History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 120

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

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Samuel E. Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1828, and married Mary Sutton of the same county, by whom he had two sons and two daughters: Clarence E .; Willis; Miriam, and Anna. He has been a resident of Muncy, Pennsylvania, for several years, where under the firm name of S. E. & L. B. Sprout, the Sprout hay fork was first manufact- ured; the last named subsequently added the manufacture of the hay elevator, Samuel E. having, with his nephew, James M. Sprout, under the firm name of S. E. & J. M. Sprout, commenced the manufacture of the Williams Fruit Evaporator, which they have sold quite extensively, and which Samuel E. still continues to manufact- ure, in connection with flooring, doors, sash, and blinds.

Lewis B. Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1830, and married Ellen S. Donnelly, of the same county, and to them were born six children: Charles H .; Fred; Maggie; Augusta; Annie, and Lucilla. Mr. Sprout sold his plant for the manufacture of forks and elevators to his son-in-law, John Waldron, who in connection with Charles H. Sprout, under the. firm name of Waldron & Sprout, erected a large and extensive factory, which was destroyed by fire and which they subsequently rebuilt; they are now engaged in the manufacture of their celebrated French Buhr Feed Mill and their new Buckwheat Flouring Mill, and Wheat Flour Bolts, upon which they have secured several patents.

Mary Ann, daughter of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Massachusetts, February 22, 1813, and married Joseph F. Crause, a native of Germany, by whom she had six children: Franklin J .; William; Edgar; Philip P. ; Martha, and Catherine.

Emeline N., daughter of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Massachusetts, March 5, 1814, and married William F. Lathrop, by whom she had two two sons and one daughter: James; Charles, and Nancy J.

Sophronia M., daughter of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1824, and married Charles Wells, and to them were born three daughters: Melissa; Ida, and Hattie.

BARNET RYNEARSON was the son of Rynear Rynearson, who lived in New Jersey at the time of the Revolutionary war, and migrated to Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1784, settling on the farm now owned by Richard Ecroyd, in Muncy township. He was the father of four sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. His death occurred in 1796, and that of his widow in 1826. Barnet Rynearson was a farmer, and in 1837 he settled where his son John now resides. He married Magdalena Dudder, December 26, 1811, and to this union were born five children: John; Sarah; Joseph; Elizabeth, who died February 14, 1819, and Ann, who married William Rogers. Barnet Rynearson died, September 14, 1869, and his wife, March 1, 1847.

JOHN RYNEARSON, farmer, was born iu Muncy township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1813, son of Barnet and Magdalena (Dudder) Rynear- son. He was educated in the common schools, taught seven winters, and did some surveying, but the greater part of his life has been spent in farming. He was

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married. November 3, 1842, to Catherine, daughter of Benjamin Warn, and to this union have been born seven children: Charlotte, deceased: Maria; Phœbe, deceased: John F .: Barnet; James, and Henry. Mrs. Rynearson died, February 19. 1863. Mr. Rynearson is a member of the Lutheran church. He has filled the office of school director teu years, and other minor township offices. Politically he is independent.

ABNER FAGUE, farmer, is a grandson of William Fague, an early settler of Lycoming county, where he settled in Penn township at the close of the Revo- Intionary war. He owned a tract of 400 or 500 acres, now in the possession of his descendants, and his homestead was situated where his grandson, W. B. Fague, now resides. Here he spent his life, engaged in agricultural pursuits upon the farm which he had reduced to cultivation. He married Mary Ponst, and their children were: Elizabeth; Frederick; John; Samuel; Sarah; Catherine; Daniel; George, and Julia, the only survivor of the family, who married a Mr. Parrs and resides in Williamsport. The father of our subject was John, who was born in this county in 1807 and reared upon his father's homestead. He subsequently purchased a tract of land embracing the site of the borough of Picture Rocks. He married Jane Lockard, and to them were born five children: Peter, deceased; Savilla; Mary J .; Barbara A., and Abner. The last named was born in this county, October 15, 1840. He was educated in the common schools, and has devoted his attention principally to farming. A large portion of the homestead farm of his father is now in his possession, and he resides thereon within the corporate limits of the borough of Picture Rocks. He cultivates about 400 acres of land, and is also engaged in lumbering. He imported the first Holstein stock in this county, aud was also among the first to introduce Jersey Red hogs. He is largely inter- ested in the breeding of blooded horses, and is justly regarded as one of the most progressive agriculturists in this section of the State. He is the present repre- sentative of Lycoming county on the State Board of Agriculture. In the late war Mr. Fague enlisted in Company I, Thirteenth Pennsylvania Militia. On the 9th of November, 1865, he married Angeline Bull, and to this nnion were born six children: M. Alice; Charles S., deceased; Harry S .; Cora E .; Alida M., and Gusta J. Mr. Fague is a Democrat in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Baptist church of Picture Rocks.

