History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 179

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc > Part 179

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* Then about sixteen years of age.

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manifested emotions of grief, whereupon the Indian chief, Brant, noticing her condition, drew his tomahawk and threatened her life if she did not suppress even the thoughts of its identification. A conversation occurred between her and the chief, in which he learned that her father was the Abram Cook whom he had known as so "good a white man" at Schenectady College. Possessed with this knowledge, the chief saved her life when the prisoners were finally destroyed. Miss Cook was an eye witness of the torture and final killing of the belle of Cherry Valley, the means of destruction being on the first day to cut off her ears ; the second day, her nose and mouth from ear to ear ; and on the third, they cut her throat and filled the incision with hot embers. After the slaughter was ended, soldiers were detailed to bury the dead, and Nicholas Rightor performed a part of the labor, and here is where he became acquainted with Catharine Cook, the union with whom blessed him with Catharine, Nicholas, Dolly, Jane, Abram, Menda, Sarah, Joannah and Henry. The second, Nicholas, early learned the art of surveying, and left his father's home in 1814 for the Brokenstraw Country of Warren Co., Penn. Failing to obtain em- ployment as a surveyor, he traced his course along the Brokenstraw Creek to the Alle- gheny River, thence down the "river sides" to New Orleans. Early on his journey to the Allegheny, he fell in with an Indian, whom he allowed to ride his horse for ten miles, and this kind act was subsequently rewarded. On his arrival at New Orleans, Nicholas sought services with the Surveyor General of Louisiana, whose name was Nicholas Rightor, a German, who agreed to claim relationship, thus assuring his employment and the immedi- ate charge of a surveying "squad," and subsequently his appointment by President James Madison to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of his predecessor, Nicholas Rightor, which position he held until death. While on a surveying trip, he and assistants were taken prisoners by the Indians, and, after a week of privations, with only horse and dog flesh for food, it was arranged to execute them on a certain evening; and here came the reward for allowing the Indian to ride his horse along the Brokenstraw Creek, for the same identical red man turned them loose and led them to a place of safety, before the time came to kill them. Dolly married Richard Graham; Jane married John Van Tyle, a brother-in-law of John Whitney, famous by the fine of $2,000 on the "William Morgan trouble"-reflecting on the secrets of Freemasonry, in 1826; Abram, after assisting his brother, Nicholas, was, in 1823, appointed Surveyor-General of Tennessee by James Mon- roe; Menda died young; Sarah married Dr. Parchall; Joannah married a wealthy mer- chant, and Henry became very wealthy, and died in New Orleans of yellow fever. Henry Kennedy, the father of Isaac and grandfather of our subject, D. C., was the son of Sam- uel, a powerful man, who at various times stood astride the hub of a wagon wheel, which he lifted with twelve men sitting on the rim of the wheel. Henry Kennedy married Esther Fuller, whose brother, Isaac Fuller, helped to bury the dead of the Cherry Valley mas- sacre, and often talked over the sad affair with sorrowful expressions. To Henry and Esther were born-Samuel, Henry, Isaac, Esther, James, Polly, Robert and Abram. The vicissitudes of the Kennedy family in carly times were many, and not the most irksome was their having to sleep in the woods at night, to be out of danger of the Indians, who often murdered the inmates of the log cabins.

WILLIAM KINCAIDE, farmer, P. O. Wayne, was born in Erie Co., Penn., March 5, 1821, son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Kincaide. He was united in marriage, Oct. 3, 1840, with Jane Smith, who was born in Erie Co., Penn., May 1, 1823, daughter of John Smith, a pioneer. Two children blessed this union: J. S., a minister of the U. B. Church, located at the Macedonia Mission, Venango Township; and Ida E., wife of Frank Olver- son. Mr. Kincaide owns 100 acres of land, and is also interested in the cheese factory with his brothers.

