History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 143

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 143


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).


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the Masonic order, and in politics is a sincere Democrat. He is a member of the State and County Medical Societies, a director in the Merchants' National Bank of Will- iamsport, and is president of the Keystone Lithograph Company of the same city.'


BENJAMIN PIDCOE was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1774, and was a son of Emanuel Pidcoe, who came to Lycoming county in the last decade of the eighteenth century, and settled in Hepburn township, where the remaining years of his life were passed. Benjamin was married in this county, July 4, 1799, to Anna Heylman, and entered a tract of 700 acres of government land in what is now Hep- burn township. He settled upon it, building his cabin in the midst of a forest, and through the passing years he cleared and improved a good farm, upon which he resided up to his death, December 1, 1861. He possessed a very good education for that period, and was justice of the peace for many years. He was in early life a Whig, and afterwards affiliated with the Republican party. He was a member of the State militia and took quite an active interest in such matters. His wife died, March 2, 1862, aged eighty-two years. They were members of the Christian church. Ten children were born to them, only three of whom are living: Mahaleth, wife of Napoleon Welper of Michigan; Emanuel, of Williamsport, and Sarah, widow of William Rathmell of Hepburn township. The deceased are as follows: Elizabeth, who married Peter Wheeland of Loyalsock township; Barbara M., who married Samuel Wheeland of the same township; Charlotte, who first married James Hilands, and afterwards George Staddon; Martin; William; Julia Ann, who married Robert Wilson, of Hepburn township, and Mary Jane, who married Joseph Tallman of Loyalsock township.


ABRAHAM PAULHAMUS was born, September 20, 1805, in what is now Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. His father migrated from New Jersey to Lycoming county aud bought land from the State of Pennsylvania in what is now Hepburn township, and improved the same. His family consisted of five sons aud three daughters. Upon reaching his majority, Abraham learned the blacksmith trade which he followed for some time at Hepburnville. He afterward carried on this business at Williamsport, on the corner of Fourth and Williams streets where the residence of J. B. Otto now stands. After following his trade for some time in that city he removed his shop to Hepburnville, where he carried on business for a number of years. He finally had to give up his trade on account of his eyes failing, and about the year 1838 he located on the Packer farm; here he engaged in farming in connection with butchering for two years, having John Bredin as a partner in the latter business. In 1840 he took charge of the Park farm in the vicinity of Will- iamsport, and in 1842 he moved to the John K. Hays farm on Lycoming creek, where he remained for eight years. He then moved to. the Grier farm. His death


occurred on the 23d of September, 1853. He was a Whig and a strong Abolitionist. Mr. Paulhamus was largely instrumental in building the Beantier Run Methodist chapel in Lycoming township, and was for many years a class-leader of the same. His wife, whom he married September 30, 1831, was Susan Marr, whose parents came from New Jersey and located at Milton, Pennsylvania. To this union were born six sons and three daughters, two of whom are living: John and Maberry ·Goheen.


JOHN PAULHAMUS, son of Abraham and Susan (Marr) Paulhamus, was born, July


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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.


1, 1835, in Hepburn township. He remained at home until eighteen years of age, when he went into the business of lumbering on Larry's creek, Cogan valley, Lycoming county, and afterward followed the same business on Big Pine creek, Tioga county, and in Clearfield county, and then in Cameron and Elk counties, Pennsylvania. He carried on the same business in Sullivan county, this State, where he accumulated large interests which he still retains. In 1867, in part- nership with A. T. Nichols of Williamsport, he purchased the farm whereon he now resides. This farm is one of the finest in the township, and consists of about 100 acres of hill and river bottom land. The purchase also included a flour and grist mill. After a while an arrangement was effected by which Mr. Nichols took the grist mill and Mr. Paulhamus the farm, which he now successfully tills. Mr. Paulhamus was married, May 20, 1860, to Clarinda B. Randall, daughter of Orran and Esther Randall, who located at Columbia, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, when Clarinda was but six months old. She was one of twelve children, six brothers and six sisters, all of whom grew to maturity. Her six brothers were all engaged in the late war. There were six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Paulhamus, of whom only one survives, Harry R., who was born, June 9, 1869. Mr. Paulhamus has always been a very energetic and hard-working man, and one who possesses more than ordinary ability for general business. He maintains, in a high degree, the respect of his friends and neighbors. Politically he is a stanch Republican. and is assessor of his township. He and family are members of the Presbyterian church now in course of erection in Hepburnville.


