History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 104

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

AUGUSTE LAEDLEIN, confectioner, was born in Algeria, a French province in Africa, December 16, 1858, son of Thomas and Adell (Tillie) Laedlein, who came to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 1866, where his mother died the following year. His father is a saddle maker, and resides with our subject. Auguste was eight years old when he came to Williamsport, and he there grew to manhood and received a public school education. At the age of fourteen he went to learn the trade of baker and confectioner in Williamsport, and afterwards worked in Philadelphia. In 18SO he returned from Philadelphia and opened a bakery and confectionery on West Fourth street, where he remained six years. In 1886 he erected the building he now occupies, on the corner of Walnut aud Fourth streets, where he has since built up quite an extensive business. He is the leading confectioner and caterer in the city, and also does quite a large outside trade. Mr. Laedlein is a stockholder in the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, and is a member of the Board of Trade. He was married, October 20, 1881, to Elizabeth E., daughter of C. L. Wittmer of Williamsport, but . now a resident of Syracuse, New York. Five children are the fruits of this union: Annie D. ; Emma S .; Laura L .; Preston W., deceased, and Robert A. Mr. Laedlein is independent in his political views, and has never taken any active interest in political matters. He is a prominent Mason, and is a member of the lodge, chapter, and commandery, and is also connected with the Royal Arcanum.

JACOB SHEFFER was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 1809. His father, John Sheffer, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was a tailor by trade, and became one of the pioneer settlers of Williamsport. He was once deputy sheriff of Lycoming county, and moved to Block House, Tioga county, in 1813 or 1814, where he served as justice of the peace for many years, and where he died. He married Susan Reynolds, and with her belonged to the Lutheran church, and to them were born fifteen children, five of whom are now living: Jacob; Susan, who married Daniel Miller; Julia Ann, who married Nicholas Elder; Michael, and George R. Our subject moved to Tioga county with his parents when four years old. He has principally spent his life at farming, in connection with the stone- mason and plasterer trade. He married Mary A. Beck, and with her resides on the old homestead in Tioga county, Pennsylvania. They are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a Republican. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the following are now living: Daniel, who served as a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty-five years, and is now retired at Cedar Falls, Iowa; Amos, who is a contractor and builder of Williamsport; Ellis, who is a member of the insurance firm of Sheffer & Melick; John, who lives in Tioga county; Lewis, and Perry.

LEWIS SHEFFER, merchant tailor, was born in Liberty township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1844, son of Jacob and Mary A. (Beck) Sheffer. He received his education in the public schools of his native county, after which he engaged in the mercantile business for some time. In March, 1863, he came to Williamsport, where he clerked in a store for four years, and in 1867 he established his present business. For two years he was in partnership with J. H. Shanbacher in the general merchandise and merchant tailor trade, but since 1869 he has done business on his own responsibility, is one of the oldest merchant tailors in the city,

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

and enjoys an excellent trade. He has also been extensively engaged in real estate transactions, having erected and sold several fine houses in the city. In 1863 he served three months as corporal of Company B, Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania Volun- teers, and is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R. He was married in 1867 to Rachel, daughter of Daniel Bower, and to this nnion have been born three children: Cora, who married Walter F. Anthony; Elmer L., and Harry Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Sheffer are members of Mulberry Street Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is superintendent of the Sunday school and steward.

THOMAS F. CARSKADDEN, merchant tailor, was born in Clinton county, Pennsyl- vania, July 11, 1857, son of James and Cereptia (Stradley) Carskadden, natives of Clinton and Lycoming counties, respectively. His father was a bricklayer, and followed that trade up to 1861, when he enlisted in the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He served with his regiment up to the battle of Gettysburg, where he was killed. His widow survives and lives with our subject. They were the parents of four children: Annie, deceased; John W .; Thomas F., and William L. The subject of this sketch was reared in Clinton county until he was eighteen years of age, and received a common school education. He learned the tailor's trade with John Marshall of Lock Haven, and in 1888 he graduated from the John J. Mitchell Cutting School, of New York City. The same year he opened a merchant tailoring establishment in Williamsport, and has since built up a satisfactory trade. Mr. Carskadden has been married twice; first in 1878, to Tincie J., daughter of Theodore Lewis of Williamsport. She died in 1882, leaving one son, William L. In 1885 he married Emma, daughter of Adam Martin of this city, who has borne him two children: Charles F. and Henry A. He is a member of the First Disciples' church of Williamsport, in which he is a deacon, and is also a teacher in the Sunday school. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the K. of G. E.

