History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 100

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650

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a time he was in partnership with John E. Jones, and subsequently with H. Van Buskirk, but since 1888 he has carried on the business on his own responsibility and has one of the largest patronages in the city. He is a member of Lycoming Lodge, No. 112, I. O. O. F., a member of the Iron Hall, a Democrat in politics, and has served one term as a member of the common council. He was married in 1869 to Miss Sarah, daughter of Robert Porter of Williamsport, and to this union have been born the following children: Jeannette; Clyde; Margaret; Grace Catherine; Pearl; Nellie, and Glenair. Mr. and Mrs. Macmillan are members of the Luth- erán church.

HENRY O. ERTEL, senior member of the firm of Ertel Brothers, manufacturers of cigar and paper boxes, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1862, son of Valentine and Magdalene (Schirm) Ertel, natives of Germany, and of Anthony township, Lycoming county, respectively. His father emigrated to America in 1854, and after residing in New York and Philadelphia for several months, he came to Williamsport, where he has since resided. Henry O. Ertel was reared in Lycoming county and received his education in the public schools and the Williamsport Commercial College. In 1878 he started in the re-making of old cigar boxes in a small way, and from that to manufacturing boxes by hand-power, which has developed to his present business. They now manufacture very exten- sively all kinds of paper and cigar boxes with the latest improved machinery, and ship their goods to many cities in Pennsylvania, besides supplying the greater part of the home trade. Mr. Ertel is a member of the Y. M. C. A., with his wife belongs to the German Lutheran church, and is treasurer of the same. He was married in 1886 to Louisa, daughter of Ludwig Kornman, of Williamsport, and to this union have been born two children: Albert and Mabel.

SAMUEL ERTEL, of the firm of Ertel Brothers, was born in Williamsport, Penn- sylvania, March 3, 1860, son of Valentine and Magdalene (Schirm) Ertel. He received his education in the public schools of his native town, worked one year as a type setter, and in 1880 entered into copartnership with his brother, Henry O. Ertel. He was married in 1890, to Mary, daughter of Ludwig Kornman, and has one child, Louisa. He is a member of St. John's Reformed church, and also of the Y. M. C. A.

JACOB F. GOHL, manufacturer of carriages and wagons, was born in Mifflin town- ship, Lycoming county, September 24, 1835, son of Jacob and Jacobina (Eckart) Gohl. He was educated in the public schools, and in 1854 he went to Jersey Shore, where he learned the carriage-maker's trade of George P. Nice. In 1859 he established a business in Salladasburg, in partnership with W. D. Buser. He sold out in 1865, and coming to Williamsport, engaged in the manufacture of carriages under the firm name of J. F. & C. Gohl for sixteen years; since then he has been in business for himself. In 1863 he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-seventh Penn- sylvania Militia, and saw service for six weeks. He is a member of Lycoming Lodge, I. O. O. F., West Branch Encampment, No. 36, and Canton Ridgly, No. 8. He was married in 1859 to Elizabeth, daughter of John Pepperman, who died in 1883, leaving four children: Eldridge L .; Wilfred T .; J. Burton, and Jesse C.

LEVI HARTMAN was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, November 19, 1814, and died in Williamsport, May 2, 1891. On the 25th of January, 1853, he married

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Rebecca, daughter of Henry Harman, and August 3d of the same year he and his wife came to Williamsport, where he resided up to his death. He was a prominent contractor and builder, one of the pioneers in that line, and carried on business up to within five years of his death, when he retired and was succeeded by his sons, who, under the name of Hartman Brothers, have since carried on the business. Mr. Hartman erected many of the most substantial buildings in the city, among them being Dickinson Seminary, the Hotel Crawford, and the Hess Block. There are also towns within a radius of eighty miles where the buildings erected by him yet stand as monuments to his mechanical ability. He saw Williamsport grow from an insignificant village to a flourishing city of 30,000 inhabitants. When he came here there were no railroads, and the general traffic was carried on by wagon and stage coach and flat-boat. He often told how he used to walk from his home in Williamsport to his work at Trout Run, at such an early hour in the morning that he would find the people in bed on his arrival at that place. This was a distance of fourteen miles, yet twice a week, while his contracts were under way, he would make the trip on foot. Mr. Hartman was a Republican, but never took any active part in politics, attending strictly to his private affairs. He was a prominent member of Pine Street Methodist church, and a trustee in that organi- zation for many years. His widow resides in the old homestead on William street.

