History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 110

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and during his residence in Tioga county served two terms in the State legislature. He was president of the Tioga County Bank, and an active member of the Protestant Episcopal church. His wife died in 1877; he survived until April, 1890.

EDWARD MAYNARD BALDWIN, son of Thomas L. and Jerusha Baldwin, was born in Tioga, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1862. He was reared and educated in that county, and at the age of sixteen began clerking in a hardware store in Car- lisle, Pennsylvania, where he remained five years. He then returned to Tioga county and engaged in the mercantile business with his father, which partnership continued five years. In February, 1888, he located in Williamsport and embarked in the coal and feed business, and is now one of the most prominent coal dealers of the city. Mr. Baldwin was married, June 21, 1887, to Louise, daughter of Guy W. Maynard of Williamsport. He and wife are members of Trinity Protestant Epis- copal church. He is active in church work; he is vice-president of Trinity Church Beneficial Association, and was senior warden of the Episcopal church of Tioga for three years. He is a Republican, and served as auditor of Tioga for three years; since coming to Williamsport he has taken an active interest in political affairs.

WILLIAM H. KILBOURN, coal dealer, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania March 22, 1860, son of Elisha and Maggie (Whittlesey) Kilbourn. His parents. were natives of Connecticut, and settled in Lycoming county in 1848. The father was in charge of the old water mill for six years, and also of the old Williamsport mill for one season, and now lives a retired life with his son, William H. Kilbourn. The mother is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and has two children : Joseph S., who is a molder by trade, and William H. The last named received his education in the public schools at Williamsport, and in 1879 became connected with J. S. Gibson in the coal business, succeeding him in his business in 1889, and is now one of the largest coal dealers in the city. He also ships coal to different towns on the Northern Central and Philadelphia and Erie railroads. He is one of the origi- nal stockholders of the Athletic Park Association, is secretary of the same, is a member of the Board of Trade, is secretary of the Merchants' Retail Commercial Agency, is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the Third Presbyterian church.

WILLIAM H. HARTMAN, coal dealer, was born in Port Clinton, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1852, son of George and Caroline (Mengel) Hartman, natives of that county. His father was a section foreman on the Philadelphia and Reading railroad for many years, and died in Schuylkill county in 1891. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, and was educated in the pub- lic schools of Port Clinton. He afterwards clerked in a store in that borough, and in 1881 came to Williamsport and entered the freight and ticket offices of the Phila- delphia and Reading Railroad Company as a clerk. He was afterwards promoted to chief clerk, which position he held until December, 1890, except for a brief period in 1888 when he was sent to Shamokin to look after the Philadelphia and Reading Company's interest at that point. In 1890 the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company erected an extensive coal yard at the foot of Hepburn street. This was rented by Mr. Hartman, and he embarked in the coal business, and is probably handling more coal than any other dealer in the city. Mr. Hartman is a Democrat, and during his residence in Port Clinton was a member of the borough council and

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the school board. He is a member of the R. A., the K. of P., U. A. M., and Iron Hall. He was married in 1879 to Nora A., daughter of E. J. Kirlin, of Schuyl- kill county, and has two daughters: Carrie and Ena. He and wife are members of the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport. Mr. Hartman has also been secretary of the Finley Sunday school for a number of years.

