History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 105

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania > Part 105

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

872

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

daughter of Thomas E. Hapgood of Sing Sing, New York. Politically he is a Democrat, and he and wife attend the Third Presbyterian church of Williams- port.

JOHN B. BECK, deceased, was born in Shrewsbury, York county, Pennsylvania. February 5, 1813, and grew to manhood in his native county. In 1839 he came to Williamsport. when that flourishing city was a mere hamlet, and he was identified with its growth and prosperity for half a century. He learned the tailor's trade before coming to this city, and afterwards engaged in that business for a short time. In 1863 he formed a partnership with his son, Samuel M., and engaged in the hard- ware business. In 1865 another son. Newton X., became a member of the firm. which was known as Beck Brothers & Company. H. L. Beck was admitted to the firm in 1873, and continued the business in partnership with his father until the death of the latter in October. 1890, when he became sole proprietor. In early manhood Mr. Beck began to take an active interest in political affairs, and was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. He served as sheriff of Lycoming county from 1850 to 1853, and in the latter year he was elected to the legislature and served one term. In 1862 he was again elected to the legislature, and re-elected in 1863. In 1867 he was elected to represent this district in the State Senate, and was a prominent member of that body. At the close of this term Mr. Beck retired from active participation in political matters, although his power and influence were frequently felt afterwards, when matters of great political moment demanded the attention of skilled directors. Mr. Beck was twice married, but sur- vived both wives. His first wife was Mary A., daughter of the Rev. Butler, a well known Methodist minister of York county, Pennsylvania. Four sons and two daughters were the fruits of this union: Margaret J., widow of Thomas Smith: William B., brevetted lieutenant colonel of the United States Army and captain of the Fifth United States Artillery; Emma E., wife of Col. F. E. Embick, of Will- iamsport; Samuel M., who was born March 16, 1840, was a private in Company A, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, married Miss E. E. Rathmell, and died June 24. 1875; Henry L., and Newton X., who was born October 27, 1843, married Elizabeth Scates, who survives him, and died January 23, 1876. Mrs. John B. Beck was born September 11, 1813, and died December 4, 1870. His second marriage was to Josephine White, of Philadelphia, of which union there was no issue. Mr. Beck possessed a rugged constitution, and enjoyed robust health up to within a few years of his death. He was widely known throughout the Susquehanna valley, and was highly respected by a large circle of friends.

HENRY L. BECK was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1842, and after receiving an education at Dickinson Seminary, he was graduated from Balmars Academy. He was commissioned an officer in the United States Army, and was serving as second lieutenant when Sumter was fired upon. He served during the entire war, was promoted to captain, and participated in the battles of Antie- tam, Colliersville, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, Knoxville. the siege of Port Hudson. Louisiana, and many other battles and skirmishes in which his regiment was engaged. After the close of the war his regiment was stationed on the frontier, and he remained in the service until 1872, when he resigned his commission and returned to Williamsport. In 1873 he became a member of the

873

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

hardware firm of Beck Brothers & Company, and upon the death of his father in 1890 he became sole proprietor of the establishment. Mr. Beck was married, Decem- ber 20, 1866, to Elvira J., daughter of Francis Bush, of Boston, Massachusetts, and has one son, John B. He is active in the local councils of the Democratic party, and takes a deep interest in the successes of that organization. He is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., also of the Union Veteran Legion. He and family are members of Trinity Protestant Episcopal church, in which organization he has been a vestryman for many years. Since entering the hardware business, Mr. Beck has increased the facilities of his house, until to-day it ranks second to none in this section of the State.