ABRAHAM ADERHOLD came from Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1807 and settled near Ball's Mills, in Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania; here he lived for a few years, and then moved to Rose valley, where he worked a farm for twelve or thirteen years. It was during this period that he purchased the farm now known as the Aderhold homestead. He died at about sixty-three years of age, and was one of the earliest pioneers of the county. The names and births of his chil- dren are as follows: Joseph F., April 19, 1798; Elizabeth, October 6, 1799; John, January 3, 1801; Mary, April 4, 1802, and Annie, April 17, 1806.


JOHN ADERHOLD, the third child, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. in 1801, and came to this county with his parents when he was six years of age. In 1825 he was married to Regina Stoltz, who was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1802, and immigrated to America in 1817. To this union there were born eleven children, of whom the names and respective dates of birth were as follows: Cather- ine, September 28, 1826; David, November 17, 1828; Sophia, September 17, 1830; Abraham, November 8, 1832; Elizabeth, December 15, 1834; Joseph S., April 5, 1837; Caroline, May 6, 1839; Esther, August 24, 1841; John W., May 29, 1843; Sarah, November 5, 1845, and Fred, March 23, 1848. John Aderhold and wife attended the Lutheran church. He died, November 16, 1877, and she died, March 28, 1854.


JOSEPH S. ADERHOLD was born, April 5, 1837, in Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John and Regina (Stoltz) Aderhold. He- received a common school education, and was married in 1867 to Louisa Schuch, who was born in Lewis township, this county, in 1841. There have been born to them six children: George W., July 22, 1868; Abraham A., August 9, 1871; Caroline R.,


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March 24, 1875; John P., September 24, 1877; William H., September 8, 1879, and Joseph A., June 11, 1884. In 1869 Mr. Aderhold purchased the farm where he now resides, now containing about 240 acres, which, with its fine residence and barns. is one of the best in the township. He is a Democrat and himself and family attend the Lutheran church.


JOHN J. MILLER, farmer and butcher, is a son of Frederick and Margaret (Singlin) Miller. The grandfather of our subject was John J. Miller, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, who was one of the early residents of Williamsport, where he located and engaged in his business of wagonmaking until his death. He was married in Germany and was the father of five children: Charlotte; Frederick; Mary; Sarah, and Emanuel. Frederick, the father of John J. Miller, was born in Germany in 1814. He learned the trade of a wagonmaker and subsequently settled in Hepburnville, Pennsylvania, where he carried on business for some time. He purchased twenty-eight acres of land in Hepburn township, where his son John J. now lives, and established a wagonmaking business, which he conducted until his death in April, 1843. His wife was Margaret Singlin, a native of Wurtemberg, who survived him until 1884, when she died in Williamsport, leaving two children: our subject, John J. Miller, and Mary F., wife of Joseph A. Gilmer, of Williamsport. The first named was born in Hepburnville, February 28, 1841. He was reared in Hepburn township, and received his education in the public schools. He followed the usual duties of a farmer's boy until he reached his majority. In 1865 he engaged in the butcher business, which he has ever since followed in connection with extensive farming, having under cultivation two farms consisting of 326 acres. He has been twice married; his first wife was Margaret Wheeland, who died in 1864, and to this union was born one child, an infant, deceased. His second marriage was with Louisa, daughter of William Rathmell, and to this union have been born three children: Herman F .; Mary C., and Clara, deceased. Mr. Miller is a Democrat in his political affiliations and has filled many of the minor township offices. His religious connection is with the Ball's Mills Evangelical church, of which he is one of the stewards. He is one of Lycoming county's extensive farmers, is an enterprising business man, and manifests a deep interest in the public aud social development of his county.