H. B. MELICK, dealer in real estate, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1833, son of Peter and Margaret (Best) Melick, also natives of Colum- bia county. His great-grandfather, Peter Melick, emigrated from Germany, on the Rhine, and settled in Columbia county, where he purchased a large tract of land, a portion of which constitutes the present sites of Bloomsburg and Light Street. During the time of the Wyoming massacre the Indians came to the home of Peter Melick, the grandfather of H. B. Melick, and took ten horses belonging to Mr. Melick, and strapping bed clothing on the backs of these animals, they left for their camping grounds, after having attempted for three days to murder the family, which had taken refuge in a small fort on Fishing creek. In a short time one of the horses managed to escape and returned home with the clothing the Indians had stolen and fastened upon its back. Our subject was reared in Colum- bia county until he was fifteen years of age, receiving his education in the public schools of that county, when he moved to Philadelphia and there learned the car- riage-maker's trade at the Dunlap carriage factory. In 1854 he went to Cuba, where he worked at his trade until 1855, when he moved to Lycoming county, and was engaged in the manufacture of carriages in Williamsport for twelve years. In 1867 he embarked in the real estate business, which he has continued ever since. He also engaged in the grocery business from 1867 to 1872 with Cyrus Hamilton, and subsequently with Abraham Clinger. He was associated with Peter Herdic in various enterprises, and during that business connection organized several water companies in different places. He is president of the Cairo, Illinois, water works, the Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, water works, the Selinsgrove water works, and is a stockholder in the Orlando Water Works Company. He is a Republican in politics, has served as a member of the city school board for ten years, was treasurer of the same for two years, and has also been a member of the common council of Williamsport. He was married in 1860 to Miss Eliza, daughter of Stephen Gould, a native of Carbon county, Pennsylvania, who died February 8, 1880, leaving one son, Robert S. Melick, who is a member of the insurance firm of Sheffer & Melick. Mr. Melick was again married, to Alice V. Gould, who died October 21, 1889. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank and the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company of Williamsport.

THEODORE HILL, real estate dealer, was born in Wolf township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1827, son of Jacob and Louisa (Morris) Hill. Jacob Hill was a son of Jacob Hill, and was born in Wolf township, Lycoming county, in 1801. He was a farmer, merchant, and distiller for many years. In 1852 he located in Ohio, and in 1854 he started for California and has never been heard from since. He married Louisa Morris, a daughter of Daniel Morris. Her father was a native of Mount Holly, New Jersey, and was one of the early settlers of Hughesville; he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died at the age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Louisa Hill died in November, 1827. Theodore Hill, the subject of this sketch,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

received an ordinary education, and was reared by his grandparents, Daniel and Deborah Morris. He was engaged in the mercantile business in Hughesville, and afterwards in the distillery business. In 1860 he was elected register and recorder of Lycoming county by the Republican party, and served one term, after which he was clerk of the Pennsylvania State Senate. From 1864 to 1878 he was a superin- tendent of the real estate business affairs for Peter Herdic. In the fall of 1869 he was elected to the Lower House of the State legislature, and in 1871 he was elected prothonotary of Lycoming county. In 1878 he was appointed superintendent of the real estate business interests for R. J. C. Walker and William Weight- man. which position he held until January 1, 1890, when he commenced his present real estate business. He was married in 1851 to Anna R., daughter of Christian Kahler, and to this union have been born five children: Clarissa; Chester W .; Lilian A. ; Ila Blanche, who married Frank S. Clapp, and Harry H. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are attendants of the Trinity Episcopal church.

JOSEPH H. MACKEY, of the firm of Mackey & Tallman, insurance agents, was born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1849, son of Thomas and Catherine (Dentler) Mackey. Thomas Mackey was born in Londonderry, Ireland. and immigrated to America with his parents, in the same ship with William Cameron, a brother of Hon. Simon Cameron. They located in the Buffalo valley, in Union county, Pennsylvania, where Thomas was married to Catherine Dentler. Soon after marriage he located in Lewisburg, where he was superintendent of the Marsh Foundry for twenty-one years. He died in 1860, was a strong temperance man all through life, and with his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. His widow is still living in Lewis- burg in her eighty-fourth year, and is the mother of seven children, five of whom are living: James K .; Thomas L .; Lidie, who married David Banghart of Lincoln, Nebraska; Maggie, who married Thomas Millspaugh, of Williamsport, and Joseph H. Joseph H. Mackey was educated in his native town, where he remained until 1865, when he went to Ogle county, Illinois, and spent three years learning the car- penter's trade. In 1868 he was engaged with Culver, Barber & Company in their planing mill for some time, and was with H. W. Early & Company for a number of years. He was also employed by the Millspaugh Brothers for two years in the pattern shop of the Williamsport Machine Company, and in 1863 he embarked in the insurance business. In 18SS he formed his present partnership with Harrison Tallman, and has since done business under the firm name of Mackey & Tallman for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company of Philadelphia. Mr. Mackey is a mem- ber of the Athletic Park Association, and of Ivy Lodge, F. & A. M., Lycoming Chapter, No. 222, R. A., and Baldwin II Commandery, No. 22, K. T. He is Past Grand of Lycoming Lodge, I. O. O. F., is Past Chief Patriarch of West Branch Encampment, and has been Scribe for the same since 1879. He is a member of Canton Ridgley, No. S, Patriarchs Militant I. O. O. F., is secretary of the Penn- sylvania Odd Fellows', Anniversary Association, and is also a member of the com- mittee on credentials of the Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania; is a member of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, I. O. O. F., and is on the committee of transporta- tion of that body, and is treasurer of the Temple Club of this city. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and during the Garfield campaign in 1880 he was captain of Company A, Republican club. He was married, November 17, 1870, to Miss Kate P .. daughter

