History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 135

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania > Part 135

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Samuel Bryan

1115

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Solomon Dentler, and to this union were born seven children: Solomon, who was killed before Petersburg, June 7, 1864, and was a member of Company H, Fifty- third Pennsylvania Volunteers; William, deceased; Samuel, who served in Company D, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry; Jacob F .; George E .; Henry E. and John. Mrs. Hagenbuch died in December, 1890.

GEORGE E. HAGENBUCH, the fifth son of John P. and Barbara (Dentler) Hagen- buch, was born December 27, 1849, in Delaware township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. He was reared at Alleuwood and educated in the common schools. In 1872 he located on his present farm, where he has ever since been engaged in farming. He is a Democrat in politics and has taken a deep interest in the schools of his neighborhood, having served as director for nine years. He is a member of Elimsport Council, No. 132, O. U. A. M., the Washington Alliance, and the Lutheran church. He was married December 21, 1871, to Rebecca, daughter of Jacob Gart- ner, who died in June, 1889, leaving three children: Frank; William, and Grace. November 26, 1891, he was again married, to Hettie, daughter of J. B. Kitchen.

HENRY E. HAGENBUCH, son of John P. Hagenbuch, was born, August 13, 1857, in Allenwood, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common schools, and reared upon a farm. At the age . of fifteen years he removed with his father to Virginia, where he was engaged in farming for six years. He then settled near Washington, D. C., and was engaged in trucking. In 1878 he returned to Washington town- ship, where he followed farming with his brother, George E., for two years. After farming for one year in Iowa he returned to Lycoming county and farmed in different places until the spring of 1892, when he purchased his present place, known as the John Hoffman farm, of 114 acres, where he now resides. He was married in 1886 to Martha, daughter of John and Caroline Best, of Brady township. To this union have been born two children: Mary E. and Harry H. Mr. Hagenbuch is a Democrat in politics, and has served as auditor for three years and school director three years. He is a member of Elimsport Council, O. U. A. M., the Washington Alliance, and belongs to Zion Lutheran church.

PETER DE WALL was born in 1818, and emigrated to the United States about the year 1823, settling in Schuylkill county, where he was employed as a miner for several years. He subsequently bought a farm in Nippenose valley, where he lived for some time, and in 1870 he bought a farm of eighty acres in Washington town- ship, where his son Peter now resides, upon which he lived until he retired from active business. He settled finally in Allenwood, where he died. He was a Republican and a member of the Reformed church. He married Catherine Woat- man, of Centralia, Pennsylvania, and to them were born eight children: Mary, wife of E. Kurtz; Sarah, deceased wife of O. Bropst; Crissy, wife of Fred Binger; William; Edward; Jennie; Peter P., and George.

PETER P. DE WALL, farmer, son of Peter and Catherine (Woatman) De Wall, was born March 12. 1868, in Nippenose township. He was educated in the schools of Washington township. At the age of eighteen he located in Kansas City, where he was employed by J. D. Clapp as a clerk, and subsequently by Garrett Keith & Company, with whom he remained five years. He then returned to the homestead and took charge of the farm, where he has remained ever since. He was married in 1890 to Annie, daughter of William Everett, of Union county. In politics he is a Republican and belongs to the Reformed church.

1116

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

THOMAS G. BUBB, son of Thomas L. and Sarah (Scott) Bubb, was born December 27, 1863. He was reared in Fairfield and Susquehanna townships and educated in the common schools. In 1886 he settled upon his present place and is cultivating 142 acres. He was married to Mary, daughter of G. F. Brown of Susquehanna township, and to this union have been born three children: Bertie; Flora, and Edwin. He is a Republican in politics, and his wife is a member of the Presby- terian church.

GEORGE CRANE was one of the pioneer settlers of Lycoming county. He was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, who immigrated to Pennsylvania and located on the Quiggle farm, on the south bank of the Susquehanna river, in what is now Wayne township, Clinton county, where he married Catherine Quiggle, a daughter of the gentleman with whom he lived. He afterwards purchased a farm of 300 acres in Nippenose township, Lycoming county, and moved into a log cabin which stood close to the river bank, where he resided until he built the stone house still occupied by his grandson, M. Q. Crane. Here he spent the remaining years of his life, and died December 25, 1819. He was buried in the old graveyard on the farm of Samuel Stewart, which joins the tract upon which he settled. To George and Catherine Crane were born two sons and two daughters: Michael, who married Maria Crownover, and inherited and settled on the upper part of the farm, but sub- sequently removed to the vicinity of Burlington, Illinois, where many of his descendants still live; George, who took possession of the old homestead; Maria, and Nancy. Mr. Crane was a Presbyterian, and one of the rugged, fearless pio- neers of the West Branch valley.

