan as well as to construct build- ings. In 1854 he went to Williamsport, where his first work was to build a saw-mill for Webb, Canfield & Company. Afterwards he en- gaged in contract work until 1863, and then formed a partnership with George P. Barber under the name of Culver, Barber & Company. For about twelve years the firm did a flourishing business in the manufactur- ing of planing mill supplies, one of their patrons being Peter Herdic, who was then conducting his extensive building operations in Williamsport. During this time and since then Mr. Culver has planned and constructed many handsome and important public and private buildings, including the Park Hotel, the Weightman Block, City Hall, Lycoming Opera House, several churches and many fine residences. In 1900 he retired from active business, and since then has enjoyed to the full the conscious- ness of a life well spent. Mr. Culver has taken an energetic interest in public affairs and has received from his fellow-citizens proofs of their appreciation. He was chosen a member of the borough council, after- ward was a member of the city council, and also served two terms on
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the school board. He is a member of the Baptist church, and is one of the oldest and most respected residents of Williamsport.
In 1847 Mr. Culver was married to Gertrude Anna Hermance, of Saratoga, New York. They are the parents of the following children, viz .: Ella S .; Newton H., mentioned at length hereinafter; M. Etta, wife of Frank H. McCormick; Frank S., now a resident of Port Clin- ton, Ohio, who married Carrie Gibson; and Fred E., deceased. The grandchildren of Eber Culver are: Fred Culver and Eleanor McCor- mick; Maud L., Ella, Elsie and Frederick Culver, children of Newton H. Culver; and Anna, Maud, Frank and Rachel Culver, children of Frank S. Culver.
Newton H. Culver, son of Eber and Gertrude Anna ( Hermance) Culver, received a common school education, and after leaving school assisted his father in the planing-mill. In 1875 his father gave him an interest in the business, and in 1879, when the building operations of Peter Herdic came to a sudden close, he went to Denver, Colorado, but, finding the outlook there unpromising, after a short time returned home. After spending about one year on an engineer corps on coal land sur- vey, he went to Philadelphia, where he remained six years, engaging in patent work and architecture. After a short sojourn in Detroit, Michi- gan, he went to Chicago, Illinois, but encountering bad times, he re- turned home and established himself in the building business. In 1896, in company with others, he organized the Diamond Wall Cement Com- pany, of which he is general manager, his father holding the office of treasurer and F. H. McCormick that of president. The company pro- duce about two thousand tons of cement a month, which is shipped all over the country from Garbutt, New York. They also are interested in the Lycoming Calcining Company, Mr. Culver being president and manager, which produces over two hundred tons per day. Mr. Culver
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is a public-spirited and popular citizen, possessing the fullest confidence of his townsmen. He has served as a member of the city council, and is now in his second term as chairman of the Lycoming County Repub- lican committee. He once accepted the nomination of his party for state senator, and, although not elected, ran ahead of his ticket.
Mr. Culver married Florence Bubb, and they have four children : Maud L., unmarried; Ella, wife of Frank Fiske; Elsie, wife of Thomas Lightfoot, and Fred N., unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Culver have no grandchildren.
CHARLES H. FRITZ.
One of those self-made men of whom any community has reason to be proud is Charles H. Fritiz, of Vilas. Mr. Fritz is a grandson of Joseph Fritz, a native of Pennsylvania, whose children were Henry, John, Sarah and William.
William Fritz was born at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, and was a farmer of considerable means and influence, holding some important township offices, among them those of tax collector and auditor. He married Mary, daughter of Frederick Starick, a native of Germany, who settled in Sugar Valley, Pennsylvania, where he became a farmer and tar-burner, being well and widely known as a manufacturer and burner of his own tar. His wife was Elizabeth -, a native of one of the lower counties of Pennsylvania, and their children were: Mary, who became the wife of William Fritz, as mentioned above; William, Re- becca, Charles, and McClellen.
Mr. and Mrs. William Fritz were the parents of the following chil- dren : Charles H., mentioned at length hereinafter; Torrence E., deceased; Mary E., Maud E. and Henry J. Mrs. Fritz, the mother of
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these children, died in 1888, at the early age of thirty-four, and Mr. Fritz is still living, being now sixty-two years old.
Charles H. Fritz, son of William and Mary (Starick) Fritz, was born in 1867, in Caldwell, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, and was edu- cated at his birthplace. He learned the carpenter's trade, completing his apprenticeship in 1891, and then worked as a journeyman until 1902. In that year he began to take contracts, and now has a reputation as a contractor and builder founded alike on fine workmanship and fair dealing. He keeps a general supply of hardware and building materials, and employs about ten men the year round. He has built for himself three houses in the Third ward. He is past noble grand in the I. O. O. F. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical church, in which he holds the offices of Sunday school superintendent, steward and trustee.
