USA > Pennsylvania > Sullivan County > History of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania > Part 20
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He was born at Spring Hill, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1821, a son of Don Emanuel Sylvara, who was born at Lisbon, Portugal, about 1790. He came to America when a lad of fifteen years, in 1805, to escape being impressed in the army, and was well supplied with money, but it was taken from him by the captain of the ship, who bound him out to pay his passage money. He soon escaped from his master, however, and went to Connecticut,
where he found a friend in Joseph Nichols, a landlord of a hotel, with whom he remained for several years, later learning the furrier's trade and working for a time at it. In 1816 he came to Wyoming county, Penn- sylvania, and soon afterward purchased a farın in Tuscarora township. Clearing a portion of it, he resided thereon and fol- lowed farming until 1839, when he traded it for property at Silvara, Bradford county, where he continued to engage in agricul- tural. pursuits until his death, in March, 1853. Prosperity crowned his efforts and he left to each of his children a farm. He married Miss Janette Marsh, and to them were born ten children, as follow: Joseph, a physician, now deceased; Benjamin M., of this review; Eliza A., wife of Robert Cooley; Theodore and Andrew J., both farmers of Bradford county; John T., de- ceased; Emily, wife of Charles Davidson; Lewis B., an invalid residing in Silvara; Louisa, who died in infancy; and Ebenezer . L., a broker, of Perry, Michigan. For her second husband the mother married Ben- jamin Dexter, but they had no children by that union. She died in 1874.
Benjamin M. Sylvara received a meager education in the public schools of his native place, and worked on the home farm until thirty years of age. During this time he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. On leaving home he moved to a farm given him by his father and later to Laceyville, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade for a short time. He then went on the road peddling, and later opened a store, at Nor- conk's Corners, Bradford county, which he sold at the end of a year and returned to his farm. Soon afterward, however, he again went to Laceyville, where he purchased a store and conducted it for two years, re- turning to his farin at the end of that time.
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He next made his home in Towanda, where he worked in a hotel one year, and on the Ist of May, 1860, came to Dushore, where, in the spring of 1861, he became proprietor of the Dushore House, conducting that well known hostelry for three years. At the end of that time he opened a store and two years later bought a sawmill, gristmill and one hundred and forty acres of land. After operating the mills for a year, he purchased a large farm near Dushore and moved thereon, being engaged in tilling the soil until 1882, when he moved to his present residence in Dushore. He successfully en- gaged in the brokerage business until 1891, when he retired from active business. When the First National Bank was organ- ized in Dushore, in 1890, he became a stockholder and director, and in Jannary, 1895, he was elected president, but retired a year later, owing to failing health. He has always been one of Sullivan county's most progressive and public-spirited citizens. Prior to 1860 Mr. Sylvara was a Democrat in politics, but since then has given an un- wavering support to the men and measures of the Republican party. Always upright, honest, plain-spoken and truthful, he has made no enemies, and in his declining years enjoys the love and respect of all who know him.
On the ist of April, 1845, Mr. Sylvara married Miss Harriet L. Stone, a daughter of Calvin Stone, of Herrick, Pennsylvania, where she was born March 10, 1821, and they have become the parents of four chil- dren: Lucretia A., born September 19, 1846, married James H. Hughes, of Olean, New York, November 2, 1874, and they have two children: Lottie A. and Don E. Edwin G., a merchant of Dushore, is men- tioned below; Emily J., born October 7, 1852, was married July 3, 1870, to J. New- 10
ton Martin, who died January 2, 1894, and the children born to them were Bayard T., born August 12, 1873; Linta V., born July 29, 1876; and Dudley H., who was born November 9, 1881, and died December 30, 1883. Mrs. Martin resides with her parents. Ellen L., born May 13, 1855, died August 16, the same year.
EDWIN GRANVILLE SYLVARA, one of the leading merchants of Dushore, was born in Tuscarora township. Bradford county, ob- tained his primary education in the public schools of Sullivan county, and later at- tended Dickinson Seminary, at Williams- port, Pennsylvania. In 1869 he secured a position as bookkeeper with Charles Pugh, a wholesale grocer of Wilkesbarre, where he remained ten years, and on returning to Dushore engaged in the butter business until 1884. In that year, in company with J. D. Reeser, 'he opened a general store, and together they conducted the business until 1891, when he purchased Mr. Reeser's in- terest and has since been alone. He carries one of the largest and finest lines of general merchandise in Sullivan county, occupying a large double store, and he is one of the most progressive and enterprising business men in this region. He employs five clerks, and in connection with his general mercan- tile business also deals largely in country produce.
