History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 133

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

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tion to the development of his lands in Clearfield county, where he erected large mills and manufactories, and in fact founded the present town of DuBois. He dismantled his mills at DuBoistown, Lycoming county, and shipped the machinery, etc., to his new mills at DuBois, Clearfield county, where he continued to reside up to his death, May 5, 1886. Mr. DuBois was one of the most success- ful business men of his time in Pennsylvania, and left a fortune of between $3,000,- 000 and $4,000,000 to his nephew, John E. DuBois, of DuBois, Clearfield county.

WARREN MARTIN, justice of the peace, was born near Saratoga Springs, Saratoga county, New York, June 30, 1830, son of John and Eleanor (Clarke) Martin, natives of Vermont and early settlers of Saratoga county. He received a fair education in the public schools, and became an architect and mill-wright by trade. In 1856 he moved to Lycoming county, locating in Williamsport. His first work was on the old Dodge mills, which he repaired and rebuilt, and he has since made repairs on many of the mills in this city. In 1879 he became foreman and general manager of the Ten Eyck mill at DuBoistown, and conducted the same until 1883. In 1884 he operated the Brown, Clarke & Howe mill at Williamsport, after which he went to Caledonia, Elk county, Pennsylvania, and conducted a mill for J. E. Putnam for some years. He then went to Kentucky, where he erected a large iron saw mill for the Keyes Creek Lumber Company. In the fall of 1889 he built a large mill for Strong, Deemer & Company, at Sparrow's Point, Maryland, after which he again took charge of the Ten Eyck mill and conducted the same for two years. He is a member of the F. and A. M., and belongs to Baldwin II Commandery, and Lafay- ette Chapter of Lock Haven. He is also a member of the Scottish Rite Masonic organizations of Bloomsburg. For nearly eleven years he was a member of the lum- ber firm of Simpson & Martin, and Martin, Dunn & Company, of Lock Haven. Mr. Martin is a Democrat, and has filled the office of justice of the peace for many years; he has also served as school director. He was married at Glenn's Falls, New York, August, 18, 1853, to Cordelia, daughter of Ephraim and Asenath (Shaw) Manches- ter, of Addison county, Vermont. She was born at Lake George, Warren county, New York. Her ancestors were of the old patriotic stock, and rendered valuable service to their country. One of them served with Gen. George Washington during the war of the Revolution; another served at the same period with Gen. Richard Montgomery, and was present when he fell at Quebec. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born four children: Dudley A .; Elisabeth; Asenath, and Chloe. The eldest of these children was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1857, and was educated at Dickinson Seminary. He has always been identified with his father in the lumber- business, and has traveled quite extensively, during which time he has gathered a fine collection of war relics, and Indian antiquities illustrating the Stone Age of America.

JOSEPH C. CARSON was born in Old Lycoming township, Lycoming county, Jan- uary 4, 1834. He received his education in the public schools, and learned the trade of a wagonmaker, which occupation he followed for two years near Perryville. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves, as a private, and was chosen corporal September 20, 1861. He was wounded at Charles City Cross Roads June 30, 1862, and was discharged in the following October on account of disabil- ity. He was on guard duty on the Alexandria railroad and participated in the fights

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at Fredericksburg, Mechanicsville, Gaines's Mill, Charles City Cross Roads, and the Seven Days' Fight around Richmond. Since the war he has been engaged in count- ing lumber and in various duties about lumber mills. He is an active Republican and has filled the office of school director of Armstrong township and of the borough schools. He is now serving his fourth term as a justice of the peace. Mr. Carson is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., of Williamsport, and is a charter member of Encampment No. 47, Union Veteran Legion. He was married December 13, 1866, to Barbara, daughter of Andrew Kauffman, and to this union have been born three children : William S .; James B., and John F.

GOTTLIEB F. DECKER, farmer, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, January 9, 1831, son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Beeler) Decker. His parents came to Amer- ica in 1835, and located on the farm where our subject now resides in Armstrong township. They were members and active workers in the Lutheran church. The father was a Democrat, and filled various township offices. He died, March 16, 1887. The mother died in 1884. They reared six children: Catherine, wife of John Lahman; Barbara, widow of George Schmohl; Henrietta, deceased wife of Jacob Sweely; Gottlieb F .; Henry, and John C. Our subject received a limited educa- tion in the township schools, and has lived on his present farm since he was four years old. He was married, October 4, 1855, to Mary Barbara, daughter of Philip Fousel, and to this union were born six children: Alexander G .; Albert P .; Annie Ross, deceased; Edward J .; Clara Amelia, wife of Harry Lampe, and an infant, deceased. Mr. Decker is a Democrat in politics, and has served as school director, supervisor, and auditor of his township.

