History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 149

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CHARLES H. WOOD, the eldest son of Robert and Esther (Straub) Wood, was born, April 10, 1858, on the homestead in Cogan House township. He was educated in the common schools, and after growing to manhood he engaged in farming on an extensive scale. He was married to Alice M., daughter of Anthony Baumgardner, of Cogan House township, and to this union have been born three children: Agnes MI .; Carl E., and Lester O. He is a Democrat in his political proclivities and belongs to Salladasburg Lodge, No. 751, I. O .O. F. He and wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal church.

AMBROSE WOOD, farmer, youngest son of James and Mary (Caldwell) Wood, was born December 20, 1852, in Cogan House township. He was edneated in the com- mon schools and reared on the homestead farm. After growing to manhood he took charge of the home farm where he now resides, and has since followed farming in connection with lumbering. He was married in 1889 to Minnie, daughter of A. W. Baumgardner, who died December 31, 1891. Mr. Wood is a Democrat in politics, and belongs to Salladasburg Lodge, No. 751, I. O. O. F., and to White Pine Alliance, No. 138.

ROBERT CARSON, deceased, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in March 1787, of Scotch parentage. His family were among the early settlers of that county. Robert came to Lycoming county in 1828, and settled on Little Pine creek, where his grandson, Oliver Carson, now resides. He purchased what is known as the Benjamin Garrett tract. He was employed by the Garrett brothers in a saw mill which stood upon the farm of John Carsou on Little Pine creek. He subsequently purchased 130 acres where George Carson now lives, on Little Pine creek, cleared the same, and lived thereon until his death, December 5, 1867. He married Eliza- beth Welsh, who was born in October, 1785, and died June 6, 1849. To this union were born the following children: Andrew, deceased; John, deceased; George; Samuel, deceased; William, deceased; Jane, wife of Winfield Harris; Robert; James; Marjorie, wife of J. H. Callahan, and Richard. Mr. Carson was a Democrat in politics.

RICHARD CARSON, farmer, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Welsh) Carson, was born on Little Pine creek, in Cummings township, Lycoming county, November 29. 1829. He was reared on the farm and was educated in the common schools. He has devoted his business life to farming and lumbering, and took charge of his father's farm when he had grown to manhood. Here he remained until 1883. when he pur- chased his present farm in Cogan House township, consisting of 131 acres, which he has cleared and put improvements upon. He was married, February 28, 1858, to Sarah, daughter of William Knerr, who resided in Cummings township. To this union have been born nine children: Hamilton; Watson; Charles A .; Mcclellan, deceased; Hephziba; Alice I .; Agnes; Judsou, and Sadie. Mr. Carson has filled the offices of township auditor, school director, and others of minor importance. In polities he is a Democrat, and has been a member and trustee of the Brookside Methodist Episcopal church for sixteen years.

COLEMAN L. WEIGEL, lumberman and farmer, was born July 7, 1840, son of Lewis and Mary (Sussamau) Weigel. The father was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1SOS. He was a weaver by trade, and when a young man he came to Lycoming county and was employed at his trade and various other occupations in

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

South Williamsport and Blooming Grove. He subsequently removed to Cogan House township, and was employed by Isaiah Hays as sawyer in his saw mill, where he remained for thirteen years. He purchased a tract of land where his son Cole- man L. now lives, and where he died in 1879. In his religious faith he was a Lutheran. He married Mary Sussaman, and to this union were born nine children: Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Edler; Mary J., wife of Abraham Bois; Melinda, wife of Amzie Coon; Coleman L .; Angeline, wife of Lewis Cougler; Regina, wife of Moses Coalbangh; Rosella, deceased wife of Homer Martin; Louanna, deceased wife of Charles E. Hicks, and Jemima, wife of I. Harvey. Mr. Weigel was a Democrat in politics and served two terms as treasurer of Lycoming county. His widow resides in Williamsport. His son, Coleman L., was reared in Cogan House township and after reaching maturity he engaged in farming. In 1879 he rented his present saw mill in Cogan House township, and has since that time engaged in the manufacture of lumber in connection with farming. May 10, 1863, he married Annie E., daughter of John Harlan, of Pine township, and to this union have been born fifteen children: Edith L., wife of William Sands; Addie, wife of Thomas King; Ida, deceased; Alberta, now a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio; Theodore M .; Annie; Sadie; Estella, wife of D. W. Day; Rosie; Eddie, deceased; Henry; Homer; Anson; Zulla, deceased, and Robert M. Politically Mr. Weigel is an ardent Democrat, and is a member of White Pine Alliance, No. 138. In his religious belief he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Summit, of which he is trustee and steward.

