History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 119

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829-
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1424

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EMANUEL B. REED, son of William and Lydia (Beck) Reed, was born at Pottsgrove, April 26, 1865. He received his education at the Milton Academy, after which he became station agent for the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company at Pottsgrove, which position he filled six years. He is an active member of the Republican party, and has served in several of the township offices.

SOLOMON FAIRCHILD, farmer, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1823. He was reared in his native county and educated in the pub- lic schools, and has followed the occupation of farmer. December 23, 1852, he married Emily, a daughter of Abraham Lines, of Luzerne county. She died in 1853. April 29, 1856, he married Sarah, daughter of Jonathan Rob- bins, of Luzerne county. He is the father of eight children: Ambrose; Franklin; George; Solomon; Sarah Elizabeth; Linda May; Minnie, and Grace D. Mr. Fairchild removed from Luzerne county to his farm in this township in 1873. He is a director in the First National Bank of Milton. Politically he is a Republican, and has served as school director and in other township offices. Mr. Fairchild and family are members of the Presbyterian church of Milton.

WILLIAM S. FORESMAN, farmer, was born in Chillisquaque township, De- cember 10, 1825. His grandfather, Joseph Foresman, removed to Northum- berland county in 1799 and took up a tract of land, whereon he lived for many years. He was a pioneer and prominent man of the township. Joseph Foresman, father of our subject, was born in 1784. He learned the black- smith trade, which occupation he followed until he had earned money enough to purchase a farm in Chillisquaque township. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Wilson Hunt, and reared a family of six children, three of whom are living: Evaline, Mrs. Dubias Cawley, of Milton; John H., of Point township, and Elias. From 1832 to 1855 he conducted a hotel near Montandon, which was widely and favorably known as Foresman's Hotel. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church. His wife died in May, 1845, and he in 1855. The subject of our sketch was reared in this township, received his early education in the district schools, and has followed the occupation of farming. In January, 1851, he married Sarah Ann, daughter of Thomas Pardoe, by whom he has seven children: Sarah Elizabeth; Benjamin F., of Philadelphia; Amanda, Mrs. Jacob Har- mon, of Lewisburg; Charles Edward, of Shamokin; Emma; Harry B., and Iantha. Mr. Foresman settled on his present farm in April, 1870. Politic- ally he is a Republican, and has served as supervisor and overseer of the

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

poor of the township. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church.

JOSEPH NEAGLEY, farmer, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1829. His father, Daniel Neagley, was also a native of Dauphin county, and his mother, Margaret (Gable) Neagley, was a native of Canada, and moved with her parents to the United States when seven years old. After her marriage to Mr. Neagley she located in Dauphin county, where both died, he, February 2, 1873, and she, October 3, 1876. They were mem- bers of the Reformed church, of which he was an elder for many years. They reared eleven children: George; John; Joseph; Daniel; Mary; Catha- rine; Sarah; Isaac; Margaret; Hannah, and William. Our subject remained on the homestead farm until 1859, when he removed to his present place, where he has since resided. In 1854 he was married to Elizabeth Lenker, daughter of John Lenker, of Northumberland county, and to this union have been born eight children: Agnes, wife of John Schwenk; William A., of Milton; Jacob A., of Sunbury; Alice, wife of E. F. Marsh, of Williams- port; John D .; Elizabeth M .; Joseph C., and Catharine E. Mr. Neagley is a Democrat and has filled the office of school director. He and his family belong to the Lewisburg Reformed church, and for twelve years he has served as deacon and trustee of the same.

ABRAM FAIRCHILD, farmer, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1832, son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Lutsey) Fairchild, na- tives of that county, and farmers by occupation. They were members of the Presbyterian church, and the parents of thirteen children. Those living are: Solomon; Rosanna, Mrs. Cornelius Styer, of Montour county; Priscilla, Mrs. Matthias Rasley, of Butler county, Pennsylvania; Isabella, Mrs. Ziba Kramer, of Iowa, and Abram. The subject of this sketch was reared in Luzerne county and attended the district schools. In 1854 he married Hannah, daughter of Barnet Miller. He was engaged in farming in Lu- zerne county until 1874, when he removed to Northumberland county and located upon the farm where he now resides. Mr. Fairchild is a director in the First National Bank of Milton, and a stockholder of the Milton Knit- ting Company, the Milton Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and the Milton Driving Park and Fair Association. Politically he is a Republican; he has served two years as supervisor and two years as constable in Luzerne county. He has seven children: Elizabeth, wife of E. F. Colvin, of Milton; Annie, wife of John D. Derr, of Steelton, Pennsylvania; Milton O., a farmer of Union county; Mary, wife of Eyer Spyker, of Lewisburg; Angus A., of Potts- grove; Clara J., and Milo Wesley. Mr. Fairchild and family are members of the Presbyterian church.

