History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 84

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

as well as the luxury and opulence of declining years, until 1873 when she died. In 1848 he abandoned his trade and removed to Stockton, New Jersey, where he engaged in an extensive grain and lumber trade with his brother, Johnson Fisher, until 1855, when he came to Williamsport. Having learned while living in New Jersey of some extensive coal and timber lands in western Pennsylvania which others had failed in an attempt to develop, he determined to risk his all, and became a third owner of the vast territory which he proposed to develop. His life thus far had been stamped with the seal of honor, and among the friends of his boyhood he had no trouble to find those who, with unstinted confidence in his ability, were ready to contribute and risk the means required to bring forth the hidden treasures of the forests which placed him, as well as those connected with him, in positions of ease and opulence. At the time of his death he was connected with many business inter- ests of Williamsport, being president of the Susquehanna Boom Company and the Valentine Iron Works. He was largely interested in the lumber firms of Reading, Fisher & Company, Teneyke, Emery & Company, and the planing mills of Reading, Fisher & Reading. He was one of the organizers and a director of the old Lum- berman's National Bank, and was one of the original members of the Williamsport Land Company. He cast his first Republican vote for Abraham. Lincoln, and served one term as county treasurer while living in New Jersey. He also held other offices of minor importance. Mahlon Fisher was the artificer of his own life, and was one of the few men who became rich and yet maintained a reputation spotless and unsullied. Truth, honor, and fidelity was the platform on which he stood firm and unmovable. His generosity was without stint. According to the sixth item of his will he provides that his executor shall invest $30,000 in Pennsylvania State bonds, and turn the same over to the trustees of the First Baptist church in trust, the larger part of the interest on said bonds to be paid to the widows_and orphans of Williamsport who have been made such while residing in that city, regardless of race, color, or religious denomination. The interest has amounted to about $1,000 per year, and is distributed semi-annually by the treasurer of the Baptist church. Shortly after his death, the Lumberman's Exchange called a special meeting and passed resolutions, expressing their sorrow, and their personal knowledge of his purity of life, his love of truth and justice, and the strict integrity which character- ized his business relations. He reared a family of seven children: John S., deceased; Annie J., wife of John E. Jones; Elizabeth, wife of W. H. Taylor; Will- iam S., deceased; Alfred E .; Mary H., wife of Dr. W. M. Du Four, and Charles B.

JOHN S. FISHER, deceased, was born in Flemington, New Jersey, January 1, 1835, and died October 23, 1876. He was the son of Mahlon Fisher and a Democrat in politics. He received his education in the public schools of his native town, and early in life was employed as a clerk in a mercantile store. After removing to Williamsport in 1855, he occupied a position in the office of the firm of Reading, Fisher & Company for a number of years, previous to forming a partnership with John E. Jones, and engaging in the lumber business, under the firm name of Fisher & Jones. Mr. Fisher afterwards entered into a partnership with Lewis Jamison, with whom he was largely identified with the lumber interests of Lycoming county. In 1862 he was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of Alexander Jamison, who, accompanied by her uncle, Lewis Jamison, and an aunt, removed from Delaware

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City, Delaware, to Williamsport, in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher became the parents of four children: Edward J .; Lewis J .; May A., and Mahlon L. Mr. Fisher was a Democrat, and was prominently connected with the Masonic order as a member of the lodge, chapter, and commandery.

