History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 88

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

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EDGAR MUNSON, president of the Williamsport National Bank, and manufacturer of and dealer in lumber, was born, April 21, 1820, in Saratoga county, New York, son of Jesse and Sophia (Tallmadge) Munson. His father was a tanner, currier, shoemaker, and farmer. Our subject was educated in the common schools of his neighborhood, and at academies at Manchester and Bennington, Vermont. At the

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age of fifteen years he began clerking in a store at Saratoga Springs, where he . remained until nineteen. His father's family having removed to Steuben county, New York, he followed them, and secured employment in a store at Bradford, that county. At the age of twenty-seven he became a partner in the mercantile store of Merriman, Munson & Company; at the death of his brother in 1866 he assumed the entire proprietorship, and continued to do business there until 1870. In 1854 he became financially interested in saw mills and timber lands along Kettle creek, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, and in 1864, in company with Col. S. W. Stark- weather, he purchased mills in Williamsport. He removed to this city in 1870 and has since devoted his time to his various enterprises. In 1883 his sons, C. L. and Robert H., were admitted to a partnership in the lumber and planing mill business, and the firm at once added to their enterprise the manufacture of sash, door-blinds, and box-shooks. Mr. Munson was a director and president of the Syracuse, Geneva, and Corning railroad during its construction; it is now a part of the Fall Brook system. He is president of the West Branch Lumber Company and is largely interested in the Kettle Creek Coal Mining Company, being one of the owners of 14,000 acres of coal lands in that region. He is also a member of the Lycoming Rubber Company, and having succeeded George L. Sanderson to the presidency of the Williamsport National Bank, he continues to be its efficient chief executive officer. He is a Democrat in his political proclivities, and while living in Bradford, Steuben county, New York, he served that town as super- visor and superintendent of schools. Mr. Munson was married, June 15, 1852, to Lucy Maria, daughter of Amos and Louisa (Johnson) Curtis, of Connecticut, and to this union have been born three children: C. L .; Robert H., and Edwin C., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Munson are members of the Episcopal church, of which he is vestryman. Having begun the manufacture of lumber in 1854, Mr. Munson is consequently one of the oldest lumber merchants in Lycoming county, as well as one of the most successful, and is a gentleman highly respected.

JOHN NORRIS WILLIAMS was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1801, and died in this city, May 10, 1862. He was a son of Joseph Williams, a native of Morris county, New Jersey, born October 31, 1770, who after reaching manhood, located in Williamsport, where he married Letitia, daughter of Amariah Sutton, one of the first settlers of the West Branch valley. Joseph Williams was a civil engineer by profession, and followed that vocation during the earlier years of the county's history. Many of the old unseated land warrants in middle and western Pennsylvania were plotted by him, and are still used in legal proceedings. John Norris Williams married Ann Clark, who was born in England, August 28, 1799, and died in Williamsport, December 17, 1889. Their children were as follows: Letitia Ann, wife of Henry A. Bumgardner of Williamsport; Joseph J., of Philadelphia; Mary Elizabeth, who married Aaron Gandy, both of whom are dead; Rachel Smith, wife of Benjamin Bennett of Williamsport; Martha M., wife of Adam C. Brown of the same city, and Samuel Norris. Mrs. Williams was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

SAMUEL NORRIS WILLIAMS was born in the house now standing on Fourth street, facing Cemetery street, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1841, and is the youngest son of John Norris Williams. He received his education in the public

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

schools of his boyhood days, and later attended a private school and Dickinson Seminary, closing his school days by a business course at Bryant, Stratton and Bannister's College, Philadelphia. On his return from school he kept books for two years, and then became interested in the lumber business with Charles Runstead, which he continued for six years. He next became identified with the Star mill, and at the same time a member of the firm of Finney, Williams, & Company. This firm continued in business for three years, when Mr. Finney retired, and the firm of Williams & Foresman was organized and is still in active business. Mr. Williams is one of the original stockholders of the Lycoming Rubber Company, which was organized in August, 1882, and since the organization he has filled the positions of secretary, treasurer, and general manager of the company. He is a director in the First National Bank of Williamsport, and is one of the representative business men of the city, as well as a gentleman of commendable enterprise and public spirit. He is an ardent Republican, and represents the Sixth ward in the city council. Mr. Williams served with the Emergency Men during Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, and his deepest sympathies were with the cause of the Union. He was married, November 21, 1866, to Mary Alice, daughter of D. Watson and Margaret (McCor- mick) Foresman, who is a descendant of two of the pioneer families of White Deer valley.

