USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 102
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The subject of this notice was a man of strong convictions,
and of such as did not always lead into avenues of popularity. He identified himself with the earliest Abolition move- ments in the county, when a single old colored man, familiarly known as " Black Henry," was his main ally. Years later, in the interval of which history was verifying the correctness of his sympathies, his oldest son, Lieuten- ant-Colonel G. H. Watkins, who had early enlisted in the War of the Rebellion, fell in the fruitless charge before Petersburg, of June 18, 1864.
An instinct of tenderness towards the unprotected or un- fortunate made him a loving as well as watchful parent and husband, and a friend that could be relied on in adversity. Remembering the difficulties he had himself been obliged to overcome as a stranger, in a State with whose laws he was as yet unfamiliar, he invariably evinced a kindly in- terest in the young men of the profession. A keen sense of the ridiculous gave relish to an intercourse that might otherwise have seemed severe and reticent, and the repartee of a child has been known to save from deserved punishment. Although for many years a Christian, he did not become a member of any Christian organization until, about the year 1865, he united with the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Watkins died in the home he had inhabited for nearly fifty years on the evening of September 12, 1877. He leaves a wife and one son, William Hersey Watkins, of Independence, Kansas, and two daughters, married respect- ively to Hon. H. T. Davies, and H. L. L'Amoureux, of Towanda.
Photo, by G. H. Wood, Towanda.
ILPatton
HON. J. G. PATTON.
The subject of this sketeh was born in Towanda, Brad- ford County, 1825. He was eldest son of a family of seven children of Gen. William Patton and Eliza Hale, both natives of Pennsylvania.
At the age of fifteen years, Joseph, the subject of this me- moir, entered a Quaker school called Mannington academy, in Susquehanna county, where he remained one year. Soon after returning home, he was called to mourn the loss of a devoted and amiable mother, who died at the early age of thirty-six years. In the year 1843 he went to Hinsdale, N. Y., to attend the Cattaraugus manual labor institute, where every student was required to labor sufficient to de- fray the expenses of his board, a large farm being connected with the institute. Mr. Patton engaged and worked upon the "Hinsdale Expositor," a monthly journal published at that place in the interest of the school. Here he remained for some two years, and became a practical printer. The school proved a failure. He then became a student of Grand River institute, of Austinsburg, O., where he re- mained for two years prosecuting his studies. In 1847 he entered Alleghany college, at Meadville, Pa., qualifying himself for the discharge of the practical business trans- actions of life. After traveling through different parts of the west, occasionally teaching as a means of defraying current expenses, he returned to his home in the autumn of 1850, and taught the district school at Hale's school-house,
in Towanda township, in the winter of that year. At the close of his term, receiving notice from his father-engaged as a clerk in the United States Senate-that a temporary appointment awaited him in the same department, he re- paired at once to Washington, and entered upon his duties.
Returning to Towanda he engaged in shipping lumber to the towns on the lower Susquehanna, these being the only reliable markets that Bradford County lumbermen enjoyed. In 1855 he purchased the drug-store north of Pine street, which he subsequently established in Patton's block. In 1867 he embarked in trade in books and sta- tionery, and in 1870, after disposing of his interest, gave attention to the improvement of his real estate. Mr. Pat- ton is an ardent supporter of temperanee reform, and has given some attention to lecturing upon that subject. Besides being a member of the borough couneil he has filled several other offices of responsibility, to the satisfaction of the people. In 1872 he was elected a member of the constitu- tional convention to revise the organic law of the State, where he had the honor of introducing the present system of an indorsed and numbered ballot, which affords a ready means of detecting and preventing fraud. He has been for many years, and is now, one of the directors of the Towanda bridge company.
In politics, Mr. Patton is an unswerving Democrat. So- cially, he is affable and genial, possessing a frank, generous, and unpretentious disposition, kindness of heart, and ardent attachment to friends.
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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
practice of his profession at Tioga Point, now called Athens, where he remained for three years, and came to Towanda, where he has since resided. Soon after taking up his resi- dence in Towanda he was admitted to practice in the supreme courts of the State. Now fully established in a profession for life, and one in which his natural ability seemed peculiarly adapted, he gradually gained prominence in the courts where he plead, and rose to the foremost ranks in the bar of the county aud State as an attorney and counselor.
