History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 92

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

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JOHN J. METZGER, president judge, was born June 20, 1838, in Clinton township son of George and Susan (Dietrick) Metzger. He was educated in the public schools and Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport. After teaching shool for five terms he began the study of law in 1858, under the tuition of A. J. Dietrick, of Williams-

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port, and completed the same under C. D. Emery. He was admitted to the Lycoming county bar in April, 1860. In 1862 he was elected district attorney for a term of three years. In 1866 he was a member of the city council. In 1871 he formed a partnership with Guy C. Hinman, which lasted for some time. From 1869 to 1872 he was connected with the Williamsport board of education. In 1872 he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. He was elected pres- ident judge of Lycoming county in 1888. He was married in 1858 to Hannah Margaret Hess, and to their union were born five children: Verus H., deceased attorney and ex-State Senator; Ella J .; George B. M. Mcclellan, an attorney; Floy May, and Hannah Margaret. Mrs. Metzger died in March, 1870. Judge Metzger went out twice with the Emergency Men during the late war, and is a member of the G. A. R. He is a Democrat in politics and belongs to the Lutheran church. As a lawyer Judge Metzger attained distinction at the bar, and since he has been on the bench he has given satisfaction on account of the ability he has shown and the fairness of his decisions.

VERUS H. METZGER was one of the prominent young members of the Lycoming county bar, and was engaged in active practice up to his death, May 28, 1891. He was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1859, and was a son of Hon. J. J. Metzger. He was educated in the public schools and at Dickinson Seminary, and graduated from Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, in 1878. He read law with his father, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1881. Mr. Metzger was active in local politics, and in 1883 he was elected district attorney of Lycoming county, serving three years. In 1886 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the State Senate, and served with credit in that body during his term of four years. He was a member of Company G, Twelfth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsyl- vania, and served five years. Mr. Metzger was married in 1884, to Lulu, danghter of A. Conradi, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, who bore him two children: John J. and Clementine.

GEORGE B. M. METZGER, attorney at law, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1864, son of Hon. J. J. and Hannah M. (Hess) Metzger. He was educated in the public schools and at Dickinson Seminary, and subsequently attended Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg; he completed his course at Lafayette College, Easton, graduating from the latter institution in 1884. He read law with his father, and was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county in April, 1887. He commenced practice in partnership with his father and brother, and has since been engaged in the duties of his calling. Mr. Metzger was married in 1883, to Mary, daughter of Philip Wagner, of Easton, Pennsylvania, and has four children; Ella Zaidee; Clarice Geraldine; Hannah Margaret, and Mary W. The family belongs to St. Paul's Lutheran church of Williamsport.

CHARLES KING GEDDES is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father's great-grand- father, James Geddes, with his wife and three sons, Paul, William, and Samuel. emigrated from County Antrim, Ireland, to Pennsylvania, in 1752. William after- wards settled in Cumberland county, and was the father of seven children. John, his second son, born in 1766, studied medicine, and practiced in Newville, Cumber- land county, until his death, in 1840. He married Elizabeth Peebles, daughter of Capt. William Peebles of the American army, who was killed in the battle of Long

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Island in 1776. They had nine children. John Peebles Geddes, their third child, born in 1799, studied medicine, and practiced with his father until his death, in 1837. In 1825 he married Catharine Irwin Maclay, daughter of Hon. William Maclay of Fannettsburg, Franklin county, Pennsylvania. William Maclay's father, John Maclay, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, May 10, 1734, just fourteen days before his father, Charles Maclay, with his wife and infant son, sailed for Pennsylvania. They settled first in Chester county. removing in 1741 to what is now Lurgan township, Franklin county. John Maclay was an ardent patriot during the Revolution, and was a delegate to the Provincial Conference which met June IS, 1776, in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia. He afterwards served three terms in the Pennsylvania legislature. His brothers, William and Samuel, were identified with the history of the West Branch valley during its early settlement, and both were afterwards United States Senators from this State. John Maclay had nine children. William, the fifth child, born in 1765, settled in Fannettsburg. He served two terms in the House, and one term in the Senate of Pennsylvania, also two terms in Congress, and was appointed associate judge of Franklin county. He had twelve children. Catharine, his fifth child, born in 1799, married Dr. John Peebles Geddes in 1825. She died in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1873. They had six children.

