History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 101

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

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

canal, running from Johnstown to Pittsburg, and an engineer of stationary engines at incline planes on the portage railroad. His mother was a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. The parents of our subject removed to Cambria county, Pennsyl- vania, when Ezra B. was about three years old, and his boyhood years were spent in several counties along the line of the portage railroad and wherever his father's business caused them to reside. He received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen began working on the portage railroad. In 1854 he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, as a brakeman on a freight train running from Pittsburg to Johnstown, and after seven months he was pro- moted to conductor of a train. He filled this position for two years and a half, then worked as fireman of an engine on mixed trains for the same period, after which he was placed in charge of an engine. In 1863 he came to Williamsport, worked as conductor of a freight train for three months, and was then made dispatcher at this station for the Elmira, the Catawissa, and the Philadelphia and Erie railroads. In August, 1863, he was made trainmaster of the eastern division, which extended from Sunbury to Renovo, and filled that position ten years. He was then transferred to Sunbury, and became superintendent of the Sunbury division, and in 1877 he was transferred to the Middle division with headquarters at Renovo. In August, 1883, he was placed in charge of the Eastern division, with headquarters at Williamsport, and has since held that position. Mr. Westfall is interested in the Vallamont Land and Improvement Company. He is a Republican, and served for two years in the city council, representing the Fifth ward. He is prominent in the Masonic order, and is a member of the lodge, chapter, and commandery, and is also connected with the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Westfall was married in 1860 to Mary A., daughter of Robert Binsley, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, who has borne him seven chil- dren: three who died in childhood; Alice B .; Lillian M .; Mary Ada, wife of John A. Rankin, and Jesse A., deceased. Mrs. Westfall is a member of the First Presby- terian church of Williamsport.

HIRAM R. RHOADS, president of the Williamsport Passenger Railway Company and the Central Pennsylvania Telephone and Supply Company, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1845, son of William and Elizabeth (Scott) Rhoads, who came to Lycoming county in April, 1859, where the remaining years of their lives were passed. The subject of this sketch received a public school education, and in 1863 he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, with which he was connected until 1887. In 1878 he became identified with the Bell Telephone Company, as agent of that company for central Pennsylvania, and opened the second telephone exchange in the State in Williams- port, May 1, 1879, the city of Erie having the first exchange. He also opened the telephone exchange in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1880. In the face of much opposition and many discouragements, Mr. Rhoads labored to introduce the telephone throughout Williamsport and build up a paying business, and to his untir- ing perseverance and unswerving faith in the final triumph of the telephone as an indispensable attribute in every progressive business house and office, is due its early introduction into this city, and the financial success of the local company. In September, 1880, the Central Pennsylvania Telephone and Supply Company was organized, of which he has since been president. He was one of the organizers of

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

the Lycoming Electric Company, and is a director and secretary of the same. He is president of the Williamsport Passenger Railway Company, succeeding John Lawshe in October, 1890, and he raised the funds to purchase the plant from the original company and convert it into an electric road. He is a director and one of the corporators of the Merchants' National Bank, was identified with the Packer Land and Improvement Company, and is largely interested in real estate in the city of Washington, D. C. Mr. Rhoads is a Democrat in politics, and has served as a member of the select council. He was one of the organizers of the Ross Club, and is vice-president of that institution. He is prominent in Masonic circles, and is a member of the lodge, chapter, and commandery. In 1868 he was married to. Mary E., daughter of Alfred Howell, of Williamsport, and has a family of four children: Mary H .; Florence O .; Edith R., and Phoebe E. The family are mem- bers of Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Rhoads has been quite suc- cessful in the various business enterprises he has been associated with, and is recognized as one of the foremost operators in electric circles in this section of the State. He has been largely instrumental in the founding, progress, and develop- ment of several of the electric enterprises in Williamsport and vicinity, and is a gentleman of broad views and commendable public spirit.

