USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > History of Greene County, Pennsylvania > Part 67
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assassination of President Lincoln, and had intended going to Ford's Theatre that night; but fortunately, owing to the Doctor's indisposi- tion, they were not present on that fatal occasion. At the close of the war he began the practice of medicine in Greene County, where he has been actively engaged in the profession ever since. Financially the Doctor has met with success, and owns a good farin where he re- sides in Greene Township. He was married October 8, 1862, to Miss Rachel, daughter of Samuel, and grand-daughter of James Bra- den. Her mother's maiden name was Hannah Ross. Mrs. Denny is of English and Irish descent. They have one child-Millie May. The family are faithful members of the Baptist Church, in which the Doctor is one of the trustees.
W. C. FLENNIKEN, merchant at Whiteley, Greene County, Penn., was born in Carmichaels, Penn., February 4, 1853. He is a son of James and Rachel (Kerr) Flenniken, natives of this county. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Greene County. Mr. Flenniken's father was a merchant and drover, and met with success in his business. For nearly half a century he was engaged in merchandising at Rice's Landing, Carmichaels, Jefferson and Cey- lon, Penn., where he departed this life in 1886. Of his six children, three are now living, viz: IIorace G., Emma J., wife of George Mc- Millan, and W. C., the subject of this sketch. He was reared in this county, and early in life went as a clerk into his father's store, where he remained until he took an interest in the business with his father. They established the present business in 1879, and since his father's death W. C. has been sole proprietor. He was united in marriage, in 1873, with Miss Samantha, daughter of John Hughes. Their children are-Walter and Clyde. Mr. and Mrs. Flenniken are lead- ing members of the Baptist Church.
STEPHENSON GARARD, farmer and stock-grower, P. O. Willow Tree, was born at Taylortown, Dunkard Township, Greene County, Penn., May 18, 1828, and is a son of Jonathan and Ann (Gregg) Garard. His father, who was a farmer, stock-grower and manufacturer, served ten years on the bench as associate judge of this county, where he died. His family consisted of five children, of whom Stephenson was next to the youngest. He was reared in Greene County, where he attended the subscription schools. In 1854 he bought a farm and has since very successfully devoted his time and talent to farming and stock-growing. Mr. Garard is the owner of abont 500 acres of valuable land. On his home farm are the Garard oil wells, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, all producing wells. In 1850 Mr. Garard was united in marriage with Mary A., daughter of William Robinson. Mrs. Garard is of English descent. Their children are-Elizabeth, wife of John Minor; Emma M., wife of Albert Dowlin; Flora B., wife of G. W. W. Blair; Jesse L., A. Y.,
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Anna and Rachel, all of whom, with one exception, are members of the Goshen Baptist Church, in which Mr. Garard serves as deacon. Mr. and Mrs. Garard come from two of the representative families of the pioneer settlers of Greene County, and are highly respected citizens.
CHARLES KEENER, farmer and stock-grower, l'. O. Willow Tree, was born October 8, 1827, on the farm where he resides. IIe is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Eberhart) Keener, natives of this county. His father, who is a successful farmer, has reached the ad- vanced age of eighty-five years. IIe has reared a family of seven children, four of whom are living. Of these, Charles is the oldest. He was reared on the farm and received his education in one of the old-fashioned log school-honses of the district. Charles wisely chose his father's occupation, and by industry and economy has increased his father's farm from 180 to 233 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Keener was married October 16, 1857, to Miss Tabitha E., daughter of Charles Stewart. Mrs. Keener is a native of Virginia. Their children are-Robert C., Aaron, L. L., C. E., F. H., James W. and Thorton F. Mr. and Mrs. Keener are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a steward. He is a Democrat in politics, has been school director, supervisor of Greene Township, and inspector of elections.
IION. ANDREW LANTZ, farmer and stock-grower, Whiteley, Penn., was born in Greene Township, this county, May 8, 1839. His parents, John and Jane (Wildman) Lantz, were natives of Greene County, and of English and German descent. His father, who was a farmer and stock-grower, was a man of marked business ability, and at the time of his death, in 1876, was the owner of 2,000 acres of land. Andrew has 1,400 acres. He was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools. Being the only child who grew to maturity, his father carefully instructed him in all kinds of work and the proper transaction of business. In 1860 Mr. Lantz married Miss Lucretia, danghter of George Lemley. Mrs. Lantz is of English descent. Their children are-John F., David E., Charley and Ada Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Lantz are active members in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is trustee. In politics Mr. Lantz is a Democrat, and has served as justice of the peace for ten years in Greene County. He takes an active interest in educational affairs, and has served as school director for a number of terms. In 1882 he was elected to the Legislature, and was an active member during the two terms he was connected with that body.
