History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 119

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

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ville, Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born four children: Three deceased in infancy and Miriam. Mr. Welch and family are members of the Methodist church of Hughesville; he became a Sabbath school pupil when he was six years old, and has been a regular attendant ever since; he has been superintendent of Sunday schools for twenty years, and at times has filled the pulpit of Methodist churches.

S. D. TOWNSEND, auditor of the Williamsport and North Branch Railroad Com- pany, was born, October 18, 1847, in Philadelphia. He came to Hughesville, Jan- uary 15, 1884, and has been identified with that railroad ever since. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church of Hughesville.

ALFRED H. HILL, salesman, was born in Muncy Creek township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1836, son of Jacob and Charlotte (Dimm) Hill. He was educated at Pennsylvania College, and taught seventeen terms of school. In 1871 he was nominated for prothonotary of Lycoming county, but was defeated in the election by a small majority. He was then appointed conductor on a passenger train for the Muncy Creek railroad, which position he filled until 1876, when he was elected to the legislature of Pennsylvania. On his return from his official service he resumed his position as conductor until this railroad was reorganized and changed to the Williamsport and North Branch Company. He then took employment with the Standard Oil Company for two years, after which he superintended the macad- amizing of the streets of Hughesville. For the past six years he has been employed by Burrows Brothers, furniture manufacturers of Picture Rocks, as traveling salesman. Mr. Hill has been secretary of the school board of Hughesville eight years. He was married, October 4, 1859, to Caroline C. Corsen, of Shrewsbury township, Lycoming county, and to this union have been born three children: Emory D., deceased; Charles S., and Fannie B. Mr. Hill is a member of the Masonic order at Muncy.

REV. J. A. WIRT, A. M., pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Hughes- ville, was born in Millersburg, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, the only son of Simon Wirt. He was graduated from Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pennsyl- vania, in 1874, and immediately began a theological course at Gettysburg and Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. His first charge was at Lykens, Pennsylvania, where he remained for six years. When he began his labors at that place the church was heavily in debt, and at the close of his pastoral charge the buildings were in good repair and there were $246 in the treasury. In 1883 he came to Hughesville and took charge of the Evangelical Lutheran church of that place. At that time the church building was valued at about $1,300, but within two years Rev. Wirt had so aroused the congregation that a new edifice was begun which cost $20,000, and is wholly out of debt at the present time. It was through Mr. Wirt's influence that Mrs. John L. Shipman before hier death deeded to the church its present parsonage. In 1883 the membership of the church was 196 and at the present time there are 429 members. The benevolent collections have increased from $100 in 1882 to $1,068 in 1891. Rev. Wirt has attended more dedications and laying of corner- stones than any other minister of the Susquehanna Synod. He was president of the Susquehanna Synod for three consecutive terms, and is at present chairman of the educational committee. He delivered an address before the General Synod at

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Lebanon, Pennsylvania, which the publication society had printed and circulated 5,000 copies. He is at present a member of the board of trustees of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. and is connected in a similar capacity with Missionary Insti- tute at Selinsgrove and Irving Female College at Mechanicsburg. He was married while in the Theological Seminary to Mattie J., daughter of David A. Buehler, of Gettysburg, and to this union have been born four children: Ray F .; Guyon B .; S. Edgar, and John A.

H. H. RUTTER. editor and publisher of the Hughesville Mail, was born at Wil- mington; Delaware, June 13, 1851, son of Dr. J. C. and Jane (Clayton) Rutter. His parents removed to Bloomsburg, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1854, where he was reared and received his education at the Literary Institute, now known as the State Normal School. In 1868 he entered the office of the Bloomsburg Columbian and learned the trade of printer. Subsequently he found employment on the Morn- ing Standard at Williamsport, then published by Hon. Henry L. Dieffenbach, where he remained two years. In 1876-77 he was employed upon the Shickshinny Mountain Echo. In the latter part of 1877 he accepted a position as city editor and manager of the Banner at Carthage, Missouri, where he remained until 1883, when he located at Atlantic, Iowa, and assisted in establishing a daily paper. In June, 1883, he purchased the Hughesville Enterprise, re-established it under its present name, and has since continued its publication. Mr. Rutter was appointed postmaster under the Cleveland administration, and filled that office with credit and ability. He was a delegate to the Democratic State convention of 1889 and has been otherwise prominent in political circles. In 1881 Mr. Rutter married Era, daughter of Col. W. F. Cloud, of Missouri, and they are the parents of three children: Clara C .; Cloud C., and Harry H. J.