J. G. KINCAIDE, farmer and stock-raiser, and cheese manufacturer, P. O. Wayne, was born on the farm where he now lives Feb. 4, 1835, son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Kincaide, the former born in Westmoreland Co .. Penn., March 25, 1791, the latter a native of Wayne, Penn., born March 29, 1799. They were married Feb. 28, 1816, and had a fam- ily of six children-Jane (deceased, wife of Mr. Lyons), William, Margaret (now Mrs. Thomas), John G., S. E., and Henry (deceased). Mr. Kincaide was a surgeon in the war of 1812, and departed this life Feb. 2, 1874; his widow followed him Sept. 30, 1879. Our subject, who bears his grandfather's as well as his father's name, was married at Erie, Jan. 15, 1861, to Mary Ann Dunn, born in Erie Co., Penn., Feb. 17, 1840, daughter of Oliver Dunn. To this union have been born four children: Charles M., Allen S., May E. and Francis J. Mr. Kincaide is an enterprising and industrious man, and is highly esteemed by his neighbors. He has filled many local offices; was Director of the Poor of Erie Co. for three years (1876-79); Constable one year, and Notary Public six years. He and wife are members of the U. P. Church, in which he has been Treasurer, Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and Elder for about fifteen years. He is a Republican in politics. Eliza- beth Dunn, the mother of Mrs. J. G. Kincaide, was born Dec. 25, 1803, in Mill Creek Town- ship, this county. Is a daughter of James and Margaret (Robison) Dumars, who came from Ireland to Mill Creek Township about 1801, and there died. They were the parents of eight children, viz., Elizabeth, Nancy, John, Thomas, Claudius, Rebecca, Alexander, and Margaret Jane Dumars. In 1825, she married Oliver Dunn, now deceased, born in Mckean

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Township, Erie Co., in 1803, son of Thomas Dunn, whose children were: Oliver, John, Robert, Thomas and Harvey, all deceased. Mrs. Dunn is still living; she is the mother of thirteen children, six of whom are living-Margaret, Allen, Frank, Mary, Finley and Ma- tilda J.

SAMUEL E. KINCAIDE, farmer, stock-raiser, and engaged in dairying and manu- facturing cheese, P. O. Wayne, was born in Wayne Township, Erie Co., July 16, 1837, son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Kincaide. He was reared on the farm and received a com- mon school education. He was twice married, on the first occasion to Anna, daughter of John and Lucinda (Riley) Yager; she departed this life Dec. 25, 1868. His secoud marriage in Erie City, Aug. 17, 1870, was with Dora, daughter of Ira and Deland (Combs) Wilki- son. To this union have been born four children-Elmer Lincoln, Gerry Thaddeus, Sam- uel Blaine, and Cora, deceased in infancy. Mr. Kincaide has an interest with his brother in a cheese factory, in which he has been salesman fourteen yeara. This is a well man- aged, profitable enterprise, and is located on their land convenient to the railroad. He owns 1,000 acres of land, two farms in Wayne, 250 acres in Union, seventy in Elgin, ninety in Concord. Three-fourths of this is well improved and stocked. Mr. Kincaide is a prom- inent man, and is always interested in every enterprise conducive to the public prosperity. When twenty-one he served as Constable for one year; during the war was Town Com- missioner; has been Justice of the Peace two terms, Assessor one year; was elected to the Legislature in 1876, re-elected in 1878, and is now serving as President of the School Board. During 1882 he was Vice President of the N. W. Agricultural society, and in 1883 he was President of the same. The good order of the well kept cemetery is due to the labora of the board in which he is Secretary.

G. H. LEACH, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Corry, was born near Findley's Lake, N. Y., Jan. 12, 1857; son of Zebulon and Abba H. (Jackson) Leach; the former, a farmer, was born in 1824, the latter in 1826, and were both residents of Findley's Lake. Our sub- ject was married there, Nov. 5, 1879, to Alice E. Rockwell, born in Greenfield, Erie Co., Penn., March 25, 1861, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Cloud) Rockwell, who reside with our subject. Mr. Leach came to Erie Co. with his wife in March, 1880. He owns 150 acres of land, in an excellent state of cultivation; is a member of the E. A. U., North Wayne Union, No. 218, at Hare Creek; in politics, is a Republican.

WILLIAM McINTIER, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Corry, was born in Connecti- cut, Sept. 30, 1814; son of Isaiah and Polly (Eaton) McIntier (both deceased), natives of Connecticut, and who came to Erie Co. in 1833. Our subject was married in Columbus, Penn., Nov. 2, 1837, to Harriet L. Davis, born in Madison Co., N. Y., March 17, 1821, daughter of Oliver and Temperance (Vincent) Davis, natives of Rhode Island. By this union were born ten children-Francis E., Rev. Edgar O., Temperance L., Mary R. and Viola L. (all deceased), Andrew A., Louisa T., Calista O., Emma D. and Fred D. (all mar- ried except Fred D.). Mr. McIntier owns 100 acres of land, and has been a resident on same for twenty-three years, and of the county fifty years. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church in which he has acted as Trustee, Steward and Treasurer. He has also served as School Director and Treasurer of School Board; has also served as High- way Commissioner. In politica is a Republican.