Charles King Geddes. their fifth child, was born in Newville, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1834. His father dying in 1837, left him, with his sister and brothers, to the care of his widowed mother. But she was of the sturdy Scotch-Irish stock, and, though with slender means, determined to give her children a good education. In 1844 she removed to Chambersburg, where Charles attended the academy. In September, 1849, he entered the Sophomore class of Jefferson College, at Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, where he graduated, August 4, 1852. He then engaged in teaching. He taught near Pittsburg; was principal of Milnwood Academy, at Shade Gap, Pennsylvania; also of the public schools of New London, Missouri, and Kittanning, Pennsylvania, and of the Preparatory Depart- ment of Jefferson College, where he received the degree of M. A. In 1857 he studied law with James H. Hopkins of Pittsburg, and was admitted to the bar of Allegheny county, September 4, 1859. His health failing he resumed teaching. He taught in Virginia one year; was principal of Mount Lebanon Academy near Pittsburg: at McNair's Academy, Summitt, Mississippi, and New Orleans, Louis- iana; and in St. Thomas Hall Military Institute, Holly Springs, Mississippi. While here the civil war began, and two months later he succeeded in getting North. In October, 1861, he took charge of the academy at Williamsburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania, and in April, 1862, he became principal of the Savannah Male and Female Academy, at Savannah, Ashland county, Ohio. On the 28th of June, 1864, he resigned this position, and September 26, 1864, he located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. November 22, 1864, he was admitted to the Lycoming county bar, and since that time he has continued to reside and practice his profession in Williamsport. Mr. Geddes was married, January 28, 1874, to Sarah, eldest daughter of Henry Sproul of Williamsport, formerly of Pittsburg. She died, February 9, 1891, leaving two children, Margaret Sproul, born in 1876, and John Maclay, born in 1881. In religion Mr. Geddes, like all of his ancestors for the last

Eng. vy F. G Kernan,NY

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200 years, is a Presbyterian of the Old School. In politics, he is a Democrat. He has never held any public office.

O. H. REIGHARD, lawyer, was born in what is now the Seventh ward, Williams- port, Pennsylvania, July 12, 1840, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Henry) Reighard, natives of Dauphin and Lehigh counties, Pennsylvania, respectively. Daniel Reighard was born in 1802, and came with his father, John Reighard, to Newberry, Lycoming county, in 1811, where he was one of the first settlers. John Reighard died in 1813, leaving a large family. Daniel engaged in farming, and served as , justice of the peace for several years; he also erected and operated a tannery for a number of years in the Seventh ward. In 1851 he moved to Jersey Shore and engaged in the hotel business, and died there in 1862. His wife was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church. The subject of this sketch removed with his parents to Jersey Shore, and received his education in the Jersey Shore Academy. He worked at the printer's trade for nine months, when failing health compelled him to discontinue that business. He then entered the law office of Judge James Gamble, of Jersey Shore, and after a thorough course of study he was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1863. He sold his father's hotel property the same year, and moved to Williamsport. Soon afterwards he went to the oil fields of Pennsyl- vania, and was quite successful as a producer and refiner, but the money he made in these operations was lost by the failure of the banks in which it was deposited. In 1865 he returned to Williamsport, and devoted himself assiduously to the practice of the law. In 1868 he was elected on the Democratic ticket district attorney of Lycoming county, and filled the office for one term with credit and ability. In 1872 he was a candidate for mayor of Williamsport, but was defeated, as there were four candidates in the field, and as his party was largely in the minority. In 1874 MIr. Reighard was elected to the legislature, and during his term of two years he was chairman of the committee on appropriations, was a member of the judiciary committee, and also of the general committee on constitutional reform. He was also chairman of the special committee to investigate the State treasury. In 1876 he was prominently named as a Democratic candidate for Congress, and could have had the nomination, but refused to accept it. Since that time Mr. Reighard has not been actively engaged in politics. He was married, January 1, 1SS5, to Lizzie, daughter of Judge James Gamble, and has one son, James Gamble. He and wife are members of the First Presbyterian church, of Williamsport, and he was an active member of the building committee in the erection of the new church building. Mr. Reighard was largely interested in lumber and manufacturing industries of the city several years. He has valuable real estate interests, and in 1884 he erected the Reighard Block, on West Fourth street. Since 1886 his failing health has prevented him from attending to his legal practice, which he has gradually given up. He is a director in the Lycoming National Bank, the Savings Institution, and the Williamsport Water Company, aud is president of the Brandon Park Commission. He is a director of Bald Eagle Valley Railroad Company, also of the Valentine Iron Company, and his many and varied interests during the years of his residence in Williamsport have made him one of the busiest as well as one of the most prominent citizens of his native county.

