History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 146

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

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JOHN J. NOON, youngest son of Thomas and Mary Noon, was born on the home- stead in Cascade township, December 19, 1854. He resided at home until the death of his father, and then began life for himself. In 1883 he entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Frank Kane, in the lumber business, which continued until 1889, and was then dissolved. In the year 1886 he formed a part- nership with his brother Edward F., under the firm name of Noon Brothers, but sold his interest to his brother in 1889, since which time he has operated under his own name. Mr. Noon was married in 1882 to Ella Kane, who has borne him six children: Thomas, deceased; Edward; Frank; Eugene; Margaret, and Mary. The whole family are members of the Catholic church. Politically Mr. Noon is a Democrat, and has been auditor of Cascade township for nine years, and secretary of the school board six years. He has been instrumental in advancing the cause of education in Cascade township, and has been foremost in the erection of good school buildings, and in furnishing them with modern furniture. He is a prosperous business man, and is the owner of the old homestead on which his father lived and died.

JOHN SAYLES was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1809. His father died when our subject was about thirteen years old, and he then assisted in supporting his mother and her family. He found employment in a distillery operated by a Mr. Fuller. He was married in 1832 to Olive Savage, and in 1842 he purchased a tract of land in Granville township, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and settled upon it. It was covered with an unbroken forest, which he at once began clearing off, and finally brought the land under cultivation. He reared the following family: Eliza, who married Ezra Bailey; Desdemona, who married Ritner Miles; Arminda, who married William Vroman; Alvin; Adaline, deceased wife of Andrew Bunyan; Betsey Ann, who married Robert Innes; Millard, deceased; Jerry T., and Luther F. Mr. Sayles died at the age of seventy-six years. Politically he was first an old-line Whig and then a Republican, and filled one or two county offices in Bradford county. He was a captain in the New York militia during his residence in that State. In his religious views he was a Universalist.

JERRY T. SAYLES, son of John and Olive Sayles, was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1851. He remained with his father until 1877, assist- ing the latter in clearing and improving the homestead farm. He then came to Bodines and entered the employ of his brother-in-law, Robert Innes. Through the passing years he has gradually been promoted until he is now the superintendent of Mr. Innes's extensive tannery at that point. He has mastered the business in all its details, and is recognized as an authority in that line of trade. Mr. Sayles was mar- ried, February 18, 1880, to Eva Latteer, and has three children: Ollie; Robert, and Laura. In politics he is a Republican, is liberal in his religious views, and was at one time a member of the I. O. O. F.

ELI NEYHART, a miller by trade, came to Lycoming county in 1852, and operated the mill now owned by John Good. One year afterwards he removed to Safe

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Harbor, some four miles from Jersey Shore, where he remained two years, and sub- sequently worked two years for a Mr. Russell at Larry's creek. From Jersey Shore he went to Hepburnville and started a mill for David Hull, and thence removed to Marysville, Perry county, and engaged in business for himself, under the firm name of Neyhart & Son. They were burned out at this point, and subsequently worked at Ball's Mills for George Ball, where both he and wife died in the same week. Mr. Neyhart married Julia Grace, of Luzerne county, and was the father of the follow- ing children: Maria, who married Levi Venemon; Catharine, who married Thomas Clark; Eliza, who married Albert Farnham, of Maine; Julia, who married W. P. Brown; Artemus B., who married Julia Pearson; A. R., who was twice married, first to Rose Guinter, and then to Anna Smale; Sarah J., who married W. J. Ball; A. T., who married Catharine McWilliams; Judson C., who married Rose Bower, and S. P., who married Agnes Eck. Mr. Neyhart was a Democrat, and was liberal in his religious views.

JUDSON C. NEYHART was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1851. At the age of eighteen years he began life as a salesman in the clothing store of L. Sheffer, of Williamsport, with whom he remained three years and a half, and then entered the employ of his brother, A. B. Neyhart. He remained in his hardware store for two years and a half, and then went into the dray business in partnership with John Shuler. After two years' experience as a drayman he sold his interest to Mr. Shuler, and engaged in the milling business for himself at Trout Run, where he conducted a mill for five years. From there he went to Millersburg, and engaged in the hardware business for a short time with Brubaker & Company. Selling his interest to Mr. Brubaker, he returned to Williamsport, and worked for his brother about one year and a half, and then entered the milling business at Bodines, under the firm name of Neyhart Brothers & Company, Limited. Four years afterwards he returned to Trout Run, where he at present resides. Mr. Neyhart was married, June 9, 1879, to Rose S. Bower, and has had four children: Grace, deceased; Elmer; Charles, and Blanche, deceased. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Masonic order, and the I. O. O. F.

