History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 140

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

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SAMUEL H. GRIER, third son of James and Sarah Grier, was born, September 21, 1828, on the homestead, where he resided up to his death, January 6, 1892. He was married in 1873 to Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander and Hester Hyndman, natives of Ireland and residents of Susquehanna township, Lycoming county. Two chil- dren are the fruits of this union: Sarah E. and Mary H. Politically Mr. Grier is a Republican, and has filled several of the township offices. He is a deacon in Lycoming Presbyterian church of Newberry, and one of the respected citizens of . the county.

ROBERT SMITH settled at what is known as Smith's eddy, upon the Susquehanna river, in Piatt township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, prior to the Revolutionary war. He entered 110 acres where James Smith now lives, and besides attending to his farm he followed boating, transporting goods to Baltimore and other markets. He was one of the industrious, pushing men of his day. He married a Miss Clark, and died about 1848. His family were: Isaac; Thomas; John; Abraham, who was connected with Charles Burroughs in building a section of the West Branch canal; William; George; Elizabeth, who married William Conover; Catharine, who married Robert Quigle, and Ann, who became the wife of William Bennett. Mr. Smith was a member of the Presbyterian church.

ABRAHAM SMITH, fourth son of Robert Smith, was born on the homestead in Piatt township in 1802. He was reared a farmer, and after his marriage he settled upon the farm where his son John now lives. He married Nancy, daughter of John Hughes, and both he and wife died in 1862. Their family were as follows: John H. ; Mary A., wife of Dewitt Riddle, and Nancy J., deceased wife of J. Q. Riddle. Mr. Smith was the owner of about 300 acres of land, which his wife inherited. He was an adherent of the Whig party, and though not a member of any church, was a liberal supporter of churches and schools.

JOHN H. SMITH, only son of Abraham Smith, was born, November 30, 1829, upon his present homestead. He there grew to manhood, and in 1863 he married Mary, daughter of Robert Mann, of Woodward township, who has borne him three children: Tressa M., wife of H. G. Evans; Jennie L., and Alva A. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, and a Methodist in his religious views.

JOHN CAROTHERS, a native of Ireland, settled in Woodward township at an early date. He owned 200 acres of land where Daniel Updegraff now lives, but subse- quently removed to the farm upon which A. K. Carothers resides, where he cleared and improved some 200 acres. He married a Miss Pepper, and became the father of four sous and three daughters. The sons were: Alexander; James; Frank, and Samuel. The daughters were: Mrs. Thompson; Mrs. Reed, and Mrs. King, all of whom are dead. Mr. Carothers was a member of Lycoming Presbyterian church, of Newberry, and was one of the first elders in that church. He died at the home of his son, Alexander Carothers, in Loyalsock township.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

SAMUEL CAROTHERS, youngest son of John Carothers, was born about 1798, and was reared under the parental roof. In 1848 he was engaged in the hotel business at Jersey Shore, and continued in that business two years. He then returned to the homestead farm, where he resided until his death, which occurred about 1879. He- married Martha, daughter of John Murphy, of Newberry, who died in 1861. Their family consisted of six sons and one daughter. Four of the sons, also the daughter, grew to maturity, and were as follows: James, who was killed at Petersburg, in 1864, while serving as captain of Company I, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsyl- vania Volunteers; John; Adam K .; Newton, of Williamsport, and Phœbe, wife of J. F. Riddle, of Williamsport. Mr. Carothers was a Democrat, took an active part in public affairs, and was once the Democratic candidate for sheriff of Lycoming county. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and died in that faith.

ADAM K. CAROTHERS, third son of Samuel and Martha Carothers, was born on his . present homestead in Woodward township, October 4, 1839. He received his pri- mary education in the common schools of his native township, and subsequently attended the high school at Jersey Shore and Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport. On the 1st of June, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves, and in August following was detailed to extra duty in the Signal Corps, and subse- quently attached to the United States Signal Corps in the regular army, where he served until the close of the war. He was discharged, June 25, 1865, and returning home engaged in farming, which he has since continued. Mr. Carothers married Alice, daughter of Dr. John King, of Mill Hall, Pennsylvania. Both he and wife are members of Lycoming Presbyterian church, of Newberry. He belongs to the Union Veteran Legion, is an active supporter of education, and is one of the leading farmers of his native township.

GABRIEL CLARK, a native of Ireland, settled ou Wolf run, near Hughesville, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, at the close of the Revolutionary war. It is- claimed that he was the father of nineteen children, but little is known of his history by his descendants. It is, however, believed that he spent the remaining years of his life in this county, and died on the farm upon which he settled.

