USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 101
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Hon. Joseph Powell, son of Hon. Joseph C., was born in Towanda, in 1828. Received such an education as the common schools and academical facilities afforded. En- gaged in mercantile pursuits in early life, in which he still continues, and also in other enterprises. Was one of the corporators and first directors of the First national bank of Towanda, and in 1868 was elected president of it, which position he still holds; and in 1874 was elected to congress.
Jacob De Witt was a member of the bar of Bradford, and noted as a political writer of some cminence. He read law with Hon. R. R. Little, and was admitted to the bar in 1856, forming a law partnership with Mr. Little, in Wyoming county. He was five years superintendent of common schools of that county, and came to Towanda in 1863, and formed a law partnership with the late J. C. Adams, Esq. He died Feb. 23, 1872.
Capt. Nicholas Richard Hentz, a native of France, landed in this country in 1816, and settled in Wilkes- Barre, where he learned the tinner's trade, and from whenee he removed to Towanda about the year 1830, where he married. He served as captain in the French army under Napoleon the First, in the imperial guard, and afterwards in regiments of the line, from 1806 until the downfall of the emperor, but did not resign his commission until he accompanied his father to the United States. His father (Nicholas Hentz) was a member of the National Assembly of France during the Revolution of 1792, and belonged to the party of the Mountain, and was a colleague of Robe- spierre and St. Just. He was on the legislative committee, and assisted in compiling the code of laws known as the " Code Napoleon." After the death of Robespierre he was
proscribed by the convention, and sentenced to imprison- ment for life in the Castle of Ham, but lived in conceal- ment, under the assumed name of Arnold, for a number of years, and thus eluded being captured. Having cast his vote for the death of Louis XVI., he was excepted from the general amnesty on the restoration of the Bourbons, and was ordered to leave France in thirty days; and, accord- ingly, with all his family, except one son, who remained in Paris, on the 21st of January, 1816,-the day on which Louis XVI. was beheaded,-he sailed from Havre for the United States. From Towanda he removed to Pittsburgh, where he died in 1838.
Col. Gordon F. Mason, now one of the prominent at- torneys of Towanda, was for many years a deputy State surveyor for Bradford county, and ran the lines of a large number of the farms of the county. He was interested at one time largely in the manufacture of flour and lumber in Monroe, with his father, Eliphalet Mason, a prominent citizen for many years of Bradford. He, the father, was a native of Massachusetts, and as carly as 1803 issued and published an elementary work on vocal music, which was printed in Owego, N. Y., Mr. Mason being then a resident of Wysox. He was a professor and instructor of vocal music. He was commissioned as a justice of the peace in 1807, and held the position the greater portion of the time till the adoption of the State constitution in 1839. He built in 1809-10, in company with Dr. Asa C. Whit- ney, a saw-mill at Masontown, and in 1813 built the first steam distillery ever known in Bradford County. In 1814 he was elected county auditor for three years, and built another saw-mill in 1816, on Towanda ereek. In the fall of 1816 was elected county commissioner for three years. In 1818 was commissioned by Governor Findlay register and recorder of Bradford County. In 1823-24 was com- missioner to lay ont a State road from Muncy to Towanda, and while engaged on the commission was appointed deputy surveyor of the State for Bradford, and held the position until 1830 ; was land-agent for the Bank of North America, of the Franklin college, and of the Holland company. 1829-31 was county commissioner. He was a writer of some note on politics and the fine arts, and died at a good old age .*
W. C. Bogart came from New York city to Rome town- ship in 1832, and from thence to Towanda in 1839, and was for twenty consecutive years (1855-1875) a justice of the peace of the borough. He was secretary of the County agricultural society for twenty-five years. He is yet a resident of the borough.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
DAVID F. BARSTOW.
The subject of this sketch was born in Litchfield Co., Conn., Nov. 6, 1796. He remained at home with his father, who was a farmer, until he was fifteen years of age, and during these years had received a good English educa-
See history of Monroe township.
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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
tion. He early in life conceived the idea of leading a pro- fessional life, and his natural literary tastes began to develop while he was quite young.