CASMER WITTIG, deceased, was born in the town of Brideagen, Germany, Decem- ber 13, 1807. He emigrated to this country with his father and sisters in 1832, and settled near Shrewsberry, York county, Pennsylvania. He received a liberal edu- cation in his native land, and learned the trade of a cooper and the art of distilling. After coming to the United States, he was employed for a number of years as a dis- tiller in York county. About the year 1839 he located in Armstrong township, Lycoming county, where he found employment at stave-making. He was subse- quently engaged as a farmer for a Mr. Low, near Rocktown. He afterwards removed to Cogan Station and was engaged in farming for a few years. He then rented the Buckhorn Tavern at Cogan House, and was its first landlord. This he conducted until 1853, when he purchased 150 acres of land at what is now known as White Pine, where his family now reside. There he engaged in the saw mill and lumber business and was one of the early operators of Cogan House township. He did an extensive business until 1879, when he retired and engaged in developing his farm of 200 acres. He died, January 22, 1891. He was a Democrat in politics and took great interest in the advancement of his party, but would never accept office. He was the first postmaster in the township and held the office for twenty- five years. His early religious connection was with the Lutheran church, but after becoming a resident of Lycoming county, he connected himself with the Second Presbyterian church of Williamsport, of which he was a life-long member. He was married in York county, Pennsylvania, to Sarah, daughter of Hugh Hogue. To this union were born four children: Mary, who has been a teacher in the public schools of Williamsport for twenty-five years; Annie and Margaret, who reside upon the old homestead, and George. The mother died, September 15, 1885. George Wittig, the only son of Casmer Wittig, was born in Armstrong township, June 10,

Robert Hood

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

1845. He was educated in the common schools of the township, and has followed the usual duties of a farmer. He was also engaged in the lumber business with his father. Mr. Wittig resides upon the old homestead, and is one of the progres- sive farmers of Lycoming county. He is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the F. and A. M. and the Royal Arch Chapter, and the Hospitaler Commandery, No. 46, of Lock Haven. He is also a member of Salladasburg Lodge, I. O. O. F., and White Pine Lodge, K. of G. E., and White Pine Alliance.

DR. W. P. ENGLAND was born, December 22, 1827, in Clearfield county, Penn- sylvania, son of Job and Martha (Williams) England. His parents were both natives of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and became early settlers of Clearfield county. Our subject received his education in the common schools, and at the age of eighteen he began reading medicine with Dr. M. E. Woods, of Curwensville, Pennsylvania. He was graduated from the Western Reserve Medical College, at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1846, and from the Medical Department of the Western Univer- sity of Cleveland, Ohio, in February, 1884. He commenced practice in the spring of 1846, at Greenville, Clarion county, where he remained for five years. He was then ordained a Baptist minister and was placed in charge of the Franklin Union church of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, where he remained for three years. In 1861 he joined Company K, Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and saw service for three years, participating in the battles of Stone River, Lookout Mount- ain, and Missionary Ridge, and in the Atlanta campaign. At the close of the war he located in Crawford county, having charge of the Baptist church at Randolph. He also had charge of Pine Flat Baptist church in Indiana county, after which he was in charge of the Baptist church at Jersey Mills for five years. He then located at White Pine, Cogan House township, where he resumed the practice of medicine. Dr. England was married. April 27, 1852, to Margaret, daughter of Abraham Ham- ler of Clarion county, and to this union have been born five children, four of whom are living: Martha; Orena; Myrtie, and William. The Doctor is a Democrat, and' belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the White Pine Alliance.

DR. JAMES W. RITTER, son of Jacob and Hannah (Black) Ritter, was born, April 30, 1859, in Jackson township, Lycoming county. He was educated in the common schools and the Muncy Normal. In 1878, 1879, and 1880 he engaged in teaching in the township schools, after which he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. K. Bowers of Reading, Pennsylvania. He was graduated from the American Eclectic Medical College, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1884. In December, 1885, he set- tled at Ogdensburg, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he remained for about one year. In 1886 he located at Summit, where he has since remained in the active prac- tice of his chosen profession. October 28, 1884, he was married to Mary J., daugh- ter of Abraham Artley, of Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born three children: Walter L .; Stella M., and Bessie M. The Doctor is a Repub- lican in politics and has served for two years as a member of the school board. He is a member of the K. of G. E., White Pine Castle, No. 306, and also of White Pine Alliance.