DAVID MARTS, farmer and stock raiser, also engaged in the furniture and under- taking busidess at Wattsburg, P. O. Wattsburg, was born in Venango Township, this county, son of Samuel and Pelina (Gregory) Marts, natives of New York State, and early settlers of Venango Township, Erie Co., Penn. Our subject married, Feb. 9, 1864, in Erie City, Mary Ann Henderson, born in Venango Township, May 4, 1840, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Weir) Henderson, the former of whom was a native of Venango Town- ship, the latter of Ireland. They had seven children, and reside in Lowville. To the union of Mr. and Mra. Marts have been born four children: Loren T., Jessie J., Della May, Rillie Jane. Mr. Marts owns 210 acres of land in this township, and twenty-four at Wattsburg, where he carries on the furniture and undertaking business. During the late war he en- listed in the 111th P. V. I., and served three and a half years. He was wounded at the battle of Resaca in 1864, and in the thigh, at Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862. He and wife are members of the Grange, and also of the Methodist Church. He is a Republican in politics.

PHILANDER MILLER (deceased) was born in the State of New York Sept. 17, 1807; was married Jan. 8, 1835, to Tamzin Marsh, born in Hawley, Franklin Co., Mass., June 28, 1812, daughter of Elijah and Tamzin Marah, natives of Vermont, who settled in Mas- sachusetts at an early day. Philander Miller departed this life Feb. 28, 1877.

GEORGE F. OLIVER, farmer and stock-raiser, Box 228, P. O. Corry, was born at Seven Oaks, county of Kent, England, Jan. 8, 1830, the only issue of Stephen and Eliza- beth (Forward) Oliver (both deceased), natives of the county of Sussex, England. Our subject emigrated to America in 1848, and lived from 1856 to 1862 in Cook Co., Ill. In 1865, he came to Erie Co., but was absent from it for an interval of seven years. He mar- ried, July 9, 1852, at Mount Upton, N. Y., Dorcas W. Madison, born in 1828 in Pittsfield, Otsego Co., N. Y. To this union were born Josephine (deceased), Edwin F., Mary F. and Charles. Mr. Oliver enlisted Aug. 8, 1862, in the 88th I. V. I. Co. K, and served two years

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and ten months, and now enjoys a pension for injuries received in the service. He owns thirty-three acres of land; is a member of the A. O. U. W .; in politics is a Republican. C. W. PARKER, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Corry, was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Aug. 1, 1841, son of E. Parker, who came to Erie Co. in 1855. He was a farmer by occupation, and the parent of nine children. Our subject was the fourth child in this fam- ily. He enlisted during'the late war (in 1863), in the Ist Penn. Bat. Lt. Art., and was dis- charged at the close of the war. Mr. Parker was united in marriage, Dec. 31, 1868, in Wayne Township, with Julia Adams, a native of same township, born May 19, 1844. Four children blessed this union-Harley W., Carrie, Gertie and an infant. He is a successful self-made man, and owns ninety acres of land on which he has resided for eighteen years. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church, in which he is Steward. His first cousin, Phillip Phillips, is a singing pilgrim. Our subject is a member of the G. A. R., No. 70, Andrew Post. He is politically a Republican.

WILLIAM B. PIER, lumberer and farmer, Corry, was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y .. Jan. 26, 1814, son of Oliver and Betsy (Carpenter) Pier (deceased), natives of New York State and of English descent. Nine children were born to this union-William B., Malinda Bracey, Newell, Levi, Calvin, Anna Switzer, Chauncy, Oliver and an infant de- ceased. Oliver Pier, Sr., is upwards of ninety years of age, and is the third oldest resident of the city of Corry. He has a rifle with which he claims he killed over 1,300 deer. He lost his eyesight over twenty years ago. Our subject was first married, in Harmony, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Jan. 5, 1834. to Adah Carpenter, born Aug. 27. 1813. They came to this county Jan. 26, 1834, and were the parents of three children-William A., married to Lydia L., daughter of Andrew J. Ford (deceased Feb. 8, 1880); Edwin B. (deceased July 12, 1862, from the effects of a wound received during the late war); Calvin, who was also killed in the rebellion, dying at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862. The grandchil- dren of this family are Adah, wife of William H. Austin (have two children-Clara Belle and Frank Guy); Mary L., Eliza and Edna. Our subject is a successful, self-made man, and owns 144 acres of land, partly in the city limits. His wife is now deceased, but his son's widow and some of the grandchildren live with him. He has served as Road Com- missioner, Judge of elections, Auditor, Inspector, School Director and as Justice of the Peace for ten years; also served as Councilman two years. Mr. Pier is a member of the M. E. Church in which he has served as Steward and Trustee. He was formerly a Whig in politics, but is now a Republican.