At the age of fifteen he entered Williams college, where he remained one year in a preparatory course. He then entered Union college, from which he graduated in the year 1817. He began the study of law in Albany, N. Y., and in the year 1821 was admitted to practice in the supreme eourts of the State. In the year 1824, he eame to the vil- lage of Towanda, Pa., and entered upon the practice of his profession, where he resided until his death, April 30, 1859.
Mr. Barstow was held in high esteem by his fellow- townsmen, and was honored by them with various offices of responsibility and trust at home, and for two terins was the county's representative in the State legislature. Every duty placed upon him by his constituents was performed with integrity, and honor to himself and those whom he represented.
As an attorney and counselor-at-law he was among the foremost of the bar of his county and State. Possessing naturally a strong mind, strengthened by a good classical education, as an advocate his opinions were listened to with the greatest deference and respect. He was a plain, unas- suming man, void of concealment or disguise in the ex- pression of his views, giving his opinions from honest and well-considered conviction. Not satisfied with the educa- tion of his younger days, he was a constant student of liter- ature, and spent much time in literary research.
His attachment to home and family was a leading trait of character, and there his social and genial qualities were sunbeams of his life. He was an active, pious, and devoted member of the Episcopal church, and stood prominent in its councils, and was a ready supporter of both church and school interests.
In the year 1841, Nov. 10, he married Miss Amelia A., daughter of Col. Hiram and Elizabeth Mix, of Towanda. Her father was a native of Hudson, N. Y., and of New England extraction, and supposed to be of English descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Barstow were born three children,- David Henry, Henrictta, and Caroline A. Barstow ; all are living. The widow and mother is a lady of rare intellectual qualities, devoted to the best interests of society, to the Episcopal church, of which she is a member, and especially to her children.
STEPHEN A. MILLS.
The subject of this sketeh was born in the town of Never- sink, Delaware Co., N. Y., May 30, 1804. He was the eldest son of a family of eight children of Edward and Lusina Mills. His father was a native of Connecticut, and descended from English ancestry. His mother was of Scoteh deseent. His grandfather was killed during the Revolutionary war, at Groton fort, Connecticut, when his father was only six weeks old.
When the subject of this memoir was only about six years of age, his father moved from their home in Delaware county and settled in Bradford County, coming to the town of Towanda about 1810, settling on the very farm where Stephen A. Mills now resides. His father became
one of the pioneers of the county, and, as a farmer, lived in the town of his adoption for many years, dying in Il- linois, July 5, 1869, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years and eleven months ; the mother dying Oct. 29, 1847. The children had but a limited opportunity for obtaining an education, but received that parental training common to Puritan parentage, which fitted them to become men and women ranking in the best society, and possessing that native ability so characteristic of some of the early settlers.
Stephen A. resided at home and worked on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age, and soon after bought the place where he now resides, which he has made his home for a half-century, and now, in his seventy-fourth year of age, is enabled to look over the result of a life of labor and toil. His life has been somewhat varied in business. First as a farmer and lumberman, ranking among the first of his town. Then, for some thirty years, he, in connection with his farming, kept a publie-house, and in the latter years of his life gave his attention to farming.
Held in high esteem by his fellow-townsmen, he has held the office of justice of the peace for some eighteen ycars, and is still an ineumbent of that office. Originally he voted with the Whig party, but upon the formation of the Republican party became a member of that organization, and has unswervingly stood to his post. Integrity of pur- pose and uprightness of character are leading characteristics of him.
In the year 1826, Feb. 26, he married Miss Amanda, daughter of Elisha and Betsey Fanning, of Springfield, Bradford County. Her father and mother were both natives of Massachusetts, and of English deseent. Her grandfather Fanning was an officer in the Revolutionary war, and died from the effects of a wound received in the service, which continued to trouble him until his death. He lived to an. advanced age.
To Mr. and Mrs. Mills were born six children,-Marvin E., George B., Hannah B., Harriet E, Charlotte A., and Lewis Irenus. All are living except Marvin E., Hannah B., and Lewis Irenus.
