History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 144

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

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JOHN WILSON was one of the earliest settlers in Lycoming county, and came here from New Jersey about the time of the Revolution. He took up 440 acres of land, which he purchased of John Hutton, and, erecting a cabin, began clearing off the unbroken forest. His home was near the place where the family lived in later years. He married Elizabeth Schooley in New Jersey, prior to the Revolution, and she bore him seven children: Enoch; Ezra; Robert, who married and settled in Canada;

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Ann, who married Jonathan Wilson; Belinda, who married Aaron Wilson; Amy, who was twice married, her first husband being Clifton Wilson, and her second husband Abraham Kinney, and Lavina, who married James Marshall, all of whom are dead. Mr. Wilson divided his farm between his sons, Enoch and Ezra, before he died, the former taking the lower 240 acres, on which the house stood, and Ezra the upper 200 acres, where he afterwards resided. The parents died in this town- ship.

ENOCH WILSON was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1775, and came to Lycoming county with his father. He was a surveyor and farmer, and followed that business. He was twice married, first to a Miss Marshall, who bore him five children: Marshall; James; Robert; Rachel, and Belinda, who married Samuel Ball, all of whom are dead. His second wife was Sarah Castner, of which marriage there was no issue. He died July 20, 1849; his widow survived him sixteen years, dying October 16, 1865. Mr. Wilson was a Quaker, and an ardent advocate of the princi- ples of that faith. In politics he was an old-line Whig, and filled many of the offices in his township.

EZRA WILSON, second son of John and Elizabeth Wilson, was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, March 7, 1779, and accompanied the family to Lycoming county, where he grew to manhood. About 1806 he married Nancy Flatt, and they were the parents of ten children: William, who married Phoebe Belknap; Andrew, who was twice married, first to Louisa Wheeden, and afterwards to Elizabeth Cor- win; Charles, who married Nancy Scales; Henry, who married Sarah Hester; John, who married Elizabeth Roe; Deborah, who married Daniel Griggs; Rebecca, who died unmarried; Aaron, who died in early youth; Samuel, who married Lucinda Kimble, and Amos, who married Elizabeth Reeder. Mr. Wilson lived with his father on the old homestead, and inherited one-half of the farm. He died there at the age of seventy-five years, dying as he had lived, a firm adherent of the Quaker faith. In politics he was a Whig, and during his active life filled many of the important offices in his township.

ROBERT WILSON, third. son of Enoch Wilson, was born on the old John Wilson homestead, October 5, 1815. He was reared a farmer, and received such an educa. tion as the pioneer schools afforded. On the 3d of November, 1836, he married Juliann Pidcoe, of which union two children are believed to have been the only issue: Enoch, and Byron. The former was educated at the public schools, followed farming, and engaged for a time in the profession of teaching. He enlisted for serv- ice in the war of the rebellion, became ill, and returned to his home, where he died shortly after his arrival. Robert Wilson, his father, died on the 24th of May, 1884. He was a Republican in politics.

AMOS WILSON, youngest son of Ezra Wilson, was born on the old homestead, January 22, 1828. He resided at home until 1869, when he removed to where he now lives. He married Elizabeth Reeder, August 21, 1851, who bore him three children: Mary Alice, deceased; Elma Louise, wife of James Miller, of Wisconsin, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Wilson is now comparatively retired from active life, and is spending his declining years upon a farm near Warrensville. He is a Republican in politics, and one of the old, respected citizens of his native county.

ANDREW F. WILSON, eldest son of William and Phoebe (Belknap), Wilson, and

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grandson of Ezra Wilson, was born, December 12, 1834, in Canada. He moved with his father to the site of Warrensville in 1840, where his father went into business, conducting a tannery, a shoemaker shop, and a farm. At an early age Andrew took charge of his father's business, and lived with him until he was twenty-six years old. When only twelve or fourteen years of age he traveled for miles up Loyalsock creek, collecting his father's bills, and laying the foundation for a sound business educa- tion. After reaching manhood he attended Dickinson Seminary several terms, and afterwards taught school five successive terms in the township. He was married, May 5, 1861, to Ann Castner, who also had taught the same length of time in the schools of the same township. After his marriage he bought the old homestead from. his father, and went into the business of butchering, tanning, and farming, which proved quite successful. Four children were born of their union: Harry G., a graduate of Muncy Normal School and the Williamsport Commercial College, who taught school four successive terms, and is now employed in a large store near Philadelphia; John; Mary, and William. Mr. Wilson also reared Rose Morgan, daughter of John Morgan, and granddaughter of Hon. Joseph B. Anthony. She is a graduate of the Lock Haven State Normal School, and was connected with that institution in a professional capacity for five years; she is now attending a medical college in Philadelphia. Mr. Wilson has resided at Warrensville longer than any other citizen of the village, and has always taken a deep interest in the social and material development of his native township. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and wields considerable influence in the local councils of his party. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for twenty-one years. He is one of the best known and most progressive citizens of Eldred township.