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of Samuel and Charlotte Coder, and to this union have been born five children: Lottie C .; Edward P .; Fred C .; J. Harry, and Thomas M. Mrs. Mackey is a mem- ber of the First Baptist church, while Mr. Mackey belongs to the Mulberry Street Methodist Episcopal church.

FIRM B. BYERS, of the real estate firm of Hill & Byers, was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1863, son of John G. and Mary (Ulrich) Byers, natives of that county. His father was a stone contractor and followed that busi- ness for several years. He served in the late war as a member of a regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers, and was corporal of his company. He married Mary Ulrich, who died in 1885, and was the mother of three children, two of whom are living: Firm B. and Bessie B. He now makes his home with his son, Firm B., and is a Republican in politics. Our subject was reared in Snyder county, and received his education by his own efforts. He came to Williamsport in 1879; in 1883 he was appointed agent for the Prudential Insurance Company, and after one year and three months' service he was made assistant superintendent for central Pennsylvania for three years. At the expiration of that time he was promoted to superintendent and general manager for central Pennsylvania; after serving for three years in that capacity he resigned and formed his present partnership with Spencer W. Hill, and has done an excellent business from the beginning. He is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and Lycoming Lodge No. 112, I. O. O. F.

GARRETT T. BURD, secretary of the Union Insuring Company, was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county. His father, John A. Burd, was also a native of Clinton township, who, after receiving an ordinary education, learned the carpen- ter's trade, and in 1863 enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor May 23, 1864. His widow, whose maiden name was Mary Duncan, was again married, to Lawrence M. O'Dell, carpenter and builder, who now resides in Montgomery. They belong to the Methodist Episcopal church of that borough, with which Mr. O'Dell is officially connected as trustee and steward. Our subject is her only child, and received his education in the township schools, the Muncy Normal, and the Will- iamsport Commercial College. He learned the machinist trade, thereby earning money enough during the summers to defray his expenses at school during the winter months. He taught school for two winters. On coming to Williamsport he was employed by tbe Williamsport Machine Company, and attended the night sessions of the Williamsport Commercial College. He was subsequently book- keeper for Breneizer & Company until they ceased to do business. He then engaged in the insurance business as a solicitor for Henry Clinger, subsequently forming a partnership with Mr. Hartranft at Montgomery, where they did a real estate and insurance business until 1889. He then returned to Williamsport, and January 1, 1891, was made secretary of the Union Insuring Company. He is a member of Lycoming Lodge, No. 112, I. O. O. F., and is a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church of Montgomery.

RILEY W. ALLEN, of the Travelers' Insurance Company, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, June 17, 1855. He attended public schools until the age of thirteen, when he learned the trade of furniture ornamenter. At the solicitation of A. H. Heilman

3. Thelich

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

& Company he came to Williamsport in 1873, and shortly afterward W. H. Mel- huish & Company secured his services as superintendent of their finishing depart- ment. When this firm consolidated with the Williamsport Furniture Company Mr. Allen was awarded the contract to take charge of their finishing department. After cottage chamber suites went practically out of fashion, ornamenters could not com- mand remunerative situations. After casting about for some time Mr. Allen embarked in the insurance business as a solicitor for H. W. Watson, in the year 1877. From there he went with A. D. Lundy, who represented the Travelers' Insurance Company, where Mr. Allen developed a peculiar ability for presenting intelligently this corporation's products, and made himself so useful that he was taken in as a partner, and became a member of the firm of A. D. Lundy & Company. From this he graduated into the managership of the Travelers' Insurance Company's offices in the Northern Central district of Pennsylvania, when he was promoted to State special agent, and he at present occupies the dual position of district agent and State special agent. By indefatigable work and careful presentation of facts, Mr. Allen has built up an enviable business. In 1876 he was married to Annie M., daughter of Charles Scheffel. To that union five children have been born, three of whom survive: Bertha L .; Carl G., and Margaret L. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are members of the First Baptist church of Williamsport.