Levi and Rebecca Hartman were the parents of fourteen children, eight of whom survive. John H., born January 29, 1842, married in 1865 Emma, daughter of Joseph Rider, and has one child, Maude. He is a steward in Pine Street Meth- odist Episcopal church. Robert F., born February 18, 1845, married in 1866 Anna M., daughter of William Sharer, and has three children: William Kimball; Cordie M., and Hattie. Samuel P., born January 15, 1847, married in 1870 Emma, daughter of Leonard Ulmer. She died in 1880, and he was again married, in 1888, to Rosie, daughter of Jacob Bay. Charles H., born February 22, 1851, married in 1888 Amelia, daughter of Gottlieb Gerstenlauer. William H., born February 15, 1853, married in 1880 Lydia Walborn, and has one child, Blanche May. He is a steward in Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church. Alice M., born January 23, 1854, married H. J. Hartranft in 1879. Albert L., born April 19, 1860, worked as a printer for several years, and has since followed the car- penter's trade. George W., born November 24, 1862, learned the machinist's trade, and has always followed that vocation. The four eldest sons learned the carpenter's trade with their father, and have always been engaged in that business. The whole family are stanch supporters of the Republican party.

WILLIAM H. C. HUFFMAN, contractor and builder, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1846, son of Elias and Annie (Kneiss) Huffman. . His father was a native of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and came to Williamsport in 1830, where he followed contracting and building for many years. He died in 1880, his wife surviving him one year. They reared six children, four of whom are living: Mary, wife of W. W. Baird; Margaret, wife of Robert A. Brookhart; Elias M., and William H. C., all of whom are residents of Williamsport. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and learned the carpenter's trade with his father. In 1870 he established his present business, and is now one of the lead- ing contractors and builders of Williamsport. He has erected the Cochran, Payne &

Horace A. Blair

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

McCormick Bank building, the Savings Institution building, the Wilson Block, the Demorest Sewing Machine Company's buildings, and several others worthy of mention. In 1863 Mr. Huffman enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty- seventh Regiment. Emergency Men, and served thirty days. He re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served six months. He is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., and the P. O. S. of A. He is a 32° Masou, and is connected with the lodge, chapter, commandery, and council. Mr. Huffman was married in 1868 to Nena Du Four, of Burlington, New Jersey, and has three children: Nena, who married William H. Crockett, and died June 27, 1892; John E., and Fred Du Four. Mr. Huffman is a Republican in politics.

GOTTLIEB WALTZ, contractor and builder, was born in Upper Fairfield township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1847, son of William and Mary (Hurr) Waltz. He received a common school education, and at the age of sixteen he left home to learn the carpenter's trade, which business he has followed up to the present. He was employed by Peter Herdic for several years, and had charge of much of his work. He was superintendent in the erection of the Weightman block and of Trinity church. After the failure of Mr. Herdic he engaged in contracting on his own account, and has since erected many of the best buildings in the city. He built the First Presbyterian church, St. Paul's Lutheran church. the Wadley Memorial church, the Annunciation Catholic church, remodeled Christ church and the court house, erected the Hays Building, and the Young Men's Christian Association build- ing, the Rubber Works building, the Hotel Updegraff, and is now engaged on the chapel of the First Baptist church. Mr. Waltz has been twice married: first to Elsie Carr of Danville, Pennsylvania, who died without issue; in June, 1875, he was married to Fannie, daughter of O. H. Randall of Williamsport, and has five children: Carrie May; Orin Hubbard: William Lee; George Randall, and Abigail Case. The family are members of Erie Avenne Baptist church, in which he is one of the trustees. He is a Republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Waltz went to Denver, Colorado, in 1879, where he remained five months, returning thence to Williamsport. In the fall of the same year he went to Pueblo and brought his brother, William, home, he being sick. During the years 1886-87, he was in partnership with A. S. Wagner, doing contract work under the firm name of G. Waltz & Company.