BYRON WILSON was born on the old homestead in Eldred township, October 25, 1851, and is a son of Robert and Juliann Wilson. He lived with his father until his marriage to Jane Hartman, in 1870. Four children are the fruits of this union: Annie; Alice; Asher, and Enoch. Mr. Wilson has always resided on the homestead farm, and in connection with farming he has carried on the butcher trade for about sixteen years. After his marriage he took charge of the farm, his father making his home with him up to his death. In politics he is a Republican, and has filled the offices of school director and supervisor. He has in his possession all of the old legal documents connected with the settlement of the family in this county, even to the parchment deed obtained by his great-grandfather, John Wilson, when he pur- chased the land upon which our subject resides.

WILLIAM CRAWFORD was born in Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, June 27, 1793, and was a son of Sampson Crawford, a native of Scotland, and one of the pioneers of Lycoming county. After reaching manhood, William engaged in teaching school, and also followed farming. He lived in Upper Fairfield and Eldred townships, successively, and was one of the representative farmers of that locality. During the latter part of the war of 1812 he was drafted, but as the war closed soon afterwards he was not engaged in active duty. He was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church in early life, and later became connected with the Christian church, in which he was an exhorter. He organized the first Sunday school in Upper Fairfield township in 1835 at the Buckley school house. Mr. Craw- ford married Rebecca, a daughter. of Jeremiah Tallman, and a native of Williams-

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port, and reared a family of six sons and four daughters: Nicholas F., of Kansas; Jonathan O., of Montoursville; Leah F .; Nancy; Sarah Ann; William, an active business man at Williamsport, where he built and conducted the Hotel Crawford, subsequent to which he removed to the West and died in Lincoln county, Kansas, in September, 1887; Jeremiah F., of Trout Run; John K., of Williamsport; Joseph T., and Rebecca, wife of Gideon King, of Trout Run. Mrs. Crawford died in 1838, and he was again married, to Jane Adlum who died without issue. He died in Warrensville, Eldred township, in 1885, at the age of ninety-two.

SAMUEL 'CASNER was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, about 1783. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and in 1813 came to Lycoming county and pur- chased a tract of land from James Marshall, situated in Hepburn township; this he sold in a few years and bought a small tract of James Winner, within the present limits of Eldred township. Mr. Casner was married to Mary Wagner, of Bucks county, who bore him a family of eleven children: Sarah; Reuben; Cornelius; Henry; Samuel L .; Mary Ann; Peter; Eliza; Rebecca; William, and John, all of whom are dead, except Samuel, Mary Ann, and John. Politically Mr. Casner was a Democrat during his early life, but in later years he affiliated with the Whig party. He took no active part in political affairs, though he filled nearly all of the important offices in the township.

SAMUEL L. CASNER, son of Samuel and Mary Casner, was born in Alexander township, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, November 4, 1810, and came to this county with his parents in 1813. He was reared on the homestead farm, and has always followed the shoemaking business. In 1833 he married Elizabeth Swearer, who bore him eight children: Mary, who married John K. Crawford; Louis E., who married Mary Jane Lundy; Sarah, deceased; Ann, who married Andrew Wilson; Catharine, deceased; Anson, deceased; William, who married Elizabeth Long, and John, who married Mary Morris. Mrs. Casner died, and in 1857 he married Martha Oliver, who became the mother of two children: Cyrus H., who married Josephine Folk, and Horace G. Mr. Casner is quite prominent in the local councils of the Republican party, and has been a justice of the peace for three terms.

