History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 107

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

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GEORGE W. NICELY, farmer, was born in Delaware township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1828, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Fox) Nicely.

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His father was a native of Bucks county and moved with his parents to Northum- berland county, where he spent the balance of his life. He married Rebecca Fox, and was one of the prominent farmers of Delaware township, where he died Decem- ber 11, 1877, at the age of seventy years. In early life he was a Democrat, but afterwards became identified with the Republican party. He was the last associate judge of Northumberland county, and served continuously in that office from August 4, 1869, to November 30, 1875. He was an elder in the Lutheran church for many years, and both he and his wife were members of that denomination. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are now living, as follows: George W .; M. A., of Dewart, Northumberland county; Joseph, of the same village; Stephen, of Kansas, who served in the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry during the entire rebel- lion; Mary, widow of William Bryson of Delaware township, Northumberland county; John F., who resides at Montoursville; Alfred S., of Dewart, and Oliver P., of Montoursville. Their mother died in 1887. The subject of this sketch was reared in Northumberland county, and was engaged in farming near Milton for a number of years, afterwards going to West Virginia, where he engaged in the lumber business. Returning to his native county he embarked in contracting, building the roadbed and culverts on the Philadelphia and Erie railroad. In 1861 he settled on his present farm of 140 acres, which is now within the city limits of Williamsport. For fourteen years he was engaged in the wholesale and retail agricultural implement business in this city, in which he was very successful. Mr. Nicely was first married in 1853, to Elizabeth Finney, of Northumberland county, who died in 1856, leaving one daughter, Eva, wife of John Ault of Woodward township. He was again

married, in 1860, to Harriet, daughter of John Reighard, who has borne him four children, three of whom are living: Mary; Joseph, and Harry. He and family are members of the Presbyterian church of Newberry, and he was one of the building committee in the erection of the new church building. Mr. Nicely is a Republican, and has filled various township offices, but is now comparatively retired from the active duties of business and public life.

JOHN H. LLOYD was born in Fairfield township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1833, son of Charles and Susan (Hollingsworth) Lloyd. Charles Lloyd was a native of Fairfield township, Lycoming county, where his parents settled at an early date. He was a farmer all his life, and died in his native township. He was twice married; by his first wife he had six children, four of whom are living: Frances, widow of John Petrican; John H .; Sarah, who married Henry Petrican, and William, of Germantown, Pennsylvania. His second wife was Margaret Fell, of which union no children were born. He was one of the organ- izers of the West Branch Bank, and a stockholder in that institution. He at one time operated what is now the Hayes mill, at Montoursville, and also established the paper mill in that place, being a member of the firm of Lloyd, Starr & Frey. He was a member of the Society of Friends, was first a Whig in politics, and afterwards a Republican. The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead farm, and was educated in the public schools of Williamsport and at Dickinson Seminary, also attending a boarding school in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He followed farming up to 1888, and then came to Williamsport, where he has since lived a retired life. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-

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first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until honorably discharged in May, 1863. He was in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He is a Republican, and served as constable of Montoursville one term. He is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R. Mr. Lloyd was married in 1873 to Rebecca MI., daughter of Charles Harris, of Loyalsock township, and has one son, Charles H. He and wife are adherents of the Presbyterian church.

JOHN HEILMAN, retired, was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, October 15, 1821, son of John and Hannah (Rentz) Heilman. He was educated in the schools of his neighborhood, and was brought up on a farm. During the years 1867 and 1S6S he was in partnership with the Stadons, in the manufacture of woolen goods in Williamsport. He was married in 1848 to Miss Sarah Ulch, daughter of Henry Ulch, who died September 2. 1858, leaving five children, three of whom are now living: Russell P., who is a physician at Emporium, Pennsylvania; Hannah R., who married William Dickson, and afterwards, Banister Coffers; and Mary C., who married John S. Hays. He was again married, in 1860, to Miss Letitia R. Gibson, and to this union have been born five children: Annie L .. who married Edward M. Bates; Stella, who married Charles Weidenhamer: Oren G., who is an instructor in Cornell University; Norman L., and Maggie. After his first marriage Mr. Heilman located on a farm in Clinton township. where he remained until 1866, when he moved to Williamsport and lived a retired life for eleven years: after this he returned again to the farm for five years. and then took up his permanent residence in Williamsport. He is independent in his political proclivities; he was once an overseer of the poor in Clinton township, and was a member of the school board of Williamsport for four years. With his family he adheres to the Presbyterian church. He is one of the well-to-do citizens and large real estate owners of Williamsport and Watsontown, and also owns 640 acres of timber land in Ashland county, Wisconsin.

