History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 53

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1340

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Charles F. Welles, upon the organization of this county, received from the Governor authority to administer the oaths of office to the newly chosen officers, and himself was chosen prothonotary, clerk of the courts, register and recorder, and the first records of the county are in his own neat and peculiar penmanship. For ten years he was a resident of Towanda, when he removed to Wyalusing in 1822. He was a son of George Welles, one of the first settlers of Athens, and was born in Glastonbury, November 5, 1789. In 1816 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Ellen J,. daughter of Judge Hollenback. Mr. Welles was a man of varied and extensive reading. He wielded a busy pen, and contributed for the papers some of the best poetic articles which were published. Though never a politician, in the sense of aspiring for office, he took a deep interest in political questions. In early life he espoused the principles advocated by Jefferson ; later he became an admirer of Henry Clay, and a defender of his policy. During his res- idence in Towanda he exerted a well-nigh controlling influence in the politics of the county. His articles on political questions, written at this time, were marked by breadth of view and urged with a cogency of reasoning that carried conviction to the mind of the reader, while the corrupt politician received scathing rebukes from his trenchant pen. He became an extensive land owner and left a fine fortune at his death, September 23, 1866.

The Vandykes .- John Vandyke, a native of Holland, came to America and at first settled near Trenton, N. J., whence he removed to Turbit township, Northumberland county, Pa. He married an Irish lady, and remained in Northumberland, where he reared his family. In 1815, William Vandyke, a son, came to Towanda and purchased of John Leavenworth a tract of land on Towanda creek, including a grist-

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mill and a sawmill. Mr. Vandyke and the balance of the family came the same or the following year. In 1817, John Vandyke was assessed as follows: "Seven acres of land improved; seven town lots; two houses ; a tan-yard, and a horse and cow." His land extended from the Overton basin to State street. Mr. Vandyke's sons settled about him. Davis, "the saddler," occupied the James Ward place. He had a saddlery-shop on the ground where Dr. Pratt's residence now stands. After some years he sold out and moved to Granville township, where he lived until the time of his demise. Wilson, "the tanner," moved to Allegany, N. Y. and there died. John lived where Henry Porter now does. He sold out and removed to Canton, where he spent theresidue of his days. In 1825, Mr. Vandyke and his son William, traded their property in Towanda with H. W. Tracy for land in Ulster township, on what is now known as Moore's hill, and moved there while the locality was yet a wilderness. The farm on which they both spent their last days is yet owned and occupied by the family. William married Miss Susan, daughter of James Dougherty, whose mother's maiden name was Hammond. He was the father of G. H. Vandyke, of Ulster, ex-Democratic county commissioner.

Eliphalet Mason came to Towanda in 1816, "being the twelfth family within the borough limits." He built a house on the corner west of Main street, and north of State street, which he afterward sold to George Scott. In 1820 he erected a stone house, out of small stones, in front of the Public Square, standing where Jordan's meat market now is. The building was named the "Stone Heap," but nick-named the "Stone-Jug." He built a stone building adjoining, and engaged in selling groceries for about a year. In 1822 he erected a storehouse on the corner of Court and Maine streets, opposite the Public Square, which he rented to Gurdon Hewett. Of Mr. Mason's residence in Towanda he says: "In the spring of 1817 grain was very scarce. Corn had been ruined by the frosts of the fall before, and every kind of food was in meagre supply. It became evident that some one must undertake to supply the village with meat, and as I could best afford the time, the task fell upon me: Indeed, so great was the dependence, that the villagers could not boil the pot without my providing." For many years Mr. Mason was one of the most prominent men of the county. His early life was spent in teaching. In the fall of 1814 he was commissioned lieutenant of militia, and with others was drafted in the War of 1812. A company of 110 men was raised, and placed under his command and sent to Danville, awaiting orders; but returned home after a month's absence. At the October election, 1814, he was chosen county auditor, being the only Democrat elected on the ticket that year. From April, 1815, he acted as deputy sheriff, under A. C. Rockwell, till the close of his term, and transacted nearly all the business con- nected with the office. In 1816 he was elected county commissioner over A. C. Rockwell, his brother-in-law, the Federal candidate. July 1, 1818, he was commissioned by Governor Findlay, recorder of deeds, and in conjunction with the prothonotary to administer oaths of office to such persons as might be appointed by the Governor. In 1824 he was appointed a commissioner with Edward Eldred and Wm. Brindle

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

to lay out a State road from Muncy to Towanda. Again, in 1829, he was elected to the office of county commissioner, having a greater majority than his competitor had votes. In 1837 Mr. Mason and his son, Gordon F., purchased several thousand acres of land of the Asylum Company, lying in Bradford county. The investment proved a fruitful one. Mr. Mason continued in active and varied business till 1844, when he threw off most of his cares to enjoy his closing days. He found great comfort in making verse, reading his papers, and in frequently contributing an article to the press. His writings will be remembered by many under the sobriquet of "Old South." Mr. Mason was a man of genius, indomitable energy and undaunted courage. His honesty and integrity were never questioned, and of littleness he was never accused. His life was a successful one and a noble example.