FREDERICK H. KELLER, hardware merchant, was born in Lititz, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1832, son of Frederick and Maria (Kraemer) Keller, the former a native of Frederickstown, Maryland, and the latter of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county up to his fifteenth year, attended the Lititz Academy, and was afterwards apprenticed to the carpenter's trade at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he spent five years and three months. In 1853 he went to Lancaster and worked at his trade there until the provost marshal's office was established in that town, during the war, when he was appointed clerk to the provost marshal through the influence of the late Thaddeus Stevens, and remained in that office until the close of the rebellion. In the spring of 1866 he came to Williamsport, and for five years was engaged in the leather and finding business. He then became a member of the firm of Kline & Keller, hardware merchants, which existed for about eleven years, when he withdrew from the firm, and established his present business house in January, 1884. From that time to the present Mr. Keller has devoted his entire attention towards building up the large and lucrative trade which he is now enjoying. Prior to the war Mr. Keller was a Democrat, but has since been identified with the Republican party. In 1880 he was elected mayor of Williamsport, and served two years. He was again elected to the same office in 1890, and is the present incumbent. He has made a popular official, and is trusted and respected by his fellow-citizens irrespective of political affiliations. He was married May 22, 1858, to Elleu C., daughter of Andrew Bear, a pioneer of Lancaster county, and has a family of five children: Charles; Edgar; James; William, and Walter. Mr. Keller is a member of the Moravian church, and is prominently connected with the Masonic order.

JAMES N. KLINE, hardware merchant, was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1846, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Dodge) Kline, natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and farmers by occupation. His parents were members of the Presbyterian church, and died upon their homestead in Mifflin county. James N. was reared upon the old homestead in Mifflin county, and received a common school education. He subsequently entered the employ of F. J. Hoffman, Lewistown, Pennsylvania, in whose store he was engaged for some time. In 1863 he came to Williamsport, and began clerking in the hardware store of Lewis McDowell. He remained with Mr. McDowell seven years, and afterwards clerked for S. M. Beck & Company two years. In 1873 he formed a partnership with F. H. Keller and Charles E. Gibson, under the firm name of Kline, Keller & Company. This firm

874

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

carried on business for three years, when Mr. Gibson withdrew, and Messrs. Kline & Keller continued the business until 1885. Mr. Kline then purchased his partner's interest, and has since conducted business alone. He is recognized as one of the largest and most prominent hardware dealers in Williamsport, and in the different branches of his extensive business employs twenty hands. Mr. Kline has been a resident of this city for twenty-nine years, and has been engaged in business for nearly twenty years. As a business man and a citizen he stands high in the regard of the entire community, and his hardware house is one of the best known estab- lishments in Williamsport. In June, 1863, he enlisted in Company K, One Hun- dred and Thirty-Sixth Regiment, Emergency Men, and was on provost duty at Gettysburg after that great battle. He is a Republican, and has served as a member of the school board from the Third ward for several years. He was one of the organizers of the Williamsport Board of Trade, and takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of his adopted home. Mr. Kline is prominent in Masonic circles, and is connected with the lodge, chapter, and commandery. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and is one of the board of managers and the present Commander of Reno Post, G. A. R. He was married, October 18, 1877, to Mary L., daughter of Wesley Moore, of Newberry. He and wife are members of the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport.

JAMES S. LEWARS, hardware merchant, was born in Montoursville, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1850, and is a son of William and Mary A. Lewars, the latter of whom is a resident of that borough. He was reared in his native town, and received a public school education. In 1869 he entered Pennsyl- vania College at Gettysburg, and graduated from that institution in 1875. He after- wards read law with Hon. H. C. Parsons of Williamsport, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. He also taught one term in the Lycoming Normal School during this period. He practiced law up to 1885, when he purchased his present hardware store and has since continued in that business. He is a member of the firm of Lewars & Company, which is composed of George Bubb, J. R. T. Ryan, Mr. Lewars, and A. P. Gensel. He was married in 1883 to Mary Helen, daughter of George Bubb of Williamsport. He and wife are members of the First Presbyterian church. Mr. Lewars is an active Republican, and has served as a member of the common council for two terms.

