History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 120

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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CHAPTER XLIX.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

LEWIS AND DELAWARE TOWNSHIPS, AND BOROUGHS OF TURBUT- VILLE AND MCEWENSVILLE.

THE MONTGOMERY FAMILY .- In 1737 Robert Montgomery emigrated with his family from County Armagh, Ireland, and settled near the pres- ent site of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He died, October 15, 1776, aged seventy-one years, and was buried in the Paxtang church graveyard, three miles from Harrisburg. His wife, Sarah, died, October 15, 1784, and was buried at the same place. They were the parents of five sons and three daughters. The sons were as follows: William; Thomas; Hugh, who kept a public house in Milton; David, and John.

1142

HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

JOHN MONTGOMERY, youngest son of Robert Montgomery, was a native of Ireland, married Christiana Foster, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and first settled on an improved farm at the foot of Peter's mountain, about ten miles north of Harrisburg. In 1773 he exchanged his farm in Dauphin county for a large tract of unimproved land owned by William Patterson, in Turbut township, Northumberland county, and soon after removed to the same, building himself a small dwelling house of hickory saplings, and named it "Paradise." In 1779 when the British and Indians attacked Fort Free- land, four miles from his home, he, with his wife and children, escaped and returned to Dauphin county, where he rented a farm until 1783, when he returned to his home in Turbut township. On arriving he found that the buildings had been burned, and that Captain William Rice and company, who had been sent to the frontier, had built a two-story limestone building that inclosed the spring and was known as Fort Rice. He made some alterations in it, and used it for a dwelling house. November 8, 1792, he was killed by a tree falling upon him while he was opening the Derry road, leading from Milton to Derry township, Montour county. His widow died, March 2, 1821. They are buried in the old Chillisquaque graveyard. They reared four sons and three daughters: Robert; John; William; David; Jane; Sarah, and Margaret.

ROBERT MONTGOMERY, eldest son of John Montgomery, Sr., was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1762, and about 1790 he married Cather- ine Frick, who bore him the following children: John; David; Catherine; Margaret; Christiana, and Sarah, all of whom were born on the farm settled by their father, and lying about one mile east of the old Paradise farm set- tled by John Montgomery, Sr. The mother died, September 9, 1805, and about 1808 Robert Montgomery married Mary Harrison, who bore him two children: Robert and Mary. Mr. Montgomery died, December 1, 1814; his widow survived him until 1852.

JOHN MONTGOMERY, eldest son of Robert and Catherine Montgomery, was born, July 26, 1792, and became the owner of his father's homestead. He was married, March 3, 1825, to Rebecca Day, a native of York county, Penn- sylvania, who bore him one son, Robert, the present sheriff of Northumber- land county. She died, September 2, 1836, aged forty-three years. He afterward married Grace Hammond, who died without issue. Mr. Mont- gomery was prominent in the local councils of the Democratic party, and served as associate judge of the county many years. He died, March 17, 1866.

ROBERT MONTGOMERY, farmer and sheriff, is the only child of John and Rebecca Montgomery. He was born on the old homestead in Lewis town- ship, June 1, 1830, and received a common school education, and was en- gaged in farming from boyhood up to taking the office of sheriff in January, 1891. Mr. Montgomery was married, February 23, 1854, to Elizabeth Vin-

1143

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

cent, who was born near Watsontown in Delaware township, September 17, 1833, and is a daughter of Isaac Vincent. Three children are the fruits of this union: John; Harry B., and Grace. The family are adherents of the Presbyterian church, and Democratic in politics. For eighteen years Mr. Montgomery served as a school director in Lewis township, and has always taken a deep interest in educational matters. He was a delegate to the State convention that nominated Heister Clymer for Governor, served in the legis- lature in 1870-71, and in November, 1890, was elected sheriff of Northum- berland county, which office he is now filling. In fact, he has been one of the active, hard-working Democrats of the county since early manhood, and has won hosts of friends who remained true to him in the close political bat- tle of last November.

JOHN MONTGOMERY, second son of John Montgomery, Sr., married Eleanor Wilson, May 3, 1791, and settled in Black Hole valley. They were the par- ents of twelve children: John, who married Polly Hammond; Peggy, who was twice married, first to John Brindle, and after his death to William A. Petriken; Fleming; Robert, who married Margaret Montgomery; William W .; David; Hugh, a physician, who was married four times, first to Maria Thompson, then in succession to Ann Johnson, Isabella Stuart, and Martha Coates; Eleanor, who married Joshua Bowman; Thomas, who married So- phia Keller; William (2d); Washington D., and James, who married Jane Watson.

WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, third son of John Montgomery, Sr., married Ra- chel Simpson, of Sunbury, who died, March 7, 1806. He lived on the old Paradise farm, and survived his wife until June 17, 1828. Both are buried in the old Chillisquaque graveyard. They had a family of three children: Nancy, who married Dr. Robert Van Valzah; John T., who married Hanna Hower, and William.

WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, youngest child of William Montgomery, was born, March 7, 1805, and died, February 7, 1875. He married Molly Caldwell, who bore him a family of four children: William C., deceased; Mary Jane, who married John M. Thatcher; Caroline, who became the wife of John H. Vincent, and Sarah V., who married Valentine O. Truckenmiller, proprietor of the grist mills near McEwensville. Mrs. Montgomery died, September 26, 1867, and both she and her husband are buried in the McEwensville cemetery.

DAVID MONTGOMERY, youngest son of John Montgomery, Sr., married Agnes Shaw. She was born, May 25, 1777, and died, August 22, 1853; her husband survived her until November 23, 1859, and reached the ripe old age of ninety-two years. They resided upon the old homestead in what is now Lewis township, and reared a family of four sons and five daughters, viz .: Eliza, who was twice married, first to Dr. Thomas Wood, and second to Robert McCormick; John G .; Margaret, who married her cousin, Robert

1144

HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

Montgomery, and died in Muncy; William S .; David B .; Robert F., born June 13, 1813, and killed by a falling tree, March 7, 1828; Christiann, wid- ow of Joshua Bowman; Nancy M., who married Joseph Nesbit, and Caroline B., widow of Edward Lyon.

JOHN G. MONTGOMERY, oldest son of David Montgomery, was born Janu- ary 28, 1805. He was twice married, first to Deborah B., daughter of Jacob Kerr, of McEwensville, who was killed by accident the day after her marriage. He afterwards married Henrietta, daughter of John Cooper, of Danville, Pennsylvania, who bore him seven children: Alice; Agnes; Elizabeth; Henri- etta; Margaret; Cooper, and Caroline. He was a member of the legislature two years, after which he was elected to Congress, but did not take his seat. He attended the inauguration of James Buchanan as President of the United States, and while there contracted disease, from which he died, April 24, 1857.

WILLIAM S. MONTGOMERY, second son and fourth child of David and Agnes Montgomery, was born, December 17, 1808, and died at Milton, October 23, 1883. He married Jane Caldwell, who bore him a family of four sons and one daughter: David, of Colorado; Oliver, deceased; Robert C., of Lewis township; Edward, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Margaret, widow of James Bryson. Mr. Montgomery was a farmer, and followed that vocation near McEwensville until his removal to Milton, where he died.

ROBERT C. MONTGOMERY was born on the old homestead in Lewis town- · ship, December 24, 1836, and is a son of William S. and Jane Montgomery. He was educated at the McEwensville Academy, and is a farmer by occupa- tion. He was married, February 5, 1863, to Mary Lowry, of Derry, Mon- tour county, who has borne him six children: William; Helen, wife of Rev. George Marr; Lowry; Jennie; Fannie, and Margery. The family are attend- ants of the Presbyterian church, and in politics Mr. Montgomery is a Demo- crat.

DAVID B. MONTGOMERY, third son of David Montgomery, was born, No- vember 28, 1810, and married, March 30, 1837, to Elizabeth, daughter of John Brown, of White Deer valley, and a niece of Dr. Matthew Brown, president of Jefferson College, Washington county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Montgomery served two terms in the House of Representatives, the first in 1841-42, and the second in 1853-54. In 1863 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Senate, and served one term. He reared three sons and two daughters: Agnes, born March 12, 1838, who lives with Mrs. Edward Lyon, of Williamsport; Alfred, who was born, November 19, 1839, and died March 19, 1879; Mary Isabella, born April 9, 1842, who resides in Philadel- phia, and Robert L. and David J., both residents of Lewis township. David B. Montgomery and wife died upon the old homestead, the latter, June 9, 1883, and her husband, May 16, 1886.

ROBERT L. MONTGOMERY, second son of David B. Montgomery, was born,

George Hahl

1145

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

October 10, 1845. He was educated at the township schools and the Lime- stoneville and Turbutville Academies. December 23, 1874, he married Priscilla Stuart, daughter of Dr. Hugh Montgomery, by whom he has three children: Elizabeth B .; Esther A., and Isabella Stuart. He is an elder in the Warrior Run Presbyterian church, and politically he is a Democrat.