Walter S. Minthorn, a mechanic, came to Towanda in 1817. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, and lost a leg. For a while he lived on the corner of Second and State streets, finally moving to Rome.

Nathaniel Heacock, a carpenter, was assessed in Towanda in 1817. He lived at the terminus of Second street, with Lombard. From Towanda he went to Canton.

William Kelly and sons, Lewis and William, mechanics, settled in Towanda in 1818. He established a ferry across the river, the wharf being at the terminus of State street, and was known as the upper, or Kelly's ferry. His house stood on the corner of Water street, south of State. He also kept a grocery for a while, on Court street, which he sold to Benjamin Hunt. Lewis Kelly lived on Second street, where Benjamin Northrup now does. He followed cabinet-making. Thinking Newton a more favorable place for his business, he moved thither.

Dr. Charles Whitehead located at Towanda in 1818. His house stood a little south of N. N. Bett's residence, in the same lot, which he then owned. He was a man of ability and considerable eminence. From 1820 and 1823 he was register and recorder of the county. He was also a justice of the peace. He died in 1825 (aged thirty-one years). and was buried in Riverside Cemetery. Mrs. Whitehead taught school in the village after her husband's death.

Lewis P. Franks, a printer, came to Towanda in 1817, and edited the Washingtonian, the first regular Federal paper in the county. After continuing the paper about a year he turned its management over to Octavius Holden, who continued its publication only a short time. Franks is remembered as a central figure, with a keen intellect, but eccentric. He wielded an able and trenchant pen. Upon leaving Towanda he went to Philadelphia, where he engaged in journalism.

John Stower was a deputy sheriff and jailor under Lemnel Streeter, having removed to Towanda in 1819. He at first lived in the base- ment of the old court-house, then built on his lot, the same as now occupied by Mercur's block. He sold out to Col. Harry Mix, and removed to Binghamton, where a son had preceded him, and gone into business.

Charles Comstock occupied the lot of now Judge Benjamin M.

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

Peck, and had a store a little south of his present residence. He came to Towanda in 1819, and removed to Athens in about 1823, where he was a merchant for many years.

Jacob P. Ensley, a shoemaker, was a resident of Towanda in 1819, and occupied the first floor of Jesse Woodruff's tailor shop. . James E. Haslet, a mason, was also a resident of the borough in 1819, and lived in a small house where Hon. W. T. Davies' residence now is. . . . Edwin Benjamin came to Towanda in about the same time (1818) that he and Lemuel Streeter purchased the Bradford Gazette. He was postmaster of Towanda in 1819, and county clerk in 1821. He lived where A. Snell's residence now is.

Elisha Newberry, a blacksmith, began working at his trade in the village in 1819. He subsequently went to Troy, and became a prom- inent citizen there.

Hon. George Scott, a native of Berkshire county, Mass., born November 19, 1784, having attained his majority, in company with an elder brother, David, started for the "Sunny South " to begin life in earnest and make his fortune. The young men were both well edu- cated for those days, and had decided to engage in school-teaching when an opportunity presented itself, until something more congenial and paying should be found. Accordingly, sometime in 1805, they set out with a single horse, and drifted into Wysox, Bradford county. They made their business known, whereupon the citizens called a meeting at the house of Burr Ridgeway, and George was hired to teach the school of the district. David found employment west of the river. He also clerked for William Means, read law in the mean- time, and finally went to Wilkes-Barre, where he was admitted to the bar. He became a man of note; was prothonotary of Luzerne county, and for several years was president judge of the Luzerne district. George continued teaching in Wysox, and having been appointed a justice of the peace, purchased a lot next beyond the " brick church," and built a house thereon. Finally, Miss Lydia, daughter of Henry Strope, "possessed the necessary charms," and he became a permanent fixture in the county. Upon the organization of the county in 1812, he was appointed an associate judge with John McKean, by Gov. Snyder, and held that office until 1818. He was clerk to the county commissioners from 1815 to 1820, and was appointed prothonotary in 1818, and register and recorder in 1824, which office he held till 1830. In 1816 he was appointed a con- missioner to superintend the distribution of the funds appropriated for the building of the State road, "extending eastward and westward through the county," and passing through Towanda.