Beginning the practice of the law in the early days of the history of the county, he was very notably identified with the litigation respecting land-titles growing out of the Connecticut claims covering the northern part of Penn- sylvania, and the imperfect surveys of State claimants, in which litigation he was foremost as a land lawyer.
Mr. Overton is the oldest member of the bar of the county, and possibly of the State, having been connected with the same for some sixty years, and an active member of the bar for nearly one-half a century.
In politics he was originally a Whig, but upon the for- mation of the Republican party adopted its principles and became an ardent supporter of its platform.
He was never solicitous of public office, neither has he shrank from bearing with integrity any responsibility placed upon him.
Through life Mr. Overton has taken a deep interest in all matters relating to church and school, contributing largely in the building of church edifices, and the forward- ing of any enterprise looking to the education of the rising generation and the establishment of good society. He has been a member of the Presbyterian church of Towanda since his first settlement in that village, and has always shown a fervent attachment to its articles of faith and laws of government. Throughout its history this church has been greatly indebted to him for generous and unceasing counsel and help, and all the schemes of benevolence of the Pres- byterian church in the United States have found in him a liberal benefactor. He has always had an open hand for the poor and distressed. To eminent legal ability and learn- ing he added in early life the refinement and amenity of poetic and social culture. During a long and varied career he has been signally successful in maintaining a high repu- tation for honor and honesty, and is now enjoying in old age an ample competence.
In the year 1818 he married Miss Eliza, daughter of Henry Clymer, of Philadelphia, and granddaughter of Hon. George Clymer, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, one of the framers of the Constitution of the United States, and the first president of the Academy of Fine Arts of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Overton were born seven children : Mary, Giles Blaisdell, Henry Clymer, Lonisa, Francis Clymer, Edward, Jr., and Eliza.
GENERAL WILLIAM PATTON,
the second of a family of five children, was born in IIunt- ingdon Co., Pa., 1799. After receiving such advantages as the schools of that early period afforded, he entered the office of Elias W. Hale, Esq., studied, and was admitted to
the practice of the law, and removed to Bradford County in 1821. In 1824 he married Miss Eliza Hale, danghter of Reuben Hale, Esq., of Towanda. To Mr. and Mrs. Pat- ton were born three sons and four daughters,-Joseph
Mr. Patron
Gideon, Phebe Ann, Wealthy Maria, Eliza Hale, William Hale, Jane, and William, Jr.,-of whom only two survive, -Joseph Gideon and Phebe Ann. A short sketch of the former will be found in another place in this work. Phebe Ann, in 1853, married John J. Griffiths, of Philadelphia. They have two children,-William Patton and Anna Maria Griffiths,-being the only grandchildren of Gen. William Patton.
He continued in the practice of his profession until ap- pointed a justice of the peace, in which capacity he dispensed law and equity, and as an umpire displayed those traits of compromise and conciliation that have characterized a life replete with instances of reconciliation between neighbors in their constantly-recurring legal and political estrangements. In 1829 he received the appointment of transcribing clerk of the senate of the State, and was continued in that posi- tion until about the year 1835, when he was appointed en- grossing clerk of the senate of the United States, which position he occupied for a period of twenty-five years, ex- tending from the administration of General Jackson to the accession of Abraham Lincoln. During his occupancy of this position he enjoyed an intimate acquaintanceship and association with the eminent statesmen, Clay, Webster, Calhoun, Cass, Benton, and Douglas, whose friendship he retained until the close of their lives. In the year 1841 his wife died. In 1842 he married the present Mrs. Patton.
General Patton was a man of singularly unobtrusive nature, and although chosen from a large circle of prominent men to serve in the capacity of general of the State militia, he was notably a man of peace. Entertaining decided
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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
opinions of moral and religious obligations, be was, never- theless, free from bigotry, and one of the most tolerant of men. Possessed of a moral courage that never quailed in the presence of opposition, he espoused what he believed to be right with the earnest zeal of a conscientious conviction, but when vanished, he yielded with the grace of a patriotic citizen to what he accepted as the will of the people or a legal determination.
