History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 101

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

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WALDO SPEAR, merchant and postmaster at East Charleston, was born in Springfield township, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1843, a son of Hiram and Lucy (Ripley) Spear. He was educated in the common schools and Mansfield Classical Seminary. On October 14, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and participated in the following battles: Lebanon, Murfreesboro, McMinnville and Gallatin, where he was taken prisoner August 21,

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1862. He was paroled because of injuries, and, when exchanged, was detailed as courier of the Second Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland, in which capacity he served until December 28, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to his home in Bradford county, he lived there until 1866, and then located at Mar- din, Tioga county, where he was engaged in farming for seventeen years. In April, 1883, he purchased his present mercantile business at East Charleston, which he has since successfully conducted. He was appointed postmaster of that office in February, 1883, and has filled the position continuously up to the present. Mr. Spear was married January 27, 1880, to Eva C. Benedict, only child of J. C. and Mary M. Benedict, of Austinville, Bradford county. They are the parents of one son, Leland Ralph, born May 9, 1886. Politically, Mr. Spear is a Republican, and in religion, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is secretary, lecturer and overseer of Grange, No. 929, P. of H., and is commander of Tent, No. 203, K. O. T. M.

JOHN S. BLISS, a native of Massachusetts, born June 7, 1817, was a son of Stephen and Charlotte (Bailey) Bliss, natives of the same State. He came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, with his parents, and settled in Wellsboro, where he worked at cabinet making until 1852. In that year he purchased a farm in Charleston township, settled upon it and devoted his attention to farming during the balance of his life. He died on April 10, 1894. He married Nancy Van Horn, a daughter of William Van Horn, deceased, of Williamsport, who became the mother of seven children, viz: Dwight and William, both farmers in Charleston; Mary, wife of Eugene Close, deceased; John J., George, Lloyd B., and Charles, all of whom are farmers in Charleston township. Mr. Bliss was a Republican in politics, and served as school director one term.

JOHN J. BLISS, a son of John S. and Nancy Bliss, was born in Charleston town- ship, Tioga county, November 11, 1852, and grew to manhood on the homestead farm, attending the district school during his boyhood days. At the age of twenty- three he purchased his present farm, five miles south of Wellsboro, on which he has since resided. He married Miss Nettie Childs, of Nauvoo, Liberty township, Tioga county. Mr. Bliss is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the Patrons of Hus- bandry, and in politics, an adherent of the Republican party.

FERDINAND EMBERGER was born in Germany, in 1816, was educated in his native land, and at the age of forty came to the United States. He was a black- smith, and worked at his trade in Iowa one year. He then went to Rochester, New York, where he continued blacksmithing until 1859, when he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Delmar township. He also worked at his trade in Middlebury township, and in Lycoming county. In 1874 he located in Charleston township, where he passed the remaining years of his life retired from active business, dying in 1882. He was married in Germany to Anna Mary Miller, to whom were born six children, viz: Catherine, deceased; Henry, who enlisted in Company L, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was mortally wounded at Dal- las, Georgia, May 27, 1864; Ignatius, deceased; Martin, of Cherry Flats; Joseph, of Charleston, and Anna, wife of William McCaslin. Mrs. Emberger died in 1861.

JOSEPH EMBERGER, youngest son of Ferdinand Emberger, was born in Roches- ter, New York, April 13, 1858, and removed with his parents to Tioga county when

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one year old. At the age of fifteen years he accompanied his father to Lycoming county, where he remained two years, going thence to Lodi, New York. In the autumn of 1880 he returned to Tioga county, where he has since resided. He obtained his education in the common schools, the Wellsboro High School, and the State Normal School, Mansfield, graduating from the last named in the class of 1885. He taught school in Tioga county six terms, being principal of the Arnot graded school one year. In 1887 he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Charleston township, on which he now lives. Mr. Emberger was married No- vember 29, 1883, to Sarah McInroy, a daughter of Hugh McInroy, of Charleston. She died April 23, 1888, followed ten days later by the death of their only child, Hugh C., aged three years. In politics, Mr. Emberger is a Democrat, and has served as auditor of Charleston township three terms. In 1896 he was elected a member of the board of auditors of Tioga county.