HENRY VEIL, senior member of the firm of Henry Veil & Company, was born in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, May 11, 1857, son of Henry C. and Mary (Westbrook) Veil. His father was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and one of the pioneers of Cambria county, where he built and operated a tannery up to his death in 1874. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and steward and deacon in that organization. His wife, Mary, died in 1879. Of a family of eight children born to Henry C. and Mary Veil, seven are living, as follows: Charles Henry; Annie, wife of P. H. Levergood; Louisa, wife of W. W. Gleckner; John H .; Angeline, wife of J. H. Linck; Henry, and Mary, wife of Dr. S. S. Miller: The subject of this sketch was reared in Cambria county, and learned the tanner's trade with his father. He worked at that business for several years, and in 1880 he and J. H. Linck rented a tannery at Tyrone, Pennsylvania, and the firm of Linck & Veil operated it until 1882. He afterwards traveled on the road for Mr. Linck selling hardware until January, 1889, when, in partnership with H. G. Mix, he established the firm of Henry Veil & Company, dealers in harness and saddlery hardware. Mr. Veil is a Republican, and served as justice of the peace in Cambria county, and was a member of the council in Tyrone, being elected to both offices in strong Democratic districts. He was married in 1879 to Mary, daughter of Capt. John Irvin, sheriff of Tioga county, and has four children: Frederick; John; Nellie, and Charles. The family are attendants of Grace Methodist Episcopal church.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN A. SHOEMAKER, dealer in harness and saddlery, was born in Salona, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1859, son of Josephus and Hannah (Willow) Shoe- maker, natives of Cumberland and Clinton counties, Pennsylvania, respectively. His father located in Lock Haven in 1856, where he has since been engaged in the harness and saddlery business, and with his wife belongs to the First Presbyterian church of that city. Our subject is the eldest of a family of five children, and was reared and educated in Lock Haven, receiving instruction in the high schools and the Normal of that place. He learned his trade with his father, and has since been engaged in the harness business, with the exception of three years which were spent in the grocery trade in Lock Haven. He came to Williamsport, July 4, 1886, and established his present business and enjoys the leading trade of the city. He was married in 1882 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Augustus Jones, of Lock Haven, by whom he has one child, Bessie Louise. He is a member of Ivy Lodge, No. 397, F. and A. M., Lycoming Chapter, No. 222, Baldwin II Commandery, No. 22, Williams- port Lodge, Royal Arcanum, No. 927, is a Democrat in politics, and with his wife belongs to the First Presbyterian church.

J. FRED CODER, commercial agent of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Com- pany, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1857. He is a son of Samuel and Charlotte (Miller) Coder, natives of Lycoming county, and descendants of two of its pioneer families. His father was born in Fairfield township, and has served as. high constable and chief of police of Williamsport for several years, and is one of the well known public officials of the city. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools, and also took a conrse at the Williamsport Commercial Col- lege, then under the charge of Professor Davis. He began his business career as a messenger boy in the Western Union telegraph office, and later became office boy in the depot of the Catawissa railroad, at the foot of Pine street. When the Phila- delphia and Reading purchased this road, Mr. Coder was given a desk in the freight office, and was steadily advanced, until in May, ISS7, he succeeded J. H. Boyer as. local freight and ticket agent, having been chief clerk for Mr. Boyer two years pre- vious. June 1, 1892, he was again promoted from the local agency to that of the commercial agency, which position he now holds, with headquarters on West Fourth street, Williamsport. In 18SS, at a meeting of the directors of the Lycoming National Bank, he was chosen teller of that institution, but as he had cast his fort- unes with the Reading railroad, he decided to remain with that corporation. Mr. Coder is a stockholder in the Athletic Park Association and the Commonwealth Loan Association. He is a member of the Elks and of the Royal Arcanum, and treasurer of the latter society. Thongh a stanch Republican, he takes no active part in poli- tics, but devotes his whole attention to the duties of his position. He was married in 1881 to Mary H., daughter of the late Capt. Thomas S. Doebler, of the United States Army, and has two children: Edith and Frederick. He and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport.

