USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 37
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Charles (5) Bates was born in that part of Stamford which is now Darien. Rachel, his wife, whose maiden name is also lacking in the records, was born March 22, 1753. They resided in Sharon, Connecti- cut, and their children were: Benjamin, born August 10, 1772; Rachel, born May 8, 1775; Eunice, born August 2, 1778; Martha, born July 25, 1780; Charles and John (twins), born October 6, 1782; and Linus (6), born August 20, 1792 ; all of whom were born in Sharon. Benja- min settled in Otsego county, New York. Charles located in or near New Haven, Connecticut.
The records of Sharon states that Linus (6) Bates, of Sharon, was married January 3, 1815, to Wealtha Pettit, of Salisbury, who was born July 5, 1799, and a family record at hand says they were married by the Rev. David L. Perry. Considering the inaccuracy of these records, the date in the copy of the family record sent to the writer (January 15, 1815) is accepted by the living relative as the correct date. Wealtha
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Pettit, the maiden name of whose mother was Finney, was a first cousin of Rev. Charles G. Finney ( 1792-1875), a Congregationalist minister and an evangelist of remarkable power, president of Oberlin College from 1852 to 1866, and author of numerous works on "Systematic Theology" and "Personal Religion." In September, 1833, Linus Bates, who was a farmer, moved from Sharon to Benton, Yates county, New York, and resided there for the remainder of his life, which terminated November 29, 1878, and his wife survived him but three days, her death having occurred December 2 of the same year.
The Sharon records contain no account of their children, but, ac- cording to the same family record just cited, they were the parents of nine children, namely : Rachel Lovina, born July 5, 1816; Harriet A., born September 24, 1818; Wealtha Eliza, born July 26, 1820; Linus Henry, born September 24, 1822; Lydia Anna, born November 9, 1824; Myron Seely, born February 3, 1827; Solomon Petitt, born December 23, 1829; Sarah A., born February 13, 1833; and Martha S., born Sep- tember 24, 1835, all of whom were born in Sharon except Martha S., whose birth took place in Benton. Rachel Lovina was married Sep- tember 1, 1837, to E. B. Holmes, who died September 28, 1841, and she died February 10, 1843.
Wealtha Eliza married E. M. Whitaker, September 12, 1844; he died February 15, 1880, and she died July 9, 1886. Linus Henry, who married Anna B. Lay, February 25, 1846, died April 23, 1880, and her death occurred August 19, 1905. Solomon P. married Patience E. Gage, June 30, 1853, and died March 15, 1901. Sarah A. married An- drew Turner, November 24, 1852, and her death ocurred November 10, 1868. Lydia Ann died March 1I, 1844. Martha S. married Homer A. Conrad, October 11, 1855. Harriet A. married Robert N. McFar- ren, who died April 27, 1883, and her death occurred August 19, 1905.
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Myron Seely (7) Bates assisted his father on the home farm in Benton until he was about twelve years old, when he went to Geneva, New York, and engaged in mercantile business as a salesman in a gen- eral store. In August, 1857, at the earnest solicitation of his future brother-in-law, Adam K. Mabie, he went to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and for a period of thirty years was identified with the grocery business in that city. In 1887 he retired from active business pursuits, and his death occurred in Williamsport, January 16, 1899. Although not an active participant in public affairs, he always evinced a deep interest in all of the important political issues of his day-local, state, and national --- and with the majority of the old Whig faction he joined the Repub- lican party at its formation. He was married in Williamsport, Septem- ber 23, 1857, to Miss Isabella Mabie, who was born in Geneva, New York, January 12, 1830, daughter of Daniel and Isabella (Kedzie) Mabie. She was descended from early Dutch ancestry on the paternal side, the original ancestor in America having been a native of Holland, and a privateersman during the war between that country and Spain. His descendants became distributed through Westchester, Putnam and Delaware counties, New York. Daniel Mabie, who was born in Stam- ford, that state, in 1792, and died December 1, 1871, resided for a time in Delhi, from whence he removed to Geneva. Isabella ( Kedzie) Mabie, his wife, who was born in Scotland, October 2, 1785, died November 2, 1881. Daniel and Isabella (Kedzie) Mabie were the parents of seven children, namely: Mary Ann, born in Stamford, New York, October 19, 1815; Margaret, born in Stamford, May 31, 1817, married George J. Anderson; Adam K., born in Stamford, January 28, 1819, married Lydia E. Barbour; William B., born in Delhi, March 28, 1822; Rachel, born in Delhi, April 1, 1824, married for her first husband Samuel B. Van Lew, and for her second, Rev. Timothy B. Rogers; Edward M.,
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born in Geneva, 1826, married Mary L. Portis; and Isabella, who married Myron S. Bates, as previously stated. Adam K. died May 17, 1897; William B. died November 24, 1822; Rachel (Mrs. Rogers) died July 2, 1897; Edward M. died in 1877.