JOHN F. BLAIR, merchant, was born in Old Lycoming township, Lycoming county, June 9, 1844, son of John and Nancy (Carson) Blair. His father was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and his mother of Ireland. The former removed to Lycoming county with his parents, who were among the pioneers of this county. Our subject was reared in his native township, and in 1858 he removed with his par- ents to DuBoistown. He received his education in the common schools, and worked in saw mills until 1872, when he was employed as a clerk in the store of Thomas Wheeler. There he remained for ten years, and in 1882 he engaged in the butcher business for a short time. He then became a partner of Mr. Wheeler in the general mercantile business, and did a thriving trade under the firm name of Wheeler & Blair, until their stock was destroyed by the flood of 1889. Since them Mr. Blair has conducted the business on his own responsibility, Mr. Wheeler having retired from the firm. In 1874 he was married to Mary, daughter of George Haist, of DuBoistown, and to this union have been born seven children: Maggie L .; George F .; Ella; Della; Myrtle; Jessie, and Floyd. Mr. Blair is a Republican, and has served as school director and burgess of DuBoistown. He was appointed postmaster by President Hayes and President Harrison.

C. F. WHITEHEAD, merchant, was born in Williamsport, April 24, 1850, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Gable) Whitehead. He received his education in the public schools and by private tuition. He worked on the river and in lumber mills until 1879, when he engaged in the tobacco and cigar business in Du Boistown. From this he has gradually worked into the general grocery business, and has built up a good trade. Mr. Whitehead was married in 1871 to Mary L., daughter of John J. Miller,

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of Williamsport, and to this union have been born five children: Howard, deceased; Beulah; Lenora, deceased; Nellie, and Margaret. Since 1889 he has carried the mail from Williamsport to DuBoistown; he served as postmaster of the latter place by appointment of President Arthur. He is a Republican in politics and is serving his second term as school director of his borough. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and belongs to Wildey Encampment, No. 3, of Williamsport. He is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of DuBoistown,

BERNARD DOHERTY was born at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in 1839. When he was a child his parents walked from Harper's Ferry to Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, carrying him in their arms. He received a common school education, and for the past twenty-five years he has been employed by the Philadelphia and Erie railroad. as night watchman and track walker. Ne served four years during the great civil war in the Fiftieth New York Volunteer Infantry, and is independent in his political proclivities. In 1867 he was married to Catherine Wurtz, of Clinton town- ship, Lycoming county. She was one of four children: Margaret, who married a Mr. Miller; Samuel; Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Adams, and Isaac. Mr. and Mrs. Doherty have two children: Jacob, and Sarah, who married James Payn.

J. C. BOWER, proprietor of the Valley House, was born in Limestone township, Lycoming county, May 4, 1861, son of Reuben and Elizabeth (Swoyer) Bower, natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and now residents of Nippenose township. He received his education in the public schools, and in 1884 engaged in the meat business in DuBoistown. In 1890 he became proprietor of the Valley House, and in 1892 he again engaged in the butchering business. Mr. Bower was married in 1884 to Catherine, daughter of Anthony Axman, of Bastress township, and to this union has been born one child, Helen May. He is a Democrat in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Catholic church.

THE MCCORMICK FAMILY were among the earliest settlers in White Deer valley. In 1770 Hugh McCormick of Cumberland county purchased 1,300 acres of land on South creek within the present limits of Washington township, Lycoming county, upon which his sons-James, Thomas, and Seth-settled about five years later. Their father was a native of Ireland, and after immigrating to Pennsylvania he resided successively in Lancaster and Cumberland counties. He was one of the framers of the first Constitution of Pennsylvania, and a man of considerable local prominence during the Revolutionary period. James McCormick represented White Deer town- ship in the Committee of Safety for Northumberland county in 1777. During the " Big Runaway" of 1778, the McCormicks took refuge at Fort Augusta. James afterward removed to Virginia. Thomas McCormick was born in 1754, and mar- ried Elizabeth Crockett; he died in Washington township on the 6th of October,

