History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 141

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

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children are: Torrence; Howard; Henry W .; Frank, and Bertha. Captain Moore is a Republican, has served as school director, and has been constable of Woodward township for thirteen years. The family are adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church.

CHAPTER LV.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

LOYALSOCK, HEPBURN, AND ELDRED TOWNSHIPS.

WILLIAM COLLINS was a native of the southern part of Pennsylvania. He came to Lycoming county about the year 1780, and purchased 800 acres of land in what is now Loyalsock township. He settled on the river portion of this land, and the remainder of it was subsequently occupied by his children. At that time the only means by which he could secure goods from Philadelphia and Pottsville was by

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

wagon. He married a Miss Brewster, a lady of French descent, by whom he had- nine children.

ISAAC COLLINS was the second son of William Collins, and received an ordinary education. He married Mary Dominy, and soon after located on the farm where their son, William, now resides, which they cleared and improved. He died in 1848, and his wife, who was of German descent, died in 1858. He was a Democrat in politics, changing in after life to the Republican party, and was a strong adherent of the principles of that organization till his death. He filled various township offices, and with his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church of Williams- port. They reared seven children, two of whom are now living: Mary, who mar- ried Enoch Winner, and William.

WILLIAM COLLINS, farmer, was born on the farm where he now resides, February 17, 1827, son of Isaac and Mary (Dominy) Collins. He was educated in the common schools, and has devoted his life almost exclusively to farming, having on his farm one of the finest fruit orchards in the county, including 800 peach trees. He was: married in 1849, to Miss Mary, daughter of Jacob and Mary Winner, natives of New Jersey and Bucks county, Pennsylvania, respectively, who located in Hepburn · township, Lycoming county, about the year 1800. To this union were born eight children: Jennie, who married George Casselberry; Cyrus; Irene, who married Oliver- Stahl; Jeffrey; Annie; William; Sadie, who married Ambrose Hyman, and Howard. Mr. Collins is a Republican in politics, and has served as a school director and super- visor of his township. He furnished a substitute to help put down the rebellion. He and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is steward and trustee.

JAMES T. KING was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1835, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Corson) King. His father was born in Lycoming county in 1807, was always engaged in farming, and died April 29, 1870. His grandfather, William King, was among the earliest settlers of the county. Joseph. King located in Loyalsock township, where he spent the remaining years of his life. He was a Democrat, and filled the various offices in his township. His wife died in 1871, and they were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their family consisted of three sons and two daughters, as follows: James T .; John, of St. Louis; Ellen, widow of Nelson Oakes; Charles R., of Loyalsock township, and Mary, wife of William Page, of Williamsport. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated in the public schools of Loyalsock township, and has always followed agri- cultural pursuits, settling on his present farm in 1863. Mr. King was married in 1858 to Mary R., daughter of William Wheeland, of Loyalsock township, and has three surviving children: William C. and Joseph N., of Williamsport, and Fannie, wife of Wilbur Kimbal, of Loyalsock township. Mr. King is a Democrat, and has been a school director in his township for seven years. He was one of the organ- izers of the Lutheran church of his township, is treasurer of that organization, and both he and wife are consistent members.

CHARLES R. KING, farmer, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1844, son of Joseph and Mary (Carson) King. He was principally reared in Loyal- sock township, and was educated in the commou schools. He was married in 1867 to Catherine, daughter of William Strieby. She died in 1886, leaving one daughter,

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Catherine Ann .. Mr. King is a Democrat in politics and was elected school director for his township but did not serve. He is a member of the Lutheran church located in that township.