JOHN F. LANTZ, farmer and stock-grower, Lone Star, Penn., was born October 10, 1861, in the township where he now resides. He is the oldest son of Hon. Andrew Lantz, of Greene Township, whose biographical sketch appears in this volume. John was reared
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on the farm and obtained his early education in the district schools. Ile subsequently took a regular course of instruction at Iron City College, Pittsburg, Penn., where he graduated in 1881. Mr. Lantz has a good farm of 201 acres well adapted to the raising of stock, in which he engages extensively, making fine cattle a specialty. In 1882, Mr. Lantz was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of Imri Taylor, who is a merchant and farmer in Whiteley Township. Mr. Lantz is a Democrat in polities. His wife is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE W. LANTZ, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Greene Township, March 24, 1844. He attended the district school, and has been engaged in his present occupation from his youth. In 1886 he engaged in the lumber business in company with Abner Munnell, and is owner and proprietor of a large planing and saw- mill, at Greensboro, Penn. Mr. Lantz is a son of Jacob and Cassandra (South) Lantz, natives of this county. His father, who was a success- ful farmer, died in 1861. Mr. Lot Lantz, George's grandfather, was at one time elected brigade inspector of the militia of the county, and was a pioneer of Greene County. He was a wealthy stock- drover and engaged extensively in pork packing, making heavy ship- ments to Baltimore. He also carried on a distillery for years. September 4, 1870, George Lantz married Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph Tannehill, and they were the parents of the following children: Laura V. Chandas, Hughes and James. Lessie being deceased. A remarkable fact exists in the history of these children. Lessie, born July 14, 1878, who lived to be two years of age, was born just six- teen days after her brother Hughes, who was born June 29, 1878 Mrs. Lantz was a devoted member of the Baptist Church. She de- parted this life August 19, 1888, she and her babe were buried in the same coffin. Mr. Lantz is a Democrat in polities, has served as justice of the peace in Greene Township, and is now postmaster at Willow Tree, Penn.
P. A. MYERS, hotel keeper, Whiteley, Penn., is a descendant of Rev. John Corbly, one of the pioneer settlers of Greene County. He was born near Garard's Fort, Penn., April 2, 1836. His parents are Alfred and Jane J. (Evans) Myers, who were of German and Welsh origin. Mr. Meyers is the oldest in a family of six children, was reared on a farmi, received a common school education, and has been a successful business man. His boyhood days were spent with his uncle, an extensive cattle-dealer. When but fourteen years of age would help his uncle drive large droves of cattle, and conduct them overland to the Philadelphia markets, making as many as two or three trips a year. The greater part of his later years has been devoted to farming. While a young man he taught school for sev- eral terms, and has ever manifested an active interest in educational
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affairs. In politics he is a Republican. IIe has held various town- ship offices-among others school director and justice of the peace. On November 1, 1857, Mr. Myers married Miss Louisa M., daughter of David and Mary Roberts, who were of Welsh and English descent. Her father, who was a farmer of Dunkard Township, died in 1885, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have two children and four grandchildren. Their children are-Buena V., wife of W. II. Bark, Esq., of Waynesburg, Penn .; and Pleasant J., wife of M. E. Garard, of Greene Township. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are prominent members of the Baptist Church.
JACOB REAMER, retired farmer and stock-grower, of Greene Township, was born in Monongahela Township, this county, January 16, 1814. He is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Black) Reamer, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. His father, who was a farmer and distiller, spent most of his life in Greene County, and died in 1852. His family consisted of five children, of whom Jacob is the third. He was reared on the home farm, and received his education in the district schools. Hle has met with average success in his chosen occupation, and at present is the owner of a well improved farm of ninety-four acres, near Garard's Fort, this county. Mr. Reamer was united in marriage, in 1840, with Miss Louisa, daughter of John and Ortha Myers. They were Quakers and of English descent. Mr. Reamer is a Democrat in politics. He manifests great interest in educational matters, and has served as school director in his township. Mr. and Mrs. Reamer are leading members in the Goshen Baptist Church.
