USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania > Part 115
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DAVID TAGGART, previously mentioned, was educated in Northumberland and was a prominent Democrat. He married Mary McCalla and to them were born the following children: John, born, April 12, 1796, in Northum- berland; James, who died in Northumberland about 1855, was a merchant, and was engaged for some time in running packets on the canal, and was col- lector of tolls on the canal at Huntingdon for many years (his son, Gran- tham I., is a coal dealer at Savannah, Georgia, and another son, John, de- ceased, was a physician and died at Salt Lake City; his two daughters were: Mary, who married Marks B. Priestley, and Gertrude, who married Solomon
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Kregar); Sarah, who married Samuel C. McCormick, and Mary A., who mar- ried Alexander Colt.
JOHN TAGGART was educated in Northumberland county and began his business career as a brewer at the town of Northumberland, his brewery be- ing located near the present steamboat landing. When the canal was con- structed his brewery was removed to give place to it, so he quit the business. He was appointed canal commissioner by Governor Joseph Ritner, held the position about one year, resigned, and was succeeded by Thaddeus Stephens. He was president of the Northumberland Bank for a number of years. He married Hannah Huston, a native of Philadelphia. Both were members of the Unitarian church, and at the time of his death Mr. Taggart was a Repub- lican in politics. He was a highly respected, enterprising citizen.
David Taggart, son of John, received a good education, read law with Ebenezer Greenough, was president of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society for some years, was State Senator before the war, serving the last year of his term as Speaker of that body; he was chairman of the Whig State central committee in 1852, subsequently a Republican, and was in the pay- master's department during the war. He married Anna P. Cowden, and his children were: James; Helen, and Hannah.
Matthew H. Taggart, son of John, was brought up in Northumberland, born, February 18, 1824, and was educated in the public schools and Lewis- burg Academy, closing his literary studies at the latter in 1842. He began at once to clerk for Walls & Green, general merchants, then at Lewisburg, where he remained for three years, after which he commenced the study of law with his older brother, David. Subsequently he taught school for two winters and then took charge of a store in Union county, remaining there from 1846 to 1858. Closing this connection, he opened up a store on his own account at Beaver furnace, Union county, this State, where he did a suc- cessful business for six years, removing thence to Northumberland, and soon became an employee of the State treasurer's office at Harrisburg, continuing in that important position for about ten years, having his home a part of the time in Lancaster county. In 1884 he removed to Philadelphia, where he resided until 1890, when he returned to his native town of Northumberland to give personal attention to the business of the Taggart Nail Mills, in which he has been interested for fifteen years. His first wife was Rebecca McCurley, who died, leaving six children: Harry C. and John K., both interested in the nail mills; Anna, widow of J. F. Frueauff; Clara, and James, book-keeper at Godcharles's nail mills at Milton. His second wife was Eliza McCurley, by whom he has the following living children: Matthew H., Jr., and Mary. His third wife was Ella G. Royer before their marriage.
Captain James Taggart, third son of John Taggart, was born in the bor- ough of Northumberland, February 4, 1827, and received his education almost entirely at the public schools of his native town. At the age of six-
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teen years he was employed by the late Ephraim Shannon in his store at Northumberland, where he remained four years, properly mastering the duties assigned to him and to a large extent engrafting the spirit of his em- ployer, whose genial humor, facetious witticisms, and well spun yarns are thoroughly remembered by the older citizens who congregated around this store, where fun always took precedence. In 1848 he went to western New York in the capacity of paymaster for James Moore, who had a large contract in the vicinity of Hornellsville, and after completing this he returned to Northumberland, purchased the store of the late William H. Waples, and entered into business for himself. He forgot none of the training by his old employer, and mixing fun with business he did a fairly profitable trade until 1861, when he entered the army. In December, 1850, he married Sarah, daughter of John H. Cowden, by whom he had four children; two died in in- fancy and two survive to the present time: Sarah C., who resides in North- umberland, and David, a physician at Frackville, Schuylkill county, this State. Immediately upon the news of the firing on Fort Sumter, a roll was started, naturally at his store, because it was the principal rendezvous for the young and active spirits of the community. A company was formed and he was elected captain. But, owing to the spontaneous response to the call of Presi- dent Lincoln and the inability of the government to furnish guns for all, this eager company was not directly accepted; but through the foresight of Governor Curtin in effectively recommending the formation of reserve corps, they were received as Company B, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserve, and placed under command of that brave and able officer, Colonel Seneca G. Simmons. This company has a history and the subject of this sketch figures largely in that history. His comrades will attest his worth as a man and soldier; and the laying down of his life, as he did in the field at the battle of Charles City Cross Roads, proved his valor and patriotism.
