History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 147

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

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MICHAEL KELLY was the first settler of Cascade township, whither he came in July, 1843, cutting a road through the forest from DuBois's saw mill, on Lycoming creek, to the site of Kellysburg, where he erected a log house. He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, April 24, 1812, immigrated to the United States in 1830, and lived in Philadelphia until his removal to Lycoming county. Mr. Kelly pur- chased 440 acres of land, and engaged in farming and lumbering. In 1845 John and Matthias DuBois built a saw and grist mill on his tract, which was burned in 1852. It was rebuilt by Mr. Kelly in 1858, and subsequently converted into a circular saw mill. In 1872-73 he erected a large steam saw mill, which he operated up to within a few years of his removal to Kansas. Mr. Kelly was married in Phila- delphia to Winifred Boyle, to whom were born two sons: Michael of Sunbury, and Patrick I., who lives on the old homestead. Politically, Mr. Kelly was a stanch Democrat, and in 1871 was the Democratic candidate for sheriff, but through the treachery of party friends he was defeated. He was one of the founders of St. Mary's Catholic church of Cascade township, and one of its most prominent sup- porters until 1880, when he removed to Kansas, where he died in 1883.

PETER O'CONNOR was born in Ireland in 1817, son of John and Mary O'Connor, and immigrated to Philadelphia in 1838. Six months later he came to Lycoming county, and worked at the charcoal furnaces in Lewis township. He subsequently engaged in farming, and in 1867 purchased a portion of his present homestead, upon which he has since resided. Mr. O'Connor married Mary Plunkett, and with his wife belongs to St. Mary's Catholic church of Cascade township. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as auditor and school director.

. MATTHIAS McDONALD was born in County Galway, Ireland, April 14, 1829, son of Charles and Mary (Fahey) McDonald. He learned the shoemaker's trade in his native land, and in 1846 immigrated to Pennsylvania, and worked three years at his trade in Schuylkill and Carbon counties. In 1849 he came to Lycoming county, and settled on the farm where he now lives. With the exception of a couple of years spent at his trade in McIntyre, he has followed farming and lumbering during the greater portion of his residence in this county. Mr. McDonald was married in 1849 to Catherine Brennan of Carbon county, and has eight living children out of a fami- ly of fourteen born to this union, as follows: Mrs. Mary McLaughlin; John; Mrs. Bridget Kittle; Charles; Kate; James; Thomas, and Ellen. The family belong to St. Mary's Catholic church, and in politics Mr. McDonald is a Democrat.

PETER MULVEY was born in County Longford, Ireland, in 1819, and there grew to manhood. He then emigrated to the United States, and settled at Danville, Penn- sylvania, where he found employment in a rolling mill. He afterwards came to Lycoming county, and was engaged in mining near Ralston, whence he returned to Danville and remained there until he purchased the farm in Cascade township where his son Joseph now lives. He cleared and improved it, and resided thereon up to his death. He was a life-long Democrat, and filled several minor township offices. In religious faith he was a Catholic, and one of the original members of St. Mary's church. Mr. Mulvey married Kate Maloney, who bore him a family of nine chil-

G.M. Taylor

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dren, three of whom are living: Kate, wife of Henry Riley; Mary A., wife of John Kane, and Joseph. Mrs. Mulvey died in the Catholic faith in 1892.

JOSEPH MULVEY, farmer aud merchant, was born in Cascade township, Lycoming county, June 6, 1854, and is a son of Peter and Kate Mulvey. He received a com- mon school education, and was reared upon the homestead farm. He learned the carpenter's trade, and followed that business until the death of his father, when he returned home and has since been engaged in farming, and has also carried on a mercantile business for several years. Mr. Mulvey was married in 1881, to Mary McGee, and they are the parents of five children: William; John; Mary; Annie, and Celia. Politically he is a Democrat, and is the present tax collector of his township. The family belong to St. Mary's Catholic church of Cascade township.