FRANCIS RAYMOND, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Corry, was born in Sherburne, Chenango Co., N. Y., March 16, 1819, son of Seth S. and Caroline (Eagle) Raymond, who settled in Warren Co., Penn., fifty-five years ago, where they died. Our subject came to this county in 1872, and was twice married; on first occasion to Delia Colegrove, born Nov. 9, 1823, in Edmeston, Otsego Co., N. Y .. by which union there were five children, viz .: Murray M., Byron, Enoch F. (deceased), Jackson, Oscar (deceased.) The second marriage was at Findley's Lake, June 14, 1873, with Mrs. Eunitia O. (Sampson) Briggs, widow of Russel Briggs, who died in 1865, and daughter of Virgil aud Perley (Alderman) Sampson (both deceased). She was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Oct. 9,1823. To this union were born-Lorenzo V. (married); Edwin A. (deceased); Perley C., wife of L. G. Davis; Har- ris, R. and May E. Our subject owns eighty-five acres of land in Wayne Township, on which he has resided eleven years. He has been member of the Grange nine years; is member also of the E. A. U .; has acted as School Director; in politics is a Greenbacker.

HOWARD RAYMOND, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Corry, was born in Columbus, N. Y., Nov. 27, 1822, son of Lewis and Martha (Howard) Raymond (both deceased), former a native of Vermont, latter of Rhode Island, and who came to Wayne Township in 1851. Our subject came to this locality in 1847 , and was married, May 9, 1850, to Angeline Doane, born in Sherburne, N. Y., March 13, 1829, daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Tillotson). Doane, former a native of Massachusetts, who settled in Warren Co., Penn., in 1830. By this union were born five children-Celia, wife of Wesley Mickle; Stella, wife of Miles Mickle; Mott, married to Bettie Van Campen; Will, Frank, married, Nov. 22, 1833, to Jennie Rickerson. The children of Miles Mickel and wife are Pearl and Maud. The children of Mott Raymond and wife are Blanche and Flossie. Our subject is the owner of 227 acres of well-improved land.

G. W. SIMMONS, farming and dairying, P. O. Corry, was born at Columbus, Warren Co., Penn., April 10, 1838; son of David and Elmina (Skinner) Simmons, natives of the Eastern States, who settled in Warren Co. in 1834. Our subject was united in marriage, April 10, 1864, with Maria Root, born Oct. 15, 1843. She bore him one child-Elbert D .; she died June 30, 1870. His second marriage occurred March 12, 1871, with Melissa A. Williams, born Feb. 11, 1847, daughter of Elijah and Sallie (Coy) Williams, who settled in Erie Co. May, 1859. One child has blessed this union-Elton L. Our subject is a repre- sentative man of his township. He lives two and a half miles northeast of Corry, and owns 200 acres of land in a good state of cultivation. One of his brothers was through the late war; he has died since. Mr. Simmons has served for three years as School Direc- tor. He and his wife are members of the Grange. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat.