In the Autumn of 1819, Mr. Scott moved to Towanda with his family, and took up his residence on the corner north of State street, west of Main, but afterward lived and died on the ground now occu- pied by Dr. Pratt. He edited and published the Bradford Settler from 1821 to 1823, his printing office standing east of Main street, and " south of State, near the corner. From 1823 to 1824 he was county treasurer. and for many years was prominent in the politics of the county. He died at Towanda, March 2, 1834, and was buried in

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Riverside Cemetery. Mrs. Scott survived her husband many years ; she was born in Wysox, February 29, 1788, and died in Towanda, February 25, 1881.

William Hart, a native of New Jersey, came to Wysox about the close of the War of 1812, in which he served as a farrier and shod Capt. (afterward Gen.) Scott's horse. He was for a time connected with Hollenback's store and house of entertainment. While here engaged, he married a daughter of Henry Strope. In 1818 he moved to Towanda and rented the "Red Tavern " and ferry of Mr. Means. He perhaps kept the hotel but one year, then worked at his trade, that of blacksmith. He finally moved to Monroeton, where he resided until the time of his death.

Gurdon Hewett, who had engaged in lumbering at Monroe, and married a daughter of Wm. Means, came to Towanda in 1819, and engaged in the mercantile business. He built a store on the corner of Main and Bridge streets, where Patton's block now stands, and a residence farther east. About 1827 he removed to Owego, N. Y., and engaged in the banking business, and became, it is said, a millionaire. He was the architect of his own fortune, having begun life as a poor boy. From 1821 to 1822 he was treasurer of Bradford county.

William Keeler came to Towanda in 1820, and for a couple of years kept hotel. He was then a partner in the mercantile busi- ness with Thomas Elliott. They occupied the store south of the "Stone Jug," erected hy E. Mason, where Fitch's confectionery store now is.

Joseph C. Powell, upon being clected sheriff, came to Towanda to reside in 1821. He was the son of Stephen Powell, a Revolutionary soldier, who emigrated from Dutchess county, N. Y., to Ulster, Brad- ford county, in 1798, and settled the first farm above "the narrows."

In 1836 he was made prothonotary by the voluntary suffrages of the people, and a member of the State Legislature in 1849. Upon moving to Towanda Mr. Powell at first occupied the "Barstow House," but finally removed to North Towanda on his farm, where he remained until the time of his death, September 2. 1854. After baving lost his first wife, he married Mrs. Vespasian Ellis, nee Selina Phillips. Of his first marriage, Percival and B. Franklin were well known. The former, for some time postmaster of Towanda, engaged in tailoring and the sale of ready-made clothing ; and the latter in journalisni, being for many years editor of the Bradford Argus, and a proprietor with "Judge " Parsons. Of his second marriage were children : Lucretia, married to John K. Baker, of Bath, N. Y. ; Mary, married to W. B. Webb, of Chicago; and the Hon. Joseph.

Andrew Trout (1821), a blacksmith, and a soldier of the War of 1812, was a resident of Towanda till 1831, when he was drowned with George H. Bingham at Shamokin dam. He had a number of sons, who became bright men.

Warren Brown came to Towanda as early as 1817. He built the "County Honse" so called from its having been built of second-hand material, procured of the county commissioners. This building stood where is the residence of J. J. Griffith, and was used as a hotel by Mr.

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

Brown as early as 1824. He was clerk of the county from 1826-'30; and in about 1832 went West with his family.

James Catlin and Octavius Holden were early residents of Towanda, and among the first printers. . William F. Dinniger, a Frenchman skilled in the art of teaching, came here from Wysox, taught school and resided for awhile. The early records of Wysox show that he took quite an active part in politics, and held various local offices. He was somewhat rigid and eccentric as a teacher, and is well remembered by some of the elderly people.

Among early families that were here for a short time only, are remembered : The Moores, the Wheelers, the Beebes, the Leavenworths, the Ingrams. . . Thomas Elliott established himself in the mercantile business, near the corner of Main and Pine streets, in 1821. He was for sometime associated with William Keeler, and afterward with Hiram Mercur. Here, in 1846, the Hon. Joseph Powell took his first lessons in the mercantile art. Mr. Elliott was a prominent merchant of the town for many years. He built a spacious mansion in the southern part of the village, where he died in affluence in 1868, aged seventy-six years. His aged widow and son, Edward T., occupy the homestead. Mr. Elliott was the first president of the old Towanda Bank. He was a man of strict integrity, and was greatly respected.