It is due to the memory of the eldest son, Marvin E., to leave this sketch of his career. Naturally of a literary taste, he read law with the late Hon. John C. Adams, of Towanda, and was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the State. After a short time he went to California, ar- riving there in 1851. Engaged in mining for some two years. In the ycar 1854 he was elected distriet attorney on the Whig ticket. In his new field he was considered second to none in the State, but while rapidly rising in his profession his career was suddenly cut short by death, which occurred in 1862, at the age of thirty-five years.
Silas Mills, a brother of the subject of this notice, mar- ried Miss Mary E. Allis, of Orwell, Bradford County, Feb. 25, 1839. He was born Sept. 12, 1808, and his wife was born June 25, 1811. To Mr. and Mrs. Silas Mills were born five children,-Sophia, Viletta (Edward died in in- fancy), Vaspasian, and Mary; also William Mills, an adopted son. The family resides on a portion of the old homestead first purchased by his father, on coming to the county, of John Sheppard.
S.A. MILLS, EsQ.
MRS. S. A. MILLS
PHOTOS. BY G. H. WOOD
RESIDENCE OF STEPHEN A. MILLS, TOWANDA, BRADFORD CD., PA.
401
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
WILLIAM H. FOSTER.
The subject of this sketch was born in the town of North Towauda, June 13, 1814. In the year 1784 his grand- father, Isaac Foster, with his family, consisting of his wife and three children, emigrated from Massachusetts and set- tled at the month of Sugar ereek, Bradford County. At this time there were no roads except Indian trails, and very few clearings. The first thing to do was to erect a rude cabin, which served as shelter until they built a saw-mill on the creek and manufactured lumber,-three-inch plank, - with which to construct a dwelling, it being put up in the shape of a log house, and is still standing and occupied as a d welling.
Clearing off the forest, preparing the land for raising crops, was the business of the first few years. Gradually the country began to be settled. School-houses were erected, mills built for flouring and making cloth. In all these improvements the Fosters did their part, and stood in the front rank.
Such was the character of this family, their perseverance and resolution, that the original tract of 300 acres of land taken up by them was mostly cleared by the family, and a part of which is still owned by one of its members.
In the pioneer days of the history of this family, as with others, a pecuniary value was placed upon the time of the children, prior to coming of age, by the parents, and, as the result, a limited opportunity was given for obtaining an edu- cation ; and inasmuch as the family while in Massachusetts had been well to do in property, but had unfortunately sold it for Continental money, which afterwards became value- less, they were not in the most flattering circumstances upon coming to their new home in the wilderness. The struggles with pioneer life, with its loneliness, its poverty, its want of society, were all met with that fortitude which has sinee characterized the progeny of Isaae Foster; and such were the first principles of integrity and honor instilled into the minds of the children that their influence still con- tinues ; and some of the representatives of the family have so much of the confidenee of the people in their native town as to receive their suffrages to represent them in the legis- lative halls of the State (viz., James Foster). Isaac Foster died at an advanced age in the year 1821. His eldest son, Abial Foster, was the father of the subject of this memoir, and married Miss Mary Means, sister of Col. Wm. Means, the first settler of Towanda. To them were born nine chil- dren, of whom William H. was next to the youngest ehild.
His father-Abial-was a farmer through life, gave his children as liberal an education as the times and his means could afford, lived a Christian man,-a member of the Pres- byterian church,-and dicd in 1841, at the age of seventy- seven years, honored and respected by all who knew him.
His mother,-fully devoted to the best interests of her children, lived in their affections, instructed them in all that makes them true men and women,-a devoted Christian woman, lived to the age of eighty-three years, and died in 1855.
William H., on account of his father's illness, remained at home for several years after coming of age, and took charge of his father's farm and business. When he was
twenty-eight years of age his father died, and he, in connec- tion with his elder brother, received by inheritance the old homestead, still owned and oceupied by one of the family.
He has been during his life a tiller of the soil, and to-day is enabled to look back over a life of labor and toil, num- bered among the representative farmers of his day. He has severally held the most important offices of his town, all of which positions have been filled with honor to himself.
He was identified with the Democratic party from the time of easting his first vote until the breaking ont of the War of the Rebellion, since which time he has acted with the Republican party, and closely adheres to its principles.
