History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454

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DAN P. WEBSTER was born in Connecticut, September 12, 1812, and was there reared and educated. He learned the carpenter's trade in his native State, and sub- sequently came to Tioga county and settled in Charleston township. He pur- chased one hundred acres of land and followed lumbering and farming in connec- tion with his trade until a short time before his death. He married Lydia Ives, a daughter of Roswell Ives, of Middlebury township. Eleven children were the fruits of this union, viz: Lucy, deceased; Olive, wife of Thomas Lester, of Charles- ton; Frances, wife of J. B. Doane, of Cayuga county, New York; Harley B., who enlisted in Company K, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers and was killed near Richmond, Virginia, a few days before Lee's surrender; Roswell I.,

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who served in the same company, and now resides in Ward township; Janette, wife of Lewis Kohler, of Richmond township; Delphene, deceased wife of Henry Crit- tenden, of Richmond; Newell P., of Charleston; Dan F., of Middlebury; Gilbert G., of Richmond, and one that died in early youth. Mrs. Webster died in 1866, aged forty-nine years.

NEWELL P. WEBSTER, son of Dan P. and Lydia Webster, was born on his present homestead in Charleston township, Tioga county, February 2, 1851. He was reared on the farm, and attended the district schools in boyhood. He worked on the farm with his father until 1871, when the latter retired, and Newell P. bought the place. On April 25, 1871, he married Annie Neal, a daughter of Joseph Neal, of Charleston, and has two children, Stella and Gertrude. Mr. Webster is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the P. of H., and politically, an adherent of the Republican party.

JACOB INGERICK was born in New York City, September 28, 1804, a son of John and Harriet E. Ingerick. He obtained a meager education, and when four- teen years of age he went to Rockland, Sullivan county, New York, where he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1830 he located in Rutland township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade ten years, and then removed to Charleston township. Here he spent the remaining years of his life, dying June 15, 1890, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. He married Hannah M. How- land, a native of Sullivan county, New York, who became the mother of four chil- dren, viz: Hannah, deceased; Elmer, deceased; John W., of Steuben county, New York, and George H., deceased. Mr. Ingerick was a local minister in the Free Will Baptist church, to which faith his wife also belonged. She died in 1876, aged seventy-two years.

ELMER INGERICK, eldest son of Jacob and Hannah M. Ingerick, was born in Rockland, Sullivan county, New York, January 3, 1829, and was about one year old when his parents came to Tioga county. He was reared in Rutland and Charleston townships, where he attended the common schools. On January 19, 1853, he married Ellen Benedict, a daughter of Marcus and Lucy (Jennings) Benedict, of Wells, New York. Eight children were born to this union, named as follows: Edgar A., of Wellsboro; George E., of Charleston township; Norman G., of Arnot; Lovella A., wife of Wesley G. Johnson, of Corning, New York; Orson, deceased; William L., of Charleston; Sadie I., wife of George Avery, and Olon L. Mr. Ingerick was a Republican, and served two terms as a school director. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and died in that faith March 13, 1897.

WILLIAM ADAMS, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, born in 1772, was reared in his native land, and in 1840 immigrated with his family to Pennsylvania, and settled in Charleston township, Tioga county, purchasing 100 acres of land, now a part of the Adams farm. To William and Nancy Adams were born six children, viz: Mary, Joseph, William, John, James and Robert, all of whom are dead. The parents spent their declining years in Charleston township, where Mr. Adams died March 7, 1861, aged eighty-nine years, and his wife, September 20, 1857, aged eighty-six.

ROBERT ADAMS, youngest child of William and Nancy Adams, was born in

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County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1820, and was twenty years old when the family settled in Charleston township. After his father's death, Robert inherited the homestead, to which he subsequently added by purchase 400 acres. He was a successful and progressive farmer, and one of the prominent citizens of the township. He mar- ried Ann Jane Irwin, a native of Ireland, who bore him six children, viz: Robert W., deceased; Nancy, wife of William McEntee, of Fall Brook; Mary, wife of Edgar A. McEntee, of the same place; Eliza, Erwin J., and Lucinda, wife of Dr. A. W. Cummings, of Oswayo, Potter county. Mr. Adams died August 16, 1889, aged sixty-nine years. His widow resides with her son, Erwin J., on the old homestead.