CYRUS H. CASNER, eldest son of Samuel L. and Martha Casner, was born in Warrensville, Eldred township, September 14, 1858. He resided with his parents until he was twenty years of age, and then engaged in the butchering business, which he has since followed. Mr. Casner was married, January 19, 1882, to Josephine Folk, and has a family of three children: Samuel L., Jr .; John Leroy, and Annie May. He resided in the township for a number of years, and then moved into Warrensville, where he has since carried on business. He is a member of the Warrensville Baptist church, and is connected with the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. He has been constable of the township for six years, and is an ardent supporter of the Republican party.

FREDERICK GROSS, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, where he was born about 1765, immigrated to America in 1804. He secured 160 acres of land in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, cleared and improved the same, and resided thereon until his death in 1820. In his native country he married Barbara Graff, and they were the parents of six children: Michael, deceased; Barbara, deceased; John, deceased, who married Dorothea Wagner; Christina, who married Jacob Scherer; Margaret,

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deceased, and Joseph, who married Christina Ulmer. Mr. Gross was a member of the Dunkard church.

JOSEPH GROSS, son of Frederick and Barbara Gross, was born in Eldred town- ship, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1808. As his first wife he married Christina Ulmer, in 1833, and they were the parents of five children: Regina, who married Jacob G. Heim; Dorothea, who married Frederick Lust; Elizabeth, who married Christian D. Heim: John, deceased, and Christina, who married George Kiess. In 1853 he married as his second wife Catharine Stall. Mr. and Mrs. Gross reside on the homestead farm; Mr. Gross is one of the oldest native residents of Lycoming county.

ADAM FULLMER was born in Northumberland county, and was a descendant of a family of that name which settled in Turbntt township in 1778. He married Susan Wauck, who bore him the following children: Adam C., who married Elizabeth Boyd; Joseph; George, who married Caroline Marsh; James, who married Susan Marshall; Jonathan, who was killed in the battle of Fredericksburg; Aaron C., who was killed in the same battle; Margaret, deceased wife of Joseph Woodley; Rosanna, and Caroline, who married John Smith. About 1830 Mr. Fullmer bought a farm in Lycoming county, and resided upon it until his death, September 4, 185S. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and an active adherent of the Democratic party. He served in the Black Hawk war, in Illinois, and witnessed the defeat of that celebrated Indian chieftain.

ADAM CONRAD FULLMER, eldest son of Adam and Susan Fullmer, was born in Northumberland county, June 17, 1823. He removed with his parents to Lycoming county, and here grew to manhood. December 26, 1843, he married Elizabeth Boyd, and had a family of two children: Boyd, and Isabella, who married J. B. Casebeer. After his marriage he removed to the place now occupied by his son, where he spent the balance of his life, and died June 7, 1887. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and an adherent of the Democratic party.

BOYD FULLMER, only son of Adam C. and Elizabeth Fullmer, was born in Hepburn township, Lycoming county, Jnne 13, 1849. He was reared on the home- stead farm, and was married November 26, 1868, to Frances Sunderland. They are the parents of three children: Herman; Albert, and Clarence. He is an Adventist in religion, and a Democrat in politics.

JACOB HEIM was a native of Wittenberg, Germany, where he was born about 1786. He grew to manhood in his native land, and married a Miss Gohl, who died on the voyage to America. In 1817 he immigrated to the United States and landed at Philadelphia on the 4th of July. Mr. Heim was accompanied by his father-in- law, and they came direct from Philadelphia to Hepburn township, Lycoming county, traveling most of the distance on foot. They entered 106 acres of land, · which they cleared and improved. Mr. Heim lived upon this farm up to within a few years of his death, and then made his home with his daughter Margaret the balance of his days. He was the father of five children: Christina, deceased; Margaret, deceased wife of Jacob Ulmer; Gottlieb, deceased, who married Margaret Stiger; Jacob, who married Regina Stiger, and Anna M., deceased. Mr. Heim was a Dunkard in religious faith, and in politics a Democrat.

JACOB HEIM, son of Jacob Heim, Sr., was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in

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1806, and came to this county with his father in 1817. He was reared on the homestead in Hepburn township, and in 1831 was married to Regina Stiger. Ten children were the fruits of this union: Gottlieb; Dorothy, who married Frederick Shafer; Jacob; John J .; Christian D .; Margaret, who married John Heim; Regina, who married John B. Waltz; Joseph; Christina, who married Simon Waltz, and Mary, who married Samuel B. Shafer. After his marriage Mr. Heim removed to his father-in-law's farm, where he resided until his death in the seventy-fifth year of his age. He was a devout member of the Dunkard church, and a stanch supporter of the Democratic party.

