History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 116

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

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JACOB OPP, son of Philip Opp, Jr., married Susan Fiester, and to this union were born five children: Amelia; Sarah, deceased; Charlotte, who married Simpson Smith; Wilson, and Franklin. deceased. Jacob Opp died on February S, 1865; his wife died December 3, 1831.

MARY OPP, daughter of Philip Opp, Jr., married Christopher Derr, by whom she has had ten children: Hannah, deceased; Philip; Jane; Phœbe; Thomas; Wilson; John; George: Jacob, and Frank.

THOMAS OPP, son of Philip Opp, Jr., married Jane Van Dine, and to this union were born three children: Jane. deceased; P. Wilson, and Martha.

COL. MILTON OPP was one of the gallant and fearless patriots of Lycoming county who laid down their lives in defense of the Union. He was a son of Philip and Hannah (Smith) Opp, and was born in Moreland township. Lycoming county, Angust 28, 1835. His boyhood years were spent upon his father's farm, and he early displayed a love of books and a strong desire to obtain a good education. After secur- ing such an education as the public schools of his district afforded, he attended school at Muncy, and began preparing for a collegiate course. In the winter of 1853-54 he entered Bucknell University, at Lewisburg. and his habits of study and general earnestness of purpose soon placed him among the foremost of his class. He also became a popular leader in the social sports and pastimes of the institution, and, gifted with a good voice. soon organized a Glee Club, of which he was the leader for several years. He graduated in 1858. and then entered the Poughkeepsie Law School, Poughkeepsie, New York, from which he graduated with honor in 1860. Returning to his home he was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county, and com- menced the practice of his profession. His hopes and aspirations in that calling were soon afterwards laid aside, and he responded to the call to arms. He was commissioned first lieutenant of Company F, Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, in October, 1861, and served with that regiment, as lieutenant. captain, major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel by successive promotion, np to the battles of the Wilderness, where he was mortally wounded May 6, 1864, while gallantly leading his command in a desperate charge against the enemy. Three days later his spirit took its flight, and a brave, high-minded, and accomplished soldier and patriot had given his life as an example to the youth of his native county.

JACOB SHIPMAN was a grandson of Jacob Shipman, who came with his family from Essex county, New Jersey, and located upon the tract of 200 acres in Moreland township where Isaac Shipman, his great-grandson, now resides. He was a captain in the war of 1812. John Shipman, his son, married Charlotte La Rne, by whom he had ten children: Jacob; Isaac; John; Charles; Margaret; Elizabeth; Sarah; Catharine; Levina, and Maria; they are all deceased but Sarah and Charles. Jacob Shipman, the eldest of the family, was a farmer by occupation. He married

Hos & Mitter

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Caroline Britton, by whom he had nine children: Amos; Margaret, deceased; Char- lotte, deceased; Elmira; John; Sarah A., deceased: Isaac; Mary J., and an infant, deceased. He was not a member of any church organization, but supported and helped to build many churches. He died August 12, 1SSS, and his wife, September 16, 1872.

ISAAC SHIPMAN, farmer, was born on the farm where he now lives, August 5, 1835, son of Jacob and Caroline (Britton) Shipman. He was educated in the com- mon schools and tanght three terms. He has followed farming the greater portion of his life. November 18, 1869, he was married to Alice Houseknecht, by whom he has had six children: Anna; Jacob; Clyde; Mary; Verus J., and an infant, deceased. Mr. Shipman is one of the leading citizens of Moreland township; he is serving his fourth term as a justice of the peace, and has been overseer of the poor for eight years. In politics he is a Democrat. He and wife are members of the Moreland Lutheran church, in which he has been deacon. He was drafted for service in the late war, but sent a substitute.

WILLIAM FARR was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1769. He married Miss Anna Smith, of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, who was born in 1777. Soon after their marriage they removed to Lycoming county. They were the parents of seven children: George; Effie; Abbie; Richard B .; Hannah; Sarah, and Rhoda, all deceased except Rhoda, who married Richard Taylor.

RICHARD B. FARR was a farmer by occupation, and married Rachel Farnsworth, a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He was born June 5, 1799, and his wife was born August 27, 1796; they reared a family of six children: Effie, who married George Derr; Abigail, who married Jacob Dick; Susan, who married Henry Fores- ter; Hannah, who married Andrew Madison; Smith B .; William V., who enlisted at the beginning of the war as first lieutenant of Company F, One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Upon the death of the captain of his company he was promoted to that position, which he filled with honor to the close of the war; he died in Indiana, May 9, 1872. Richard B. Farr and wife were leading members of the Baptist church, and died March 6, 1874, and April 6, 1876, respectively.