At the age of twenty-eight, in the year 1842, he married Miss Matilda, daughter of William and Rosannah Alloway, of Towanda. She was born in Clearfield, Pa., April 5, 1823. To Mr. and Mrs. Foster were born five children,-Ce- linda M., Frederick, Helen, Jenett, and Irene Foster.
The eldest married Hon. James Foster, and died 1871. The rest are living.
ELIPHALET HASTINGS MASON, M.D.
The subject of this sketch was born in the township of Monroe, April 28, 1815. His parents were among the earliest settlers of the county. His father, Eliphalet Mason, was a justice of the peace while this county was a part of Luzerne.
Dr. Mason spent his early life in the various pursuits of farming, lumbering, and other business that presented at home. He early manifested a desire to obtain an educa- tion, and by dint of unwearied labor and perseverance became a good scholar. By his own industry in study and teaching he prepared himself for college, and, after a course of study with the late Dr. Samuel Houston, of Towanda, and also with Dr. Horton, of Terrytown, he entered Jeffer- son medical college, at Philadelphia ; graduating from there at the age of twenty-three, and in the year 1838.
With the exception of about three years spent in Read- ing, Pa., and two years in California, he lived, and practiced his profession, in Towanda and vicinity. He was for many years an honored member and officer of the Bradford County medical society, and to his experienee as much as to that of any other one man the society is indebted for its high stand- ing and usefulness.
Dr. Mason was one of the founders and oldest members of the Bradford County historical society, and at his death its presiding offieer.
For a long time he had been impressed with the belief that it was the duty of the living to rescue from oblivion and forgetfulness items of history and knowledge as they transpire to-day, and record them for coming generations. To this end he labored zealously, and lived to see the society fairly organized and prospering under his own leadership. He engaged in this enterprise with an earnestness and energy which gave unmistakable evidence that his heart was in it, and that he was not living for himself alone, but for the good of mankind.
Very soon after his death, Feb. 3, 1871, the Bradford County historical society unanimously adopted the follow- ing resolutions :
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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
" I. Resolved, That in the decease of our worthy president, Dr. E. H. Mason, the society has lost a faithful and com- petent officer, and our community one of its most valued members.
" 2. Resolved, That in the brief space of time in which he presided over our deliberations he had, by his many virtues, his superior fitness for the place he occupied. his kindness of heart, his amiable disposition, and the sunshine which always accompanied his presence, together with his rare scientific knowledge and sterling integrity, won the friendship and affection of the society, which he had ever held in the community in which he lived, and left a monu- ment to his memory more valued than granite or marble."
He was an honored member of the Masonic fraternity. When he addressed the lodge he was listened to with the greatest attention and respect, and in the most exciting de- bate he never lost his courteous and gentlemanly manner ; and while his words were words of wisdom and power, they were always chaste and respectful. . With purest and noblest principles and motives himself, his charity was bounded only by the human race.
In the year 1862, after the sanguinary battle of Antietam, the governor of this State appointed Dr. Mason examining surgeon for Bradford County. His duties throughout the drafting excitement were performed with his characteristic kindness and sympathy, and without an unkind word. True to his duty, to his country, and to his friends, he per- formed his duty with fidelity, fearless of nothing that stood in the way of right.
In no relation in life did his virtues shine so pre-eminent as in his home, in the bosom of his family. It was there the pure gold of his affection was most apparent.
Dr. Mason was a Christian gentleman, an active mem- ber of the Universalist faith, of unassuming manners, uncompromising integrity, unsullied character, great medi- cal skill, and high intellectual attainments, which were partly hidden from the inquisitive eye of public appreciation under the graceful mantle of modest unobtrusiveness.
June 6, 1838, he married Miss Philyndia, daughter of Jared Woodruff, Esq., of Towanda township. By this marriage he had five children : Ruth Kathleen, Alice Phi- lyndia, Helen Sophia, Jared Halbert, and Mary Bernice. All are dead except Ruth and Helen.
The widow and mother is a lady of rare accomplishments and fine social qualities, and often assisted her husband by her angel visits to the sick and suffering, and at the same time managed to make her own cheerful home the brightest spot on earth to her husband and family. She still survives, being born Nov. 6, 1817.
