History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 150

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania > Part 150

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JOHN G. WOLF, merchant, son of Henry M. and Mary (Gamble) Wolf, was born, February 1, 1849, in McHenry township, Lycoming county. He was educated in the common schools and remained upon the homestead until he was twenty-one years old. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits for three years, after which he served as deputy sheriff under his brother. After closing his official career he again engaged in the mercantile business at Waterville, under the firm name of Wolf Brothers. Here he was appointed postmaster in 1865, and still holds that position. He has also filled the office of justice of the peace for fifteen years, has been secre- tary of the school board for many years, and has filled other township offices. In politics Mr. Wolf is a stanch Democrat. He was married in 1878 to Roberta, daughter of Robert Maffett, of Tomb's Run, and to this union have been born five children: Annie M .; Bessie; Wallace; Eleanor, and Charles. Mr. Wolf is a mem- ber of the Baptist church at Waterville, in which he fills the office of deacon.

JOHN ENGLISH, of English extraction, and a native of Massachusetts, a soldier of the Revolution, and aide-de-camp of George Washington, was one of the early. settlers near Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He became an early settler of Lycom- ing county, locating on Bailey island, opposite Jersey Shore. This he cleared in partnership with his brother James. He subsequently settled in Cummings township on what is known as Buttonwood island, which he also cleared and lived upon for many years. He died in 1846 at the home of his son-in-law, Thomas Ramsey, in Cummings township, at the ripe old age of ninety-nine years. Mr. English saw the execution of Major Andre. He was married to Fanny Casper, and to this union were born the following children: Claudius; James; Thomas; Margaret, who married Abraham Hains; Polly, who married George Bonnell; Sarah, who married Thomas Ramsey, and Lizzie, who married Abbis Conner. Mr. English was a Methodist in his religious views and was a man highly respected by those who knew him.

JAMES ENGLISH, the eldest son of John English, was born on Buttonwood island, and after growing to manhood he settled three miles above Waterville, on Corn Broom island, which he purchased, and engaged in the cultivation of broom-corn. He subsequently went to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and was one of the twelve original settlers of Block House, receiving fifty acres for making the settlement. There he lived for several years, returning thence to Lycoming county and settling

1237

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

on Little Pine creek, about three miles north of Waterville. There he took up 200 acres of government land, cleared a farm, and built a grist mill and two saw mills, which he operated for a number of years. Here he died in December, 1851. He was a Democrat in politics, and while he never held any public office, yet he always took a deep interest in public affairs. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, held the office of deacon in the same for many years, and gave toward the erection of the Jersey Shore Methodist Episcopal church the sum of $600. He also gave $50 to the construction of the Baptist church at Jersey Shore, and a like amount to the construction of the Presbyterian church of the same place. His liberality did not stop here, for he gave $200 to the Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal church, of Mifflin township, and furnished the greater part of the means to build the Methodist Episcopal church at Waterville. Mr. English married Annie, daughter of John Young, and to them were born the following children: Francis; Marjorie; Sarah; Elizabeth; Timothy; John; Stephen M .; Rice, and Ellis. Mrs. English died, June 17, 1874.

STEPHEN M. ENGLISH, fourth son of James and Annie (Young) English, was born on Corn Broom island, October 25, 1827. He received a limited education by his own efforts, and at the age of twenty-two he took charge of one of his father's mills, which he operated for some time. At the death of his father he assumed the entire charge of the former's business until 1865, when he closed it out, and pur- chased 100 acres of the farm and homestead. Here he now resides, and after having closed up his father's estate, Mr. English entered the employ as superintendent for Brown, England & Company, and Craig & Company, and contractor for Phelps, Dodge & Company. He is still employed by these companies at various times, and also continues to cultivate his farm. He was twice married, his first wife being Mary J., daughter of John English, of Tioga county, who died in 1857, leaving three children: Julia, wife of John Carson; Timothy L., and Sarah, wife of Will- iam Bennett. Mr. English's second wife was Sarah, daughter of Warren Stowell, and to this union were born: Arthur, who is a clerk for the Pennsylvania railroad in New York City; Calvin S., also a clerk for the same company, and Warren J. Mr. English is a Democrat in politics and has held the office of township auditor for seventeen years. He was appointed postmaster at English Mills by President U. S. Grant, October 26, 1871, and has held that position ever since.