WILLIAM H. WALTZ, architect and builder, was born in Fairfield township, Lycoming county, September 17, 1855, and is a son of William and Mary Waltz. He was reared in his native township, and received his education in the public schools and at Williamsport Commercial College. At the age of twenty he came to Williams- port, and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1879 he went to Denver. Colorado, worked at his trade until April, ISS1, and took a trip over the Rocky mountains to the head waters of the Arkansas river. He then went to Pueblo, Colorado, where he was engaged in the building business until November, 1881, when he was taken sick with the mountain fever, and returned to Williamsport. In April, 1882. he formed a partnership with his brother Gottlieb and engaged in contracting and building. Among the prominent buildings of the city that have been erected by Mr. Waltz are the First Presbyterian church, St. Paul's Lutheran church, the Lycoming Rubber Works, and the residence of the late Judge Cummin. The partnership with his

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

brother was dissolved in 1884, and since that date Mr. Waltz has continued alone. He was married in 1884 to Josephine Amelia, daughter of O. H. Randall, of Will- iamsport, and has one son, Floyd R., and one daughter. Merab C. Mr. Waltz and wife are members of the Erie Avenue Baptist church, in which he has served as chairman of the board of trustees since the organization of the church or for the past five years, and is now chairman of the building committee. Mr. Waltz was assistant superintendent in the erection of the government building in Williamsport, under Harrison's administration. He is a stanch Republican, and is a member of the Knights of Malta.

ANDREW H. WALTZ, of the firm of Waltz & Hover, contractors and builders, was born in Upper Fairfield township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. July 28, 1859, son of William and Mary (Hurr) Waltz. He was educated in the township schools, and remained on the homestead farm until reaching his majority. He learned the carpenter's trade with his brothers, Gottlieb and William H., and worked for them several years. In December, 1889, he formed a partnership with E. A. Hoyer, and the firm of Waltz & Hoyer has since been engaged in contracting and building. This firm has erected many of the best buildings in the city, among which may be mentioned the residences of Mrs. Ephlin, John L. Swick, Fred Lamade, L. Max-

well, and T. W. Spence. They also erected the Grit building. which is one of the handsomest and most substantial structures in the city, and the store building of Stevenson & Crounce. They erected the Presbyterian church at Pottsgrove, and the residence of John L. Voris. The firm of Waltz & Hoyer is the agent for the Acme cement plaster for the counties of Potter, Clinton, Tioga, Bradford, Sullivan, and Lycoming. They also deal in general plaster supply, and are agents for the Bost- wick patent fire proof steel lath. Mr. Waltz was married, December 25, 1882, to Lizzie, daughter of Dietrick Lamade of Williamsport, and has two children: Clara and Ora. He and wife are members of the German Baptist church, and he is con- nected with the P. H. C.

EDWARD A. HOVER, of the firm of Waltz & Hoyer, contractors and builders, was born in Piatt township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1864, son of William E. and Louisa (Friedel) Hoyer, natives of Germany. His father came to this country in 1849, and his mother in 1832; the latter was nine years old at the time, and accompanied her parents, who first lived in New York, whence they moved to Berks county, Pennsylvania. In 1856 they settled in Piatt township, Lycom- ing county. William E. Hoyer had been married in Germany, and lost his wife by death, prior to coming to this country; they had several children, one of whom, August, came to the United States, but afterwards went back to Germany. William E. Hoyer was a shoemaker, and moved to Williamsport in 1871, where he continued to work at his trade until disabled by sickness; he died, January 29, 1880. In June, 1861, while a resident of Piatt township, he enlisted in Company E, Fourth Penn- sylvania Volunteers, and served with the rank of sergeant until his discharge, March 31, 1862. He subsequently re-enlisted in Company I, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorably discharged, May 31, 1865. He partici- pated in the battles of Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and the closing scenes around Richmond, and was slightly wounded in one of his knees. He was a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., a Democrat in politics, and was connected with the German Reformed

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

church. His widow survives him. Edward A. is their only child, and has always lived in this county. He attended the public schools of Williamsport until thirteen years of age and then went to work in the lumber mills, and attended the night school taught by Professor Wood, where he graduated. He was next employed by William H. Waltz and did office work, and at the same time learned the carpenter's trade. In December, 1889, he became a member of the firm of Waltz & Hoyer, and has since been engaged in contracting and building. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans, and is an active supporter of the Prohibition party. Mr. Hoyer was married in 1885 to Fannie Jeanette, daughter of Jacob Bailey of Antes Fort, Lycom- ing county, and has three children: F. Ray; C. E. Franklin, and Martha Louisa. He and wife are members of the Disciples' church, of Williamsport, in which he holds the office of trustee.