GEORGE SHALEMILLER, was born near the border of Germany in the district called "Romans" in Italy. He came to the United States in December, 1800, and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, remaining there twelve years, thence coming to what was called at that time Loyalsock township and settling in that portion now known as Hepburn township. He was married twice, the name of his first wife being Mary Shearer; this union resulted in the birth of three children, two of whom are living: Catharine and Peter. ^About the year 1820, some time after the death of his first wife, he was again united in marriage to Eucille Blair and to this union there were also born three children, two of whom are living. Mr. Shalemiller was one of the earliest pioneers and did much to aid in the development of the township, part of his work being to engage in the construction of a road from Ball's Mills to his own place.


TOBIAS SHALEMILLER was born in Hepburn township in 1832 and is a son of George Shalemiller. He was educated in a German school which was founded by


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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.


the local inhabitants before the date of free schools. He has followed the business of farming and lumbering and has always resided in his native township. Between 1860 and 1862 he built three saw mills. He now owns and operates a steam saw mill for custom work. He was married in 1857 to Susan Maniwell, who was born in Liberty township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. There were born four children to this union: Catharine; Angeline; Emma, and Eda. Mr. Shalemiller is a Demo- crat in politics and in religion a Lutheran.


GEORGE W. BALL was boru, June 19, 1814, in that part of Loyalsock township. now known as Hepburn. His father came from England with his parents, who located at Hillsgrove, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania. When his father was five years of age occurred the death of the grandfather. He was bound out to learn the trade of a millwright, to a Mr. Shane. The first work for himself was in a saw and grist mill in Hepburn township, which he built for Mr. Weisel. He carried on this business for five or six years, and also did a general millwright business. In 1819 he purchased the right of a stream known as Mill run, and built a fulling mill for fulling and coloring cloth and finishing the same for use. After this he purchased a carding mill to use in connection with the first. About the year 1838 he built a woolen mill at his place of residence. In 1812 he was married to Catherine Weisel, who was born at the Rising Sun Inn, which is located in Berks county about forty miles from Philadelphia. As a result of this union there were born eleven children: Isaac; George W .; John; Elizabeth; Samuel; Mary Ann; Jacob; William; Joseph: Sarah, and Jane.


Our subject, George W. Ball, received a common school education, and from about the age of seven years he did more or less work around the fulling mill owned by his father. After a time he learned the carding of wool and rolls for spinning. When his father bought the woolen mill he went there and carried on the business- for twenty years. He then sold to his brothers, and in 1860 purchased the farm upon which he now resides, and moved upon the same in 1861. It is a fine farm, containing about 115 acres, eighty of which are under cultivation. His wife's maiden name was Anna Harmon, who was born in Williamsport, a daughter of George and Polly Harmon. Mr. Ball is a Democrat, and he and wife attend the Presbyterian church.


JACOB HEIM immigrated to what is now Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1817. He was married to Regina Staiger, who was born in this township in 1812; this important event took place May 31, 1831, and to this union there were born the following children: Gottlieb; Dorothy; Jacob; John; Christian; Margaret; Regina; Joseph; Christina, and Mary.


GOTTLIEB HEIM is the eldest son of Jacob Heim, Sr., and was born in 1833 in Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the town- ship schools, and for a time taught the German school that has been referred to in other sketches. He has been school director for nine years, also secretary of the school board for six years. He was married in 1856 to Sarah A. Staiger, daughter of Michael and Susanna (Hessler) Staiger. She was born in Luzerne county, Penn- sylvania, in 1834. To this union three children have been born: Daniel M .; Susanna, and Hiram J. Mr. Heim is a stanch Democrat, has served his party on com- mittees and he and his wife attend the Blooming Grove Dunkard church.