PATRICK FLANAGAN was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1820, and is a son of John and Ellen (O'Dea) Flanagan. He was reared in his native land, there learned the blacksmith's trade, and at the age of twenty-seven immigrated to Canada. After a few months he crossed the line to Whitehall, New York, where he remained two years working at his trade, and then removed to Blossburg, Pennsylvania, and con- tinued the same business. From Blossburg he came to Lycoming county, and worked at his trade for Furman Field, John DuBois, and Michael Kelly, alternately, for a period of over twenty-one years, excepting a short time he spent at Austinville in the employ of Butterworth & Company. He purchased a tract of land where he now lives, erected a shop, and carried on blacksmithing in connection with agricult- ure. He is now the owner of a well improved farm, and is one of the well-to-do citizens of Cascade township. Mr. Flanagan was married in Ireland in 1847, to Catharine Driscoll, and they are the parents of six sons and two daughters, as fol- lows: John, of Tioga county; Mary, who married John Mclaughlin, and after his death became the wife of William Ditty; James, of Ralston; Daniel C., a physician of Ralston; Ellen, wife of George Gesler; Patrick C., of Williamsport; William, and Michael J. Mr. Flanagan is a Democrat, and has filled the offices of school director and supervisor. The family are connected with St. Mary's Catholic church of Cascade township, of which organization both he and wife are pioneer members.

HENRY SOUTHARD was born in Eldred township, Lycoming county, May 12, 1816, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Vanhorn) Southard. His grandfather, Henry Southard, was a native of Long Island, and a Revolutionary soldier, who settled at Blooming Grove, Lycoming county, at an early date, whence he removed to New York State and there died. He was the father of five sons and five daughters. His third son, Henry, was the father of our subject; he married Margaret Vanhorn, and their children were as follows: Samuel, Hannah, and William, all of whom are dead; Mercy, wife of George Apgar; Henry; Mary A., wife of J. Brelsford; Thomas, deceased; Rebecca, wife of William Mansell; John, of Loyalsockville, and Isaac, deceased. The father died in Eldred township about 1869. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and learned the tailor's trade, which he followed until 1840; he then engaged in the lumber business, and in 1866 settled where he now lives in Gamble township. He purchased a tract of 120 acres, erected a saw mill, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber, which he carried on in con- nection with farming until 1883. He then retired from active business and was succeeded by his sou, Isaac H. He married Eliza Casner, who died in 1840, leav-

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ing no children. In 1849 he married Margaret Schmidgall, who died January 20, 1892. Three children survive this union: Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Lundy; Thomas, and Isaac H. MIr. Southard has filled the offices of township auditor and supervisor, and politically he is independent.

ISAAC H. SOUTHARD. youngest son of Henry and Margaret Southard, was born in Hepburn township, Lycoming county, August 26, 1862. He received a common school education. and was employed by his father until succeeding to the business in 18S3. In 1890 he established a store in connection with his mill, which he has since conducted. In 1882 he married Caroline L. Swartz, and has four children: Vesta M. ; Howard F. ; Herman A., and Nina B. He is a Republican, and fills the offices of auditor and constable.

JAMES S. Low was born at Warrensville, Lycoming county, and was a son of Henry Low. a native of Mercer county, New Jersey, who came to Lycoming county at an early date and settled in Eldred township, one mile west of Warrensville. He purchased 160 acres of land, cleared up a farm, and resided there until 1857, when he moved to Warrensville and there died. His wife's maiden name was Annie Salter, and she also was a native of New Jersey. They were the parents of two sons, James S. and Matthias H., and two daughters, Lancy and Amy. Our subject was reared on the homestead farm, and learned the millwright's trade. He afterwards was engaged in bridge building in the county for several years, and then removed to Clinton county, where for some years he followed the sale of fanning mills. He then returned home, and in 1852 located in what is now Gamble town- ship. He purchased 200 acres of land, cleared and improved it, and resided there until his death. He married Barbara A. List of Warrensville, who bore him the following children: Mrs. Amelia Mahler, deceased; Matthew H .; Jacob S. : Mrs. Sophia J. McKnight; Susanna, deceased; Samantha. deceased, and two who died young. Mr. Low was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Christian church.

MATTHEW H. Low, eldest son of James S. and Barbara A. Low, was born in Clinton county, and grew to manhood in Warrensville. He received a common school education, and was engaged in lumbering until November, 1863. He then enlisted in Company G, Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served under Colonel Wilson until the close of the war. He was wounded in the left cheek and left shoulder, May 11, 1864, during Sheridan's raid on Richmond, and sent to the hospital. After his recovery he rejoined his regiment, and remained in active service until mustered out. Upon his return home he learned the millwright's and carpenter's trades, which business he followed until 1872. He then built the Extract Works at Trout Run, which he operated until 1876, when he located in Gamble township, and engaged in farming and lumbering. Mr. Low married

Harriet F. Ridge, and has a family of nine children: Mary A .; James A. ; Henry W .; Susan E .; Annie F .; Benton M .: Torrence J .; Coila, and Viola. Politically he is a Republican, and has filled the office of school director since 1876, besides other township offices. He is a member of Allan G. Dodd Post, G. A. R., of Proctor- ville, also of the I. O. O. F. and the P. O. S. of A., and is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church.

