History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 102

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

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Owing to private affairs at the beginning of the war of the rebellion, he was deterred from entering the service until 1862, when he responded to the call of Governor Curtin for volunteers at about the time of Lee's first invasion of the State. After his term of service had expired he returned to his home, adjusted his private business, and re-entered the service in September, 1862, as first lieutenant of Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers. He remained con- tinuously on duty with that organization until honorably mustered out of the serv- ice with his regiment in August, 1863. Returning once more to his home he placed his

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private affairs in a more satisfactory shape, and in August, 1864, he again entered the service, as first lieutenant of Company I, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsyl- vania Volunteers. He participated with this command, then a part of the Ninth Army Corps, in all the campaigns and fights in which it was engaged up to April 2, 1865, on which day he was mortally wounded while leading a battalion in a gallant charge on the enemy's works in front of Petersburg, Virginia, dying from the effects of his wounds, April 6, 1865. As a citizen Lieutenant Dodd was possessed of a high sense of honor, justice, and integrity, and was endowed with those sterling qualities which characterize the American citizen and patriot. As a soldier he was brave and generous to a fault, showing an utter disregard of danger in action. and fighting for country and principle, rather than for advancement and self-aggrandizement. Among the older and middle-aged citizens of Lycoming county, Allan G. Dodd is remembered as a man of extraordinary moral and physical courage, an unswerving and uncompromising patriot, and a brave, gallant, soldier who sacrificed all for his country, and of whom his country and State may well be proud.

CAPT. GEORGE. ALLAN DODD. was born in Rose Valley, Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, July 26, 1852, son of Allan G. and Emily Dodd. His father having been mortally wounded in the service of his country, April 2, 1865, the son was left at an early age to the care of his mother. So well did he improve such educational advantages as he could obtain that after a competitive examination he secured the appointment to the United States military academy at West Point, New York, from the Eighteenth congressional district of Pennsylvania, in June, 1872. He was graduated June 14, 1876, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Third United States Cavalry to date June 15, 1876. He was advanced to first lientenant in the same regiment, February 29, 1880, and to captain August 31, 1889. He has been constantly on active duty, excepting for two years beginning with October, 1888, when he was on recruiting detail at Philadelphia, which he accepted in conse- quence of impaired health. He participated in arduous campaigns in Wyoming, Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, and Indian Territory, commanding a troop a large part of the time from 1880, and at intervals was in command of from one to four troops of cavalry. He served successively under Generals Crook, Mckenzie, and Merritt. For nearly two years he was in command of a body of Sioux Indian scouts. While in Arizona in 1882 he commanded Apache scouts in active duty against hostile Apaches. Among the fights and campaigns in which he participated were the defeat of the Southern Cheyennes in the fight of the Big Horn, November 23, 1876; campaign against Chief Joseph's band of hostile Nez Perces in 1877; actions with hostile Cheyennes in 1879; the expedition for the rescue of Major Thornburg's command on White river, Colorado, in 1879; against the Ute Indians in western Colorado in 1880; the engagement of Big Wash of Chevelon's Fork, Arizona, July 17, 1882, when the Indians were badly defeated; against Geronimo's and other bands of hostile Apaches during 1883; against Kiowa Indians between 1885 and 1887. Since February 4, 1891, Captain Dodd has commanded a troop and the post of Fort Hancock, Texas. He was married to Agnes Clara Steele, daughter of a retired army officer, of Washington, D. C., in the summer of 1880. They have children as follows: Agnes, Katie, Charles, George, Mary, and William. Captain Dodd has received the recognition of the War Department for various

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valuable improvements in cavalry accoutrements, as well as for his successful efforts in developing the system of training cavalry horses to the skirmish drill. ' During the sixteen years of his service he has only returned once to his home in this county, where he is held in high regard and where his honorable career is watched with pride by his many warm friends.