. ABRAHAM MEYER Was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Martin and Anna W. Meyer. He was educated at the grammar schools of his native city, and graduated from the Central High School in 1850. After leaving school he

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

began clerking in a wholesale importing house. In 1852 he came with his parents to Lycoming connty, who settled in Loyalsock township, where his father engaged in lumbering and farming. In 1863 he was drafted, but was not accepted because of disability. At his earnest request, however, he was assigned to the United States Signal Corps, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He then located in Cogan Honse township, and followed the lumber business until 1870. Since that time he has been engaged as a prospecting engineer and geologist, and at present is employed in gathering the local geological collection for the World's Fair. Mr. Meyer is a recognized authority on the geology of this section of Pennsylvania, and prepared for Mr. Meginness the geological matter that appears in this work. He married Mary Ann, danghter of Rev. Alexander Longsdorf, of Loyalsock town- ship, and has eight children living, as follows: Martin A .; Edward H .; Russell A .; William F .; Margaret E .; Mamie R .; Charles R. H., and Hattie E. Mr. Meyer was a Republican until 1884, and has since been a Prohibitionist. He has been a justice of the peace five years, also township auditor. He is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., and the U. S. S. A. He is a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been a class-leader for the past twenty-seven years.

GEORGE MILLER was the pioneer of the Miller family in Lycoming county. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, and removed with his family to Lycoming county in 1811, locating about one mile above Newberry. He remained there six years, and then located in Jackson township, where Daniel Miller now lives, pur- chasing 500 acres of timber land, where he cleared and improved a farm. 'He married Mary Grafius in 1794-95, and was the father of the following children: Catherine, who married Jacob Beck; Elizabeth, who married Daniel Beck; Susanna, who married John Weaver; John; George; Daniel; Jacob, and Henry. He was an old-line Whig in politics, and a Lutheran in religion.

JOHN MILLER, son of George and Mary Miller, was born in York county, and came with his parents to Lycoming county in 1811. At the age of twenty-one he- purchased a small farm and began clearing and improving it. He bought and sold several farms, and finally purchased the property on which Isaac Miller now lives, where he resided up to his death. He was a member of the Reformed Lutheran church, and in politics a Republican. Mr. Miller married Catherine Moyer, who bore him seven children: John; Isaac; Catherine; Mary; Harriet; Perry, and Levi.

ISAAC MILLER, son of John and Catherine Miller, was born in Jackson township, Lycoming county, December 6, 1832. Soon after reaching manhood he started in · life for himself, working for varions parties. He afterwards erected a saw mill on Roaring branch, which he operated up to the spring of 1864. He then enlisted in Company I, Two Hundredand Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. Returning to his home he continued in the lumber business, purchasing the interest of C. A. Miller in the saw mill in '1867. In 1872 he sold the mill and purchased his present homestead. He married Catherine S. Miller, who has borne him five children: Ulysses E .; Sarah E .; Harry D .; Bertrand L., and Edwin A. He is a Republican in politics.

JOHN SECHRIST was born in Lancaster connty, Pennsylvania, in 1801, and came- to Jackson township, Lycoming county, with his parents when quite young. They located where the old Sechrist saw mill stood, where his father operated a saw and

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grist mill for forty years. After reaching his majority he entered a tract of land, which he cleared and improved. On his father's death he took charge of the bus- iness, and conducted the mill for ten years; then selling it to Henry Miller, he pur- chased a farm in Mifflin township, and after living there eight years, he died while on a visit to relatives. He married Catharine Manival, who bore him the following children: Jacob; John; Susan, who married Levi Kissinger; Peter, deceased; Henry; Samuel, deceased, and Harriet, who married John Eckart. Mr. Sechrist was an elder in the Lutheran church for many years. He was a Republican in politics, and filled the offices of supervisor and school director in Jackson township.