Mr. Sylvara was married May 1, 1879, to Miss Saralı E. Albertson, daughter of Samnel Albertson, of Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, who was born in Burlington, New Jersey, of Quaker stock, and was for thirty years superintendent of the Wolf, Hard & Company's glass works at Pittsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Sylvara have two children: Le- land A., born March 8, 1880; and Benja- min M., born September 24, 1890.
Mr. Sylvara has a high standing in the
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Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of Pittston, Pennsylvania, the consistory at. Towanda, and the Lu Lu Temple. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Philadelphia. In his po- litical affiliations he is a Republican, and he has held the offices of school director and auditor in his borough. As a citizen he ever stands ready to discharge every duty devolving upon him, and he receives and merits the high regard of the entire com- munity.
A' LBERT LEE DYER, the well-known proprietor of the Lopez Meat Market and also a livery stable at Lopez, Pennsyl- vanla, is a native of Bradford county, born at New Era, February 13, 1868, and is a son of John C. and Mary (Butler) Dyer, who are likewise natives of Bradford county and now make their home in Lopez, Sulli- van county. The father is now in the em- ploy of Trexler & Terrell, as saw-hammerer, at their mill in Ricketts. Albert L. is the oldest of the three children of the family, the others being William W., a telegraph operator in Brooklyn, New York; and Sadie E., wife of C. M. Tozer, of Lopez.
The primary education of our subject was obtained in the public schools of New Era, but he later attended the Towanda graded school and the Susquehanna Collegiate Institute. At the age of nineteen he came to Bernice, Sullivan county, and worked in the lath mill for a year, after which he was employed as foreman for J. W. Strowd, the lumberman, for two years, and was in partnership with that gentleman in the lumber business for a year. In May, 1891, he removed to Lopez, and opened a con- fectionery store and pool room, which he conducted for four years, and on selling out
purchased a meat market. Consolidating his business with that of J. D. Place, they carried on the meat market together for fifteen months, but at the end of that time Mr. Dyer bought his partner's interest and has since been alone. In addition to the meat business he also conducts a livery and and feed stable, with good success. He is enterprising and progressive, and the suc- cess that has crowned his efforts is due en- tirely to his own perseverance and good management.
On the 4th of October, 1894, Mr. Dyer was united in marriage to Miss Ella M., daughter of John Utz, of Dushore, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. She is a member of the Lutheran church, while socially Mr. Dyer is a member of Evergreen Lodge, No. 163. F. & A. M., of Monroeton, Pennsylvania; Dushore Lodge, No. 494, I. O. O. F .; and Lopez Tent, K. O. T. M. He is an active member of the Republican party, was appointed constable for one year and twice elected to that office, and in 1896 was also elected town clerk. . Ilis official duties have always been mnost faithfully performed, and in all the relations of life he has been found true to every trust reposed in him.
JUSTIN LOOMIS CHRISTIAN, M. D., J an eminent physician and surgeon of Lopez, Sullivan county, was born near Mill- ville, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, Au- gust 18, 1866, a son of Jacob and Martha (Smith) Christian. His early education, acquired in the district schools near his childhood home, was supplemented by a course at the Orangeville Academy and at Millville Seminary, and later he success- fully engaged in teaching school for a period of three years. Entering the office of his
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brother, Dr. H. S. Christian, of Millville, he commenced the study of medicine, and subsequently he was graduated at the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Balti- more, Maryland, and the Medico-Chirur- gical College at Philadelphia. He began the practice of his chosen profession at Hillsgrove, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, in April, 1890, and removed to Lopez on the 15th of January, 1897. His thorough knowledge of medicine and his skill in sur- gery have won for him the confidence of the people, and he has already succeeded in building up a large and Incrative practice.
Among his professional brethren Dr. Christian stands high, and he is now serv- ing as surgeon for the Lehigh Valley Rail- road Company, is president of the board of pension examiners for Sullivan county, and is special examiner for all of the leading insurance companies operating in the coun- ty. He is a member of the American Med- ical Association, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, the Lycoming County Medical Society and the West Branch Med- ical Association. He is also president of the Lopez Athletic Association, and belongs to Monroeton Lodge, F. & A. M., Hills- grove Lodge, No. 305, I. O. O. F., and Washington Camp, P. O. S. of A., at Ber- nice. He has ever taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs, is a member of the Republican county commit- tee and is an ex-member of the Republican State League.