1826, and was buried at the Stone church. Seth McCormick was born in Pastang township, Lancaster county, in 1756, and married Margaret Simmons, who bore him seven sons and three daughters, as follows: Robert; Samuel S .; Thomas; Seth; Hugh; John; Joseph; Sarah, who married Robert J. Foresman; Cynthia, who mar- ried Samuel Eason, aud Susan, who married Matthew B. Hammond. Seth McCor- mick died on the 17th of January, 1835, aud both he and his wife were buried at the old Stone church. Seth McCormick, fourth son of Seth, Sr., was born in Washing-

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ton township in 1793 and died in December, 1821. He married Hannah Hammond, who survived him until 1869. They were the parents of the following children: James H. ; Mary; Margaret, who married D. Watson Foresman; Seth T .; Elizabeth C., who married John Wilson, and Robert H., who resides at Watsontown and is the. only survivor of the family. Numerous descendants of this pioneer family are resi- dents of Lycoming county, and many of them are prominent in professional and business circles.

ROBERT FORESMAN was one of the earliest settlers of White Deer valley, where he located in August, 1794. He came here from Northampton county, Pennsylvania, whither his ancestors had emigrated from Ireland before the Revolution. He brought with him his wife and two children, and settled in what is now Washington township, Lycoming county, where the remaining years of his life were spent. He kept a hotel at the head of the valley for some years, and was one of the well known pioneers of that vicinity. He was a Democrat, and served as a justice of the peace. He reared a family of five sons and five daughters: Henry; Robert J .; John; George ;. D. Watson; Mrs. Nancy McCormick; Mrs. Susan Oaks; Mrs. Margaret Jordan; Mrs. Sarah Parks, and Mrs. Polly Piatt. The parents died in 1829 and in 1831, respect- ively, and were buried in the graveyard at the old Stone church. Their ten children have also passed away, but their descendants in the West Branch valley are very numerous.

JOHN FORESMAN was born in Washington township, Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1800, and grew to manhood in this county. He was a farmer, and about 1849 he moved to Centre county, thence to Clinton county, and in 1858 he returned to Washington township, where he resided until his death. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Piatt, a sister of Judge Piatt, who bore him five children: Piatt, who died in Illinois; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Mackey, who also died in Illi- nois; Henry, who died at Beech Creek, Clinton county; Susan, wife of William H. Brown, of Lock Haven, and Sarah Jane, wife of Samuel Leather, of Centre county. His second wife was Maria B. Follmer, a native of Lycoming county, who bore him eight children, as follows: Daniel F., of White Deer valley; Robert S., of Nebraska; David R., of Williamsport; Mary T., widow of Matthias Eder; William B., of Will- iamsport; Martha C., wife of Matthew Oakes, of White Deer valley; Abner P., of Williamsport, and Oliver P., deceased. Mr. Foresman was a Democrat, and served as county commissioner three years. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church of Washington township. His widow survives, and is spending the latter years of her life with her children.

JOHN SEDAM was born in New Jersey, son of John Sedam, a native of Holland, who settled at Six Mill Run, New Jersey, prior to the Revolution. In company with his wife and one child, he came to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, from whence they walked to what is now Brady township, Lycoming county, and settled on Penny Hill. He was married three times. His first wife was Jane Piatt, who bore him five children: Isaac; Sarah; Jane; John Piatt, and William. Jane died unmarried; all the others removed to Ohio, except William, who lived and died at the old home- stead on Penny Hill. As his second wife he married Sally Rose, who died without issue. As his third wife he married Jane Tate, and five children were born to them: Robert; Maria; Fanny; Andrew, and Samuel T. Fanny died unmarried; the others

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married and lived at various places in this State and the West. John Sedam was an elder in the Presbyterian church and superintendent of the Sunday school, and was considered by all an excellent man.

SAMUEL T. SEDAM, son of John Sedam, was born in 1817 in what is now Brady township. After he grew to manhood he engaged in the construction of turnpike roads, and built many of the old roads in Lycoming and Centre counties. He pur- chased farms in Brady township and finally settled on the farm of 115 acres where his son Samuel now resides. There he died, December 9, 1888. He married Lydia Ann, daughter of John Piatt, who died October 27, 1889. To this union were born the following children: John; Henry; Robert; Joan, wife of A. L. Shreiby; Jane M., deceased; Kate; Betty, wife of John W. Piatt; James; Samuel, and Fanny. Mr. Sedam was a collector of taxes several years before the division of Brady and Washington townships, and also served as a justice of the peace for sixteen years, and school director for some time. He was a Democrat in politics and belonged to the Presbyterian church, in which he was an elder and trustee.