Mr. Fritz married, in 1893, Martha Brock, and eight children have been born to them, five of whom are living: Leon R .; Clare E .; Charles G .; Evelyn M .; and Ivan W. Mrs. Fritz is a daughter of Conrad and Rosanna Brock, natives of Switzerland, who emigrated to the United States in 1860. Mr. Brock was a farmer and followed other avoca- tions as well. He and his wife were the parents of the following chil- dren : Rosanna; Bertha; Conrad; Mary; Martha, who was born July 27, 1877, in Clinton county, and became the wife of Charles H. Fritz, as mentioned above.
MICHAEL CAMPBELL.
Michael Campbell, a worthy farmer of McHenry township, Lyco- ming county, Pennsylvania, was born at Cammal, Pennsylvania, Febru- ary 20, 1825, a son of Michael and Mary ( Hostrander) Campbell. He is the grandson of Robert Campbell, who was a worthy and patriotic
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man, and preacher of the gospel. He was a musician in the war of the Revolution, serving under Washington. After the cessation of hos- tilities he located at Round Island, where he remained for several years. He subsequently removed to Cammal, where he spent the remainder of his days. During his residence in this place Mr. Campbell decided to join the church, not under pressure of eloquent preaching, but by giving close attention himself to the Word. Desiring to be baptized he immediately sought a Baptist clergyman to perform the ceremony. From the day of his baptism he commenced to preach the gospel far and near, and was the means of doing inestimable good in that, the then new country. His wife was Rachel English, and they were the parents of children, as follows: Samuel, a minister in the Baptist church; George, Michael, to be further referred to; Young, Abner, Robert, John, Jere- miah, Priscilla, Margaret, and Elizabeth.
Michael Campbell, second son and child of Robert and Rachel (English) Campbell, was born in Cammal, October 26, 1794, and was one of the well-to-do, prosperous farmers of that section. He was the owner of considerable land, and was a useful and worthy citizen. He was twice married: First to Mary Hostrander, who bore him children, as follows: Priscilla, Sarah, Hiram, Richard, Michael, to be further mentioned hereinafter; Margaret, Fannie, Mary, Harriet, Cornelia, and two who died in infancy. Of these children all are deceased except Michael and Harriet. Michael Campbell, Sr. married for his second wife Mrs. Hannah Beaviour, and they became the parents of the fol- lowing named children: Enoch, William, Lafayette and Truman. Michael, the father of these children, died September 13, 1881, and his wife passed away in December, 1903.
Michael Campbell, fifth child and third son of Michael and Mary (Hostrander) Campbell, was reared and educated in Cammal, and there
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he remained for twenty-two years. His life has been spent in lumber- ing and agricultural pursuits, and he has achieved the most excellent success in this occupation. In 1883 he bought his present farm, com- prising sixty acres of bottom land, on which he has since resided. In political proclivities he is a Democrat, and has held the offices of treas- urer of the school board, school director and supervisor of the township. He is a Baptist in church connections, and is a deacon of his church.
Mr. Campbell married, March 16, 1848, Miss Elsie Tomb, who has borne him children as follows: Mary E., born January 8, 1850, mar- ried George W. Rolland, who was a soldier in the Civil war, a member of Company H, Forty-ninth Reigment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry ; they have five children, namely: Harry D., Forrest, Raymond, Maud and Ruth. Benjamin J., born January 6, 1852. Silas P., born May 4, 1854. Kitty, born December 5, 1856, married a Mr. English, and they have one son, Raymond English. Milford M., born February 27, 1867. Harry, born April 15, 1869, died July 16, 1897. Mrs. Campbell, the mother of these children, born October 1, 1833, died February 22, 1905, and her death was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends.
GEORGE TOBIAS PIPER.
George Tobias Piper was a member of the firm of E. L. Piper & Sons, general lumber manufacturers in Lycoming county, and was a prominent citizen of Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Edmond L. Piper, father of George Tobias Piper, was a well known citizen of Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He entered the lumber business, and his clear and shrewd insight into business con- ditions kept his firm prominently and favorably before the public, and made of it a successful concern. He was equally successful in con-
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ducting a private bank, his well known honesty and integrity giving him the confidence of all. Edmond L. Piper was the senior member of the firm of E. L. Piper & Sons. He married Harriet Watson, who bore him four children: 1, George Tobias; 2, Elizabeth L .; 3, Helen H., widow of F. W. Benedict of New Haven, Connecticut ; 4, Robert, de- ceased.
