History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 112

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 112

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CHARLES HARMAN, undertaker and proprietor of livery stable, was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1849, son of David and Sarah (Waltman) Harman, now residents of Williamsport. His father is a native of Tamaqua, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and came to Lycoming county in early manhood, where he met and married Sarah Waltman, a native of this county. He is a carpenter by trade, worked at that business for some years, and then pur- chased a farm near Montgomery. He resided upon his farm for a number of years, and then came to Williamsport. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church, and he is an adherent of the Democratic party. They are the parents of nine chil- dren, seven of whom are living, as follows: Fannie, wife of Nicholas Scheid; Sarah, wife of Jason Van Buskirk; Charles; Emma, wife of M. J. Miller; William; Samuel B., and Mcclellan, all of whom are residents of Williamsport. Charles remained on the homestead in Clinton township until 1869, when he came to Williamsport and engaged in the livery business under the firm name of Harman & Derr, which part- nership was dissolved in 1885, since which time Mr. Harman has carried on business alone. In 1878 he engaged in undertaking, and is among the leading undertakers in the city, as well as one of its oldest liverymen. He is a Democrat, and has served in the common council one term. Mr. Harman was married in 1873 to Elizabeth, daughter of Adam Lentz, of Williamsport, and has five children: Emma; William; Samuel; Franklin, and Carl. The family are members of St. Paul's Lu- theran church.

DANIEL B. KNAPP was born in Otsego county, New York, April 20, 1830, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Austin) Knapp. His primary education was obtained in the common schools, and he also studied at Butternut and Norwich Seminaries, in New York State. He subsequently engaged in the mercantile and hotel business at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, where he remained for two years. He afterwards removed to Elmira, New York, and for some years carried on business in that city. He then entered the employ of the Northern Central railroad, and remained with that company two years, when he removed to Lawrence, Kansas, thence to Han- nibal, Missouri, where he filled the position of agent for the American and United States Express Companies for six years. Returning to Williamsport, he engaged in the coal business, and after two years spent in that line of trade he re-entered mer- chandising, in which he continued for twelve years, and then retired from active busi- ness life. Mr. Knapp was married in 1862 to Susan T., daughter of the late Judge John Smith, who for many years was one of the prominent and respected citizens of Williamsport. One son, John Smith, deceased, was born of this union. Politically Mr. Knapp was a Democrat until 1860, since which he has been an active sup- porter of the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic order, and is one of the well known citizens of his adopted home.

GEORGE S. THOMPSON was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and in 1850 was married to Elizabeth Van Fosten, a native of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, with whom he removed to Williamsport in 1852. After repairing what is known as the Tinsman mill, he went to the head waters of Little Pine creek, where he stocked logs for Mr. Tinsman for two years. In 1854 he and his brother, John M. Thomp-

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

son, formed a partnership in the stocking and cutting of timber for Tinsman & Woolverton. In 1863 he purchased a tract of timber land in Sullivan county, which he worked on until 1870, when he became foreman of the present M. Shaw & Com- pany's mills, then owned by Craig & Blanchard. In 1876 he joined the Laurel Run Lumber Company, of Clearfield county, and continued until 1887. He then located on a farm below Williamsport, where he died in February, 1889. He was a Democrat in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F., and with his wife, who died in April, 1871, belonged to the Second Baptist church of Will- iamsport. Four of the five children born to their union are now living: Annie, who married C. B. Baker; K. M .; Abbie, who married J. W. Moore, and George.

GEORGE THOMPSON, dealer in cigars, was born in Williamsport in June, 1860, son of George S. and Elizabeth (Van Fosten) Thompson. He received his education in the public schools and at Edinboro Normal, after which he kept books for the Laurel Run Lumber Company until 1880, when he was employed to sell cigars on the road for a Lock Haven firm. After traveling during the year 1886 for J. G. Erieg & Son, he again began traveling and selling cigars in 1888, which he continued until Jan- uary 2, 1892, when he purchased his present store. He was married, March 27, 18SS, to Miss Mary L., daughter of James G. and Catherine Erieg, of Williamsport. He is a Republican in politics and belongs to Lycoming Lodge, No. 112, I. O. O. F. Mrs. Thompson is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church.