J. CLINTON HILL, attorney at law, was born, June 11, 1841, at Hughesville, 44

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Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and is the eldest son of Dr. George Hill of Hughesville. He graduated at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, in 1864, his college course having been somewhat interrupted by service in the army. For one year he taught as professor of mathematics in Missionary Institute, at Selinsgrove, and then commenced reading law with J. & W. H. Armstrong. He was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of the law in Williamsport, in February, 1867. On the 8th of September, 1870, he was married to Catharine C., daughter of Henry Weise, of Hagerstown, Maryland, and has four children. Mr. Hill was the Republican candidate for district attorney in 1868, and was solicitor of Williams- , port from 1871 until 1874. He served as a member of the common council, and was president of that body during the years 1887 and 1888. He has been a member of the school board at different times, and attorney for his school district and for the overseers of the poor of the city of Williamsport. He is a member of the common council at the present time, and president of that body. Mr. Hill was one of the organizers of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, of Williamsport, and since its organization he has served on its board of directors and as its attorney. He is also a director in the Renovo Electric Light, Heat, and Power Company, the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, of Sunbury, the West Branch Building and Loan Association, the Williamsport Board of Trade, and other organizations. He is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church of Williamsport, and has been one of its trustees since its organization. For the past six years he has been treasurer of the Susquehanna Synod of the Lutheran church. Mr. Hill has devoted his attention principally to the practice of his profession, and is one of the well. known members of the Lycoming county bar.

CHARLES BARTLES, JR., attorney at law, was born in Flemington, New Jersey, in October, 1843, and is a son of Charles and Eliza (Hart) Bartles of that place. His ancestors on the paternal side were of German origin, and settled in New Jersey during the war of Frederick the Great. The Harts came from Scotland prior to the Revolution, with John Witherspoon, the first president of Princeton College. The subject of this sketch was reared in Flemington, and was educated at Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He graduated at the Harvard Law School in the class of 1867, with the degree of LL. B., and was immediately afterwards admitted to practice in the courts of Boston, Massachusetts. In the summer of 1867 he came to Williamsport, and in September was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county, and subsequently to the Supreme court of Pennsylvania, and the Federal courts of the United States. For the past twenty-five years he has been engaged in the active practice of the law in Williamsport, and has built up a large and successful business. Mr. Bartles has taken an active interest in the manufacturing growth of the city, and was instru- quental in starting the Solar Oil Company. He has also been interested in lumber operations, and is a director in the Caledonia Coal Company, Dents Run Coal Com- pany, and the Deer Creek Coal Company, and is counsel for the same, and is also interested in private enterprises of coal and coke. Politically he has always been an ardent Republican, and has taken an active part in promoting the interests of that party. Mr. Bartles married Mary E. Bell of Pittsburg, and has four children: Charles; Charlotte; Frederick, and Marie. He is a member of the Masonic order, and the family are attendants of Trinity Protestant Episcopal church.