GEORGE W. CROLL, plumber and gas fitter, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylva- nia, May 28, 1837, son of Christian and Mary Ann (Fisher) Croll. His father was a well known merchant tailor of Philadelphia for many years. Our subject was reared in his native city, and received a public school education, afterwards learning the plumber's trade. In 1858 he came to Williamsport, where he worked as a jour- neyman until 1861. He then established his present business, which is the pioneer plumbing house of the city, and the largest of the kind in this part of the State. Mr .. Croll was a sub-contractor on the government building, and furnished the gas fixtures for the same. He also furnished the fixtures for the Trust Building, the city hospital, and the Hotel Updegraff, and the City Hotel. He is a stockholder in the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company, also in the Lycoming Opera House Company, and is recognized as one of the enterprising, prominent business men of Williamsport. Mr. Croll was married, December 23, 1861, to Almeda,

875

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

daughter of Elisha Covert, of Williamsport, and has two children: William, and Marguerite. He and wife are members of the First Presbyterian church of Will- iamsport. Mr. Croll is a Republican, but aside from casting his vote has not been actively identified with politics.

J. H. LINCK, hardware merchant, and president of the Williamsport Hardware- and Stove Company, was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1844, son of John and Catharine (Heyler) Linck, natives of that county. His father was one of the pioneer farmers of Tioga county, where he settled upon a tract of land at quite an early date. He was a Republican, and filled the several offices in his town- ship. He and wife were members of the Lutheran church. The subject of this. sketch was reared in his native county, and received a common school education. In 1864, at the age of nineteen, he enlisted in Company E, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Petersburg and Fort Stedman, also in several skirmishes in which his regiment was engaged. After the close of the war he worked as a bookkeeper, and later in a hardware and stove store, and came to Williamsport in 1873, where he succeeded the firm of White & Taylor in the hardware business. He continued the- business until 1887, and then organized the Williamsport Hardware and Stove Com- pany, of which he has since been president. Mr. Linck is the builder and owner of the Linck Block, on West Fourth street, and is a man of much enterprise and busi- ness energy. He was one of the original stockholders of the Demorest Sewing Machine Company and the Lycoming Rubber Company, and was formerly a director in the latter institution. He is the principal owner of the West End Furniture Com- pany, is a stockholder and director in the Emery Lumber Company, and was one of the original projectors of Grand View cemetery, in which he is a stockholder, and besides his large hardware business, he is extensively engaged in the coal trade. He. was one of the organizers of the Board of Trade, and manifests a deep interest in everything that has for its object the good of his adopted home. Mr. Linck was. married in 1876, to Angie, daughter of Henry Veil, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Four children have been born of this union: Edgar; Charles; James, and Nellie .. Mrs. Linck is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which denomination the family adhere. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R. He is the owner of and occupies the beautiful home known as Overlook, corner Sixth and Rural avenue, just north of the city limits, and is the owner of the. beautiful half-mile drive road connecting the Vallamont drive with Grand View cemetery.

GEORGE A. COHICK was born in Anthony township, Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, October 3, 1841, and is the oldest son of Alexander and Sarah A. Cohick. He was reared in Woodward township, and received his education in the public schools. He learned photography, and carried on that business for thirteen years in Jersey Shore. In November, 1882, he came to Williamsport, and was business manager of the Sun and Banner two years. He was a part owner in that newspaper plant for some time, and then disposed of his interest and engaged in the book and stationery business, under the firm name of Cohick, Miller & Leiter. This partnership lasted but a short time, when Mr. Cohick became sole proprietor and continued the busi- ness alone for six years. He next embarked in the furniture business with Avery

876

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Crounse, which they carried on up to 1891, when the firm of Megahan & Cohick was established, and engaged in a general fancy goods business. Late in 1891 this firm was dissolved, Mr. Megahan retiring and Mr. Cohick continuing as sole proprietor up to the burning of his store in March, 1892. He was also an undertaker and embalmer, and carried on that branch of business in connection with merchandising. In April, 1892, he entered into partnership with Henry Welteroth, under the firm name of Cohick & Welteroth, and carries on a general tinning business on Fifth avenue. He is a stockholder in the Merchants' National Bank and the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company. In politics he is a Republican, served as school director in Woodward township, and was auditor and a justice of the peace in Jersey Shore. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., both lodge and encampment, and is major in the uniformed rank; is connected with the R. A., the P. H. C., the P. O. S. of A., the K. of M., and the K. of G. E. Mr. Cohick was married, August 26, 1866, to Elmira, daughter of Joel Potter of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and has one daughter, Sarah B., wife of Dr. B. Brown, of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. He is an active member of the Young Men's Christian Association, and was president of the society in Jersey Shore for many years. He and wife are members of the First Baptist church of Williamsport, and he is a deacon in that organization.

