History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 121

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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S. P. GASTON, farmer, was born, December 16, 1829, a son of Robert and Eleanor (Shannon) Gaston. The Gaston family is of Scotch descent. Joseph, grandfather of our subject, was born, November 19, 1766. He came from New Jersey to Northumberland county, locating on a farm, where he died, April 18, 1834. He reared a family of seven children. Robert, his oldest son, and the father of our subject, was born, November 30, 1790, and was married, April 8, 1824, to Eleanor Shannon, who bore him seven children. The sub- ject of our sketch was educated in the common schools and at McEwensville Academy, and followed the occupations of farming and school teaching. November 5, 1861, he married Lydia Matchin, and to this union were born four children: Robert A., deceased; Robert C .; Edward H., in the employ of the Adams Express Company at York, Pennsylvania; and Harry G., a tele- graph operator at Mount Morris, New York. Mr. Gaston has served as auditor of the county, and has been a Republican, but is now a Prohibition- ist. He and his wife are members of the Warrior Run Presbyterian church.

LEVI H. FOLLMER, farmer, was born in Turbut township, Northumberland county, January 5, 1841, son of Charles and Teresa (Eshbach) Follmer, both natives of this county. The father was a farmer by occupation, a mem- ber of the Paradise Reformed church, and politically a Democrat. He died in 1882, and his wife in 1865. They were the parents of five children: Levi H .; Margaret, Mrs. Samuel Lerch; Sarah, Mrs. William Miller; Susan, Mrs. Josiah Baker, and Charles D. His second wife was Angeline Hause. The subject of our sketch was reared in this township, and educated in the public schools and at McEwensville Academy. December 5, 1863, he married Ella, daughter of Thomas and Mary Watts, of Lewis township; they have one daughter by adoption, Lizzie B. Mr. Follmer is a prominent member of the Turbutville Reformed church, and after serving one term as deacon, was re- elected. He has served as school director and overseer of the poor of Lewis

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township. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has been a member of the Patrons of Husbandry for fifteen years, holding office in the same nearly all of that time.

H. P. RAUP, farmer, was born in Lewis township, this county, April 17, 1851, son of Philip and Sarah Ann (Klapp) Raup, who reared a family of eight children, five of whom are living: Mary Ann; Sarah Catharine, Mrs. S. W. Keller, of Milton; Cora E., Mrs. Martin L. Schmucker; H. P., and Edward L. The subject of this sketch was reared in Lewis township, attended the district schools, and after the death of his parents took charge of the home farm. He married in May, 1878, Frances, daughter of William Seidel, of Derry township, Montour county, and has three children: J. "Seidel; Jessie May, and Ralph R. Mr. Raup has held the offices of township clerk, tax collector, and inspector and judge of election. He is a member of the Lu- theran church, of the Milton Mutual Lodge, No. 84, I. O. O. F., and politic- ally is a Democrat.

JEREMIAH LEINBACH, son of Samuel and Maria (Barto) Leinbach, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, July 12, 1842. He came to this county in 1859, and located in this township. He was well educated and in early life taught school. He reared a family of eight children, four of whom are living: Samuel, of Berks county; Nathan B., of Lycoming county; Jeremiah, and Maria, Mrs. Ezra Deisher, of Union county. In 1865 he married Lu- cinda, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Heffner) Fick, of Berks county, who came to this county in 1859 and located in Delaware township. By this marriage were born five children: Charles; Annie Elizabeth, Mrs. Henry Bitner; Lloyd; Allen, and Ellen Gertrude. In 1862 Mr. Leinbach enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and after a service of nine months was honorably discharged. Mr. Leinbach is a member of the G. A. R. of Watsontown and of the Reformed church.

ANDREW RUSSELL was a native of Ireland and immigrated to this county at a very early date. He remained but a short time, being driven away by the Indians. He went to Delaware, where he married Isabella Kerr, and about the year 1780 returned to this county, where he purchased a tract of land which includes the farm now occupied by T. W. and Samuel Russell. This he cleared and improved and there experienced much trouble with the Indians. He was a Presbyterian and took an active interest in the cause of religion. His family consisted of four sons and two daughters, all of whom are dead.