S. M. MILLER, postmaster, Pottsgrove, was born in Montour county, Penn- sylvania, April 24, 1834, son of Daniel Miller, who was born in Chillisquaque township in 1810. He married Jane Dale and settled in Montour county,

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where he worked at the shoemaker trade. He afterward removed to Potts- grove, and was appointed postmaster in 1872. He died in 1880; his wife still survives him. They reared seven children, two of whom are living: William D., of Philadelphia, who is engaged in the real estate business, and S. M. The subject of this sketch attended the township schools, and after- ward learned the trade of harness maker, which he has since followed. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers; he was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was honorably discharged from the service. He re-enlisted in the Thirty- ninth Pennsylvania Militia, and again in the Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, and served as corporal until the close of the war. He was then in the employ of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company three years. In 1872 he married Emma R., daughter of Enos Brookes, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, who died in 1882. He again married in 1883, and has three chil- dren: Jennie May; Hattie M., and William L. Mr. Miller is a Republican in politics, and was appointed postmaster at Pottsgrove, October 28, 1889.

J. F. BUCHER, deceased, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1834. His father, Nicholas Bucher, was a native of Switzerland, and settled in Northampton county when a boy. He married Elizabeth Bachman, and in 1837 removed to Northumberland county, where he engaged in farming. He was a member of the Reformed church. He was the father of six children, five of whom are living: Samuel; John, of Milton; Sarah; J. F., and Catharine, wife of David Kohler. The subject of this sketch re- ceived his education at the Lancaster and Milton schools, and at the age of eighteen years learned the blacksmith trade, which occupation he followed for some time. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Sev- enty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers as first lieutenant, serving nine months. In 1868 he removed to Milton, where he worked at his trade until 1874. In 1886 he located upon the farm where his family now resides, and where his death occurred, September 15, 1890. In 1864 he married Adeline, daughter of John Wolfe, by whom he had eight children: Elizabeth; Mary; Clara W .; John N .; Margaret J .; J. F .; Frederick B., and Adeline, deceased. He was a member of the F. & A. M. of Milton and the G. A. R. Politically he was a Democrat; he served in the offices of justice of the peace and auditor of the township, and was elected county treasurer in 1881, serving three years. Mr. Bucher was a member of the Reformed church, to which his family also adheres.

ELIAS BIEBER, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 1, 1835, son of John and Hannah (Shaeffer) Bieber, natives of Lycom- ing county, Pennsylvania, and Seneca county, New York, respectively. His father was a farmer, a Democrat in politics, and served as school director. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran church and died in October, 1863. His widow died in May, 1869. Ten children were born to their union,

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

four of whom are living: Elias; Benjamin, of Chillisquaque township; Anna, a maiden lady, living in Lycoming county, and William, of Lycoming county. Our subject was reared and educated in his native county and his occupation has always been that of a farmer. December 24, 1868, he was married to Sarah F. Martin, daughter of Hugh Martin, of Montandon, by whom he has six children living: Howard L., of Lycoming county; Woods M .; Florence B .; William E .; Benjamin F., and Annie E. In 1859 he came to Northumberland county and located upon his present farm. He is a member of Chillisquaque Grange, P. of H. He is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the school board. He and his wife belong to the Lu- theran church of Lewisburg.

JAMES O. GIFFEN, farmer, was born in Chillisquaque township, March 3, 1837. His grandfather, James Giffen, a blacksmith by trade, was a native of Delaware and one of the early settlers of Montour county, whence he removed to Chillisquaque township and engaged in farming. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. John Giffen, father of our subject, was born in Montour county, November 23, 1805, and removed to Northum- berland county, December 24, 1833. He married Margaret, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Reed) McMahan. He became one of the prominent farmers of the township. He was a member and an elder in the Chillisquaque Presbyterian church, and politically a Republican. He died, March 10, 1885; his wife still survives him. They reared five children: Christiana, wife of I. C. Bishel, of Chillisquaque township; James O .; Mary, wife of Rev. Charles Park, of Orange county, New York; Samuel M., of Muskegon county, Michigan, and John R. The subject of our sketch was reared on the homestead, where he still resides, and attended the public schools. Decem- ber 4, 1867, he married Martha C., daughter of John Watson, of Lock Haven, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, by whom he has three children: Walter W .; Jennie M., and John M. Mr. Giffen was engaged in the grocery business two years at Milton, the remainder of his time being occupied in farming. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as township auditor and assessor. He is a member of the Chillisquaque Grange, and purchasing agent for the same and for the Grange Association comprising six counties. He is a member of the Chillisquaque Presbyterian church.