OLIVER H. YOUNG, of the firm of Mitchell, Young & Company, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1839, son of George and Mary (Bard) Young. His father was a native of Luzerne county, was a farmer by occupatiou, and died in Susquehanna county. David Young, the father of George Young, was a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and married a Miss Hopkins, of Wyoming. She was one of the refugees of the Wyoming valley massacre. David Young, her son, was a soldier in the war of 1812. George Young died in 1866, and his widow died in 1883; they were the parents of five children: Alice, who married F. P. Hollister, who was once sheriff of Susquehanna county; Jane, who married William Graves; George S .; Oliver H., and John B., who was a member of Company H, Fonrth Pennsylvania Reserves, was wounded in the seven days' fight before Richmond in 1863, and confined iu the hospital in Philadelphia, where he died, August 26, 1863. Onr subject, Oliver H. Young, received his education in the public schools and at Montrose Academy. He learned the machinist trade, which he followed all through life until April, 1891. Coming to Williamsport in 1867, he took employment with the Williamsport Manufacturing Company, where he remained four years, afterwards working in the employ of A. T. Nichols until the fall of 1876, when he engaged with Rowley & Hermance, where he remained until he quit the business. He was the last named firm's first mechanical employe, and was superintendent of their works. In 1887 the firm of Mitchell. Young & Company was established, and Mr. Young has since taken an active interest in its affairs. He is a member of Montrose Lodge, F. and A. M., of the Royal Arcanum, and is a Republican. He was married in 1860, to Ellen L., daughter of William L. Vaughn, and to this union have been born three children: John A., who is draughtsman for the Williamsport Machine Company; Charles M., who is draughtsman for the Brown & Sharp Manufacturing Company, of Providence, Rhode Island, and Harry, who died in infancy. Mr. Young and family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church.

877

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

SAMPSON QUIGGLE MINGLE was born, October 15, 1845, on the West Branch of the Susquehanna river, in Wayne township, Clinton county, Pennsylvania. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bordner) Mingle, the former a native of Penn- sylvania, and the latter of New York State. The family comprised nine children. four boys and five girls, the subject of this sketch being the youngest. Samuel Mingle was a shoemaker, and removed with his family to Penn's valley, Ceutre county, where he died when Sampson was a little over three years old, leaving a widow with nine children without the means of subsistence. The children, as was then the custom, were bound out until of age, except three, an invalid girl, and the two youngest. Our subject received such an education as four months in each year, spent in a country school, afforded, together with one term at the Aaronsburg Academy, in Centre county, where he made the fires and swept the room to pay for his tuition. One of the experiences of his boyhood days that he often refers to, was the fact that he went barefoot seven months in the year, so as to be entitled to one pair of shoes annually. At the age of fourteen he left his mother's home to work on a farm, at the small remuneration of $4 a month, and when not on the farm he willingly did any kind of labor for the sum of 25 cents a day. After a few years of this kind of life he decided to learn the saddler's trade, but when he made application for a position the saddler refused to take him, and as the saddler now relates, it was because he thought Sampson would not make a harness maker, and had better stay at farming. Disappointed, but not discouraged, when he found that he was not considered bright enough to learn a trade, he con- cluded to learn merchandising. He started out to seek a situation, with all he possessed in the world tied in a handkerchief. On leaving his mother's home she said to him: "I can't give you much of this world's goods, but wherever you are, remember that at morning, noon, and night your mother is praying for you." He went to Lewistown, Mifflin county, whither he made his way on foot and by stage coach, and secured a position in a store to do the rough and dirty work of the establishment. He soon acquired a fair knowledge of the business, and was con- sidered a good salesman. He theu went to Lock Haven, where he landed with 25 cents in his pocket, and found a position in a store at a good salary. Here he met and married Rosa Bowers, a daughter of Joshua and Fredericka Bowers, one of the pioneer families of the West Branch valley. Three children have blessed this union, all of whom are living: Bertha; Elizabeth, and Harry Bowers.