ABRAHAM HARRIS, a soldier of the Revolution, was of Scotch-Irish extraction, and came from Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and settled a half-mile south of Jersey Mills, at the present location of George Harris's residence. He subsequently removed to Waterville, and passed the remaining years of his life amid the quiet surroundings of that secluded village. He married Margaret, daughter of John English; they were the parents of the following children: John, deceased; Jacob, deceased; James, deceased; George; Abraham P .; William; Winfield; Eunice, deceased wife of Henry Sheasley; Fanny, deceased wife of Jacob English, and Sarah, wife of Benjamin Bendle. Mr. Harris was an old-line Whig, and an ardent admirer of Henry Clay. He served in various township offices, and officiated as justice of the peace for many years with creditable ability. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

JACOB HARRIS, fourth son of Abraham and Margaret Harris, was born in 1820.

1238

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

He was reared on the homestead farm and educated in the local schools. During his active life he was engaged in the lumber business, but in the latter part of his days he was engaged at various kinds of employment. He married Eliza, daughter of Joseph Bitters, a native of Reading, Pennsylvania; they were the parents of seven children: Reuben; Ellen, wife of Henry Bonnell; Frank R .; Maggie, who was twice married, first to A. Harrison, and subsequently to Michael Wolf; William; Charles, and Augustus, deceased. His wife survived him, and is the wife of Thomas Bonnell.

FRANK R. HARRIS, second son of Jacob and Eliza Harris, was born, March 29, 1849. He was educated in the common schools, and worked at the lumber business and farming until thirty years of age, when he settled on his present farm of 250 acres. He has since devoted his attention to its cultivation, but has also been engaged in the lumber business to a limited extent. He married Sarah Alice, dangh- ter of Henry M. Wolf, and they are the parents of the following children: Walter; Amanda; Elsie; Mary; Ellen; Howard, and Addie. Mr. Harris has manifested a deep interest in the cause of education; he is a Democrat in politics and has served as supervisor and school director. The family is connected with the Baptist church.

THOMAS RAMSEY, a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, who served under George Washington as a wagon master, settled on Big Pine creek, Lycoming county, soon after the close of the Revolutionary war. His settlement was made on the farm where his grandson, Thomas Ramsey, now resides. There he bought 200- acres of land from a man by the name of Reese. He erected a saw mill and engaged in the manufacture of lumber for many years. He cleared all the land upon his tract on the flats, and resided there for some years. Subsequently he removed to Ohio, and settled on the Miami river, near the town of Tippecanoe, where he and his wife died. Mr. Ramsey was married in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, but the name of his wife is unknown by his descendants; they were the par- ents of the following children: Samuel; Allen; Robert, and William, who went to Ohio with their parents, and who have left many descendants in that State; John and Thomas, who remained upon the homestead; Nancy, deceased, who married Jonathan Baker, and Mary, deceased, who married Andrew Berryhill.

THOMAS RAMSEY, son of Thomas Ramsey, was born in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1772. He remained upon the homestead, which he purchased and where he lived until his death, July 4, 1847. He followed farming and was engaged in lumbering and rafting for many years. He invented the first blade oar for steering rafts. He also operated saw mills with good success. He married Sarah, daughter of John English, who died in 1875; they were the parents of twelve children: Mary, who married Gideon Thomas; John; Fannie, deceased; Thomas; Elizabeth, who married Robert Brown; William, deceased; Fannie, deceased wife of Thomas Reighard; Allen, deceased; Ellen, deceased wife of Daniel Mulherron; Margaret, deceased; James, and Sarah J., wife of Simon Brown. Mr. Ramsey filled the office of justice of the peace, and others of minor importance. He was a Democrat in politics, and belonged to the Presbyterian church of Jersey Shore.

THOMAS RAMSEY, son of Thomas and Sarah (English) Ramsey, was born, April. 30, 1821, on the homestead in Cummings township. He is of the third generation

Michael Bounces

1241

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

that has occupied this land, and is Thomas Ramsey, 3d. He received his education in the subscription schools, and was brought up at farming and lumbering. In 1849 he built a saw mill at the mouth of Ramsey's run, which he operated for thirty years, and which was destroyed by fire in 1880. In 1887 he erected a steam saw mill on Ramsey's run, which was also destroyed by fire, in October, 1891. Mr. Ramsey has carried on the lumber business in connection with farm- ing during his entire business life. He married in 1845 Harriet, grand-daughter of John English, and to this union were born twelve children: Two who died in infancy; Jennie, wife of George Barnes; George; Asbury; Torrence; Tracy; Fannie, wife of George Forbes; Alice, wife of George Gulliver; Henry; Grant, and Ellen M. Mr. Ramsey has filled the offices of school director and auditor, and is a Democrat in his political proclivities.