SAMUEL CLARK, son of Gabriel Clark, was born in Lycoming county in 1799. In early life he followed the lumber business in Loyalsock township for a number of years, and subsequently purchased a tract of 354 acres, situated three miles north of Huntersville, in Plunkett's Creek township. He settled upon it, and died there in 1855. Mr. Clark married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Lambert, of Muncy township, who survived him until 1862. Their children were: Mary A., wife of Benjamin Davis; George, of Woodward township; Jane, wife of C. Boatman; Sarah, deceased wife of Thomas Davis; Samuel L .; Fleming, who died in North. Carolina, while serving in the rebellion as a soldier in the Union army; Enoch,. of Washington township; Eliza, deceased wife of C. Boatman; Davis, of Washing- ton township, aud Emma, wife of Henry Bower.

SAMUEL L. CLARK, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Clark, was born in Muncy township, Lycoming county, in 1828. At the age of fifteen he entered the employ of William Mckinney, who had just established an iron furnace on Lycoming creek, and assisted in making the first heat of iron. He learned the puddler's trade, and remained in the employ of Mr. Mckinney seven years, and puddled the

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

last heat of iron turned out at that furnace. He then engaged in the lumber busi- ness, and rented land for cultivation until 1864, when he purchased eighty-three acres of forest land. He has since cleared and improved this farm, and brought it under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Clark was married in 1847 to Catharine, daughter of Philip Whipple, of Woodward township. Seven children are the fruits of this union: Margaret, deceased wife of William Hagerman; John, of Wisconsin; Sarah; Philip, also a resident of Wisconsin; Charlotte, wife of William Bird; Alice, wife of Alva Casner, and Susie. In 1865 Mr. Clark enlisted in Com- pany D. Fifty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. . In early life he was a Whig, and from the formation of the Republican party he voted that ticket up to 1889, and is now an Independent. He has served as town- ship auditor eight years, three terms as supervisor, and six years as a school director. He has always taken an active interest in the growth and progress of education. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Linden, is a class-leader in that society, and has occupied the position of superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Clark is a man of broad views, and is recognized as an enter- prising and progressive citizen.

MATTHEW MARSHALL was a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Piatt township, Lycoming county, upon the land where John Neff resides, towards the close of the last century. He reared the following children: Martha, who married John King; Mary, who married William King; Euphemia, who became the wife of John Clark; Matthew; Joseph; William; John; Sarah, who married Isaac Pepperman, and Catharine, who married William Meginness.

MATTHEW MARSHALL, eldest son of Matthew Marshall, was born in Piatt township, Lycoming county, in 1814. After reaching manhood he engaged in the saw mill and lumber business on Pine run and Larry's creek. He subsequently purchased the farm upon which he resided until 1886, when he removed to Williamsport and died there in 1890. He married Catharine, daughter of John Slonaker, and his family consisted of the following children: Annie, widow of John Thomas; Mattie, widow of Frank Thomas; M. Torrence; Sallie, wife of Samuel Hess; Alice, wife of William Pepperman; Warren, and Jane, deceased. Mr. Marshall was a Republican, and during his residence in Piatt township filled several township offices. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a trustee and steward in the local organization of that society.

M. TORRENCE MARSHALL, eldest son of Matthew Marshall, Jr., was born on the homestead, December 28, 1848. He received a common school education and was reared a farmer. In 1884 he settled upon his present place. He was married in 1874 to Lizzie, daughter of John D. Cowden of Piatt township, who has borne him three children: Wilber; Guyer, and Mabel. Politically he is a Republican, and is a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal church of Linden.

. JOHN BENNETT, who was twice sheriff of Lycoming county, was born at Level . Corner, in what is now Lycoming township. His father, John Bennett, was a native of Pennsylvania, and settled in Woodward township along the Williamsport and Jersey Shore road. He owned at one time about 300 acres, now owned by the Hauser heirs, W. T. Bennett, J. Robinson, and George Brown. He kept hotel for many years. He was a Democrat and a man highly respected. He was twice mar-

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ried. His first wife was a Miss Clendenin, by whom he had the following children: William; John; Elizabeth; Rebecca; Margaret; Hannah, and another daughter who married a Mr. Mahaffy. Our subject was brought up on a farm and received a common school education. He followed farming and contracting on the West Branch canal. He was elected and served two ternis as sheriff of Lycoming county. He was a Democrat in politics and was recognized as a leader of his party in Lycoming county for many years. He married Sarah Huller, and to them were born eight children who grew to maturity: William; Asher; John; Samuel; Margaret; Sarah, who married Stephen Ault; Mary, and Matilda.