As an author and biographer General Patton will leave a void not easily filled in the field of his operations, while his contributions to the current and political literature of the day will be cherished as clear, concise, and vigorous arguments in bchalf of the ideas enunciated. As a citizen and neighbor he is remembered for that gentleness of heart which con- tributed genuine sympathy to the misfortunes of the lowly, while he possessed that independence of spirit that had no cringing adulation for the exalted. In the transaction of business he was the soul of honor and the embodiment of integrity.
He was a life-long student, and a man of indefatigable industry. His powers of endurance were almost incredible. Until within a few days of his death he could be found with book or pen at any hour of the day, and frequently till midnight, engaged in literary labor. He gave valuable as- sistance to the compilation of the present " History of Bradford County," a work in which he felt great interest, both as a citizen and as cx-president of the Historical Society, under whose auspices it was written.
General Patton was connected with the Towanda Grange, No. 200, the interests of which he did all in his power to forward, as the following will show, being embodied in the memorial tribute to his life at a meeting of the lodge after his death : " His introduction before the Grange county convention of a resolution to do away by law with what he termed a fatal blow to credit-the demand for per- sonal security on an obligation to which the signer is not a party in interest-elucidates the close scrutiny which his legally analytic mind has given to questions of political economy, and leaves us to feel keenly the void caused by his departure from our practical discussions.
" His presence will be missed for the conservatism that his counsels added to our deliberations. We shall losc the benefit of an investigating mind, for many years turned to the field of chemical constituents as a means to the greater promotion of agricultural results in the domain of scientific farming."
Gen. William Patton died Oct. 10, 1877.
PAUL DUDLEY MORROW.
The subject of this sketch was born in what is now Wilmot township, Bradford County, Feb. 17, 1828, being the fourth son of John and Sally Morrow,* of that place. His early life was spent at home, where in alternate labors of the farm, the studies of the school-room, and teachings of the home circle, were laid the foundations of a good
physical development, firm intellectual culture, and high moral character, which have distinguished him through life.
At the age of eighteen, at Franklin Academy, in Sus- quehanna county, he began the preparatory course of study, and in September, 1848, entered the freshman class of Hamilton College, and graduated with honor July, 1852. Previous to entering the academy, and while pursuing his studies, he was engaged in teaching for several terms.
Possessing a strong, analytical mind, argumentative, and practical in the ordinary affairs of life, he turned naturally to the law as his chosen profession, and immediately after his graduation came to Towanda, and entered the office of Judge Mercur, as a student-at-law. In September, 1853, he was admitted to the bar, having studied law extra during his senior year under Dr. Dwight.
Entering upon his profession, he found at the bar such men as Elwell, Adams, Mercur, and others, who then were eminent in their profession, and doing the principal part of the legal business of the county. To make for himself a place and obtain business against such competitors required no little ability, energy, and perseverance. He made haste slowly, but made it a rule to do well whatever he had to do; and, with an unyielding integrity of purpose, he at- tracted attention and won the confidence of the public; so that in 1856 he was elected district attorney. In 1862 he became the law partner of Judge Wilmot, who then was United States senator, and remained with him until he was appointed one of the judges of the court of claims at Washington. He was subsequently associated with Henry Peet, Esq., until March, 1865, and then with Judge Mercur until March, 1870. At this latter date, he received the appointment of Additional Law Judge of thirteenth judicial district, composed of the counties of Bradford and Susquehanna, of which Hon. F. B. Streeter was Presi- dent Judge.
In the fall of 1870 he was elected Additional Law Judge for the term of ten years. Under the new constitution, Bradford and Susquehanna counties were each made a sepa- rate judicial district, and Judge Streeter having assigned himself to the latter, in 1874 Judge Morrow was con- missioned President Judge of the Bradford district, for the remainder of his term. Ever since he went upon the bench he has been a hard worker, painstaking and diligent. Conscientious and upright in the discharge of his duties, just and correct in his decisions, he has won the respect and confidence of all.