ANDREW D. HEPBURN, son of James and Mary (Hopewell) Hepburn, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1786. His maternal grandmother was a De Normandie, and fled from France during the troubles between the French govern- ment and the Huguenots, and with one brother and sister, took refuge in England. She married an Englishman named Hopewell, and afterwards they emigrated to the United States: Here her daughter, Mary, married James Hepburn, and to them were born the following children: Samuel, who was one of the first lawyers in the State; James, a lawyer, and president of the Northumberland Bank, and also presi- dent of the Tidewater Canal Company; Hopewell, a lawyer at Easton, and after- wards judge of the Western district of Pennsylvania; Jane, who married F. C. Campbell, of the Williamsport bar; Mary, who married James Merrill, a lawyer and once a member of Congress; Sarah, who married James Armstrong, of Williamsport, a lawyer and afterwards judge of the Supreme court of Pennsylvania, and Andrew D. The last mentioned came to Williamsport when about eighteen years of age. At that time it was a mere hamlet, and a large part of the site of the future city was covered by a forest. Shortly after locating here he commenced building, and the logs of which his dwelling was constructed were hewn from trees felled on the back part of the lot. The house was afterward weatherboarded, and was quite a landmark until destroyed by fire some years since. This house contained the first ingrain carpet, and the first sofa brought to Williamsport. Mr. Hepburn engaged in mercantile pursuits, and was very successful, but after a time he gave himself np to the care of his valuable and increasing property. He purchased and inherited large tracts of land, a portion of which, at the present time, includes a part of Williamsport. He was familiar with both law and medicine, and people were in the habit, as long as he lived, of coming to him for advice on legal questions, which he never refused to give. Being a descendant on his father's side of the Scotch Cove- nanters, he was a Presbyterian, early attached himself to this church, and was an elder in the same for many years. He donated the site for the erection of the first Presbyterian church on Market street, and left a bequest of a building to be used as a parsonage. He was quiet and retiring in his manners, studious and literary in his tastes, of fine talent, and marked ability. There were few men in the community more widely known, or whose influence was more generally felt, and his pen was ably used in promoting the construction of the West Branch canal. He was firm and decided in his views when a question of right was concerned, and would have gone to the stake rather than sacrifice his principles, and when an object of want or distress was presented, he was ever ready to render assistance. He married at a very early age, Martha, a daughter of Thomas Huston, who served as a captain in the Revolutionary army. She was a sister of the Hon. Charles Huston, an eminent lawyer and judge of the Supreme court of Pennsylvania. Mr. Hepburn reared a large family, and died in 1862. Among his children were Judge Samuel Hepburn, of Carlisle; James H. Hepburn, of Jersey Shore; and Dr. William Hepburn and Andrew Hepburn, of Williamsport, all of whom are dead.

2. Smith

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ABRAHAM UPDEGRAFF was born in Williamsport, June 17, 1808. In September, 1799, his father, Thomas Updegraff, with his wife and two children, moved up the Susquehanna river in two canoes and located at Williamsport, where he established a tannery and followed that occupation the greater part of his life. At the age of eleven years Abraham was put to work in his father's tannery, where he remained for sixteen years. In the spring of 1834 he entered into partnership in the mercan- tile business with Jacob Grafius. In April, 1837, he bought the interest of his partner and continued alone for twenty-four years. When the West Branch Bank was organized in 1836, Mr. Updegraff was chosen a director, and served for ten years. In June, 1848, he became president and served in that capacity until 1856, when he resigned. In December, 1863, he was the prime mover in the organization of the First National Bank, and was its first president. He was manager in the first organization of the Williamsport Bridge Company, and remained such until his death. He was one of two persons who laid out the Williamsport cemetery in 1850, and was a prime mover in establishing Wildwood cemetery, of which he was presi- dent at the time of his death. He was for years identified with the lumber inter- ests, and was connected with the Williamsport Water Works. For over twenty years he served as president of the board of trustees of Dickinson Seminary. He was also for about ten years a member of the city council. In 1840 he and his wife became members of the Second Presbyterian church, and for a time he was super- intendent of the Lycoming County Sunday School Association. Like his father, Mr. Updegraff was very liberal in his contributions to meritorious objects. His sound judgment, fine business abilities, correct dealings, and accommodating spirit entitled him to a prominent place among the people, and he was always greatly respected and highly honored. He took great care in preserving the memory of his father, and before his death he published a neat little memoriam, and placed therein a portrait of him as a token of his filial affection. February 12, 1835, Mr. Upde- graff was married to Elizabeth Peterman, and to this union are living two daughters: Lizzie, the wife of J. M. Black, and Lucy L., the wife of James J. Gibson. Mr. Updegraff was quite successful in business, and died, April 17, 1884, leaving his family property worth many thousand dollars, the result of his upright and frugal dealings.