In 1898 Dr. Christian was unanimously nominated as the Republican candidate for member of the state legislature, and in a strong Democratic county, which gave that state ticket two hundred majority in this fall's election, the popularity of Dr. Chris- tian was shown by his election as member of the assembly with a majority of two hun-
dred and thirty-three. His home town, Lopez, gave him nearly every vote cast, le receiving two hundred and fifty-two votes and the Democratic candidate only eighteen.
The Doctor was married, August 20, 1893. to Miss Celia Peck, daughter of Ho- iner Peck, of Hillsgrove, and to them have been born one son, Justin L. Mrs. Chris- tian holds membership in the Baptist church. .
J W. LUCK; the affable, genial propri- etor of Lopez's flourishing confectionery and grocery store, was born in Tioga county, New York, February 6, 1861, and is of English and German parentage. His father, William Luck, was born in England, coming to America when a young man and locating in the the state of New York. His wife, to whom he was married in Broome county, that state, was Lucy M. Councelman, daughter of David Councelman, who was of German descent and died in Tioga county, at the age of eighty-three years. William Luck was a farmer of Tioga county, and died when our subject was but three years of age. The children were Edward, who died in boyhood; Olive, living with her mother in Tioga county; J. W. and Julia, twins. the former the subject of this sketch, the latter the wife of George Lull of Owego, New York; and Ozias F., foremau of the bridge divison of the Erie Railroad, at Paterson, New Jersey.
After receiving an education in the. com- mon schools Mr. Luck began to earn a living for himself, working for the farmers in his neighborhood, and later worked in the lumber woods in New York and Pennsyl- vania. From the lumber regions of New York he came to Sullivan county and em- barked in lumber jobbing at Ricketts and
0
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Lopez. He spent three years as foreman in the Standard kindling-wood factory, and in May, 1897. he decided to try a more congenial business and opened his present stand, where he deals in confections, groce- ries and cigars. 'Into this, as in all his business, he throws his best efforts, and he enjoys a large and Incrative patronage, which is accorded him as much for his kindly; pleasant manner of treating his patrons as for the superior excellence of his goods.
He was married in Maine, Broome con- ty, New York, to Miss Berdena Ballard, and this mmion resulted in the following children: Ina Belle, born November 22, 1885, and Hazel, born September 3, 1893. Mrs. Luck is a most estimable lady, and is a communicant of the Evangelical church of Lopez.
Her maternal grandfather was Amos Bal- lard, who was born in the state of New York, where he resided for a number of years and where he married Cornelia Curtis. They finally moved to Pennsylvania, where they lived until the death of his wife. Seven chil- dren were the fruits of the union. The mother waslaid to rest at the age of thirty-six. He then enlisted in the late war of the Re- bellion, and died at Washington, at the age of forty years. Gardner Ballard, the grand- father on the father's side, was a resident of New York state and married Keziah Ilaines. Six children were born to them. One of the sons, Leroy. was killed in the Civil war at the battle of Weldon Railroad. Gardner Ballard was a veteran in the late Civil war and died at the age of seventy- four years . Ile wasalso a devout Christian.
John O. Ballard, father of Berdena Bal- lard, was born in the state of New York, was a hmiberman in early life, and married his consin, Olive Ballard, at Centre Lisle, Broome county, New York, in 1868. Hle
enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Ninth Regiment United States Volunteers, and served three years in the Civil war. Olive Ballard, his wife, was born near Her- rick, in Pennsylvania, in 1850. She was left an org han at an early age. She lived several years in the family of a physician, and was launched on the sea of matrimony while in her 'teens. Three children were born to them, only two, Berdena and Edua, reaching maturity.
Mr. Luck favors the Democratic party. but in minor elections always gives his support to the candidate he thinks will till the office in the most acceptable manner.
O LIVER 11. BIRD. - The subject of this sketch is a prominent member of a family which has long been influential and well known in the history of Sullivan county. More than a century ago, or iu 1793. his great-grandfather, Powell Bird. and family emigrated from their ancestral home in Norfolk, England, to America. Hle crossed the ocean with John Warner and a Mr. Molyneux. For two years he lived in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and then came to Forks township, Sullivan. county, to property which was then in the wilderness, and which for more than a hun- dred years has now been in possession of the family. To each of the three emi- grants, Messrs. Bird, Warren and Molyneux. Joseph Priestly had presented a deed for fifty acres as an inducement to bring cultivation and civilization to the wild surroundings. In England Powell Bird had married Lydia Ilanant, and the young wife and her babes made with him the long pilgrimage to the new home. The first white child born in Forks township was a daughter of Powell and Lydia Bird, Rebecca, who married
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Edward Molyneux. The emigrants lived to a good old age and died on the wilderness homeand were buried on the farm.