SMITH B. FARR, farmer, was born on the farm where he now lives, July 3, 1840, son of Richard B. and Rachel (Farnsworth) Farr. He received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and has devoted his life to farming. Novem- ber 19, 1872, he was married to Miss Anna Warren, and to this union have been born the following children: Eri; Mary; Roy; Smith, and two infants, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Farr are members of the Moreland Baptist church.

WILLIAM STADON and two brothers came to Pennsylvania at an early date, and located on farms in Northumberland and Columbia counties; William reared a large family; his son Curtis was born in 1785 in Columbia county, and married Keturah McHenry, by whom he had two children: Silas and Hiram. Mrs. Stadon died, and he was again married to a Miss Lundy, and to this union were born four sons: Shively; John; Harvey, and Samuel. Curtis Stadon died in 1865; Hiram, his second son, was born in 1813. He was a manufacturer of woolen goods, and built what was known as the Stadon woolen factory on Laurel run, and also one in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He followed the manufacture of woolen goods until 1854, when he turned his attention to farming. He was married in 1840 to Sarah

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

A. Opp, by whom he had two children: Silas M., and John C., who died when three years old. Mr. Stadon died, February 19, 1887.

SILAS M. STADON, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1841, son of Hiram and Sarah A. (Opp) Stadon. He received a common school education and has spent his business life on a farm. He enlisted in Company K, Forty-third Pennsylvania Militia, June 27, 1863, and was discharged August 13th of the same year. Mr. Stadon was married, February 13, 1868, to Sarah Jane Fague, of Lycoming county; to this union three sons were born: George M .; Hiram Alvin, and Clyde F. Mr. and Mrs. Stadon are members of the Baptist church.

OLIVER H. SLONAKER, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1849, son of John and Matilda (Thomas) Slonaker. His great-grand- father came from Germany and settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and subse- quently removed to this county; he reared a large family. One of his sons, who was the grandfather of our subject, reared a family of eight children: William, deceased; Henry; John, deceased; Rebecca; Eliza; and three whose names are unknown. John was a blacksmith by trade, which he followed for many years in connection with farming. He married Matilda Thomas, by whom he had two children: Thomas and Oliver H. Mrs. Slonaker died in 1851, and he was again married, to Leah Thomas, a sister of his first wife, by whom he also had two chil- dren. After the death of his second wife, he was married to Mary Dugan, with whom he resides in Michigan. Oliver H. was educated in the common schools, and has devoted his life to farming. In 1873, he was married to Henrietta, daughter of Jacob Poust. To this union have been born six children: Nora; Harvey, deceased; Zelia; Madge; Lloyd, and Edgar. Mr. and Mrs. Slonaker are members of the Lutheran church, and he has always taken an active interest in the principles of the Republican party.

JOHN D. SMITH was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Thomas J. Smith, and a grandson of Thomas Smith, a colonel in the Revolutionary war, who at its close settled in Lycoming county, where he was one of the pioneer surveyors. Here his son Thomas J. was born, August 11, 1806, and here he resided up to his death. It is claimed that Thomas J. Smith built the first grist mill in his locality. His children were George; John D., and Effie, all of whom are dead. John D. Smith built the present mill, known as the Smith mill, in Moreland town- ship. He married Mary Metler, by whom he had five children: Thomas, deceased; Catharine; Margaret; Mary, deceased, and Philip M. He died December 29, 1883, and his widow September 9, 1884; they were consistent members of the Moreland Baptist church.

PHILIP M. SMITH, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1838, and is a son of John D. and Mary (Metler) Smith. He received a common school education, and has devoted his attention to farming and lumbering. He was married, February 17, 1863, to Anastasia L., daughter of Philip Opp. To this union have been born seven children: Milton; Effie; Margaret; Harry; May, and two deceased. In politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and has filled all of the township offices. He is one of the representative citizens of the community in which he resides.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DANIEL SMITH was a son of John Smith, who came from New Jersey to Northum- berland county, Pennsylvania, at an early date, and located near Milton. He reared a family of nine children, Daniel being one of the number. The latter was married in Northumberland county to Sarah Van Low, and removed to Lycoming county. He was the father of ten children: John, deceased; William; David; Peter, deceased; Catherine, deceased; Sarah; Elizabeth; Margaret, deceased; Annie, deceased, and Daniel S. Mr. Smith and wife were members of the Presbyterian church, until they came to this county, when they became Lutherans. He died in 1866, in his eighty-third year, and his wife in 1873.