ERWIN J. ADAMS, only living son of Robert Adams, was born in Charleston township, Tioga county, on his present farm, August 1, 1865, and obtained a com- mon school education. At his father's death he took charge of the homestead, which he has since managed successfully. Mr. Adams was married February 28, 1891, to Eliza Bennett, a daughter of Martin Bennett, of Charleston township, and has one son, Robert Erwin. He is a member of the K. of P., and in politics, a stanch Republican.

JOHN C. JENNINGS was born in Otsego county, New York, in 1811, a son of Joseph and Lucy (Corbin) Jennings. He was reared in his native State, whence he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and purchased a farm in Charleston township, near the Richmond township line, where his son, Charles M., now resides. He was a sawyer by occupation, and worked at that business twelve years in Manchester. Mr. Jennings was twice married. His first wife, Lois Pratt, of Richmond township, died leaving two sons: Robert P., who died in Washington in 1863, and Joseph R., a Union soldier, who died in Andersonville prison in 1863 or 1864. Mr. Jennings subsequently married Sarah A. Sloat, of Charleston township, who became the mother of five children, two of whom grew to maturity, viz: Susie M., wife of Mel- ville Greene, died in March, 1889, and Charles M. Mr. Jennings died in 1882; his widow died April 11, 1895.

CHARLES M. JENNINGS, only son of John C. Jennings, was born on his present homestead, in Charleston township, Tioga county, May 9, 1859, and attended the common schools of his neighborhood in youth. He remained with his parents until the age of twenty-four years, when he went to Madison county, New York, where he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked there five years. In 1888 he returned to Tioga county, and has since been engaged in farming and working at his trade. October 20, 1881, he married Emma McLean, a daughter of Alexander McLean, of Middlebury, and has two children, Robert and Ralph. Mrs. Jennings is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics, he is a Republican, and is also connected with the I. O. O. F. and the K. O. T. M.

ELIJAH PEAKE, SR .. was born in Schoharie county, New York, there grew to manhood and learned the blacksmith's trade, and in 1841 came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and purchased 100 acres of land in Charleston township. He set- tled upon it, but also followed his trade. He married Sally Willis, of Albany, New York, who bore him five children, viz: Hiel, a farmer of Charleston; Elijah, and Willis, both deceased; David, a farmer of Delmar, and Margaret, deceased. Mr. Peake and his wife passed the remainder of their lives in Charleston township.

ELIJAH PEAKE, second son of Elijah Peake, Sr., was born in Schoharie county,

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New York, May 23, 1818, and came to Tioga county with his brother Hiel one year before the other members of the family. They settled in Charleston township, in the locality where Hiel now resides, near Round Top postoffice. Here he followed farming until his death, May 16, 1885. Mr. Peake was married February 22, 1841, to Nancy Clark, a daughter of Seth Clark, of Vermont. Six children were born to this union, named as follows: George Clark and Dyer, both deceased; Electa, who married O. H. Brooks; Franklin C., of Charleston; Seth Elijah, of Round Top, and Elizabeth, deceased. Mrs. Peake is living in Charleston township.

FRANKLIN C. PEAKE was born in Charleston township, Tioga county, October 4, 1855, and is the eldest living son of Elijah Peake, Jr. He attended the common schools of Charleston, and on attaining his majority began farming and operating a threshing machine. On October 9, 1878, he married Ella M. Close, a daughter of Reuben and Harriet (Lockwood) Close, of Chatham township, and has two chil- dren, Erwin M. and Walter L. In 1891 Mr. Peake purchased his present farm of eighty acres, lying one mile east of Wellsboro, and has since devoted his attention to its cultivation. In politics, a Republican, he has served as school director one term, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Patrons of Husbandry.

SETH E. PEAKE, a son of Elijah Peake, Jr., was born in Charleston township, Tioga county, May 23, 1863, and there grew to manhood. He followed lumber- ing eight years, and in 1885 commenced blacksmithing at Summit, Duncan town- ship, which business he followed there for six years. In 1891 he came to Round Top, where he has since carried on blacksmithing, and also operates a steam thresher during the autumn season, as well as a cider mill. Mr. Peake was married June 24, 1885, to Anna M. Skelton, a daughter of John Skelton, of Charleston township, and has one son, Fred. In politics, Mr. Peake is a Republican, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F.

