History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 109

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

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

three years. He then engaged in the grocery business at the corner of Grove and Third streets, and continued until his death, March 2, 1877. He was a Democrat in politics, a member of the I. O. O. F., and belonged to the Lutheran church. His widow survives him and is the mother of five living children: John W .; Minnie E. ; Albert; Harry H., and William E.

JOHN W. VILLINGER, of the firm of J. W. Villinger & Brother, plumbers and gas fitters, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1855, son of Conrad and Louisa (Wochner) Villinger. He was educated in the public schools of Will- iamsport, learned the plumber's trade, and on April 1, 1884, he engaged in business with Matt E. Dunn. At the end of one year Mr. Dunn withdrew from the firm and Mr. Villinger continued the business alone until June, 1889, when his brother, Harry H., became a member of the firm of J. W. Villinger & Brother. The last named was born in Williamsport, July 23, 1862, received a public school education, and worked in lumber mills and at the butcher business until 1884. Both he and his brother are Democrats in politics.

JOSEPH G. RATHMELL was born in Loyalsock township, Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, in 1803, and died in December, 1855. His father, Amariah Rathmell, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Jonas Rathmell, a native of England, who was granted a large tract of land in Bucks county by William Penn. Amariah was one of the pioneers of Loyalsock township, Lycoming county, and reared six children, all of whom are dead. They were as follows: John; Mary; Phoebe ;. Thomas; Amariah, and Joseph G. The subject of this sketch received a good education in the Williamsport Academy (now owned by J. B. Hall) and was one of the pioneer school teachers of Williamsport. He married Sarah, daughter of John Mahaffey, of Lycoming township. She died in 1887. They reared a family of seven children, as follows: Mary, deceased wife of James Rothrock; Thomas M .; Ezra; Margaret; Emiline, widow of Samuel Beck; Sarah, widow of Thomas H. Caldwell, and John, deceased. Mr. Rathmell was an adherent of the Whig party, and served two terms as justice of the peace. He was brigade inspector of the State militia for ten years, and was quite prominent in local military affairs. He was one of the organizers of the Second Presbyterian church of Williamsport, and was a member of that church up to his death.

THOMAS M. RATHMELL was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1829, and is the oldest son of Joseph G. and Sarah Rathmell. He received his edu- cation from his father, and under Professor Beardsley, of Lock Haven. He then engaged in boating on the canal, at which he continued for twenty-five years, being the owner of several boats. He next engaged in the lumber business, which he prosecuted for a number of years, and is now retired from the active duties of busi- ness life. Mr. Rathmell was married in 1858 to Mary Emily, daughter of Moses Crans, of Orange county, New York, who has borne him three children: Mary, wife of H. S. Meyer; Thomas, who is connected with his father's planing mill, and Sarah, wife of Warren Levergood. He is a Republican, has served in both the common and select councils, and is now a member of the former. He served on the school board for six years, half of which time he was treasurer of the board. He joined the Masonic order in 1856, and is a member of the lodge, chapter, and commandery. He has been connected with the I. O. O. F. since reaching manhood, and is one of

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the oldest Odd Fellows in the city. He is also a member of the K. of P., and is a leading supporter of the Second Presbyterian church.

JAMES ELLIOTT was born in Muncy Creek township, Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, and was a son of Ebenezer Elliott, a Quaker, who moved from Bucks county to Lycoming county at an early day and settled in Muncy Creek township. Ebenezer Elliott married a Miss Tobey of Philadelphia, who bore him two children: James and Samuel. His second wife was a Miss Harlan of Muncy Creek township, who became the mother of two children: John and Lydia. None of his children are now living. About 1854 he settled in Muncy, where he died. James Elliott grew to manhood in his native township, and learned the wagonmaker's trade at Jerseytown, Columbia county, after which he located in Williamsport. He married Harriet Goldy, and resided in Williamsport up to his death in 1870. His wife died in 1877. Soon after coming to this city he opened a wagonmaker's shop, and carried on that business for many years. To James and Harriet Elliott were born ten children, as follows: John G., who died in St. Louis, Missouri; Eliza Ann, widow of Francis Long; Samuel; William G., deceased; Thomas Tanyhill, who served in the regular army five years, served three years and three months in the rebellion in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers and Sixth Regular Cavalry, and died at Reading, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Mary Jane Shelly, of Michigan; James S., deceased, who served three months in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, three years in the Sixth Regular Cavalry, and was captain of Company H, Sixth Colored Cavalry, at the close of the war; and Harriet, Sarah, and Charles, all of whom are dead. Mr. Elliott was a Whig in early days, and afterwards a Republican; he was a class-leader for many years in Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church.