PETER FAGUE, deceased, was born, June 3, 1811, son of George and Elizabeth (Corson) Fague. He was married March 17, 1842, to Elizabeth, daughter of Ben- jamin and Sarah (Warren) Houseknecht, and to this nnion were born nine children: Harriet, who married Ellis Weaver: Hiram B., who married Charlotte Ponst; Sarah, who married J. Hammoud Michle; Emma, who married James Poust; A. W., who married Cora McCarty; Jennie, who married Joseph Milnor, and three deceased young. Peter Fague died, August 12, 1863, in the faith of the Lutheran church.

HIRAM D. FAGUE, farmer, was born December 11, 1846, son of Peter and Eliza- beth (Housekuecht) Fague. He received a common school education and was married, June 17, 1875, to Charlotte, daughter of Charles Poust, deceased, and to this union have been born two children: Chester and Althea. Mr. Fagne and wife are members of the Lutheran church of Hughesville.

A. W. FAGCE, farmer. was born, Angust 28, 1859, and is a son of Peter and

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Elizabeth (Houseknecht) Fague, whose sketch appears in this work. He received a common school education, and was married, September 17, 1885, to Cora, a daughter of Hiram McCarty, a resident of Lycoming county.

WILLIAM BRYAN immigrated to America and settled in Berks county, Pennsyl- vania, where he followed farming. His son, Samuel, was one of the first settlers in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He built a small woolen mill on Carpenter's run and operated the same in connection with farming for a number of years, finally removing to Sullivan county, where he died about the year 1840; he was twice married, his first wife being a Miss McCarty, by whom he had seven children: William; Ellen; Ellis; Joseph; Mary; Elizabeth, and Eliza; the second Mrs. Bryan was a Mrs. Osler, a widow, and to this union were born five children: Adam; Samuel; Albert; Margaret, and Martha, all of whom are deceased except Albert.

ELLIS BRYAN, born in 1804, son of William Bryan, was a woolen manufacturer, and removed from Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, to Hughesville, this county, about the year 1830, where he worked at his trade for a short time, and then purchased his employer's machinery, rented a room, and manufactured woolen goods therein for twelve years. He then, in 1842, erected a woolen mill about one and a half miles from Hughesville, on Muncy creek, which he conducted until 1855, when he tore it away and erected upon the same site what is known as the Eagle mill. He was the father of thirteen children, as a result of his marriage to Sarah Rogers: Elizabeth A., deceased; Samuel; Mary; Jonathan R., who was killed in the first day's fight of the battle of Gettysburg; William, who was lieutenant and was killed in the battle of Antietam; Ellis; Sarah J .; Rosa B .; Clarrisa V .; David; John; Edward, and Florence M. Mr. Bryan was active in Republican politics and died in 1876, followed by his widow in 1880.

SAMUEL BRYAN, farmer, was born in the first house which was located on the present site of Hughesville, Lycoming county, December 20, 1831, son of Ellis and Sarah (Rogers) Bryan. He was educated in the common schools and at the age of nineteen years he began farming, which he continued until the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in Company B, Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, as a private, and served three years and ten months; he was promoted to lieutenant, major, and lieutenant colonel. During his service he was wounded twice; first, March 23, 1862, by a shell striking the foot, at the battle of Winchester; and second, May 12, 1864, at the battle of Spottsylvania, by a bullet passing through the arm. After the close of the war he followed the manufacture of woolen goods for twelve years and since then has followed farming. In 1875 he was married to Julia Foster, and to this union have been born four children: Ellis J .; Maude E .; Fred G., and Nean V. Mr. Bryan is an active worker in the Repub- lican party.

AARON MUSGRAVE moved from Columbia county, Pennsylvania, to Hughesville, Lycoming county, in 1839, and subsequently settled on a farm. He was married to Mary Lake, October 29, 1840, and to them were born four children: Henrietta, deceased; W. H., who lives in Kansas; Sarah, deceased, and John D. Mrs. Mus- grave died, November 20, 1889.