In June, 1857, he married Miss Harriet King Pitcher, of Warren, Bradford County, and to them have been born three children : Henrietta, now in the senior class at the Elmira Female College; John Paul, born Oct. 23, 1863; and Charles Sidney, born Oct. 30, 1868.
Mrs. Morrow is a woman of rare intellectual and social culture, to whose kindly sympathies and encouragement her husband attributes much of his success in life, and whose genial influence makes home attractive for him, his children, and friends. As a Christian woman, she is active in all the benevolent enterprises of the church and the Sabbath-school. She was born Oct. 19, 1836, in Byron, Genesee Co., N. Y.
" A steel portrait of Mrs. Sally Morrow is herewith given. See Wilmot Township.
ortak
P. D. Morrow
7
RES. OF MRS. OLEAN M. SMITH, TOWANDA, BRADFORD COUNTY, PA.
C
PHOTO BY G.H. WOOD.
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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Judge Morrow is a ready supporter of both church and school interests, as well as every enterprise looking to the advancement of literature and the preservation of good society. In his religious belief, he is in hearty accord with the Presbyterian church, without narrowness or bigotry towards those who may differ from him.
He was an active member of the Democratic party until 1854, when the Kansas and Nebraska question led him to cast in his lot with the opposition, and become a warm advocate of the principles of the Republican party. Since his elevation to the bench, though taking no active part in politics, he has stood unswervingly by the principles he then espoused.
The official position now held by Judge Morrow involves great labor and responsibility. The business in the courts has largely increased of late, and occupies all his time. Large interests are involved, and, to say nothing of the physical efforts required, there is a constant anxiety and strain of the mental faculties. Yet he is courteous, patient, and willing to hear all that may be said by way of argument or persuasion, but at the same time is firm and independent, and seems to have but one object in view, viz., that the right may prevail. He has a well-balanced, discriminating mind, and an abiding love of justice.
HORACE GRANGER.
The subject of this sketch was born in Sheffield, Conn., June, 1809. He was the eldest son of a family of nine children of Roderick and Almeda Granger, natives of Con- necticut, and of Welsh descent on the father's side, and of Irish descent on the mother's side.
His father was born in 1780, and during the years of the Revolutionary war the grandfather on the father's side put in two substitutes to serve in the war, and his grand- father on his mother's side served himself as a drummer during the entire war.
The family characteristics for independence, under the native-born principles of Puritanism, were fully established before the subject of this notice was born, by their partici- pation in the war for independence.
His father emigrated from Connecticut and settled in Bradford County, Ulster township, in 1809; lived in the township of Wysox for three years, and in the year 1828 settled on the land now owned and occupied by his sons Horace and Roderick, views of which will be found in this work. His father began by clearing off the forest and pre- paring the land for raising crops. He was really one of the pioneers of the county; did all he could to impress upon the minds of his children the value of honesty, integ- rity of character, and virtue. He lived to the age of sixty- nine years, and died in the year 1848, and while returning from election after voting for General Taylor for president of the United States. His mother lived to the advanced age of eighty-four years, and died December, 1869.
Horace and Roderick, after the death of their father, receiving most of the original purchase of 200 acres, have since cleared most of it and made it good producing land, erected suitable buildings, and are among the representative
families of their town. They have lived to see the various changes since the early settlement of the county, -the rude log cabin supplanted by palatial residences, commodious school-houses, with all modern improvements, and steam navigation and railroading in place of sails and ox-carts.
Horace, at the age of twenty-four years, and in the year 1833, Oct. 10, married Miss Matilda Vandyke, of Ulster. To them were born three children,-George H., Francis M., and James R. All are living. Mr. Granger is now in his sixty-ninth year of age, and well versed in the current topics of the day. Originally a Whig in politics, now an ardent supporter of Republican principles. His first vote was cast for General Harrison for president of the United States.
Roderick Granger married Miss Louisa, daughter of Ezra Rutty, one of the first settlers of Towanda township. This marriage took place in the year 1833, Aug. 20. To Mr. and Mrs. Granger were born twelve children, eight of whom are living. Names of children are as follows : Patience, Sophia, Joseph, Alexander, Burton, Franklin, Adelia, Fred- erick, Anna (died in infancy), Francis, Mary, and Ida M. Roderick Granger is identified in politics with the Repub- lican party, and previous to its formation was a member of the Whig organization. He is now in his sixty-fifth year, having been born Oct. 14, 1813. Mrs. Granger was born May 16, 1814. They live in the affections of their children, and their portraits and a view of their residence will be found on another page of this work, as a monument to their memory of a life of industry and toil.