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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


JACOB HEIM, JR., was born, April 13, 1837, in Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Jacob and Regina (Staiger) Heim. He was educated at the township schools, and at a German school which was originated and supported by the local inhabitants. He is what might be termed a self-made man, is naturally of a studious and thinking turn of mind, and has the respect of all who. know him. He settled on the farm where he now resides in 1860, and was united in marriage the same year to Mary Schaefer, who was born in Hepburn township, November 15, 1836. To this union have been born four children: Regina; Matilda; Sarah, and Ezra. Mr. Heim and his wife are members of the Dunkard church in Hepburn township. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served his party as a committeman. He was elected a justice of the peace for Hepburn township in 1882 and was re-elected in 1887 and 1892.


DAVID and SOPHIA STOLTZ, natives of Germany, emigrated to America in 1817. They settled in Hepburn township on the farm now owned by Jacob Gehr, where they both died and were buried thereon. Mr. and Mrs. Stoltz were Lutherans in religion, and he was a Democrat. They had seven children who grew to maturity: Regina, who was sold and served three years in Philadelphia to pay for a part of her parents' voyage across the ocean; David; Michael; Jacob; George; Caroline, and Sophia. Michael and Caroline are the only ones now living.


MATHIAS and MARGARETTA MUTCHLER came to Hepburn township in 1818. They resided for a time with Mr. Mntchler's brother-in-law, Mr. Heid, and together they cleared a tract of land containing 300 acres which was purchased from a Mr. Embart .. Mr. Mutchler's trade was shoemaking, which he followed when not otherwise- employed. In his political sympathy he was Democratic. He attended the Dunk- ard church, where himself and wife were consistent members. They had seven children, four sons and three daughters: George, born January 29, 1805; Jacob, born February 7, 1810; David, born February 28, 1813; Mary, born January 20, 1820; Elizabeth, born November 6, 1823; Rosina, born January 26, 1826, and Nathaniel, born December 5, 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Mutchler both died in December, 1830, and on the same day.


DAVID MUTCHLER came with his parents, Mathias and Margaretta Mutchler, to this county in 1818. He received a common school education and was brought up. on a farm. The farm of 110 acres upon which he now resides is a part of the 300 acres which were cleared by his father and Mr. Heid. It was the expressed wish of his father that David should become owner of this farm, and accordingly he came into possession of the same by paying $1,000 to the other heirs. Mr. Mutchler is a good farmer, having made a success of agriculture; he is a Democrat, and with his wife belongs to the Dunkard church.


PHILIP LEHMAN was born in 1831 in Germany, and when a child five years of age he immigrated to America with his parents. His father, Simon Lehman, was born October 26, 1798, and first settled in Williamsport. He afterwards moved to that portion known at that time as the "Long Reach," which now is a part of Will- iamsport. He remained here about six years, and then located on a farm in Hep- burn township. He was a shoemaker by trade, which he followed while living on the farm; he died March 27, 1891. He was the father of six children: John C .; Philip; David; Harriet; Sarah, wife of Philip Hoag, and Fred. Our subject, Philip


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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.


Lehman, worked for his father on the farm, and in 1860 took the deed and had full charge of the same farm. In 1857 he was united in marriage to Levina Keiser, whose home was in Upper Fairfield township, this county, and who was a daughter of Jacob and Dora Keiser. To this union were born the following children: Han- nah; Mary; Sarah; Frederick; Dora; Daniel; David; Emma; Melinda; Benjamin, and Reuben. Mr. Lehman is a Democrat and has held the office of overseer of the poor in his district for the past eighteen years. He has always lived on the farm which he owns, containing about 130 acres, and has a fine residence, barn, and outbuild- ings.