BENJAMIN C. BOWMAN was born in Chenango township, Broome county, New York, April 7, 1818, and is a son of Ebenezer and Sylvia P. (Barnaby) Bowman. His mother died when he was thirteen years of age, and his father, who was a native of Vermont, returned to that State. Our subject was reared near Binghamton, New York, and attended the public schools of that city. After his mother's death he removed to Great Bend, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in working on a farm, until reaching his majority. He was married, January 8, 1840, to Eliza Ann Buck, of Susquehanna county, who has been a faithful helpmate for over fifty-two years. Herented a farm in that county, upon which he remained two years, and then removed to Centre county and engaged in the lumber business. He commenced by purchasing an old saw mill and a tract of timber land, which he cleared and mannfactured into lumber, rafting the product down the Moshannon. He subsequently erected a steam mill near Phillipsburg, Centre county, and hauled his lumber on wagons to Clearfield creek, upon which he rafted it down to the river and thence to market, and he was one of the first men to float logs via the Susquehanna to Williamsport. From a small beginning Mr. Bowman became one of the most extensive lumber operators in Centre and Clearfield counties. In June, 1864, he located in Williamsport and purchased the Star Mills, under the firm name of Bar- rows, Bowman & Company, which they operated for many years, the name of the firm having been changed in the meantime to Bowman, Foresman & Company. Mr. Bowman is a member of the firm of B. C. Bowman & Company, and Bowman, Foresman & Company, and is president of the Bowman Lumber Company of West Virginia. He is recognized as one of the most prominent lumber operators in the Susquehanna valley, and owes his success to his indomitable pluck, wonderful perse- verance, and close attention to the details of his business. He has been connected with the Susquehanna Boom Company for many years, and is now president of the company. He has been president of the Lycoming Rubber Company since its

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

organization, was vice-president of the Lumberman's National Bank, and is now vice-president of the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company. He is a director in the Williamsport Gas Company, and is financially interested in other institutions. Mr. Bowman has always been a supporter of the Democratic party, and manifests an active interest in public affairs. He has two surviving children: Francis C., of the Lycoming Rubber Company, and James Walton, employed in his father's office. He is president of the board of trustees of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, and is the steward of that organization. He is a trustee of Dick- inson Seminary, also of the Young Men's Christian Association, and gives liberally of his means to the support of religious, charitable, and educational institutions.

GEORGE S. BANGER is the third son of William and Mary Banger, and was born at the United States Arsenal, on the Schuylkill river, in the City of Philadelphia, August 16, 1828. His mother was a Matlack, and came from Revolutionary stock. Her grandfather, Seth Matlack, was captain of a military company, and with four other brothers served in the Continental Army, one of them being colonel of his regiment. The company in which her father served belonged to this regiment.

Mr. Banger's grandfather, Timothy Banger, came from England to Philadel- phia in 1795, and had a letter of introduction from Rev. Elhannan Winchester of London, England, to Dr. Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia. At that time the seat of government was in the latter city, with Washington as president of the United States. Dr. Rush presented this young Englishman to President Wash- ington, who gave him a position in what was then known as the war depart- ment. On the completion of the Schuylkill Arsenal at Philadelphia, in 1800, he was transferred to that office. He remained there for a number of years until the commissary general's office was established in Philadelphia, where he was appointed chief clerk, and filled that position until President Van Buren's administration, thus serving the government through eight administrations, and covering a period of about forty years.

William Banger, the son of Timothy, and father of George S. Banger, was born in Philadelphia, in 1800. On attaining his majority he was appointed to a clerkship in the Schulykill Arsenal. He was advanced to the position of chief clerk, and, for some years, filled the position of military store keeper. He remained there, with a short interval, until the war broke out in 1861, when he was transferred to New York City, as chief clerk in the department of contracts and purchases, under General Stanton, where he remained until the war closed, when the office was abol- ished. Thus, father and son, served under the government continuously, from Washington's administration, until Grant's administration-almost the lifetime of the Republic.