SAMUEL ELLIOTT, foreman of the Philadelphia and Erie car shops, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1833, and is the only surviving son of James and Harriet Elliott. He was reared in Williamsport, and received a public school education. He learned the wagonmaker's trade with his father, and worked with him for several years. In 1856 he found employment with the Williamsport and Elmira Railroad Company as a car repairer, and remained with them until September, 1860. He then became connected with the Philadelphia and Erie railroad, and was located at Lock Haven until 1864, when he returned to Williams- port, and in the spring of 1865 he was made foreman of the car shop, which position he has since held. Mr. Elliott was married in 1863 to Sarah, daughter of John and Elizabeth Stadden of Turbutt township, Northumberland county. They are the parents of six children, as follows: Harriet; John S .; Elizabeth M .; Samuel, deceased; A. Bruce, and Jennie. He and wife are church members. He is a Republican, and has served in the common council six years.

FREDERICK D. SCHWEIKER was born in Germany, January 10, 1832, son of John M. and Margaret (Krause) Schweiker, also natives of Germany. He was reared in his native land, and received his education in the high schools of that country, and then entered a wholesale dry goods house as an accountant. In 1870 he immigrated to the United States and located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he found employment with Guy W. Maynard & Company, lumber dealers, and subsequently with the firm of Krause, Herdic & Company. He remained in that business for three years, and then became bookkeeper for Sheffel, Murch & Com-

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

pany. with whom he was employed two years. He then entered the office of H. W. Watson, and took charge of his insurance business for several years, and in 1880 the succeeded Mr. Watson. This insurance agency was established by Mr. Watson many years ago. When Mr. Schweiker succeeded to the business he represented three companies, but has since extended his connections and facilities until he is now representing about a dozen first-class companies of Europe and America. He controls the insurance of many of the largest and most desirable business and residence properties in Williamsport and vicinity. He is a member of the Board of Underwriters, and a gentleman of large experience and wide acquaintance. Mr. Schweiker is a stanch Republican, but has never sought or desired public office. He was married in 1877 to Frances M., daughter of William Gifford, of Wellsville, Allegany county, New York, and has a family of four children: Margaret; Lawrence; Frederick, and Robert. The family are adherents of St. Paul's Lutheran church of Williamsport.

FRANK H. McCORMICK, son of Seth T. McCormick, deceased, was born in White Deer valley, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1857, and removed with his parents to Williamsport in 1861. He was educated in the public schools of that city, and after completing his education, he read law with his brother, Hon. H. C. McCormick, and was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county in May, 1880. For five years he practiced his profession with his brothers, H. C. and S. T. McCor- mick, but in 1885 he purchased the insurance business of Louis Schneider, and with Henry J. Campbell organized the insurance firm of Campbell & McCormick. This firm continued to do business for three years, when Carl Herdic purchased Mr. Campbell's interest, and the present firm of McCormick & Herdic was estab- lished. It is one of the leading insurance firms in the city, and also transacts a large real estate business. Mr. McCormick was married in 1883 to Etta, daughter of Eber Culver, of Williamsport, and has two children: Fred C. and Eleanor. He and wife are members of the Third Presbyterian church. Politically he is an active supporter of the Democratic party, and takes a deep interest in the success of that organization.

SPENCER W. HILL, of the firm of Hill & Byers, real estate and insurance agents, is a son of Jacob R. and Jamella Hill. He was born in Hughesville, Lycoming county, August 28, 1856, and was reared in his native village. He was educated in the public schools and at the Muncy Normal School, afterwards spending some time at Dickinson Seminary and the State Normal School at Millersville. He then com- menced teaching, and followed that vocation for thirteen years. He was principal of the Hughesville schools for five years, and taught in the Muncy Normal for two years. He subsequently took a course at Williamsport Commercial College, and then located in this city and became manager of the agricultural and implement business of J. H. Mutchler. He afterwards served as corresponding clerk in the office of H. B. Silsby, State agent for the Manufacturers' Accident Indemnity Com- pany, of Geneva, New York, and in 1886 embarked in the real estate and insurance business. In January, 1891, he associated with him F. B. Byers, and the firm of Hill & Byers is among the leading insurance agencies of this city. Mr. Hill is a Republican; he has served as a member of the school board from the First ward since 1888, and was secretary of the board in 1889. He was married in 1879 to