JOHN LAWSHE was born in Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Octo- ber 19, 1826, and is the youngest son of Abraham and Anna H. Lawshe. He was- reared in Jersey Shore, and was educated at the Jersey Shore Academy. He learned the tanner's trade with his father, and subsequently went to Philadelphia, and was salesman in a dry goods and jobbing house. In 1849, when the Califor- nia gold excitement stirred the country from ocean to ocean, he caught the gold fever and sailed for the Pacific coast. Reaching the gold fields in safety, he worked in the mines until 1852, and then returned to his home in Jersey Shore, making the entire trip on the back of a mule, and taking plenty of time to view the country while riding through it. He began railroad contracting on the Phila- delphia and Erie railroad. From 1859 to 1861 he was first agent for the Northern Central railroad at Jersey Shore and the Philadelphia and Erie at Williamsport, and then went to Oceola Mills, Clearfield county, and purchased a tract of timber land and mill property, as a member of the firm of Lawshe, White & Company. This firm was afterwards merged into the Moshannon Land and Lumber Company, and Mr. Lawshe was general superintendent of the same. He was manager of the Kittanning Coal Company's operations at the same point, and was president of the Connellsville Gas and Coal Company, of Fayette county. In 1872 Mr. Lawshe was elected a member of the State legislature from Clearfield county, and during his term he served on the committees of ways and means, railroads, and education. In 1877 he moved to southern California, and engaged in gold and silver quartz mining and in growing fruit, remaining there until the spring of 1885. He then returned to Williamsport and has since been prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of the city. In 1886 he was elected president of the Williamsport Passenger Railway Company, and served in that capacity until 1890, and since that date he has been secretary and treasurer of the company. He was a director in the Lumberman's National Bank, and one of the organizers of the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and is a director and second vice-president and chairman of the

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

finance committee of the latter institution. He was chairman of the building com- mittee in the erection of the new bank building. He is a stockholder, director, and treasurer of the Lycoming Electric Light Company, and is a stockholder in the Merchants' National Bank, a stockholder and director in the Otto Furniture Com- pany, and a stockholder in the National Furniture Company and the Heller Printing Company. Mr. Lawshe has been a prominent Mason since 1852, and is a member of the lodge, chapter, and commandery. He is a stanch Democrat, and was chairman of the Democratic county committee for San Bernardino county, California, during the Cleveland campaign of 1884. Mr. Lawshe has been twice married. February 26, 1852, he married Julia P., daughter of Robert S. Bailey, of Jersey Shore. She died, June 26, 1865, and he was again married, October 23, 1866, to Charlotte H. Bailey, a sister of his first wife. He and wife are members of the Third Presbyterian Church of Williamsport, and he is a director in the Young Men's Christian Association.

HIRAM MUDGE, secretary of the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company, was born in Eldred township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1822, son of Silas and Joanna (Lundy) Mudge. Silas Mudge was a native of Connecticut, a soldier in the war of 1812, and settled in Lycoming county after the close of that war. For three years he was engaged in teaching school, and after he was married to Joanna Lundy, he settled in Hepburn township, where he cleared a farm and lived thereon until his death. His wife was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and came to Lycoming county with her parents in 1809. Hiram received his educa- tion in the schools of his native township, and came to Williamsport in 1838, where he was employed as a clerk in a store for twelve years. In 1851 he went into the general mercantile business with Abraham Updegraff and continued for about six years. At the reorganization of the West Branch Bank, he was engaged as a clerk, where he remained for four years; he then formed a partnership with John S. Grafius, and engaged in the mercantile business for four years under the firm name of Grafius & Mudge. In 1863, in company with Abraham Updegraff, he instituted the organization of the First National Bank, which was finally consummated in 1864. He was cashier of this institution for nearly eight years. In 1874 he embarked in the grocery business, and after continuing for three years he became connected with Holden, Lentz & Sallada's Real Estate Savings Institution, which was re-organized and changed to the City National Bank of Williamsport. After serving as vice- president of this bank for over four years, he was employed as teller in the Lumber- man's National Bank, and when the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company was organized he was made its secretary, which position he has held ever since. Mr. Mudge is also an agent for the Weightmau property, and also for valuable interests owned by R. J. C. Walker. He has served as burgess of Williamsport, filled the office of city treasurer for three years, and was a member of the borough council. He was married in September, 1852, to Miss Fannie Smith, of Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born ten children, six of whom are living: Emma; who married E. F. Noble; Harry; Jennie; Frank; Charles, and Josephine. Mr. Mudge and family are members of the Third Presbyterian church, of which he was one of the organizers, and at present holds the office of ruling elder; he is also trustee of St. John's Lutheran church, helped to organize and build the same, and is trustee and treasurer of the Williamsport City Mission.