John K. Taggart, another son of John, was secretary and clerk to his brother, David, in the paymaster's department in the army, and died about 1868 in St. Louis.
Hannah, daughter of John Taggart, married Dr. Joseph Priestly and has four children: Hannah, who married Rev. H. D. Catlin; Fannie D., wife of William Forsyth, Jr .; Anna, and Jennie.
Frank A. Taggart, son of John Taggart, is employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in Philadelphia, and his children are: John; William; Joseph, and Anna, Mrs. Christy.
WILLIAM FORSYTH, deceased, was born of Scotch parentage in Hamburg, Berks county, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1788. His father, Andrew Forsyth, was with Washington in Philadelphia and Valley Forge. By reason of depreciation of Continental money he was reduced in circumstances, and with his family moved to the mouth of Fishing creek, where he taught school and also at Danville. In 1804 William was apprenticed to John Cow-
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
den, of Northumberland, to learn the art and mystery of store-keeping. After he was free he managed a keel-boat, and was one of the first to navi- gate the Susquehanna river from Northumberland to Owego, New York, carrying iron and stoves to the latter, and bringing salt and plaster to the former. In March, 1817, he was married to Betsey Gaskins, daughter of Thomas Gaskins of Point township, and kept a tavern and stage office on Water street, Northumberland. At the commencement of the construction of the public works, he took contracts and built several miles of canal, and also of the Susquehanna canal. In 1835 he purchased the store of John Cowden and in 1837 was appointed postmaster, which position he filled until 1841. He was an active business man, took a great interest in the affairs of his adopted borough, and served many years in its council. He died in March, 1876, an honored and respected citizen.
WILLIAM ELLIOTT, farmer, was born, October 5, 1814, son of Alexander and Mary Elliott, born, respectively, May 29, 1777, and October 31, 1783. The father was of Scotch-Irish extraction, and after learning the hatter's trade at Reading, Pennsylvania, removed from that city to Northumberland county and followed his trade at the borough of Northumberland, where he died, February 5, 1835. To Alexander and Mary Elliott were born the fol- lowing children: Mary, born July 4, 1804; Thomas, born September 18, 1806; Margaret, born August 21, 1810; Sarah; William; Ann, and Samuel. Our subject received a common school education with means obtained by labor at such jobs as he could get to do. The first work he did for himself, was digging in a ditch from the river to what is known as the gut in Sun- bury-the old Sunbury canal, which was never completed. He received seventy-five cents at this employment and was subsequently hired by John Cowden for one summer at two dollars fifty cents per month. With the money thus obtained he attended school, doing chores for William Forsyth mornings and evenings for his board and lodging. After closing this term of school he took employment at the tavern of C. Buttles, in Northumber- land, where he remained one summer, and then drove a team on a trip to Philadelphia with William A. Lloyd. After this he purchased a team and followed farming and teaming for some time. . He was married in January, 1837, to Christiana Knox, and settled in Northumberland. Two years later he removed to a farm of one hundred acres on what is known as Blue Hill and which still belongs to the family. In 1841 he began boating on the canal, transporting lumber, coal, etc., which he continued successfully eight years. He then purchased an interest in the grocery business of Henry Wenck; two years later he became sole proprietor of the store, which he con- ducted until the Philadelphia and Erie railroad was opened, when he withdrew and took the position of first station agent for that company at Northumber- land; after this began a series of railroad contracting, as follows: Bennett's branch; Oil Creek road, Venango county; Philadelphia and Erie, at Will-
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iamsport, eight miles of double track, and eight miles of the same road from St. Mary's to Rathburn.