JUDSON A. OLMSTEAD was born in Columbia county, New York, November 7, 1844, son of Judson and Naomi (Hunt) Olmstead, both of whom were born in Colum- bia county, in February, 1802. His father was a miller by trade, and successfully operated several different grist mills in Columbia and Wyoming counties. He sub- sequently removed to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1890; his wife died in 1871. Both were members of the Baptist church. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom are living: Emma P., wife of E. A. Rowley; Mary Ellen, who married J. W. Cole; Charles D., and Judson A. The last named received a public school education, and remained with his parents until 1862, and then enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh New York Volunteer Infantry. He served as corporal of his company, and was detailed to the ambulance corps. He participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wauhatchee Valley, Lookout Mountain, Buzzard Roost, Dallas, and others, was taken sick at Atlanta, and remained ill four months. After leaving the army he purchased a farm in Van Buren county, Michigan, on which he lived three years, then sold it, returned east, and located in Williamsport in 1867, where he took a course at the Williams- port Commercial College. He was in Clearfield county some time as agent for his father in the sale of agricultural implements, and continued in the machine business for several years. He purchased his father's business, and engaged, in the manu- facture of saw mill machinery and the erection of mills. Mr. Olmstead was mar- ried, November 4, 1868, to Harriet C., daughter of Dr. I. R. Meeker. . Her father was born at Johnson's Settlement, New York, January 26, 1814, was educated in the common schools, and removed with his parents to Ohio at an early day. He graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and practiced his profession in Illinois, where he died, December 5, 1856. He married Phoebe Lowell, of New Hampshire, December 22, 1835, who survived him until October 3, 1890. She belonged to the same family as the late James Russell Lowell of Massachusetts. Dr. Meeker was a

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

prominent physician of his locality, a man of excellent judgment, and a conscientious Christian gentleman. The family medicines now manufactured by H. C. and J. A. Olmstead are made from recipes which he used in his practice. In 1878 Mrs. Olmstead engaged in the manufacture of these medicines, and by 1887 her business had grown to such an extent that Mr. Olmstead gave up his previous vocation, and has since given his entire attention to their manufacture and sale. They have an extensive trade for their product all over the country. Mr. Olmstead is a Repub- lican, and is a member of the Union Veteran Legion. , He is a stockholder in the Edison Electric Illuminating Company. Mr. Olmstead and wife are members of the First Baptist church, and are the parents of one child, Walter J.

JOHN M. STEINHILPER was born in Germany, July 1, 1823, son of Ludwig and Fannie (Slay) Steinhilper. His parents came to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 1847, where they spent the remaining years of their lives. His father was a farmer in Germany, and held an official court position for twenty-nine years. He reared a family of seven children, three of whom are living and are residents of Williams- port: John M .; Jacob, and Fannie, wife of Justus Dittmar. John M., the subject of this sketch, received a common school education in his native land, and afterwards served three years and a half in the German army. He immigrated to the United States in 1847, and obtained employment at a Philadelphia water cure establish- ment, where he remained two years and a half. In 1850 he came to Williamsport and engaged in.manual labor. In 1858 he established a grocery store on Franklin street, which he carried on for nine years, and then sold out and engaged in the 'coal business with Gottlieb Fullmer and remained in that business for six years. The following two years he was in the ice business, and in 1879 he opened a beer- bottling establishment, which he carried on up to 1886, and then retired from active business life. He has served as tax collector of the Eighth ward for the past four years, and has also been overseer of the poor the same length of time. He is an active supporter of the Democratic party, and has been judge of election for several terms. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1863. Mr. Stein- hilper was married in Philadelphia, March 4, 1849, to Theresa Sturn of Germany, and has five children: Eva, wife of Charles A. Foucart, of Jersey City; Mary, who married Samuel B. Harman, of Williamsport; Rosa, wife of George Flock, of Will- iamsport; Fannie Louisa, a teacher in the public schools, and Louisa Fannie, wife of William C. Hopler of Williamsport. He and family are members of the English Lutheran church. He is largely interested in city real estate, and erected the fourth house on Franklin street in the Eighth ward.