George Tobias Piper, oldest son and oldest child of Edmond L. and Harriet (Watson) Piper, was born at Watsontown, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1843, and died there in May, 1883, at the age of forty years. He was educated in the public schools of Williamsport, and upon leaving them he attended college in Poughkeepsie, New York. He was a very bright and conscientious student. After finishing his educational career he entered the business of his father, and soon became identified with the firm, as his business ability and foresight entitled him. On August 8, 1862, Mr. Piper enlisted in Company B, One Hun- dred and Thirty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served with great bravery under Captain David Bly. The company was mus- tered out May 23, 1863. Mr. Piper was a firm Republican and, at the time of his death, was a member of the city council. He married, May 23, 1878, Miss Hellen Adelaide Higgins, who bore him one son, Edmond Brown Piper. Mrs. George Tobias Piper is a sister of Mrs. James V. Brown and Mrs. Allen P. Perley.
Edmond Brown Piper, only son and child of the late George Tobias and Hellen Adelaide (Higgins) Piper, was born in Williamsport, Ly- coming county, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1881. He was educated at the public schools of Williamsport, from there went to Cheltenham Military Academy, and then attended Princeton University, in New Jersey, from which he was graduated very creditably. In the fall of 1902 he accepted a position as inspector with the Williamsport Water Company, and
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later was elected superintendent in the same company, a position which he still holds. He is also part owner of the Williamsport Poultry Com- pany, and is secretary and treasurer of the James V. Brown Library, and also director of the Young Men's Christian Association of Williams- port. He is also a director of the Williamsport Water Company, and one of the executors of the late James V. Brown estate. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 106; Lycoming Chapter No. 222, R. A. M .; Adoniram Council, R. S. M .; Baldwin II Commandery, K. T .; Williamsport Consistory, having attained the thirty-second de- gree; Irem Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wilkesbarre; is a member of the Ross Club, Temple Club, Williamsport Country Club, the Haleka County Club, and Williamsport Wheel Club. He is a Re- publican in politics, and a vestryman of Christ Episcopal church.
Mr. Piper was married on November 22, 1905, to Miss Elizabeth Updegraff Gibson, daughter of James J. and Lucy ( Updegraff) Gibson, of Williamsport. Mrs. Gibson is no longer living.
Mr. Piper is a young man for whom may be predicted a brilliant business career. He is enterprising, ambitious, and has good executive ability. He is always ready to assist in any project for promoting the interests of his town, is a ready and fluent speaker, and very popular in the social as well as the business world.
GEORGE B. HORN.
George B. Horn, successful in both mercantile and agricultural pur- suits, and possessing one of the best equipped farms in Lycoming county, is a well-known figure on the Williamsport provision market, which has been the centre of his business activities for many years.
The first of his paternal ancestors to settle in Pennsylvania was his
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grandfather, George Horn, a native of Delaware, who located in Ly- coming county very early in the last century, and purchased one hun- dred and five acres of wild land in Anthony township, which he cleared and improved into a productive farm. He resided there for the re- mainder of his life, which terminated when he was about seventy years old, and his wife, who was before marriage Betsey Smith, died at about the same age. They were buried in the State Road cemetery, Lycom- ing township. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. George and Betsey (Smith) Horn were the parents of seven children, namely : Joseph, Nancy, Rachel, George, William, John and Elizabeth. Joseph is no longer living. Nancy, who is also deceased, was the wife of Enoch Paulhamas. Rachel married Andrew Grove. Elizabeth is the wife of John Bower.
John Horn, George B. Horn's father, was born in Anthony town- ship, January 16, 1826. The active period of his life was spent upon the homestead farm, which came into his possession, and he has made numerous improvements upon both the land and buildings. Energetic and industrious he has realized continuous prosperity as a reward for his labors, and although almost an octogenarian he is still quite active for one of his years. John Horn married Christina Bower. She was born in Germany, in 1828, daughter of Mathew Bower, who followed the carpenter's trade prior to his immigration. During her infancy she was brought to America by her parents, who settled upon a farm in the vicinity of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where they resided for the remainder of their lives, and both lived to be over seventy years old. The farm which they owned and occupied for so many years is now the property of their grandson, George B. Horn. John and Christina (Bower) Horn were the parents of ten children, namely: Ambrose,
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George B., Edward, Jennie, Elizabeth, deceased; Henry, Lorenzo, Ella, Alice and Annie.