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HERBERT T. AMES, attorney at law, was born in Sullivan township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, June 7, 1844, son of Thomas W. and Mary A. (Card) Ames. He was reared in his native county, received his education in the public schools, and grad- uated from Mansfield Normal School in June, 1867. He subsequently entered the law department of Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was admitted to the bar of Washtenaw county, Michigan, March 18, 1869, by examination in the circuit court. In June following he was admitted to the bar of Tioga conuty, Penn- sylvania, and came to Williamsport, July 20, 1869. He entered the law office of Maynard, Eutermarks & Parker, and remained with them until June 1, 1870, when he opened an office for himself. He practiced alone until 1886, and then formed a partnership with Thomas H. Hammond, and the firm of Ames & Hammond has since been one of the well known legal firms of Williamsport. In 1888 Mr. Ames was requested on petition of 1,000 citizens of the county to be a candidate for presi- dent judge, but declined to run. He is a stanch Prohibitionist, is an active worker for the principles of that party, and was the Prohibition candidate for Con- gress in this district in 1890. Mr. Ames has served in the city council, and was unanimously elected president of the select council, and by virtue of his office as president he was chairman of the committee that funded the city debt. He is a stockholder in the Merchants' National Bank, and is treasurer of the Keystone Paint Company of Muncy. Mr. Ames was married, December 21, 1886, to Lizzie W., daughter of Jacob Wise, of Lycoming county, and has two children: Mary C. and Thomas W. He is a member of Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church, is a trustee and steward of that body, and has been superintendent of the Sunday school for nine years. In 1884 he was a lay delegate to the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodest Episcopal church. Mr. Ames started in life poor, and has attained his present rank in the legal profession by hard work, unflagging energy, and in- domitable perseverance.

JAMES L. MEREDITH, attorney at law, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1838, son of Isaac and Thomazine (Pennock) Meredith. His parents were natives of Chester county, and were Quakers. His mother still survives, but his father died in that county, in 1874. Mr. Meredith is the eldest of four children, and grew to manhood in his native county. After pursuing the required preparatory studies he entered Union College, New York, where he graduated in 1865. He read law under the late Hon. Daniel M. Smyser, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. In the spring of 1868 he came to Williamsport, where he has since continued in the active duties of his profession, and practices in all the courts of the State. Mr. Meredith is an adherent of the Republican party, and in 1871 he was elected to the office of city recorder, which position he filled four years. He was chairman of the Republican county committee in 1878. He has been a member of the school board from the Sixth ward of Williamsport, and president of the board one year and its solicitor for two years. Mr. Meredith was married in October, 1867, to Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. C. C. Joslin, of Johnstown, New York. Their only child, a son, died in 1889 at the age of twenty years. Mr. Meredith follows in the footsteps of his ancestors, by adhering to the Quaker faith, while his wife is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church.

WILLIAM W. HART, attorney at law, was born in Clinton township, Lycoming

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county, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1843, son of Adam Hart, a farmer during his life time, and Eleanor (Pollock) Hart. He attended the public schools of his neigh- borhood and completed his studies at the Tuscarora Academy and Dickinson Seminary. He then began the study of law under J. J. Metzger, was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county in 1869, and has since been engaged in the active duties of his profession. In 1874 he was elected district attorney of the county; he was re-elected in 1877, serving in that office six consecutive years. In 1882 he was elected to the State Senate, to represent the district embracing the counties of Lycoming, Columbia, Sullivan, and Montour, and served his full term of four years. Mr. Hart was a member of the judiciary committee, and also of the committee on municipal affairs and education, and that on canals and inland navigation. He has always been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and an ardent advocate of Democratic measures and principles. In 1884 he was an alternate delegate to the Democratic national convention held at Chicago; four years latter he represented the Sixteenth congressional district at the Democratic national convention in St. Louis, and cast his vote for Grover Cleveland. He was one of the organizers of the Merchants' National Bank, of Williamsport, and is a director in, and solicitor for that institution. Mr. Hart was married in December, 1877, to Frances L., daughter of Dr. Hugh Montgomery, of Muncy, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport, to which society his wife also belongs. Mr. Hart is now serving as solicitor for the board of commissioners, and is recognized as one of the successful members of the bar.