EVAN C. WILSON was born in Loyalsock (now Eldred) township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1817, and was a son of Jonathan Wilson, a native of Sussex county, New Jersey, born March 15, 1775, who was one of the very early settlers of Loyalsock township, where he and his elder brother, Elihu, came in 1796, and pur- chased a large tract of land. Jonathan Wilson was a Quaker, and served as a justice of the peace for many years, and during the latter part of his life he settled near Millville, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, where he could have the benefit of the Quaker church, and died in 1856. He reared four children: Evan C., deceased; Mary Ann, deceased, who married Aaron Clayton; Abigail, who married J. O. Craw- ford, and William, deceased. Evan C. was the eldest of these children, and obtained more than the average education of that period. He engaged in teaching school during his younger days, but afterward followed farming. He married Sarah Ann, daughter of William Crawford, and for about ten years after they lived on his father's farm, and then purchased a farm on the line of Eldred and Loyalsock townships. He was an earnest supporter of the Republican party, and was a strict temperance man. While he attended the Christian church, and gave it earnest support, he lived and died in the Quaker faith, May 9, 1866. His wife died in August, 1850, leaving four children: Albert; Mary Jane, wife of Joseph Yeagle; Rebecca Ann, deceased wife of Thomas Frymire, and Crawford, who died in childhood. His second mar- riage was with Leah Crawford, a sister of his first wife, who bore him two sons: William C., and E. H., both of whom survive.

ALBERT WILSON, farmer and horse dealer, was born on the old homestead in what is now Eldred township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1842, son of Evan C. and Sarah Ann (Crawford) Wilson. He received a fair education, and upon reaching his majority he engaged in butchering, and eventually went into the buying and shipping of cattle, and also embarked in the horse business. He was married in 1867, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua Brelsford, who died January 9, 1890, leaving five children: Charles, deceased; Frances; Albert; Elizabeth Ellen, and Henry Harrison. Mr. Wilson was again married early in 1892, to Mrs. Hannah Thompson, widow of George Thompson. He is an active and enthusiastic Repub- lican, and is one of the enterprising citizens of his native county.

JOHN NEECE was born in Loyalsock township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1802. He was a son of John Neece, a native of New Jersey of Ger- man extraction, who married a Miss Ridge, of New Jersey, a lady of English descent, by whom he had eight children, all of whom are deceased: Sarah; Lucretia; Will- iam; Catherine; Ann; John; Eliza, and Henry. John Neece received only a limited education, and after marrying Mary Mackey he located at Penn's Dale, where he worked at the shoemaker trade. He afterwards established a tannery at that place, which he operated for a number of years, when he sold it and engaged in the mer- cantile business, continuing until his death in April, 1871. His widow died in 1884; she was the mother of eleven children, eight of whom are now living: Mary Matilda, who married Charles Narber; Ann Eliza, who married Henry E. Warner; Sarah, who married Daniel Courson; Clara, who married Joseph Edler; Emily Jane, who

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

married Jacob Courson; Thomas V. B .; Joseph M., and Alice A., who married Pier- son L. Koons. John Neece was a Democrat and filled several offices in the town- ship. He and his wife were both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

THOMAS V. B. NEECE, truck farmer and butcher, was born in Muncy township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1840, son of John and Mary (Mackey) Neece. He received his education in the township schools and at Dickinson Semi- nary, and afterwards was graduated from the Iron City Commercial College, Pitts- burg. He then engaged in the mercantile business for two years at Hepburnville, after which he entered his father's store at Penn's Dale, remaining a short time. His next employment was with the firm of Potter & Company, of Williamsport, in the position of bookkeeper, with whom he remained a number of years. Leaving this he formed a partnership with A. Shultz, and engaged in the grocery business on Fourth street, Williamsport, and subsequently followed the merchant tailoring and dry goods business for a short time, moving thence to Perrysville, where he taught school for one season. He returned to Williamsport and kept books for Brown, Early & Company, and was engaged in the coal business on East Third street for two years. In 1879 he moved to his present farm, where he has followed truck farming and butchering. He was married, Jannary 20, 1863, to Joann, daughter of Isaiah Hayes, and to this union have been born seven children, four of whom are now living: Mary Ida; Lewis Eugene; Myra Jeannette, and Rachel Estella. Mr. Neece is a Democrat, and has served as auditor of his township; his wife belongs to the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport.

WILLIAM WHEELAND was born in Loyalsock township, Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, in 1808. He was a farmer by occupation, and also followed the trade of shoemaker. He was a Democrat in politics, filled various township offices, and died 'in 1862. His widow, whose maiden name was Mary Magdalene Follmer, survives him, and was the mother of six children, four of whom are living: Catherine, who married Abraham Winner; Rosanna, who married James King; Clarence F., and Lydia, who married John Hagerman.