S. T. FRAIN, proprietor of the Hotel Crawford, was born in Union county, Penn- sylvania, June 18, 1840, son of Henry and Catherine (Shoemaker) Frain, natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, who settled in Union county in 1830. His father died, September 10, 1874, and his mother July 18, 1852; they reared seven sons: Isaac; Henry; George; John; S. T .; Charles, and J. F. Our subject was reared in Union county, where he received a limited education. At the age of twelve years he moved with his parents to Centre county, and there served an apprenticeship of six and one-half years at the woodworker's and painter's trades. August 19, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and after the con- solidation of the regiment was a member of Company D, and served over three years.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

receiving wounds in the left leg at Williamsburg, in the right leg at Garnett's Farm, in the right side at Weldon railroad, and in the right ankle and left leg at Spottsyl- vania, which so disabled him that he was discharged from service and confined in the hospital at Washington, D. C. He participated in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac up to Spottsylvania, joining General Hancock at Camp Curtin, Virginia. His brother John was a member of Company H, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and lost his left hand at Bull Run; his brother Frank was a member of Company D, First Pensylvania Cavalry, and lost his right arm by a cannon ball at Cold Harbor, and his brother Charles was a member of Company E, and subsequently of Com- pany D, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. After the close of the war Mr. Frain followed his trade in Harrisburg for six years, afterwards engaging in the grocery business, and still later in the undertaking business, and was the second undertaker

in Harrisburg. He then became proprietor of the McClay Street Hotel, and has since kept hotels in Union county, at Millheim, Centre county, and at Selinsgrove, Snyder county. In April, 1890, he took charge of the Hotel Crawford, in Williams- port. He is a member of Reno Post, No. 64, G. A. R., and Camp 47, Union Veteran Legion. He was formerly identified with the Republican party, but is now independent in his political proclivities; he is a member of the Williamsport Board of Trade. Mr. Frain was married in 1866 to Miss . Cemillia Lichtenwalter, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, by whom he has one son, Lewis E.

ADAMI APPEL, clerk at the Eagle Hotel, was born on the 27th of June, 1852, in Lewis township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, son of Adam and Christina Ann Appel. His father was born in Bavaria, Germany, and migrated to America in 1841 at the age of twenty-four, accompanied by three brothers-Philip, Jacob, and George-and one sister. They came at once to Lewis township, Lycoming county, whither three sisters-Mrs. Catherine Drum, Mrs. Caroline Yoxtheimer, and Mrs. Julia Quiggle-had preceded them. The three brothers subsequently located in dif- ferent parts of the West; of the four sisters, two, Mrs. Quiggle and Mrs. Drum, still reside in Lewis township; the other two died in this county. Adam Appel, Sr., was first employed as a farm laborer, but several years after his arrival he purchased a tract of uncleared land, removed the timber, and reduced it to cultivation. He died in Lycoming township, Lycoming county, October 16, 1886, at the age of sixty-nine; his wife died in 1875. They were the parents of three children, two of whom died in early childhood. Adam Appel, the subject of this sketch, is the only surviving child, and was reared in Lewis and Hepburn townships, Lycoming county. He received a common school education, and was variously employed at farm labor, etc. from 1867 to 1873; in the latter year he came to Williamsport, and worked at the planing mills, factories, etc. for some years. In 1882 he became connected with the European House as clerk, relinquishing this position in April, 1889, to accept employment in a similar capacity at the Eagle Hotel. Here he has since remained, and enjoys a wide acquaintance and deserved popularity among the trav- eling public by reason of his courteous, affable, and obliging manners. Mr. Appel was married, April 5, 1887, to Lena, daughter of Anthony and Catharine Raver, of Collomsville, Lycoming county, and they are the parents of two children: Florence and Luella. Mr. and Mrs. Appel are members of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran church. Mr. Appel is also a member of Ivy Lodge, No. 397, Lycoming Chapter,

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 110

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