DAVID J. MONTGOMERY, youngest son of David B. Montgomery, was born, October 6, 1849, and was married, January 13, 1881, to Harriet Hays, and resides on the home farm. He has two children: Walter B. and Robert H.

GEORGE STAHL, farmer, was born on the farm where he now resides, Feb- ruary 25, 1814, son of Philip and Elizabeth (Eshbach) Stahl. His paternal grandfather, John Stahl, served in the Revolutionary war as quartermaster and captain, and at times was recruiting officer. At the close of the war he came to Northumberland county, and settled on a tract of land containing four hundred acres. He was the father of six children, Philip, father of our subject, being one of the number. The subject of this sketch received his education in the district schools, and has been a farmer all his life. He has served two terms as school director, and in other township offices. Mr. Stahl was married in 1842 to Elizabeth Deshler, of this county, and to them were born eight children: William J .; Thomas P .; Mary E .; Levi H .; John O .; David F .; Edwin O., and George Calvin. He is a member of the Ger- man Reformed church, and politically he has been a life-long Democrat. Mr. Stahl is one of the oldest and most respected citizens of his native town- ship. He is a man of the strictest integrity, and of unimpeachable charac- ter, and is a fitting representative of old Northumberland's best and purest citizenship.

GEORGE P. KAMP, retired farmer, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 24, 1817, son of Adam and Susan (Reider) Kamp. Adam Kamp immigrated from Germany to America in 1830 and settled in Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania. He was born, May 20, 1787, and died at the home of our subject in 1869. His wife was born, August 1, 1792, and died in 1873. They reared a family of seven children: Catharine, deceased; George P .; Rosetta, wife of Aaron Gaston; Christian; John, deceased; Flora, deceased, and Sophia, deceased. Our subject received his education in his native country and the common schools of Northumberland county. His first business venture was in the mercantile trade at Turbutville, which he continued from 1847 to 1862, since which time he was farming until he retired. He was married in September, 1847, to Rosannah Lantz, a sister of Simon Lantz, whose sketch appears in this volume. She died in 1861 after assisting to rear seven children born to their union: Luther, deceased; Clarinda; John P .; Charles F., an attorney of Williamsport; Simon R .; Mary, deceased, and William S., deceased. He was again married, in 1865, to Mary Walter, and to this union were born two children: Elizabeth, wife of William Beaver, and Rosanna, wife of Edward Waldtschmidt. His second wife died in

1146

HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

1871, and he was again married, July 2, 1876, to Maria Muffly. Mr. Kamp is a member of the Lutheran church, and has served in the various offices of the same for thirty years. He was one of the building committee in the erection of the Lutheran church of Turbutville. His wife is a member of the Reformed church.

ANDREW TENBROOK, farmer, was born at Elmira, New York, December 12, 1817, son of Andrew and Eleanor (Curry) Tenbrook. Winant Tenbrook, the great-grandfather of our subject, emigrated from Holland to America about the year 1728, in the ship Good Woman, it being the first ship to enter the Narrows at New York City. He was the owner of three hundred twenty acres of land, where the city of New York is now located, and helped to plan the laying out of the city. John, a son of Cornelius Tenbrook, and a descendant of Winant Tenbrook, was a colonel in the Revolutionary war, and was with Washington in the battle of Germantown and in other important engagements. He was the father of ten children. Andrew, his third son, was married in this county, and removed to Elmira, New York, where he operated a grist mill seven years, and then returned to this county. He was born in New Jersey in 1772, and died, September 14, 1851. His wife died, August 3, 1845. They reared a family of thirteen children: John, deceased; Matthew; Sarah; Mrs. Ann Hutchinson; John (2d); William; Jane; James; Andrew; Mrs. Ellen Wilson; Nancy; Mrs. Elizabeth Sweeny, and Thomas C. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools, and has always been a farmer. He was married, June 13, 1850, to Hannah McCarty, of this county. Five children were born to this union: William, a physician of Paris, Illinois; Andrew, a physician of Parsons, Kansas; Edwin, deceased; Robert S., deceased, and Ada C. His wife died, June 9, 1869. His second wife was Ada, daughter of George H. Dougherty, of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and to them has been born one child, Carrie. They are members of the Warrior Run Presbyterian church.