JOSEPH PARDOE, farmer and county commissioner, was born in Chillisqua- que township, March 15, 1839. His father, Thomas Pardoe, was born in London, England, March 4, 1795, and came to America with his parents when a child. The father of our subject married Sarah Hause and located upon a farm in Chillisquaque township, where he followed the occupation of farmer, distiller, miller, and store keeper. He was a Republican in politics, served as justice of the peace for many years, and also as supervisor and school director. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He died, April 21, 1873; his widow died, November 18, 1876. They reared ten chil-

Joseph Pardoe

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

dren, of whom five are living: William, of Milton; Sarah, Mrs. W. S. Foresman; Franklin C., of Montour county; Joseph, and Hannah, Mrs. John H. Gottshall, of Flint City, Michigan. The subject of our sketch was edu- cated in the public schools, and has been engaged principally in farming. In 1860 he married Susan, daughter of Andrew I. Fetzer, of Chillisquaque township, by whom he has four children: Mary J., Mrs. C. R. Shearer; Sarah L., Mrs. Thomas F. Haup, of Sunbury; T. H., and Grace. He is an active member of the Republican party, was elected tax collector in 1888, in which capacity he served two terms, and in 1890 was elected county commissioner. In 1891, when taking his official position, he sold his farming implements and removed his family to the town of Northumberland. Mr. Pardoe and family are adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church.

REV. T. O. CLEES, deceased, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1839, son of Frederick and Hannah (Obern) Clees, natives of the same county and of Scotch-Irish extraction. He spent his early days upon a farm, and at the age of fifteen years he began learning the cabinet maker's trade, which he followed for a time. He received his education at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, from which he was graduated in 1865. From this date to 1868 he was principal of the high school at Montourville, Pennsylvania. He joined the Methodist Episcopal church in 1856. March 11, 1868, he entered the East Baltimore Conference, and was appointed to the Watsontown charge with Rev. Henry Wilson. He afterwards served the Washingtonville charge. He was married, November 10, 1870, to A. Tillie Andrews, daughter of John Andrews, a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, who removed to Montandon in 1868. From 1873 to 1876 Mr. Clees had charge of a church at Elysburg; from 1876 to 1879 he preached in Columbia county, where he was assigned to the Orangeville charge and built three churches at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. In 1882-84 he preached at Selinsgrove and Shamokin Dam, where he also completed a church. From here he went to Town Hill and soon after retired from active ministerial duties on account of failing health. He was a pioneer of the Prohibition party and one of its most active workers. He died, February 18, 1887. His widow survives, and in 1887 established her present mercantile business at Montandon. She has two children: William Atwood and Robbins Kimber Clees.

J. WILSON HESS was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1841, son of Jacob Hess, who was also born in that county. John Hess, grandfather of our subject, was born in Northampton county, and settled in Columbia about the year 1810. He was a farmer by occupation, one of the substantial men of the community, a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Reformed church. The father of our subject married Saloama Fenster- macher, a native of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. In 1862 he removed to Union county, and thence in 1864 to Chillisquaque township, where he

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

engaged in farming. He served in the different township offices, and for many years as elder and deacon of the Reformed church. He died in 1874, his wife having died in 1870. They reared five children, two of whom are living: Catharine, Mrs. Jones of Talmadge, Ohio, and J. Wilson, who attended the schools at Bloomsburg, Millville, Limestoneville, and Lewis- burg. In 1864 he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Ninety-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, as captain of the company, and was honorably dis- charged in 1865. After his return from the war he was engaged in the mercantile business at Montandon two years, after which he practiced den- tistry nearly three years. He was then engaged with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as weighmaster at Montandon one year, clerked one year, after which he taught school in Baltimore county, Maryland, two years, and clerked in Baltimore about five years. In 1865 he located in Mon- tandon. In 1864 he married Emma, daughter of Jacob Wolfe, of Buffalo township, Union county, by whom he has three children: Charles E., of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania; Jessie M., and Clara E. Mr. Hess is a member of Andrew G. Tucker Post, G. A. R., of Lewisburg. Politically he is a Demo- crat, has served as township auditor, and is now serving his tenth year as justice of the peace. He is a member of the Baptist church, and his wife of the Reformed church.