HON. JOHN SMITH was for many years one of the best and most favorably known citizens of Lycoming county, and was a descendant of one of its pioneer families. He was born in Loyalsock township, Lycoming county, January 27, 1794, on the tract of land originally known as the Rose farm, now Vallamont, a portion of which is now within the limits of this city. He received the rudiments of an English edu- cation in the pioneer schools of his native township, and his early life was spent upon a farm. When about seventeen years of age he came to Williamsport, then a small village, and was indentured with Jeremiah Tallman to the shoemaker's trade. After acquiring a knowledge of the business he worked as a journeyman for several years. About 1821 he opened a shop of his own on Fourth street, and carried on the manufacture of boots and shoes for many years. In 1833, in partnership with Rev. Jasper Bennett and Joseph Williams, he engaged in the mercantile business on Third street, whence they removed in 1835 to a new store building on Pine street, the site of which Mr. Smith had previously purchased. Here he conducted a very

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successful business for many years, or until retiring from mercantile pursuits. In the meantime he had purchased the Judge Cummings farm, and was extensively engaged in agriculture for several years. In 1818 he married Rachel, daughter of Joseph Williams, one of the pioneers of Williamsport. She was born, January 11, 1794, and for nearly sixty years she proved a devoted wife and mother. Three children were born of this union: Letitia W., who was twice married, her first hus- band being the Rev. I. T. Stratton, and her second, William Murray of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, who survived her; Thomas, deceased, and Susan T., wife of Daniel B. Knapp. Mrs. Smith died, December 12, 1876, her husband surviving her nearly eight years, and dying November 10, 1884, at the ripe old age of ninety years, nine months, and fourteen days. When twenty-one years of age Judge Smith united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and was one of the original members of the Pine Street organization. He remained steadfast in his church affiliations up to his death, and was recognized as a useful and honored official. In early life he indentified himself with the Whig party, but upon the organization of the Repub- lican party he supported Fremont, and subsequently Lincoln for the presidency. A few years later, however, he became dissatisfied with the policy and actions of the Republicans, and identified himself with the Democratic party, by whom he was elected, in 1866, one of the associate judges of Lycoming county. He remained a Democrat up to his death. Schooled in early life to know the real value of money, he accumulated through the passing years considerable real estate, which afterward became valuable. He was one of the corporators of the West Branch National Bank, and a director in that institution for several years. He gave liberally of his means toward the support of Dickinson Seminary, and throughout his long and use- ful career he was held in high esteem by the best citizens of his native county. .

JAMES CUMMINGS was born in Tyroue, County Antrim, Ireland, July 21, 1774, and emigrated to this country when quite a young man. He had several brothers, among who was John, who became the second sheriff of Lycoming county, and served in that office several terms. James Cummings was twice married. His first wife was a native of Ireland. His second wife was Mary Culbertson, daughter of Andrew Culbertson, who settled quite early near the present site of the borough of DuBoistown, and was also one of the most enterprising men of that time. Mr. Cum- mings, after his second marriage, lived a short time in Newberry. He subsequently opened a hotel in Williamsport, which stood on the present site of the First National Bank. He established the first mail route in this section, and carried the mails in the first stage coaches leaving Williamsport and running up the river as far as Dunnsburg, and down as far as Sunbury. He died, January 22, 1820, while on his way from Washington, where he had been to look after some of his mail contracts. His wife survived him over twelve years, and died, August 18, 1832. They left three sons and one daughter. Thomas, the eldest, was born in Newberry, March 11, 1802, and died in Philadelphia, April 25, 1885. He married Lucy Ann Babb of Jersey Shore, and reared four children, one of whom, Lieut. Commander A. Boyd Cummings of the United States Navy, was killed at the battle of Port Hudson. Alexander Cummings, son of James Cummings, was born in Williamsport, Novem- ber 17, 1810, and attained high distinction as a journalist, politician, and legislator. He was a man of marked character, and enjoyed a wide reputation in newspaper

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and political circles. He served as Governor of the Territory of Colorado, and died, July 16. 1879. while United States consul at Ottawa, Canada. Andrew Boyd Cummings, the last surviving son of James Cummings, was born in Williamsport, but resided in Philadelphia for many years preceding his death. To him the city of Williamsport is indebted for the magnificent gift of Brandon park, named in memory of his only sister, Jane C., who married John Brandon, aud died at Browns- ville, New York, September 13, 1840. This park will forever remain as a memorial of its generous donor, who cherished such an affectionate regard for his sister's memory and the place of his birth.