GEORGE CRANE, youngest son of George and Catherine (Quiggle) Crane, was born on the Quiggle plantation, in Wayne township, Clinton county, June 2, 1792. He was reared in Lycoming county, and attended the primitive pioneer schools of the Nippenose valley. He assisted in clearing up the homestead farm in Nippenose township, but finally becoming tired of farm life he began clerking in the store of George Bressler, at Eagle Mills, with whom he remained several years. On the 22d of February, 1816, he married Christiana, daughter of Robert Crownover, the celebrated Indian scout and veteran of the Revolution, and soon after removed to Liberty, where they lived three years. On the death of his father he returned to the old homestead, settled up the estate, and resided thereon the balance of his life. For several years he stored wheat in his grain house for the farmers and ran boats upon the river, in partnership with his brother Michael, carrying the grain and produce of his neighbors to market, and bringing back groceries and provisions for the merchants residing along the river. He finally purchased his brother's interest and also his farm, and thus became the owner of the whole of the original tract owned by his father. Eight children were born to him, as follows: Catherine, deceased wife of William C. Sanderson; Robert, deceased, who married Elizabeth MI. Strickler; Mercy K., wife of J. J. Sanderson; George W., who married Emma A. Gouter; Creacie A., deceased wife of J. M. Strickler; Michael Q., who married Hannah C. Bailey; Richard M., who died young, and James V., deceased, who mar- ried Frances O. Bailey. Mrs. 'Crane died in 1849, and her husband subsequently removed to Jersey Shore where he died November 26, 1865.

Mr. Crane was one of the progressive, enterprising men of his time. He was

1117

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

:a contractor in the construction of the West Branch canal, and furnished the stone and cement for a portion of that work, erecting five kilns for the manufacture of cement. After the completion of the canal he was appointed by Governor Wolf superintendent and supervisor from Bellefonte to Northumberland, which position he filled fifteen years. He took great interest in public affairs, and was a firm friend of the public schools. He served as school director for several years, and also filled many other local offices. He was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church, and one of the pioneers of that denomination in Nippenose valley. He gave liber- ally towards the erection of the Presbyterian church in Jersey Shore, and was one of its trustees for many years. Politically he was a Democrat, and a local leader in his party.

MICHAEL Q. CRANE, third son of George and Christiana Crane, was born upon the old homestead in Nippenose township, February 7, 1823. He attended school until he was seventeen years old, and then began working on his father's boat, and is to-day the oldest pilot on the river. He has made the navigation of the West Branch his principal business through life, and has been engaged in piloting in every flood up to 1874. Mr. Crane piloted a raft from the head waters of the West Branch. to tide water, a feat never accomplished before or since. At the death of his father he purchased the old homestead, where he has since resided, making the culture of tobacco a specialty. Mr. Crane was married in 1850, to Hannah C., daughter of Harvey Bailey, and has had a family of five children: Harvey B., of Wisconsin; George, a traveling salesman; Henry C., of Wisconsin; Edward Q., deceased, and Ella, wife of William Wagner of Nippenose township. When the West Branch canal was completed, Mr. Crane ran the first packet boat through it, and continued to run a boat for ten years. He also owned and ran the first boat to Nippono park. Politically he has been a life-long Democrat, and has filled the office of school director, and other minor positions. He is a member of Jersey Shore Presbyterian church, and one of the leading citizens of his township.