CHARLES P. COLVER is the only son of George M. and Nellie Colver, and was born in Milo Centre, Yates county, New York, July 27, 1831. His paternal ancestry is traced to the Colvers of Birmingham, Eugland, where the present representatives of the family are extensively engaged in the manufacture of steel. The name was originally spelled Collver. Edward Colver established a shipyard at New London, Connecticut, in 1630, having been sent to America for that purpose by King Charles I. He married Elizabeth Winthrop, a sister of Governor Winthrop of the Massa- chusetts Colony. George M. Colver was a native of Cortland county, New York, born October 2, 1801, a son of Amos Colver, who died when George M. was about four years old, and the latter was reared by a farmer named William Aspbell. He learned the blacksmith's trade with Mr. Aspbell, and at the age of twenty-three he started in that business and followed it the balance of his life. He married Nellie, daughter of John and Patty Shultz, who bore him five children: Mary A. ; Charles P .; Sophia, who died young; Jane, who married Perry Poyner, and Elisebeth, who married Oscar Longeer. John Shultz was a native of Orange county, New York,

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and served through the Revolution. He married Patty Holly of Orange county, and in 1806 removed to Milo Centre, Yates county, and engaged in farming. Mr. Shultz was the father of nine children, as follows: Noah; William; Nellie, who married George M. Colver; Martha; Susan, who married William Chandler, and four who died young. He followed farming up to his death. His wife survived him about fifteen years, and drew a pension from the government because of her husband's services in the Revolution. George M. Colver carried on blacksmithing at the Aspbell place until his removal to Dresden, New York, in 1840, where he resided until his death. He assisted in building 300 coal boats for Asa Packer, the coal operator, and did the iron work for the State on the canal from Penn Yan to Dresden, a distance of seven miles, containing twenty-eight locks.

The subject of this sketch left home at the age of thirteen, worked in a woolen mill a few years, and afterwards clerked in a hotel and store at Dresden. He sub- sequently learned the blacksmith's trade, and followed that business in Dresden, Branchport, Penn Yan, Le Roy, Rochester, Painted Post, and Canandaigua, New York, and filled several responsible positions in machine and car shops at those points. In the spring of 1859 he came to Williamsport, and worked for Philip Moltz and John B. Hall, two of the pioneer machine and foundrymen of the city, for a short time. He then engaged in business, and carried on at different locations at Williamsport up to 1873, and also operated a saw mill for a short period at Penbryn. In the latter year he embarked in the mercantile business, which he con- ducted until 1875, and then sold out. In 1878 he opened a store on the corner of Park and Third streets, and carried it on until 1880, when he disposed of the stock and again entered the machine business. In 1881 he removed to Emporium and organized the Emporium Machine Works, remained there until 1887, and then sold his interest and returned to Williamsport. In August, 1888, he purchased his present store at Bodines, where he has since carried on a general mercantile busi- ness. Mr. Colver was married in 1851 to Mary A. Grenell, who has borne him five children: George, who died in childhood; George (2) and Eugene, both of whom reside in Norfork, Virginia; Ida, and Charles, deceased. Politically he is a Repub- lican, served in the first common council of Williamsport, and was the first assessor of the city after its incorporation.

H. H. FRENCH was born in Medway, Maine, April 8, 1860, son of Rev. E. S. and Mary (Nute) French. He was reared in his native State until the age of fourteen years, received a common sehool education, and graduated from Houlton Academy of Maine. In 1878 he came to Lycoming county, and worked for various com- panies in the lumber business until December, 1889, when he took charge of the hotel at Field's Station, which position he has since filled. Mr. French married Mary, daughter of Otis Pray, and to this union three children have been born: Lil- lie E. ; Lena E., and L. Ethel. He is a member of Hillsgrove Lodge, No. 305, I. O. O. F.