GEORGE BONNELL, a native of southern New Jersey, came to Lycoming county in 1819. The first knowledge his only living son has of him was that he lived at Waterville, where he followed lumbering, and was a famous hunter and trapper of that day. He subsequently purchased 100 acres about three miles south of Slate Run, where he cleared a farm and carried on the lumber business, and there died about 1879, at the age of ninety-two. His wife was Polly, daughter of the pioneer, John English, and was the mother of the following children: John; William; George; James; Richard; Lizzie, who married John Clark; Mary, who married Stephen Ross; Nancy, who married John Wolf; Thomas, and Sallie, who married James English. All of these children are dead except Thomas and Mary. George Bonnell was a soldier of the war of 1812, was a Democrat in politics, and belonged to the Method- ist Episcopal church.

THOMAS BONNELL, youngest son of George Bonnell, was born in 1817 in Lycom- ing county. He received a limited education in the subscription schools, and was reared on his father's farm. In 1830 he and John Clark purchased 1,100 acres of timber land in Potter county, Pennsylvania, and he was engaged in the lumber busi- ness for seventeen years. He then came back to Cummings township, where he pur- chased his present farm of 100 acres. He also bought the hotel at Waterville, and was its landlord for many years. His first wife was Susan, daughter of Michael Wolf, by whom he had three children who grew to maturity: Henry; Michael, and Catherine, wife of William Wolf. His second wife was Frances Richards, by whom he had four children: George; Charles; Emma, and Maggie, deceased. He married for his third wife, Mrs. Eliza Harris, a daughter of James Bitters, one of the early settlers of Cummings township. Thomas Bonnell has been a life-long Democrat, and prominent in his party in his locality. He has filled many of the township offices, and is one of the leading and respected citizens of his township.

OLIVER CARSON, eldest son of Robert and Eliza (Callahan) Carson, was born November 4, 1845, in Lycoming county. He was reared upon the homestead farm, where he now lives. He was employed in the lumber business for ten years after he had grown to manhood, after which he embarked in general farming, which he has followed as an occupation ever since. He married Delilah, daughter of C. Glover, of Clinton county, Pennsylvania; they were the parents of three.children: Orrin; John, and Eliza. Mr. Carson is a Democrat in politics, and has filled several of the town- ship offices.

1242

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

JOHN CARSON, farmer, son of Robert and Eliza (Callahan) Carson, and grandson of Robert Carson, the pioneer, was born December 6, 1847, in Cummings township, Lycoming county. His father was born in 1819, on Little Pine creek, and after he grew to manhood settled in Cummings township, where he was engaged in the saw mill business, and also at Waterville. Robert subsequently purchased the farm where his son Oliver Carson now lives, where he resided until he retired from busi- ness. He now resides in Jersey Shore. He was married to Elizabeth Callahan, who is now deceased, and was the mother of the following children: Oliver; John; Albert; James; George; Jeremiah; Esau; Miles, and Helen, deceased. Our subject, John Carson, received a common school education, and was reared upon the farm. After reaching his majority he embarked in the lumber business, which he continued until 1880. He then purchased a farm, and has since devoted his time to rural pur- suits. He was married to Julia, daughter of Stephen M. English, of Cummings township, and they have one child, Maggie. In politics Mr. Carson is a stanch Democrat.

SAMUEL CAMPBELL, a native of the North of Ireland, settled in the Juniata valley at an early date. He subsequently located at Jersey Shore, where he purchased a tract of land. His son, John, settled on the Allegheny river near Warren; another son, Robert, a soldier of the Revolution, sold the land at Jersey Shore and bought a mill at Round Island, where he was engaged in the manufacture of lumber for many years. He married Rachael Morrison, and to this union were born the following children: Samuel; Michael; George; Abner: John; Jeremiah; Robert; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Lloyd; Priscilla, who married James English, and Margaret, who married Robert H. Wilyoume.

MICHAEL CAMPBELL, second son of Robert Campbell, was born, October 24, 1796. His educational advantages were exceedingly meager. After he grew to manhood he settled one mile north of Cammal, bought fifty acres of land, and reduced it to cultivation. Here he lived until his death. He also engaged in the lumber business, and was interested in several saw mills in his locality. He was a millwright by trade; in his political proclivities he was associated with the Democratic party, and was connected with the local township organization in various official capacities. As his first wife he married Mary Hostrander, and their children were as follows: Michael; Hiram; Richard; Fanny; Harriet; Cornelia; Priscilla; Margaret; Sarah, and Mary. His second wife was Hannah Banvier, daughter of William Banvier, and their children were Enoch; William; Lafayette, and Truman.