WILLIAM WAGNER was born December 31, 1854, son of George and Margaret (Billmyer) Wagner. His paternal grandfather, Michael Wagner, was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Montour county about 1800. He pur- chased a tract of several hundred acres of land, and resided there until his death, in 1863. He was a member of the German Reformed church. His family con- sisted of nine children: Betsey; Peter; Daniel; Nathan; Jacob; Mrs. Polly Rey- nard; George; Rachel, and Abraham, all of whom are dead except Polly, George, and Abraham. George Wagner, the father of our subject, was born in 1817, and lives near Limestoneville, Montour county. He married Margaret Billmyer of Mon- tour county, who bore him four children: William; Martin, deceased; Alice, deceased, and George. The subject of this sketch received a common school educa- tion, and also attended Selinsgrove Lutheran Seminary, and the Bloomsburg State Normal School. In 1872 he entered the employ of Reighard Brothers of Mifflin- burg, and in 1876 he engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed three years. He then purchased his present farm, and is engaged in the cultivation of tobacco. He was married in 1878, to Ella, daughter of Michael Q. Crane of Nip- penose township, and has two children, George C. and Michael Q. Politically he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Presbyterian church of Jersey Shore.

1118

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

JOHN P. BUBB, farmer, is a sou of John and Josephine W. (Bastian) Bubb, natives and old residents of the Nippenose valley, and was born April 15, 1848, in the old brick house near the canal in Pine Creek township, and just inside of the line of Clinton county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools of his- native township, was reared on a farm, and has followed farming all of his life. Mr. Bubb was married in 1879 to Elmira P., daughter of Alfred and Abigail (Arnold) Caswell of Douglas, Massachusetts. Mrs. Bubb was born in Cheshire. county, town of Sarrey, near Keene, New Hampshire. To this union have been. born two children: Edwin C., born January 8, 1882, and Emma L., born Septem- ber 22, 1886. Mrs. Bubb was reared and educated in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to which place her parents removed when she was quite young. Mr. Bubb is at stanch Republican and one of the representative citizens of Nippenose township.

G. P. SMITH, farmer, was born January 12, 1832 at Pelham, Massachusetts, son of David and Maria (Cook) Smith. At an early age his father died, and he was reared by an uncle named Smith, of Orange county, New York. His early educa- tion was received there, and at the age of sixteen he returned to Massachusetts,. entered Amherst Academy, and completed his education. He afterwards taught school for a short time, and then entered the employ of Sidney Dillon, contractor on the New Jersey Central railroad, as a clerk. Later he was employed by the same party in constructing the B., H. & E. railroad. In 1854 he came to Lycom- ing county as a clerk in the construction of a division of the Philadelphia and Erie railroad. He subsequently built five miles of the same road at St. Mary's, Penn- sylvania, and after completing the same he took contracts upon the New Jersey Central, afterwards building the New York and Long Branch railroad, also the High-Bridge division of the New Jersey Central. In 1876 Mr. Smith returned to Lycoming county and settled upon his present farm in Nippenose township, where he is engaged in cultivating about 200 acres. He was married in April, 1856, to Kate, daughter of George Myers. She died in 1873, the mother of two children, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Smith was again married, to Mary E., daughter of Marcus Morton, of Leverett, Massachusetts, to which union have been born two. daughters: Olivia, and Mary E. Mr. Smith is a Republican, and has filled the offices of school director and assessor for his township. He and his family attend. the Presbyterian church of Jersey Shore.

H. C. HALFPENNY, woolen manufacturer, was born in Laurelton, Union county, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1843, and was one of a family of six children, born to H. S. and Julia Ann (Buck) Halfpenny. His parents were both born in Lycoming county, and his father is now residing in Lewisburg, in his eighty-eighth year; his mother is dead, and is buried in Laurelton cemetery. Five of their children are still living: Celestia D., widow of De Witt Kennedy; Agnes B., who married Samuel Ruhl; H. C .; Jane D., who married Robert Watson, and William, a conductor on the Pennsylvania railroad, who resides in Harrisburg. Mr. Halfpenny received a good common school education, and after leaving school he taught for several winters in Union county, working in the woolen mill during the summer time. On his twenty- first birthday he enlisted in Battery F, Second Pennsylvania Artillery, which belonged to the Army of the Potomac, and was sent to the front and took part at once in the- battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor. This was one of the first.