JOHN J. REARDON, attorney at law, was both in Chester county, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1852. He was reared upon his father's farm, attended the public schools of his district, and completed his education at Maplewood Institute, Dela- ware county, Penusylvania. Mr. Reardon came to Williamsport in the spring of 1872, followed the vocation of teaching, and during this time commenced reading law in the office of Hon. H. C. McCormick. He prosecuted his studies diligently, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1875. He commenced practice in May, 1876, and continued in the active duties thereof up to 1880, when he was elected district attorney of Lycoming county and served in that position three years. He has since devoted his attention to his professional duties, and has won and retained a good practice in all the courts. He is an active and influential Democrat, and has done good service for his party in both county and State politics. He served as chair- man of the Democratic county committee in 1879, 1880, and 1881. Though not seeking it, he received the nomination of his party for Congress in 1890. Mr. Reardon is a member of the Ross Club, and stands high both as a lawyer and a gentleman. He was married in 1884, to Mary P. Grafius, of Lycoming county, a daughter of John S. and Sarah (Pollock) Grafius. He and wife are members of the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport.

JAMES B. KRAUSE, attorney at law, was born in Aaronsburg, Centre county, Penn- sylvania, October 8, 1854. He is a son of Rev. A. Krause, a retired itinerant Evangelical minister, and Louisa (Barber) Krause, a daughter of the Rev. James Barber, of Union county, Pennsylvania. He received his education in the common schools of Baltimore, Maryland, and at Glen Rock Academy, York county, Penn- sylvania, and the Union Seminary, Union county, Pennsylvania. He afterwards

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engaged in teaching in Lycoming county, and had charge of a school in Warrens- ville, and subsequently of schools in Anthony and Loyalsock townships. Mr. Krause read law with Hon. O. H. Reighard of Williamsport, and was admitted to the bar in Jannary, 1878. He soon won a good practice, and is recognized as one of the industrious and able attorneys of the Lycoming county bar. He was the attorney for the school board of Williamsport for a number of years, and also for the poor district of the city. He is the projector and organizer of Vallamont, a beautiful suburb of Williamsport, and has been active in the development of that enterprise. Mr. Krause has always been a stanch Republican, was chairman of the Young Men's Republican Club, of Williamsport, in the Garfield campaign, and has been chair- man and secretary of the Republican county committee. He has twice refused the nomination for district attorney, when an election was possible. Mr. Krause was married, May 11, 1882, to Maggie, daughter of Mark A. Champion, of Williams- port, and has one son, Mark C. He is a member of the Masonic fraternities, and is one of the enterprising citizens of his adopted home.

HENRY G. TROXELL, attorney at law, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1853, son of David H. and Lavina (Weiss) Troxell, natives of Chil- lisqnaque township, Northumberland county. His father was for many years a butcher in the city market, but is now retired from active business. He served as overseer of the poor in the city, and is a prominent member of Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church. His wife died, November 22, 1890, having borne him a family of six children. The subject of this sketch was the third child, and has always resided in his native city. He received his education in the public schools of Will- iamsport and at Dickinson Seminary. After completing his education he first worked on the Nicholson pavement, then in the shingle mills of L. C. Kinyon for three seasons, and next at Pennell & Zimmer's planing mill one season. He subse- quently learned the bricklayer's trade, at which he worked for some time. In 1874 he entered the law office of Charles Bartles, Jr., and read law for three years. He was admitted to the bar in 1878, and has since practiced his profession in the courts of Lycoming county. He was elected to the common council in 1889, and is still a member of that body. He is a member of the Democratic State committee, and has been connected with the county committee for several years, having always taken an active interest in the success of his party. Mr. Troxell was married in 1880 to Lena Williams, of New York State, and has one child, Harry La Rue. His wife is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, while he adheres to the Methodist Episcopal.

COL. JAMES B. CORYELL, lawyer, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 4, 1856, son of John B. and Margaret (Bingham) Coryell, and grandson of Tunison Coryell. He received his education in the Protestant Episcopal Academy, of Cheshire county, Connecticut, where he graduated in 1876. He read law in the office of Armstrong & Linn, and completed his legal studies with the Hon. Henry C. Parsons, of Williamsport. Colonel Coryell was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county in 1881, commenced practice in Williamsport, and has since made a good record in the courts of his adopted home. In 1891 he formed a partnership with Emerson Collins, and the firm of Coryell & Collins are enjoying a fair share of the best legal practice at this bar. In 1886 Colonel Coryell was elected district attorney

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 92

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