JAMES VANDUZEE BROWN, president of the Williamsport Water Company, and the Citizens' Gas and Water Company, was born in Hartford, Washington county, New York, March 2, 1826. His paternal grandfather, Amasy Brown, was a native of Rhode Island, and a descendant of the family that founded Brown University. He was a Baptist minister, a prominent political friend and supporter of Clinton, and a man of high standing and much influence. David Brown, father of James V., was a native of Washington county, New York, and a farmer by occupation, but later in life he engaged in the lumber business in Allegany county, in the same State. He was first a Whig, and afterwards a Republican, and filled several prom- inent offices in his native county. He died in 1866. He was twice married, and reared a family of fifteen children, ten of whom are living, as follows: Henry and James V., of Williamsport; Richard N., Daniel C., and Alfred S., of New York State; Stephen S., of Williamsport; Allen L., of Allegany county, New York; Orange S., manager of the Gazette and Bulletin, Williamsport; Sarah A., wife of Hervey H. Grotz, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and Charles F., of South Bethle- hem, Pennsylvania.

The subject of this sketch was the fourth son of David Brown, and was reared in Allegany county, New York. He was educated in the common schools of that county, after which he learned the printer's trade, at which he was employed from the age of seventeen until reaching his majority. He then, in connection with his father, purchased a flour mill at Angelica, New York, and in 1851 he went to Wells- ville and engaged in the milling and mercantile business. He remained there until 1859, and then came to Williamsport and purchased the Updegraff and Herdic flour mill, which he operated until 1866. During this time the mill was burned, but he immediately rebuilt it. In 1866 he sold the property and devoted his whole time to the lumber business, in which he had previously embarked as a member of the firm of Thomas and James Thompson, which was merged into the firm of James Thompson & Company. He sold out his interest in that firm in the autumn of 1866, and became a member of Brown, Early & Company, and erected mills on Park street. He was connected with this firm until 1881, when he severed his connection with it, and has since been engaged in the lumber business in the West. Mr. Brown was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, and has been a director of that institution since it commenced business. In 1866 he became president of the Will- iamsport Water Company, and has since taken an active interest in its success. He is also president of the Citizens' Gas and Water Company, was one of the original stockholders in the Market Street Bridge Company, prior to the erection of the wire bridge, and is a stockholder in the Central Pennsylvania Telephone and Supply

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Company. He takes an active interest in the Young Men's Christian Association, and has contributed liberally to the support of that institution. He is an earnest and uncompromising Republican, and has served as a member of the State executive committee, but has never desired political preferment. Mr. Brown was married in 1860 to Carile C., daughter of Edmund C. Higgins, of New York State, but a native of Connecticut. He and wife are members of Christ Protestant Episcopal church, in which he holds the offices of vestryman and warden.

MATTHIAS EDER, deceased, was born in Williamsport, December 15, 1801, son of Levi and Mercy Eder, natives of Germany and Scotland, respectively. His parents were among the pioneer families of Williamsport, and located on the present site of the new government building. Only one of their children is living, George, a cattle raiser, living in Texas. Our subject was early in life appointed a mail carrier from Williamsport to Muncy, and subsequently was engaged in operating a stage route, doing business under the firm name of Eder & Bailey, and having their stables located on the present site of the Market House. They did an extensive business and became the owners of a line of packet boats which were run on the canal for many years. Mr. Eder was also a stockholder in the Catawissa railroad, and was a contractor in the construction of a canal in West Virginia. He was one of the original stockholders of the Williamsport Water Company, was a charter member and director of the same, and was one of the original stockholders of the West Branch National Bank. Mr. Eder was one of the pioneer lumbermen of Williamsport, having been a member of the firm of Eder, Lentz & White, Eder, Rnggles & Company, and Eder, Housel & Deemer. He erected what is known as the Guy W. Maynard mills, the Reeder and Benedict mills, and several others on the river. He was a Democrat in politics, and died in 1885. Mr. Eder was married in 1859 to Mary T., daughter of John Foresman of Williamsport, who survives him. To this union were born three children : John F., Martha G., and Mary C., all of whom are living.