J. B. ROBERTS, farmer and stock-grower, Whiteley, Penn., was born in Greene Township, this county, March 18, 1832. Ilis parents, Joseph and Jane (Johnson) Roberts, were natives of Greene County, and of Welsh descent. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, reared a family of eleven children, of whom J. B. is the ninth. He was reared on the farm and attended the subscription schools. He chose farming and stock-growing as his occupation, and has met with average success, owning at present a good farm of 150 acres. Mr. Roberts was united in marriage, December 31, 1879, with Elizabeth, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Clark) Hender- son. Mrs. Roberts is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Her parents were natives of Greene County, and of Eng- lish descent. At the time Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were married, she was the widow of Ilenry Lantz. Mr. Roberts is an enthusiastic Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F.
T. H. SEDGEWICK, M. D., of Whiteley, Greene County, Penn., was born at Rice's Landing, Penn., April 20, 1852, and is the son of Hon. Joseph and Elizabeth (Hawthorne) Sedgewick, who were of English and Irish descent. Ilis mother was born in Wash-
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ington County. His father, who was a natives of Virginia, served two terms as a member of the Legislature from Greene County. He was a commission merchant by occupation, in which business he en- gaged for many years at Rice's Landing, Penn., having first come to this county when seventeen years of age. He died in 1882. He was twice married and was the father of eight children. Dr. Sedge- wick is the second child by the last marriage, and was reared at Rice's Landing, where he received his early education. He sub- sequently attended Monongahela College until he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. T. H. Sharpnack, of Jefferson Borough. He then took a regular course in the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1877. He entered the practice of medicine the same year in Greene County, and has since devoted all his time to his profession. In 1880 he settled in Whiteley, where his professional skill and remarkable energy soon won for him a good practice. That he might be better prepared for the practice of . his profession, the Doctor took a post graduate course at New York City in 1888. Ile is a man of large stature and marked physical abilities which, coupled with his great industry and determination, eminently qualify him for the duties he has assumed. He was mar- ried at Rice's Landing, December 25, 1873, to Miss Lucinda, daughter of John Dowlin, a wealthy farmer of this county. They have two children-Joseph and John. The Doctor is a Democrat, and he and Mrs. Sedgewick are prominent members of the Baptist Church.
BENJAMIN SOUTH, farmer and stock-grower, P. O. Willow Tree was born in Greene Township, Greene County, Penn., January 16, 1819. He is a son of Enoch and Ruth (Gregg) South, who were of English descent. His mother was a native of Delaware. His father, who was a native of New Jersey, came to Greene County, Penn., in 1794, where he died in 1863. His family consisted of eleven children,-nine girls and two boys, of whom Benjamin was the sixth. Hle was reared in Dunkard Township, receiving his education in the subscription schools. Mr. South was a stone-mason early in life, and also worked for some time at the blacksmith's trade. In later years he has given his attention to farming, and by means of his untiring zeal and industry, is now the owner of 315 acres of well improved land. In 1842 Mr. South married Matilda Gapen, who is of Eng- lish descent, and a daughter of Stephen and Rebecca (Snyder) Gapen. Their union has been blessed with seven children, four sons and three daughters-Maria, wife of D. Sikes; Melinda, widow of E. Alex- ander; Enoch C., a farmer; Stephen, a carpenter; Olive; Ortha, wife of Noah Minor; and Otho M., a school teacher. In politics Mr. sonth is a Democrat. He takes an active interest in educational affairs, and has served as school director for a number of years.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
JOSEPHI VANCE, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Greene County, Penn., January, 28, 1838, and is a son of Joseph and Margeret (Divens) Vance. Ilis parents were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and of Irish and German origin. His father was born in (freene Township, in 1795, and lived to the advanced age of seventy- eight years. He was a farmer, stoek-grower and stone-mason. His family consisted of ten children, of whom Joseph is the youngest. He has been reared in this township, where he received a common school education. Having chosen farming as his occupation, he has given it all his care and attention, and is the owner of a nice farm of eighty acres where he resides near Willow Tree, this county. The subject of our sketch was married in this township, in 1884, to Miss Marthia Ann, daughter of Coverdel Cole, of Virginia. Mr. Vance is a Democrat in politics, and a highly respected citizen.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP AND JEFFER- SON BOROUGH.