GEORGE W. HARDER, dealer in sporting goods, was born in Athens, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1852, son of Jacob and Maria (Fritcher) Harder, natives of Schoharie county, New York, and Bradford county, Pennsylvania, respectively. His father was a gunsmith by trade, and in 1860 he moved to Lock Haven, where he retired in ISSS and his wife died in 1870. He is a Republican in politics, and on

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

January 25, 1845, he was made colonel of the Fifth Regiment, Second Brigade, N. G. P., embracing the counties of Lycoming, Potter and Bradford, and held that position for several years. He is the father of four children: George W .; John; Frank, and Emma. George W. was reared in Bradford county and Lock Haven and received his education in the high schools of the latter place, and the State Normal School at Mansfield, Pennsylvania. From 1878 to 1881 he was in the United States mail service, running from New York to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Having learned the gunsmith trade from his father, he established a business in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, in 1876, where he remained until 1885, coming thence to- Williamsport, where he does the most extensive business in his line in the city. He was a member of the town council and chief of the fire department of Tyrone. He is a member of Ivy Lodge, No. 397, F. and A. M., Lycoming Lodge, No. 112, I. O. O.F., West Branch Encampment, No. 136, Canton Wieldey, No. 3, Patriarchs Militant, Williamsport Council, No. 927, Royal Arcanum, and in politics is a Republican. He was married in 1876 to Ida E., daughter of John Hanscom, and to this union have been born three children: George; Frank, and Emily. He is one of the organizers of the Athletic Park Association, was one of the organizers of the Will- iamsport Gun Club, and served as president of the same until 1891; is a director in the Y. M. C. A., and with his wife belongs to the Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is financial secretary, a teacher in the Sunday school, and a member of the board of stewards.

GEORGE WEAVER, dealer in salt, lime, plaster, cement, etc., was born in York. Pennsylvania, December 2, 1821, son of Jacob and Catharine (Smith) Weaver, who moved to Lewisburg, Union county, when the subject of this sketch was quite small. They afterwards went to Turbut township, Northumberland county, where his father was engaged in the distilling business. They next removed to the vicinity of Muncy, Lycoming county, and afterwards to Loyalsock township. His father was engaged in the distilling business in that township, and died at Newberry, at an advanced age. He was twice married, and had a family of ten children by his first wife, Catharine Smith, but no children by the last one. George was reared in North- umberland and Lycoming counties, and received a common school education. He- then engaged in lumbering and working in a saw mill, and for many years followed boating on the canal. In 1854 he embarked in the mercantile business in Williams- port, which he continued until 1858. For a short time thereafter he was a part- ner in the milling business at the brick mill now owned by Abram Good on Lycom- ing creek, and a few years afterwards he purchased a hotel in Armstrong township, and one year later a farm in Clinton township, where he remained three years, returning to Williamsport in 1867. He established his present business the same year, and has since built up a prosperous trade. Mr. Weaver was married, Feb- ruary 27, 1850, to Elizabeth, daughter of John Heisley, a native of Lancaster county, who came to Williamsport in boyhood and married Elizabeth Russell. Mr. Weaver has three children: J. H., a coal dealer of Philadelphia; Elizabeth, wife of G. A. Long of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, and Catharine. Mrs. Weaver is a member of Mul- berry Street Methodist Episcopal church.

MILTON HUBER, druggist, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1843, son of Jonas and Sarah (Stahler) Huber, natives of that county and farmers