JOHN RUSSELL was born on the homestead farm in 1779, and died in De- cember, 1821. He was a farmer by occupation, and was recognized as one of the prominent and influential citizens of the township. He was a mem- ber of the Warrior Run Presbyterian church. He married Susan Wallace, daughter of Thomas Wallace, a native of Ireland who came to this county at an early day and died in Delaware township. To this union were born

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

three daughters and four sons: Hester, who married Joseph Laird; Isabella, deceased; Maria, who married John Tweed; John; Andrew; Samuel, and T. W.

T. W. RUSSELL, farmer, was born in Lewis township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1813, and is a son of John and Susan (Wallace) Russell. He was reared on the old homestead and attended the public schools of his neighborhood. He was married in March, 1851, to Lovina Kerr, a daughter of Nathan Kerr, and has three children: Jane, wife of William Stout; Sarah, and John. He is. a Republican, a member of the Warrior Run Presbyterian church, and a much respected citizen of his community.

SAMUEL RUSSEL, farmer, was born on the farm where he now resides in Lewis township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1820, and is a son of Samuel and Susan (Murray) Russel. His father was born on this farm in 1775, and here grew up and became one of the well known and enterprising farmers of the township. He was a member of the Warrior Run Presbyterian church, was a Whig in politics, and filled various township offices. He died, December 7, 1843, and his wife, October 28, 1850; nine children were born to their union, four of whom are living: Ellen; Thomas M .; Isabella, and Samuel. The last named was reared on the homestead farm, where he has since remained engaged at farming. January 2, 1851, he was married to Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of William Wilson, of Lewis township, and to this union seven children have been born, five of whom are living: Emma B .; Annie L .; Maggie R., wife of John Cathcart, of Dela- ware township; Ida P., and Thomas. He is a Republican in politics and attends the Warrior Run Presbyterian church.

J. B. LEINBACH, retired farmer, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1815, son of Henry and Mary (Barnhart) Lein- bach. His grandfather, Henry Leinbach, was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, came to this county about the year 1800, and located upon a farm in Lewis township. Henry Leinbach, his son, and the father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, and politically he was a Democrat. He died in 1829; his widow survived him until 1846. They reared a family of eight children: Daniel and Henry, deceased; John B .; Benival, de- ceased; Sarah, Mrs. George Hittle; Mary, Mrs. F. H. Carver; Elizabeth, Mrs. Simon Cameron, and Rebecca, deceased, who was married to C. Sweeney. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, and at the age of sixteen years learned the carpenter trade, at which he was employed about ten years; he then engaged in farming until 1861, when he was appointed agent for the American Life Insurance Company of Philadel- phia, which position he held for five years. In 1867 he became manager for the Union Mutual Life Insurance Company for the central part of Penn- sylvania and also filled this position for five years. Since 1872 he has been

D. B . Lainback

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agent for the North Western Life Insurance Company. He was married, October 2, 1858, to Mary Dunkle, a native of this county, and to this union nine children have been born: Fannie Bird; Elizabeth, Mrs. S. S. Alex- ander; Susan, Mrs. George W. Haag; Sarah, Mrs. J. P. Dentler; John F., a paint manufacturer of Muncy, Pennsylvania; C. R., a traveling salesman; Mary, Mrs. P. E. Moss; Gertrude, and Oliver. Mr. and Mrs. Leinbach are members of the German Reformed church of McEwensville, and in politics he is a Democrat.

JAMES H. CATHCART, farmer, was born on the homestead where he now resides, in Delaware township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, Au- gust 11, 1809, and is a son of John and Mary (Gilford) Cathcart. John Cathcart was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and removed to North- umberland county prior to the Revolutionary war. He subsequently returned to his native county and from there entered the service as a drum- mer boy in the American army, after which he came back to Dauphin county, and later located on the farm in Delaware township, this county, where his son, James H., now resides, and there died in 1832. His wife died in 1810; she was the mother of seven children, only one of whom is now living, James H. The latter was educated in the subscription schools, and has devoted his whole life to farming. He was married, February 22, 1849, to Margaret, a daughter of John Wortman of this county, and to this union one child was born, John G., who married Maggie, a daughter of Samuel Russel of this county. Mr. Cathcart and wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church. During his younger days he took a deep interest in politics, and has always been an ardent supporter of the principles and measures of the Democratic party.