The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Philadelphia, and graduated from the high school, when he was about sixteen years of age. In 1846 he entered the office of Samuel L. Clement, a prominent conveyancer of that city, and after four years' study of the conveyancing and real estate business, he opened an office for himself, and followed that vocation until May, 1855, when he removed to Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In that year he, with William A. McCann of Phila- delphia, and Hiram Craft of Elmira, built the first planing mill erected in Williams-

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

port, subsequently known as the Weed and Allen mill. He entered the office of the Susquehanna Boom Company in May, 1862, as secretary of the company. In addi- tion to the office of secretary, he was the acting treasurer of the company for a period of fifteen years. Since September, 1868, he has been the stated clerk of the Northumberland Baptist Association, and for twenty-four years he has been the clerk of the first Baptist church of Williamsport, with which he has been con- nected since 1855. In 1867 he was elected a school director from the Fifth ward, and was re-elected in 1870. He was president of the board in 1871. He has fre- quently been urged to represent his ward in the city council, but persistently declined to allow his name to be used for that or any other office. On the 19th of June, 1850, Mr. Banger was married to Miss Sally E. Hollingshead of Philadel- phia. Four children were born to them: Frank Judson, deceased; M. Helen; Lizzie H., deceased, and Ida M., wife of Charles A. Bowman of Williamsport. His second marriage was with Mrs. Emma K. Mulford, daughter of the late Rev. Joseph H. Kennard, D. D., of Philadelphia, which occurred May 7, 1879. Mrs. Banger died, December 1, 1882. He subsequently married Miss Adele M., daughter of Levi Peabody Dodge, late of Newburgh, New York. Mr. Banger is still the secre- tary of the Susquehanna Boom Company, having filled that office for a period of thirty years.

D. WATSON FORESMAN was the youngest son of Robert Foresman, and was born in Washington township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1812. He was reared on the homestead farm, and in 1833 married Margaret S., daughter of Seth McCormick, a native of the same township. She bore him the following children: D. Hammond and Robert M., both deceased; Seth T .; Mary Alice, wife of S. N. Williams; James S .; Eliza S., wife of J. E. Baker; Hannah, wife of A. J. Updegraff; Sarah P., wife of C. P. Tiers; Alvina, deceased, and Henry M. Mr. Foresman was a farmer all his life, and removed from White Deer valley to Montour county in 1844, and afterward to Northumberland county. In 1854 he rented the Judge Robert Grier farm, which is now within the limits of Williamsport, upon which he lived many years. Here his wife died, February 9, 1874; he survived her nearly six years, was again married, and died, October 16, 1879. He was a ruling elder in the Third Presbyterian church of Williamsport, and was a life-long adherent of the Democratic party. Mr. Foresman was a plain, unassuming, and worthy citizen, and reared a large and respected family. Though unable to leave his children wealth, he left to them the rich legacy of an honest name.

DAVID HAMMOND FORESMAN was born in Washington township, Lycoming county, February 15, 1834, and was the eldest son of D. Watson Foresman. He was reared a farmer, and his tastes always ran to agricultural pursuits. He was educated at the McEwensville Academy, and taught school in Northumberland and Lycoming counties for several years. In 1854 he came to Williamsport with his parents, and was a resident of this city without interruption, except five years, when he lived at McEwensville. He was a stanch Democrat, and took a deep interest in political affairs. He served several terms in the city council from the Sixth ward, was one of the most vigilant members of that body, and was chairman of the high- way committee until elected president of the council in 1877. For two years he was president of the Lycoming County Agricultural Society, and was a member

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of the State Board of Agriculture. He served as agent for the Grier estate in this city for many years. He also became largely identified with the Lycoming Rubber Company a few years before his death, and took an active interest in the business of that flourishing enterprise. Mr. Foresman married Rebecca, daughter of John Reighard, of the "Long Reach," to whom were born three sons and one daughter: Robert; Chester; Anna, wife of William I. Selser of Philadelphia, and Grier, all of whom are living, as is also his widow. He died, April 21, 1887, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. Mr. Foresman was a genial and affable gentleman, and had many friends in the community. He was a director in the Lycoming National Bank at the time of his death, and was recognized as a man who never faltered in the discharge of his duty.