NICHOLAS CRAWFORD was born in 1816 in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. His father, William Crawford, was a native of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1793. Nicholas Crawford was a tanner by trade, and followed that occupation at Montoursville for a number of years. He was twice married, and by his first wife he had four children: Richmond, deceased; Samuel; William E., and an infant deceased. Mrs. Crawford died, May S. 185S, and he was again married, to Sarah J. Condrick, and to this union were born five children: Della; Curtain; Stanton; Emeline, and Elizabeth. Mr. Crawford is now living in Jackson county, Kansas.

WILLIAM E. CRAWFORD, lawyer, was born at Warrensville, Lycoming county, August 14, 1850, son of Nicholas and Rebecca (Casner) Crawford. He was educated in the common schools and Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He began the study of law under the tuition of the Hon. J. J. Metzger, and was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county in August, 1873. He practiced in Williamsport until 1875, when he located in Hughesville, where he has given his entire time to his profession. He was married, February 14, 1877, to Anna, daughter of Jacob Artley, and to this union have been born three children: Alethera; Lillian, and Rebecca. In politics he is a Republican, and has filled many of the borough offices. He is a member of Muncy Lodge, No. 299, F. & A. M.

G. W. METZGER, physician and surgeon, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1841, son of George and Susan (Deitrick) Metzger. He was educated at

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY,

Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, and Missionary Institute, Selinsgrove, Pennsyl- vania. After finishing his literary education he began the study of medicine with Dr. Thomas Smith of Clinton township, Lycoming county, and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1856. He at once located at Hughesville, where he has devoted his whole attention to his profession, and has built an extensive and a lucrative practice. He enlisted in Company G, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volun- teers, in the first three months' call. and was honorably discharged at the end of the term. He was married, May 28, 1867, to Rebecca, daughter of George Beeber, of Muncy Creek township, and to this union have been born two daughters: Alta and Rebecca. Mr. Metzger has been a member of the school board for twenty-two years, and with his family belongs to the Lutheran church.

ANDREW REEDY emigrated to America at an early day and reared quite a family. His son, Conrad Reedy, was a harness-maker by trade and removed to Hughesville in 1852; there he went into the general mercantile business, which he followed until the close of the war. He then studied dentistry with Dr. J. K. Rishel and followed that profession until his death, June 30, 1881.

WV. T. REEDY, dentist, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1850, son of Conrad and Catherine (Frymire) Reedy. He was educated in the common schools and began the study of dentistry with his father in 1873. He was graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, Philadelphia, in 1884. He located at Hughesville, and has prosecuted his profession ever since. He was married, May 24, 1888, to Miss Hattie Keller, of Muncy, Pennsylvania.

THE KAHLER FAMILY of Lycoming county is descended from Christopher Kahler, a German immigrant who first located at Philadelphia upon his arrival in America. He subsequently removed to Easton, Pennsylvania, and then to Bloomsburg, where he resided at the time of his death. He was married in Philadelphia, and was the father of the following children: Christian, deceased; John; Charles, deceased; Samuel, deceased; Margaret, deceased; Elizabeth, and Sarah, deceased. Christopher Kahler died in 1823, and his wife survived him until 1850.

CHRISTIAN KAHLER was born at Easton, Pennsylvania, February 18, 1798, son of Christopher Kahler. He learned the tailor's trade at Bloomsburg, having removed to that place with his parents in 1810. In 1828 he came to Hughesville and engaged in the merchant tailoring business, continuing at this for many years. He served as justice of the peace in Wolf township, and filled the same office in the borough of Hughesville after its organization, serving in this capacity a period of twenty- eight years. In the latter part of his life he resided upon his farm, just beyond the borough limits, but subsequently returned to Hughesville, where he died on the 22d of December, 1884. On the 18th of March, 1823, he married Sarah Keller, who died in 1860; to this union were born seven children: John; Margaret, who married Peter Sevison; Thomas W .; an infant, deceased; Annie R., who married Theodore Hill; Sarah, deceased wife of Fleming Webster, and Parson D. Mr. Kahler was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran church, in which he filled the office of deacon.