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JAMES D. SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Wayne, was born in Union, now Wayne, Township, this county, September 29, 1817. His parents, Sam- uel and Jane (Dickey) Smith, were natives of Ireland, born, the former June 16, 1774, and died Sept. 4, 1859, and the latter born June 12, 1777, and died Nov. 17, 1862; they emigrated to America in. 1796, and resided for a short time near Philadelphia, and in the spring of 1797 they came to what is now Wayne Township, carrying all their worldly goods on horseback. They bought 400 acres, which is now owned by R. Abbey, M. Gray's heirs, et al., and lived there until 1818, when they settled on the farm, where our subject, their youngest son, lives. Samuel Smith experienced many hardships during his early residence in the county. Soon after erecting shelters for themselves and domestic animals, he thought to add to their comfort by making ma- ple sugar and molasses, and after arranging to "tap " a "sugar bush," he carried ket- tles from Franklin, a long distance, on the back of an ox. Salt could not be obtained nearer than Waterford, and Mr. Smith often carried the necessary article on his shoulders. Wolves were numerous when they first located in the almost unbroken forest, and they were compelled to pen their sheep and small animals of nights. Deer were none the less plentiful, and constituted a portion of their food. On a certain occasion, Mrs. Smith was digging some potatoes, and a little deer that had accompanied the cows from the forests, and thought to feast upon the potato vines, jumped over the fence, unconscious of Mrs. Smith's presence behind a large stump, but was soon after ready for the bake oven, the woman having sprung from her secluded place, intending to scare it; the deer happened to land, however, with its neck encased hy her strong arms, after which there was only a short tussle before she had its throat cut with a knife brought by her daughter, the de- ceased mother of Samuel and J. D. Kincaide. Samuel Smith was appointed Captain in the war of 1812, but the making up of companies fell short, and William Smith, a relative, assumed command. He was Postmaster at Beaver Dam for many years, and was a Demo- crat until the organization of the Republican party, when he allied himself with it. He was a Presbyterian in Ireland and died in the full faith of that persuasion. He was the father of twelve children, eleven of whom grew up and became church members, viz .: John, Elizabeth, William, Esther, Jane, Mary, Levina, Samuel, Nancy, Sallie, Sophia and James D. The latter was educated in the country schools, and married, December 24. 1839, Emeline Smith, born May 1, 1819, in Erie County, daughter of William and Eliza- heth (Wilson) Smith (relatives of our subject). Her father came to Erie Co. in 1796, and her mother in 1799; the latter lived to be ninety-nine years old, and retained her memory to the last. Our subject's union has given him twelve children, six of whom are living- Julia (wife of H. W. Renner), Lizzie J., Annetta C. (wife of Silas W. Tenney), M. Estella (widow of Sewell W. Tenney), Melvin J., Sylvia B. Mr. Smith was commissioned Post- master at Beaver Dam August 16, 1840, and served ten years, during which term the name of the office was changed to Wayne. He was Justice of the Peace for ten years, School Director, Auditor aud Assessor his full share. Is a Prohibitionist in politics. He and wife are Presbyterians, to which religious sect he has been attached for over fifty years; has been Superintendent of Sabbath schools and for forty years an Elder. He owns 315 acres of finely improved land, principally the fruit of his own labors. Out of respect for his deceased father, our subject has caused the insertion of his portrait in this work.

D. S. SPENCER, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Corry, was born in Columbus, Che- nango Co., N. Y., April 5, 1820; son of Mathias and Harriet (Smith) Spencer (both deceased). After living ten years in Columbus, they came to Erie Co. over fifty-five years. ago, settling in Wayne. Our subject has been thrice married, on the first occasion, in 1844, to Charity Yager (deceased), who bore him four children; his second marriage, in 1872, was with Lucinda E. Eldredge (also deceased). In 1833, Mr. Spencer was again united in matrimony, this time to Almeda (a widow), daughter of Jeddiah Vaughn. Our subject owns 104 acres of well-improved land in this county and eighty acres in Monroe Co., Mich., where he previously farmed some eighteen years.

GEORGE E. WATROUS, farmer and stock-raiser, also carpenter, P. O. Corry, was. born in Freetown, Cortland Co., N. Y., Nov. 21, 1841, son of George W. and Jemima (Travis) Watrous, early settlers in La Fayette Hill, Penn., the latter of whom died in Freetown, Cortland Co., N. Y., early in 1843. Our subject was married in Bradford, Mc- Kean Co., to Anna Bathurst, born in Mount Eagle, May 15, 1861, daughter of James and Nancy Bathurst. By this union were born two children-Alfred L. and Harris E. Our subject came to this county in 1881. He enlisted in the 76th N. Y. V., Co. D., Aug. 14, 1861, discharged in 1865. Was wounded at Second Bull Run Aug. 28, 1862, captured by the enemy and released in nine days; was also wounded at Laurel Hill May 8, 1864, for which he receives a pension. Mr. Watrous owns forty acres of land. In politics he is a Republican.

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 179

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1280