GEORGE BUBB, wholesale merchant, and president of the Lycoming National Bank, was born in Fairfield township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1820. He is a son of Michael aud Mary (Fribley) Bubb, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Lycoming county. Our subject was reared on the homestead farm. and received a common school education. In 1848 he engaged in the mercantile business in Montoursville, and continued in the business for twenty-five years. About 1851 he engaged in the lumber trade, and has since been prominently identi- fied with the lumber interests of the county. He was in partnership with William Weaver, of Montoursville, in the lumber business about thirty years. In 1862 he was appointed collector of internal revenue. for the Sixteenth congressional district, and filled that office four years, but upon the accession of Andrew Johnson to the presidency, Mr. Bubb was removed from office, because he did not uphold the views of the President. In 1869, however, he was re-appointed by President Grant, served four years, and resigned in the spring of 1873 in favor of John H. Burrows. Mr. Bubb removed to Williamsport iu November, 1873, and has since been one of its most active and prominent citizens. He has served as a member of the school board and in the city council, and has given an ardent support to all measures cal- culated to improve and benefit his adopted home. In 1869 he became a member of the wholesale grocery firm of Corcoran, Weaver & Company, which in 1876 became Corcoran, Bubb & Company, Mr. Weaver retiring from the firm. In 1880 Henry C. Bubb succeeded Mr. Corcoran, and the firm of George Bubb & Sons has since been recognized as one of the leading business houses in this section of the State. In May, 1871, Mr. Bubb was the principal organizer of the wholesale and retail boot and shoe firm of J. E. Dayton & Company, which since 1873 has been engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. Mr. Bubb was one of the organizers of the First National Bank and a director in that institution until 1875, when he sold his- stock. In 1875 he purchased stock in the Lycoming Savings Bank, which was con - verted into the Lycoming National Bauk the same year, and he was elected president of that institution, and has filled that position continuously up to the present. Mr. Bubb was one of the charter members of the Sergeant Lumber Company, the Otto Chemical Works, and the Hermance Chemical Works. He was married, October 1, 1850, to Sarah Jane, daughter of Nathaniel Burrows, of Montoursville, and has a family of five children: Nathaniel Burrows; Mary H., wife of James Lewars, of Williamsport; Henry Clay; Alice M., and Nellie T. Mr. Bubb is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and was one of the trustees of that organization for many years. He took an active part in the erection of the new church building, and was chairman of the building committee. In early life he was a Whig, and cast his first vote for Henry Clay, and since the organization of the Republican party he has been one of its stanchest supporters. During the great flood of 1SS9, notwithstanding the fact that he was among the heaviest losers in the city, he subscribed to the relief fund, and did all in his power to mitigate the sufferings of his fellow citizens.

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NATHANIEL BURROWS BUBB, of the firm of George Bubb & Sons, was born in Montoursville, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1851, and is the eldest son of George Bubb. He was educated in the public schools, and at the Bing- hamton Commercial College, Binghamton, New York, graduating from the latter institution in 1868. At the age of eighteen years he engaged in the wholesale grocery business, as a member of the firm of Corcoran, Weaver & Company, where he remained for seven years. On the 1st of May, 1876, the firm moved to its pres- ent location, Mr. Weaver retiring, and they continued to do business under the name of Corcoran, Bubb & Company. In 1880 Henry C. Bubb became a member of the firm, and the present firm of George Bubb & Sons was organized. It is the oldest grocery house in the city, as well as one of the most prominent wholesale establishments in the Susquehanna valley. Mr. Bubb was one of the organizers of the Clearfield Coal Company, and he is treasurer of the same. He is secretary and treasurer of the Otto Chemical Company, is manager of the Hermance Chemical Company, and is president of the Fisher & Hinkle Company, and the business man- ager of that firm. He is also manager of the Sergeant Lumber Company, is identi- fied with Strieby, Sprague & Company, and is senior member of the firm of N. B. Bubb & Company, lumber manufacturers, and extensive operators in Cameron county. He is also secretary of the Williamsport Board of Trade. He is a stock- holder in the Lycoming National Bank, and is one of the most prominent and enter- prising young business men of the city. He is an active supporter of the Repub- lican party, and is a member of the Masonic order and prominently connected with the lodge, chapter, and commandery. Mr. Bubb was married in 1876 to Rebecca, daughter of D. F. Agnew, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and has four sons: Harry Agnew; George Lashells; Nathaniel B., and James Lewars. He is a member and trustee of the First Presbyterian church.