JOHN KAHLER was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1824, son of Christian and Sarah (Keller) Kahler. He received his education at the public schools, and at the age of fourteen was employed by James Huling as clerk in a

Cy Kahler

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store. Here he remained two years, and then taught school for the same length of time, after which he engaged in the mercantile business with Henry Frymire. Four years later he became individual proprietor of a store and also engaged in the lum- ber business in connection with it, relinquishing mercantile pursuits in 1874 in order to devote his entire attention to his lumber interests. On the 15th of November, 1849, he married Elizabeth Ball, and to this union have been born seven children: Calvin; Estella, deceased; Walter F., deceased; John; McClellan, deceased; Harvey, and an infant, deceased. Mr. Kahler is an enthusiastic Democrat and belongs to the Lutheran church. He served as captain of a company of State uniformed militia under the old regime, and has been connected with the local government as auditor and burgess. He has also served as school director ten years.

THOMAS W. KAHLER, justice of the peace, was born in Hughesville, Pennsylvania, in 1829, son of Christian and Sarah (Keller) Kahler. He was educated in the com- mon schools, and was married in 1862 to Savilla Doctor, and to them have been born two children: Sarah R., and Martha, deceased. In 1878, Mr. Kahler was elected a justice of the peace and has filled that important office ever since.

SAMUEL KAHLER was born at Easton, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1803, son of Christopher Kahler. He was reared in Northampton and Columbia counties, and learned the trade of blacksmith. He came to Hughesville in 1828 for the purpose of obtaining employment with the Wells-Johnson Wagon Company, with which he continued for some time and then engaged in business for himself, which he carried on until 1835. At this time he purchased 300 acres of land about one mile northwest of Hughesville, which he cleared and improved, and engaged in farming until about 1871. He then rented the farm and settled in Hughesville, where he died March 12, 1SS1. He married Hester, daughter of Daniel Pursel, of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and to this union were born nine children: Harriet, wife of Hiram Croman; Andrew J .; Jamella, deceased wife of Jacob Hill; Theresa, wife of S. P. Wallace; Annie, deceased; Caroline; Martha, wife of Edward Melhuish; Sam- uel Norman, and Sylvester P. Mrs. Kahler survived her husband for some years. Samuel Kahler was a life-long Democrat and took an active interest in his party. He was a member of the State militia and held a captain's commission. In his religious views he was a Baptist, and was one of the organizers and original mem- bers of Picture Rocks Baptist church, the first of that denomination in that section of the county. In this he filled the office of deacon for many years. Mr. Kahler was one of the first members of the P. of H. in Lycoming county; he was a man who manifested great interest in public matters, and died respected and esteemed by all who knew him.

Hox. A. J. KAHLER, the eldest son of Samuel and Hester Kahler, was born July 27, 1834, at Hughesville. He received his education in the common schools. He was reared upon the homestead, working upon the farm in summer and teaching school in the winter for about ten years. He finally took charge of the homestead, where he remained until 1864; he then purchased a farm, where he lived until 1868. He then bought his present place, where he has since resided. After his father retired he purchased the homestead estate and is now one of the most extensive farmers in the county, cultivating about 400 acres. Mr. Kahler was married, December 31, 1858, to Maria, daughter of Benjamin Houseknecht, of Moreland

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

township, and to this union have been born the following children: Forrest; Martha; Sadie, wife of Hugh Phillips; Benjamin; Maggie; Stella; Anna; Russell; Alma, and Charles. Politically Mr. Kahler is a Democrat and is one of the leading men of his party. He has filled all of the township offices and was elected in 1890 to rep- resent his party in the State legislature. Mr. Kahler has always taken an active part in the affairs of his party and is one of Lycoming county's influential and lead- ing citizens. He is a member of the P. of H. and Muncy Valley Alliance. In his religious convictions he is a Baptist, and is a member of Picture Rocks Baptist church.