DANIEL MILLS was born near Owego, Tioga county, New York, September 28, 1788, and is believed to have been the first white child born in that county. His father, Stephen Mills, was a soldier in the Revolution, and lived to the remark- able age of 104 years. Daniel followed farming in Tioga county, New York, the greater portion of his life, and finally came to Charleston township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he died, March 3, 1871. His wife, Patience Trapp, of Orange county, New York, died in Charleston, February 24, 1871, a week before her hus- band. They were the parents of seven children, viz: Jane F. and Rachel F., both deceased; Martha B., Samuel, James F., deceased; Amos O. and Robert I.

SAMUEL MILLS, oldest son of Daniel and Patience Mills, was born in Tioga county, New York, November 28, 1821, and grew to manhood in that county. At the age of eighteen he began an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, which business he followed in that county up to 1844. He then came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and purchased his present farm of 113 acres in Charleston township, and has since devoted his attention to farming in connection with his trade. On March 9, 1844, Mr. Mills married Marcy A. Chapman, of Friendsville, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, who bore him three children, viz: Eliza, deceased wife of J. E. Catlin; Martha L., and Amos D., deceased. Mrs. Mills died August 21, 1850. He was again married January 1, 1851, to Mary Tucker, a daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Brundage) Tucker, of Otsego county, New York, who is the mother of eight children, viz: Cicero E., of Crawford, Nebraska; Marcy A., wife of C.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

A. Stewart, of Delmar township; Abram L., deceased; Mary L., wife of Ferdinand R. Field, of Wellsboro; Ellen A., wife of Samuel Coolidge, of Colorado; Rachel A., a graduate of the State Normal School, Mansfield, in the class of 1894; Benjamin J., and Louis, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mills are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and charter members of the local Grange. In politics, he is a Republican, and has filled the office of township supervisor.

MARTIN CLEMENS was born in Germany, in 1804, was educated in his native land, and there served an apprenticeship to the weaver's trade. He immigrated to the United States in 1831, and settled at Trenton, New Jersey, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked in that city up to 1845, when he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He purchased 100 acres of land in Charleston town- ship, and devoted his attention to its cultivation during the remaining years of his life. He died in 1852. Mr. Clemens was married in Germany to Barbara Siple, to whom were born eight children, viz: Frank, of Charleston township; William, a farmer in Covington; Charles, deceased; Martin V., Louisa, deceased wife of William Houck; Nichols, of Elmira; George, of Charleston township, and Peter, deceased.

FRANK CLEMENS was born in Trenton, New Jersey, July 20, 1833, and was twelve years old when his parents came to Tioga county. He assisted them on the homestead in Charleston township until 1850, when he engaged in lumbering on Pine creek, which business he followed seven years, operating several saw mills in that locality. Returning to Charleston township, he engaged in farming, which he has since continued in connection with the lumber business. Mr. Clemens was mar- ried January 6, 1856, to Mary Ann Churchill, a daughter of Asa Churchill, a well- known local writer of Charleston township. To this union have been born five chil- dren, viz: Francis Ira, of Charleston township; Martha, wife of Alonzo Waters, of Lamb's Creek; Charles W., deceased; Mary Eva, and Samuel A. Mr. Clemens en- listed in December, 1862, and served in the Binghamton Construction Corps, in the Army of the Potomac, until the close of the war. Politically, he is a stanch Demo- crat.

MARTIN V. CLEMENS was born in Trenton, New Jersey, December 8, 1840, and was about four years old when his parents settled in Charleston township, Tioga county. Here he grew to manhood, working on the farm and in the lumber woods with his father until 1863, when he enlisted in Company A, Ninety-eighth Pennsyl- vania Volunteers. He served with the Army of the Potomac, and passed through unharmed. He was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., in July, 1865, and returned to his home in Tioga county, where he purchased his present farm the fol- lowing year. Mr. Clemens was married December 31, 1863, to Mary Ann Ely, a daughter of Seldin Ely, of Charleston township. Nine children are the fruits of this union, viz: Frederick J., of Charleston; Morton S., deceased; Minnie M., wife of Adelbert Kittell, of Delmar; John B. and Herbert, deceased; Lewis Edgar, Bertie, Decatur Martin and Mamie Bell. In politics, Mr. Clemens is a Democrat, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F.