HENRY CLAY BUBB, junior member of the firm of George Bubb & Sons, was born in Montoursville, Lycoming county, March 13, 1856, and is a son of George Bubb. He received a public school education, and in 1872 entered Lafayette College, where he took a practical course. In 1874 he took charge of the shipping department of J. E. Dayton & Company. He went to Montgomery in 1877, and became a member of the firm of Henderson, Bubb & Company, general merchants, with which he was connected until 1880, when he sold his interest and became a member of the present firm of George Bubb & Sons. Mr. Bubb has general charge of the purchasing, and the general management of the grocery business of the firm. He is also a member of N. B. Bubb & Company, lumber dealers, and is a director in the Fisher & Hinkle Company. He is a stockholder and director in the Otto Chemical Company, and is a member of the Hermance Chemical Company, and of Strieby, Sprague & Com- pany. Mr. Bubb was married at Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1884, to Sarah, daughter of Johu Hays, and has two children: John Hays, and Harry Burrows. He is a mem- ber of the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport, was one of the organizers of the Ross Club, and is an active supporter of the Republican party.

ALEXANDER BEEDE, wholesale grocer, was born in Orange county, New York, August 21, 1830, son of Addison C. and Sarah (McDonald) Beede, natives of New Hampshire. His mother died when he was an infant, and his father resided in Orange county up to his death. Alexander remained in that county until he was fif-

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teen years old, and then removed to Elmira, New York. He received a public school education in the schools of Orange county and Elmira, and subsequently served an apprenticeship at the tinsmith's trade. He worked at that business for ten years, and in October, 1856, he came to Williamsport, and continued the same. In 1862 he became general manager of the wholesale grocery house of H. L. Holden, which position he occupied six years, succeeding Mr. Holden in the business in 1868, as a member of the firm of Beede, Corcoran & Burrows. After one year Mr. Corcoran retired, and the firm became Beede, Burrows & Company, by the admission of Thomas Polleys to a partnership. In 1880 Mr. Burrows retired from the firm, and since that date the name of the firm has been Alexander Beede & Company. It is the successor of the oldest wholesale grocery house in Williamsport, and does an extensive business in this section of the State. Mr. Beede is a stanch Democrat, and has often been importuned to accept office, but has always refused. He is a member of the Pres- byterian church, and is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, being connected with the lodge, chapter, commandery, and consistory.

THOMAS POLLEYS, of the firm of Alexander Beede & Company, wholesale grocers, was born in Malden, Massachusetts, October 14, 1818, and removed to Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in boyhood, and was there reared and educated. He learned the tinner's trade, and worked at the business in Elmira, New York. He came to Williamsport in 1856, and has since been a partner with Alexander Beede in the stove and tinning business, and later in the grocery business. He was married in 1845, to Lois Ann Smith, of Orange county, New York, but has no children. He is a Republican in politics.

L. L. STEARNS, merchant, was born in Hopkinton, Middlesex county, Massachu- setts, April 3, 1823, son of John and Abigail (Legg) Stearns, natives of that State and farmers by occupation, who removed to Tompkins county, New York, in 1826, where they resided until their deaths. Our subject was principally reared in Tomp- kins county, and received his education in the public schools and at an academy in Groton, New York. In 1850 he came to Lycoming county, and followed the mer- cantile business at Jersey Shore. In 1861 Mr. Stearns was appointed sutler of the Eighth Pennsylvania Calvary, and served three years in that capacity, and subse- quently held the same position in General Gregg's brigade. After the close of the war he opened the first northern stock of goods at Lynchburg, Virginia, where he remained six months, and then returned to Jersey Shore. In the fall of 1865 he opened a general store on the corner of Market and Third streets, Williamsport, where he carried on business until October, 1889. In the meantime he had pur- chased the property then known as the City Hotel, in December, 1888, and con- verted it into a store room, of which he took possession, October 11, 1889. In 1883 he admitted his three sons as partners, and has since done business under the firm name of L. L. Stearns & Sons. He is one of the charter members of the Demorest Sewing Machine Company, the National Furniture Company, and the Lycoming Opera House Company. He is also a member of the Ross Club, of which his sons are charter members. Mr. Stearns was married, September 17, 1844, to Catharine, daughter of Robert Muir, of Tioga county, New York, and to this union have been born five children: Delphine, wife of James S. Lawson; J. A .; Emily Abigail, wife of Anthony G. Lyon; George L., and Charles R. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and is an adherent of the Presbyterian church.