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON NESBITT, farmer, was born in Chillisquaque township, February 27, 1841. His grandfather was a native of York county, Pennsylvania, and one of the pioneer settlers of this township. He built the first boat and rowed the first ferry across to Lewisburg. He served in the Revolutionary war. Fleming Nesbitt, father of our subject, married Annie W., daughter of Job Randolph, of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. He was a member of a militia company of Lewisburg for many years. He started in life poor, and became one of the affluent and influential citizens of the township. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church, and in politics an active Republican. He died in 1877, and his wife in 1874. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom seven are living: Susan Ann, wife of Robert Montgomery, of Columbia county; Jonathan, of Pottsgrove; Mary Ellen, wife of Thomas Robinson, of Washingtonville; Rebecca M., wife of Robert Johnson, of Pottsgrove; Catharine; Randolph, and W. H. H. The subject of this sketch was reared in this township and educated in the public schools. September 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Twelfth United States Infantry; he was wounded in the right arm and ribs at the battle of Bull Run, and in the right shoulder at the battle of the Wilderness. In 1865 he married Ellen J., daughter of Joseph Gray, of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. They have eight children: Edith M .; Jennie G .; Arthur F .; Harold; Annie L .; Helen J .; Joseph Gray, and John R. He is a member of the Presbyterian church of Milton, and politically is a Republican.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TROXELL, farmer, was born upon the farm whereon he now resides, August 29, 1849. His grandfather, Abraham Troxell, was one of the early settlers of Chillisquaque township, where his father, George Troxell, was born in 1797. He married Catharine, daughter of Henry Kline, of Chillisquaque township, and by occupation was a farmer. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically a Democrat. He died in 1884; his wife died in 1872. They were the par- ents of ten children, eight of whom are living: Reuben, of Michigan; John, of Chillisquaque township; Charles, of Chicago, Illinois; George, of Indi- ana; Aaron, of Chillisquaque township; Lucy, Mrs. William Pardoe, of Milton; Margaret, Mrs. John Hassenplug, and Benjamin F. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools. In 1869 he married Rebecca, daughter of Israel Royer, of Union county, Pennsylvania. She died, July 16, 1879, leaving four children: Katie; Blair; George, and Cora May. In 1883 he married Amanda, daughter of Thompson and Mary (Homan) Stra- hon, of Centre county, Pennsylvania. One child has been born to this union, Mary Bordell. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served in the office of township constable. Mr. Troxell and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

JOHN A. RINE, farmer, was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 13, 1850, son of Benjamin and Susan (Hummel) Rine, natives of that county, who came to Northumberland county, in 1852, and settled in Chil- lisquaque township, where they now reside. They are members of the Lutheran church at Lewisburg. Five children have been born to them: John A .; Mary Ann, Mrs. Frank B. Shuck, of Delaware township; Susan, Mrs. William Noll; Benjamin F., who married Annie Stahl, and Maria S. The subject of our sketch attended the township schools and Lewisburg Academy, and has been engaged in farming and dealing in stock. December 31, 1872, he married Amanda, daughter of John and Catharine Shuck, of Kelly township, Union county, by whom he has four children: Ada G .; Jennie May; Harvey Luther, and Charles Edwin. Politically Mr. Rine is a Democrat; he is now serving in the office of school director, and is treas- urer of the school board. For twelve consecutive years he has been deacon and trustee in the Lutheran church of Lewisburg.