Engry J.P. Rice & Son. Phila.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

SAMUEL JONES, treasurer of the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, December 2. 1819 son of Thomas and Maria (Housel) Jones, pioneers of that county. He was reared in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and received his education in the common schools of that town, which at that period were not of the best. In early boyhood he commenced clerking in a store in Lewisburg, and in 1837 he came to Williamsport and engaged with Henry and William Lyon, merchants. He clerked in their store for two years, and was after- wards employed for a few years as a clerk by Samuel H. Lloyd, who was proprietor of a stage route from Williamsport to Milton and Jersey Shore. In 1843 he was deputy prothonotary under Hepburn McClure. In 1845 he became connected with the West Branch Bank as a clerk and was subsequently appointed cashier of that insti- tution. Upon the organization of the Lumherman's National Bank in 1865, Mr. Jones was appointed cashier, and continued to fill that position up to August, 1888, when the charter was surrendered. When the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Com- pany was organized he was made its treasurer and has remained such ever since. He was one of its original stockholders, and his long experience in the banking busi- ness fitted him well for the position which he now fills. Mr. Jones is the pioneer banker of Williamsport, and few men in the business are more thoroughly acquainted with all the details of banking finance. He was married in 1848 to Rachel, daughter of Joseph W. Smith, of Lycoming county. Mrs. Jones died in 1868, leaving three children: Susan, wife of J. Cooke Sturdivant of Williamsport; Mary, wife of John C. Gibson of Williamsport, and Emily, wife of H. S. Andrus of Pittsburg. Mr. Jones is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport, and is one of the old- est and best known business men of the city.

ADOLPH NIEMEYER, treasurer of the Savings Institution, was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, April 12, 1835, son of Rev. Carl George and Sophia (Gade) Niemeyer, the former a minister in the Lutheran church, who, after celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination, retired from the ministry and is now living in the city of Brunswick. The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof, and was prepared for college by his father. He entered the college of the city of Brunswick, where he pursued his studies three years, and for the succeeding three years was engaged in a mercantile house in Brunswick. In 1855 he came to the United States, and located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1857, and then went to Wisconsin, where he served as clerk for the board of super- visors. In 1865 he was appointed to a clerkship in the treasury department in the city of Washington, D. C., and filled that position three years. Returning to Williamsport in 1868, he formed a partnership with G. E. Otto Siess, in the book and stationery business. In 1870 he retired from that partnership, and accepted the position of treasurer of the Savings Institution. For the past twenty-two years Mr. Nie- meyer has filled that position in a satisfactory and creditable manner. He is a Repub- lican, and served as county auditor one term, and city auditor for two terms. He was married in 1867 to Louisa, daughter of Godfrey Hess, of Williamsport, and has four children: Carl Hess; Sophia; Emma, and Louisa. Mr. Niemeyer and wife are mem- bers of St. Paul's Lutheran church, and he is one of the trustees of that body. He is a member of the Masonic order, and is connected with the lodge, chapter, and commandery.