REV. ALEXANDER LONGSDORF Was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and removed to Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, in childhood. He was reared in that county, . and obtained a good education through his own efforts. He became a minister in the Evangelical church, and had charge of churches in Northumberland and Clinton counties. While a resident of Schuylkill county he married Rebecca Kiessling, a native of Philadelphia, whose parents removed to Schuylkill county when she was a child. In 1842 he came to Lycoming county and located in Loyalsock township. He had charge of the circuit extending from Muncy to Lock Haven and Block House. He was presiding elder of the Baltimore district for one term, and served in the Warren and Pittsburg district eight years. He continued in the active duties of the ministry up to his death, which occurred in February, 1878. By his marriage to Rebecca Kiessling, he became the father of nine children, as follows: Sarah, wife of James Eder, of Loyalsock township; Daniel, of Williamsport; Mary, wife of Abraham Meyer, of Cogan valley; Elizabeth, wife of James N. Fellows, of Cali- fornia; Henry H., of Binghamton, New York; John C., of Liberty, Tioga county: Rev. J. Max, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a minister in the Evangelical church; Charles L., of Gettysburg, and Julia, of Loganton. Mrs. Longsdorf died in 1849, and he afterwards married Sarah Keeport, of Lycoming county, who survives him.

DANIEL LONGSDORF, alderman, was born in Jackson township, Northumberland

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county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1836, and is the eldest son of the Rev. Alexander Longsdorf. He removed with his parents to Lycoming county when he was six years old, and was educated in the public schools and at Dickinson Seminary. He learned the haruess maker's trade, and worked at that business for ten years; he also clerked in a store for some time. In August, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Two Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served with his regiment until the battle of Fort Fisher, January 15, 1865, where he was so severely wounded in the left arm as to necessitate its amputation, and compel his retirement from active service. He also participated iu the battles of Petersburg, Richmond, and Chapin's Farm. On his recovery, he taught in the public schools of Williamsport for nine years, and was principal of the Washington building, junior department. In 1876 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of city treasurer, and filled that office for twelve consecutive years. In 1890 he was chosen as alderman of the Fourth ward, and was also the assessor and tax collector of that ward six years -from 1870 to 1876. He is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., has served as quartermaster of the post for eight years, and has also filled the office of Commander. Mr. Longsdorf was married in 1859 to H. C., daughter of Jacob Hoffman, of Will- iamsport, who died in March, 1880, leaving five children: William H .; Owen E .; Ella F., wife of Robert Coney, of Williamsport; Mary R., wife of H. S. Stine, and Anna R. He was again married, in 1881, to Hannah M., daughter of J. H. Maurer, who has borne him two children: Alvin A., and Daniel H. He and wife are mem- bers of Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church.

JACOB REED, alderman of the First ward, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsyl- vania, December 7, 1821, son of Jacob and Rebecca (Bittle) Reed, natives of that county. His father was superintendent of the New York Coal Company, the first to operate in Schuylkill county. He was afterwards elected to the office of alderman in Pottsville, and filled that position for fifty-four years, and was also chief burgess of that city. Our subject received his education in the Pottsville Academy, became a contractor and coal operator, and was extensively engaged in the coal business in Pottsville. He came to Lycoming county in 1859, located in Williamsport, and was a jobber in Woolverton & Tinsman's lumber mills for sixteen years. April 1, 1881, he was appointed alderman by the Governor of the State, and has since been elected to that office. He was also engaged in the mercantile business for ten years in Williamsport. He was married in 1843 to Miss Priscilla, daughter of Evan Lewis, of White Deer valley, who died, January 1, 1887, leaving two children: John B. and William Morgan. He was again married to Elizabeth Ruffner, of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Reed is a Republican in politics, has been United States pension agent for several years, and with his family belongs to the Lutheran church.