SAMUEL SECHRIST was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1839, son of John and Catharine Sechrist. Helived with his father until 1863, when he mar- ried Eliza Ann Cohick and settled in a home of his own. Eight children were the fruits of this union: Edward; James; John L. ; Nathan; Alice, who married George Kimball; Maude; Levi, and Samuel. He engaged in the lumber business after his marriage, supplying logs by contract, and though meeting with a great many reverses during the four years that he continued as a jobber, he finally made a financial success of his contracts. He then purchased the old homestead in Mifflin township, and resided upon it for six years. Selling his farm he purchased 125 acres of timber land in the Block House settlement, which he finally sold to the- Williamsport Furniture Company. He improved about sixty acres, erected new buildings, and is now recognized as one of the leading farmers of his township. Politically he is a Republican, and has filled all the important offices in his town- ship. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since he was twenty-one years old, and has always been liberal in his religious views.

LEVI MILLER, son of John and Catharine Miller, was born on the old homestead in Jackson township, Lycoming county, July 14, 1847. After his marriage he- moved on Roaring Branch creek and assisted his brother Isaac, who was engaged in the lumber business. He finally purchased the greater part of the old homestead at the request of his father, but shortly after sold the same to his brother and erected his present beautiful residence. Mr. Miller married Sadie C. Anderson and has a family of four children: Ida, who married H. L. Brewer; Cora; May, and Della. For some years Mr. Miller has manufactured a large amount of maple sugar and syrup of the finest grade, and has the most modern machinery for prosecuting the business. He has displayed commendable taste in beautifying his residence, and among its attractions are carp ponds, lawns, and shrubbery. Politically he does not strictly adhere to any party. He has served as justice of the peace, township clerk, and member of the school board. He is an attendant of the Lutheran church, and is one of the progressive business men of his native township.

MICHAEL RITTER was born near Selinsgrove, Northumberland county, (now Snyder,) in 1782. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and followed that business in early manhood. He was married in 1819 to Catharine Sechrist, and in 1821 they removed to Muncy, remaining there on the farm of Henry Ritter which is now occu- pied by William Watson. In 1825 they went to Jackson township, Lycoming county, and settled ou the farm now owned by Isaac Beck. Here he resided until his death. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom grew to matur- ity: Emanuel; Samuel; Elias; Susan, who married Israel Forrer; Catharine, who

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

married Jacob Forrer; Jacob, and John. Mr. Ritter was a member of the Luther- an church, and in politics a supporter of the Republican party.

JACOB RITTER, son of Michael and Catharine Ritter, was born upon the old home- stead in Jackson township in 1832. He worked for his parents until reaching man- hood, and then learned the stone mason's trade, but subsequently followed the trade of a millwright. He finally purchased a farm of Michael Sink, and after living upon it for six years, he sold it to his brother John, and purchased his present homestead from his brother Samuel. Mr. Ritter has been twice married. His first wife was Hannah Black, who bore him two children: James, and Snsan, deceased. His second wife was Mary, daughter of Daniel Miller, of which union two children have been born: Ella, and Minerva, wife of Frank Hilliard. Mr. Ritter is a member of the Lutheran church, and in his political opinions an adher- ent of the Republican party.

JOHN WEAVER was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1790. He remained with his parents until his marriage to Susanna Miller, in 1814. She bore him a family of eight children: Mary, who married Elias Bower; Margaret, who married George Snyder; Catharine, who married Frederick Bower; Christiana, who married Samuel Yoder; Susanna, who was twice married, first to James Carl, and afterward to Peter Brion; George; Henry, and William. Mr. Weaver purchased the farm now owned by his son Henry, which at that time was an unbroken forest. He cleared and improved it, and resided thereon up to his death. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Politically he was an old-line Whig, and filled most of the offices in his township. Liberal in his religious views, he was well known as a charitable and benevolent man.

HENRY WEAVER, son of John and Susanna Weaver, was born on the old home- stead in Jackson township in 1832. He grew to manhood under the parental roof, and in 1859 he married Anna Manival. The following children were born of this union: Laura, wife of Charles Bastian; Harriet, who married Lawrence Mitstifer; Charles; Aaron; Sarah; Warren; Samuel; Minnie, deceased; Dora; Bertha; Edward; Martha; Grace, and Floyd. Since coming into possession of the home- stead place Mr. Weaver has made many improvements, among them a good resi- dence and out-buildings. When quite a young man he began lumbering, in connec- tion with farming, which business he has followed up to the present. Heis a Repub- lican in politics, and liberal in his religious opinions.