HENRY EMERY settled in Woodward township, Lycoming county, early in the. present century, and was employed as a farm hand several years. In 1829 he pur- chased of John Ross twenty acres, to which he subsequently added twenty two acres more. This tract is now the home of his son Henry. He also owned a farm of seventy-eight acres in Anthony township, which he cleared and improved. He married Sarah Horn, who bore him the following children: Jacob, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Nancy, wife of A. M. Hughes; Margaret, deceased wife of William Marshall; Mary, wife of Abraham Williamson; Catharine, wife of Robert A. Martin; Martha, deceased wife of Samuel Carpenter; John; Henry; Sarah, deceased, and Rachel A., wife of Thomas Smith. Mrs. Emery died about 1854; her husband survived until 1872. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he was a Whig, and afterwards a Republican.

HENRY EMERY, youngest son of Henry and Sarah Emery, was born on the home- stead in Woodward township, March 3, 1829. He received a common school edu- cation, and throughout his boyhood years followed the usual routine of a farmer's life. He married Rebecca, daughter of Aquilla Lovell, and has one child, Carrie V. Our subject resides upon the farm first settled by his father. He is a Repub- lican in politics. He is a good citizen, and commands the respect of the people of his community.

JOSEPH HILL, a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, settled in Anthony town- ship, Lycoming county, where Mrs. Tillie Welsh now lives. He married Marjorie, daughter of Andrew Welsh, and afterwards located where his son Andrew resides. He subsequently purchased an adjoining farm, which his son Joseph P. inherited. They were the parents of three children: Andrew; Joseph P., and Ambrose, deceased. Mr. Hill died in 1883; his widow survives and resides on the homestead farm. He was a Republican in politics, and an elder in the Christian church for many years preceding his death.

JOSEPH P. HILL, second son of Joseph Hill, was born, April 19, 1848, upon his present homestead, which he inherited from his father. To his original inheritance of sixty acres, he has added, until he is now owner of 195 acres of well improved land. Mr. Hill married Melissa, daughter of Warner Tuttle, of New York State. She died in 1881, leaving four children: Ella; Nora; Lettie, and Alice. Our sub- ject afterwards married Lettie Tuttle, a sister of his first wife, who has borne him three children: Thomas C .; Lula, and Ada, deceased. Mr. Hill is a Republican, and is an elder in the Christian church. He has always taken an active interest in the growth of the common schools, and has served as director in his district.

ALEXANDER COHICK was born in Anthony township, Lycoming county, Pennsyl-

Joseph Kies

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vania, in 1814, and was a son of John Cohick, a native of England, who came to Lycoming county about the beginning of the present century, and entered a tract of land in Lycoming township, containing some 400 acres. John Cohick was a shoe- maker by trade, and died on his farm, which he had cleared and improved, in 1819. He married Elizabeth Carpenter, who survived him many years. Their children were as follows: John; George; Andrew; Alexander; William; Samuel; James; Dan- iel; Mary, who married Benjamin Shook, and Nancy, all of whom are dead except the last mentioned. The subject of this sketch received a very limited education, and learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed for ten years in Anthony town- ship; he then began farming in the same township, and subsequently located on a farm in Woodward township, where he resided up to his death, in April, 1892. He married Sarah A., daughter of William Moffett, who bore him the following chil- dren: George A .; Jane, wife of George Kurtz; Matilda, deceased wife of Johu Pot- ter: William; Elizabeth, wife of Edward Courson; Annie, wife of Samuel Seitzer, and Wellman. Mr. Cohick was a Republican, and both he and wife were members of the Christian church. His widow survives him.