JOHN L. GUINTER, prothonotary. was born in Upper Fairfield township, Lycom- ing county, June 22, 1849, son of John and Catharine (Stiger) Guinter. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools of his native township. He then engaged in clerking and in bookkeeping; afterwards he carried on the grocery business, and later engaged in the manufacture of cigars in Williams- port. In all these undertakings he met with well deserved success. In 1886 he was elected prothonotary of Lycoming county, and in the autumn of 1889 he was

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re-elected to the same office by one of the largest majorities ever given for a county office in Lycoming county. For the past six years he has filled the position with commendable credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of the people. MIr. Guinter has always been identified with the Democratic party, and has taken an active interest in the success of the principles and measures of that organization. In June, 1888, he was appointed commissary sergeant of the Twelfth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania, and still holds that rank. He is one of the enterprising citizens of Williamsport, and is a stockholder in the Lycoming Opera House Company, also secretary and treasurer of the company, and was the principal promoter of that very necessary project. He is a stockholder in the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and of the Athletic Park Association, and has shown the same energy and intelligence in these several enterprises that have char- acterized his business life since reaching manhood. Mr. Guinter has recently erected the City Hotel, on Pine street, which is quite an improvement to that part of Williamsport. He was married, Jannary 27, 1873, to Eliza, daughter of Mark Harrison, of Union county, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of five children: William; Raymond Clyde; Norman Harrison; John L., and Myrtie Ludell. Mr. Guinter is a member of Lycoming Lodge, No. 112, I. O. O. F., and is one of the best known and most respected public officials in Lycoming county.

CHARLES J. CUMMINGS, Register and Recorder, and Clerk of the Orphan's Court of Lycoming county, was born in Lewis township, (now Gamble,) Lycoming connty, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1860. His parents, Patrick and Elizabeth (Kelly) Cnmmings, were among the pioneers of that section, where they settled in 1843. His father was engaged in lumbering and farming, and died, March 16, 1873; his widow still survives him. Mr. Cummings was reared in Lycoming county, received a common school education, and afterwards attended the Muncy Normal School and the Williamsport Commercial College. He then engaged in teaching, which voca- tion he followed ten years. He taught in the Ralston school and at various other points, and was principal of the South Williamsport high school in 1888 and 1890. During his boyhood years he assisted in supporting his widowed mother, besides earning the means with which to obtain an education. Mr. Cummings has been prominent in the local councils of the Democratic party since attaining his majority, and has figured prominently in educational circles, having served two years as secre- tary of the School Directors' Association of Lycoming county. In 1884 he was secretary of the Democratic county convention, in 1887 he was chairman of the Democratic county convention, and in May, 1890, he presided over the convention of school directors of Lycoming county. In the winter of 1889-90 he was urged to become a candidate for county superintendent of schools, but declined in order to enter the field for register and recorder, to which office he was elected in November, 1890, by the handsome majority of 1,320 votes. Mr. Cummings possesses that courage and perseverance so necessary to success in any calling. He is a popular representative of the young Democracy of the county, and is a member of the Cath- olic church. As an officer he has won the respect and confidence of the public. Through his industry he has accumulated considerable property, and is a stockholder and director in the Lycoming Opera House Company. He was married, November 25, 1891, to Miss Ella R. McGoughran, of Brooklyn, New York.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

JOHN HEILEMAN, treasurer of Lycoming county, was born in Germany, January 30, 1860, son of Michael and Mary (Dangle) Heileman, who came to the United States in 1867 and located in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. His father is a wagonmaker, and followed his trade in Williamsport for many years. He resides in South Williamsport, his wife having died in 1865. The subject of this sketch came to Lycoming county with his father, and was educated in the public schools of Will- iamsport. He then worked in the saw mills, and after the flood of 1889 he pur- chased an interest in a brick manufacturing company in South Williamsport, which he sold out in 1891. In November of the latter year he was elected treasurer of Lycoming county, by a majority of 1,300. Mr. Heileman has been quite prominent in the local councils of the Democratic party, and prior to his election as treasurer he served as tax collector and in various other offices in South Williamsport. He is a stockholder in the Lycoming Opera House Company, and in the Market Street Bridge Company. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the R. A., and of the Turn Verein Society. Mr. Heileman was married in 1883 to Emma, daughter of Joseph Mahl, of South Williamsport, and has three children: Joseph; Clara, and George. The family are members of the Market Street Lutheran church.