ERASTUS H. SMITH.
The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., April 24, 1825. He was a son of Henry and Anna Smith, natives of Bradford Co., Pa. At an early age Erastus engaged as a clerk in the store of Hon. Mr. Hubbell, of Bath, afterwards with Mr. Barney, and at the age of twenty-one years had thoroughly learned the mercan- tile business. His natural business ability had been strength - ened by experience, and he was at this time enabled to take a position with men of large experience and greater age. He established the firm of Smith Brothers, at Olean, N. Y., in 1852, and continued the active man of the business until compelled by extreme ill health to relinquish his place. Having chosen his business, he made himself a thorough master of it, and by his energy, industry, and uncompro- mising honesty he soon won a high place among business men about him. His advent in Olean revolutionized the methods of business, and opened a pathway in which others followed with success.
He was compelled, on account of ill health, to give up his business in that place, and found a pleasant home in Towanda, on the banks of the Susquehanna. A director and stockholder at its organization, he was soon after made president of the First National bank of Towanda, and under his management that institution soon became a success. He was connected with the interests of the bank until his death, May 2, 1872.
He was a cordial hater of all forms of wrong and op- pression, a friend of those in need, possessing that urbanity
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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
of manner and gentle disposition that commended him to the confidence of all who knew him.
Characteristic of Mr. Smith were his social qualities, and especially in his own family, where he was met by those in whose affections he lived.
At the age of twenty-eight, in the year 1853, he married Miss Olean, daughter of Hon. Frederick S. and Cornelia Martin, of Olean, N. Y. Her father was a member of the State legislature of New York for two terms, and of the United States congress one term, during President Fillmore's administration.
To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born two children,-Anna C. and Frank W. The widow and mother survives her husband, and resides in Towanda, and on another page of this work will be found a view of her residence, and the portrait of her late husband.
JOHN A. CODDING.
John A. Codding was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., July 6, 1819. His father David, his grandfather James, and great-grandfather George Codding, were born in Bristol Co., Mass. Their ancestors were from England, and among the early settlers of Massachusetts.
John A. Coding
The parents of John A. Codding settled in Pike town- ship, Bradford County, in October, 1823. His mother, Susanna Wood, was the eldest daughter of Consider Wood, who served the whole seven years of the Revolutionary war under General Isracl Putnam. In 1823, when Mr. Codding came to this county, settlers were few ; much of the county was a wilderness, with poor roads and few schools. The advantages for education were so limited that the subject of this notice walked two miles to a district school for his first common-school instruction. He acquired a
good English education, and in 1837 commeneed to teach school in the rural districts and board around, and continued in the business of an educator of children for fifteen years. About one thousand different scholars have received in- struction from him. In early life he learned the stone- and brick-mason's trade, and many of the best buildings in this and adjacent counties are monuments of his handiwork. Under the militia laws of the commonwealth he was elected successively to the offices of first lieutenant and captain of cavalry, major, lieutenant-colonel, and brigade-inspector. :
In 1854 he was elected high sheriff of the county, and remained in the office and did business with his successor three years after his own term expired, making six years in the sheriff's office. In 1862 he was appointed a con- missioner to superintend the draft for Bradford County, He was senior member of the hardware firm of Codding & Russell, for sixteen years.
He married in November, 1847, Percilla L. Hodge, of Le Raysville, daughter of Rev. James Hodge. Their family is three sons and one daughter. James H., the eldest son, is finishing his law studies with Hon. P. D. Morrow ; Jolin W. graduated at La Fayette college in the elass of 1877, and is studying law in the office of Messrs. Overton & Mercur ; Charles L. was born in the court-house, and is now with B. M. Peck, Esq., in the prothonotary's office, also preparing for the legal profession ; Mary is the youngest and only daughter.
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