Theodore Geroulds (1822), a blacksmith, lived on Water street for awhile. Col. Hiram Mix came to Towanda in 1822 from Myersburg, where he had been a merchant, purchased a lot of John Stowers and opened a store in partnership with his brother, St. John Mix. Col. Hiram Mix closed his days in Towanda. His children were: William, Harry, Hiram, Amelia (Mrs. D. F. Barstow), Emeline (Mrs. D. Hus- ton), Elizabeth (Mrs. Jno. F. Means), Matilda (Mrs. Jos. Kingsbury) and Ellen (Mrs. St. John Mix). Of these Harry, Amelia and Matilda are still living. William was the father of John W. Mix, of Towanda.

Nathaniel N. Betts, the father of N. N. Betts, cashier of the First National Bank of Towanda, came from Oxford, N. Y., in about 1820 to officiate as clerk for Gurdon Hewett, with whom he subsequently became a partner. After Mr. Hewett removed to Owego, he sent Jos. D. Montanye to Towanda as his clerk, who finally became a partner in the concern. Mr. Hewett subsequently sold his interest to the other two, and the firm became Betts & Montanye. They were for several years one of the principal firms of Towanda, and occupied the corner of Court and Main streets, where P. L. Decker now is. Mr. Betts married a daughter of Esquire Means, and after her death he married Miss Eliza Clark, daughter of Dr. Adonijah Warner, of Wysox, which union was blessed by the birth of Eliza Ellen (Mrs. Dr. H. C. Porter) and Nathaniel Noble. Mr. Betts was, in his later years, a magistrate,. and scrupulously honest in his official relations. He died in 1875 at the age of seventy-six years.

Benjamin Hunt (1822) kept a cake, beer and confectionery estab- lishment on the ground now occupied by McCrany's livery stables, on State street, and afterward had a grocery on Court street, between the Presbyterian church and Frost's Sons' ware-rooms.

Dr. John N. Weston was born in Norwich, Conn., February 12,

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1794. He made his advent into the county in the winter of 1813-14, instructing in the art of penmanship, but remained only until the fol- lowing spring.

George W. Cash, son of Capt. Isaac Cash, one of the first settlers in Athens and Ulster, came to Towanda in 1822, and entered into part- nership with Morris Spalding in the tanning business, which was con- tinued under the firm name of Spalding & Cash for five years. They purchased of the Vandykes. Mr. Cash afterward went to Texas, and enlisted in the war for Texan independence. He was captured by the Mexicans, and put to death in cold blood by orders of Santa Anna.

Gen. William Patton, a native of Mifflin county, Pa., and lawyer by profession, came to Towanda in 1823. Mr. Patton was a magis- trate, and held at successive periods clerkships in the State Senate, and in the United States War and Navy Departments, and General Land-Office, and also in the United States Senate, serving in the last body for more than a quarter of a century. He was a captain in the militia, and in 1833 was elected major-general, and at the age of sixty-five volunteered for the defense of Washington against an expected attack during the late Rebellion. Gen. Patton married, first, the eldest daughter of Reuben Hale, and for his second wife, Mrs. Ann J. Gai, of Washington, D. C. Mrs. J. J. Griffith is a daughter, and the Hon. Jos. G. Patton, a son, he having derived his title by having been a Senatorial Delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1872 to revise the organic law of the State. Gen. Patton died in 1877, at the age of a little more than 78 years.

James McClintock, a young man of superior ability, came to Towanda in 1824 to read law with his uncle, Ethan Baldwin. His first plea before a jury was in the case of the Commonwealth os. Hall, for an aggravated assault on James P. Bull, editor of the Bradford Settler, in which he displayed great oratorial powers. His poetic genius was also more than medium. He settled in Wilkes-Barre. Death robbed him at once of a loved wife, which together with the loss of a large property and political defeat, unbalanced a brilliant intellect, and the darkness of insanity settled on him forever, momen- tary gleams of the sunlight of reason only rendering the gloom more fearful.

Dr. Caleb W. Miles was the first permanent resident physician of Towanda. . James Gilson, a cabinet-maker, established himself in business at Towanda in 1824. He lived about where Henry Porter now does, and had a cabinet shop nearly on the line between the late James Macfarlane and D. A. Overton. . . Jared Downing Goodenough came to Towanda in 1824, from Oxford, N.Y. He was a saddler and har- ness-maker, and carried on the business here for several years, also fol- lowing general merchandising. In 1835 he was elected justice of the peace, and held the office consecutively for seventeen years. He died January 6, 1874, in his eighty-second year, and his remains are interred in Riverside Cemetery. In 1825 he was united in marriage with Sybil, daughter of the late Daniel Brown, of Wyalusing. O. D. Goodenough, son of Jared Goodenough, was a well-known resident of Towanda, for many years connected with journalism, wielding an able, fluent and

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versatile pen, and in a manner pleasing. In 1859, the Bradford Her- ald was published by Chase & Goodenough ; in 1871 the Towanda Business Item. by Goodenough and Clauson.