846

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

J. H. BOYER, cashier of the Merchants' National Bank of Williamsport, was born in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1847. He was reared in that county and received his education in the public schools and at the State Normal School, Kutztown, Pennsylvania. He remained on the homestead farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he learned telegraphy, and in 1870 was engaged by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company as operator at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. He was promoted to various positions, and in 1876 came to Williamsport as freight and ticket agent, and was subsequently promoted to division agent. May 1, 1887, he resigned his position with the Phil- adelphia and Reading to accept his present position as cashier of the Merchants' National Bank, which he has since filled in an efficient and satisfactory manner. In 18SS he established the firm of Boyer & Company, in the real estate, insurance, and coal business. This firm sold out their retail coal business in 1889, and have since conducted the wholesale coal trade, real estate, and insurance. Mr. Boyer is one of the organizers and directors of the Pennsylvania Telephone Company, and is a stock- holder in the Williamsport Passenger Railway Company. He is a Mason, and a member of Lodge No. 106, also chapter and commandery, and is connected with the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a member of the select coun- cil from the Third ward. Mr. Boyer is married, and his family consists of a wife and two children. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man, and is highly respected by the leading citizens of his adopted home. He is a member and a trus- tee of the First Presbyterian church, of Williamsport. Mr. Boyer is treasurer and joint owner of the Grand View Cemetery Company; is interested in the Williams- port Upholstering Company, and the Keystone Lithograph Company, and repre- sents and owns valuable real estate interests in this city, having recently acquired the one-fourth ownership of the Watson Farm Syndicate.

WILLIAM H. SLOAN, cashier of the First National Bank of Williamsport, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1845, and is a son of Robert and Hannah (Harris) Sloan, natives of Lycoming county. His grandfather, Alexander Sloan, was a native of York county, Pennsylvania, and came to Williamsport about 1808. He engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, and his son Robert succeeded him. Both are well remembered as successful and upright business men. William H. received a public school education, and commenced his business life as a clerk in a store. In 1865 he entered the employ of the First National Bank as a messenger boy, and in 1871 he was made cashier of that institution, which position he has filled in a capable and creditable manner for the past twenty-one years. He is one of the directors of the bank, and is a director in the Williamsport Bridge Company and manager and secretary of the Williamsport Cemetery Company. Mr. Sloan is an elder in the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport, and in his political views affiliates with the Republican party.

COL. SAMUEL WILSON was born in 1831, on his father's farm, one mile from the town of Lewisburg, Union county, Pennsylvania. He is a descendant of Samuel Wilson, a native of Ireland, who came to what is now Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, nearly 200 years ago, and purchased a tract of land in Derry township. He brought with him from Ireland his son James, a lad of nine years, who afterwards became a well known surveyor of Buffalo valley. In 1768 James Wilson visited Buffalo

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

valley, and selected a large tract of land, which is designated in the records as "' Wilson's Choice," situated on the north side of Buffalo creek about half a mile from the mouth of that stream. In the spring of 1772 James Wilson again came to Buffalo valley in the interest of John and Thomas Penn, to survey what was then called the "new purchase." He surveyed his previous selection on Buffalo creek, purchased it, and gave it to his son William. The latter settled upon the land, and reared a large family, who married and became connected with many leading families in Union county. His sons, Thomas and Samuel, purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead, and divided the land equally between themselves. Samuel Wilson married Elizabeth Nevius, whose mother was a daughter of Colonel Chamberlin and a sister of Moses Chamberlin, now a resident of Milton, Pennsylvania, and became the father of twelve children, as follows: Mary; Elizabeth; Sarah Ann; William; Lucretia; Thomas; Samuel; Eliza; John; James; N. Maria, and George P. Of this large family, five boys and three girls are now living.