DANIEL S. SMITH, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 26, 1822, son of Daniel and Sarah (Van Low) Smith. He was educated in the common schools and has followed farming the whole of his life. He was married, May 25, 1847, to Lovina Poust, and to this union have been born 'nine children: Margaret, who married Thomas Smith; John, who married Lizzie Trick; L. Harvey, who married Tura Hill; William F., who married Mary Hill; Elizabeth, who married George Reese; Sarah J., who married George Kepner; Elmer, who married Annie Nonguesser; Elmira, deceased, and Walter. Mr. Smith has always taken an active interest in the Democratic party; he and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, of which he has been steward for twenty years.

SAMUEL E. RITTER, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1849, a son of Zebedee and Anna (Fox) Ritter. Martin Ritter, the great-grand- father of Samuel E. Ritter, was married to Barbara Fredericks, and to this union there were born eight children: John; George; Martin; Elizabeth; Barbara; Valentine; Jacob, and Samuel. The last two named came to Lycoming county; Samuel married Christiana Starr, by whom he had five children: William, deceased; John; Zebedee; George, and Mary. Zebedee Ritter was the father of Samuel E. Ritter, and married Anna Fox, by whom he had four children: Samuel E .; Mary J., who married John MI. Snyder; John W., and Anthony, deceased. Our subject, Samuel E. Ritter, received a common school education, and has always devoted his life to farming. He was married in 1877 to Henrietta King, and to this union have been born six children: Estella E .; Owen Z .; Raymond K .; Grover C .; Brady F., and Nellie B.

ELLIS WARN, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1842, son of John S. and Mary (Derr) Warn. Benjamin Warn, his grandfather, came from New Jersey to Lycoming county in 1819, and located on a farm in More- land township. He was one of the prominent men of his day, and took a great interest in church matters. He was the father of the following children: Sarah; John, deceased; Alexander, deceased; Catherine, deceased; Lucinda, deceased; Benjamin, and Shipman, deceased. John S. Warn, his eldest son, was a farmer and the father of ten children: James; Margaret; Emeline; Ellis; Elmira; Charles; Sarah J., deceased; Ann; Harriet, and Bertha. He died in February, 1885, and his widow March 31, 1890. Our subject, Ellis Warn, was educated in the common schools and has always followed farming. In 1864 he enlisted in Com- pany G, Two Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. He was married, December 22, 1870, to Lizzie Trainer, and to this union have been born three children: Clara; Albert T., and Mary. Mr. Warn

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

is a stanch Republican and one of the worthy citizens of the community in which he resides.

SIMON C. HARTRANFT, farmer, was born in Muncy, Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, in November, 1858, and is a son of Samuel and Amanda (Docor) Hartranft. Andrew Hartranft, the grandfather of our subject, removed from Berks county to Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, at an early day. He married a Miss Frank- enberger, and to this union were born ten children: Henry, deceased; John, deceased; Jacksou, deceased; William, deceased; Conrad, deceased; Samuel; George; Joseph; Elizabeth, and Mary. Samuel, the eldest living child of Andrew Hartranft, is a wagonmaker by trade, which occupation he has followed the greater part of his life. He is the father of six sons and four daughters: Joseph; Clarence; Simon C .; William; Henry; Samuel; Elizabeth, who married David Black; Alice, who married Samuel Sprout; Emma, who married Bartley Horner, and Nora, who married Walter Opp, and died July, 1888. The mother of these children died in 1881. Our sub- ject, Simou C. Hartranft, received a common school education, and has always been engaged in farming. March 6, 1885, he was married to Mattie Bitler, and to this union have been born two children: Louella G., and Susan B. Mr. Hartranft and wife are members of the Moreland Baptist church.

JOHN TRICK immigrated from Germany to America in 1832 with his family, and settled in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He was a shoemaker by trade and fol- lowed that occupation until his death. His wife, Christiana Trick, died in 1837, and he in 1845. They were the parents of eight children: John, deceased; Mary, deceased; Christiana, deceased; Jacob; Dorothy, deceased; Lizzie; Henry, and Mar- garet, deceased.