He was appointed by the State canal commissioners as superintendent of the canal from the mouth of the Juniata river to Northumberland, to which was subsequently added the line to Milton. In 1880 he was elected to the legislature from this county; he has also served as school director twenty- five years, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. His wife died, November 7, 1875, and was the mother of four children: Anna; Emily I., wife of Charles Davis; Mary J., wife of A. H. Hathaway, and John. The last named was educated at Freeburg College, graduated from the Bellevue Hospital of New York City, and is practicing medicine in Northumberland. Mr. Elliott is the owner of one hundred seventy-six acres of land in Union county, three hun- dred seventy-eight acres in Chillisquaque township, one hundred thirty-eight acres in Point township, and other valuable property, all of which is the acquisition of his own labors.
DR. ROBERT MCCAY, deceased, was born in Northumberland, May 17, 1820. His father, William McCay, was born in 1776 and was, it is said, the first white child born in the town of Northumberland. His grandfather, Neal McCay, was of Scotch nationality; he immigrated to America, settled in New Jersey, and about 1774 removed to Northumberland, where he cleared a tract of land. He died, March 2, 1814. William McCay became a land speculator and a practical surveyor. He served in the war of 1812. He was twice married, and lived and died in Northumberland. Dr. Robert McCay, the subject of this sketch, was educated at Gettysburg, read medicine with Doctor McClellan, of Philadelphia, and graduated from the University of New York in the winter of 1844-45, after which he practiced his profes- sion in Danville one year, and then located at Northumberland, where he had an extensive practive until his death. He was a fine Spanish scholar, and during the Mexican war was the bearer of dispatches to General Taylor. May 1, 1861, he enlisted as assistant surgeon, was promoted to surgeon, and subsequently to first assistant medical inspector general at Washington, D. C. He organized hospitals at Fortress Monroe, Hampton Roads, and Portsmouth. In 1864 he was sent to New Orleans, and remained there until July, 1865. He was also a practical civil engineer. He took an active interest in the affairs of the town, especially to matters pertaining to the advancement of education, and was possessed of more than ordinary knowl- edge of the general topics and information of his time. He was one of the oldest Masons in the State, and was prominent in the workings of the order. Politically he was a Democrat, and took an active part in promoting the interests of his party. He died, November 18, 1880. In 1856 he married Susan C., daughter of Alexander and . Mary Ann (Taggart) Colt, of North- umberland, who still survives him. One child was born to this union, Dr. Mary A. McCay, who read medicine with her father and also with Dr.
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William Stoner, graduated from the Woman's Medical College of Philadel- phia in 1887, and has since practiced in Northumberland and Sunbury. She was married in 1875. Mrs. McCay, the widow of our subject, has been engaged in the drug business for several years. This drug store was established by Miss Mary McCay, sister of Dr. Robert McCay, in 1848, and has since remained in the family.
JESSE C. HORTON, deceased, was born near Forty Fort, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, May 1, 1797, son of John and Mary (de la Montague) Horton. The latter was of Scotch and French descent; her mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Miller, was a Scotch Puritan, and her father was the son of a French physician. John Horton was of English descent. During the Revolution he served as a lieutenant in the New Jersey militia. After the conclusion of peace he sold his property in that State for Continental money and removed to the vicinity of Forty Fort in the Wyoming valley, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. There he died in 1810, leaving a widow and nine children. Jesse C. was then in his thirteenth year. Four years later he served in the New Jersey militia under Colonel Seward and Captain Swazey in the war of 1812. In 1816 Miller, Lewis, and Jesse C. Horton inaugurated a new era in stage coach traveling in northern Pennsylvania by establishing a line of four-horse coaches from Baltimore to Owego, New York, by the way of Harrisburg, Sunbury, Wilkesbarre, and Montrose, and also a line from Philadelphia to Wilkesbarre by the way of Easton, and from New York City to Montrose, Pennsylvania, by the way of Morristown and Newark, New Jersey, and Milford, Pennsylvania, with postoffices established at Plymouth, Kingston, Pottstown, and Tunkhannock. In 1820 he lived at Berwick, Co- lumbia county, Pennsylvania, engaged in staging and carrying the United States mail; he removed from there to Owego, New York, in 1831 to North- umberland, and soon after to a farm in Point township. In 1841 he repre- sented Northumberland county in the legislature, and in 1842 he was elected to the Senate. He was a stockholder and director in the Bank of Northum- berland. February 6, 1820, he married Harriet Ford, daughter of Dr. Sam- uel Headley, of Berwick, by whom he had two children: Annie Maria, Mrs. Allen M. Gougewer, of Washington, and Mrs. Harriet Westler, of Berwick. His wife died, June 17, 1823. He was again married, December 12, 1825, to Mrs. Martha Cooke, daughter of James Lemon, of Northumberland county. Five children were born to this union, two of whom are living: Mary C., and Amelia H., wife of Anthony Simpson, of Michigan. The second wife died, July 25, 1880. Mr. Horton was a Democrat in politics. He was active in getting the public school system established and an active worker and sup- porter of any enterprise conducive to the welfare of the general public. He was well known throughout Pennsylvania, and had an extensive and intimate acquaintance with the prominent men of the State.