CHRISTIAN D. HEIM was born on the homestead in Hepburn township, Lycoming county, August 31, 1841, and is a son of Jacob and Regina Heim. He was reared a farmer, and when twenty-three of age removed to his present home. He was married, October 6, 1864, to Elizabeth Gross, who is the mother of seven children: Louise, who married J. W. Waltz; Ephraim; Hannah, who married C. F. Fisher; Sarah A .; Susie; Joseph, and Samuel. Mr. Heim is an ardent Democrat, and has been a delegate to the county conventions a number of times, and also a member of the standing committee. He has held nearly all the offices in his township, and has been a school director for nine years, and is now township auditor. He is a member of the Dunkard church, and one of the respected citizens of Eldred township.

GEORGE KIESS was born in Wittenberg, Germany, about 1771, and immigrated to Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1804. When he landed in the United States he was the possessor of only 50 cents, and coming direct to Williams- port, he found employment and lived there until 1805. He then removed to Hep- burn township, where he purchased a small piece of land, to which he added at different times as he could pay for it, until he owned 137 acres. He was the father of six children: Catharine, who married George Waltz; Rachel, who married David Young; Dorothy, who married William Rote; Betsey, who married Jacob Kremer; Rosanna, who became the wife of Jacob Sweeley, and John. Mr. Kiess was a mem- ber of the Dunkard church, and died upon his farm in Hepburn township.

JOHN KIESS, only son of George Kiess, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, about 1793, and came to this country with his father. He was reared in Hepburn town- ship, and about 1818 he married Elizabeth Seamiller, and they were the parents of the following children: Elizabeth, deceased wife of Leonard Kiess; Mary, deceased wife of Jacob Cook; John, who married Mary Cook; David, deceased, who married Sarah Herritt; Jacob, who married Elizabeth Steiger; Rachael, deceased, who became the wife of Samuel Young, and George. Mr. Kiess was a Dunkard in religion, and in politics was a Democrat.

JACOB KIESS, son of John and Elizabeth Kiess, was boru on the old homestead in Hepburn township, October 12, 1826, and has always followed the occupation of a farmer. He was married in 1849 to Elizabeth Steiger, who has borne him eight children: Mary, who married Abraham Klump; John, deceased; David; Hannah; Edward; Jacob; Benjamin, and Rebecca, deceased. Mr. Kiess bought a part of the old Wilson farm, which he has improved and lived upon for twenty-five years. He is a Baptist in faith, and a Democrat in politics.

CHRISTOPHER KIESS, a weaver and school teacher, was born in Wittenberg, Stutt-

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gart, Germany, about 1778. He grew to manhood in his native land, obtained a good' education, and learned the weaver's trade. He there married Christina Sheets, who bore him four children before they immigrated to America, as follows: Margaret, who married a Mr. Kurtz, and after his death a Mr. Eckart; Abraham, who married Catharine Waltz; Christopher, who died in infancy, and Catharine, who never mar- ried. In 1806 or 1807 the family came to the United States and settled on a farm near Warrensville, in Eldred township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. The date of their settlement is established by the births of Catharine, who was born in Ger- many in October, 1805, and William, who was born on the homestead near Warrens- ville, in February, 1808. Seven children were born after their settlement in Lycom- ing county: William, who married Margaret Rote; Jacob, who married Catharine Rote; Salome and Dorothy, who remained unmarried; Sophia, who married George Rote; Emanuel, who married Charlotta Sigman, and Christina, who became the wife of Samuel Entz. All of the foregoing children are dead, except Sophia, Emanuel, and Christina. Mr. Kiess purchased 150 acres of land from Daniel Bailey. It was covered with an unbroken forest, in the midst of which he built his cabin and began making for himself a home in the new world. He resided upon this farm until his death, March 26, 1866. In connection with farming he did considerable weaving for the pioneers, and thus made an occasional dollar. He also taught a German school in his neighborhood for many years. He was a member of the Dunkard church, and always voted the Democratic ticket.