ELI FINCHER was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, son of John and Rachel Fincher. His father died when Eli was quite young, and in 1819 the latter came to Lycoming county and found employment with John Bennett, of Woodward town- ship. In 1821 he sent for his mother, who subsequently married Robert Maffett, one of the largest land owners in Woodward township. She had one son by her second marriage, and died about 1853. Eli worked for Mr. Bennett and Abraham Smith nine years, and then purchased 125 acres of land in Anthony township, which .John C. Fincher now owns. He dwelt upon this farm until his death, which occurred in 1878 at the age of eighty-one years. Mr. Fincher was twice married, first to Martha, daughter of Andrew Marshall. She died without issue, her only child dying in infancy. His second wife was Susanna, daughter of George Shook, who bore him thirteen children: William; Andrew; Sarah J., wife of Aaron Mar- shall, of Iowa; George, deceased; Rachel A., deceased; Catharine, deceased wife of , Ambrose Bower; Martha, deceased wife of William Elliott; Joseph, deceased; Mary, wife of Samuel Harmon; Eva, wife of James W. Mahaffey; Belle, wife of Charles A. Corsou; Eli, deceased, and Aaron, deceased. Mrs. Fincher survived her husband two years, and died in 1880. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the ·Christian church.

WILLIAM FINCHER, eldest son of Eli and Susanna Fincher, was born in Anthony township, January 5, 1828. He received a common school education, and remained under the parental roof until 1849, when he purchased his present farm of 125 acres. He cleared and improved his purchase, and lived upon it until 1887, when he retired from active work and took up his residence in Linden, where he now resides. Mr. Fincher was married in 1849 to Belle, daughter of Robert Caldwell. He has served as school director for twelve years, and has been township treasurer and filled other local offices. Politically he is a Republican. In 1864 he enlisted in Company B, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Fort Stedman and Peters- burg.

JAMES ROBINSON, youngest son of John and Mary (Baker) Robinson, a sketch

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

of whom appears in this volume, was born, September 20, 1821, upon the home- stead in Lycoming township, Lycoming county. He received a common school education, and after reaching his majority taught school in winter, and worked at farming and lumbering. In connection with his father he built a mill, where Jacob Metzger now lives, about 1841. About 1852 he purchased 107 acres in Anthony township, erected a mill on Larry's creek, and was engaged in the lumber business and in farming at that point for eighteen years. He then bought his present farm in Woodward township, consisting of 104 acres, and situated on the Susquehanna. He cultivates 250 acres of farm land, and is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of the county. Mr. Robinson was married in 1855 to Martha, daughter of Aaron Missimer, of Nippenose township. Eight children have been born of this marriage: Annie, wife of A. J. Gamble; James B .; Ardella, wife of J. C. Littley ; Lutitia; Geneva E., who married E. J. Hughes; J. Ranson; Lula, and William E. Politically Mr. Robinson is a Democrat; he served as justice of the peace from 1869 until 1871, and has also filled the offices of school director, tax collector, etc. He is a member of Linden Presbyterian church, and a trustee in that organi- zation. He is well known throughout his township as a gentleman of enterprise and public spirit.

BENJAMIN M. Yosr, physician and surgeon at Linden, was born in Washington township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Myers) Yost. Joseph Yost was a native of Dauphin county, son of Hermon Yost, a native of Germany. He was reared in Union county, and followed the trade of carpenter. In 1840 he settled in Washington township, Lycoming county, where he conducted business until he retired, and now resides in South Williamsport. He is a Republican in politics and in his religious belief a Baptist. His family consisted of the following children that grew to maturity: Clara, who married D. D. Ernest; William H. and Charles, both of whom were captains in the civil war, William dying at Andersonville and Charles at Florence, both in rebel prisons; Dr. B. M., and J. Miles, of Williamsport. Dr. Yost was educated in the common schools and at Dickinson Seminary. He read medicine with Dr. W. N. Truckenmiller of Gregg township, was graduated from Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, in 1880, and has since practiced his profession at Linden. He was married in 1882 to Clara,. daughter of R. C. and Margaret Quiggle, and to this union have been born two children: Edith May, born August 31, 1865, and Robert Quiggle, born October 10, 1889. Dr. Yost taught school for about ten years in the common schools, and for three years in the Lycoming Normal School, partially during the time he was studying medicine. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He belongs to the Baptist church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

EDMUND PERSUN removed from Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, to what is now Sullivan county, and subsequently in company with his brothers, Elias and Charles, he located at the old Cogan house, in Cogan House township, Lycoming county. Here he built a saw mill and engaged in the lumber business. Some years later he purchased 200 acres of land in Woodward township, where his son Evan H. now lives, which he cleared and improved. He married Susanna Thomas, who bore him a 'family of eight children, four of whom are living: Evan H .; Sarah J.,.

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wife of George Thomas; Amelia, wife of John Clark, and Lincoln, of Williamsport. Mrs. Persun died in 1884; her husband survived until 1SS9. Both died upon the old homstead in Woodward township. In politics Mr. Persun was a Republican, and filled the offices of school director, assessor, and supervisor in his township; he also served as assessor in Cogan House township.