The children of Myron S. and Isabella (Mabie) Bates were: Charles H. (8), born February 4, 1859; Edward M., born June 5, 1861; Anna E., born April 17, 1865; and William M., born May 24, 1868. All are natives and residents of Williamsport. Edward M. and William M. Bates are both engaged in the grocery business. Anna E. is the wife of Thomas B. Strauser. Mrs. Isabella (Mabie) Bates died June 18, 1898.
Charles H. (8) Bates pursued his education in the public schools of Williamsport. He began his business training under the direction of his father, with whom he remained until twenty years old, when he en- tered the employ of the Bell Telephone Company of Philadelphia, re- maining with them one year. His time was otherwise occupied until 1880, when he returned to Williamsport and accepted the position of bookkeeper with the Millspaugh Brothers, founders and general ma- chinists. Being inherently desirous of pursuing the study of mechanics and physics, he eagerly availed himself of the privileges now open to him for the gratification of this desire, and during his connection with that concern found opportunities to obtain much knowledge, theoretical as well as practical, relative to these studies, which he subsequently util- ized to advantage. Early in 1887 he found it necessary to change his business, and on February I of that year entered the state office of the Traveller's Insurance Company, then located in Williamsport. In the following January the Pennsylvania headquarters of that company were transferred to Philadelphia, and he was therefore once more com- pelled by force of circumstances to remove from his native city. His
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deep-rooted preference for the mechanical industries continued unabated, however, and, availing himself of an opportunity to purchase an interest in the Coryell Machine Company toward the latter part of 1889, he severed his connection with the Traveller's Insurance Company in No- vember of that year, in order to engage in an enterprise to which his native genius and practical business ability makes him superabundantly adapted. From the Coryell Machine Company was developed the United States Machine Company (incorporated), of Williamsport, manufac- turers of wood-working machinery, and for the past sixteen years Charles H. Bates, who as its president controls a majority of its capital stock, has devoted his concentrated energies to the advancement of its inter- ests. The numerous improvements adopted, together with the wise and progressive policy of the management, have brought their products into high repute throughout the United States, and as a result the annual output of the concern is constantly increasing.
Politically, Mr. Bates supports the Republican party in national issues, but in local affairs prefers to act independently, voting for the candidates most qualified in his judgment for holding public office. In all matters relative to the general welfare of the community he takes an active interest, contributing generously to every worthy cause, and he is regarded as one of the foremost public-spirited citizens of Williams- port. He is a member of Lycoming Lodge No. 112, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of De Lolde Commandery, Knights of Malta. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church, and he is a mem- ber of its board of deacons.
On September 13, 1880, Mr. Bates was married in Stroudsburg, Monroe county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Lizzie Palmer, daughter of Sydenham and Fanny (Green) Palmer, representatives of highly es- teemed Pennsylvania families, and members of the Society of Friends.
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Mr. and Mrs. Bates have one son, Fred Palmer Bates, who was born October 16, 1883. He pursued the regular course at the public schools of Williamsport, and afterwards entered Lehigh University, in 1904, for the purpose of taking a special course in analytical chemistry.
DANIEL A. FESSLER.
Daniel A. Fessler is a well known business man and a prominent citizen of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The earliest information that we have of his family is that his great-grandfather, John Fessler, was a native of Germany.
Henry Fessler, the grandfather of Daniel A., was born in Germany, emigrated to this country and settled above Newberry, Pennsylvania, now a part of the city of Williamsport, on the Long Reach road, where he engaged in farming. He married Margaret Weaver, and there were ten children born to them: William; Samuel; Nicholas, father of our subject ; Henry, who served in the civil war; George; Elizabeth, wife of William Winner, of Pennsdale, Pennsylvania; Mary, wife of William Snyder, of Nebraska; Amelia, married John Strovel, of Rose Valley, Pennsylvania; Ellen, widow of Frank Lavo, of South Williamsport, Pennsylvania; and Peter.