George Bird, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Norfolk, England, in 1789, and was three years of age when, in 1793, home ties were broken and a start made for the fertile fastnesses of Pennsylvania. He grew up in Sullivan county and here married Sally King, who was a native of England. Their children were Phoebe, born November 23, 1813, widow of John Fawcett, of Elkland township; Powell, born January 16, 1815, married Sarah P. Molyneux, and died March 8, 1896; Mary, born November S, 1816, widow of Thomas Norton, of Forks township; Thomas, born August 1, 1818, died October 8, 1819; Esther, born April 29, 1820, married Richard Biddell, and died October 15, 1894; Lydia, born March 3, 1822, widow of Joseph Fawcett, of Elkland township; Charles, father of our subject, born June 21, 1821, died October 15, 1897; William, born July 2, 1826, died February 20, 1828; George C., born February 15, 1829, married Harriet Kaye; Ann, born August 10, 1832, died March 21, 1879; and John K., the . youngest, born November 25, 1837, married Caroline Yonkin, and is now a prominent fariner of Forks township, and the owner of the old Bird homestead. Caroline Yonkin was the daughter of Peter Yonkin, a promni- nent farmer of Sullivan county. George Bird remained a farmer through life and died July 14, 1872, aged eighty-three years; his wife died September 3, 1867, aged seventy-nine years. The remains of both were interred in the Bird family burying- ground, on the old homestead in Forks township.
Charles Bird, father of our subject, was a life-long resident of Forks township, and,
like his ancestors, devoted his attention to , the tilling of the soil. At the age of twenty- one he moved to the farin now worked by his son Oliver H., and here remained through life. He was married to Harriet Molyneux, of Sullivan county, daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Rogers) Molyneux, and a descendant of the Mr. Molyneux who emigrated from Norfolk, England, to America with Powell Bird in 1793. To Charles and Harriet Bird were born five children: Oliver II., subject of this sketch; Ruth, who married George Reinbolt, a farmer of Forks township; William, a farmer of Forks township; and Angeline and Adeline, twins. The foriner married Louis McCarty and is deceased; Adeline is is the wife of James Farrell, of Forks town- ship. Charles Bird was a man of con- siderable prominence. In politics he was a Republican and he was called by his fel- low citizens to hold many local offices of trust and responsibility. He died October 15, 1897, aged seventy-two years. His widow, who was born January 12, 1825, still survives and resides with our subject.
Oliver Il. was born on the farm he now cultivates, March 24, 1846. Ilis boyhood and youth were spent here, and through the carlier years of his manhood he continued to till the acres, remaining on the old farm until 1883, when he settled upon a tract of fifty acres in the rough wilderness, which by his unremitting energies he cleared and reduced to a high state of cultivation. Upon the death of his father, in 1897, he returned to the old homestead to care for the aged mother.
Our subject was married December 6, 1872, at Millview, Sullivan county, to Miss Catherine Hunsinger, who was born in Forks township, May 18, 1851, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Probst) Hunsinger.
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There were born to them six children: Samuel J., who married Viola A. Clark and is a farmer of Forks township; Clara M., wife of James Dristol, a farmer of Forks township; Jennie L., wife of Tilman J. Clark, a farmer of Forks township; Ralph, Mary S., and Angeline, deceased. Oliver H. Bird is a member of the Methodist Protest- ant church and in politics is an earnest Republican. He is not an office-seeker, but at times has been elected to local offices, having filled the offices of assessor and school director. Few men can claim - a family residence in Sullivan county, so long continued. The record of these four generations has been one of honest toil, blameless conduct, an intelligent view of the relations of life, a public-spirited inter- est in the welfare of the community, -in brief, a typical presentation of that high American citizenship which constitutes the . heart and brain of the country. He is honored and esteemed by his fellow men, and is held to be one of the prominent sub- stantial men of Sullivan county.
