USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Genealogical and personal history of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 41
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sylvania, and there died and was buried. He married (first), April 2, 1771, Lydia King, born March 13, 1750, daughter of Charles King, and they were the parents of one child, Percy, born 1773. Lydia (King) Thrall died in 1773. Mr. Thrall married (second) Lydia Skinner, born 1761, died April 13, 1813, and their children were: Fyler, born August 12, 1785, died March 21, 1797; Amy, born May 21, 1791, died October 4, 1791 ; Samuel Southmayd, born November 27, 1793; see forward.
Samuel Southmayd Thrall, son of Lemuel and Lydia (Skinner ) Thrall, was born November 27, 1793, and died at Milford, Pennsyl- vania, February 12, 1862. His entire life was spent at Milford; he resided on the bluff, and on the Thrall farm, one mile below the village. He was a very prominent Mason, and his Masonic watchcharm is now in the possession of his grandson, Frank B. Thrall, whose name heads this sketch, who prizes it very highly. The lodge held its meetings in one of the upper chambers of the residence of Samuel S. Thrall. He married, June II, 1817, Cynthia Newman, daughter of Thomas and Cornelia (Randle) Newman, and granddaughter of Isaac Newman, who was a private in Captain Gideon Seeley's company, Westchester county, New York, and fought in the battle of White Plains, October 28, 1776. Of the children of Samuel S. and Cynthia (Newman) Thrall were :
Lydia Cornelia, born June 25, 1818, married Amos Van Etten, December 15, 1841, and died December 1I, 1898, at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Van Etten was one who ennobled all who came in contact with her, and made people who knew her, welcome advancing years, if they would bring a life like hers.
Sally Ann, born August 13, 1820, married the Rev. William Bur- roughs.
Dorleska Elizabeth, born December 24, 1826, married Egbert Jan- sell.
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John. born October 4, 1828, married S. Maretta Babcock.
Charles Fyler, see forward.
Frances, born September 21, 1837, married Alexander Henderson. Ralph B., born January 19, 1840, married Emily Bowhanan.
Samuel S., Jr., born February II, 1841, married Martha C. Biddis. Charles Fyler Thrall, son of Samuel S. and Cynthia (Newman) Thrall, was born January 23, 1832, in Milford, Pike county, Pennsyl- vania, died there December 3, 1874, aged forty-two years. He was a merchant in Milford, was successful in the conduct of his business af- fairs, and was highly regarded by all who knew him. He was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. He married, February 12, 1854, Caro- line E. Warner, who bore him the following children: Elizabeth J., of New Haven City, Connecticut; Egbert Jansen; Curtis W., of Con- necticut ; Franklin B., mentioned hereinafter; Edith May, deceased ; Caroline M., of Oxford, Connecticut; George Beatie, of .Corning, New York; Olivia, who died in infancy.
Frank B. Thrall, son of Charles F. and Caroline E. (Warner) Thrall, was born in Milford, Pike county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1860. He obtained a limited education in the public schools of his native town, completing his studies at the early age of ten years. The following year he began the active duties of life, accepting a position as cash boy in the extensive establishment of Wilcox Hall & Co., New Haven, Con- necticut. He spent four years of his life in the mercantile business, dry goods and jewelry, after which he engaged in farming until he was twenty-one years of age. He then came to Pennsylvania and embarked in the mercantile business for Hoyt Brothers, tanners and merchants, at Hillsgrove, Luzerne county, which position he resigned at the ex- piration of three years. He then formed a partnership with W. L. Huffman, and after purchasing a lot and building a store they engaged
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in a general store business for eighteen months. In 1885 he located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and embarked in the grocery business in the Link block, under the firm name of Skinner & Thrall, and this con- nection continued for a period of six months. Mr. Thrall then ac- cepted a position as traveling salesman for George Bubb & Son, whole- sale grocers, of Williamsport, in which capacity he served until 1895, covering the territory of Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga, Bradford and Clin- ton counties. January 1, 1895, Mr. Thrall became the successor of Alexander Beedey & Company, their establishment being located at the corner of Fourth and William streets, Williamsport. He engaged in the wholesale grocery business under the firm name of F. B. Thrall & Company, and in 1900, five years later, they erected an extensive store- room at the corner of Third and Hepburn streets, one of the finest brick blocks in the city, where they conduct a large and profitable business. They carry a full line of groceries, give constant employment to thirteen men and their goods find a ready market in Lycoming, Sullivan, Brad- ford, Tioga, Clinton, Elk, Centre and Union counties. Mr. Thrall has acquitted himself in such a way as to gain the confidence and esteem of all with whom he is associated, and his business capability is recognized throughout the greater part of the state.