ALONZO WHITNEY was born at Nine Partners, New York, in 1801, a son of Abram J. and Philena (Adams) Whitney, both natives of Connecticut. He ob- tained a common school education, and soon after attaining his majority settled in

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Danby, Tompkins county, New York, whence he removed to Caroline, New York, where he had a contract for furnishing timber to be used in the construction of the Ithaca and Owego railroad, now the Ithaca division of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western. He subsequently removed to Gibson, now Corning, New York, where he kept a hotel for twenty-five years, and was also a foreman in the construction of the Chemung canal. In 1848 he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and pur- chased 300 acres of land in Charleston township, at what is now known as Whit- neyville, where he followed farming the remainder of his life. His wife, Fannie, was a daughter of Lewis Pitts, of Danby, New York, and had one son, Nelson. Mr. Whitney held nearly all of the township offices at different periods, and was postmaster at Whitneyville several years. He was a Democrat up to the nomina- tion of Lincoln, when he cast his vote for the Republican candidates. Mr. Whitney died on his farm in Charleston, May 1, 1881, aged seventy-nine years. His wife survived him more than six years, dying August 3, 1887, aged eighty-five.

CAPT. NELSON WHITNEY, only child of Alonzo and Fannie Whitney, was born in Danby, Tompkins county, New York, January 5, 1823. When he was seven years old his parents moved to Caroline, and two years later to Corning, New York, where he grew to manhood. In 1848 he came with the family to Tioga county and settled in Charleston township, where he devoted his attention to farm- ing until 1858, when he also embarked in merchandising at Whitneyville, and did a business of about $20,000 per annum. When Sumter was fired on, he at once tendered his services to the government, and when President Lincoln made his first call for volunteers, Mr. Whitney went out with the recruits from Bradford, Sullivan and Tioga counties, as quartermaster, with the rank of major, in the Thir- teenth Division, and rendezvoused at Troy, Bradford county. After remaining there ten days, they proceeded to Camp Curtin, near Harrisburg, where Major Whitney acted as quartermaster of the old Bucktail regiment until the expiration of his term, when he returned home. On August 6, 1861, he received orders from the adjutant general of Pennsylvania to raise a company, which he accomplished, recruiting his command in Charleston township. It was mustered into the service as Company G, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, with Mr. Whitney as captain. He reported at Camp Curtin, where his company was mustered in, October 14, 1861, and thence proceeded to Washington, D. C., and from there to Fortress Mon- roe. On December 6, 1861, they were sent to South Carolina, to join the Army of the South, under Sherman and Hunter, and participated in the battle of James Island. Shortly after Captain Whitney received a sunstroke, at Hilton Head, South Carolina, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered. The com- pany was then sent to Newport News, Virginia, where it became a part of the Ninth Army Corps, under General Burnside. Here Captain Whitney was compelled to resign, August 31, 1862, because of failing health. He returned to Charleston township, and about ten days later recruited another company, but did not again go into active service. At the close of the war he sold his mercantile business and engaged in farming and wool buying. Captain Whitney was married January 1, 1845, to Susan C. Parsell, a daughter of Samuel Parsell, of Corning, New York. Nine children blessed this union, viz: William E., deceased; Mary, wife of Abram Tipple, of Charleston; Frank, of Corning, New York; Fanny, wife of Otis L.

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Allen, of Kansas; Willis, a farmer of Middlebury; Seymour, of Charleston; Nellie, wife of H. N. Neal, a resident of the same township; Jessie, at home, and Jane, wife of Charles Symonds, of Bath. Captain Whitney has always taken an active inter- est in public affairs, and though a Republican, was a candidate for sheriff on the Greenback ticket, and for associate judge on both the Democratic and Greenback tickets, but the county was so strongly Republican that he was defeated. He is a member of the Masonic order, and one of the well-known citizens of Tioga county.

THOMAS D. DAVIES, a native of Carmarthenshire, Wales, grew to manhood in his native land, and there married Elizabeth Jones. In 1841 they immigrated to the United States, and located in Blossburg, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Davies operated the incline plane for eighteen years. In 1868 he removed to Charleston township, where his wife died in 1879, and himself in 1891. They were the parents of six children, five of whom were born in Tioga county. The oldest, John, was born in Wales; came to Blossburg with his parents, and enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, when 336 were killed or captured out of a regimental roster of 450 men.