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FRED PORTER VINCENT .- Although residing in Philadelphia in order to dis- charge the duties attaching to the office of United States appraiser at the port of Philadelphia, Fred Porter Vincent is num- bered among the leading citizens of Sullivan county. He was born in Milan, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1856, and was the second son of David B. and Joanna E. Vincent. He acquired his pre- himinary education in the public schools, later attended a private school in Athens and then completed his education in the common schools. He thus gained a good practical knowledge of those branches of learning which fit one for life's responsible
duties, and was also trained to habits of in- dustry by his father, who encouraged him to engage in such work as usually falls to to the lot of young lads in country villages. For a few years prior to attaining his ma- jority he spent the greater part of his time in his father's blacksmith shop, and in the fall of 1877 he entered the employ of J. W. Carroll, a prominent clothier of Athens. Soon mastering the principles and methods whereon a successful mercantile business is conducted, he was entrusted by his em- ployer with the establishment of several branch stores, and in the fall of 1879 came to Dushore. in the interest of Mr. Carroll. Here he opened a clothing store, which he successfully conducted for his employer until 1885, when he purchased a half inter- est in the business, the following year be- coming sole proprietor. Carrying a large and complete stock of men's clothing and furnishing goods, and endeavoring earnestly to meet the wishes of the public, he won a liberal patronage, and conducted is store until the winter of i 896.
Mr. Vincent has always taken an active part in political affairs in his county and is a pronounced Republican, unswerving in his support of the principles of the " grand old party." He has served as chairman of the Republican standing committee for sev- eral years, and his keen discrimination and capable management have been very effect- ive in securing Republican victories. He has been honored with a number of offi- cial positions, was appointed postmaster at Dushore by President Harrison, in 1889, for a four-years tenn, and in 1886 was was elected collector of Dushore. In the early spring of 1897 he was appointed by President Mckinley to the position of as- sistant United States appraiser of the port of Philadelphia, and is nowv residing tempo-
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rarily in that city. His administration of the affairs of the office has been most com- mendable and acceptable, for he is a man of sterling integrity of character and up- right purpose, who never falters in the per- formance of any duty of public or private life. He and his estimable wife have a very extensive circle of warm friends in Sullivan county, and as one of the prominent men of the locality he well deserves representation in its history.
H JENRY REINBOLD, one of the most prominent and prosperous farmers of Cherry township, has been a life-long resi- dent of the farm which he now owns and occupies. He was born on this farm March 24, 1839, and his memory goes back to the time when it was almost in a condition of a primitive wilderness, for only a few years before his birth his father had founded a home in the wilderness.
The family of which Mr. Reinbold is a worthy and honored representative has been domiciled in America for three generations. The paternal grandparents of our subject, Ludwig and Sally (Lindes) Reinbold, were natives of Germany. Emigrating to Amer- ica they tarried for a time in Philadelphia and later removed to Lehigh county, where they remained through life. Ludwig Rein- bold rendered signal service for the country of his adoption by enlisting in the Revolu- tionary war and serving under General Washington. His wife proved her devotion to the cause of liberty by baking bread for the hungry patriots. The family of Ludwig and Sally Reinbold consisted of twelve children. The eldest son, William, lived to the extreme age of almost a century, dying in 1875, at the age of ninety-nine years, ten months and twenty days.
Another of the sons, Henry, was the father of our subject. He was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, 1796, and there married Mary Werst, who was born in Lehigh county in 1796, the daughter of Jacob and Susannah (Landrus) Werst, who remained life-long farmers'of that county. In 1833 Henry Reinbold, Sr., emigrated to the present home of his son, subject of this sketch. Hle purchased fifty acres in the wilderness, paying for it two dollars and fifty cents per acre. In this forest he made a small clearing, upon which to build a log cabin. When completed, settlers from far and near gathered for a house-warming or a dance. House furnishings were not very complete in those times, and a blanket serv- ed for a door. One of the party leaned against it and was precipitated into outer darkness. He was severely reprimanded by a companion for imagining that all people had doors to their houses. Deer abounded in the vicinity, and many were shot. One dark night Mr. Reinbold shot a deer and lost his way in the forest. He only found his path home by making a loud outcry and evoking a distant bark in response from the dog of a neighbor. Guided by the sound he recovered his bearings in the trackless wil- derness. Henry Reinbold, Sr., was a shoe- maker, and he followed his trade in the wilderness home. He was fertile in resources and possessed of excellent business judg- ment, becoming quite prominent in the new community. He died September 24, 1867, aged seventy-one years. His widow sur- vived until October 8, 1890, when death overtook her at the age of eighty-six years and eight months. Both are buried in Ger- many cemetery. The children born to Henry and Mary Reinbold were as follows: Lavina, widow of Samuel Faust, of Tavola, Penn- sylvania; William, who resides with his
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