PETER SCHUCH was born in 1800, in Germany. He received a good German edu- cation and learned the tailor's trade, which he followed in his native country for many years in connection with farming. He also served six years in the German army. He married Barbara Drumm, also a native of Germany, and after five chil- dren had been born to them they emigrated to America in 1841. They located in Lewis township, Lycoming county, and began life anew in that then unbroken for- est. with only $40. In 1861 they removed to the farm now owned and occupied by their son, Jacob Schuch, in Hepburn township. Here Mr. Schuch died, May 6, 1886, followed by Mrs. Schuch on June 27th of the same year. Both were consist- ent members ef the Lutheran church, and he was a Democrat in politics. Their children were as follows: Margaret, who married Philip Heisley, and resides in Perry county; Peter, who lives in Ohio; Jacob, who lives in Hepburn township; Catharine, who married William Krisher, of Ohio; Sarah, who married Charles Smith; Louisa, who married Joseph S. Aderhold; Frederick, deceased; Lizzie, deceased, and Julia, deceased.


JACOB SCHUCH, farmer, was born, February 17, 1835, in Germany, son of Peter and Barbara (Drumm) Schuch. He came to America with his parents in 1841. He was educated in Lewis and Cogan House towuships, and was married, November 27, 1860, to Regina Staltz, daughter of Jacob and Henrietta (Heisley) Staltz. To this union have been born ten children, eight of whom are living: William; Charles; Emma J., who married Dr. C. B. Bastian; Peter L .; Phoebe E .; Hattie; Mary C., and Jacob H. Mr. Schuch settled on his present farm in 1861. He is a Democrat in politics and has been school director. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church.


ISAAC FLEMING was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, England, December 8, 1817, and emigrated to the United States in the year 1840, locating in Centre county, Penn- sylvania, where for fourteen years he operated a woolen factory. He married Mar- garet Ann Stradley, a native of McHenry township, Lycoming county. They lived in Centre and Clinton counties until 1863, when they moved to Larry's Creek, Piatt township, Lycoming county, remaining there until 1866, and moving thence to Hep- burn township, where Mr. Fleming was foreman of a woolen factory until 1880. At this time he settled on a farm, where he now resides. He is a Republican in politics and taken an active interest in the success of his party, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. To their union were born nine children: John W., who is principal of the Stevens school building of Williamsport; W. H., who now resides in Missouri; Samuel S., Hudson R., and Edward S., who are residents of Williamsport; Wilson I., ex-burgess of Bellefonte; Dr. J. F .; Eugene E., and Carrie E., wife of Elmer Rathmell.


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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


WILLOUGHBY and SOPHIA (WEIGLEY) SHOLLENBERGER, natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, came to Lycoming county about 1857 or 1858. They settled in Muncy Creek township, and here, for many years, Mr. Shollenberger operated what are known as the Schumacher Mills, after which he milled through the West, finally returning to Lycoming county and locating at Montgomery, where he still resides. Himself and wife have been identified with the Lutheran church for a long time. Their family consists of six children: D. W .; William L .; Vilera, who married Elias Reed; Louisa, who is the widow of William Davis; Elizabeth, and Daniel A.


WILLIAM L. SHOLLENBERGER, a member of the firm of Fleming & Shollenberger, proprietors of the Hepburnville roller mills, was born in Muncy Creek township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1859, and is a son of Willoughby and Sophia (Weigley) Shollenberger. He received his education in the public schools and was graduated from the Williamsport Commercial College. He learned the milling trade from his father, and when nineteen years old, he took charge of the White Deer mills, which he continued for one year. He then in company with Frank Porter, operated the Montgomery mills for four years, after which he came to Williamsport and spent two years with the Mackey Furniture Company. In 1888 he became interested in his present enterprise, and soon after sold an interest to J. E. Heilman, the firm taking in the name of J. E. Heilman & Company. The mills were at once rebuilt with the complete roller system. In March 1891, Mr. Heilman sold his interest to H. R. Fleming, and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of Fleming & Shollenberger. In 1884, Mr. Shollenberger was married to Ida M., daughter of Joseph Heilman of Clinton township, Lycoming county, and to this union four children have been born: Florence Puaala; Zilla May; Joseph Heilman, and William Howell. Mr. Shollenberger is a Republican in politics, and himself and wife are members of the Lutheran church.