JACOB TRICK, farmer, was born in 1826 in Germany, son of John and Christiana Trick, and came to this county with his parents. He was educated in the common schools and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed forty years, but is now engaged in farming. He was married in 1848 to Lydia A., daughter of Jacob Snyder, and to this union have been born the following children: Lizzie, who married John Smith; Henry; John; William; Sarah, who married Henry De Walt; Emma; Philip, deceased; George; Harvey; Tommy, and Agnes, who married Harvey Harmon. Mr. Trick is an active Republican, and he and wife have been members of the Lutheran church for forty years.

ALBERT TRAINER was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of George Trainer, who came from Ireland to Chester county. The latter was the father of the following children: Esther; Mary; Harriet; Albert; Barnet, and George. Our subject married Mary Stitler; he followed boating twelve years before coming to Lycoming county, which was in 1852, and was a cabinet maker by trade. He was the father of ten children: George; Amanda, who married Charles Thomas, a Baptist preacher of Philadelphia; Annie, who married Albert Oliver; H. Elizabeth, who married Ellis Warn; David S .; Margaret, who married Samuel Bussler; Samaria, who married Walter McFate; Emma, who married William Dye; John, deceased, and Sallie, who married Dr. Harriman. Mr. Trainer died in September, 1888.

DAVID S. TRAINER was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1846, and is a son of Albert and Mary (Stitler) Trainer. He received a common school education and has always followed farming. He was married, December 29, 1871, to

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Mary A. Derr, and to this union have been born four children: Elmer; Mary; Frank D., and John H. Mr. Trainer and wife are members of the Baptist church, of which he has been superintendent of the Sunday school for five years.

SOLOMON REED located in Lycoming county shortly after the " Great Runaway," and to avoid trouble with the Indians as well as to secure plenty of wild game, he concluded to push up Little Muncy creek near its head waters. Far removed from any white man's settlement, he and his followers commenced to form a settlement in the primeval forests, which were as densely populated with wild and ferocious animals as the day when Columbus discovered the continent. To relate the toil and hardships endured, the many narrow escapes from death by swollen streams, wild beasts, severe winters, and forest fires, sounds more like over-drawn fiction now than a stern reality. Yet, suffice to say, by some means, Solomon Reed built a house and barn, cleared about 100 acres of land, planted an orchard, and reared a family of five children, three boys and two girls: William; Jacob; Frederick; Polly, and Katie. William Reed married Margaret Stine, and to this union were born nine children, three of whom are living: S. W. Reed, of Washington, Iowa; Gordon F. Reed, of Williamsport, and Lottie, who married Jacob Hartman, of Franklin town- ship. John Frederick Reed married Elizabeth Whitmire, and to this union were born eleven children, eight of whom are still living: Susan, who married William B. Smith; Julia, who married John Houseknecht; Charles Washington; Thomas; Hiram; George; John, and Michael F.

JACOB REED, son of Solomon Reed, married Ellen Dugan, and to this union were born twelve children, eight of whom are living: Jacob Wilson, who married Julia Poust, and lives in Franklin township; Samuel Perry, who was married twice, and is a merchant at Lairdsville; William Ellis, who was married three times and resides in Williamsport; Peter Mandes, who married Jerusha Buck, and now resides at Genoa, Illinois; Lewis Cass, who is unmarried and lives in Franklin township; Susan Ann, who married Robert Buck, and lives in Franklin township; Rachel Catherine, who married Henry Doane, and lives in Shrewsbury township, and John T.

THOMAS J. RAPER, physician and surgeon, was born in what is now Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, in 1825, son of John and Catherine (Huckle) Raper. His father immigrated from England to America at the age of twenty-one years, and married Catherine Huckle, whose family came from England to America in 1798, and settled in what is now Sullivan county, Pennsylvania. To this union were born two children: Mary, who died in 1890, and Thomas J. When the latter was an infant his father died; his mother survived until 1868. Dr. Raper was educated in the common schools, and at Mifflinburg, Union county, Pennsylvania, under the instruction of Prof. James McClune. After teaching school for ten years he began the study of medicine under Dr. Thomas Lyon, of Williamsport, in 1850. He spent one year at the University Medical College, of New York, and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1853. Dr. Raper began practicing at Lairdsville, this county, and has since devoted his entire attention to his profession. He was married in December, 1853, to Catherine B. Hawley, by whom he has five children: Fannie, widow of Dr. George W. Crawford; Thomas W., who married Mary Vroman; Charles B., who died at the age of twenty-two years; Harry, who married

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Sallie Lyon, and Thomas L., deceased. Mrs. Raper died, March 26, 1891. Dr. Raper has always taken a deep interest in political matters, and has been the Republican committeeman at Lairdsville for fourteen years. He is the present post- master at that town.