A. F. AMMONS, Khedive, Penn., one of the substantial farmers of Jefferson Township, was born in Perry Township, Greene County, April 20, 1824. He is a son of Abraham and Mary (Frost) Ammons. His mother was a native of Fayette County, Penn., and his father of Greene County, where they were married and spent the greater part of their lives, moving to West Virginia a few years before their death. Mr. Abraham Ammons died in 1833; his widow was after- wards united in marriage with Jerry Wright, now deceased. In 1847, January 21, A. F. Ammons married Rebecca Wade, who was born in West Virginia, January 15, 1828. She is a daughter of Sylva and Catharine (Dusonberry) Wade, and is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Her parents were also natives of West Virginia, where they were married and remained until Mr. Wade's death, March 31, 1850; his widow is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Ammons have nine children, six living-Mary, wife of Benjamin Fox; Perry, Douglas, Forney, Frank and Nettie; the deceased are-Jasper, William and Louvernia. Mr. Ammons was raised on a farm and worked by the month until nineteen years of age; then learned the carpenter trade which he followed for sixteen years. He afterwards engaged in farming and stock-dealing and, by great industry and good management, has secured a nice home for
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himself and family and a fine farm of 315 acres of improved land in Greene County. He filled the office of justice of the peace in Perry Township five years, served as school director eight years, and was assessor one year. Since moving to Jefferson Township, he has filled the office of justice of the peace for twelve years, and has voted the Democratic ticket all the time and still is for Cleveland, Thurman and the Mills bill.
N. M. BANE, retired farmer, P. O. Jefferson, was born in Wash- ington County, Penn., February 27, 1818, a son of Abraham and Elizabetlı (Venom) Bane, who were natives of Washington County, where they were married, settled and remained all their lives. Their son, N. M., is the only one of their nine children now living. Ile was united in marriage, November 21, 1844, with Mary MeClen- athan, who was born in Washington County, Penn., October 22, 1822, a daughter of William and Mary (Coulson) MeClenathan. Her parents were also natives of Washington County, where they were married and remained through life. They were the parents of eleven children, five living. Mr. and Mrs. Bane's family consists of five children, two of whom are living-Jennie, wife of David Crayne, and John L., who married Mary E. Neal. The deceased are-Eveline, Thomas S. and James M. Mr. Bane owns 150 acres of land in Washington County, Penn., also some land and property in Greene County. IIe and wife are faithful members of the Baptist Church.
SAMUEL BAYARD, farmer, P. O. Rice's Landing, was born in Centre Township, Greene County, Penn., January 4, 1819, a son of William and Nancy Bayard (nee Scott). The former was born in Washington County and the latter in Greene County, Penn., where they were married, settling in Centre Township, where they remained until 1826; they then moved to Whiteley Township, where Mrs. Bayard died in 1840. Her husband died in Jefferson Township in 1860. They were the parents of three children-John S., Thomas W., and Samuel. March 3, 1839, Samuel Bayard married Miss Lucinda Randolph, born in Jefferson Township in 1818, a daughter of Jonah F. and Leah Randolph (nee Leonard). By this marriage Mr. Bayard is the father of two children-J. Randolph, who married Martha E. Oliver, they are the parents of two living children, Frank and Lon L .; Naney, who is the wife of Capt. J. R. Hewitt, their children are Anna, who married E. H. Shipley, and William B. Mrs. Bayard departed this life July 3, 1845. August 18, 1846, Mr. Bayard was again united in marriage, with Rebecca A. Randolph, who was born in Jefferson Township, February 24, 1820, a daughter of Jacob and Ruth (Bailey) Randolph, and a faithful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Her father was a native of New Jersey and her mother of Pennsylvania; both are now deceased. By his second marriage Mr. Bayard is the father of three children-
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William J., who married Mary Temple and is the father of J. Temple Bayard; Luey R. and John A., who married Permelia Lucas and is now the father of two children-Lettie and Samuel. Mr. Bayard is one of the most highly respected farmers in his neighborhood, and owns 200 acres of land where he and family reside.