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

by occupation. His parents moved to Lehigh county, where they lived on a farm until 1875, when they retired to Hellertown, Northampton county. There Mr. Huber died in 1881, and Mrs. Huber yet resides; both were early identified with the German Reformed church, and he was a Republican in politics. Their family consisted of the following children: Milton, of Williamsport; Clara, wife of Allen Leith, of Northampton county; Eliza, wife of Jacob Leith, of the same county, and William, a resident of Leavenworth, Kansas. Milton was reared in Lehigh county until he was sixteen years of age, and was educated in Quakertown, Bucks county, under Prof. A. R. Horne. He then went to Norristown, where he learned the drug business, and graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1865. In July, 1869, he came to Williamsport, established his present business house, and is the oldest druggist in the city. Mr. Huber is a member of the State Pharmaceutical Association, and is vice-president of the Lycoming County Pharmaceutical Society. He is recognized as one of the most prominent and successful druggists in this part of the State. He is a stockholder in the Merchants' National Bank, also in the First National Bank, and is one of the substantial business men of the city. Mr. Huber was married in 1873 to Maggie, daughter of ex-Sheriff J. B. McMicken, of Williams- port. He and wife are members of the First Presbyterian church. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the lodge, chapter, and commandery.

JESSE B. DUBLE, of the firm of Duble & Cornell, druggists, was born in Bartons- ville, Frederick county, Virginia, January 16, 1845, son of Jonathan and Caroline L. (Quinby) Duble, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. On the maternal side, the family can be traced back six generations, to William Quinby, of Wales, who settled in Westchester county, New York, some time in the seventeenth century. The subject of this sketch was reared in Berkeley county, Virginia, and was educated at the Martinsburg Academy. During the rebellion he and his father were strong Union men, and in attempting to reach the Union lines, he was taken prisoner and confined at Winchester for two months. Upon his release our subject went to Hagerstown, Maryland, and was employed as an apprentice in a drug store, but in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Seventh Maryland Volunteers, and served in the Army of the Potomac until mustered out at the close of the war, being then sergeant of his company. He participated in all the battles of his regiment, and was wounded at the Wilderness, in May, 1864. Returning to Hagerstown, he resumed the drug business, and completed his course in Baltimore. He came to Williamsport in March, 1869, and entered the drug business near Hepburn street, as a member of the firm of Weise & Duble, afterwards removing to his present loca- tion on the corner of Fourth and Pine. In 1871 he took into partnership E. A. Cor- nell, and the firm of Duble & Cornell has since been regarded as one of the leading drug houses in Williamsport. In 1889 they established a branch store on Fourth street, near the junction, which they have since carried on. Mr. Duble is a member of the State Pharmaceutical Association, was second vice-president of the same in 1881, first vice-president in 1882, and president of the association in 1883 and 1884. He has been vice-president of the Merchants' National Bank since its organization, and one of its original stockholders. He was one of the organizers of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, and has served as vice-president since its organiza-

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

tion. He is first vice-president of the Board of Trade. He is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., also of the Union Veteran Legion, and was commander of the latter organization in 1890. Mr. Duble is a Republican, has served for seven years as a member of the city council, and was president of the select council three years. While a member of the common council he introduced the ordinance providing for a topographical survey of the city for a complete system of sewerage; the ordinance was adopted, although strongly opposed, and the plau as laid out by John M. Otto has been carried into effect. Mr. Duble was married, November 4, 1868, to Annie E., daughter of Henry Weise, of Hagerstown, Maryland, who has borne him ten chil- dren: Mabel; Clyde; Blanche; Edward; Edith; Arthur and Bessie deceased; Harold, Norman, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Duble and family are members of St. Paul's Lutheran church.

JUSTIN L. HILL, druggist, was born near Hughesville, in Wolf township, Lycom- ing county, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1855, son of Dr. George and Rachel (Hughes) Hill. He was reared in his native township and received a common school educa- tion, afterwards attending the Missionary Institute at Selinsgrove and spending one vear at Dickinson Seminary. He graduated from the Maryland College of Pharmacy in 1879. Previous to and during the time of his graduation he clerked in the drug business in Baltimore, Maryland. In January, 1881, he established his present busi- ness in Williamsport, and has since built up a profitable trade. Mr. Hill is a mem- ber of the State and American Pharmaceutical Associations; he was one of the organizers of the Lycoming County Pharmaceutical Society, and is now the presi- dent of the latter. He is a Republican, but takes no active part in political matters. He was married in December, 1885, to Lauretta, daughter of John H. Burrows, of Williamsport, and has one daughter, Helen B. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and his wife is connected with the First Presbyterian church of Williams- port. Mr. Hill is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Lycoming county.