Alap & Becker

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J. A. STEARNS, eldest son of L. L. Stearns, was born in Tompkins county, New York, April 12, 1848. He received his education in the public schools of Jersey Shore, and at Barnum's Business College, Springfield, Massachussetts. He was afterwards interested several years in the oil fields of Bradford, Pennsylvania, and in 1883 became a member of the firm of L. L. Stearns & Sons. He is a stockholder in the Demorest Sewing Machine Company, the National Furniture Company, and in the Lamason Cash System. He is a charter member of the Ross Club, and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Stearns was married, November 5, 1873, to Sarah, daughter of Dr. Thomas Lyon, of Williamsport, who is the mother of one son, Thomas L.

GEORGE L. STEARNS was born in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, November 1, 1853, and is the second son of L. L. Stearns. He received a public school education in his native town, and subsequently attended Dickinson Seminary. He learned the mercantile business with his father, and became a member of the firm of L. L. Stearns & Sons in 1883. He is a Republican, and is a charter member of the Ross Club.

CHARLES R. STEARNS was born at Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1856. He was educated in the public schools of that borough, and afterwards attended the Pennsylvania State College, Centre county, and Eastman's Business College, Pough- keepsie, New York. In 1883 he became a member of the firm of L. L. Stearns & Sons. He was one of the organizers of the Lycoming Opera House Company, and is a member of the board of directors and of the building committee. He is a stockholder in the Demorest Sewing Machine Company and the National Furniture Company and is a charter member of the Ross Club. He was married, January 1, 1885, to M. J., daughter of J. Walker Hays, and of this union three children survive: Rachel H .; Catharine, and Emily L. Mr. Stearns and wife are members of the First Presbyterian church, and in politics he is a Republican.

JOHN THOMPSON was born on Lycoming creek, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and was a member of one of the pioneer families of the West Branch valley. He learned the tanner's trade and followed that business for a number of years in Clin- ton county. In 1841 he settled on a farm in Muncy township, Lycoming county, and in 1856 he moved to Williamsport and retired from active business. He mar- ried Susan, daughter of Thomas Updegraff, of York county, Pennsylvania, an early settler of this county. She was born in Williamsport, and reared a family of eight children, four of whom are now living: James, of Philadelphia; Thomas U., of Topeka, Kansas; William F., of Williamsport, and Martha, wife of Frank Levan, of Williamsport. Mr. Thompson died in 1869, his wife surviving him until 1872. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In early life he was a Whig, but upon the formation of the Republican party he became identified with that organization, and ever afterwards voted the Republican ticket.

WILLIAM F. THOMPSON, senior member of the firm of Thompson, Gibson & Com- pany, dry goods merchants, was born in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1841, son of John and Susan Thompson. His parents removed to a farm in Muncy township, Lycoming county, soon after his birth, and his primary education was obtained in the public schools of that locality. He removed with his parents to Williamsport in 1856, and completed his education at Dickinson Seminary. He left

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school to engage in the mercantile business. In 1877 the firm of R. W. Gibson & Company was organized. In 1SSS the present firm of Thompson, Gibson & Com- any was established, and is recognized as one of the leading dry goods houses in Williamsport. In 1862 Mr. Thompson went out as quartermaster sergeant of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers. and served nine months. He also served in the one hundred days' service. Mr. Thompson was married in 1865 to Clara MI., daughter of John A. Otto, of Williamsport.

JOHN WENNER, wholesale and retail grocer. was born in Prussia, Germany, in February, 1830, son of Jacob and Barbara (Lawson) Wenner. His parents immi- grated to the United States in 1846, and located in Nippenose valley, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where they purchased a piece of land and engaged in farming. They cleared up the farm and lived upon it until their death, dying as they had lived, practical members of the Catholic church. John is the third in a family of eight children. and was about sixteen years old when his parents came to this county. He received a common school education in his native land, and was taught those habits of industry and economy so essential to success in life. Soon after his parents settled in the Nippenose valley he went to Jersey Shore, where he found employ- ment in a hotel. He remained working in one hotel for fifteen years, and in 1861 went to Lock Haven, where he was porter of the Fallon House for one year. In 1862 he came to Williamsport, and for one year was porter of the City Hotel. and next engaged in the barber business. He continued barbering for several years. and then entered the grocery house of Knapp & Thompson, and afterwards engaged with L. L. Stearns & Sons, with whom he remained five years. On the 1st of April. 1SSO, he established his present business, on West Fourth street, and has since built up an extensive and prosperous wholesale and retail trade. He is a stock- holder in the Demorest Sewing Machine Company, and is one of the active, enter- prising, and substantial business men of the city. Mr. Wenner was married in IS54. to Katie, daughter of Christian Neddinger. of Lycoming county, and has a family of four sons and one danghter, as follows: Henry; Jacob: John: Edward, and Mary. He is a Democrat in principle, but an independent voter. Mr. Wenner and family are members of St. Bonifacius Catholic church, of which he is one of the most liberal supporters.