ROBERT S. QUIGLEY was born in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and came to Lycoming county about the year 1840. He married Catherine Smith, daughter of Robert Smith, of Piatt township, and engaged in farming in Susque- hanna township. In 1852 he purchased the Stage Office Hotel at Newberry, which he conducted for four years, and then became proprietor of what is now the Seventh Ward Hotel, and managed that for eight years. He was a Republican in politics, and died in 1864, preceded by his wife in 1862. They were the parents of four children: James L .; Annie M., who married John F. Stevenson; W. G., who died July 7, 1891, and was a partner with his brother, James L., in the mercantile busi- ness for seventeen years; and Reese A., who married Rebecca Gouldy and died October 28, 1881, and was also a member of the firm of Quigley Brothers, merchants.

JAMES L. QUIGLEY, merchant, was born in Susquehanna township, Lycoming county, May 8, 1845, son of Robert S. and Catherine (Smith) Quigley. He was educated in the public schools, and followed log-scaling for a number of years. In 1874 he and his two brothers formed the firm of Quigley Brothers, merchants, at Newberry. He is a Republican, has served in the select council for three years, and is a member of Iona Lodge, No. 729, I. O. O. F. He was married in 1867 to R. S., daughter of William Ramsey, by whom he has one child, Gertrude. Mr. and Mrs. Quigley are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Newberry, of which he is trustee.

WILLIAM LINCK, merchant, was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, April 10, 1856, son of Jacob and Mina (Heyler) Linck, natives of that county, in which the mother is still living. He received his education in the public schools of his native county, and began his business career as a merchant, which occupation he has always followed. He came to Williamsport in 1879, and was connected in business with J. H. Linck until 1889, when he established his present business. He was

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 929

married in 18SO to Miss Agnes M. Maffet, daughter of Samuel Maffet, and to this union have been born two children: Mina and Florence. Mr. Linck is a Prohi- bitionist, and he and wife are members of the Erie Avenue Baptist church, of which he is treasurer.

JAMES H. ScorT, of the firm of Scott & Stewart, grocers, was born in Chemung county, New York, June 22, 1838, son of Andrew and Sallie (Mallory) Scott. His father was of Scotch descent and his mother was born in Connecticut. He was reared in Chemung county, and received his education in the Alfred Academy, teaching school in his native county, and afterwards engaging in the mercantile business at Havana, New York. He learned the machinist trade, came to Williams- port in 1869, and in partnership with Mr. A. O. Hart formed the firm of Scott & Hart and engaged in the furniture business for five years, after which he formed a copartnership with Mr. Reed and conducted a machine shop under the firm name of Scott & Reed for six years. In the spring of 1889, he engaged in the grocery busi- ness with C. B. Stewart, where he has since been engaged. Mr. Scott is independ- ent in politics; he was a candidate for sheriff of Lycoming county on the Green- back ticket, but was defeated. He was married in 1862 to Miss Diantha Crandell, daughter of Lehman Crandell, of Havana, New York, and to this union have been born three children: Edna; Vesta, and Walter. Mr. Scott and family are members of the First Baptist church of Williamsport.

LEWIS W. TALLMAN, general manager of the Singer Manufacturing Company for thirteen counties surrounding the city of Williamsport, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1855, son of Lewis Tallman of Fairfield township, Lycoming county. He was reared in this county and after receiving a thorough pub- lic school education he engaged in teaching at Montoursville and Muncy. He had charge of the model department of the Montoursville Normal School. In 1876 he became connected with the Singer Manufacturing Company, and opened an office in Muncy, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, in 1880 and to Williamsport in 1882. In the sale of the Singer sewing machine he furnishes employment to thirty-five men, and does a very extensive business throughout this portion of Pennsylvania, his territory embracing thirteen counties. Mr. Tallman was married, in ISS1 to F. Lou, daughter of S. D. Wood of Binghamton, New York, and has one child, Robert Wood. He and wife are members of the Protes- tant Episcopal church.

WILSON BUTZ, marble dealer, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1855, son of Daniel and Elvina (Desch) Butz, natives of Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania, who settled in Allentown in 1856. Our subject was educated in the pub- lic schools of Lehigh county and learned the marble cutter's trade by serving an apprenticeship of three years, extending from 1871 to 1874. In 1875 he came to Will- iamsport, where he conducted the Williamsport branch of the Milton Marble Works until 1885, at which time he established his present business and is now the leading marble dealer in the city. He was married October 13, 1878, to Annie L., daugh- ter of Edward A. Meninger, of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born three children: Elsie; Ray, and Clyde.