THOMAS MAST, retired farmer, was born in Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, June 4, 1815, son of John F. and Sarah (McHoes) Mast. The Mast family emigrated from Germany to this country, and first located in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and from there John F. Mast removed to Northamp- ton county, where he married and reared a family of seven children, all of whom are deceased but Thomas and John W., of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. John F. Mast died in Northampton county in 1815; his widow survived him until June 10, 1854. The subject of this sketch was educated in the com- mon schools, and at the age of nineteen learned the blacksmith trade, which occupation he followed twenty-seven years. He removed to Northumberland county in 1866, and has since been engaged in farming. He was married in April, 1842, to Harriet B. Thomas. They are members of the Reformed church of Watsontown, of which church he is an elder.

THOMAS DE ARMOND, retired farmer, was born upon the farm where he now resides, February 10, 1807, son of Samuel and Esther (Wallace) De Armond, and brother of Samuel De Armond, whose sketch appears elsewhere. He was educated at the subscription schools of his boyhood, and has followed the occupation of farming all his life.

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

G. W. ARMSTRONG, merchant, McEwensville, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, July 30, 1822, son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Guffy) Armstrong. His grandfather, James Armstrong, immigrated from Ireland to this country, and settled at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he was teacher of mathematics in the high school. In 1785 he engaged in the mercantile business at Northumberland, this county, and later at McEwensville. An- thony, his son, a farmer by occupation, died in January, 1868, and his wife in 1832. He reared a family of eight children: Jane; Andrew; Matilda; Samuel; Richard; James P .; Margaret, and George W. The subject of our sketch was educated in the common schools and Milton Academy, and at the age of eighteen years learned the printer's trade in the office of the Milton Ledger; he eventually became one of the editors of that paper, after which he was connected with a paper in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, a short time. He then enlisted in the Mexican war in Company C, Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, in January, 1847, and in August of the same year brought home the remains of General R. H. Hammond, of Milton. He was a member of the Northumberland Troop, and served in all the offices from lieutenant to general. He was connected with the Bordentown Palladium, of Borden- town, New Jersey, and in company with G. L. Vliet he published a paper called the True Democrat at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, two years, when they were burned out. About the year 1850 he embarked in the mercantile busi- ness at McEwensville, where he has since resided. He was postmaster for eight years at McEwensville, during the administrations of Presidents Pierce and Buchanan. He was married in February, 1849, to Elizabeth Witter, of Milton, and to this union have been born five children: Blanche, wife of William Dewitt, of Troy, Bradford county, Pennsylvania; George P .; Annie; Tillie, wife of James Buoy, of Milton, and Harry, who served as postmaster of McEwensville during Cleveland's administration. Mr. and Mrs. Arm- strong are members of the Warrior Run Presbyterian church. He has served as school director, as burgess and councilman of McEwensville, and politic- ally, is a stanch Democrat.

JOSEPH KERR, wagon maker, was born in Montour county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1821, son of Daniel and Sarah (Cooper) Kerr. His grandfather, John Kerr, emigrated from Ireland to America at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, in which he served two years. He settled in New Jersey, and married Catharine Drake, after which they removed to Columbia county, Pennsylvania, where they died. Daniel Kerr, father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation. He married a Miss McNinch and after her death Sarah Cooper, and to the latter union were born eleven children: Mary, de- ceased; John, deceased; Susan; Joseph; Peter, deceased; David, deceased; Henry; Andy; Sallie A .; Elsie J., and Jane, deceased. The father died in 1851, and his widow in 1870. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools, and at the age of eighteen years learned the wagon maker's trade,

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and has since been engaged at that, in connection with farming. He was married in February, 1847, to Margaret J. Derr, and they are the parents of seven children: John; Serena, Mrs. Joseph Whitman; Mary, Mrs. John C. Waldren; William C .; Emma, Mrs. William Faust; Malinda J., deceased, and Valentine B. Mrs. Kerr died, December 10, 1888, in the faith of the German Reformed church. He was again married and has two children (twins) by this last union, Minnie M. and Tillie A. Mr. Kerr is a member of the German Reformed church, and in politics is a Democrat.