WILLIAM CONDON was born in Trenton, New Jersey, November 9, 1826, and is a

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son of James and Margaret A. Condon. His father settled at Muncy, Lycoming county, in 1828, whence he removed to Field's Station, and subsequently located upon the farm where William Condon now resides. He was one of the early settlers of what is now Gamble township. The subject of this sketch resided upon the homestead farm until 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served three years and two months, participating in all of the engage- ments and campaigns in which his regiment, as a part of the Army of the Cumber- land, was engaged. The only injury he received was a gunshot wound in the right foot, through the carelessness of a member of his own company. After his discharge he returned home, and has since followed agricultural pursuits, being now the owner of a farm of ninety acres. Mr. Condon married Catharine Kennedy of White Deer valley, and has one son, John K. Politically he was a Whig before the war, but has since been a stanch Republican. He is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., and is connected with Penn's Dale Presbyterian church.'

MATTHEW HALL, farmer, is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bitting) Hall. His father was born in Hepburn township, and was a son of Joseph Hall. He was a blacksmith by trade, and when a young man he settled at Trout Run, where he engaged in the blacksmith business until 1869. At this time he purchased a farm of 1,000 acres, where his son now resides and where he died in 1883. In politics he was a Democrat and filled some of the minor township offices, and was postmaster for twenty years at Rose valley. He was married in 1840 to Elizabeth, daughter of John Bitting, of Union county, Pennsylvania, and to this union were born the following children: Mary E., wife of Henry Clendenin; John L .; Hannah, wife of William Minier; Lora A., wife of Adam Striley; William; James B .; Matthew, and Anna, wife of Wirt Kendall. Our subject was born at Trout Run, April 6, 1859, and received a common school education. He was reared on a farm, and at the death of his father he took charge of the home place and has continued to farm ever since. He is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Trout Run. He was married in 1885, to Mary, daughter of Abraham Young, and to this union have been born two children: Joseph and Grace.

JACOB KAUPP was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to Wolf town- ship, Lycoming county, about 1833. He was a blacksmith, and followed his trade for several years, subsequently purchasing the farm in Gamble township where the latter years of his life were spent. He married Margaret Springman and was the father of twelve children, six of whom are living: Mary, who married James R. Sweeney and lives in Illinois; Elizabeth, who married Samuel R. Keys; Mathias, who married Jane King; Godfrey, who married Mary Winner and resides in Mis- souri; Margaret A., who married Hiram B. Willson, and John S. Both Jacob Kaupp and wife died upon the homestead at an advanced age.

JOHN S. KAUPP, son of Jacob and Margaret Kaupp, was born in Wolf township, Lycoming county, in 1837. He received a common school education, and has always been engaged in farming, purchasing the old homestead in Gamble township upon the death of his father. He married Mary C. Koons, and is the father of five living children: Ann; Ella; Edward; Cora, and Wilbur. Mr. Kaupp is a Republican, and is the present supervisor of his township.

JOHN M. GESLER was born in Germany, January 16, 1814, son of Christian and

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Hannah Gesler. He was reared in his native land, and there learned the carpenter's trade. In 1849 he came to the United States, and settled in what is now Gamble township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a tract of 300 acres and engaged in lumbering and farming. During the past forty-three years he has cleared up a fine farm, and erected good improvements. He is the father of five children, three of whom survive: Mena, wife of E. Bateman; William, and George. Mrs. Gesler died in 1867. In early life Mr. Gesler served a term in the German army. In politics he is a Democrat, and one of the oldest settlers of his com- munity. Originally a Lutheran, he became a Presbyterian after coming to Lycom- ing county, and is still a member of that church.

JOHN W. ALBERT was a native of Baden, Germany, and emigrated to the United States about 1840. He first located at Newark, New Jersey, but soon removed to Blooming Grove, Lycoming county, and found employment at various occupations for several years. In 1846 he purchased 108 acres in Gamble township, which he cleared and improved. He married Mary M. Zimmerman, and his family consisted of six children: Mary, deceased; Sarah, wife of George Stiger; George, deceased; David; Rosie, deceased wife of George Stiger, and Sophia, deceased. Mr. Albert was a member of the Baptist church, and politically he was a Democrat. He died in 1865; his wife survived him until 1887.