SETH T. FORESMAN, lumber dealer and manufacturer, was born in Washington township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1838, and is the oldest surviving son of D. Watson and Margaret S. Foresman, and a grandson of Robert Foresman, one of the pioneers of White Deer valley. He was reared under the parental roof, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age, assisting his father to support the family. He received a common school education, and taught school two winter terms, and with the money thus acquired he took a course of two years at Dickinson Seminary. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany D, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, served four months, and then returned home to assist in tilling the farm. He afterward went out with the Emergency Men during Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania. In 1864 he engaged in contracting, and built the two large basins at the foot of Rose street, also the lumber branch of the Philadelphia and Erie railroad, from the Star Mills to Hepburn street. He followed contracting four years, and then organized the firm of Frow, Foresman & Company. They erected a planing mill on the site of the Otto furniture plant. and conducted a mill and lumber yard. In 1872 Mr. Foresman became a member of the lumber firm of S. N. Williams & Company, but their plant was burned in April, 1873. He then found employment in the Star Mills, and in 1874 he and Mr. Williams purchased a one-third interest in the business. In 1876 they became sole proprietors, and the firm of Williams & Foresman was then established. From that time up to the present they have carried on business very successfully, and are recognized as one of the prominent lumber firms of Williamsport. Mr. Fores- man is also a member of Bowman, Foresman & Company, and of the Bowman Lumber Company of West Virginia. He is a large stockholder in the Lycoming Rubber Company, is a director in the Binghamton Railroad Company, is an active supporter of the Board of Trade, and a charter member of the Ross Club.

Mr. Foresman was married, December 9, 1862, to Sallie E., daughter of Samuel Updegraff, of the "Long Reach," and has a family of two sons and two daughters, as follows: John; George; Laura, wife of Frank Robb, and Ruth Mac. The family are adherents of the Third Presbyterian church, and Mr. Foresman has been a K. T. in the Masonic order for twenty-five years. He has always been a stanch Democrat, and an unswerving advocate of Democratic principles. In 1882 he was a candidate for legislative honors, and came within two votes of receiving the nomination. He is a member of the select council, and takes a very active interest in public affairs. Mr. Foresman gives his earnest support to every proj- ect that tends to the general welfare and prosperity of Williamsport.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

ROBERT M. FORSMAN was born in Washington township, Lycoming county, Feb- ruary 29, 1836, and died in Williamsport, March 6, 1889. He was the second son of D. Watson Forsman, and removed with his parents to Montour county, in 1844, and subsequently to Northumberland county, and thence to Williamsport in 1854, which he made his home up to his death. He received a common school education, and in early manhood engaged in the lumber business. He continued to prosecute that line of trade very successfully throughout his business career. In 1877 he gave up the lumber business in Williamsport for a more lucrative field of operations in Wisconsin, where he was interested until the close of his life. Mr. Forsman was married, August 13, 1859, to Anna Nichols of Williamsport, who bore him the following children: Florence, wife of Rev. Francis T. Madge; Frank; Harry H .; Stanton, and Stanley, all of whom are living. In his political affiliations Mr. Forsman was a Republican, and was a member of Reno Post, G. A. R. During the latter part of the war he served as a lieutenant in a cavalry com- pany. He was a member of the common council several terms, and was twice president of that body. Mr. Forsman was an open-hearted, genial, and hospitable man, was noted for his love of home and family, and was a progressive, liberal, and public spirited citizen. He took an active part in establishing the Williamsport Steam Company, and was secretary and treasurer of that institution until a short time before his death.

FRANK FORSMAN, lumber dealer, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Janu- ary 29, 1863, and is the eldest son of Robert Forsman. He was educated in the public schools and at Cheltanham Academy, and after leaving school he engaged in the lumber business with his father, and afterward was a member of the firm of Luppert & Forsman. In July, 1890, he became a member of H. W. Jenkins & Company, and in August, 1891, he purchased his partner's interest. Mr. Forsman was married, June 3, 1890, to Esther, daughter of David Wilson of Harrisburg. He is a Republican, and both he and wife are members of Trinity Protestant Episcopal church.