1119

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

commands that arrived at Petersburg, Virginia, in June, 1864, and participated in both the charge on the fortifications and siege of that city, remaining in the breast- works in front of Petersburg until the final surrender. He was afterwards appointed chief clerk in the Commissary Department of issues to destitute citizens of the city of Petersburg, Virginia, and vicinity, which position he filled until the regiment was mustered out of the service at City Point, Virginia, January 29, 1865. He was finally discharged at Camp Cadwallader, and returned to Union county, where he resumed his former occupation. He removed to Lewisburg in 1865, and still con- tinued in the woolen manufacturing business. From there he removed to the Larry's Creek Woolen Mills, then operated by Auble & Artman, where he had charge of the carding, spinning, and weaving departments, remaining there for two years, and then removed to the Nippenose Woolen Mills, taking the position of overseer of the carding and spinning departments of this institution. In 1882 he removed to Bloomsburg, where he was connected with the building and operating of the Blooms- burg Woolen Mill, which was at that time run exclusively on the manufacture of ladies' all-wool fancy dress goods. After remaining five years in Bloomsburg, he sold out his interest in that mill and returned to the Nippenose Woolen Mills, where he formed the co-partnership of Halfpenny, Campbell & Company, Limited, which existed up to April 1, 1892, when Mr. Halfpenny took possession of the mills on his own account. He was married in Mifflinburg, Union county, in 1866, to Carrie D., daughter of Jacob and Anna Mary Deckard, of Mifflinburg, and to this union have been born two children: Grant D., born June 18, 1867, and Lee Roy, who died in infancy. Mr. Halfpenny is a Republican in politics, and one of the enterprising citizens of his township.

GEORGE L. BAILEY, merchant, son of Jacob and Savilla (Hess) Bailey, natives of Washington township, Lycoming county, and of German extraction, was born in Washington township, April 8, 1852. His father died October 8, 1878, and his mother still resides in Elimsport. During his early life he had the advantage of a public school education, and was reared and worked upon the farm until 1883. In 1884 he went into the mercantile business, purchasing the good will and stock of goods of John Griggs. The firm name for three years was G. L. Bailey & Company, which was changed in the spring of 1887 to Bailey & Oakes, and in 1889 to Bailey Broth- ers, his brother having purchased Mr. Oakes's interest. No other changes have been made in the firm to the present time, and their business consists of a general line of merchandise. Mr. Bailey is a Democrat, and in 1890 he was elected a justice of the peace for a term of five years. In 1874 he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Martha Dunbar, of Lycoming county, to which union have been born five children, all of whom are living: Samuel D., born March 24, 1876; Jacob Augus- tus, May 10,. 1878; John Ralph, February 11, 1881; Carrie Emma, September 6, 1883, and Martha Oakes, October 3, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are members of the Evangelical church.

NAPOLEON BRASHA was born on a farm in St. Charles, near the St. Lawrence river, Canada, in 1849, one of the sons of Joseph and Janevie (Theberge) Brasha. He was educated in La Vale College, Quebec, from which he was graduated in 1866. Returning to his former home he resided with his parents until the year 1869. Being then twenty years of age, and feeling himself competent to embark on the

1120

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

voyage of life, he left his uative land and came to the United States, landing at Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and he followed various occupations in different States until the year 1878. By this time he had become sufficiently acquainted with the English language to engage in the mercantile business and finally settled at Antes Fort, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he has ever since been a 'wholesale and retail dealer in grain and coal. In 1887, in addition to his already established business, he erected a flouriug mill with all the modern improvements, of which he is now the proprietor and operator. He was married in 1880 to Amma, daughter of William McKeage. They are the parents of ten children, six of whom are living: William; Nellie; Roy; Laura; Clara, and Lilie. Mr. Brasha is one of the present school directors of his township, and in politics is a Republican.

JAMES GAMBLE, farmer, was born in 1820, on Pine creek, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, son of John and Sarah (Blackwell) Gamble. He received his educa- tion in the common schools, and after arriving at manhood he commenced farming on the John Stewart farm, where he remained until he took charge of the farm belonging to Mrs. John A. Gamble, upon which he has ever since remained. He was married in 1848, to Rebecca, daughter of Andrew Gamble, and to this union have been born eight children: Elizabeth; Sadie; Orange E .; Jacob; Oliver; George; Mary, and William. Mr. Gamble is a Democrat, and has filled some of the minor offices of his township.