CLARENCE F. WHEELAND, farmer, was born in Loyalsock township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1851, son of William and Mary Magdalene (Follmer) Wheeland. He was educated in the common schools and brought up in his native township, where he has always followed farming. He is recognized as one of the representative farmers of Lycoming county, and has also carried on a dairy business, disposing of the milk in Williamsport for the past fifteen years. He was married in 1870 to Miss Sarah J. Strieby, daughter of William Strieby, and to this union have been born five children: Orella; William S .; Ralph V .; Clara V., and Florence A. Mr. Wheeland is a Democrat, and in 1880 was elected county auditor, which position he filled for three years; he has also been school director in his township. He is a prominent member of the Lutheran church, is a deacon of the same, and has been chorister for twenty years. He is a stockholder in the Merchants' National Bank, of Williamsport, and in the Central Pennsylvania Telephone and Supply Company.

GOTTLEIB HEIM, a native of Germany, emigrated to Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1804. His father, Jacob Heim, also came to

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Lycoming county at the same time, and his mother died while on the way across the water. Gottleib Heim married Margaret Steiger, and after living in Hepburn township for some time, they settled on the farm in Loyalsock township now owned by Abram Heim. He was a member of the Dunkard church at Blooming Grove, was a Democrat in politics, and died in 1881; his wife died in 1884. They were the parents of six children: Mary, who married John Rentz; Jacob; Isaac; Abraham; Elizabeth, who married William Weyman, and Margaret, who married David B. Waltz.

ISAAC HEIM, farmer, was born in Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, May 23, 1834, son of Gottleib and Margaret (Steiger) Heim. He was educated in both German and English, and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for thirty-seven years. He was married in 1858 to Mary, daughter of George Mutchler, and to this union have been born eight children: William; Reuben; Margaret, who married James Derone; Martha; Thomas; Sarah; Elizabeth, and Bertha. Soon after marriage Mr. Heim located on his present farm, which he has cleared and improved. He is a Democrat in politics, has served as school director, and with his family belongs to the Warrensville Baptist church, in which he holds the office of deacon.

JACOB SWEELY was born in Hepburn township in 1821, and died in 1885. He was a son of Jacob Sweely, a native of Germany, who was one of the pioneers of Lycom- ing county. He was a farmer, and after marrying Hettie Decker he located in what is known as Jersey Shore bottom, afterwards removing to Armstrong township. His wife was a daughter of Alexander Decker, a native of Lycoming county, and died in 1861. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church during their early life, but in later years became identified with the Evangelical church. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are living: Henry; Jacob F .; Rosa, who married Charles Bower, and Anna, who married Oliver Carson.

JACOB F. SWEELY, farmer, was born iu Armstrong township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1855, son of Jacob and Hettie (Decker) Sweely. He received his education in the public schools and Dickinson Seminary, after complet- . ing which he worked in the lumber mills and the Lycoming Rubber Works for a number of years. He was married in 1877 to Miss Ida Bell, daughter of Jacob Fessler. She died in March, 1890, leaving four children: Chester E .; Truman Bardell; Ralph Leo, and Florence Myrtle. He was again married in 1891 to Miss Jennie, daughter of William King, of Level Corner. Soon after his first marriage he removed to Ohio, remaining there for two years, and returning to this county he settled on his present farm in the spring of 1880. He is an active Republican, is serving his ninth year as overseer of the poor of Loyalsock township, and has also been school director and supervisor. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Newberry.

THOMAS CUPP, farmer, was born in Loyalsock township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1830, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Reighard) Cupp, natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Lycoming county. His father married Elizabeth Reighard; he died in 1844, followed by her in 1866. They were both members of the Lutheran church, and reared nine children, all of whom are deceased except one son, Thomas. Thomas Cupp, Sr., was a Whig in

of of Miller

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

politics, and served as overseer of the poor and supervisor of the township. Our subject, Thomas Cupp, received his education in the early schools of the township, and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years in connection with farming. In 1853 he was married to Margaret Eder; he lived on his father's farm for fourteen years, and settled on his present farm in 1870. To their union have been born eight children: Jane Elizabeth, who married Daniel Baker; John Porter; Lucy Ann, who married John Bennett; Susan Emma, who married William Seitzer; Sallie L .; Henry; Catherine A., and Samuel. Mr. Cupp is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Lutheran church.