TRUMAN CAMPBELL was born on the 26th of March, 1849. He was educated in the common schools, and after attaining manhood engaged in lumbering and agri- cultural pursuits. In 1885 he entered the hotel business at Cammal; in connection with his hotel he cultivates 400 acres of land. In 1874 he married Virginia, daughter of George Hostrander, and they have one child, Martha E. He is a Democrat in politics and has served as school director in his township. Mr. Campbell is a member of Cammal Lodge, No. 1001, I. O. O. F., and is a highly respected citizen.

ÅBNER CAMPBELL, the fourth son of Robert, was born in 1800, and was educated in a log cabin school house. He was for several years engaged with his brother George in operating a number of saw mills on Pine creek, and they were the

1243

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

owners of about 1,200 acres of timber land. He died in 1850. He married Eliza- beth, daughter of Andrew Gamble, who died in 1842. To this union were born the following children: Emily, who married John Connor; Hezekiah; Saloma, wife of E. Connor; Mary J., wife of John English; J. L .; Rachel, wife of Hiram Callahan; Almira, wife of George Carson; Cordelia, deceased wife of James Morning, and Eunice, wife of J. H. Stryker. Mr. Campbell was married a second time, to Rhoda Dugan, by whom he had four children: L. D .; William A., deceased; Elizabeth, and Abbie, wife of George Miller. Abner Campbell was a Democrat and was a member of the Baptist church. Jehiel L., his second son, was born, August 13, 1829, on the homestead farm, where he now resides and has always been engaged in farming and lumbering. He is a Democrat in politics and has filled some of the township offices. He was married in 1853 to Priscilla, daughter of Joel Hostrander, and to this union has been born one child; Artie M., who married Jacob Tombs. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Cammal Baptist church, and is one of the representative citizens of the community in which he resides.

MICHAEL BONNELL, merchant, son of Thomas and Susan (Wolf) Bonnell, was born, February 4, 1843, in Brown township, Lycoming county, and was reared in Potter county, Pennsylvania. There he received a common school education and was brought up at farm labor. He remained at home with his father until 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served for three years, participating in the following battles: New Kent Court House, Bottom Bridge, Savage Station, Garnet's Farm, Haxall's Landing and Carter's Farm, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Frederick City, Middletown, Sharpsburg, Aldie and Upperville, Asbury Gap, Barber's Cross Roads, Williamsport Road, Shepherdstown, Bealton, Liberty Church, Beverly Ford, Todd's Tavern, the Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania, North Ann River, and Beaver Dam. He was discharged in 1864 without a scratch even to show that he had seen service. Returning from the war, he resumed farming and also engaged in lumbering. After a while his father embarked in the hotel business and Michael was employed to manage the same for five years. He afterwards engaged in the lumber business until 1870, when he located in Jersey Mills; there he embarked in the hotel business, which he followed for thirteen years. In 1871 he engaged in the mercantile trade, and in 1883 he erected a store building at Waterville in Cummings township, and established the firm of E. Horn & Company, which has since carried on business. He also does a large lumber business, and owns a tract of 1,000 acres. Mr. Bonnell was married in 1870 to Rebecca, daughter of H. W. Campbell, and to this union has been born one child, Blanch E. Mr. Bonnell is one of the leading Democrats of his township, and always takes a deep interest in the party. He is one of the enterprising business men of the county, and has the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens. He served as postmaster for twenty years, being first appointed by President Grant. He is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., at Williamsport, and also belongs to Cammal Lodge, No. 1001, I. O. O. F.

TIMOTHY SPLAN, merchant, was born April 15, 1836, at Rochester, New York. He is a son of Cornelius and Bridget (Sullivan) Splan, natives of Ireland, who settled in Rochester, and subsequently moved to Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where they died .. There our subject was reared and educated in the common

1244

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

schools. In 1856 he came to Pine Creek and located at Cedar Run, where he found employment with Buskirk & Kirby, with whom he remained for one year. He then commenced jobbing for William Van Name & Company which he followed for five years. He subsequently was employed by James Duffee & Company, of Trout Run, John Ives & Company and Wood & Childs, of Jersey Shore, and Wolf & Brothers, of Waterville. In 1886 he located at Cammal, and established his present mercan- tile business. He was married in 1861 to Mary E., daughter of James Hostrander, and to this union was born one son, Daniel E., who is a telegraph operator for the Fall Brook railroad. Mr. Splan is an active and enthusiastic Democrat and filled the office of constable while he was living in Jersey Shore. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and belongs to the Baptist church, in which he is a trustee. In 1863 he was a member of Capt. James Dove's company of Emergency Men. Mr. Splan is one of the leading citizens of his township, and is an enterprising business man. enjoying the respect of the people of his community.