JOHN D. MUSGRAVE, merchant, was born in Hughesville, Pennsylvania, Septem- ter 8, 1849, son of Aaron and Mary (Lake) Musgrave. He was educated in the

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"HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

common schools, and learned the trade of a wood-turner, which he followed a few years. He then began clerking in Burrows Brothers' store, at Picture Rocks, and was with them for five years; he was station agent on the Williamsport and North Branch railroad at Glen Mawr for two years, after which he opened a general store at Picture Rocks, with a branch store at Eaglesmere, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania. He conducted the store at the latter place for two years, but is still engaged in business at Picture Rocks, where he has built up an excellent trade. January 25, 1872, he was married to Miss Jennie A. Artley, and to this union has been born one child, Florence. Mr. Musgrave is an active and enthusiastic Republican, has served in several offices of trust for the borough of Picture Rocks, and is school director and burgess. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church of Hughes- ville, and he is a member of the Junior O. U. A. M.

JOHN OSLER immigrated from England to America in 1800 and settled in Phila- delphia, where he engaged in manufacturing. At the breaking out of the war of 1812 he enlisted, and while in service contracted a disease from which he soon died. His widow, with her one son, John H., came to Lycoming county soon after his death. She married Samuel Bryan, who is mentioned in connection with the sketch of Samuel Bryan.

JOHN H. OSLER, the son of John Osler, was born in Philadelphia, October 3 . 1808, and learned the woolen business under Jonathan and Samuel Rogers, of what is now Sullivan county. This occupation he followed until about five years before his death in November, 1889. He was the father of twelve children: Jeremiah; Sarah, deceased; Catherine; John S .; Clay M .; Lydia; David W .; Wilson, deceased; Edwin R .; and three deceased in infancy. Mr. Osler helped to build several Methodist churches, was an earnest worker in that organization, and was a delegate to the State convention, as an advocate of free schools.

DAVID W. OSLER, woolen manufacturer, was born in Sullivan county, Pennsyl- vania, October 14, 1850, son of John H. and Jane (Myers) Osler. He was educated in the common schools, taught several years, and at the age of twenty-one began the manufacture of woolen goods. In 1884 he purchased from his father the Forksville woolen mills, located in Sullivan county, which he still operates. Iu January, 1891, he also purchased the Eagle mills, on Muncy creek. The Forksville mill has a capacity of 8,000 pounds per year, and the Eagle mills, a capacity of 20,000 pounds per year. His principal output is flannels and yarns. He was married, June 30, 1881, to Sarah Lyon, of Williamsport, and to this union have been born three chil- dren: Annie; Caroline, and Howard, deceased. Mr. Osler is an active Democrat, and a member of Dushore Lodge, No. 387, F. & A. M.

HENRY PERSUN, of German extraction, was born October 12, 1808, in New Jersey, and in 1838 migrated to Cherry township, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania. Decem- ber 15, 1834, he was married to Lucy Potter, and to them were born eleven chil- dren: George; Rachel; Delilah, deceased; Wilson; Albert; Maria; Freeman; Hester; Charles W .; Rose, deceased, and an infant deceased. Mr. Persun removed to Lycoming county in 1858, and died February 24, 1883, aged seventy-four years, preceded by his wife, July 28, 1882, aged sixty-seven years. Albert, one of his sons, served four years in the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and another son, Wilson, served two years and nine months in the Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, Heavy Artillery. Freeman went as a substitute just before the close of the war.

Alman Kaque

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CHARLES W. PERSUN, miller, was born in Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1853, son of Henry and Lucy (Potter) Persuu. He received a common school education, and learned the trade of wood-turner, which occupation he followed in the furniture factory of Burrows Brothers & Company at Picture Rocks for twelve years. He then rented the Bryan grist mill for three years, purchased the same in 1887, and has since done a general milling business. February 1, 1887, he was married to Clara V. Bryan, next to the youngest daughter of the late Ellis Bryan.

SAMUEL BAKER, deceased, son of Jacob and Susan C. (Gortner) Baker, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1800. Jacob Baker was of German extraction, and was the father of thirteen children, all of whom are deceased and were members of the Lutheran church. Samuel married Miss Hannah Fague, and to them were born nine children: Savilla; Elizabeth, deceased; Susan, deceased; George, who married Miss Maggie, daughter of John S. Warren, by whom she had two children, Harvey M. and Carrie M. ; Jacob; Samuel, who died young; Catherine, deceased; John, who married Julia C. Nunn, by whom he had two sons, Brady N. and Lloyd M .; and Sarah. Mrs. Baker died in 1SS5 and he was, again married, to Miss Ella Hess, and to this union were born two daughters: Sadie A. and Anna M. The Baker family for several generations have been identified with the Lutheran church, and the most of them have been farmers.