THOMAS J. DAVIES was born in Blossburg, Tioga county, April 15, 1843, a son of Thomas D. Davies. He attended the common schools and Blossburg Academy in boyhood, and has made farming his vocation. On September 18, 1861, he en- listed in Company G, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served throughout the war, being promoted to second lieutenant on January 24, 1865. At the battle of South Mountain he was struck by a piece of shell, which fractured his skull, and he was taken to Patterson Park Hospital, Maryland. He rejoined his regiment in time to take part in the battle of Fredericksburg, and was afterwards transferred to the Army of the South, in Kentucky, which re-enforced Grant at Vicksburg. His regiment next served in the engagements of Blue Springs, Campbell Station and the Siege of Knoxville. Here he was discharged, December 31, 1862, in order to re-enlist as a veteran, at Blain's Cross Roads, Tennessee. His command was then transferred to the Army of the Potomac, and he served"in the following battles: Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, and the assault on Petersburg. During the Siege of Petersburg his brigade held the salient line. He received a gunshot wound here, which grazed the right side of his skull, striking near the right eye. He was taken to Harwood Hospital, Washington, D. C., where he remained four months, and then rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburg, where he remained until the town was captured. While in command of Company D, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the capture of Fort Walker, he was again wounded by a musket ball in the right wrist, and was taken to City Point Hospital. In May, 1865, he rejoined his command at Alexandria, and served on the court martial board three weeks, as one of the junior officers. His command was mus- tered out of service July 17, 1865, by general order of the war department. Re- turning to his home in Tioga county, he resumed the peaceful pursuits of agricul- ture, which he has continued up to the present. He owns one of the finest farms in Charleston township, located in the Welsh settlement, about five miles from Wellsboro. Mr. Davies was married January 14, 1868, to Jane L. Davis, a daughter of David S. Davis, of Covington. Eight children have been born to this marriage,

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viz: Harriet E., Elizabeth J., wife of Charles Harkness; Edith May, John R., M. Gertrude, William L., A. Verne, and Benjamin, deceased. The family are mem- bers of the Congregational church. Mr. Davis is past lieutenant colonel and a member of the staff of the commanding general in the Union Veteran Legion. He is also a member of the 1. O. O. F., the K. of H., and the G. A. R. In politics, a Republican, he has served two terms on the school board, and is one of the sub- stantial and progressive citizens of his native county.

CHARLES CLOSE, son of Reuben Close, and grandson of Newbury Close, Sr., was born in Chatham township, February 3, 1826, and was reared to manhood in his native township, receiving his education in the common schools. About 1847 he removed to Westfield and engaged in mercantile business with his brother George. In 1852 he removed to Charleston township and settled at Round Top, where he established potash works, which he carried on until about 1870, when he purchased the Round Top Cheese Factory, which had been established in 1865 by a stock company. In 1872 he bought out the general store of Samuel Morgan. This and a small farm he carried on in connection with his cheese factory until his death, May 16, 1883. Mr. Close was married in 1847, to Jane Owlett, a daughter of Gilbert B. and Martha (Pope) Owlett, of Chatham township. To this union there were born seven children, viz: Martha E., widow of Benjamin F. Claus; Mary E. and Sybil A., deceased; Gilbert Burton, of Delmar; Reuben G., of Keeney- ville; Edd G., of Round Top, and Arthur C., merchant and cheese manufacturer, Keeneyville. Mrs. Close makes her home with her children. Mr. Close was a Re- publican, in politics; was a justice of the peace in Charleston township from 1860 to 1870, and postmaster of Round Top for many years. He was a man of strict integrity, honorable in his dealings, and esteemed and respected by all who knew him.

E. G. CLOSE, merchant and cheese manufacturer, at Round Top, Charleston township, Tioga county, was born in that township, January 27, 1867, a son of Charles and Jane (Owlett) Close. He obtained his education in the public schools of his native township and at Westbrook's Commercial College, Olean, New York. In February, 1888, he purchased the Round Top Cheese Factory from his father's estate. This factory, which has a capacity of thirty tons per annum, he has since operated. In 1890 he opened a general store at Round Top, and has carried on merchandising in connection with the cheese industry. November 29, 1889, Mr. Close was appointed postmaster of Round Top, which office he has filled up to the present. He was married February 1, 1888, to Ella L. Marks, a daughter of Charles and Jane Marks, of Charleston township, and has three children, viz: Florence J., Max C. and Jay Marks. Mr. and Mrs. Close are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. In politics, he is an adherent of the Republican party, and also a member of Tyoga Lodge, No. 230, I. O. O. F., Wellsboro.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 100

Author: Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown Number of Pages: 1454

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454