J. FRANK FLEMING, M. D., is the seventh son of Isaac and Margaret Ann Flem- ing, and was born in Mill Hall, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1860. He learned the weaver's trade with his father, and worked at it until declining health warned him to abandon the business. He then engaged himself at farming for two years. He attended the Muncy Normal School with the intention of following the

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HISTORY, OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

teacher's profession, and after completing .his education he taught a school near Linden, and brought it to a high degree of efficiency. He taught his next two terms at Oak Grove, and was subsequently engaged as principal of the schools at McIntyre. In the meantime he had decided to study medicine, and after his term, as principal expired he began a course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, and after one term he completed the school term begun by Oliver Fink,. who had died. He then returned to the medical college and was graduated with honor. He was a student of Dr. Nutt, of Williamsport, and after graduation assisted the Doctor in his practice for about six months. He then assumed the practice of Dr. Crawford, at Trout Run, owing to the Doctor being unable through illness to attend to his professional duties. Dr. Crawford died, and then Dr. Flem- ing assumed full control. He was married to Lizzie Hinkal in 1884. She is a descendant of a pioneer family of Lycoming county, and is the mother of two chil- dren: Howard C. and Mildred. Dr. Fleming has lived at Trout Run for the past seven years, and has won and retained a lucrative practice, as well as the respect of the community. He is a Republican in politics, and was once the nominee of his. party for coroner. He is an active member of the I. O. O. F., and in his religious views is what is commonly known as a free-thinker. Dr. Fleming has always taken. great interest in the progress of education, and has been a director of schools for six years, and president of the Lycoming County Directors' Association for three successive terms. He is an active member of the Lycoming County, West Branch, and Pennsylvania State Medical Societies and of the American Medical Association. He has been a member of the examining board for pensions since 1889, and is a very worthy and successful practitioner.

GOTTLIEB E. ADE was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 10, 1860, son of Carl and Dorothea Ade, of the same place. He received a common school educa- tion, learned the shoemaker's trade in his native land, and followed it there until August, 1881, when he emigrated to the United States and settled at Trout Run, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He continued working at his trade as a journey- man until 1882, and then began business for himself, which he has since prosecuted quite successfully. In April, 1890, he opened the Commercial House, which he- had previously erected, and conducts the hotel business in connection with shoe- making and barbering. When he arrived at Trout Run eleven years ago our sub- ject was comparatively penniless, but by constant toil and judicious economy, he- has accumulated considerable property. Mr. Ade was married, December 25, 1890, to Emma, daughter of Silas B. and Marian Kelly of Trout Run. Mrs. Ade was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and has one son, Lyster. Mr. Ade is a Lutheran in religion, and in politics he supports the Democratic party.

NATHANIEL C. JOHNSON, farmer and lumberman, was born, November 23, 1814, in Dutchess county, New York, sou of Charles and Hannah (Cronk) Johnson, natives. of that county. At the age of six years his parents died and he lived with his uncle, Moses Johnson, in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, until reaching his majority. He received his education at subscription schools and Wellsboro Academy. In 1835 he came to Lycoming county and was employed by Esquire Gates Wilcox in lumbering on Pine creek. Two years later he removed to Montoursville and continued the same business for Mr. Wilcox on Loyalsock creek. March 20, 1850, he built a saw

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mill on Bear creek in Plunkett's Creek where he has ever since resided, actively and extensively engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber. Mr. Johnson began his business life with strong arms and a willing heart, but with nomeans. By hard labor and careful management he has accumulated a handsome competency, being the owner of over 1,000 acres of timber lands and a fine farm in Fairfield township. He is recognized as one of the wealthiest men living along Loyalsock creek, and is highly respected by all who know him. He was one of the original stockholders of the City National. Bank of Williamsport, and was a charter member of the Mon- toursville Manufacturing Company. He was also an original stockholder of the Williamsport and Binghamton railroad. Mr. Johnson was married in 1857 to Anna, daughter of Michael Moyer of Fairfield township, and to this union was born one child, Mary Ellen, who married William H. Belles and has two children: Elsie May and Ernest Nathaniel. Mr. Johnson is a Republican and has filled many of the offices of his township, being at the present time its auditor. He is a member of Eureka Lodge, F. & A. M., of Montoursville, and attends the Lutheran church, to which his wife belongs.