JOHN F. EDER, bookkeeper and collector for the Williamsport Water Company, was born in Williamsport, June 23, 1861, only son of Matthias and Mary T. Eder. He was educated in the Williamsport high school, and was graduated at Lawrence- ville, New Jersey, in the class of 1881; he assisted his father in business until the death of the latter. He is a stockholder and director of the Williamsport Water Company, and in 1887 was elected to his present position. He was married in 1890, to Lizzie, daughter of Charles B. Metzger, of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, and to this union has been born one child, Marjory. Mr. Eder is a Democrat in politics, and has served as secretary of the city standing committee. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum.

CAPT. JEREMIAH JEFFREY AYRES was born in Ulysses, Tompkins county, New York, in December, 1811. He received a fair education. When scarcely nineteen years of age he shipped on a whaler at New Bedford and spent a year and a half in the Pacific. In 1842 he settled at Williamsport and opened the first bookstore of the city, continuing in the business, with slight interruptions, for a period of about thirty-six years. In 1845 he was appointed postmaster of Williamsport, which office he held until 1849. In 1846 he was appointed by the Lycoming Mutual Insurance Company as the first local agent of that corporation in Williamsport, and

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served in that capacity until 1869. He was again commissioned as postmaster in 1867, and served until 1869. About 1836, while a resident of Ithaca, New York, he was appointed captain of Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth New York Militia; this gave him the military title he so honorably bore to the close of his life. In 1839 Captain Ayres married Miss Cordelia Derby, of Williamsport. He died on the 24th of August, 18SO, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. A wife, two sons, and four daughters survived him. Few men of his time were better known in Williamsport, or died more sincerely regretted. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church.

CHARLES STEWART, son of Alexander Stewart, was born in Nippenose township, February 15, 1816. He received his education at the Kirkpatrick school at Milton, . Pennsylvania, and became a civil engineer. In 1836 he was employed by the Williamsport and Elmira railroad, and finished twenty-five miles of the same to Ralston. In 1838 he was employed as rodman on the Pennsylvania canal during its construction, and in 1839 was appointed assistant engineer of said canal, which office he filled until it was abandoned by the State. He made the first estimate of work on the Sinnemahoning division, and was assistant engineer under Thomas Bennett in the construction of the dam near Lock Haven until 1842, when he was transferred to the position of canal repairer until 1846. He then went to Canada, where he built two lock foundations for the Buhorway canal of ten feet of water. In 1847 he was a contractor on the Hudson river, continuing two years, and on February 15, 1849, he and his brother, William, sailed for California, remaining until 1851 and building three reservoirs for San Francisco. In 1854 he took charge of the building of two locks and dams on the Monongahela river and the repairing of four old locks. In 1859 he made a survey for slackwater on the Big Sandy river, from its mouth to Peach Orchard, for the Peach Orchard Coal Company. In 1861 he surveyed the Little Pine, a branch of the Cumberland river, for a slack- water navigation company. In 1862 he built a railroad for Phelps & Dodge from their mills on Pine creek to the canal. In 1863-64 he was engaged in the Dodge mills. He also built a dam on the Kanawha river, near Charleston. West Virginia. He married Susan, daughter of William Harris, who was once sheriff of Lycoming county. Mr. Stewart died, December 26, 1889, a prominent member of the Second Presbyterian church. He was a Republican in politics, served as city engineer of Williamsport for twenty years, was secretary and treasurer of the Williamsport Bridge Company for many years, was treasurer of Wildwood cemetery for some years, and was a director in the First National Bank of Williamsport. His only child, Joseph G. Stewart, of Williamsport, was born in Woodward township, May 28. 1854. He was educated in the public schools, Dickinson Seminary, and the Williamsport Commercial College. He is a civil engineer by profession, has. followed that occupation for many years, and after the death of his father he was secretary and treasurer of the Williamsport Bridge Company until it was sold to the county. He has also been assistant city engineer of Williamsport, is a stock- holder in the First National Bank, and is a Republican in politics. He was married in 1886 to Anna, daughter of Robert Gibson, and to this union have been born two children: Sarah and Charles.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 84

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