JOHN A. GAMBLE was born in Jersey Shore, July 29, 1839, son of James and Eliz- abeth (Breneman) Gamble, of Columbia and Lancaster counties. Pennsylvania. respectively. He received his education in the West Branch high school of his native borough, and in 1861, in partnership with John Sebring, he engaged in the mercantile business at that place, continuing until 1873. when he removed to Will- iamsport. For some time he was engaged in the planing mill business and the · book and stationery trade, and in 1SS2 became a member of the firm of Shopbell, Gamble & Company. In 1SSS he embarked in the grocery business under the firm name of John A. Gamble & Company. and still retains a financial interest in both of these firms. He was one of the organizers of the South Side Refining Company. of which he and William M. Harrison are sole proprietors. He is a director in the Lycoming National Bank, a director in the Central Pennsylvania Telephone and Supply Company, and a director in the Lycoming Rubber Company. He is execu- tor of the estates of his father, Judge Gamble. and brother, James M. Gamble, also

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of his uncle John A. Gamble. He was married in 1865 to Creacie E., daughter of J. J. Sanderson, and to this union have been born three daughters: Ellen; Barrie, and Margaret B. He is a Democrat in politics, and with his wife belongs to the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport.

PIERSON L. KoONS, grocery merchant, was born in Loyalsock township, Lycom ing county, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1842, and is a son of George and Mary (Konkle) Koons. His father was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and his mother in Upper Fairfield township, Lycoming county. They were married in this county, and settled on a farm in Loyalsock township, where they resided until within a few years and then removed to Williamsport, where they have since lived. They reared a family of thirteen children, ten of whom are now living and are residents of Williamsport and vicinity. They are as follows: Pierson L .; Sarah Lloyd, wife of John Crownover; George W .; Peter; Walter; John; Hiram; Mary Jane; Henry T., and Ella. The parents and children are adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church. The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead farm in Loyalsock township, and was educated in the public schools and at Dickinson Seminary. He was afterwards employed by the lumber firm of E. B. Eyland & Company, with whom he remained seven years. He then engaged in the grocery business, in part- nership with Joseph M. Neece, and the firm of Neece & Koons carried on business for six years and a half. The partnership was dissolved in 1881, and Mr. Koons has since continued business alone. He is one of the leading grocers of the city, has built up a fine trade, and is a gentleman of enterprise and public spirit. Dur- ing the war of the rebellion he was drafted, but furnished a substitute. He is a stanch Republican, and takes quite an active interest in public affairs. Mr. Koons was married in April, 1873, to Alice A., daughter of John Neece of Muncy Creek township, and has one son, George John. He and wife are members of Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church, in which organization he holds the office of steward. He is a member of Eureka Lodge, F. & A. M.

TIMOTHY CURTIN, merchant, was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1843, son of Daniel and Catharine (Mullin) Curtin, natives of Ireland. His parents immigrated to Pennsylvania about 1838 and engaged in farming in Wayne county, where they spent the balance of their lives. They were members of the Catholic church, and reared their children in that faith. The subject of this sketch grew up in his native county, where he received a common school education. At the age of seventeen he went to Scranton, Pennsylvania, and learned the boiler maker's trade at the Dixon Boiler Works. He came to Williamsport in December, 1864, and worked at his trade for Heathcote & Company, and afterwards had charge of their plant for four years. In 1870 he formed a partnership with Edward Fitz- patrick and established his present mercantile business. In 1873 Mr. Curtin erected his present store building on West Fourth street, which he has since occupied. Mr. Fitzpatrick retired from the firm, July 1, 1889, and Mr. Curtin had since conducted the business alone. Since coming to Williamsport he has been quite successful, and is recognized as one of the substantial men of the city. He was one of the organizers of the Board of Trade, and has given his active support to many other pub- lic enterprises. He is a stanch Democrat, and served one term as a member of the city council. Mr. Curtin was married in 1877 to Catharine Garvey, a sister of the

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 102

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