GEORGE W. TALLEY, architect and builder, was born in Dauphin county, Penn- sylvania, June 22, 1837, son of Charles R. and Elizabeth Parks Talley. His father was a native of Wilmington, Delaware, a millwright by trade, and his mother was a native of .Somerset county, Pennsylvania, both prominent members of the Presbyte- rian church. Our subject was reared in the village of Dauphin until he was seven- teen years old, receiving his education in the common schools. At that time he went to Philadelphia, where he served an apprenticeship under George H. Dough- erty of that city for four years, afterwards following his trade in that city for one year. He then went to Nashville and Columbia, Tennessee, and was living in the latter place at the breaking out of the rebellion. He was forced to drill with a mounted rifle in Columbia, Tennessee, but finally succeeded in getting his business in shape, and left for the North on the last train leaving Columbia before the war had actively begun. He was living in Harrisburg from May, 1861, until 1865, when, in the latter date, he enlisted in Company I, Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until January, 1869, being with the Fourth Corps on their journey to Texas. Returning from the war, he lived in Harrisburg until the spring of 1867, when he located in Williamsport, where he has built many of the best residences of the city, and has the reputation of being one of the best architects of the place. For the past year he has been actively engaged in erecting the Riley machine shops at Lynchburg, Virginia. He was married, November 26, 1874, to Miss Augusta, daughter of John Miller, of Philadelphia, by whom he has three children: Wilson; Ralph, and Harvey. He is a member of the Masonic Order, is a Democrat, and with his family belongs to Grace Methodist Episcopal church.

A. ANSON ARTLEY, contractor and builder, was born in Anthony township, Lycom- ing county, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1851, son of Benjamin and Annie (Williamson) Artley. He received his education in the township schools, learned the carpenter's trade, which he has followed ever since, and is one of the leading contractors of the city of Williamsport. Among the principal buildings which he has erected are the High School building on Third street, the residences of A. D. Hermance, John B. Emery, Elias Deemer, and John Price, and the Republican building. Mr. Artley is also interested in real estate in Williamsport, and before locating here he spent six years in the oil fields of northwestern Pennsylvania, where he erected many buildings. He is one of the organizers of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, is treas- urer of that lodge, and is an active Prohibitionist. He was married in 1875 to Miss

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Allie, daughter of Amos Harmon, and to this union have been born seven children: Lettie; Harry; John; William; Mary; Lois, and Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Artley are members of the Disciples' church, of which he is a deacon, and is also an active member of the Y. M. C. A.

JUSTUS DITTMAR, contractor, was born in Saxony, a province of Germany, May 11, 1823, son of Christian and Christina (Schosel) Dittmar. He was educated in the free schools of his native country and learned the trade of mason, brick-layer, and plasterer. He immigrated to America in 1847, landing at New York City on Sep- tember 20tlı of that year, and there he remained until the following July, when he located in Easton, Pennsylvania, and built a furnace in New Jersey, opposite that city. He also built the Clinton iron furnace at Easton, and in 1851 came to Will- iamsport, where he thereafter followed his trade. In 1854 he built the first iron furnace in Williamsport, and in 1855 he built the brick-work for a culvert on the Philadelphia & Erie railroad near Jersey Shore. In 1855 he constructed the first gas works at Williamsport, under the direction of Dr. W. Downosky, afterwards serving as superintendent of the same for twenty-nine years. In 1885 he became identified with Peter Herdic in the contracting business, and designed and superintended all work completed by them. In 1890 he built a reservoir in Mosquito valley for the Williamsport Water Company; in 1891 he built a reservoir on Hagerman's run for the same company, and after completing this he laid over 6,000 feet of pipe for them. While associated with Peter Herdic he constructed the Orlando water works, and is now a stockholder of the same. He is a member of the F. and A. M., is one of the organizers of Williamsport Lodge, No. 570, I. O. O. F., is Past Grand of the same, and has represented it in the Grand Lodge. He was one of the organ- izers of the German Beneficial Society, and has been president of the same. He is independent in politics. He was married in 1851 to Miss Veronica Steinhilper, and to this union have been born ten children: Charles, who is superintendent of the gas works at Elmira, New York; Justus, who is a plumber and gas-fitter of Will- iamsport; Henry, who lives in Orlando, Florida; Christina, who married John E. Foucard, saw manufacturer of Williamsport; Louis; Frederick; Edward; and Warren, Justus, and John, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dittmar are prominent members of the German Lutheran church.