EVAN H. PERSUN was born, September 2, 1849, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and is the eldest son of Edmund and Susanna Persun. He grew to manhood in Cogan House township, Lycoming county, and in boyhood began assisting his father in the lumber business, at which he continued many years. He sub- sequently purchased the homestead farm, and in 1891 established a dairy, which he now carries on in connection with farming. He married Lizzie, daughter of Isaac Kinley, of Newberry. They have seven children: James: Nora; Casper; Charles: Bessie; Chester, and Robert. In politics Mr. Persun is a Republican.

ADAM AULT was born in Washington, D. C., and was the son of William Ault, a native of Germany. Adam was a carpenter by trade, and in 1816 he settled in Newberry, Lycoming county, where he followed his trade for many years. He erected many of the buildings in that locality, and was widely known as an honest and efficient builder. He married Maty, daughter of Jacob Reighard, and their family consisted of the following children: Stephen; Augustus, deceased; John; Herman, deceased; Elizabeth ; Anna M., and Catharine, deceased wife of Jesse Snyder. Mr. Ault was a member of Lycoming Presbyterian church, in politics a Whig, and afterwards a Republican. His wife died in 1856.

STEPHEN AULT was born June 27, 1838, in Newberry, Pennsylvania, the site of his father's home being at present within the limits of Williamsport. He received a common school education, and learned the carpenter's trade with his father. He followed that business a few years, and then engaged in merchandising in Newberry, at which he continued fifteen years. In 1876 his son, J. B. Ault, pur- chased his present homestead in Woodward township, where he has since resided. He was married in 1851, to Sarah, daughter of John Bennett. One son, John B., was born of this union. He married Eva, daughter of George W. Nicely. While a resident of Newberry Mr. Ault was a member of the city council, and also a director in the public schools. Politically he is a Republican, and for many years has filled the office of elder in Lycoming Presbyterian church of Newberry.

JOHN L. CAMPBELL, owner and proprietor of a saw mill at Linden, was born, De- cember 21, 1836, in Union county, Pennsylvania. His parents, William and Hannah . (Parks) Campbell, were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and Ireland, respectively, and are both deceased and buried in White Deer township cemetery, Union county. The names of their children are as follows: Eliza, who married L. S. Hayes, of Delaware township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania: Robert, who resides in Ottawa, Kansas; William, who resides in Union county, and John L. The last named received a common school education and worked on a farm until 1854, when he went to work for Seth T. McCormick in a saw mill near Dewart, Northumberland county, where he remained for three years. Hethen went to Watson- town, and was employed in the saw mill of Chamberlin & Fulton for some time; afterwards he remained with Cook & Pardee, who had purchased this mill, until 1872, when he bought a saw mill near Linden, which he has owned and operated

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ever since. He was married in 1860 to Matilda, daughter of James and Matilda Black of Union county, and to this union have been born nine children: G. B. Mc- Clellan, deceased; Grace C., deceased; Jennie; Sarah A .; William P .; Kate; James Black, deceased; John A., and Frank. Mr. Campbell, wife, and family are members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Campbell is a Republican.

CAPT. JAMES S. MOORE was born in Porter township, Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, December 26, 1843, son of James and Eliza (Stevenson) Moore, natives of Ireland. His parents came to the United States in 1841, and settled in Porter town- ship, Lycoming county. They had a family of nine children, five of whom are living: James S. ; Samuel W .; John R .; George R., and Fanny E., wife of Elmer Brown. His mother died in Limestone township, and his father in Woodward town- ship. Captain Moore was reared in this county, and received a common school education. On the 25th of September, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and at the end of one year's service he was promoted to corporal, subsequently to sergeant, and then to orderly sergeant. At the close of its term of enlistment his regiment re-enlisted for the three-year service. He was commissioned second lieutenant, and then passed through the successive grades of first lieutenant and captain of his company .. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out of the service, July 7, 1865. Captain Moore participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Weldon Railroad, Gettysburg, and the battles of the Wilderness, and was present at the fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. He took part in all of the campaigns, battles, and marche's of the Army of the Potomac during his term of service, and passed through without a wound, though having several narrow escapes. After his discharge he returned to Lycoming county and found employment in the lumber business. In 1870 he mar- ried Emma C., daughter of Peter and Eliza Casner, of Woodward township. He then settled on a farm, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. His

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 140

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