W. H. BOYLE, farmer, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in June, 1815, son of Rev. James and Esther (McAlpin) Boyle. Rev. James Boyle received his educa- tion in Ireland, immigrated to America, and took a theological course at Washing- ton College, Washington, Pennsylvania, receiving the degree of D. D. from that insti- tion. He then returned to his native land and was the father of ten children, all of whom are deceased but one, W. H. Boyle. He and his brother James were the . only sons of Rev. James Boyle who immigrated to America. The latter was for many years a merchant at New Orleans, Louisiana, and died in 1834. W. H. Boyle learned the drug business in Ireland, came to America in 1832, and was employed in a laboratory for eight years in Philadelphia. He then took employ- ment with Charles Ellis & Company, druggists, with whom he remained thirty years, at the expiration of which time he was retained by their successors and was with them three years. He then came to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, purchased a farm of 250 acres in Wolf township, and has remained thereon ever since. He was married in 1834 to a Miss Stevens, who died in 1882 and was the mother of five children: James; John; Catherine; Esther, and William. Mr. Boyle is a member of the Society of Friends.

JACOB POUST, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1822, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Houseknecht) Poust. His grandfather immigrated from Germany to Berks county, Pennsylvania, and thence to this county. He was the father of eight children, all of whom are deceased. Jacob Poust, his son, was a farmer by occupation, and the father of eleven children: Catherine; Charles, deceased; Hannah, deceased; Elizabeth; John; Jacob; Lovina; Mary, deceased; George; Philip, deceased, and Daniel. Jacob Poust died in 1835, and his widow in 1885. Our subject, Jacob Poust, is a carpenter by trade, which occupation he has followed in connection with farming. He was married in 1844, to Jane Derr, and to this union have been born fourteen children: Clinton, deceased; Milton; Eliza-

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beth; Henrietta; Harvey D .; Pearson L .; Martha, deceased; Ella; Monroe; Elonson; Arabella; James W. ; Priscilla, deceased, and Bruce deceased. Mr. Poust is a Demo- crat in politics, and with his family belongs to the Lutheran church.

GEORGE STECK, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1822, son of Frederick and Catherine (Hill) Steck. He received a common school education, and alternated teaching school with farming for a number of years, until 1864, when he bought the Villa Grove Works from Sprout & Lyon, and thenceforth prosecuted an active and profitable business in the manufacture of wagon and buggy spokes, hubs, and bent goods for a number of years. He is now engaged in the manufacture of mine rollers, shingles, and general turned goods. About 1875 he also engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Sullivan county, con- tinuing this, and also the cultivation of a fine farm, in connection with his other business. Mr. Steck is a life-long Democrat, and in 1874 he was elected to the legislature as the nominee of his party. He is now serving as school director, and has had other township offices. In 1852 he married Mary E. Tice, and to this union have been born four children: Annie; Charles C .; J. Chester, and Lizzie. Mr. Steck and his family are members of the Lutheran church, and he is justly regarded as one of the leading men in his community.

CHARLES EDDY, a native of Connecticut, migrated to Susquehanna county, Penn- sylvania, in the early part of the present century. He was a farmer by occupation, and married Abigail, daughter of Asa Lathrop, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and built the Lathrop flour and saw mills at Elk Lake, that county. They reared seven children: Seth W .; Asa L .; Charles H. ; Eliza E .; Mary E., deceased; Alice L., and Eveline, deceased wife of A. C. Little. Charles Eddy died, July 30, 1861, and his widow in 1865. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, while his wife was a Methodist.

C. H. EDDY, retired farmer, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania July 15, 1831, son of Charles and Abigail (Lathrop) Eddy, natives of Connecticut. He was educated in the common schools, and followed farming in his native county until 1854, when he went to De Kalb county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm and remained until 1867. He then sold his farm, and removed to Picture Rocks, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where, in partnership with his brother, Asa L. Eddy , he began the manufacture of rakes, handles, shingles, and excelsior. He remained thus engaged until 1888, when they sold their factory. In 1861 Mr. Eddy enlisted in Company C, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry; he was with the Army of the Cumberland and took part in all the battles fought by his regiment; he was also with Sherman on his famous March to the Sea, and was mustered out in December, 1864. He was married, September 28, 1853, to H. Elizabeth Mulkey, daughter of Rev. John Mulkey, a Methodist minister of the Wyoming and Oneida Conference, who was twice married, first to Myra Ray, by whom he had four children: Mary A .; George T., deceased; H. Elizabeth, and Sarah L .; after the death of his wife, March 16, 1844, he married Hannah Jones, by whom he had three children: William A. and James A., who died while in Andersonville prison; and John H. The second Mrs. Mulkey died in 1885, and her husband, April 22, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Eddy, are the parents of four children: T. Willis, who married Araminta Little; Alida I., who married M. M. Moyer; Mary E., deceased wife of J. P. Gray, and