WILLIAM S. LEINBACH was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, son of Amos and Mary (Schrom) Leinbach. His parents were natives of Berks and Lebanon counties,

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

respectively, and are both deceased. In early life our subject had only the advan- tages of a common school education, and went into a woolen factory when he was only fourteen years old, in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1861. · He removed from there to Union county, Pennsylvania, where he was foreman in the weaving department of the White Deer Woolen Mills until 1862, when he volunteered in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was assigned to the third division of the regiment under General Humphrey. He gave nine months' service at this time, and then re-enlisted in 1863 in Company C, First Pennsylvania Light Artillery, served about two years, and was mustered out at the close of the war at Harper's Ferry, and finally discharged at Harrisburg. From there he returned to Union county, where he resided until 1867, being employed in the White Deer Woolen Mills. He then moved to Lewisburg, where he worked in a woolen mill for twenty years. In 1887 he came to Lycoming county and became a member of the firm of Halfpenny, Campbell & Company, and operated the Nippenose Woolen Mills until 1892, when he withdrew and was admitted to a partnership in the firm of W. & C. Stadon & Leinbach, of Williamsport. Mr. Leinbach was married in 1865 to Eliza J. Dieffenderfer, daughter of Paul and Har- riet Dieffenderfer, residents of Union county, and to this union have been born seven children: Harry, who lives in Tennessee; Frank; Murray; Hattie; Fountain; . Freddie, and Robert. Mr. Leinbach and wife are members of the Reformed church, and he is a Republican in politics.

GEORGE LUPPERT, proprietor of the Keystone Furniture Company, was born in Germany, November 2, 1835, and remained in his native land until his eighteenth year, receiving in the meantime a good common school education. He came to the United States in 1853, and located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he fol- lowed the carpenter's trade for three years. He then went to work in the Williams- port car shops, and remained there until the breaking out of the rebellion; he then enlisted in the Construction Corps, and served until after the battle of Gettys- burg, when he was discharged on account of sickness. Returning to Williamsport he formed a partnership with Fred Mankey, under the firm name of Luppert & Mankey, and began the manufacture of furniture. This firm is claimed to have been the pioneer steam furniture manufacturers of the city, and continued in busi- ness several years. Mr. Luppert then sold his interest, removed to South Williams- port, and established what was known as the West Branch Susquehanna Furniture Company, which he operated in connection with A. H. Heilman & Company. After three years of successful business the factory was burned, but Mr. Luppert rebuilt it and continued the business under his own name. He has been burned out several times, suffering a total loss of about $150,000. In 1881 the firm of Luppert & Kline was formed, but after one year's business the name was changed to Luppert, Kline & Company. They failed in business, but Mr. Luppert continued until the factory was burned in 1887. In October of that year Mr. Luppert erected his present buildings, organized the Keystone Furniture Company, and is now the sole owner and proprietor of the same. He employs seventy-five hands, and manufactures from twenty-five to thirty suites of furniture daily. Mr. Luppert was married, March 11, 1856, to Mary Welker, to whom have been born five children: Mary; George, deceased; John; Elizabeth, and Annie. The whole family are members of the

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

German Reformed church. In politics Mr. Luppert is a stanch Democrat, and is now a member of the South Williamsport council.

VALENTINE LUPPERT, lumber manufacturer of South Williamsport, was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 10, 1838, and was reared and educated in his native land. . In 1853 he immigrated to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in boating for a short time. He then engaged in the lumber business, and was manager for the firm of B. H. Taylor & Son fifteen years. In 1879 he established his present business in South Williamsport, and has since built up and carries on an extensive trade. In August, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Two Hundred and Third Penn- sylvania Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Chapin's Farm and Fort Fisher; he also took part in the closing scenes of the rebellion near Richmond. He was mustered out of service, July 4, 1865, and returned to Williamsport, where he has since resided.