EDWIN WOOLEVER, lumberman and farmer, was born at Lewis Lake, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1818, son of Abraham and Priscilla (Forward) Woolever, natives of New Jersey and Maryland, respectively. His parents removed from Sullivan county to Muncy, and subsequently to what is now Gamble township, where the father engaged in farming and lumbering. Abraham Woolever died May 7, 1843, followed by his widow, May 19, 1872, aged seventy and eighty-nine years, respectively. Three of their children are living: Edwin Warner; Priscilla Ann, who married Thomas Chapman, and Edwin. Edwin was reared principally in Lycoming county. He received a fair education, and has devoted his life to the lumber business and farming. He was a jobber in the same business until 1851, when he, William Weaver, and George Bubb formed a partnership under the firm name of William Weaver & Company. They erected mills on Loyalsock creek and did an extensive business. They owned at one time over 5,000 acres of timber lands. Mr. Bubb finally withdrew from the firm, and afterward two of Mr. Wool- ever's sons were admitted to partnership, and the firm of William Weaver & Com- pany has ever since existed and done a large business. Mr. Woolever has been the active manager from the time the firm was founded. He was married in 1843 to Esther, daughter of Peter Wheeland, and to this union were born five children: Clara Louisa, wife of Benjamin F. Johnson; Grafius H., a merchant at Montours- ville; Mary Ellen, wife of Pierson Hill; Coleman C., and Williard H. Mr. Wool- ever was one of the organizers of the Woolever Methodist Episcopal church of Plunkett's Creek township, and contributed heavily to its construction. Both he and wife are active members of that organization, of which he has been trustee from the beginning, and in which he has also served as steward. He is a Republican, has filled various township offices, and is one of the wealthy and highly respected citizens of Plunkett's Creek township.

JULIUS LEWIS, farmer and lumberman, was born in Yorkshire, England, July 25, 1830, son of George and Sarah (Smith) Lewis. He was educated in his native coun- try, and emigrated to America in 1859. He settled in Sullivan county for thirteen years, where he accumulated considerable property. He then migrated to Mis-

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souri, where he remained for five years. Having experienced financial misfortune, he returned to Penusylvania in 1877 and located on the farm where he now resides in Plunkett's Creek township. He manufactures annually about 100,000 feet of lumber and owns over 500 acres of land. He is one of the original stockholders of the Williamsport and Binghamton Railroad Company, and is a stockholder in the West Branch and the Lycoming National Banks of Williamsport. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and takes an active interest in local affairs. He has served as super- visor, and collector for eight years, and for the past two years he has held the office. of constable. He was first married, June 26, 1853, in England, to Sarah Fennell, who died in that country. To this union were born two children: George and Sarah A. He was again married, in 1860, to Ann McCaslin of Fairfield township, and to them have been born eight children: John Henry; Alfred Austin; Joseph B., deceased; David Gideon; Mary Elizabeth; Samuel W .; Martha Ann, and Charles L., deceased. Mr. Lewis and family are members of the Wesleyan Methodist church.

JOHN SCAIFE was born in Yorkshire, England, November 15, 1835, son of Will- iam and Mary (Killbank) Scaife. He came to America in 1856 and lived in Canada until 1859, when he located in Sullivan county, Pennsylvania. In a short time he removed to the farm where he now lives (which was formerly occupied by M. P. Wells) in Plunkett's Creek township, Lycoming county. This he has cleared and improved, and here he has followed farming in connection with lumbering. In 1863 he was married to Ann, daughter of Isaac Green, of Sullivan county, Pennsylvania. To this union have been born four children: Mary E., deceased; Watson J .; Harriet W., and Percy P. Mr. Scaife was formerly identified with the Democratic party, but is now a Prohibitionist. He has filled many of the township offices. In 1864 he enlisted in Company I, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. He is a charter member of Allan G. Dodd Post, No. 525, G. A.R., of Proctorville. He is also a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 335, F. and A. M., of Montoursville. Mr. Scaife and family are members of the Method- ist Episcopal church at Barbour's Mills, of which heis steward and has been class- leader.