JOHN A. BOBST is a son of Jacob and Mercy A. (Lundy) Bobst, and was born October 27, 1841, in Mifflin township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. His father was born October 30, 1810, and died December 11, 1865; his mother was born August 17, 1822, and died October 13,.1862. He received a common school educa- tion, and was brought up at farm labor, and has always followed that occupation. In 1863 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was with the Army of the Potomac from the battles of the Wilderness until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Elmira, New York, June 24, 1865, and dis- charged at Harrisburg. Returning home he resumed farming, which he has since followed. June 13, 1867, he was married to Deborah E., daughter of Abraham and Margaret Stout, of Mifflin township, and to this union have been born three chil- dren, all of whom are living: Amasa K., born February 14, 1869; Torrence E., April 20, 1872, and Charles Edward, July 8, 1875. Mr. Bobst is a Republican in politics, belongs to the G. A. R., and he and wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

JOSEPH ECK, a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, married Mary Bower, also a native of that county, and in April, 1838, they settled in Limestone township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where they purchased and cleared a farm and lived thereon until their death. His father, Joseph Eck, was also a native of Berks county, where he lived and died, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Our subject was a Republican in politics, filled various township offices, and with his wife- belonged to the Immaculate Conception Catholic church. They were the parents of ten sons and four daughters, seven of whom are living: Nathan; Joel; William; James; Augustus; Lorenzo, and Leah, who married Cyrus Swoyer.

JOEL ECK, farmer, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1819, son of Joseph and Mary (Bower) Eck. He received a common school education in.

1121

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES ..

his native county, and came with his parents to Lycoming county when he was eighteen years old. He was married, March 29, 1845, to Margaret, daughter of Anthony Swoyer, and soon after purchased a tract of land in Limestone township, which he cleared and has lived upon ever since. He is a Republican in politics, has served as supervisor of Limestone township for eleven years, overseer of the poor for six years, school director for six years, and was elected constable of the town- ship, but refused to serve. He is the father of twelve children, eleven of whom are living: Mary Ann, who married Samuel Beck; William Ambrose; Augustus; Anthony; George Washington; William Henry; Franklin E .; Carrie, who married William Springman; Kate Alice; Margaret, who married Charles Moore, and Joel N. Mr. and Mrs. Eck are members of the Immaculate Conception Catholic church of Bastress township.

LAWRENCE and MARY (DIETRICK) EISWERT were natives of Germany, who settled in Limestone township, Lycoming county, in 1840, and engaged in farming. They reared a family of nine children, the following eight of whom are living: L. E., and Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Kreutzberger, both of Williamsport; Peter J .; Catharine, wife of Jacob Paul, of Williamsport; Lena, wife of John Engler, of Limestone township; Barbara, wife of William A. Eck, of Limestone township; Mary, wife of Jacob Ritter, of Williamsport, and George, of Limestone township. Mrs. Eiswert died, July 22, 1882; her husband survived until October 6, 1888. He was a Demo-

Both he and wife crat in politics, and one of the industrious farmers of his locality. were life-long members of the Catholic church, in which faith they lived and died.

PETER J. EISWERT, county commissioner, was born in Limestone township, Lycoming county, May 28, 1845, and is a son of Lawrence and Mary Eiswert. He was reared in his native township, and received a public school education, and engaged in farming and lumbering. Mr. Eiswert is a stanch Democrat. He served as assessor of Bastress township for five years, and afterwards as auditor. He was elected jury commissioner in 1879, and served three years. In 1887 he was a can- didate for county commissioner, but was defeated for the nomination. In 1890 he was nominated and elected to that office by a very large majority, and is now a member of the board. Mr. Eiswert was married, November 11, 1871, to Johanna, daughter of Joseph Miller, of Bastress township, and is the father of ten children, as follows: Carrie; William; Catharine; Frank; Joseph; Frederick; John; Samuel; Edward, and Ellen. The whole family are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Eiswert has been engaged in fruit farming for several years in Bastress township, and has fonnd it congenial and profitable.

JOHN ENGLER is one of the best known business men of the Nippenose valley. He was born in Alsace-Lorraine, Germany (then belonging to France), February 26, 1841, and is a son of John and Margaret (Haumm) Engler, natives of the same place. His grandparents, Jacob Engler and wife, spent their entire lives in Alsace- Lorraine, where both died at the remarkable ages of one hundred and eighteen years, and one hundred and twelve years, respectively. His parents immigrated to the United States in 1846, and located in Limestone township, Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, where his father, who was a wagonmaker, continued that business in con- nection with farming. He purchased and cleared the farm on which George Eiswert now lives, and resided in the township until 1867, when he removed to Minnesota.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 135

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