Ebenezer Bartlett, the ancestor of the family in Bradford county, was a Revolutionary patriot, and was among the freemen who struck the first blow for liberty at Lexington.

Elinas Beebe, a hatter, located in Towanda in 1823, and Elnathan Beebe, who followed the same vocation, in 1825. . William Flatt, a carpenter, came to Towanda in 1823; married a daughter of William Keeler, and finally removed West. . Francis Delpuech, born at Geneva, Switzerland, and a gentleman of culture, educated in French, in 1824 chose the quietude of Towanda to spend the residue of his days, and accordingly purchased the Oliver Newell property. He was a skillful artist, and had a great passion for flowers, which he took pride in cultivating. Mr. and Mrs. Delpuech were estimable personages.

Hon. George Tracy, son of Solomon Tracy, a Revolutionary sol- dier, and early settler in Ulster (1787), came to Towanda in 1824, and engaged in mercantile business; his brother, Hon. H. W. Tracy, of Standing Stone, being associated with him. His store was where the residence of D. A. Overton now is. Mr. Tracy moved to Monroeton in 1832. . William D. VanHorn, a carpenter, and also Curtis Frink, a blacksmith, were added to the populace of the town in 1824. . . David Cash, a nephew and law partner of Simon Kinney, began the practice of his profession at Towanda in 1825. He was elected prothonotary of the county in 1839, and was a candidate for the State Senate, but was defeated by Hon. Samuel Morris, of Luzerne county. Mr. Cash was interested in the construction of the North Branch Canal, and also of the Barclay Railroad. He built a fine residence on the corner of Third and Poplar streets, on the south side of the latter, and there lived until the time of his death, in 1864, aged seventy years. His wife, Mary Ann Spencer, died in 1883, at the age of seventy-seven years. The children of David and Mary A. Cash were: George, Charles, Fred, Louise (Mrs. James Wood) and Mary (Mrs. H. S. Gris- wold). David Cash was a brother of George W. Cash.

Alva Kellogg, a blacksmith, began business in Towanda in 1825. He married a daughter of Noah Spalding and lived where A. Snell now does .. . Warren Jenkins, grocer, began business in Towanda in 1825. He subsequently engaged in journalism. . . Gilbert H. Drake, wagon- maker, located at Towanda in 1825. He had his shop on the ground now occupied by James McCabe's residence, his house standing where the Methodist Episcopal church now is. Benjamin Spees was associated with him for awhile. Drake afterward built a house and shop on the ground now occupied by Humphrey Bros. & Tracy. He removed to Montrose in 1866.

Hon. David F. Barstow, a native of Litchfield county, Conn., who studied law at Albany, N. Y., and was admitted to practice in 1821, came to Towanda in 1825. He was a gentleman of letters, a graduate of Union College, and began life in Towanda as a teacher. For many years he was a magistrate, and did an extensive business in connection with collecting. He also practiced at the bar. Mr. Barstow was a,

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man held in high esteem by his fellow-townsmen and was honored by them with various local offices of responsibility and trust, and served the county in the lower branch of the State Legislature from 1838 to 1840. 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.

William Payson was a deputy sheriff, and lived in the old court- house. He came to the village as early as 1820, moving finally to the State line. . . Byron Kingsbury, son of Col. Joseph Kingsbury, of Sheshequin, located in the northern part of the village in 1825, on the farm now owned and occupied by his son, W. W. Kingsbury. . . George Robinson, a weaver by occupation, settled (1825) in the upper part of the village. He was familiarly known as "Robinson Crusoe." Thomas Barnes married a daughter. . . Deacon James Elliot, a brother of Thomas, kept a grocery and drug store, in 1825, on the corner of Main and Poplar streets, where Clark B. Porter now is. Subsequently Mr. Elliott sold out and removed to Ulster, where he remained some years, then returned to Towanda to close his years, which almost reached a hundred. Morris Spalding, a cousin of Col. Harry, lived in Towanda for a number of years, first coming thereto as early as 1817. In 1822 he and Geo. W. Cash were associated together in the tanning business, which they continued till about 1827. He was postmaster of Towanda in 1822, appointed county clerk in 1824, and elected county commissioner in 1834. In 1825, he kept a store and occupied the framed house, near where the new Episcopal church foundation now is. He afterward kept a store farther down town, and finally removed to the State of Illinois with his family.

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History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 53

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.) Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1340

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1340