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C. W. GUTELIUS, editor and publisher of the Public Press, was born in Mifflinburg, Union county, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1837, son of Israel and Sarah Gutelius. The father was born in 1802 at Mifflinburg, Penn- sylvania, and the mother in Trappe, Montgomery county. They were the parents of ten children: Louisa; Henrietta; Sarah; Percival; Mary; Emma; H. Clay; Clara; Florence; and C. W. The last named received a common school education and began his business life as a printer. From 1863 to 1866 he edited and published the Post at Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, and from January 1, 1870, to the latter part of 1872 he edited and published the Democratic Guard at Sunbury. He established the Public Press at North- umberland in 1872, and has made it a paying institution. He went out in an emergency company during the late war, is a Democrat and a member of the S. P. K., and was janitor for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1883. He was married at Greenville, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, to Eleonora Lescher, born in Wilkesbarre, this State, in 1845, daughter of Rev. J. W. Lescher and Jane (Foltz) Lescher, natives of Northampton and Franklin counties, Pennsylvania, respectively. To this union have been born the following children: Jennie; N. T .; W. L .; Norah; Edith, and Warren.
J. C. FORSYTH, ex-postmaster, was born, October 16, 1839, son of William and Elizabeth (Gaskin) Forsyth. He received a common school and com- mercial education, and after clerking some time, formed a partnership in 1865, with William H. Morgan in the grocery and coal business, which lasted until 1876. After two years experience in the grocery business in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, he purchased in 1884 the general store of William T. Forsyth at Northumberland and continued the business until 1886. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster at Northumberland and served in that office until 1890. He was married in 1865 to Alice Gulick, by whom he has four children: Charles G .; Walter L .; Jennie C., and J. Howard. He served as chief burgess of Northumberland for three successive years, and is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran church.
S. M. G. WENCK, pharmacist, was born in the borough of Northumber- land, September 24, 1836, son of George and Elizabeth (Pardoe) Wenck, of German and Quaker ancestry, respectively. He received an ordinary educa- tion, and in 1855 established his present business at McEwensville, this county, where he remained until 1880; he then removed his stock to North- umberland, where he has built up a large trade. He was married in 1855 to Christiana Kauffman, by whom he has three children: William G .; Maggie, wife of Morton McFarland, and Edgar S. Mr. Wenck is a member of the Lutheran church.
JAMES DIEFFENBACHER was born in a part of Northumberland (now Mon- tour) county, Pennsylvania, May 31, 1809, son of Conrad Dieffenbacher, a native of Montgomery county, this State, and a grandson of Conrad Dief- 62
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fenbacher, who was born in Germany and settled and died on the farm where our subject now resides. Our subject learned the carpenter trade, which he followed forty years. He settled in Northumberland in 1831, and was mar- ried in 1838 to Nancy Goston, who died in 1842, the mother of one child, James G. He was again married to Maria Hunsicker. He was a justice of the peace twenty-two years and a school director twenty years.
JACOB MATTHIAS, merchant, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 20, 1828, son of John and Elizabeth (Crowl) Matthias, natives of York and Lancaster counties, respectively. They moved to Dauphin county, Penn- sylvania, where both died. They were members of the Lutheran church. Jacob Matthias was reared in York county, and attended the local schools; he has been engaged in various occupations, such as boating, driving stage, and railroading. In 1866 he removed to Northumberland county and estab- lished his present business. In 1856 he married Susan Van Dyke, daughter of Israel Gross, of Snyder county. Their children, by adoption, are: Mary Guistwelt, wife of Harry Frey, of Cumberland county; Susan Gross, wife of Frank Shilmer, of Northumberland, and Bertha Newman. Mr. Matthias and wife are members of the Lutheran church; in politics he is a Repub- lican, and has served as overseer of the poor sixteen years.