JOHN PAUL SUESS, druggist, was born in Bethlehem, Northampton county, Penn- sylvania, April 13, 1856, son of Volkmar and Susannah (Held) Suess, natives of Saxony, Germany, who located in Northampton county in 1854. He received his education in the public schools at Bethlehem and learned the drug business in South Bethlehem. He was graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1878, came to Williamsport the same year, and was engaged as clerk for Milton Huber until February 1, 1889, at which time he became a partner with Mr. Huber and remained such until September 1, 1890, when he established his present business on West Fourth street. He was married in October, 1890, to Miss Ida, daughter of J. S. Melick, of Williamsport. He is Past Commander of Baldwin II Com- mandery, No. 22, K. T., is a member of Lycoming Chapter, No. 222, and of Lodge No. 106, F. and A. M., and with his wife belongs to the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport.

C. M. MOORE, of the firm of Moore & Company, druggists, and secretary, treasurer, and general manager of the Wilkinson Truss Company, was born in Liberty, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1843, son of Isaac R. and Maria (Waters) Moore, natives of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, who were early settlers along Little Pine creek in Lycoming county. His father was a machinist by trade and followed that occupation in Elmira, New York, for a number of years, afterwards settling on

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

a farm in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming for some time; seven years later he engaged in lumbering in Jackson township, Lycoming county, where he died. Our subject received his education in the public schools and Dick- inson Seminary, after which he taught school in Lycoming county, subsequently embarking in the mercantile business in Liberty, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, for twenty years. In 1SSS he came to Williamsport and purchased the drug store of Dr. Baker. He was also a member of the hardware firm of Moore, Fulmer & Company for some time. He was one of the organizers of the Wilkinson Truss Company. which was founded in 1890, and has been its secretary, treasurer, and general manager from the beginning. He is a Democrat in politics, has served as auditor of Tioga county, was a candidate for prothonotary of the same county against General Cox, and although defeated, he reduced the majority 3,300. He was married in 1886 to Miss Margaret Bodine, daughter of Ellis M. Bodine, of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born two children: Lou Clare and Bertha B. Mr. Moore is a member of Ivy Lodge, No. 397, F. and A. M., and with his family belongs to the First Presbyterian church.

JOHN E. BYRNE. merchant tailor, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, December 7, 1847, son of Hugh and Martha (McAllister) Byrne, who now reside in Philadel- phia. Mr. Byrne was reared in his native country, received a good education, and learned the tailor's trade with his father. In 186S he emigrated to America, locat- ing first in New York City, where he completed his trade, and afterwards engaged in business in that city and Philadelphia for some time. He came to Williamsport in 1883, and was employed as cutter for Mr. Conway until 1885, when he established his present business, and has built up an excellent trade. He was married in 1875, to Caroline Byrne (no relation), of Carbon county, Pennsylvania. and to this union have been born seven children: Mary Ellen; Dennis J .; John; Martha; Caroline; Bessie, and Margarette. Mr. Byrne is a stockholder in the Athletic Park Associa- tion. and belongs to the Williamsport Rifle and Gun Club. He was also one of the reorganizers of the Williamsport Board of Trade. In his political proclivi- ties, he is an enthusiastic Republican, and was one of the organizers and is the presi- dent of the Celtic Republican Club of this city. Mr. Byrne and family are members of the Catholic church.

H. R. REYNOLDS, merchant tailor, was born in Westchester county, New York, June 21, 1857, and is a son of A. B. and Frances (McCord) Reynolds, natives and residents of the same county. He received a public school education, and subse- quently attended Dr. Holbrook's Military Academy, Sing Sing, New York. After leaving school he began clerking in the store of Townsend Young, the leading clothing merchant of Sing Sing, in which establishment he spent eleven years, and through his own merits was gradually advanced from the lowest to the highest posi- tion in the store. He also obtained a thorough practical knowledge of the cutting business, and thus equipped he came to Williamsport in February, 1SS6. In August of that year he opened a merchant tailoring establishment, and soon became recog- nized as one of the leading merchant tailors in this section of the State. He has built up a large business, and has won a high reputation in his calling. Mr. Rey- nolds is a stockholder in the Athletic Park Association, and one of the popular young business men of the city. He was married, February 14, 18SS, to Annie Y.,

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 104

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