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Bella, daughter of William F. Mecum, of Hughesville, and has four children: Vic- toria M .; Jennie Belle; Raymond S., and Harry D. He is a member of the Masonic order, the I. O. O. F., and the S. of V., and he and wife are connected with Mul- berry Street Methodist Episcopal church.

DAVID T. MAHAFFEY was born in Newberry, Pennsylvania, June 14, 1850, son of Lindsey and Sarah Jane (Reiley) Mahaffey. He was educated in the public schools and the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, of the State of New York. In 1869 he was employed as teller in the West Branch Bank, where he remained four years, and was then selected as first teller in the Williamsport National Bank, and filled that position for eleven years. In 1SS3 he and his brother, D. S. Mahaffey, engaged in the manufacture of kindling wood, under the firm name of the Williamsport Kind- ling Wood Company, Limited. Mr. Mahaffey has also been identified with the lum- bering interests of the county, is a stockholder in the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and is treasurer of the Lake Makamo Land Company, of Sullivan county. He is also a member of the Happy Jack Gold and Silver Mining Company, of Ouray, Colorado, of which he is a director and vice-president. He is interested in Mahaffey's addition to Williamsport, is proprietor of the Williamsport Staple Company, and possesses large farming interests near the city. He is a Republican in politics. and at present is a member of the Board of Health of Williamsport. He was married in 1878 to Miss Alice E. Shaw, and to this union have been born two children: Eleanor and Marian. Mr. and Mrs. Mahaffey are members of the Disci- ples church.

DELOS S. MAHAFFEY was born, April 14, 1856, in Newberry, and is a son of Lindsey Mahaffey. He was educated at Wyoming Seminary and Cheshire, Con- necticut, closing his school days in 1876. In 187S he was employed as clerk and paying teller in the Williamsport National Bank, where he remained until 1SSS. He became interested with his brother, D. T. Mahaffey. in the kindling-wood busi- ness in 1SS3, and in 1SSS he established a fine stock farm at Montoursville, and has abont sixty fine bred horses thereon. He was married in 1SS6, to Mary Ann, daughter of George W. Lentz, and to this union has been born one child, George L. Mr. Mahaffey is a Republican in politics.

SOLOMON V. VAN FLEET was born in Port Jervis, Orange county, New York, Sep- tember 13, 1824, son of James S. and Mary (Fredenberg) Van Fleet, natives of that county. His father was a prominent citizen, and served as sheriff of Orange county. He and wife died upon their homestead farm near Port Jervis. Solomon V. received an academic education, and read medicine for two years, but did not complete his studies or engage in practice. He commenced teaching school, and afterwards became train dispatcher at Piermont, for the New York and Lake Erie railroad, which position he filled a number of years. In 1860 he came to Williamsport and entered the employ of Du Bois & Lowe, lumber operators, as confidential clerk, and filled that position for many years with John Du Bois. He was a justice of the peace one term in Armstrong township. He finally retired from active business life, and has since devoted his attention to his large real estate interests. Mr. Van Fleet was married, October 15, 1853, to Elvira Du Bois, and has four children: Fred, of Will- iamsport; Walter, a physician near Franconia; Virginia: Florence, and Ida. He is a supporter of the Republican party, and his family are members of Christ Prot- estant Episcopal church.

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WILLIAM F. DEAN, photographer, was born in Canandaigua, New York, Novem- ber 28, 1856, son of James Fenton and Harriet A. (Benjamin) Dean, who came to Williamsport in 1867, where his father engaged in the mercantile business. He died June 3, 1876, in the faith of the Episcopal church. His widow survives him. William F. is the fourth in a family of six children. He was educated in the public schools of this city, and afterwards engaged in the mercantile business. In 1883 he established the firm of Dean & Cornwell and engaged in photography, which they continued until 1887, when Mr. Cornwell retired and Mr. Dean has since carried on the business alone. He has the leading photographic establishment in this part of the State, and in his business employs six assistants. He has the exclusive right to the photographing of thirteen furniture factories, and has built up a large and suc- cessful business. Mr. Dean was married, April 16, 1885, to Hettie S., daughter of John Kern, of Plymouth, Luzerne county. His wife is a member of the First Pres- byterian church, and he is connected with the Episcopal church, in which faith he was reared. He is a Republican, and is prominent in Masonic circles, being con- nected with the lodge, chapter, and commandery.