DAVID ALBERT, butcher and farmer, was born in Blooming Grove, Lycoming county, in 1846, and is one of the two survivors of the family of John W. and Mary M. Albert. He received a common school education, learned the butcher's trade, and has since been engaged in that business. He purchased the old homestead in 1873; in 1882 he purchased his present farm of 200 acres, and carries on farming in con- nection with butchering. He married Alice, daughter of Capt. Allan G. Dodd, who has borne him eleven children, as follows: Lulu, deceased; Minnie; George; Sadie, deceased; William; Elmer and Ella, twins; Harry; Charles; Lillie, and Edith. Mr. Albert is a Prohibitionist, and is a member of the United Brethren church of Gamble township. He has filled the offices of constable and supervisor, is at present overseer of the poor, and is one of the respected citizens of the community.

DR. GEORGE M. CUMMINGS was born in Gamble township, Lycoming county, Jannary 19, 1864. His parents, Patrick Francis and Elizabeth (Kelly) Cummings, were born in Ireland, the former near the College of Maynooth, in the Province of Leinster, and the latter at Rathfryland, in the Province of Ulster. They settled first in Philadelphia, and later came to Cascade township, finally locating in what is now Gamble township, where Mrs. Cummings still lives, her husband having died several years ago. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: James H., of the Williamsport police force; Mary A .; William E., deceased; Mrs. E. J. Galla- gher of Langdon, Pennsylvania; Kate G .; Frank P., a lawyer of Williamsport; John M., deceased; Charles J., register and recorder of Lycoming county, and George M. The last mentioned received a common school education, and subsequently attended the Muncy Normal School. Choosing the profession of teaching, he taught successfully for several years, and concluded his labors as principal of the DuBois- town schools. In the spring of 1889 he began the study of medicine with Dr. D. C. Flanagan of Ralston, and subsequently entered the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, Baltimore, Maryland, from which institution he graduated in the class of

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1892. Dr. Cummings has recently opened an office in. Williamsport. He is a mem- ber of the Catholic church, and is an energetic worker in the ranks of the Demo- cratic party.

SAMUEL HEYLMAN Was a native of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and removed to Lycoming county about 1800. He settled on the site of Ralston, and was one of the earliest settlers in that part of the county. He entered fifty acres of land, which he began improving, subsequently removing to Marsh Hill, some three miles below Ralston, where he spent the latter portion of his life. He married Elizabeth Pickle, who bore him five children, four of whom survived childhood: Joseph, deceased; Jacob B., who married Sarah A. Wheeler; Mordecai, who married Orinda Faber, and Sarah, who married Henry Apker. Mr. Heylman was a member of the Chris- tian church, and a Republican in his political affiliations.

JACOB B. HEYLMAN, son of Samuel Heylman, was born near Williamsport, Penn- sylvania, October 3, 1803. He grew to manhood in his native county, and in 1826 married Sarah Ann Wheeler and located at Field's Station, but removed to the old homestead at Marsh Hill in 1839 and purchased an additional forty acres of land. He resided upon this farm until his death, which occurred in 1882. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and voted with the Republican party. He was the father of the following children: Mordecai, who married Sarah J. Brown; · Emanuel, who married Phoebe Carpenter; Samuel, who married Susanna Wilson; Mary, who remained unmarried; Leonard, who married Marcella Murrell; Daniel, who married Dorleski Hathaway; Sarah, deceased; Warren K., who married Clara. C. Crawford, and James W., who married Ida A. Smith.

WARREN K. HEYLMAN, son of Jacob B. Heylman, was born at Marsh Hill, October 18, 1844. He remained with his father until his marriage to Clara C. Crawford, which occurred September 17, 1881. He then became foreman for Barber & Craw- ford of Philadelphia at Sheffield, Pennsylvania, which position he held until 1883, and then returned to Lycoming county, where he was engaged in buying and sell- ing bark for one year. He subsequently purchased the store of J. W. Kilborn at Marsh Hill, which business he conducted until 1890, and then entered the employ of Mr. Crawford of Philadelphia as a jobber. Mr. Heylman was a Republican until 1890, since which time he has voted the Democratic ticket; though elected to the offices of justice of the peace, clerk, auditor, and constable he refused to serve, as he takes no active interest in political matters.