SAMUEL SEDAM, the youngest son of Samuel T. Sedam, was born, July 27, 1857, in Washington (now Brady) township, Lycoming county. He received a com- mon school education and was reared on the farm. Upon reaching his majority he took charge of the homestead and has ever since farmed the same. He was mar- ried, December 21, 1882, to Maggie O., daughter of Samuel Dunbar, and to this union were born four children: John Faries; Lester D .; Samuel T., and Frank M. Mr. Sedam has filled the office of township auditor, is a member of Elims- port Council, O. U. A. M., and belongs to Washington Alliance, No. 175.

WILLIAM SCHOOLY was a native of New Jersey and one of the family for which Schooly's Mountain, a famous summer resort in Mercer county, New Jersey, is named. He came to Lycoming county in the last decade of the last century. He settled about a mile and a half west of Allenwood, in the portion of Lycoming county now included in Union. This land is now owned by Dr. Truckenmiller. He married Elizabeth, a daughter of William Oaks, and to this union were born the following children: John; Samuel; William; Joseph; Andrew J .; Benjamin; Elizabeth; Margaret; Mary; Christiana; Lucy, and Hannah. Mr. Schooly took an active interest in public affairs, yet he would not accept public office. He was an old-line Whig and taught school for a number of years in White Deer valley. He died in 1856.

SAMUEL SCHOOLY, the second son of William Schooly, was born in 1809 on the farm near Allenwood. While a young man he was engaged in boating on the West Branch canal between Dewart and Philadelphia for a number of years. In 1841 he purchased a farm where his son, William M., now resides, which he partially cleared and upon which he put improvements, and there resided until 1868. He then retired to Dewart, where he died in 1877. He married Alvina, daughter of Will- iam Moore, of Washington township, and to them were born the following children: James L .; William M .; John; Joseph; Samuel; Margaret, and Elizabeth. Mrs. Schooly died in 1890. In politics Mr. Schooly was a Republican and was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church.

WILLIAM M. SCHOOLY, the second son of Samuel Schooly, was born on the home- stead, April 22, 1845. He was educated in the common schools and at Milton

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Academy. He was reared a farmer and has followed that occupation through life. At the death of his father he purchased the homestead farm on which he was born and where he now lives. He is also engaged in the sale of farming implements and fertilizers. Mr. Schooly married Verdelia, daughter of George Leamon, and to them have been born eleven children: George L .; Ella; Samuel; Letitia; Minnie L. ; Lula M .; Edward; James B .; Amelia; Rebecca, and Irwin. Mr. Schooly has filled local offices and was appointed census enumerator in 1890 for the townships of Washington and Brady. Politically he is a Republican, and is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is trustee. He is also a charter member of Elimsport Council, No. 132, O. U. A. M.

JAMES DUNBAR was one of the early settlers of Washington township. He was a native of Scotland, and some time in the middle of the last century, he, in company with his parents, emigrated to this country. On the passage the father died and was buried at sea. James and his mother settled in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, where his early life was spent. He learned the trade of a blacksmith and subse- quently settled in Columbia county. In the latter part of the last century he came to Elimsport, and purchased about five acres of land where the tannery and church now stand. Here he established the first blacksmith shop in that place and con- ducted the business for many years. He married Elizabeth Coan, and to them were born two sons and two daughters: Samuel; Robert; Ann, who married Joseph Graft, and Sallie, who married James Irwin. Mr. Dunbar died in 1849, near La Porte, Indiana. He served in the war of 1812, and was one of the early members of the White Deer Valley Baptist church. His wife died in 1846.

ROBERT DUNBAR, the second son of James Dunbar, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1803. He learned the blacksmith trade, and after growing to man- hood he carried on business in Washington township for a number of years. He also taught school and singing school. For a while he carried on business near Milton, Pennsylvania, and in Union county, Pennsylvania. He finally purchased a farm where his son James now lives in Washington township, where he followed his trade for fifteen years. He held the offices of school director and auditor. Mr. Dunbar was twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth Irwin, who died in 1875, the mother of ten children: Amanda, deceased wife of William Woodley; Samuel; Hiram I .; James M. ; Elizabeth A., who married George Moore; Sarah M., who married Rob- ert Foresman; Jennie, who married David D. Manville; Rebecca D., deceased; Emma, deceased, and Rella, wife of Charles Snoddy. The second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth Moore, nee Foster. Robert Dunbar died in 1881. He was one of the principal founders of the Elimsport Baptist church.