Nicholas Fessler, born in Mosquito Valley, Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, February 18, 1828, was the son of Henry and Margaret Fess- ler, and the father of our subject. He was taught the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for some time, but later engaged in the business of carpentering, thinking it would prove more lucrative. He obtained employment with Mr. William Levergood, a contractor and builder. He worked as a carpenter from 1844 until 1864, when he enlisted in Com- pany E, Two Hundred and Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun-
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teers, under the command of General Cox. He served about six weeks when, having been put on guard duty in very inclement weather, he con- tracted a severe cold which terminated in hasty consumption. He was sent to the hospital at Point of Forks, Virginia, where he died December 18, 1864. Though he had served but a short time, his conduct was so brave and meritorious, and he was so faithful in the performance of the duties assigned to him, that great things were predicted for him. He was a member of the German Reformed church and was a regular attend- ant there.
In May, 1849, Mr. Fessler married Catharine Hartman, born Octo- ber 7, 1827, daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Miller) Hartman, the former of whom was a carpenter and died in 1853, at the age of sixty- two years. Mrs. Hartman died in 1846, at the age of forty-seven. Nicholas and Catharine Fessler had five children born to them: Mar- garet, born October 2, 1852, married John A. Vollmer, of Williamsport, and had seven children: Emma, Catharine, Edna, Clide, Anna, Mar- garet, and Daniel, Jr. Mr. Vollmer is a traveling salesman for a fur- niture house in Jamestown, New York. Harriet Ann, born December 24, 1854, widow of Peter Weisel. She is the mother of three children : Jennie, George, and Leslie. William Henry (twin), born October 27, 1856, attended the orphans' schools at Orangeville and Mansfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He married Eliza Provo, and had three children : Daniel A., Jr., Freddie, and Ruth. Mary Emma, born October 27, 1856 (twin), taught school for about seven years, and died unmarried at the age of twenty-six. Daniel A., born May 17, 1859.
Daniel A. Fessler, the subject of this sketch, was born at Liberty, Tioga county, May 17, 1859. He is the son of Nicholas and Catharine (Hartman) Fessler, and was educated at the Soldiers' Orphans' school at Mansfield, and at the Williamsport public schools. He learned the
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trade of butchering with Peter and Henry Fessler, and was then in the employ of Vollmer and Ulmer for about two years. He then engaged in huckstering between Block House and Williamsport for about a year. After working at the produce stand of Frederick Dorman, in the market house at Williamsport, for about eighteen months, he worked for five years for Peter Fessler, a butcher, who also had a stand at the market house. In 1885 he started in business for himself in the market house, dealing in meat and poultry, a business which he has con- tinued up to the present time. He is one of the representative business men of Williamsport, having been exceedingly successful, owing to his shrewd insight into business methods. He resides with his mother at 1108 Washington street, and attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member. He represented the first ward in the city council for one term, in 1900. Mr. Fessler is a member of all the Masonic bodies in Williamsport, and a member of the Shrine of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He was initiated in Ivy Lodge No. 397, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, March 15, 1903, and received the degrees of fellow craft, June 22, 1903, and master mason, August 28, 1903. In Lycom- ing Royal Arch Chapter No. 222, he received the degrees of mark mas- ter, June 14, 1904, most excellent master, June 14, 1904, and royal arch mason, October II, 1904. In Adoniram Council No. 26, Royal and Select Masons, he received the degrees of royal master and select mas- ter, March 28, 1905. In Baldwin II Commandery No. 22, Knights Templar, he received the degrees of red cross, November 15, 1904, knight templar, December 20, 1904. In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite he received the thirty-second degree, January 29, 1904. He is a member of Amazon Lodge No. 662, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Williamsport; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 173,
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of Williamsport. Mr. Fessler is an enthusiastic Republican and a man universally respected by his fellow citizens as having a keen insight into the affairs of the country.
DR. LEWIS D. RANK.