RICHARD R. STRADLEY, son of Shadrack and Jane (Shaw) Stradley, was born in February, 1842. His father was a native of Delaware and settled near Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he remained for several years. He afterwards located at English Centre, Lycoming county, and subsequently rented a farm near Jersey Mills, where he died in 1851. He was three times married, his last wife being Jane Shaw, who died in 1864. To this union were born nine children: James M. ; Robert; Shadrack, who was a member of Company B, Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and died at Point Lookout, Maryland; Matthew; Elizabeth, deceased; Richard R .; Archibald, deceased; Rice H., deceased; and Celestia, deceased, who married Eli Campbell. Our subject received a common school education, and at the age of fourteen years he began working in saw mills and cutting timber. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and saw service for nine months, participating in the battles of Antietam, Fred- ericksburg, where he was wounded in his right hand by a minie ball, and at Chan- cellorsville. Returning from the war he, in partnership with A. T. and Rice Stradley, purchased a 400 acre tract of timber land, and engaged in the lumber business for ten years. After the death of his partners he purchased their interest and carried on the business until 1885, when he entered the employ of Cochran Richard & Company. He superintended the buying of Inmber for this firm for some time. In 1881 he located on his present farm at Jersey Mills, where he has since lived, engaged in farming and lumbering. He was married, July 31, 1868, to Elizabeth J., daughter of John Coolidge, of Jersey Mills, and to this union have been born two children: John J. and James Luther. Mr. Stradley is a Republican in politics, and has served as auditor of his township for fifteen years, and has also been school director. He is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., and belongs to the Baptist church, in which he holds the office of clerk.

THE GAMBLE FAMILY .- After the close of the Revolutionary war, John Gamble, a native of Ireland, settled on what is now known as Gamble's run. He had a tract of 300 acres, situated where Henry Harris now lives. He cleared a farm and lived thereon until his death. He had three sons and one daughter: Andrew; John; James, and Nancy, who married Amos Bennett.

ANDREW GAMBLE, the eldest son of John Gamble, was reared upon his father's

1245

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

farm, and at the death of the former he sold the land and located upon Pine creek, where Jacob and Henry Gamble now reside. He was the owner of about 300 acres and followed farming in connection with lumbering. He was a Democrat in poli- tics and held some of the minor township offices. He is a member of the Cedar Run Baptist church. Mr. Gamble married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Tomb, and to this union were born twelve children: John, deceased; Gibson, deceased; Jane, deceased wife of James Hostrander; Nancy, deceased wife of Chester Foster; Katie, deceased wife of Sol Sherdy; Mary, deceased wife of Henry Wolf; Sarah, wife of Henry Emick; Jacob; Isabella, deceased wife of Jacob Miller; William; Henry, and Rebecca, wife of James Gamble: Andrew Gamble died in 1862, followed by his widow in 1865.

WILLIAM GAMBLE, the fourth son of Andrew Gamble, was born May 24, 1825. He was educated in the subscription schools and reared at farm labor. At the age of twenty-six years he took charge of the homestead farm, where he remained four years. He afterwards embarked in the lumber business with George Tomb for two years. After this he followed the lumber business at various places, and finally located in Sugar Bottom, where he purchased 100 acres, and followed farming and lumbering until 1865, when the flood destroyed all his buildings. He then returned to the homestead, purchased a saw mill, and engaged in the lumber business for three years with Hiram Helborn. He then entered the employ of Ramsdale & Duffy for eleven years, after which he bought his present farm of ninety-four acres, where he is now engaged in farming and lumbering. Mr. Gamble married Ann, daughter of George Ryan, of Potter county, Pennsylvania; they are the parents of nine children: Elvina, wife of Jerry Ruppert; Irena, wife of Frank Woodhouse; Nathaniel; George A .; William E .; M. G .; Grant; Amos, and Gibson. Mr. Gamble has filled the offices of school director, collector, and treasurer. He is a Republican in politics and is a member of Cedar Run Baptist church, in which he has filled the offices of treasurer, clerk, and trustee, and is now deacon.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 150

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