SAMUEL C. HOUSTON, M.D.
The subject of this sketch was born in Rockport, Essex Co., Mass., May 4, 1796. He was early placed in the best schools afforded at that time. His desire for an edu- cation increased with his years, and at the age of sixteen years he entered Dartmouth college, from which he gradu- ated with the usual honors. His natural inclination led him to take up the study of medicine, and he began his labors in that branch of literary research with the celebrated
Dr. Fowler, of Boston, and graduated from the medical schools of that city. In the year 1819 he received a di- ploma from the New Hampshire medical society, for the practice of physic and surgery, given by the president, Josiah Bartlett.
He began the practice of his profession in New London- derry, N. H., where he remained, with the exception of a short time, until he came to Towanda, Bradford County, Pa., in the year 1824. Coming to this county during its pioneer history, he became not only a pioneer in his pro- fession, but his natural ability and skill in practice made him a leader, and ranked him at the head of his profession iu the village and county where he resided.
Characteristic of Dr. Houston was his great sympathy for those whom he thought deserved or merited assistance. He lent a ready hand to counsel those young in the pro- fession, and encouraged them in their laborious struggle against older and more experienced practitioners. His medical assistance was rendered alike to the rich and poor, and often his great charitable disposition was drawn out to administer to the needy by supplying the comforts of life. Notable in native talent and skill, his opinions were para- mount among those of his profession, and he stood a peer .among his medical associates to the time of his death, May 20, 1856.
Socially, the doctor was a man of great likes and dislikes, but was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. His firmness, integrity of purpose, and strong reso- lution make his name still remembered and honored.
He was unswervingly a Democrat in politics, and was prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity of his village and county.
In the year 1831, Oct. 25, he married Miss Emeline M., daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth Mix, of Towanda. To Dr. and Mrs. Houston were born ten children, six of whom are living. The widow and mother still lives in the village of Towanda, having survived her husband some twenty-one years.
EDWARD OVERTON.
The subject of this sketch was born in Clitheroe, Lan- cashire, England, Dec. 30, 1795. He received early in life a good English and classical education, and by the as- sistance of his uncle, Giles Blaisdell, a very eminent English lawyer, who took a deep interest in the early edu- cation and future welfare of his nephew, was prepared, at the age of sixteen, to commence the study of the law, and shortly after was articled to him for five years as a student of the law, the articles of enrollment being recorded in the King's Bench, with a stamp-duty of one hundred pounds sterling. At the age of twenty, and before the expiration of the five years, he emigrated to America, first coming to Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He was admitted to the court of common pleas of this State very soon after in an examination held by Judges Gibson and Burnside and a committee of the other lawyers of the court, in which examination his sound knowledge of the principles of the law and his naturally legal mind became quite apparent to his examiners. At about the age of twenty-two he opened an office for the
Samuel Surroun, Fre
Con Overtion In
Photo. by G. II. Wood, Towanda.
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Mr. Watkins, like many of the early residents of To- wanda, traced his origin, with commendable pridc, to a New England ancestry. The fifth of seven sons, he was born in Reading, Windsor Co., Vt., March 18, 1802. Choosing the law as his profession, he was admitted to the bar in Montpelier, Vt., in the year 1825.
In 1828 he was married to Almira Hulett, daughter of John Hulett, of Reading, Vt., and removed at once to To- wanda. He gave himself immediately to the practice of his profession, never engaging in speculation, and only participating in the passing questions of the day when he considered a moral principle to be involved. His keen perception of character and motive and his persistency of purpose secured him, in time, a reputation for shrewdness as a lawyer, and the integrity of mind that was a distinguish- ing trait gave him an undisputed claim to the confidence of his clients and the respect of his neighbors and friends.
To comprehend more fully the nature of some of these earlier New England pioneers of Bradford County, one needs to have seen them among the granite bills, ever- green slopes, and under the steely skies that gave the first shapings of character. That which seemed sternness rises into grandeur as the mouldings of an upright character are recognized, and there are many such among the earlier settlers of this county who have unquestionably left their brand of intellectual strength and rectitude upon the present generation.
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