Dr. Lewis D. Rank was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, De- cember 14, 1828, and was a son of Jonathan and Mary (Diefenderfer) Rank. The former was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1790, and died there in January, 1856. The latter was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and died in 1845. They were farmers and members of the German Reformed church, and were the parents of eleven children. Jonathan was married three times, Mary Diefenderfer being his second wife. By his first wife he had one child : Squire Joseph
L. Rank, of Newberry, Pennsylvania. The following are the names of eight of the eleven children of his second wife: Sarah, born in 1820, married David B. Moses; Anna; Edward, living at New Columbia, Pennsylvania ; Solomon; Lewis D., the subject of this sketch; Levi; Ellen, married Samuel Hertz; and Jonathan. Jonathan and Mary (Diefenderfer) Rank are buried at Whitedeer church near New Co- lumbia, Union county, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Lewis D. Rank, son of Jonathan and Mary (Diefenderfer) Rank, spent his early days on his father's farm, and he was educated in the common schools. At the age of nineteen he went to Milton, Penn- sylvania, and there learned the trade of cabinet making. He remained there for three years, going then to New Columbia, where he followed the same trade for another three years. At the end of this time he migrated to Lewistown, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, where he studied dentistry with Dr. John Lock for one year. Dr. Lock is still living at
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Lewistown. Dr. Rank then went to Bellefonte, Center county, Pennsyl- vania, and later with his brother established himself in Williamsport. His brother assisted him for about one year, at the end of which time Dr. Rank went into business for himself. At first he located in the old brick building on the corner of Mussina and Market streets, remaining for about two years ; then moved to 56 Market street, where he remained for sixteen years, and finally settled upon his present location at 241 Market street. Dr. Rank is the oldest practitioner of dentistry in the city. He has the reputation of being the best dentist, especially in the making of artificial teeth, putting in crown and bridge work, etc. His clientele consists of all the best people in the vicinity, and he obtains high prices for the very excellent work he does. He is a man who does not advertise his profession, and is highly respected by his fellow prac- titioners. Dr. Rank is a well preserved man for his years, and has at- tained a great degree of popularity in the social and business world of his city.
Dr. Rank married (first) Florinda Stout, of Milton, Pennsylvania. She died at the age of about thirty-five years, in 1866, and is buried in Wildwood cemetery, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They had two chil- dren : Cordelia, married William Esterbrooks, of Dubois City, and had four children : and Thomas D., of Williamsport, born October 28, 1858, married Ellie Turley. They had one daughter: Mrs. Frederick Huff- man, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Dr. Rank married (second), in 1868, Susan Wetzell, by whom he had one daughter: Irene, born 1874, married a Mr. Sweely, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and who now lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Rank is a member of the Mul- berry Street Methodist Episcopal Church, is a deacon and class leader there, and is very religiously inclined. In politics he is a steady adherent to the Republican faith.
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MICHAEL MYERS.
The name of the numerous and well-known family of which Michael Myers, of Williamsport, is a representative, has in the course of time undergone various changes. The founder of the family spelled it Meyer, and in the land records at Harrisburg, where it occurs very frequently, it is given as Moyer, Moyers, Mayer, Meyer, Myer, and Meyers, also as Maier and Meier.
The name of the one who transplanted the race from the Father- land to the American colonies has not been ascertained with certainty, but is thought to have been Christopher Meyer, and tradition states that he came from palatinate Prussia. It is supposed that he and his wife brought with them two children, one of whom, John Meyer, is said to have been the eldest son.
John Meyer, son of Christopher Meyer, owned the old homestead at Muhlbach, Pennsylvania, and on a tombstone in the cemetery at that place is this inscription: "Jonathan Moyer died December II, 1786, aged 67 years." December 22, 1786, letters of administration were granted to "his oldest son John" to settle the estate. His wife's name is mentioned in these papers as Ann Barbara, and the names of his children are found on old deeds dated December 3, 1788, discovered among papers in the homestead at Muhlbach.
John Jacob Myer, son of John and Ann Barbara Meyer, moved from Friesburg, Pennsylvania, to Pine Creek, near Jersey Shore, in the same state, where he purchased a fine tract of land about the year 1800. He married Julia Moore, born July 18, 1770, sister of Margaret Moore, who was married to his brother, Philip Myer. John Jacob and Julia (Moore) Myer were the parents of five sons and seven daughters, whose descendants reside chiefly in Clinton and Lycoming counties. The
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death of Mr. Myer, which occurred in 1813, was the result of drinking too freely of a spring of very cold water, when overheated, while on a hunting expedition in the forest. He is buried in the old cemetery at Pine Creek, near Jersey Shore, where no tombstone marks his resting place. His widow expired November 8, 1824.