EDWARD W. MICHAEL, sheriff of Lycoming county, was born in Muncy Creek township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, December 7, 1848, son of Peter and Esther Michael of that township. He was reared on the homestead farm, where he remained until reaching his majority, receiving a common school education in the district school of his neighborhood. At the age of twenty-three he married and moved to a farm in Wolf township, which he rented from his father-in-law and sub- sequently purchased. For fifteen years he was engaged in the agricultural imple- ment business at Hughesville, in partnership with C. B. Vandine. He served as tax collector and overseer of the poor in Wolf township, and in 1888 he was elected sheriff of the county on the Democratic ticket by a majority of 960 votes, and is now filling that office. Mr. Michael was married in 1869 to Carrie, daughter of Abraham Bugh, of Wolf township, and has two children: Charles R. and Harry L. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Michael is largely interested in real estate in Wolf township, where he has spent the greater portion of his life.

JOHN R. BUBB, county commissioner, was born in Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, August 5, 1834, and is the eldest son of Abraham and Elizabeth Bubb. He was reared in his native town, where he received a public school education, and after- wards spent two years at Dickinson Seminary. He worked at the tailor's trade with his father for nine years, and was afterwards engaged with him in the lumber business on Pine creek up to 1865, and then located in Jersey Shore. In March, 1870, he removed to Newberry, and worked on the Williamsport boom for Brown, Clarke & Howe, and Dodge & Company seventeen years. In 1887 he was a candi- date for county commissioner, but was defeated for the nomination, and in 1889 he was again a candidate, and was nominated and elected on the Democratic ticket, to serve until 1893. He served as constable of the Seventh ward for fifteen years, and filled the office of tax collector seven years. He is a stockholder in the Lycoming Opera House Company. Mr. Bubb has been thrice married. His first wife was Rachel Campbell, of Campbelltown, Pennsylvania. She died leaving three children: Elizabeth, wife of Henry Martin, of Newberry; Laura, wife of Peter Bowers, of Will-

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iamsport, and Rufus R., of California. He was next married to Antoinette Sufforn, of New York State, who died without issue. His present wife was Elizabeth N. Bower, of Lycoming county, who has borne him two children: Minnie May, and. Walker M. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Newberry.

JOHN E. HOPKINS, deputy prothonotary of Lycoming county, was born in Havre- de-Grace, Maryland, July 28, 1852, son of John and Elizabeth (Irwin) Hopkins, natives of the same county. His father was constable and collector for twenty-six years, and was also engaged in the mercantile business in Maryland. About 1882. his parents came to Williamsport, and made their home with our subject. His father died in April, 1886, but his mother still survives. Their family consisted of six children, as follows: John E., of Williamsport; Irwin, of Baltimore, Maryland; William, of Philadelphia; Deborah L., wife of Edward Riley, of Williamsport; Paro- zett, of South Williamsport, and Archer, clerk of this city. The subject of this sketch was reared in Harford county, Maryland, and was educated in the public- schools, and at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, Baltimore. He came to Williamsport in April, 1877, and took charge of the lumber interests of Hotchkiss & Barber, and afterwards became connected with the Emery Lumber Company, and Edgar Munson. Before coming to this county Mr. Hopkins was shipper for John DuBois, at Havre-de-Grace, Maryland, and thus became familiar with the lumber trade. After severing his business connections with Mr. Munson, he engaged in the hay, grain, and feed business in Williamsport, which he conducted for six years. In. 1887 he was appointed deputy prothonotary, and has since filled that office in a satisfactory manner. He is a Democrat, and an unswerving supporter of his party. He was the Democratic chairman of the city from 1885 to 1891. Mr. Hopkins was married, April 30, 1878, to Martha, daughter of John Good, of Williamsport, and has a family of five children: John; Roland; Bessie; Maxwell, and Earling. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and his wife in connected with the First Baptist church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Royal Arcanum, and was one of the original stockholders of the Lycoming Opera House Company.