CYRUS BROUSE, merchant, was born in that part of Union county which is now Snyder county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1840, son of Peter and Amelia (Moore) Brouse, both natives of that county, and farmers by occupation. They were members of the Lutheran church. The mother died in 1887, and the father in 1889. They reared five children, four of whom are living: Cyrus; Margaret, Mrs. E. I. Snyder, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania; Mary E., Mrs. Abel Johnson, of Union county, and Franklin, of Sunbury. The subject of this sketch was educated at the township schools and at Freeburg Acad- emy. In September, 1862, he came to Northumberland, and first engaged as clerk for William T. Forsyth, with whom he remained until June, 1863; he then engaged with M. H. Taggart, and was subsequently in the employ of Reuben Johnson, Colt & Todd, and others. April 1, 1888, he established his present business. In 1864 he married Esther J., daughter of John John- son, of Point township, by whom he has five children: Reuben; Franklin C., who married Sarah Dull, of Lewisburg; Thomas; Williard, and Earl M. Politically Mr. Brouse is a Republican, and has served as councilman and burgess of Northumberland; he is a member of the K. of P. of Northumber- land. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds the office of recording steward.
WILLIAM B. STONER, physician and surgeon, was born at Westminster, Carroll county, Maryland, October 26, 1845. He received his education at a collegiate institute at that place, now known as the Western Maryland Col- lege, also received four years' instruction under Professor Beggs, now of Belfast, Ireland, and graduated from the Edinburgh University. After com-
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pleting his education he read medicine with Dr. William Taylor, of Gettys- burg, Pennsylvania, was graduated from the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery in 1866, and began practicing in Hummelstown, Dauphin county, where he remained until 1871. From there he removed to Georgetown, Northumberland county, and in 1873 to Northumberland, where he has since enjoyed an extensive practice. His father, George W. Stoner, was a native of Dauphin county. He married Mary A. Sullivan, and settled in Carroll county, Maryland, where he engaged in farming and still resides. They reared ten children, seven of whom are living: William B .; George W., of Baltimore, Maryland; Annie, wife of John C. Eckenrode, of Westminster, Maryland; Sarah S., wife of Martin Babylon, of Westminster; Leah S., wife of William C. Robinson, of Littlestown, Pennsylvania; James M., of Balti- more, and Maggie. Doctor Stoner is a member of Eureka Lodge, F. & A. M., and politically is a Democrat. He has served as chief burgess and member of the borough council of Northumberland, and as delegate to the State convention of his party. May 15, 1866, he was united in marriage with Margaret E. Henderson, daughter of Dr. William Henderson, of Hummels- town, Pennsylvania, by whom he has five children: Mary A .; Sarah H .; Margaret E .; Florence V., and William Bruce. In 1862 he enlisted in Com- pany G, First Maryland regiment, and served three months; on account of being under age he withdrew and afterwards served in an independent com- pany at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Doctor was formerly president of the Board of Trade of Northumberland, and is now secretary of the North- umberland Electric Light Company.
MARTIN J. D. WITHINGTON, agent for the Standard Oil Company at Northumberland, was born in Mifflinburg, Union county, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1823, and is a son of George and Catharine (Youngman) Withington. The father was of English ancestry and was engaged in the hotel and mer- chandise business. Our subject was reared in Centre county until the age of fourteen years, when he came with his parents to the town of Northum- berland. He received his education in the public schools. For twelve years he was collector of toll for the canal company, and for some time was engaged in boating and operating coal mines at Shamokin. Since 1873 he has acted as agent for the Standard Oil Company. In 1849 he was married to Eliza- beth G. Forsyth, daughter of William Forsyth, late of Northumberland, by whom he has six children: G. E., cashier of the First National Bank of Ore- gon; Alice, wife of Captain C. M. Clement, of Sunbury; Elizabeth, wife. of Thomas Ball, of St. Paul, Minnesota; F. H., wife of G. R. Van Alen, of Northumberland; Helen, and Martin. Mr. Withington is a Democrat, and was at one time a candidate for Congress. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.
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