George Myer, third son of Jacob and Julia (Moore) Myer, was born October 5, 1794, and was a prominent farmer and lumberman, owning a large tract of timber land on Pine Creek. He also built a section of the canal, for which he was a contractor. He adhered to the Democratic party, and was a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Myer married Mary Snyder, and their children were: I. Lucy Ann, born November 23, 1826, married Orange Ramsdell, deceased. 2. An- drew, born August 23, 1828, married Margaret Custertard, deceased, of Jersey Shore. 3 Barbara, born December 31, 1829, died July 17, 1832. 4. Eliza, born October 27, 1831, died August 19, 1834. 5. Harriet, born October 27, 1833, widow of John N. Gast, lives at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. 6. Catharine, born February 10, 1835, mar- ried G. P. Smith, of Jersey Shore, and died November 23, 1874. 7. Rebecca, born April 6, 1838, wife of H. E. Messemer, of Williams- port. 8. Mary J., born January 3, 1840, died March 31, 1894. 9. Lydia, born November 15, 1841, wife of Robert Easton, of Williams- port. 10. Michael, mentioned at length hereinafter. II. George, born November 22, 1845, lives in Naugatuck, Connecticut. 12. Rob- ert, born April 2, 1848, died August 25, 1849. Mr. Myer died October 25, 1849, and was buried at Pine Creek, his remains being subsequently removed to Williamsport and interred in Wildwood cemetery, beside those of his widow, who passed away May 18, 1891. George Myer, father of our subject, was a member of LaFayette Lodge No. 199, An- cient York Masons, of Lock Haven, Clinton county, Pennsylvania. He -
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at that time spelled his name "Moyer." Afterward he became a mem- ber of La Belle Vallee Lodge No. 232, of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania.
Michael Myers, son of George and Mary (Snyder) Myer, was born November 10, 1843, in Nippenose township, and attended the common schools of his birthplace from which he passed to the West Branch high school at Jersey Shore, afterward taking a course at the Commercial College, Pittsburg. August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany G, Thirteenth Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, being mustered into service September 4, 1862. He participated in the following en- gagements : The action at Fisher's Hill, Virginia, April 28, 1863 ; action near Middletown, Virginia, June 12, 1863; battle of Winchester and retreat of General Milroy, June 13 to 15, 1863; Hazel River, Septem- ber 12, 1863; Culpeper, September 13, 1863; Sulphur Springs, Vir- ginia, October 12, 1863; Auburn, Oatletts and Bristoe station, Vir- ginia, October 14, 1863; Mine Run, or Parker's Store, Virginia, No- vember 29, 1863; Raid to Front Royal, January I to 16, 1864; Wilder- ness, Virginia, May 5 to 7; Todd's Tavern, May 7 to 9, 1864; Sher- idan's Raid to Richmond; action at Hanovers Church, Virginia, May II, . 1864; Yellow Tavern, May 11, 1864; in front of Richmond, May 12, 1864: Haw's shops, Virginia, May 28, 1864; Cold Harbor, June I, 1864; the Trevillian Raid, Trevillian Station, June 11, 1864; White House Landing, June 22, 1864; St. Mary's Church, June 24, 1864; Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 14 to 16, 1864; Ream's Station, Vir- ginia, August 23 to 25, 1864; Wyatt farm, September 29, 1864; Boyd- ton Plank Road, or South Side Railroad, October 27, 1864; Stony Creek Station, December 1, 1864; Debuey's Mills and Hatcher's Run, February 6 to 7, 1865. The regiment was transferred to Wilmington, North Carolina, and attached to the command of General Terry, and opened communication with General Sherman's army near Fayetteville,
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North Carolina. He was in action at Mauriceville, North Carolina, and Raleigh, Bennett's House and Durham Station, April 13, 1865, and was on escort to General W. T. Sherman on the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston, April 26, 1865. Mr. Myers performed special duty at the headquarters of the Second Brigade, Second Division Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, and at the headquarters of the Third Brigade, Cavalry Command, Military Division of the Mississippi. He was honorably discharged July 14, 1865.
On his return home Mr. Myers was engaged as bookkeeper in the lumber office of Finney & Barrows, Lock Haven, and when in 1867 the firm moved to Williamsport he remained with them, continuing in their service until 1870. In that year he became bookkeeper for Fores- man, Merriman & Company, resigning in 1873 in order to accept a sim- ilar position with the Union Lumber Company, Chippewa Falls, Wis- consin, with whom he remained about one year. At the end of that time he returned to Williamsport, where he was bookkeeper for Hebard, Foresman & Smith until about 1876, and then filled a similar position with E. L. Piper & Sons until 1888.
In that year he entered into partnership with Dr. Washington Righter, Joseph C. Righter and Frank W. Benedict, under the firm , name of Righter, Benedict & Company, Limited, manufacturers and dealers in lumber. They bought out the firm of E. L. Piper & Sons and carried on the business until 1890, when the firm became W. Righter, Sons & Company. Under this name the business was conducted until April 1, 1905. Mr. Myers is a member of Reno Post No. 64, Depart- ment of Pennsylvania Grand Army of the Republic, which he assisted to organize in 1876, and is secretary of the board of managers, and a member of the Cavalry Society, Armies of the United States. He also belongs to Encampment No. 47, Union Veteran Legion. Politically he
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