MARTIN ELLINGER was born in 1809; he was a native of France, but immigrated to America in 1834, locating in New York City, where he remained several years. He then removed to Williamsport, where he took charge of the West Branch Iron Works for John B. Hall, continuing with that establishment for many years. In New York he married Margaret Kahra, who died in 1873. Their family consisted of seven children, all of whom are living: Cornelius; William L .; Lizzie; Anna, who married. H. H. Tilley; John F. ; Edward M., and Charles H. Mr. Ellinger was a Republican in politics, and a charter member of St. Paul's. Lutheran church, of which he was a deacon at the time of his death in 1888.

CHARLES H. ELLINGER was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1857, son of Martin and Margaret (Kahra) Ellinger. He was educated in the public schools, learned photography, aud in 1873 embarked in that business with Mr. Stiltz, which he continued until 1881, at which time the present firm of Hunt & Ellinger was organized. He is a member of Lycoming Lodge, I. O. O. F., is Past Grand of the same, and is a Republican in politics.

FRANK C. HUNT was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1854, son of Edward F. and Adaline (Cox) Hunt. His father was connected with the Will- iamsport Gazette for a number of years and was a telegraph operator and sign writer. He was chief clerk under George Webb, who was superintendent of the- Catawissa railroad for a number of years, was chief clerk in the Veteran Reserve Corps under Colonel Wisewell, was a Republican in politics, and during the war held a position under the United States government. He was a member of Christ church several years previous to his death in 1884. Their family consisted of six children: Edward W .; Frank C .; Ella M .; Mamie F .; H. Bruce L., and Charles Walter. Frank C. Hunt was educated in the public schools of Williamsport and Washington, D. C. After completing his education he embarked in the mercantile business with W. L. Purdy & Company, subsequently being engaged with Mr. Stiltz in the photographic business, where he remained until the present firm of Hunt & Ellinger was formed. This firm do an extensive business in copying and enlarging portraits, employ hundreds of agents, and get orders from various parts of

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the United States. Mr. Hunt was married in 1885 to Miss Margaret, daughter of Charles Leighow, of Danville. Pennsylvania, and to this union has been born one child, Charles Edward. Mr. Hunt is a Republican in politics, and his wife is a member of the Market Street Lutheran church.

DANIEL EDLER, proprietor of the City coal yard, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1831, son of Christian and Barbara (Kline) Edler, natives of Germany. His parents first settled in Philadelphia, and about 1821 they removed to Block House, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, remaining there two years, and thence coming to Williamsport. His father died in Williamsport in 1860, followed by the widow in 1870; they were pioneer members of the Lutheran church, and helped to build the old Lutheran church near the jail on Third street. Five of their children are yet living: William; Christian; Henrietta, who married C. Shiesley; Joseph. and Daniel. The last named was educated in the common schools and attended one term at the old seminary. At the age of twelve years he began boating on the canal, and continued until he was eighteen years old, when he was apprenticed to Abram Page, for three years, to learn the cabinetmaker's trade, and for him he afterwards worked ten years. In August, 1874, he embarked in the coal business, at which he has since continued, and does one of the leading trades of the city. He is an active Repub- lican, and has served sixteen consecutive years as a member of the common council of Williamsport, having been during this period chairman of the fire committee, highway committee, and market committee. He served as a member of the school board for one term, and in 1860 he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-seventh Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, and served three months as corporal of the company. He is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., and is Past Senior Vice-Commander of the same. He was married in 1853 to Elizabeth, daughter of Lewis Weigel, ex-treasurer of Lycoming county, and to this union have been born five children: Mary, who married . Milford Watson; Alice; U. S. Grant; Harry, and Lewis.