GEORGE RITTER located on the present site of Turbutville, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, at an early day. He was the father of seven ,children: Elizabeth; Martin; George; Valentine; Samuel; Jacob, and one daughter, name unknown. Samuel, a stone-mason by trade, came to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until his death. He was the father of five children: William; John; Zebedee; George, and Mary J. William, eldest son of Samuel Ritter, mar- ried Lydia Renn, by whom he had eleven children: Thomas J .; Zebedee J .; Jacob B., deceased; William H., deceased; George W., deceased; Samuel P., deceased; Franklin P., deceased; Rhoda A., deceased; John A .; Christiann, and Jeremiah D. For fifteen years he was justice of the peace in Franklin township. John A. was married in 1879 to Miss Mary A. Minier, and to this union were born two children: Jacob H., and J. Brady. Zebedee J. married Jemella Houseknecht, and to this union the following children have been born: Stella G .; William E .; Ernest W., and Christiana, who married H. H. Minier, and has four children: John H .; Fannie H .; Mary J., and Loda B. Jeremiah D. Ritter married Emeline Hill, and of this union six children have been born: Bessie E .; Nora A., deceased; William C., deceased; George M., deceased; Mattie, deceased, and Pearl.

THOMAS J. RITTER, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1845, son of William and Lydia (Renn) Ritter. He was educated in the com- mon schools and has devoted his life principally to farming and lumbering, and operates a mill at Lairdsville. In January, 1871, he was married to Miss Almira Magargle, and to this union have been born four children: Mary E .; Anna D .; William R., and Thomas J. Mr. Ritter is a member of the I. O. O. F., a Democrat in politics, and has held minor township offices. He is a member of the Methodist church and trustee in the organization with which he is connected.

GEORGE W. PHILIPS, son of Abia Philips, located in Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1844, where he has since devoted his time to farming. Abia Philips was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1780, and located in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, at an early day. His first wife was Ann Guest, by whom he had three sons and three daughters: George W .; Hannah; Martha; Miriam; David, and Henry Guest. His second wife was Leah Bodine, by whom he had one child, Nancy. His third wife was Rebecca Rote, who bore him six children: Margaret; Sarah; Abia Franklin; Clark; Leah, and Robert. He died November 30, 1856. George W. married Rhoda A. Reese, by whom he had fifteen children: Joseph R., of Danville, Pennsylvania; Abias, of Wilkesbarre; George W., of Penn township; Robert, who died in Missouri; William J., who was killed in a mill at Milton; John, deceased; Henry G., who enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was killed at the battle of Five Forks, Virginia; James W., of Sullivan county; Cather- ine, who married Robert Potter, of Bloomsburg; Margaret, who married H. C. Little, of Picture Rocks; Martha, who married A. W. Ritter, of Hughesville; Alice, who married Bert Swisher; the other three died in infancy.

DAVID C. PHILIPS, farmer, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, October

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

22, 1839, son of George W. and Rhoda A. (Reese) Phillips. He received a common school education and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years. July 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves, and was discharged June 14, 1864, but entered the quartermaster's department at Washington. and was sent to Point Lookout, Maryland, and remained there in active service until honorably discharged at Washington, February 19, 1866. After return- ing from the war he resumed his trade for three years and then purchased the farm upon which he now lives. He is also engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He was married. September 17, 1868, to Miss Eurena Starr, by whom he had five chil- dren: Harry G. : Thomas A .; William: George W., and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Philips died, November 17, 1875. Mr. Philips is a stanch Republican, and has tilled several minor local offices, and is the present township collector. He is a member of Col. John B. Musser Post, G. A. R., of Muncy, also of Lairdsville Lodge, No. 956, I. O. O. F., and the Patrons of Husbandry. He is an enterprising and progressive man, and one of the representative citizens of Franklin township.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 116

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