Mr. Thrall is the owner of considerable property in the city of Will- iamsport, consisting of several houses and lots located on Louisa street, and from these he derives a handsome income. He also purchased the residence of Mr: W. H. C. Huffman, at 225 Grampian Boulevard, Will- iamsport, one of the finest and most desirable pieces of residential prop- erty in Lycoming county. Mr. Thrall is a member of the Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds the office of trustee. He is a strong advocate of temperance, and adheres to the principles of the Republican party, but in local matters casts his vote for the man best
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suited for office, irrespective of party feeling. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies of Williamsport, also of the Shrine of Wilkesbarre.
Mr. Thrall was married October 2, 1884, to Miss Harriet Huffman, born November 14, 1862, at Goldsboro, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, daughter of James H. and Mary Ann (Depew) Huffman, and descend- ant of an English origin. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Eight children were the issue of this union, namely: Minnie H., born September 17, 1885; Walter J., born November 14, 1887, died July 16, 1889; Jennie M., born October 17, 1889; Charles T., born October 22, 1891, died March 30, 1892; Raymond S., born October 13, 1893; Francis H., born January 4, 1897; Joseph L., born September 29, 1899, died January 3, 1900; Curtis W., born November 8, 1903.
ADAM ROTHFUSS.
Adam Rothfuss, manufacturer of machinery in Williamsport, Ly- coming county, Pennsylvania, is the son of Michael and Barbara Chris- tina (Bluemle) Rothfuss.
Michael Rothfuss was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 19, 1806. He received a practical education and thoroughly learned the trade of weaving, at which he worked until 1832, when he emigrated to America. He settled at Easton, Pennsylvania, and found employ- ment as captain of a canal boat. He held this position for one year. He then went to Farrandsville, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, and found work as a blacksmith, and followed this occupation until he came to Upper Fairfield township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he and his brother George each bought and cleared land for a farm and lived there until 1865. He then moved to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he was in the hotel business for some time and then sold out and
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retired. He was a member of the Lutheran church and took a great and active interest in church affairs. His political faith was that of a Demo- crat. Michael Rothfuss married Barbara Christina Bluemle and they had seven children: (1) John, who died in infancy; (2) Mary, wife of John Peffer of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; (3) George, who died July 4, 1863; (4) Catharine, wife of Philip Koch of Williamsport, Pennsylvania ; (5) Michael married, first, Mary Reibley ; second, Fan- nie Kramer, resides in Williamsport, Pennsylvania; (6) Adam, the subject of this sketch: and (7) Jacob, who died in infancy. Michael Rothfuss died September 11, 1889. and his wife died November 13, 1889.
Adam Rothfuss, son of Michael and Barbara Christina ( Bluemle) Rothfuss, was born in Upper Fairfield township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1852. He was educated in the public schools of Upper Fairfield township, and also attended a private school. When he was fourteen years of age his parents moved to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he was apprenticed to a machinist. He learned the trade with Potter and Wonderly, the old Empire shops. He worked there until the plant was burned down in 1868, and then put the ma- chinery in the old Glue Works, where he was engineer for a period of three years. He then commenced business for himself, opening a ma- chine shop for general work on Market street, and this he carried on very successfully for about two years, when he was burned out. He then accepted a position as foreman with the Tidewater Pipe Line Com- pany, laying the piping from Williamsport to Salladasburg. He re- mained with this firm for one season and then helped put up the Solar Refining Company's oil plant in Williamsport and took charge of this for one year. He resigned this position and accepted one as foreman of the Rowley and Hermance Machine Shops, having charge there from 1880 until 1885, when he resigned this position in order to accept one
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with the Valley Iron Works as a journeyman and later was given charge of the shops, a position which he held for thirteen years, when he left to go to Larzalere Company's shop as foreman, but he continued this posi- tion for only six months, when he again started in business for himself, this time in partnership with a Mr. Michael, and they leased the old Younkin, Evans and Stambach Shops on Vine street and carried on the machinery business there for three years. At the end of this time the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Rothfuss, in 1901, leased the Jerome- Moltz Foundry on East Third street, where he is still engaged in busi- ness. He has been very successful in the manufacture of a general line of sawmill machinery, consisting of edgers, trimmers, log turners, etc., and in general repair work, such as repairing and rebuilding locomo- tives, repairing for the trolley companies, etc. Mr. Rothfuss is a firm Democrat and has held office as township auditor. He is a member of the Saint Luke's Lutheran church of Williamsport, has been an elder in this church and is a teacher in the Sunday school. In 1900 he became a member of Ivy Lodge, No. 397, Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member of the Consistory, Valley of Williamsport. For thirty- four years Mr. Rothfuss lived in Loyalsock township, close to Williams- port, where he owned his residence and a number of lots. He sold his residence and moved to 719 Franklin street in this city, where he still resides, but retained possession of his lots in Loyalsock township.