JOHN M. MCMINN was born, August 23, 1819, in Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania. He was educated at the boarding school kept by Professor Gause at Union- ville, Chester county, Pennsylvania. He left school before he was eighteen years of age, and engaged in teaching in the neighborhood of Downingtown, where he became acquainted with the Pyles, who persuaded him to look after their interests at the Washington Iron Works, Nittany valley, Centre county. He was married, October 15, 1844, to Caroline, daughter of Elias P. Youngman. After leaving the iron works he invested his savings with James Hays, of Cedar Run, in the tannery business, in Penn's valley, near Millheim. He subsequently taught school at Miles- burg, aud afterwards engaged in lumbering with Samuel Mckean on the Moshannon. In 1849 he removed to Union ville and took up civil engineering and assisted in build- ing the Bald Eagle and Tyrone plank road, extending from Milesburg to Tyrone. In 1853 he removed to Williamsport. Here he took the position of first assistant under Robert Faries, then chief engineer in the construction of the Sunbury and Erie railroad. He served as city engineer and made the first lithograph map of Williamsport, which was published in 1857. Mr. McMinn became chief engineer of the Tyrone and Lock Haven railroad, now known as the Bald Eagle Valley rail- road, in 1857. In connection with Rev. Cyrus Jeffries he started the West Branch Bulletin, the first number appearing June 6, 1860. In 1866 he engaged in making

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surveys for the West Branch Canal Company, and during the same year he con- ducted a preliminary survey which has since developed into the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek, and Buffalo railroad. He afterwards became chief engineer of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad Company, and conducted their explorations and sur- veys for a road in the western part of Pennsylvania. He was connected with many other engineering expeditions and was a skillful engineer. In 1869 he sold his property in Williamsport and removed south, locating on a plantation near Norfolk, Virginia. There he died, September 11, 1870.

FRANK FULMER, coal dealer, was born in Loyalsock township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1838, son of David and Catherine (Dietrick) Fulmer. David Fulmer was a son of Adam Fulmer, and died in 1871. His first wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Dietrick, died in 1858, and was the mother of eleven children: Elias; Frank; Joseph; Adam; David; John; Lavina, who married Jacob Berger; Abigail; Susan; Elizabeth, who married John Casselberry, and Sarah Jane, who married H. U. Striker. He was again married, to Catherine Marsh, who survives him and lives in Williamsport. Mr. Fulmer was a stockholder in the Market Street bridge, was a Democrat in politics, filled various township offices, and was a member of the Lutheran church. Frank Fulmer, his son and the subject of this sketch, was educated in the township schools and in 1861 enlisted in Company F, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves, served twenty-two months, was wounded at Charles City Cross Roads, and was honorably discharged because of the effects of said wound. He re-enlisted in the spring of 1865 in Company E, Third United States Veteran Volunteers, Hancock Corps, served until the spring of 1866, was with the Army of the Potomac, and participated in the battles of Mechanicsville, Gaines's Mill, White Oak Swamp, and others. After the close of the war he followed boating on the canal for nine years, and was then employed in shipping lumber for a Mr. Quinn for a number of years. After serving as a member of the Williamsport police force for two years, he embarked in the saw-milling business, erecting a portable saw mill in 1880, which he operated for two years. In the fall of 1882 he established his present coal business, and has built up a good trade. He is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., and of Camp 47, Union Veteran Legion, is a Democrat in politics, and in 1885 was elected to the office of county commissioner. During his term of office the commissioners built two bridges on Pine creek, one on Larry's creek, and one at Lairdsville. He is at present a member of the school board from the First ward. He was married in 1868 to Mary E., daughter of Charles Fisher, and to this union have been born six children: Florence E .; Jessie Almeda; Frank; David; Charles, and Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Fulmer are members of the Lutheran church.

T. L. BALDWIN was born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and moved to Tioga, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1836, when about eighteen years of age. After reaching manhood he engaged in merchandising in that county. He resided there until 1877, when he came to Williamsport, retiring temporarily from active business. He was married to Jerusha De Pui, of Tioga, who bore him a family of nine children, six of whom are now living: Thomas D. and Annie D., both of Will- iamsport; Vine D., of Boston, Massachusetts; Jabin Bush, of the United States mint, at Philadelphia; Edward Maynard, and Louis, of Williamsport. Mr. Baldwin

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 109

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