WILLIAM HOWARD, of the firm of Howard & Perley, lumber manufacturers, was born in Yorkshire, England, August 13, 1831, son of John and Hannah (Lock- wood) Howard, who lived and died in their native land. He received his educa- tion in England, and learned the stonemason's trade. In 1854 he came to the United States, located at Reading, Pennsylvania, and worked a short time for the Lebanon Valley Railroad Company in building a bridge near the city of Reading. He came to Williamsport in August, 1854, and worked on the dam on the Susque- hanna, near that city. He next found employment with the Water Mill Company for a few years, and in 1857 he went into the lumber woods and engaged in that business. Some time later he organized the firm of C. B. & W. Howard, and engaged in the lumber business as log stockers. In 1863 he purchased land in Cameron county, and operated there until 1887. In 1866 Mr. Howard went into partnership with John R. Cooke & Company, purchased the saw mill now operated by Howard & Perley, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He was later a member of the firm of Slonaker, Howard & Company, which was merged into that of Howard, Perley & Howard, and finally became Howard & Perley. Mr. Howard is one of the pioneer lumbermen of Williamsport, and has been prominent in the lumber

Ihm Howard

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

interests in this section of the State for many years, dividing his time between Williamsport and Cameron county. He is a stanch Democrat, and while living in Emporium was burgess of that borough for two terms, and served two terms as county commissioner of Cameron county. He was also a member of the borough council of Emporium for several years, and has served two years in the common council of Williamsport. Mr. Howard was one of the organizers and is a stock- holder and director in the First National Bank of Emporium, and was one of the organizers of the Emporium Water Company, and is a director in that institution. He is a stockholder and director in the Lycoming Rubber Company, of which he was one of the organizers: he was active in securing the removal of the Demorest Sewing Machine Works to Williamsport, and gave liberally of his means in further- ance of that project: he is a stockholder in the West Branch National Bank, and a member of the Board of Trade and of the Ross Club. Mr. Howard was married December 28, 1853, to Mary Woodhead, a native of England, and has one son, Samuel T., who is employed with the firm of Howard & Perley. He and wife are members of Trinity Protestant Episcopal church, and he is a vestryman in that organization. He is a prominent Mason, and is connected with the lodge, chapter, commandery, and consistory.

ALLEN P. PERLEY, manufacturer of lumber, was born in Oldtown, Penobscott county, Maine, March 8, 1845, son of Dr. Daniel J. and Mary (Lovejoy) Perley. His father was a native of Ipswich, Massachusetts, and practiced his profession for sixty years in the State of Maine. His mother was born in Kennebec county, Maine, and both died in Penobscott county, in that State. Our subject was reared and educated in his native county, and began his business life as a clerk in a mercantile house, which he followed several years. In 1865 he came to Williamsport, and accepted the position of bookkeeper at George Zimmer & Company's planing mills; in 1869 he purchased an interest in the firm which he retained until 1873. He next engaged in bookkeeping for Daniel W. Smith, and in July, 1874, he became book- keeper for Slonaker, Howard & Company. In 1879 he purchased Mr. Slonaker's interest, and engaged in the lumber business under the firm name of Howard, Perley & Howard. In January, 1887, C. B. Howard retired from the firm, and Mr. Perley and William Howard have since continued the business under the name of Howard & Perley. This firm ranks high among the lumber dealers of Williamsport; they have large interests in Clinton and Potter counties, and are the owners of twelve miles of railroad in the lumber field. Mr. Perley is a director in the West Branch National Bank, and is one of the substantial business men of the city. He is a Republican, and has served one term in the city council. He is a member of Lodge No. 106, F. & A. M. Mr. Perley has been twice married. His first mar- riage, to Clara, daughter of Albert Lovejoy, of Gardner, Maine, occurred September 1. 1869. She died in January, 1886, leaving five children: Margaret Lovejoy; Har- riet Scott; Fred A. ; Martha C., and A. P., Jr. He was again married, in 1888, to Ann Stowell, a native of New York State. He and wife are members of Christ Episcopal church, in which he holds the office of vestryman.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 88

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