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Sadie E., who married W. S. Corson. They are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which Mr. Eddy has been class-leader and steward for a number of years.

JONAS YEAKEL was born on the 7th of December, 1800. His grandfather was forced to leave Germany, his native country, on account of his religious opinions, and consequently came to America with his family and located in Lehigh county, where Jonas Yeakel was born. He came to Muncy at the age of twenty-two years and has lived in Lycoming county all his life. He learned the carpenter and cab- inet-maker's trade, which he followed as long as he was able to work. He was the father of the following children: Mary, deceased; Catherine; Geyer; Sarah; Spearman; Deborah; Dentler; Charles B .; John; William; George, and Jeremiah. He was a Whig from the beginning of that party, and at the formation of the Republican party drifted into that great organization. Although too old for service, he took a deep interest in the cause of his country in the late rebellion. John, his son, served until the close of the war in 1865.

CHARLES YEAKEL, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 18, 1839, and is a son of Jonas and Elizabeth Yeakel. He received a common school education and was married to Charlotte Lauchle, and has devoted his life principally to farming. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served three years and nine months; he was on picket duty at the battle of Gettysburg, fell back in line of battle, and took an active part against Pickett's charge, when he was taken prisoner and confined for seventeen months at Libby prison, Belle Island, Andersonville, Savannah, and Mel- len, Georgia; he was discharged from the latter, carried out on a stretcher, and then paroled. He had taken part in every engagement of his regiment until cap- tured. He retains a vivid recollection of the experiences of his army life, and relates that the highest officer he ever saw in battle was a second lieutenant. Mr. and Mrs. Yeakel are members of the Hughesville Lutheran church.

R. P. BARDOE, farmer, was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, September 10, 1845, son of Reuben and Catherine M. (Rice) Bardoe. Renben Bardoe's father moved from Bucks county, Pennsylvania, to Northumber- land county, the same State, where he reared a family. Reuben was a carpenter by trade, and the father of seven children: Hiram; Sarah; Alfred, deceased; R. P .; William, deceased; Barney, deceased, and an infant, deceased. While erecting a building for Solomon Garrett, of Clinton township, Lycoming county, Mr. Bardoe accidently fell, and died from injuries received. His widow was subsequently married to Daniel Cronrath, who died about ten years later, and she resides in Hughesville. R. P. Bardoe, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools, followed milling for nine years, and has engaged in auctioneering, farming, and buying wool for Coulter, Rogers & Company, woolen manufacturers, of Muncy, Pennsylvania, for eleven years. February S, 1866, he was married to Lydia M., daughter of John Gray. They have no children of their own, but have reared one girl, Daisy I. Rnnyan. Mr. Bardoe has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for twenty years; is an active worker in political circles, and has filled several offices of trust in his township. He and wife have been members of the Methodist church at Picture Rocks for twenty-five years.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

FRANK P. SCHUG, farmer and lumberman, was born at Light Street, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, December 8, 1852, son of Peter and Eliza (Wright) Schug. Peter Schug was a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania; he married Eliza Wright, a native of Columbia county, in the same State, and is the father of eight children: Susan; Emory, deceased; F. P .; Cordelia; Ida; Emma, deceased; William, deceased, and Thomas. Frank P. Schug received his education in the common schools of his native county, and was graduated from the Eastman's Busi- ness College, Poughkeepsie, New York. He taught a number of winter schools in Sullivan and Lycoming counties, and in 1880 he began the lumber business at Beaver Dam, which he has since continued. In 1889 he purchased what is known as the Lyon farm, near Hughesville, this county, where he now resides. Through his earnest efforts he succeeded in securing the erection of the water and electric light plants of Hughesville, on his farm. He was married in 1880 to Clara L. Thomas, of Williamsport and to this union have been born five children: Harold G., deceased; Ethel I., deceased; Franklin H. ; Peter R., and Carlisle.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 120

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