JAMES W. HEYLMAN, youngest son of Jacob B. Heylman, was born on the home- stead at Marsh Hill, June 10, 1848. In 1867 he removed to Wisconsin, where he engaged in steamboating for two years. He then returned home, but soon afterward located at Manistee, Michigan, and engaged in the millwright and engineer busi- ness. He did not remain long there, but traveled considerably in the western States, and finally contracted fever and ague and was compelled to return to Lycoming county. He afterward worked as a fireman on the Northern Central railroad until 1877, and in 1879 was promoted to the charge of an engine on that road. He served as an engineer on the Northern Central for eight years, and resigned his position February 19, 1887. Mr. Heylman married Ida A. Smith, September 15, 1872. Six children are the fruits of this union: Sarah L .; Rosamond; Samuel A .; Mary Alice, deceased; James Warren, deceased, and Verdie B. In 1890 Mr. Heylman engaged

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

in the manufacture of lumber in partnership with his brother, Warren K., but after about two weeks the mill was burned. They rebuilt on the old site, and continued the business successfully. Mr. Heylman possesses a poetic temperament, and occa- sionally indulges his penchant for the muses. In 1887 he published a volume of poems entitled "Musings on a Locomotive." He voted the Democratic ticket until 1888, when he supported Harrison and has since been a Republican.

WILLIAM KING was born in Jaysburg, now a portion of the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, about 1783. In 1834 he settled on Lycoming creek, one mile above Ralston, where he rented a tract of land of a Mr. Carpenter, and engaged in farming. In 1806 he married Hannah Sheffer, who bore him a family of six children: Joseph; William; John; Reeder; Mary, deceased, and Charles. Though he cleared and im- proved the farm, it was not purchased by the family until after his death. He died January 21, 1861, at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. King was liberal in his religious views and in politics a Republican.

REEDER KING, fourth son of William and Hannah King, was born within the present limits of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1818. He removed with his parents to McIntyre township in 1834, and was one of the first men who worked the McIn- tyre coal mines, near Ralston. He was also engaged in the Carterville iron ore mines. He afterward opened the coal mines at Red run. He then went to railroad- ing, and assisted in running the first engines iu this part of the State, at which occu- patiou he worked seven years. He next became foreman for Thompson & Trigo, lumber operators, which position he held two years, and then commenced hauling coal from Miner's run to Ralston, which he continued until the Northern Central railway was built to the mines. In connection with his brother Charles he after- wards engaged in the business of millwright, and followed that occupation until the breaking out of the rebellion. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers. . He served with his regiment on the Chicka- hominy and at Richmond under McClellan, and also participated in the battles of the Wilderness. After his term of enlistment expired he returned to Lycoming county, where he has since resided. Mr. King was married in 1847 to Clara Fassett, who has had two children: Louisa and Cora, both of whom are dead. Politically Mr. King is a Republican, and is now receiving a pension because of disease contracted while in the army.

CHARLES KING, youngest son of William and Hannah King, was born in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, July 15, 1824. He remained with his father until after the death of the latter, and then in partnership with his brother John pur- chased the farm upon which the family had lived. After John's death our subject bought ont the other heirs, and became sole owner of the farm. Mr. King was married April 24, 1861, to Eliza E. Parker, who has had four children: Joseph J .; Mary, deceased; Grant P., and Harriet, deceased. In politics Mr. King is a Re- publican, and has served as supervisor, school director, and treasurer of the town- ship for many years.

JOSEPH E. ROGERS was born in New Jersey, August 30, 1812. He was a mill- wright by trade, and removed from New Jersey to what is now known as " Race Course Island " below Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1831. He then purchased a small tract of land at Field's Station, and erected a saw and

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grist mill. He also kept a hotel, and carried on business there until 1876, when he removed with his family to Ralston. In connection with his other business he followed his trade, and was the patentee of a mulay and a suction force pump, both of which have become valuable. Mr. Rogers was married in 1834 to Deborah McCul- lough, who bore him a family of ten children: William, who married Margaret Cleckner; Mary, who married Samuel Fessler; Joseph C., who married Ellen Dale; Rosetta, who married John Hendrickson; Harriet, deceased; Margaret, who married James De Courcy; Emily J., who married Elijah Wade; John W., who married Mary Stapleton; Samuel, deceased, and Juliet, who married E. A. Brigham. Mr. Rogers was a Presbyterian, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He was a Republican, and held the principal offices of his township from time to time.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 147

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