JOHN HENRY WINGERT was born in Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, Penn- sylvania, December 3, 1852. His father, Jeremiah Wingert, was a native of Perry county, Pennsylvania, and married Hester, daughter of John Van Gundy, of Union county. In 1855 he removed to that county, where he engaged in business as a farmer and nurseryman. He became one of the prominent farmers of that county. Politically he was a Republican, and served in various township offices. He was a member of the Christian church. He died in 1864; his widow still survives him, and is the wife of J. H. Seabold, of New Berlin, Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch was

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

reared in Union county and educated at Bucknell University, from which he graduated in 1872. Since then he has been engaged in the mercantile bus- iness at Lewisburg and Montandon, one year at each place, and in teaching school and farming. In 1878 he married Lizzie, daughter of Edward Hum- mel, of Chillisquaque township. She died in February, 1883, leaving one child, Marion Mae. Mr. Wingert has been teacher of the same school six years. He is a member of the Baptist church of Montandon, deacon and clerk of the same, and has also been superintendent of the Sabbath school for a number of years. Politically he is a Democrat, and has been auditor and assessor of the township several terms.

GEORGE M. WALTER, farmer, was born, December 18, 1853. His father, Solomon B. Walter, was a native of Buffalo township, Union county, Penn- sylvania. He married Catharine Mark, of Snyder county. They came to Northumberland county, and settled upon the farm now in possession of our subject in 1847. The father was a Republican in politics, and served as school director and as postmaster of Chillisquaque. He was a member of the Evangelical church. He died, January 19, 1881; his wife still survives him. They reared nine children: Cyrus F., of Point township; Mary C., Mrs. Abraham Grove, of Union county, Pennsylvania; Lillian, Mrs. G. W. Furey, of Sunbury; Lavina; George M .; Joanna, Mrs. F. H. Shermer, of Sunbury; Maggie, Mrs. W. H. Herr, of Clinton county, Pennsylvania; Lincoln, attor- ney at law, Mt. Carmel, and Chester F. The subject of this sketch was reared on the old homestead, and received his education at the township schools and Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. January 1, 1889, he married Lizzie, daughter of Samuel Muffley, of Montour county. They are members of the Lutheran church. Politically Mr. Walter is a Republican.

JOHN E. K. SCHWENK, merchant and postmaster at Chillisquaque, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, August 24, 1854, son of Abraham and Catharine (Klinger) Schwenk, natives of Montgomery and Schuylkill counties, Pennsylvania, respectively. His father was a merchant, a manu- facturer of blasting powder, and hotel keeper in Schuylkill county. He re- tired from business and removed to Lewisburg, Union county, this State, where he died, March 10, 1885; his widow died in 1887. They were mem- bers of the Lutheran church and the parents of eleven children: Samuel K.,, who was a member of the Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers and rose to the rank of brigadier general; Aaron K., also a member of the Fiftieth Penn- sylvania Volunteers, and now a wholesale merchant of Philadelphia; Abraham, who resides in Philadelphia, and was also a member of the Fiftieth Penn- sylvania Volunteers; Daniel, deceased; Milton, a retired lieutenant of the United States Navy, residing in New York City; Elmira, of Philadelphia; John E. K. and Peter, twins, the latter being a physician in Philadelphia; George; Jacob, and Frances, deceased. Our subject received his education

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

at Bucknell University, and followed farming until 1885, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Chillisquaque. January 27, 1879, he married Agnes Neagley, daughter of Joseph Neagley of Chillisquaque, by whom he has three children: Edna; Lizzie, and Annie. He is a Republican in politics and was appointed postmaster in October, 1889. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Reformed church at Lewisburg, of which he is a deacon.

WILLIAM B. Cox, postmaster, Montandon, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1857, son of Samuel and Mary (Schmucker) Cox, natives of Delaware, who settled in Lancaster county and later in Chester county. In 1861 Samuel, father of our subject, enlisted in the One Hundred and Twelfth Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving three years and six months in the commissary department. Since the close of the war he has had charge of hotels at Montandon, Selinsgrove, and for the last five years has been pro- prietor of the Eagle Hotel at Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Cox died in 1884. She was the mother of five children: William B .; Elizabeth, Mrs. J. M. Funk, of Lebanon; Harry; Ada, and Edward. His second wife was Mrs. Sarah (Bisell) Bigony, by whom he has three children: Charles; Belle, and Carrie. The subject of this sketch was educated at the Millersville State Normal School; for several years he was engaged in teaching, and later in the sale of agricultural implements. He removed to Montandon in 1877. In 1880 he married Elizabeth, daughter of W. M. Auten, of Chillisquaque township, by whom he has three children: Frank; Maxwell, and Blanche. Mr. Cox is a Republican in politics, and was appointed postmaster of Mon- tandon, August 15, 1889. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Montandon and of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 119

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829- Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829-
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1424