Ambrose Horn was born March 28, 1851. He was married August 24, 1876, to Margaret Ann Bower, who was born May 17, 1851, daugh- ter of Frederick and Catherine (Weaver) Bower, prosperous farming people, formerly of Buck Horn, Jackson township, and later of Rose Valley, where her father died. Ambrose and Margaret Horn have one son, Ellis Wilson Horn, who was born January 18, 1877.
Edward Horn, who is a merchant in Jerseymills, this county, mar- ried Rachel Savage and has one daughter, Mabel.
Jennie Horn married John Wensell, and is now residing in Will- iamsport, Pennsylvania.
Elizabeth Horn became the wife of David Myers, also deceased. Four of their children are living, namely: Carrie, Ida, Emma, and Gertrude. Carrie married John Hinckleman, of New Berry, this county ; and Ida is the wife of Otto Shultz, of Williamsport.
Henry Horn, who is residing on a farm in Lycoming township, married Emma Laylon, and has four children, namely: Lottie, Loyd, Alvesta and Truman.
Lorenzo Horn, who was born November 20, 1871, and resides at the homestead, married Bertha Alice Reeder. They have one son, Earl Horn, who was born May 25, 1895.
Ella Horn is now the wife of Howard Croman, of Philadelphia. Their children are: Harvey, Lester, Clyde and Melvin Croman.
Alice Horn married Thomas Lester, and now resides in Towanda, New York.
Annie Horn, who is the widow of Charles Crawford, now resides in Williamsport. She has had four children, namely: Warren, Ray- mond, Willie, and Lulu, none of whom are living.
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George B. Horn, the principal subject of this sketch, was born in Anthony township, Lycoming county, October 23, 1853. He at- tended school at Stony Gap, and assisted his father in carrying on the homestead farm until his marriage, when he located in Quiggleville. For nearly thirty years he has been engaged extensively in the butchering business, and is one of the best known marketmen in Williamsport, where he has long maintained the reputation of handling exclusively meats of a superior quality. In 1891 he purchased a farm of eighty acres (the old Bower homestead), formerly owned by his maternal grandparents, which he has brought to a high state of fertility, and the improvements he has introduced in the way of buildings, appliances, etc., make it one of the best equipped pieces of agricultural property in Lycoming county.
On June 21, 1877, Mr. Horn was united in marriage with Miss Margaretta Jane Myers, who was born in Lycoming township, May 27, 1858, daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth (Young) Myers. Reuben Myers was born in Cattawisa, Columbia county, in 1814. He resided in Lycoming county, Lycoming township, where he followed the black- smith's trade in connection with local public affairs in his day, serving as supervisor and tax-collector. He was a leading member of the Lutheran church and donated the land upon which to erect the church edifice. Reuben Myers died September 29, 1894. Elizabeth (Young) Myers, his wife, whom he married September 7, 1837, was born in Konig Reich, Germany, June 14, 1818, and, at the age of fourteen years, came to America with her parents, who settled on Bobst Moun- tain in Lewis township. Reuben and Elizabeth Myers had a family of fourteen children, namely: John, born January 20, 1838, died in 1864; Valentine, born May II, 1840, died in 1901; Matilda, born July 4, 1842, died June 8, 1848; Henry, born May 19, 1844; Joseph, born
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July 1, 1846; Adam and Samuel (twins). born October 3, 1848; Mary Ann, born July 18, 1850; Elizabeth, born June 8, 1852; Angeline, de- ceased, born May 3. 1854: Catherine Emile, born July 3, 1856; Mar- garetta Jane, the date of whose birth has already been recorded; Phoebe Ellen, deceased, born November 1, 1861 ; and Sara Frances, born Jan- uary 7, 1864. Adam Myers is now residing at Bryon Mills, and his twin brother, Samuel, is no longer living. Mary Ann married Augustus Lord, and resides in New Berry. Elizabeth married Henry Barnhart, of New Berry, and neither are now living. Catherine Emile married Jacob Drumm, of Hepburnville. Margaretta Jane is now Mrs. Horn. Sarah Frances is the wife of Charles Moyer, and resides in Williamsport. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Horn are: Clarence Theron, born No- vember 7, 1878; Walter Clemons, born September 4, 1880; Lillian Al- vira, born June 22, 1883; Wilbert Anderson, born May II, 1886; Flor- ence Elizabeth, born August 20, 1888; and Sherman Elwood, born April 30, 1892, died August 28, 1893.
Clarence Theron Horn entered the employ of the Sweet Steel Com- pany at Williamsport in 1904 as a helper, and in the short space of three months was promoted to the charge of one of their principal furnaces. In 1900 he married Miss Ida Shoulder, and they have one daughter, Margaret Leah. Mrs. Horn is a daughter of Christian and Leah Shoulder, and her mother is no longer living.
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