In December, 1877, Mr. Mingle removed from Lock Haven to Williamsport, which he has since made his home. He occupied the position of manager for the Singer Manufacturing Company three years, and after giving up that position he embarked in the piano and organ business, which he has successfully conducted up to the present. Mr. Mingle also engaged in the real estate business on an extensive scale, being the projector and proprietor of Cottage Place Heights. Many hand- some homes have been erected in that part of the city, and to his enterprise and public spirit is partly due its transformation from a farm meadow into one of the most desirable residence sites in Williamsport. He is largely interested in the American Telephone Company, in which he has been a director for a number of years, and was president of the company for some time. He is a Democrat in

878

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

politics, and is a member of Mulberry Street Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Mingle's business success has been the result of close attention to his affairs, and in pushing to his full ability every enterprise in which he has embarked.

REV. JOHN KOEPER, pastor of St. Bonifacius Catholic church, was born in Len- hausen, Province of Westfalen, Prussia, Germany, December 30, 1837. He is a son of Joseph and Mary Catharine (Sauer) Koeper, natives of Germany, who lived and died in that country. He received a good literary education in his native land, and afterwards took a thorough classical course. From boyhood he was intended for the priesthood, and after completing his classical education he studied theology for several years, and was ordained at Paderborn, March 31, 1865. He was appointed pastor of Portas, Westfelica, and was the first Catholic priest of that place since the Reformation. During his student days Father Koeper had often been asked to come to the United States, but refused to do so, because he wished to remain near his mother until her death. This event occurred in February, 1869, and in July follow- ing, in compliance with the wishes of the Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Hara of Scranton, Pennsylvania, he sailed for this country. On the 16th of August, 1869, he took charge of St. Bonifacius parish, and for the past twenty-three years he has been pastor of that congregation. He found it in a very poor condition, both spiritually and temporally, and its finances at a low ebb. He went to work at once with deter- mination and vigor, and the congregation is now in a very satisfactory condition. He has made many improvements, the most important being the substantial brick church which he erected on the site of the old frame structure. The corner stone was laid, June 22, 1873, and the church was dedicated, September 19, 1875. The old frame building was removed to the rear part of the lot, and has since been used for a paro- chial school, which is connected with St. Bonifacius church, and is in a flourishing condition. In 1874 a lot was purchased and in 1880 a building was erected in which the sisters who teach the school reside. Father Koeper is a gentleman of fine edu- cation, and has labored faithfully in building up the spirtual and temporal interests of St. Bonifacius congregation since becoming pastor of that church. He is highly respected by his people, as well as by the best citizens of Williamsport. On the 9th of April, 1890, he celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, his silver jubilee, and the large gathering of bishops, priests, and lay . men on that occasion was a grand testimony to his high character, and untiring zeal in the cause of religion.

REV. JOHN M. STECK, son of John and Sarah Steck, was born in Wolf township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1834. He remained at home on the farm of his father until his sixteenth year, attending the public schools during the winter months, and then entered a store in Hughesville as a clerk and remained until his twentieth year. The death of his father at this time threw him upon his own resources. About this time he entered an academy where he studied during the sum- mer months, and taught during the winter in the public schools. In 1858 he was admitted to the theological department of the Missionary Institute, Selinsgrove, Penn- sylvania, from which he was graduated in 1861. May 5, 1861, he was received into the Lutheran ministry by the Synod of Central Pennsylvania. His first call was to Belleville charge, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, where he remained as pastor from August 1, 1861, to January 1, 1870. During his ministry the membership of

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 105

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