SAMUEL DUNBAR, the eldest son of Robert and Elizabeth (Irwin) Dunbar, was born December 1, 1828, in Union county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the com- mon schools, and remained on the homestead until he was twenty-seven years old, when he purchased his present farm of 100 acres upon which he has put improve- ments and lived ever since. He was married to Martha, daughter of Joseph Oaks, and to this union have been born eight children: Mary E., wife of G. L. Bailey; Maggie O., wife of Samuel Sedam; Josephine; an infant son; Flowrella; Carrie; Rebecca, and Sarilda. Mr. Dunbar has filled the office of school director nine years, tax collector two years, and supervisor. He is a Republican in politics and a mem-

John Sipp

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ber of the Baptist church. He also belongs to Elimsport Council, O. U. A. M., and Washington Alliance.

HIRAM I. DUNBAR, the second son of Robert, was born July 12, 1831. He received a common school education and in 1859 purchased the farm whereon he now lives. He married Emeline, daughter of James Galloway, and has three children: Jennie, wife of W. H. Pawling; Bettie, wife of J. N. Bryson, and Robert M., who married Jennie Pawling. Mr. Dunbar is a Republican, and is a member of the Baptist church of Williamsport, of which he has been treasurer and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a member of Washington Alliance, No. 175.

JAMES M. DUNBAR, the third son of Robert and Elizabeth (Irwin) Dunbar, was born November 12, 1833, on the homestead where he now 'resides, which is supposed to be about one hundred years old. He was educated in the common schools, and after reaching manhood entered into partnership with others in the erection of a steam saw mill. In 1873 it was blown up, when Duncan Lockwro was instantly killed by the explo- sion. In 1883 the mill was rebuilt, but in 1887 it was destroyed by fire. In the latter year Mr. Dunbar entered into partnership with others in the erection of the mill now operated by his son Robert. Mr. Dunbar was married in 1860 to Cinderella, daughter of Daniel Flick, who died in 1875, leaving six children: Maggie E .; Catherine, wife of Emmet Lockwood; Robert; Martha, wife of William Van Buskirk; Mary, wife of Daniel Shollenberger, and Amanda. Mr. Dunbar was again married in 1877, to Marietta, daughter of John Fogleman, and to this union has been born one child, James C. Mr. Dunbar has filled the office of school director. He is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Baptist church. He is also a member of the Elimsport Council, O. U. A. M., and the Washington Alliance.

JOSEPH DEITRICK, a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, settled in Clinton township, Lycoming county, on the land where Frederick Metzger now lives. He was a Democrat in politics and was one of the founders of the Lutheran church in that township. He married a Miss Rentz, and to them were born the following children : Joseph, deceased; Frederick, deceased; Charles, deceased; Susan, deceased wife of George Metzger; Abbie, deceased wife of Jacob Arnold; Catherine, deceased wife of David Fullmer, and Peggy, deceased wife of Christian Gosh. Joseph, the eldest son, was born in 1800, in Columbia county. He was educated in

the subscription schools. During his early life he was engaged in teaming between

Muncy and Philadelphia. He purchased 300 acres of land, which he cleared and improved and upon which he resided until his death in 1865. He filled the offices of school director and others in the township. He was a Democrat in politics, and belonged to the Lutheran church, of which he was elder and deacon. He married Rosanna, daughter of Adam Follmer, who died in 1886, the mother of ten children: Solomon; Joseph; Mary, deceased wife of Joseph Heilman; John; Samuel, deceased: Sarah, wife of J. A. Keiser; Simon, deceased; Daniel F. ; Margaret S., and Rebecea, deceased wife of Jacob Keiser.

DANIEL F. DEITRICK, the youngest son of Joseph, was born March 13, 1841. He was educated in the common schools, and after the death of his father he took charge of the homestead farm, and is now engaged in general farming and dairying. He married Catherine, daughter of Asa Everitt, of Northumberland county, and has two children: Emma J., wife of G. A. De Wall, and Annie E. Mr. Deitrick was

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 133

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