GEORGE GUINTHER, lumberman, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1837, son of John and Catherine (Steiger) Guinther. His parents removed to Lycoming county in 1849 and settled in that portion of Hepburn town- ship now included in Eldred. They removed from there to Fairfield township, where the father died in June, 1887. The mother is still living and resides on the old homestead in Upper Fairfield township. Their children are named as fol- lows: Mary, who married E. W. Lundy; George; Michael; Rose, deceased; Cath- erine, who married Joseph Reese; John L .; Margaret Ann, who married J. S. Tom- linson; Emma, who married Victor Bedford; Ella, who married Frank Keyes, and Lydia, who married Ransom Snyder. George Guinther was reared in Lycoming county and educated in the schools of his neighborhood. He has devoted his business life to farming and lumbering, and for the past five years he has been con- tracting and building dams and slides for lumber companies. He has resided in Proctorville since 1860. He is a Democrat in politics and has been supervisor, over- seer of the poor, and auditor for his township. April 30, 1863, he was married to. Margaret, daughter of Elihn Ely, of Upper Fairfield township, and to this union

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have been born four children: Ada Lavina, who married Edward Hewman; Elmer E .; Flora, who married Conlan Platts, and John L. Mr. Guinther and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

JAMES WARN, farmer, was born in Moreland township, Lycoming county, March 18, 1838, son of John S. and Mary (Derr) Warn, natives of Sussex county. New Jersey, and Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, respectively. He is also a grandson of Benjamin Warn, a native of New Jersey and one of the pioneer settlers of More- land township, where he cleared a farm and became a very prominent farmer, and died in the faith of the Christian church. John S. Warn, after his marriage, located on his father's homestead and followed farming and Inmbering. He also owned a fine farm in Moreland township. He died, February 1, 1885, followed by his widow in 1890. Both were members of the Baptist church of Moreland township. Their children were named as follows: James; Margaret, wife of George Baker; Emeline, wife of Bethuel Diggan; Ellis; Ann, wife of Smith B. Farr; Elmira, wife of Thomas H. Shoemaker; Charles; Harriet, wife of Wallace E. Wenck; Bertha, wife of James Gilles. and Sarah Jane, deceased. James, the eldest of these children, was reared and educated in Moreland township. He has devoted his entire business life to farming and lumbering. He settled on his present farm in 1865, and has cleared and improved the same. He and his father erected and operated a saw mill at the mouth of Little Bear creek for many years. He is a depositor in the West Branch National Bank of Williamsport. In 1861 Mr. Warn enlisted in Company B, Eighty- fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorably discharged in September, 1862, on account of disability. He takes an active interest in politics, is identified with the Republican party, and has served as school director for twenty-four years, and has filled the offices of supervisor, tax collector, and overseer of the poor. Mr. Warn is a member of Allan G. Dodd Post, No. 525, G. A. R., of Proctorville. In 1865 he was married to Sarah Barbour, daughter of James Barbour, and to this union have been born two children: Annie M., wife of Dr. Robert B. Toole, and Elmer G., who married Jennie A. Betz. Mr. Warn and family are members of the Loyalsock Baptist church, of which he has been treasurer.

FRANCIS S. TOMLINSON, merchant, was born in Cascade township, Lycoming county. November 26, 1844, son of Stephen and Margaret (Hoffman) Tomlinson. He moved with his parents to Upper Fairfield township in 1853. He received his education at the Montoursville schools, Dickinson Seminary, and Lewisburg Academy. He learned the trade of a wheelwright but never followed that as an occupation. He taught school in Upper Fairfield, Eldred, Cascade, and Plunkett's Creek townships, for nineteen terms, after which he became foreman in one of the departments of the Thomas E. Proctor tannery, at Proctorville. He filled that position for seven years, and in August, 1888, he established his present business in Proctorville, and enjoys a good trade from the surrounding country. In 1861 he enlisted in Company G, Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, participating in most of the battles fonght by the Army of the Potomac, and receiving wounds in the battle around Richmond. He is a charter member of Allan G. Dodd Post, G. A. R., and is Past Commander of the same. He is an active Democrat, and has served as justice of the peace, school director, and auditor for Plunkett's Creek township. Mr. Tomlinson was married in 1869 to Margaret A.

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Guinther, and to this uniou have been born seven children: Joseph W. ; Emma C. and Herbert F., deceased; Ella; Arthur; Elma, and Bigler. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Proctorville.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 146

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