The subject of this sketch was the third son of Samuel and Elizabeth Wilson. He was educated in the common schools and at the Lewisburg Academy, and com- pleted his studies at Bucknell University in 1852. After leaving school he engaged in railroad construction, and was located at Mount Vernon, Indiana, on the Ohio and Mississippi railroad. In the fall of 1854 he was employed in building the North American and European railroad, in the Province of New Brunswick, and returned to Lewisburg in 1856. In 1857 he became interested in a foundry and machine shop at Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, where he was engaged when the war commenced. In April, 1861, he assisted in recruiting a company called the Humes Guards, of which he was commissioned first lieutenant, May 6, 1861, but receiving no assurance that their services would be accepted the company disbanded. In June following Colonel Wilson recruited a company for E. G. Chorman, of Philadelphia, and reported with his men in that city about the middle of July. The company was mustered in, July 23, 1861, as Company B, of Chorman's Inde- pendent Mounted Rifle Rangers, afterwards known as the Eighth Pennsylvania . Cavalry. Our subject was commissioned first lieutenant, and as his company was the foundation of the regiment, it remained in Philadelphia until October, and was then sent to Washington. After encamping near the Soldiers' Home for a month, it was sent across the Potomac, and engaged in scouting duty. On the 26th of February, 1862, our subject was promoted to captain of Company L, and served in the Army of the Potomac until October 17, 1864. He was captured, December 2, 1862, and confined in Libby prison, but was soon exchanged and returned to his regiment. He was promoted to major, but never commissioned, and was commis- sioned lieutenant colonel of his regiment, December 23, 1863. He was a brave and gallant soldier, and was wounded five different times, twice in the right arm, once in the left arm, was struck by a piece of shell in the left hip, and had his right leg above the ankle fractured. He received a letter from General Meade recommending him to the President for promotion, because of services rendered, and received a colonel's commission from the President, dated April 20, 1865. This was the first presidential commission received by any officer of the regiment. Colonel Wilson was mustered out of the service, October 17, 1864, having served three years and

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

three months. He returned to his home, and then went to Titusville, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the oil business. After one year's experience in that business he returned to Jersey Shore. In the fall of 1870 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the legislature from the counties of Lycoming, Union, and Snyder, and in the fall of 1871 he was re-elected to the same office from the counties of Lycoming, Clinton, and Sullivan. In the fall of 1879 he was elected sheriff of Lycoming county, removed to Williamsport, January 1, 1880, and filled that office three years. He then engaged in the real estate business, which he has since continued to prosecute. Colonel Wilson served as deputy collector of internal revenue for the counties of Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Bradford, from December 1, 1886, until July 11, 1889, under C. B. Staples, and served under Thomas F. Penman, Mr. Staples's successor, from the latter date up to October 1, 1889. In January, 1891, he was elected treasurer of the Williamsport and Binghamton Railroad Company, and still holds that position. He has been one of the board of managers of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company since its organization, also a director of the Williams- port Bridge Company. He is a member of Reno Post, No. 64, G. A. R., and one of the charter members of Encampment No. 47, U. V. L. He has been a member of the Masonic order for many years. Colonel Wilson was married, December 29, 1864, to Harriet B., daughter of Robert McGowan of Jersey Shore, who bore him two daughters: Mary, wife of H. R. Laird of Williamsport, and Elizabeth S. Mrs. Wilson died, March 4, 1873. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, to which denomination Colonel Wilson belongs. He is a stanch Democrat, and has always given his active support to the measures and principles of that party.

ALLAN GRINNELL DODD was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, October 21, 1829. By the death of his parents he was early in life thrown on his own resources, and in 1850 he located in Lycoming county, where he resided until his death. On the 14th of September, 1851, he married Emily, daughter of John Stiger, one of Lycoming's pioneers. The children of this union were George A., now captain in the Third United States Cavalry; Alice, wife of David Albert; Jen- nie, deceased; William H., deceased, and Charles E., a business man of Williams- port. From 1851 to 1862 Allan G. Dodd was generally identified with the lumber interests of the county, following that business in different localities. Early in the '50's he was engaged in business at Block House and DuBois, and later on Lycoming creek at Field's Station as a member of the firm of Dodd & Channell, from which he retired in 1855. He then located in Williamsport, remaining there until the spring of 1859, when he settled near the mouth of Loyalsock creek. Subsequently he acquired lumber interests on Plunkett's creek, near the site of Proctorville, and on Wallis run.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 101

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