JOHN P. BEARD was born, April 12, 1822, son of James and Nancy (Moore) Beard. His grandfather, John Beard, was a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, who removed to this county in 1789, and located on a farm in Delaware township. James Beard, his oldest son, and the father of our sub- ject, served in the war of 1812 under Captain William Fulkerson. After the war he was engaged at farming in this township until 1859, when he removed to McEwensville and lived a retired life. He died, December 7, 1869, aged seventy-eight years; his widow died, July 27, 1876, aged eighty years. They reared a family of seven children: Jane; Eleanor, deceased; John P .; Sarah, deceased; Agnes; William, deceased, and Mary. The subject of our sketch received a common school education, and followed the occupation of farming until 1859, when he engaged in the mercantile business at McEwensville, where he remained until he enlisted in Company L, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, as first lieutenant, and served until April 9, 1863. Since 1874 he has been engaged in the fruit tree business. He was married, June 12, 1861, to Sarah, daughter of Charles Allen, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and to this union were born five children: James C., who married Emily L. Mc- Cullough, of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and died, September 15, 1886; Rachel A., Mrs. J. Bruce Oakes; Agnes J .; Sarah, deceased, and Georgetta. Mr. Beard is a member of Warrior Run Presbyterian church; his wife died in 1864.

SAMUEL C. BRYSON, deceased, was born in Northumberland county, Penn- sylvania, upon the farm where his widow now resides, in 1837, son of Will- iam B. and Rebecca (Caldwell) Bryson. He was a farmer by occupation. He enlisted in Company D, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, as a private, and was promoted to the rank of captain, serving nearly four years. December 23, 1868, he married Martha W., daughter of Joseph Dean, of Montour county, Pennsylvania. Her father served two terms as associate judge of Montour county, and his first wife was Mary Pollock, by whom he had three children, Joseph being the only one now living. His second wife was Adaline Coal, who bore him eight children: Oliver, a lawyer, of Kansas City, Missouri; Mary D .; Clingan; Ursula Gauger; Alice D .; Foster; William A., and Martha. Captain Bryson died, December 24, 1879. He was the father of six children: James; Howard; Helen; Janet; Fannie, deceased, and Ada, deceased.

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

CHARLES HARTZELL, farmer, was born in Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, January 16, 1834, son of Charles and Leah (Rhodenberger) Hartzell. Charles Hartzell, Sr., was a shoemaker by trade, but was principally engaged in farming. He removed from Northampton county to Milton in 1840, and soon after removed to Lewis township, and from there to Delaware township, where he died, February 14, 1875; his widow died, February 16, 1877. They reared three children: Lydia, deceased; Charles, and Henry. He helped build the River and Delaware Run churches, and has served as deacon and elder of the Delaware Run church a number of years. The sub- ject of our sketch attended the common schools and the McEwensville Academy. He was engaged as a carpenter about six years, and has since been occupied in farming. He was married, December 24, 1857, to Catha- rine R. Weirline, and to this union have been born three children: Mary E., Mrs. George O. Sarvis; Anna L., Mrs. David Prior, and Carrie S. Mr. Hartzell is an active member of the Democratic party; he has served as township auditor, and sixteen. years as school director. He and wife are members of the German Reformed church, and he has served in the offices of elder, deacon, secretary, and treasurer of the Delaware Run church. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A.

W. W. WATSON, farmer, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, February 9, 1842, son of David C. and Margaret (Wilson) Watson. His great-grandfather, John Watson, with his three sons, removed from Chester county, Pennsylvania, and settled where Watsontown is now situated. David, his oldest son, was the first merchant of Watsontown, and for him the town was named. He was the owner of the first carriage in the county, and his wife was the first woman in the county to possess a watch. He had three sons and four daughters: John; David; Robert; Maria, Mrs. John Vincent; Sarah, Mrs. Charles Ketchner; Elizabeth, and Hattie, Mrs. Edmund Piper, all deceased but Mrs. Piper. The father died, January 7, 1856, and the mother, December 3, 1853. David C., the second son, was married, March 12, 1829, to Margaret Wilson, and to this union were born the following children: Annie E., Mrs. J. J. Lawrence; David; Robert C .; James A., who died at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, during the late war; Jem- mella J .; Hampton C .; William W .; Margaretta H .; Winfield S., and Daniel C. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools, and enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served nine months. Mr. Watson is a Knight Templar in the Masonic order, and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of the county.