AUGUST KOCH, SR., was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, April 1, 1807, grew to manhood in his native land, and served three years in the German army. He received a limited education, which he improved as he grew older by self- application. He learned the millwright's trade, and at an early age commenced taking contracts for the erection of flouring mills, and built some of the largest mills in Wurtemberg, Bavaria, Baden, and Hungary. In the spring of 1850 he sold his property at a sacrifice, and with his family immigrated to the United States, finally settling in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. By the time he had settled down in this city his means were sadly reduced, and he was in a strange land, withi whose language and customs he was unacquainted. Nothing daunted, however, he went to work energetically, and in 1851 established a small brewery in what is now South Will- iamsport, which he carried on until the fall of 1868, increasing its size and capacity in the meantime, and then sold out to his sons, August and Edmund G., who have since conducted it under the firm name of A. Koch & Brother. In 1856 he erected a flour mill, operated it in connection with the brewery until he retired from busi- ness, and it, too, was afterwards carried on by his sons. He accumulated through the passing years a handsome competence for himself and family, and died in Phila- delphia, May 10, 1873, while under medical treatment for an affection of the throat. Mr. Koch married Whilhelmina Ferber of Germany, who survives him. They reared four children: August; Edmund G. ; Alvina, and Minnie.

AUGUST KOCH was born in Germany in 1837, and is the eldest son of August Koch. He came to Williamsport with his parents in 1850, and since 1868 he has been the senior member of the firm of A. Koch & Brother. He is an enthusiastic student of natural history and a skillful taxidermist. He possesses the largest and finest collection of stuffed birds and quadrupeds in Pennsylvania; is a member of several European scientific societies, and keeps up a constant correspondence with savants in various parts of the world. Mr. Koch was married in 1861 to Sarah, daughter of Daniel Wise of Lycoming county, and has five children: Edmund V .; Laura; Ida; Clara, and Harry.

EDMUND G. KOCH was born in Germany in 1846, and came with his parents to Williamsport when four years old. He received a public school education and afterwards attended Dickinson Seminary and Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York. He learned the brewing business with his father, and in

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1868 formed a partnership with his brother August, and succeeded to the business which his father had established, under the firm name of A. Koch & Brother. This firm has built up a large trade in the West Branch valley, and carries on a very successful business. . Mr. Koch was one of the organizers of the Board of Trade, and has served as treasurer of that institution. He was married in 1869 to Clara, daughter of Joseph Filmeyer of Philadelphia, and has one daughter, Alvina. Mr. Koch is one of the substantial and enterprising business men of Lycoming county.

WILLIAM SWEELEY druggist, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Jan- uary 19, 1842. His father, Jacob Sweeley, married Rosanna Keyes, who bore him a large family, William being the eighth son. Jacob Sweeley came to Williamsport from Philadelphia, when this now flourishing city contained only six houses. Our subject was reared in this county, obtained on education in the public schools and at Dickinson Seminary, and graduated at the Williamsport Commercial College. In 1857 he entered the employ of the Williamsport and Elmira Railroad Company, and remained with that company until August, 1862. He then enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was with his reg- iment at Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, and was mustered out with the regiment at Harrisburg. He then re-entered the employ of the Williamsport and Elmira Railroad Company and was engaged in railroading and running engines in different States up to 1875, when the death of his father induced him to return to Williamsport. He was engaged in the real estate business here up to 1879, when, in partnership with G. F. Hart, he entered the drug business on the corner of Fourth and Neece streets, where he remained until 1885. He then withdrew from the firm, built a residence in South Williamsport, and also opened a drug store, where he has since been engaged in business. He was instrumental in having South Williamsport incorporated as a borough, and was elected a member of the first council. In 1886 he made applica- tion to the postoffice department and had an office established in South Williamsport, under the name of Burlingame, of which he was appointed postmaster. He served in that office until April 1, 1891, and then resigned. During his residence in Will- iamsport he served in the common council, and was also a member of the school board. Mr. Sweeley was prominent in the organization of St. John's Protestant Episcopal chapel in South Williamsport, and organized the Sunday school, of which he was elected superintendent. He is a member of Reno Post, No. 64, G. A. R., and has held most of the offices up to post Commander. He has been a delegate to many of the department encampments, also to the national encampment at Detroit in 1891, and was a member of General Alger's staff. He is a member of the board of managers and treasurer of the Monumental Association. He has been identified with the National Guard of Pennsylvania since 1879, is captain of Company B, Twelfth Regiment, and the senior captain of that regiment. Mr. Sweeley is a member of the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Aseociation, and one of the well known druggists of the West Branch valley. He was one of the first to advocate the abolition of tolls on the river bridges, and has done his full share in furthering that measure. He married Jane E., youngest daughter of Samuel and Martha Caroth- ers, of the " Long Reach," Lycoming county.