AMOS BURROWS and three brothers immigrated to America from Ireland at an early date. For five generations the Burrows family consisted of seven sons and three daughters, the eldest of each of four generations being named Amos, and the youngest of the fifth generation was also named Amos. Amos Burrows,the great-grand- father of S. H. Burrows, is the only one of the original family of whom any extensive. information can be found. He settled in Groton, Connecticut, and with three of his brothers, was a participant in the battle of Fort Griswold when it was attacked and taken by the British, each having stood in the midst of the fray on top of the fort during forty rounds and received no injuries. He and his son, who was the grandfather of S. H. Burrows, removed from Whitestown, Connecticut, to Stafford, the same State. This son, whose name was Amos, was the father of six sons and four daughters by his marriage to Miriam Eaton: Isaac; Asa; Eliza; Jesse; William; Ariel; Amos; Miriam; Nancy, and Weltha. Amos, the youngest of the sons, was the father of S. H. Burrows, and married Mary Melhuish, a native of England, and to this union were born three sons and three daughters: Asa W .; Sabin H .; Amos E .; Nancy; S. Elizabeth, and Miriam.

SABIN H. BURROWS, manufacturer, was born in Susquehanna county, Penn- sylvania, February 16, 1834, son of Amos and Mary (Melhuish) Burrows. He removed to Picture Rocks with his father in 1846, and was employed in the sash and blind factory owned by his father and A. R. Sprout for a number of years. He taught school for some time, and when he had reached his majority he engaged in the manufacture of bedsteads, making a success from the beginning. Ten years subsequent to entering this business his father became a partner, which business connection existed until the death of the latter. Later on his brothers were interested in the business with him, and still later, his sons became partners and remain as such to the present time. In 1882 the firm of Burrows Brothers & Com- pany was reorganized as a stock company, with A. M. Cowles, president; S. H. Burrows, secretary, and A. W. Burrows, treasurer. They give employment to over 100 men, and make a specialty of medium and fine chamber sets and side- boards. They also conduct a general store in connection with their manufacture. In 1884 S. H. and C. W. Burrows purchased the Highland Lake property, and soon after erected the Highland House, which he has managed with excellent success each summer since its completion. He was married in 1855 to Mary Lockard, and to this union have been born four children: C. W .; J. H .; Adelia, deceased, and Ernest, deceased. At one time Mr. Burrows received the nomination by acclamation for treasurer of Lycoming county on the Republican ticket. The Burrows family for several generations have adhered to the Baptist church.

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CHARLES W. BURROWS, eldest son of S. H. and Mary (Lockard) Burrows, was born at Picture Rocks, February 22, 1857. His education was obtained at the local schools and at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. At the age of eighteen he entered the factory of his father and was employed in the different departments of the business, of which he thus obtained a practical knowledge. At the age of twenty-three he took charge of the shipping department, which position he filled for several years. He was then placed in charge of the business as general manager; in 1887 he was elected secretary and in 1891 he was elected president and general manager, which positions he now fills. In 187S he married Anna Mary, daughter of Daniel Corson, and they are the parents of one child, Ernest S., born October 21, 1885. Mr. Burrows is a Republican in politics, and is president of the town council of his native borough.

AMOS E. BURROWS, proprietor of Hotel Grand View, Highland Lake, Pennsyl- vania, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, July 26, 1843, and came to Picture Rocks at the age of two years with his parents, Amos and Mary (Melhuish) Burrows. Here he received such' education as the common schools of that period and locality afforded, and early entered the employ of his father, with whom he remained until the outbreak of the civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was discharged for disability after six months' service. He was subsequently employed by his father until the death of the latter, when he became a member of the firm of S. H. Burrows & Company, and subsequently of Burrows Brothers & Company, which connection continued until 1891. Our subject was the first to conceive the location of a hotel for summer visitors at Highland Lake, where he commenced the erection of a hotel in 1886. In 1890 he rebuilt and constructed the present edifice, a four-story structure 38x166 feet, fitted throughout with first-class appointments, and containing 110 rooms. Verandas twelve feet wide and 266 feet in length surround the building on three sides. In 1863 Mr. Burrows married Martha W., daughter of Chapman Baldwin, of Picture Rocks, and they are the parents of five children: Clora, wife of W. E. Clark, of Picture Rocks; Charles D., deceased; Ida, deceased; Henry P., and Fred Amos. Mr. Burrows has filled the office of burgess of Picture Rocks, and is one of the enterprising citizens of that borough.