Mr. Rothfuss married, in 1872, Miss Louisa S. Foucar, born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 1852, daughter of John E. and Elizabeth Foucar. John E. Foucar was born in Germany in 1800. His father was a native of France and at the time of some uprising there was obliged to flee to Germany. John E. Foucar came to America in 1849 and at first turned his attention to the occupation of teaching French. Later he engaged in the hotel business. He died in 1873. His wife, Eliza-
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beth, was born in the vicinity of the Rhine in Germany in 1830, and came to America in 1849. She was married to John Foucar June 20, 1850, and they were the parents of four children: Louisa Sophia, wife of Adam Rothfuss ; (2) Charles A., living in New York City; (3) John Edward, living in Williamsport; and (4) Rose E., who died at the age of twenty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Rothfuss have been blessed with nine children: (1) Elizabeth, born October 1I, 1873, married George Gingrich of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and they have three children : Charles Emery ; Adam Winfield; and Edward. (2) John E., born De- cember 21, 1874. married Laura Blemly. They have two daughters : Louisa and Beulah. John E. is employed in his father's machine shops. (3) George Adam, born May 4, 1876, is at home with his parents. (4) Louisa S., born January 30, 1878, married Frank Reninger and has one daughter: Florence L. (5) Barbara Mae, born May 1, 1880. (6) Carl Winfield Scott, born September 26, 1882. (7) Mary E., born September 21, 1887. (8) Ida Caroline, born October 19. 1889. And (9) Emilie, born April 10. 1897.
HOWARD LYON.
Howard Lyon, residing at Picture Rocks, prominently identified with commercial and financial interests in Lycoming county, and who has served the community at large in various important public positions, is a native of the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he was born July 17, 1855.
He is descended from an English ancestry, his paternal grandfather, Edward G. Lyon, being a native of England, who located in Lycoming county, where he followed farming. He married Sarah Huckell, and to them were born six children, all sons-Edward, Thomas, William J., Henry, Alfred, and Charles.
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William J. Lyon, third of the sons above named, was born near Pennsdale, Lycoming county. where he died in 1861, comparatively a young man. He married Catherine Green, a native of New Jersey, who is yet living. After his marriage Mr. Lyon settled in Williamsport, where his family of fourteen children were reared, five of whom are now living: Sarah, who is the wife of D. W. Osler; Walter, who re- sides in Williamsport; Hdward, to be further referred to hereinafter; Charles, who resides in Reading, Pennsylvania; Annie, who is the wife of George Garmon.
Howard Lyon, son of William J. and Catherine (Green) Lyon, was reared in Williamsport, where he obtained his education, which was com- pleted by a high school course. He set out upon a self-supporting career at the early age of fifteen years, in the employ of his uncle, Edward Lyon, who conducted a large business in Hughesville as a merchant, miller, lumber dealer and distiller. This relation between the uncle and nephew subsisted until 1886, when occurred the death of Mr. Edward Lyon. Immediately afterward Howard Lyon purchasing the uncle's in- terest, the Lyon Lumber Company was formed, which yet conducts business under that name, Howard Lyon, however, being the sole owner. This enterprise he has extended to large proportions, having acquired large tracts of lumber land in Sullivan county, the product of which he ships into Lycoming county for manufacture into merchantable lumber. The general offices of the company are in Hughesville.
Mr. Lyon is also actively interested in agriculture, conducting through tenants a fine farm tract, and participating in the work of the Muncy Valley Farmers' Club, of which he has been president for two years past. His genuinely philanthropic disposition finds attestation in the fact that for three years he has rendered efficient service as president of the board of trustees of the Pennsylvania State Hospital for the In-
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sane, at Danville. He has always been deeply interested in educational affairs, and for several years has served as a member of the local school board. He is affiliated with the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Malta. With his family he is a member of the Presbyterian church. A staunch supporter of Republican principles and policies, he has always been active in political affairs, and has served as chairman of the Re- publican county executive committee. He is held in universal esteem for those excellent personal qualities which mark the useful public-spirited citizen and considerate neighbor.
In 1881 Mr. Lyon married Miss Mary Robb, of Muncy, a daughter of Robert Robb. She died, having borne to her husband a daughter, Caroline, who became the wife of J. Raymond Boak, of Hughesville. Mr. Lyon subsequently married Miss Annie H. Carter, of South Beth- lehem, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Carter, formerly a resident of Williamsport. Of this last marriage was born a son, J. Howard Lyon, Jr.
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