GEORGE BOVEE was born in 1843, at Athens, Tioga county, New York. His parents, Peter and Nancy Bovee, natives of Broome county, New York, came to Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1860. They were the parents of eight children: Adeline, deceased; Kate L .; Dolly Ann, deceased; Rodney M., deceased; John O .; George; Perry H., and Walter H. At the age of eighteen years, upon the breaking out of the late war, George joined Company B, Eighth Penn- sylvania Cavalry, and after seeing some hard service during the Peninsular cam- paign, was discharged on account of disability, his term of service having been nine- teen months. He is a carpenter by trade, and followed that occupation for many years. He bought the farm of ninety-one acres where he now resides in Hepburn township ten years ago; he has improved the place in every way and has recently built a large barn, the house being also new and commodious. Mr. Boree was mar- ried in 1866 to Sarah E. Ball, who was born in Hepburn township and is the daughter of Samuel and Belinda (Wilson) Ball. Four children have been born to this union: Alice E. ; Samuel B .; Burton R., and Erving E. Mr. Bovee is a Re- publican in politics.


JOSEPH W. MILNOR was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1819, son of Joseph and Mary (Wright) Milnor, born in 1795 and 1796, respectively. In the fall of 1819 his parents came to Lycoming county, where the father died in 1867 and the mother in 1836. At the age of twenty Joseph W. taught the first


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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.


term of school in Rose valley under the free school system. He was considered a good practical schoolmaster, and was quite successful in this, his first term, as well as several terms taught in the following years. While at Sunday school in Lower Fair- field township, he saw for the first time, Mary Jane Reeder, who, December 6, 1842, became his wife. He purchased a few acres of rough land in Fairfield township, on which he constructed a rude dwelling, surrounded by forests, and there began his active career. After a few years of hard labor clearing much of the ground and making other improvements, he sold, realizing considerable profit, and purchased another farm in the same township. Within a short time he sold this to good advantage, and was thereby enabled to obtain a large farm in Eldred township near Quaker Hill, to which he moved his family. In 1851 he sold the farm and purchased a store in Warrensville. He moved his family to this village and later started for Philadelphia to secure a stock of goods. This, his first trip to that city, was made by packet boat by way of Harrisburg, and it took several days to make the journey there and back. His mercantile trade grew steadily, but bright hopes of enlarging the store were shattered by the sudden death of his wife, February 21, 1853. He subsequently enlarged his business cares by erecting a larger store building, a flour and saw mill, and engaging also in the manufacture of flour and lumber. October 19, 1854, he was again married, to Mary Jane Taylor, who was born, October 31, 1832, daughter of Samuel H. Taylor, then an editor in Bellows Falls, Vermont. She removed to Pennsylvania about 1840 with her father, who became the editor of the. Whig Gazette at Mauch Chunk. The second Mrs. Milnor had been a school teacher, and this experience no doubt aided her in disciplining as well as in educating the- eight children to whom she had become a step-mother. She has always been a worker in the Sunday school and the church. Mr. Milnor is the father of sixteen children, fourteen of whom grew to maturity, the others dying when two years old. To his first union were born the following: Harriet G., who married Joseph Gray; Rebecca A., who married Peter F. Kimble; D. Ellen, deceased wife of William. Hanna; Mary Etta, who married Joseph C. Budd; Tacy J., who married Thomas J. Funston; Alice E., deceased; H. G., who married Theressa Ryan, and Josephine, who- died in infancy. To his second marriage were also born eight children: Mahlon T., who married Addie Champion; Clara B., who married Ellis Lundy; Joseph W., who married Jennie Fague; Agnes, who died young; Ida T .; C. Omer; Robert H., and G. Bruce. Mr. Milnor is one of the prominent and influential Democrats of his township, and has been a justice of the peace for thirty years. He also served as. jury commissioner in 1866, and has filled nearly all of the important offices of Eldred township. He has always taken a very deep interest in the cause of education. He is an adherent of the Quaker faith, to which his mother belonged. Through the passing years he has accumulated considerable valuable real estate, and is one of the prominent farmers of his township.




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