EMANUEL KIESS, youngest son of Christopher Kiess, was born on the homestead in Eldred township, July 9, 1818, and has lived thereon up to the present. In 1844, he married Charlotta Sigman, who has borne him five children: Samuel S., who married Annie Winner; Thomas E., who married Mary Lundy; Franklin C., who married Ella Guinter; Reuben, who died in childhood, and John C., who died after reaching his majority. Politically Mr. Kiess is a Democrat, and during the Mexican war he served as first lieutenant in the militia. He is a member of the. Evangelical church, and has served as trustee since the erection of the present building. He has been overseer of the poor, collector, and school director at differ- ent periods.

FRANKLIN C. KIESS, youngest living son of Emanuel Kiess, was born on the homestead, January 14, 1849, and has always lived on the same farm. In 1876 he married Ella Guinter, and has a family of four children: Rosa May; Lottie C .; Clayton K., and Verus M. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as school director, and as secretary of the board of education.

HENRY THOMAS was born in Germany about 1755, and after reaching manhood he came to America and settled near Philadelphia. He soon after enlisted in the army of the Revolution, served throughout the war, and was mustered out at its close with the rank of ensign. He reared a family of six children: Mary; Elizabeth; John; Anna; Henry, and Sarah. After the Revolution closed Mr. Thomas settled upon a farm, where he resided until his death.

JOHN THOMAS, eldest son of Henry and Elizabeth Thomas, was born near Phila- delphia, May 23, 1783. He was reared upon his father's farm, and received a good education. He took up the vocation of preaching, and was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He removed to this county at an early date, and located in

J. F. Corson

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Loyalsock township, north of Williamsport, where he died at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Thomas was a very devout Christian, and preached the Gospel for many years. He was a Democrat in politics, and served as associate judge of Lycoming county, and also as county commissioner for several years. He married Rebecca Tallman, April 30, 1814, and was the father of one son, Daniel Tallman, long a resi- dent of Loyalsock township.

DANIEL TALLMAN THOMAS, only son of John and Rebecca Thomas, was born in Lycoming county, December 31, 1815, and was reared upon the old homestead. He married Rachel Scott, December 25, 1839, and they were the parents of seven children : John B .; Charles S .; Emily, who married Frederick Young; Harriet, who married George Koons; Rebecca, who married Philip Brobst; Daniel T., and H. S. After his marriage Mr. Thomas removed to the old Collins farm, which is now owned by Albert Wilson and Daniel T. and H. S. Thomas. He was a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church, and was active in promoting the welfare of that organization. . Politically he was a Democrat, and filled the office of county auditor, and nearly all the offices in his township.

DANIEL T. THOMAS is a son of Daniel Tallman Thomas, and was born in Lycoming county, August 17, 1853. He was reared in Loyalsock township, and was married, December 2, 1875, to Emma J. Phillips, and has two children: John W. and Rachel M. He received a common school education, and has followed farming all his life. He is a Democrat, and has filled many of the offices in his township. In religion he has followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, and is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church.

JACOB STRIEBY was a native of Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, born July 28, 1787, and was a farmer and cooper. In 1807 he married Sarah Keyser, who bore him the following children, all of whom were born in Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania: Jonas, who married Sarah Stout; Charles; Jesse, who married Juliann Foll- mer; Joseph, who married Margaret Follmer; Anna Catharine, who married Adam Follmer; William, who married Margaret Metzger, and Sallie Ann, who married Christian Raish. All of the foregoing are dead except Mrs. Adam Follmer, of Will- iamsport, and Mrs. Christian Raish of Huron county, Ohio.

JESSE STRIEBY was born in Upper Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1814, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. He married Juliann Follmer, February 22, 1844, who bore him the following children: Hiram E .; Amanda, who married Firman Marshall; Norman, who married Louisa Cummings; William F .; Mary A .; Simon P .; George K .; John R., and Emma Z., who married W. M. T. Artley. After his marriage Mr. Strieby moved to the old homestead, where he lived the balance of his days. He was a deacon in the Lutheran church, and a man of upright, honest character. Politically he was a Democrat, took an active part in public affairs, and filled several of the offices in his township. Hiram E. Strieby, eldest son of Jesse Strieby, was born upon the homestead farm, August 31, 1845, and inherited the place at his father's death.

EPHRAIM SHAFER, son of John F. and Elizabeth Shafer, was born in Hepburn town- ship, Lycoming county, September 30, 1859. John F. Shafer, a native of the same township, was born in 1821, and removed to the farm where he now lives after his marriage about 1848 to Elizabeth Heim, who bore him four children: Samuel B.,

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 144

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