A. S. WAGNER, justice of the peace, was born, February 27, 1818, in Montour county, Pennsylvania, to Michael and Barbara (Snyder) Wagner. His grandfather immigrated to this country from Germany and located in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. Michael, father of our subject, located in Montour county about the year 1808. He was the father of ten children, four of whom are living: Peter; George; A. S., and Mary. He died in 1864, his wife in 1844. The subject of our sketch was educated in the dis- trict schools, and followed the occupation of farming until 1856, at which time he went into the mercantile trade in Washingtonville, and continued at that business six years. In 1858 he was elected county commissioner of Montour county, serving three years, and was then elected county treasurer of the same county, and served three years. He again engaged in farming, at which he continued until 1869, when he removed to Turbutville, this county. In 1870 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he has

1147

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

since held. He was married, February 3, 1842, to Mary Saul, and to this union were born four children: A. Luther, of Altoona; Calvin; Mary E., wife of Rev. Tilghman Derr, and Laura C., wife of Wallace Barr. Mr. Wagner and family are members of the Paradise German Reformed church; he has held the office of elder of the church twenty years, and has served twenty-five years as school director. Politically he is a Democrat.

E. H. HORNER, physician and surgeon, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1831, a son of Hugh and Sarah (Humphrey) Horner. His grandfather immigrated to this country from the North of Ire- land. Hugh, father of our subject, was a merchant in early life, and later followed the occupation of farming. He was the father of eight children: Hugh; John; Elizabeth; Jane; Harriet; Louisa; Edward H., and Matilda. He died in July, 1861, and his wife in October, 1872. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, and Union College, Schenectady, New York. He graduated at the latter institution in 1852, and immediately began the study of medi- cine with Dr. Samuel Abernethy, of Rahway, New Jersey, after which he attended the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, where he gradu- ated in 1855. He located at Newberry, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, remaining there six years. In 1862 he was appointed surgeon of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers and served one year, and afterward served two months as surgeon of the Twenty-sixth Pennsyl- vania Emergency regiment. Doctor Horner was married, February 24, 1859, to Sarah E. Webb, of Jersey Shore, and to this union have been born four children: Edward S .; S. Webb; Mary G., deceased, and one who died in infancy. He is a member of the State Medical Association, and of Bryson Post G. A. R., of Watsontown.

GEORGE TREON, physician and surgeon, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1832, son of George and Susan (Ritz) Treon, natives of France and Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, respectively. Michael Treon, the grandfather of our subject, immigrated at an early day with his family to America. He was master of eleven languages, was a physician, and three of his sons also became physicians. By his first wife he had seven children, five sons and two daughters. She died, and he was again married, to A. Gauger of Selinsgrove, to which union were born seven daughters. George Treon, Sr., was a physician, and settled in Muncy, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, when there were but three houses in the place. He practiced medicine in that community about forty-eight years, or to the time of his death, which occurred February 28, 1858. His widow died in 1871; she was the mother of twelve children: Elizabeth; Polly; Lydia; Lorine, deceased; Caroline, deceased; Sarah, deceased; Ellen; Susan; infant, deceased; George; John, a physician of Lycoming county, and Peter. Our subject was edu- cated in the Muncy Academy, studied medicine from boyhood with his

1148

HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

father, and attended medical lectures at the University of Pennsylvania. He began the practice of his profession at Georgetown, this county, where he remained four years. In 1860 he located at Turbutville and built up a lucrative practice. He removed to his farm east of that borough early in 1890, where he still devotes his attention to his professional duties. Doctor Treon was married, January 1, 1852, to Criser Nickle of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and to this union five children have been born: William; Emma, deceased; Alice, wife of George Kellar; Ida M., deceased, and Asher.

O. L. MUFFLY, physician and surgeon, was born in this county, October 22, 1860. He is a son of Samuel and Charlotte (Treon) Muffly, and brother of J. W. Muffly, of Watsontown. He was educated in the public schools and McEwensville Academy. In 1882 he began the study of medicine with Dr. George Treon, of Turbutville. He attended Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, one year, and graduated at the Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1886, and then practiced in the City hospital of Baltimore six months. In 1887 he formed a partnership with Dr. George Treon, of Turbutville, and continued to practice with him until March 1, 1890, when they dissolved. He was married, September 20, 1888, to Matilda, a daugh- ter of Samuel Hoffman, of Delaware township, Northumberland county.