SAMUEL EDER, deceased, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1770, and came with his father, Matthias Eder, to Lycoming county, in 1806. His father immigrated from Germany to the United States, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and a member of the Society of Friends. Samuel Eder, after locating in Lycoming county, engaged for a number of years in teaching school. He was married in 1806 to Miss Nancy Pervail, and to them was born one son, William, July 25, 1820, who died December 24, 1SS9; James Eder was married in 1854 to Sarah, daughter of Rev. Alexander Longsdorf, and to this union were born seven children: Rebecca J., who married John Shroder; Emma, who married Charles Foulk; Samuel A .; Elizabeth Ann, who married William Rathmell; Ettie, who married Harry Griggs; Maggie, who married Elias Seitzer, and Harry L., who resides with his mother on the homestead. Samuel Eder was married a second time, to Jane Porter, a native of Lycoming county, and to them were born eight children: Ann, who married Daniel Griggs; James, deceased; Mary, deceased; Hannah, who married Peter Griggs; Sarah, deceased; Margaret, who married Thomas Cupp; John, deceased, who married Sarah Scott, and Elizabeth, deceased, who married Jacob Ball. Mr. Eder became one of the prominent and influential farmers of Loyalsock township, owning at his death 600 acres of land. He served in the war of 1812, was a Democrat in politics, and filled various township offices. He died in 1865, followed by his second wife in 1877; both were members of the Presbyterian church.

DANIEL T. THOMAS was born in Loyalsock township, Lycoming county, Pennsyl- vania, December 31, 1815. His father, Rev. John Thomas, was of German descent, and one of the early Methodist preachers who traveled his circuit on horseback; he finally settled in Loyalsock township, and was at one time an associate judge of Lycoming county. Daniel T. Thomas was a man who possessed more than the average education at that period. He taught school in connection with farming. He was a Democrat in politics, and served as county auditor and in various township offices. He became a member of the Methodist church at the age of fifteen years, and helped to build the Methodist Episcopal church of Loyalsock township, of which he was one of the most prominent members, and was class-leader for many years. He died in 1SS8, and his wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Scott, a native of Fairfield township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, died in 1880. To them were born seven children: John B., deceased; Charles, deceased; Henry S. ; Emily, deceased, who married Frederick Young; Harriet, who married George Koons; Rebecca, who married Philip Probst, and Daniel T.

HENRY S. THOMAS, farmer, was born in Loyalsock township, Lycoming county,

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Pennsylvania, September 1, 1844, son of Daniel T. and Rachel (Scott) Thomas. He was educated in the common schools, and has devoted his business life to farming. He is now serving his fourth term as township auditor and has served as school director and assessor. In 1867 he was married to Harriet, daughter of Rev. Jacob Probst, and he immediately settled on the farm where he has since resided. To this union have been born four children: Charles S .; James Oscar; Henry, and Jacob. Mr. Thomas conducts a dairy in connection with his farm. He and wife are members of the Methodist church, in which he is steward. .

WILLIAM FOLLMER was a native of Turbut township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, where he was born, December 19, 1793, and was a son of John Adam Follmer, whose father, Michael Follmer, came from Germany to Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1737. He settled near Milton, Northumberland county, in 1778,. and died in 1793. Michael Follmer was the father of six sons and three daughters. The family donated the site of the Follmer Lutheran church, and a farm of eighty acres to the congregation. He and wife are buried in the cemetery at that church .. His son John Adam sent his three sons: William; Jonathan, and David, to Lycom- ing county about 1815, to settle a tract of land in Loyalsock township which he had purchased. William Follmer married Catharine Swartz, a daughter of Peter Swartz, a native of Germany and one of the pioneers of Loyalsock township, where she was born, April 9, 1791. He cleared and improved his land, and became one of the prominent and substantial farmers of Loyalsock township. He was a Democrat, and filled various township offices. He and wife were members of the Lutheran church, and lived and died in that faith. Mrs. Follmer died, April 2, 1855; he survived her fifteen years, and died, April 25, 1870. They were the parents of thirteen children: Mary M., widow of William Wheeland of Loyalsock township, born December 14, 1815; Sarah, wife of George Hartman of Syracuse, Nebraska, born March 2, 1817; Rosanna, who was born August 6, 1818, and died September 18, 1826; Adam, of Williamsport, born May 19, 1820; Catharine, who was born December 29, 1821, married Christian Edler, and died September 20, 1847; Julia Ann, widow of Jesse- Strieby of Eldred township, born July 10, 1823; Susanna, widow of James McWill- iams of Kansas, born May 21, 1825; Margaret, wife of William Hayes of Montours- ville, born March 11, 1827; Charlotte F., second wife of Christian Edler of Montours- ville, born February 6, 1829; Lydia, wife of James M. Neece of Williamsport, born October 29, 1830; Amelia, widow of Jesse Hyman of New York State, born May 13, 1833; William, of Watsontown, born April 23, 1835, and Peter, of Loyalsock township.