ORLANDO L. NICHOLS, deputy register and recorder, was born in Union, Broome county, New York, May 29, 1854, son of O. L. C. and Elizabeth (Derr) Nichols. His father was a native of Ulster county, New York, and a construction foreman on a railroad. He came to Williamsport in 1856, became connected with the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company as station baggage master, and filled that position at the Pine Street station for many years. He afterwards acted as real estate agent for William H. Armstrong, and was also engaged in the produce business at the market house up to his death in 1869. He was an active member of the Republican party, also of the I. O. O. F. and the Baptist church. He was a soldier in the rebellion. His wife was a daughter of Joseph Derr, who was a descendant of Ludwig Derr, the founder of Lewisburg, and still survives him. She is a member of the Lutheran church. Their family consisted of seven children, four of whom are living, as follows: Elizabeth E., wife of W. D. Crooks, of South Williamsport; Orlando L .; Frank A., who is engaged in the manufacture of lumber in the State of Michigan, and Ida B.,. wife of G. C. Achenbach, of South Williamsport.

The subject of this sketch was reared principally in Lycoming county, was edu- cated in the public schools of Williamsport, and has been engaged in clerking, saw

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milling, etc. Mr. Nichols was president of the school board of South Williamsport for two years, and has served as chief burgess of that borough for one year, being the first Democrat ever elected to that office. In 1885 he was appointed deputy register and recorder by George W. Gilmore, and has filled that position ever since. He is a stockholder in the Lycoming Opera House Company, and takes a deep interest in the growth and development of Williamsport. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is quartermaster of the Twelfth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania. Mr. Nichols was married, March 10, 1885, to Mary V., daughter of P. S. and Mary A. Bierley, of Petersburg, Centre county, Pennsylvania, and has four children: M. Bessie; Walter B., and Ida Leonard. The family are members of the Lutheran church.

PATRICK C. FLANAGAN Was born in Cascade township, Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, February 8, 1860, and is a son of Patrick and Catharine (Driscoll) Flana- gan, who were among the first settlers of that township. He remained with his parents during his boyhood years, working for his father in the woods, in the black- smith shop, and on the farm. His education was received at the public schools, and at Montoursville Normal School. Having a mechanical mind he early acquired a knowledge of steam engineering, and in 1883 he accepted a position with Funston & Cullian, and in 1884 with L. M. Castner, with whom he remained until January, 1891. He then resigned his position in order to accept an appointment as one of the deputies in the office of Charles J. Cummings, register and recorder of Lycom- ing county, which he still holds. Mr. Flanagan is a member of the American Order of Steam Engineers, and has served as secretary of that body for three years. He was twice a delegate to the grand council at Philadelphia, and also a delegate to the supreme council convention at Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1888, and Boston, Massachusetts, in 1889. He is an ardent Democrat, and since his majority has been actively identified with the local interests of that party, and has served as a delegate to the county convention several times. Mr. Flanagan was married, Janu- ary 27, 1892, to Cora M., daughter of George and Margaret J. (Martin) Myers, both of whom are dead. He is a member of the Catholic church.

WILLIAM H. KIESS, clerk in the office of the register and recorder, was born at Blooming Grove, in Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, February 7, 1862, son of Jacob D. and Sophia (Kehrer) Kiess, natives of Lycoming county, and of German origin. His mother died in December, 1862, and several years after her death, his father moved to Iowa. William H. was their only child, and was reared by his grandfather, Abraham Kiess, of Queneshaque, Anthony town- ship. He was educated in the common schools of that township and at the Muncy Normal School. At the age of sixteen he engaged in school teaching during the winter season, and attended school during the summer. In 1883 he graduated from the State Normal School at Lock Haven, after which he taught for two years in the public schools and was then one of the teachers in the Williamsport Commercial College for three years. Mr. Kiess was appointed assistant postmaster of Williams- port in 1888, and filled that position until 1890, when he was appointed clerk in the prothonotary's office, and in January, 1891, he was appointed to his present posi- tion. He is a stanch Democrat, and is now a member of the school board from the Eighth ward. He has been connected with the I. O. O. F. since 1884, and has

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 107

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