MICHAEL WOLF, a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and son of a German emigrant who served in the Revolutionary war, settled in Lycoming county at an early date. He located at the mouth of Pine creek, and the place is now known as Phelps's Mills, Clinton county. There he purchased land, which he cleared and improved and lived upon until his death. He married Catherine Miller of Berks county, and to this union were born the following children: John, deceased; Henry M .; Jacob; George, deceased; Thomas; William; Catherine, wife of John Stout; Elizabeth, wife of John Haggerty; Susan, deceased wife of Thomas Bonnell, and Sarah, wife of Jacob Bonnell. Mr. Wolf was a Democrat, and belonged to the Lutheran church.

JOHN WOLF, son of Michael and Catherine (Miller) Wolf, was born at the mouth of Pine creek, Lycoming county. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, and after-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

wards settled in Brown township, near Slate Run, where he conducted his business for several years. He then settled at Waterville, where he carried on the black- smith business until his death. He was twice married, his first wife being Nancy, daughter of George Bonnell, and to them were born the following children: George- B. ; Benjamin; Michael, and Catherine, wife of Robert Herritt. His second wife- was Sally Herritt, and to this union were born four children: William; John; Ida, and Ada. John Wolf filled several of the minor township offices and was a Demo- crat in politics.

GEORGE B. WOLF, the eldest son of John Wolf, was born at Slate Run in 1835. He was educated in the common schools and learned the blacksmith trade, which occupation he followed at various places for many years. He established a business at Slate Run, and also carried on the business in the Nippenose valley for twelve years, after which he established his present business at Waterville, and has been quite successful. He married Sarah J., daughter of Benjamin Tombs, and to this union have been born four children: Willard E .; Julia A., wife of B. Gamble; Clara B., and Nellie R. Mr. Wolf is a Democrat in politics, and has held the office of supervisor. He enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, in 1863, and was discharged on account of disability after serving six months. In his religious views he is a Methodist, and belongs to the church at Waterville.

HENRY M. WOLF, the second son of Michael and Catherine (Miller) Wolf, was born in Berks county in 1814. He removed to Lycoming county with his parents, and remained upon the homestead until he grew to manhood. He was employed for a number of years by various lumber companies, and subsequently took con- tracts for getting ont lumber, in which he was quite successful, until 1840, when he leased what is now known as the Ross Mill. After operating this for six years- he engaged in farming. In 1855 he located at Jersey Mills, and operated a mill until 1860. He then located at Waterville, where he bought 220 acres of land, and, clearing up 175 acres of the same, he engaged in farming. He has now retired and resides at Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He married Mary, daughter of Andrew Gamble, who died in 1877, leaving the following children: George; Andrew, who was a member of Company G, Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was killed at St. Mary's Court House, Virginia; James M .; Michael; Oliver W .; John G .; Rev. Henry M .; Jane, deceased wife of William Tomb, and Alice, wife of Frank Harris. Mr. Wolf was again married, to Mrs. Ellen B. Sears, daughter of a Mr. Butler, one of the early families of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Henry M. is a Democrat and was county commissioner in 1863, and has also served as county auditor and as justice of the peace. He became a member of the Baptist church when a young man, and gave liberally towards the building of the churches at Jersey Mills and Jersey Shore.

JAMES M. WOLF, son of Henry M. and Mary (Gamble) Wolf, was born, October 2, 1840, on Pine creek, Lycoming county. He was educated in the common schools and a business college at Syracuse, New York. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and saw service for nine months, being mustered out as first lieutenant, and having participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Second Bull Run, Antietam, and Chancellorsville. In

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

1863 he again enlisted in the Forty-seventh Pennsylvania Emergency Men, was commissioned first lientenant of Company G, and was sent to the Minersville coal riot. He then settled at Waterville, where he engaged in the lumber business. In 1873 he formed the firm of J. M. & M. Wolf and built a mill at Waterville, where they conducted a store and manufactured lumber until 1889. They then sold the store to John G. Wolf and A. J. Bonnell, and he is now engaged with his brother Michael in the lumber business. He is a Democrat in politics and in 1886 was elected sheriff of Lycoming county. He also filled the office of justice of the peace of Cummings township for five years, and held other offices. He is a Baptist in his religious views. Mr. Wolf was married in 1872 to Amanda, daughter of Cyrus Ranck, who died in 1877. His second wife was Elsie, daughter of William Carson. He has two children, Fannie and James B. He is a member of Reno Post, and the K. of M.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 149

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