PETER R. MENGES, merchant, was born in this county, July 29, 1836, son of Samuel and Catharine (Roubenoult) Menges. The father of our subject was born in this county, and reared nine children: Benjamin; William; Isaac; John; Mary, wife of Charles Rohne; Daniel; Susan, wife of George Franken- field; Peter R., and Jacob. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, and followed the occupation of farming until 1881, when he embarked in the mercantile business in Turbutville, at which he was engaged seven years. Politically he is a Democrat, served as postmaster of Turbutville from 1855 to 1858, has been overseer of the poor, and is now serving his second term in the borough council of Turbutville. He was a director in the Farmers' National Bank of Watsontown until October, 1890, when he disposed of his stock, and November 1, 1890, organized the present firm of P. R. & R. F. Menges, and again embarked in the general mercantile business. Mr. Menges was married, January 1, 1862, to Mary Bieber. One child was born to this union, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Menges are members of the Lutheran church, and he is recognized as one of the lead- ing citizens of his community.

BENJAMIN SAVIDGE, merchant, was born in Turbutville, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1857, son of William and Elizabeth (Stan- ton) Savidge, natives of Montour and Northumberland counties, respectively. William Savidge was a prominent merchant of Turbutville for many years, and died in July, 1876. His wife died in September, 1870. She was the mother of three children by her union with Mr. Savidge: Sarah, wife of P.

1149

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

W. Opp; Esther H., wife of Jacob McFarland, and Benjamin, who succeeded his father in business. The last named was educated in the public schools, and began his business career as a merchant. He is a director of the First National Bank of Milton, and is borough auditor of Turbutville. He was married in May, 1879, to Sophia Runion, and to this union have been born four children: Lizzie; Barton; Fuller, deceased, and William. Mr. Savidge is one of the best known and most enterprising business men of Turbutville.

JOHN P. DENTLER, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1842, son of William C. and Christianna (Raup) Dentler, natives of this county. His paternal grandfather came to this county in 1812, and lo- cated near Turbutville. He was the father of six children: John, who was associate judge of this county; Frederick; Franklin; William; Rachel, and Maria. William C., father of our subject, began life by working on the Pennsylvania canal, and afterward chose farming as an occupation. He served ten years as justice of the peace, and was an elder in the Lutheran church at the time of his death, November 7, 1866. His widow died, March 28, 1873. They reared a family of five children: William; Savilla; John P .; Mary C., wife of D. A. Engle, and Jennie, wife of Samuel Comley. The subject of our sketch was educated in the public schools, and has followed the occupation of farming all his life. He was married, January 13, 1870, to Jennie A., daughter of Philip Raup, of Turbutville. She died, July 11, 1888. They had two children: Lillie and Roy. January 1, 1890, he mar- ried Sarah Leinbach, of McEwensville. Mr. Dentler is a director of the Wat- sontown National Bank, and is a member of the Lutheran church, in which he has served as elder, deacon, and trustee. Politically he is a Democrat.

ROBERT C. RUCKMAN, farmer, was born in Lewis township, this county, December 14, 1820, son of William and Margaret (Caldwell) Ruckman. His grandfather, William Ruckman, a native of Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, settled in Lewis township, on the farm where our subject now resides. William, father of our subject, was born on that farm in 1796, was a farmer by occupation, and resided on the old homestead until his death. He reared a family of eleven children, seven of whom are living: Robert C .; Elizabeth, widow of H. P. Sheller, of Lewisburg; Eleanor, widow of Henry Follmer, of Union county; Thomas and John, both of Texas; Rebecca Jane, and Hester, widow of Robert Hutchinson, of Milton. The 'deceased are: William; Mar- garet; Sarah, and Rachel. The subject of this sketch was reared on the old homestead, attended the district schools, and in 1862 married Paulina S. Wheat, daughter of Edwin R. and Rachel (Ruckman) Wheat, of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and to this union were born three children: Edward W .; Robert, and Hugh S. Mr. Ruckman has served as school director and supervisor, and politically is a Republican. He is a member of the Warrior Run Presbyterian church.

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

DANIEL K. Hoy, farmer, was born in Lewis township, May 1, 1838, son of Michael and Elizabeth (Karchner) Hoy. The father of our subject was born in Union county, May 31, 1811, a son of John Hoy, a native of Berks county, who came to this county when a young man and first located at Kiefferstown, and later on the farm where his son now resides. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and Barbara Karchner. He died, March 6, 1882, his wife, January 28, 1880. He was an honest, upright citizen, a member of the Lutheran church, and politically a Democrat. He reared three children: Charles E .; Daniel K., and John A. The subject of our sketch was reared on the farm and was educated at the district schools. November 18, 1869, he married Alice, daughter of Henry Faber, of Lewis township, by which union they have had ten children: Sallie; Daisy; Annie; John; Willis; Harry; Frank; Fannie; Charles, and Nettie. Mr. Hoy has served as school director, and has been township treasurer five years. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and politically is a Democrat.

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History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 120

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