Hilliam Siveley

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

APPLETON R. JACKSON was born in Polk township, Crawford county, Ohio, Novem- ber 4, 1838, son of Enoch and Rhoda (Lewis) Jackson, the former a native of Maine and the latter of Knox county, Ohio. He received a common school education and learned the trade of saw-filing, at which he was employed until 1865. He then engaged in the oil business on Pioneer run, a tributary of Oil creek, Venango county, Pennsylvania, where he drilled several wells and was a partner in the well known Andrews well on Western run. After this he returned to Williamsport and was employed at his trade until 1872, when he invested in real estate on the opposite side of the river (then Armstrong township) and removed thither, continuing to prosecute his trade. In 1885 he engaged in mercantile pursuits and has since enjoyed a flour- ishing business; he also deals largely in real estate. Mr. Jackson was married in 1859 to Mary E., daughter of Reuben Heller, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of seven children, five of whom are living: Orville E., attorney at law, Boise City, Idaho; Walter E .; John S .; Anthony R., and Charles R. C. Mr. Jackson is a Republican in politics and a member of the Masonic fraternity. The family are adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church of South Williamsport.

JOHN H. RIALE, of the firm of Miller & Riale, was born in Chester county, Penn- sylvania, December 2, 1862, son of George W. and Hester (Hufford) Riale, natives of Chester and Bucks counties, Pennsylvania, respectively, farmers by occupation and residents of York county, Pennsylvania, where they are prominent members of the Presbyterian church. He was educated in the public schools of Chester county and reared principally in York county, Pennsylvania. He came to Williamsport in 1882 and took employment with the Williamsport Furniture Company, where he remained until March, 1890, at which time he became a member of the present firm of Miller & Riale, grocers of South Williamsport. He was married in July, 1887, to Miss Clara E., daughter of Joseph Heilman, of Clinton township, and to this union has been born one child, Blanche E. He is a Democrat in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Lutheran church.

JOSEPH H. MILLER, of the firm of Miller & Riale, grocers, South Williamsport, was born in Dauphin county, May 11, 1862, son of Joseph and Susan (Glase) Mil- ler, natives of the same county. The father was a stockholder in the Millersburg bank, and one of the original stockholders of the Halifax bank; he was a Democrat in politics, and died January 26, 1883; with his widow, who survives, he was a member of the United Brethren church. Our subject was reared .in his native county, where he received his education in the common schools. He came to Will- iamsport in 1882, and worked in the Williamsport Furniture Company until March, 1890, when he formed his present partnership; he is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was married in 1881, to Miss Clara, daughter of Alfred Burnett, of Perry county, Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born four children: Ralph B .; Hans A .; Florence M., and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Mil- ler are members of the Lutheran church, in which he has filled the office of deacon for the past four years.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

CHAPTER XLIX.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

BOROUGH OF MUNCY, AND MUNCY CREEK, MORELAND. FRANKLIN, AND JORDAN TOWNSHIPS.

WILLIAM COX ELLIS was born May 5, 1787, in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. His father, William Ellis, was of Welsh parentage, and emigrated to America in 1762. He first settled in Delaware county, and removed to Lycoming county prior to June, 1778. On the eve of the "Big Runaway," William Ellis rode on horseback from Fort Muncy to a point near the present site of Jersey Shore, and returned the same night, to warn settlers of impending danger. Soon after this he went to Chester county, where he remained until it was safe to return to the West Branch valley. In 1785 he married Mercy Cox of Maryland. Her parents came from England to America in 1774. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Ellis was agent for the large land interests of Samuel Wallis. During the latter's absence, Mr. Ellis and wife occupied one of the houses near Fort Muncy. There were eleven children born to William Ellis and wife, five of whom grew to maturity: William; Rachel, who married Jacob Haines; Anna, who married Hon. Samuel W. Morris; Charles, who married Deborah Tyson, and for a second wife, Mary L. Morris, and Henry D., who married Mary Strawbridge. William Cox Ellis was educated in the schools of his boyhood days, and July 11, 1810, he married Rebecca, daughter of B. Wister. In 1816 he located in Milton, where he was cashier of the old Milton Bank. While thus employed he read law with Samuel Hepburn and was admitted to the Northumberland bar in 1817. He soon after settled in Muncy, where he practiced law with much success. He was sent to Congress in 1820, and again in 1822. In 1825-26 he served in the State legislature. Mrs. Ellis died, December S, 1871, aged eighty-two years, followed by her husband, five days later, aged eighty-five.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 112

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