THE SPROUT FAMILIES of Lycoming county are descendants of one of two brothers, who came from Scotland, at about the time of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock, and settled in Massachusetts. Several of their descendants served in the French and Revolutionary wars, among whom was Colonel Sprout, of Revolutionary fame, his regiment having been chosen to quell the mutiny in the Continental Army at Valley Forge.

Nathaniel Sprout was a soldier in the French and Indian war, and was the father of eight sons and three daughters; four of his sons-James; Robert; Samuel, and Ebenezer, were soldiers in the Revolutionary war.

Ebenezer Sprout was born in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, September 23, 1787. He married Miriam Burrows, a native of Tolland county, Connecticut, and a sister of the late Amos Burrows, of Picture Rocks. They removed to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, endured the hardships of pioneer life, and reared eight sons and three daughters. In 1862 they removed to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania,

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where Mr. Sprout died, January 10, 1871, aged eighty-four years, and Mrs. Sprout on her birthday, July 4, 1878, aged eighty-seven years. They were both exemplary Christians and members of the Baptist church for more than half a century. The majority of their children united with the same church, and all save one professed religion, and, with one exception, became members of different churches. This family was remarkable for robust constitutions, height, weight, and longevity; the. father and four sons were each six feet in height, and their average weight was 200 pounds. They were farmers, inventors, and manufacturers. Many of their inventions have been patented and several of them manufactured by them until the expiration of the patents, proving useful and remunerative. Several of the grand- children seem inclined to continue the same occupations, and have prospects of even greater success. Some have been successful teachers, and one, Clarence E. Sprout, son of Samuel E., is practicing law at Williamsport.

A. Renselaer Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Massachusetts, April 25, 1816, and died at Picture Rocks, October 5, 1888; he married Mary M. Bates, of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and to them was born one son, Willis Gaylord, deceased in infancy. Mr. Sprout, with the late Amos Burrows, came to Lycoming county in 1848, and under the firm name of Sprout & Burrows erected the first sash, blind, and door factory in this county, where is now the thriving borough of Picture Rocks. His brother, Amos B. Sprout, came at the same time, and Erastus T. one year later. The last two named entered into copartnership, and the firm name became Sprout, Burrows & Company. A large factory was built which is still in operation, although the ownership has been frequently changed.

Ariel B. Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1818, and died at Hughesville, April 12, 1890; he mar- ried Julia Bergstresser, of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born four children: Edwin; Samuel B .; Alonzo, and one daughter, Ella. Mrs. Sprout died and he was again married, to Rachel A. Cowles, of Bradford county, Pennsyl-

vania, by whom he had four children: Sidney; Alton; Edna, and Vennie. Mr. Sprout was the inventor of the celebrated "Sprout Horse Hay Fork," and started the first bending factory in Lycoming county; he also built the little hamlet of Villa Grove, situated about half-way between Picture Rocks and Hughesville.

Erastus T. Sprout was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, November 14, 1819, and married Mary Eddy, of the same county, by whom he had two sons and four daughters: Henry; Charles E .; Alice; Emma; Eva, and Lucy J. Mrs. Sprout died and he was again married to Angeline L. Freeman.

Charles Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1821, and died near Montrose, August 5, 1888; he married Jane Hinds, of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, by whom he had six sons: James M .; C. Edgar; Lewis H .; George P .; Samuel, and Richard, the two last named dying in infancy; he also had two daughters: Susie C., and Jane, deceased.

Zebina E. Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1822, and married Elizabeth Nichols, of Wyoming county, the same State, and to them were born five sons and two daughters: Edwin; Samuel; Ezra B .; William A .; Frank; Ellen, and Elizabeth.

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Amos B. Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1826, and married Catherine G. Hinds, of the same county, and to them were born four children: Judson H .; Gordon D .; Morton I., and Orpha D.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 119

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