CHARLES M. LAWLER was born, March 17, 1840, in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was reared in Orange county, New York, where he attended public and private schools until the age of fifteen years, when, in 1855, he was employed as weigh- master for the New York and Erie Company at Piermont, New York. The follow- ing year he was made ticket agent for the Canandaigua and Niagara Falls railroad at Niagara Falls. In 1857 he was appointed yardmaster at Toledo, Ohio, by the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern road, and from 1858 to 1860 he served as con- ductor of a mixed train on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago road. He then became a pioneer agent for the Missouri Pacific from Jefferson City to Sedalia, Missonri. At the time General Jackson's forces were repulsed at Booneville, Missouri, by General Lyon, on Jackson's retreat the bridges were burned on the Osage river, cutting off entirely any communication between Jefferson City and the Yellow river-a gap of forty-two miles. General Superintendent McKissock put Mr. Lawler in charge of this portion of the road until the bridges were rebuilt and the

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

business resumed. In the fall of 1862 he was appointed agent for the Chicago and Northwestern road at Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he remained for one year, after- wards serving two years on the construction of the Peninsula division of the same road. He was then appointed road and trainmaster, and subsequently assistant superintendent of the Peninsula division, and continued until 1871, when he became general agent for the Chicago and Northwestern at Milwaukee. In the fall of 1872 he accepted the position of division superintendent of the Chicago and West Mich- igan road between Grand Rapids and New Buffalo, with headquarters at St. Joseph, Michigan. In 1881 he was appointed joint agent for the Missouri Pacific and Wabash roads at Chicago. One year later he was made general superintendent of the Sioux City and Pacific, Fremont and Elkhorn, and Missouri Valley roads, which position he held until June 1, 1887. He then took the position as division superin- tendent of the Williamsport division of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad, and on March 15, 1892, he was promoted to the general superintendency of the main line from Newberry Junction to Port Clinton, the Herndon branch, the Shamokin and Mount Carmel branches, the Bloomsburg and Hazelton branches, and the Catawissa road from West Milton to East Mahanoy Junction. Mr. Lawler was married in 1870 to Fannie M. Hulse. He is a director in the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company, the Lycoming Electric Light Company, and the Williamsport Gas Company. In politics he is a Republican.

ROBERT NEILSON, general superintendent of the Philadelphia and Erie and the Northern Central divisions of the Pennsylvania railroad, was born in Ontario, Canada, August 19, 1837. He graduated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, in 1861, and entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in October, 1863, as rodman on the Philadelphia and Erie railroad. From March, 1864, to September, 1865, he was rodman on the Middle division of the same road, and from September, 1865, to January, 1868, he was resident engineer of the Middle division. From January, 1868, to January, 1870, he was resident engineer of the Middle division of the Pennsylvania railroad, and from 1870 to 1874 he was super- intendent of the West Pennsylvania division of that road. From February, 1874, · to September, 1881, he was superintendent of the Elmira and Canandaigua division of the Northern Central railroad. From September, 1881, to January, 1883, he was general superintendent of the Philadelphia and Erie, and of all divisions of the Northern Central railroad north of Harrisburg. In the latter year Mr. Neilson was made general superintendent of all the lines of the Northern Central railroad, in addition to the Philadelphia and Erie, which position he has since filled. He is a member of the Brandon Park Commission, and takes an active interest in the growth and prosperity of his adopted home. He is a member of Trinity Protestant Episcopal church, and a gentleman of high standing and character in the com- munity.

EZRA B. WESTFALL, superintendent of the Eastern and Susquehanna divisions of the Pennsylvania railroad, the Summit Branch, and the Northern Central, from Sunbury to Harrisburg, and from Montandon to Bellefonte, was born in Bardstown, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1837, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Dempster) Westfall, of German and Scotch ancestry, respectively. His father was a native of Owego, New York, and was captain of a packet boat on the Pennsylvania

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 100

Author: edited by John F. Meginness Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1650

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650