J. C. BURSON, farmer, Clarksville, Penn., was born September 27, 1825, in the house now occupied by himself and family, His father, Abraham Burson, was born on the farm which J. C. now owns in Jefferson Township. His mother was born in Washington County, Penn. After marriage they settled in Greene County, and remained until their death; Mrs. Burson died in 1839, July 17. Her husband afterwards married Hannah Crawford, now deceased; and he died in 1886. By the first marriage there are four children, three of whom are living. Mr. J. C. Burson was united in marriage, December 30, 1849, with Rebecca Reynolds, who was born in Jefferson Township, December 24, 1827. Her parents, John and Jane (Kincaid) Rey- nolds, were natives of Greene County, where they resided till death: Mrs. Reynolds died October 12, 1839. Mr. Reynolds afterwards married Priscilla Gwynn (nee Long), deceased. He departed this life February 20, 1882. To Mr. and Mrs. Burson have been born six children, five living-John R., who married Emily Leslie; David M., who married Emma Moredoek; Abraham, who married Marga- ret Greenlee; Alexander P. and James O .; Abraham being de- ceased. Mr. Burson was raised on his present farm formerly owned by his father and grandfather; it consists of 200 acres. Mr. Burson has filled the offices of school director and overseer of the poor, and has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for about thirty-seven years.
WILLIAM COTTERREL, saddler and harness-maker, was born in New Jersey in 1772; he married Isabela Livingston, also a native of New Jersey. They settled in Jefferson, Greene County, Penn., about 1796, and lived there until the year 1824, when they moved to Waynesburg; he there followed his trade until his death in 1836. His wife died in 1826. They raised four childern- John, Willian, Isabela and Martha. Isabela died in 1844. Martha married Clark Ely, and died young; left one danghter, Isabel, who married David Babbit, and died without issue; William married Frances Minor, who died and left one daughter, Elizabeth, who married David Tay- lor. She died and left one daughter, Lee Taylor. William married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah Bane (formerly Sellers). He followed the tanning business for a number of years in Waynesburg, and died January, 1886, aged seventy-four years. His widow still survives at an advanced age. John Cotterrel, Sr., was born in Jefferson, Greene County, September 25, 1802. At the age of fifteen years he went to Uniontown, Penn., and learned the tanning trade with John Mil-
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ler. IIe came back home and worked for his father until 1824, when he started business for himself. In 1828 he married Permelia, daughter of John and Mary Milliken (natives of Ireland). They raised nine children-Isabela, John, Mary A., Permelia, William, Jonas, Elizabeth, Martha A. and George. Isabela married William Anderson, of Pittsburgh. She died and left one daughter, Lanra Bell. Mary A. married Dr. James W. Hancher, of Ohio-are both dead. They raised seven children. Permelia is dead. William married Olive Gorden, of Washington, Penn. Jonas married Anna Short, of Claysville, Penn. Elizabeth married Joseph A. Bell. Martha A. married Jacob Haver. George now lives in Hiawatha, Brown County, Kansas. John Cotterrel, Jr., was born in Jefferson, Penn., November 29, 1832. He learned the tanning trade with his father, and married Priscilla Swan, daughter of Samnel and Priscilla (Crago) Swan; she died June 10, 1861, and left two daughters- Elmyra P. and Margaret A. Elmyra P. now resides in Iowa. Mar- garet A. married T. Reed McMinn. She died June 11, 1885; left one son, Robert C. John Cotterrel's present wife is Mary II., daughter of William and Harriet (Randolph) Davis, and they have a family of three children-John F., William D. and Joseph R. In politics Mr. Cotterrel is a Republican, and takes an active interest in farming, wool-growing and stock-raising and now owns a farm of 175 acres one mile southeast of Jefferson, Penn.
HUGHI D. CREE, plasterer and contractor, was born in Greene County, September 11, 1840. He is a son of William and Ann (DeFrance) Cree, who were natives of Jefferson Township, and of French and Irish origin. Qur subject's father, William Cree, was born in Greene County, May 18, 1796. By occupation he was a farmer, and in religion a Presbyterian, in which church he was an elder. Mr. Cree's father was a farmer, who died November 5, 1871. His family consisted of twelve children-eight sons and four daugh- ters. Their mother was born in Greene County in 1802, and died in 1875. Ilugh grew up on the farm with his parents, attended the district school, and chose farming as his business; but subsequently learned his present trade, which he has pursued with more than or- dinary success. IIe was married April 26, 1862, to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Isaiah and Nancy M. (Guseman) Dean, who were of Dutch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Cree have one child, a danghter --- Elizabeth Ann, now wife of George B. Waychoff. Mr. Cree and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican. In 1861 he enlisted as a member of Company F, First Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was discharged the same year for disability. Ilis five brothers were all soldiers in the Union army, three of them being in from the beginning till its close.
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