PETER FOLLMER, farmer, was born on the farm where he now resides in Loyal- sock township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1837, and is the. youngest son of William and Catherine Follmer. He was educated in the common schools and reared on the farm; he also spent two winters at Dickinson Seminary. He has always been engaged in farming, with the exception of four years which were spent in the lumber business in the State of Michigan. In 1862 he was drafted- in the war of the rebellion, but furnished a substitute. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank and the Lycoming National Bank of Williamsport. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served as school director, auditor, and supervisor of his township. He was married, January 3, 1860, to Miss Lavina Metzger, daughter

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

of George Metzger, and to this union were born four children: Alice R .; Annie L., who married C. E. Berger; Alva E., and Estella. Mrs. Follmer died in 1872, and he was again married, in 1875, to Miss Sarah G. Wilcox, daughter of Lewis G. Wilcox, and to them have been born four children: William; Margaret M. ; Mabel, and Clinton Lee. Mr. Follmer is a member of the Lutheran church of Loyalsock township, was one of its principal organizers, and has served as elder of the same for many years.

SOLOMON FOLLMER was born in Loyalsock township in 1829, son of Jonathan Foll- mer, a native of Northumberland county. In 1852 he married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth Swartz. John Swartz moved to Loyalsock township with his father at an early day, and settled on the farm now occupied by John S. Follmer. He was a justice of the peace for a number of years, and was one of the reputable citizens of the community in which he resided. His daughter, Elizabeth, married Solomon Follmer, and to them were born four children: John S ; Charles F. ; William P., and Foster M., deceased. Mr. Follmer was a Democrat in politics, and served as school director and auditor of Loyalsock township; he was one of the orgau- izers of the Grange Lodge, P. of H., and Master of the same for several years, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He died in January, 1880.

JOHN S. FOLLMER, farmer, was born in Loyalsock township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, July 17, 1854, son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Swartz) Follmer. He received his education in the township schools and has always followed farming. He was married in 1877 to Miss Mary, daughter of Frederick Harman, of Eldred township, and to them were born two children: Orrell Myrtle and Florence Emma. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served as supervisor of the township; is a member of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, and with his wife belongs to the Lutheran church at Montoursville, of which he has been deacon.

WILLIAM P. FOLLMER, farmer, was born on the farm where he now resides, Loyal- sock township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1858, son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Swartz) Follmer. He was educated in the common schools and has always resided on his present farm. He was married in 1882, to Miss Addie, daughter of Benjamin Carson, of Loyalsock township, and to this union have been born two children: Raymond O. and Pearl E. Mr. Follmer is an active Demo- crat, has served as school director, and is a deacon of the Lutheran church.

JOSEPH LOWE was born in New Jersey in 1812, and died February 19, 1890. He was married in his native State, and migrated to Lycoming county about 1830, settling on the farm where his son, Joseph M. Lowe, now resides. He was one of the prominent farmers of the township, and took an active interest in everything that tended to build up the community in which he lived. He was a Republican in politics. He was one of the builders of the Methodist Episcopal church of Lycom- ing township, of which he was steward and class-leader for many years. His wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Huick, died in 1884; she was the mother of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity: Agnes, who married Perry A. Bush; Joseph M .; Ella M., who married Robert Porter; Emma L., who married James Bower; James C., and George Franklin.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 141

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