ALEM MAUSER, of the firm of Mauser Brothers, McEwensville, was born in Montour county, Pennsylvania, July 20, 1846, son of Michael and Catharine (Wortman) Mauser. He attended the district schools, and at the age of seventeen years came to McEwensville and was engaged in William

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Hood's carriage shop as an apprentice, remaining there six years, when he purchased the business from his employer. A few years later he took as a partner his brother Cain, and they now employ fifteen men. He was married, December 22, 1869, to Hannah M., niece of William Hood, and they are the parents of two children: Sallie H. and Harry S. Mr. Mauser and wife are members of the German Reformed church of McEwensville.

J. B. OAKES, farmer, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1848, and is a son of James and Maria (Durham) Oakes. James Oakes was a farmer, was born and reared in White Deer valley, Union county, Pennsylvania, was a prominent Democrat, and the father of two children: Maggie, wife of Rilforde R. Shaffner, and J. B. The father died, September 6, 1860, and his widow died, April 5, 1881. Our subject was educated in the common schools and has devoted his entire life to farming. He was married, November 18, 1874, to Rachel A. Beard, of McEwensville, this county, and to this union seven children have been born: Charles, de- ceased; Maria; John Walker; William W .; James B .; Sarah, deceased, and Rachel. Mr. Oakes and wife are members of the Warrior Run Presbyterian church. He is a member of Watsontown Lodge, No. 401, F. & A. M., and Warrior Run Chapter, No. 246, R. A. M., and one of the enterprising citi- zens of the community in which he resides.

CAIN MAUSER, carriage manufacturer, was born in Montour county, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1849, son of Michael and Catharine (Wortman) Mauser. His grandfather, Christian Mauser, was a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Michael, the father of our subject, was a carpenter by trade, but was principally engaged in farming. He died, October 15, 1854, leaving six children: an infant, deceased; Mary, Mrs. Lewis Bayler; Alem; Cain; Emanuel, and Michael. His widow married Anthony Faust, and to this union three children have been born, but one of whom is living, Peter Faust. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, and at the age of seventeen years learned the harness making trade; he then clerked in a general store at Orangeville, Columbia county, Penn- sylvania, after which he took a trip West. After his return he learned the carriage trimming trade, and in company with his brother Alem has since been engaged in the manufacture of carriages at McEwensville. He was married, December 12, 1877, to Emma C. Wesner, of McEwensville. Mr. and Mrs. Mauser are members of Messiah Lutheran church.

E. H. RUSSELL, farmer, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, March 15, 1851, son of Robert M. and Esther G. (Mckinney) Rus- sell. P. Kerr Russell, grandfather of our subject, was a farmer by occupation. He served as justice of the peace and as elder in the Presbyterian church, and also served in the war of 1812. He married Margaret Montgomery, and they reared a family of eight children: Isabella; Montgomery; Kerr H .; William; Charles; Robert M .; Edmonds, and Preston, all deceased. Robert

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

M. Russell, father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, and a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as elder about thirty-five years. He married Esther McKinney, by whom he had four children: James, deceased; Edmond H .; Eugenia R., Mrs. William H. Nicely, and Maggie M., who married Thomas De Armond. He died, September 6, 1883. The sub- ject of this sketch received his education at the public schools, and has always been occupied as a farmer. He was married, December 17, 1878, to Isabella W., daughter of John Russell, and to this union has been born one child, John H. Mr. Russell and wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Watsontown, of which church he is an elder.

CHAPTER L.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

UPPER AUGUSTA, LOWER AUGUSTA, AND ROCKEFELLER TOWNSHIPS.

JOHN F. KLINE, farmer, was born in Augusta township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1814, son of Henry Kline, who was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, in 1791 and came to this county with his father, Isaac Kline, in 1799. The father of Isaac Kline, whose name was also Isaac, died in this county in 1820, and Herman, one of his two sons who came to this county, settled in Augusta township and died, leaving a large family. The other son, Isaac, died in 1804, and had four children: Henry; Herman; Isaac, and Sarah. The oldest of these died in 1878, and his wife died in 1859; their children were: John F .; Jane; Isaac F .; Elizabeth; Mary, and Francis. Our subject was married in 1839 to Eliza Mettler, and has four children: Sarah Ellen; Martha; Henry M., and Lizzie.

HERMAN KLINE, farmer, was born in Rush township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1818, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (De Witt) Kline. He was married in 1841 to Mary Bassett and had nine children: Luther; Elisha; Elizabeth; George M .; Margaret; David C .; Isaac; Jere- miah S., and Rachel.

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History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 121

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