DENTON GEROW was born in New York state, January 19, 1819, and came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1866, settling in Charleston township. He was a blacksmith, and followed that occupation through life. He married Bersheba Gale, of Ulster county, New York, who bore him eleven children, viz: Green M., of Wellsboro; Bailey A., of Knoxville; James N., of Charleston township; Mary J., wife of Simeon Brown, of Watkins, New York; Dewitt C., of Charleston; Marcus L., and Phoebe, both deceased ; Emma, wife of Dowling Ellenberger; Wal- ter E., of Charleston; Libbie, deceased, and Anna, wife of A. Lincoln Eaton. Mrs. Gerow died on April 27, 1888, and her husband, February 16, 1892.

DEWITT C. GEROW, son of Denton Gerow, was born in Seneca county, New York, August 2, 1848, and attended the common schools of his native county in boyhood. Before attaining his majority he commenced working at blacksmithing with his father, continuing the same until August 31, 1864. On that date he en- listed in Company G, Fiftieth New York Engineers, and served in the Army of the Potomac until June 13, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to his home in New York, be continued to work at his trade until the fall of 1866, when he came to Tioga county and located in Charleston township. He followed blacksmithing there two years, and then went to Lodi, New York, and engaged in farming. A year later he returned to Charleston township, where he has since devoted his attention to agriculture. Mr. Gerow was married January 1, 1870, to Laura E. West, a daughter of Willliam and Caroline (Johnson) West, of Charles- ton township. They are the parents of ten children, viz: Winnie, wife of Otis Peake, deceased; Ethel, wife of Miner Hinkley; Leon, Ada, Carrie, Edna, deceased; Gale, Floyd, Miner and Irma. Politically, Mr. Gerow is an ardent Republican.

ISAAC R. BOWEN was born on his present homestead in Charleston township, Tioga county, October 30, 1869, a son of Joshua and Diana (Evans) Bowen, natives of Carmarthenshire, South Wales. He attended the district schools of his native township in boyhood, and also the State Normal School, at Mansfield, and then engaged in teaching, which vocation he followed four years. At the end of this period he went on the road as a traveling salesman for a short time, and later em- barked in the tinning and plumbing business, which he followed until his father's death. He then took charge of the homestead farm, and has since devoted his attention to agriculture. Mr. Bowen was married October 29, 1888, to Mattie E.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

Husted, a daughter of Ashley Husted, of Charleston township, and has three daugh- ters: Maude, Beatrice and Neva. The family are connected with the Congrega- tional church, and Mr. Bowen is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the K. O. T. M. In politics, he is a Republican, and is recognized as one of the enterprising young farmers of the township.

JAMES E. PETERS was born in Almond, Allegany county, New York, October 18, 1834, and was a son of Joseph and Eliza (Carey) Peters, natives of England and Pennsylvania, respectively. His education was acquired in the public schools and Union Academy. He early became a resident of Farmington township, Tioga county, where he followed agriculture up to 1878. In that year he was elected a county commissioner, and removed to Elkland. He was re-elected in 1883 and filled the office six years. In 1884 he settled in Deerfield township and engaged in merchandising at Academy Corners, which he continued until 1891, when he was appointed superintendent of the county poor house. This position he held up to his death, March 23, 1896. Mr. Peters was married Sep- tember 3, 1851, to Priscilla Smith, a daughter of Henry and Phoebe (Cook) Smith, of Nelson, Tioga county, to which union have been born six children, viz: Sadie M., wife of Daniel E. Casbeer, of Farmington; John W., Charles E. and Lena, all of whom are dead; Rena, and J. Earl. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Peters was actively identified with the Republican party from early manhood. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., the K. of H., and the Patrons of Husbandry, and was elected Grand Master of the last named order in 1888.

CHAPTER LX.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

MIDDLEBURY AND FARMINGTON TOWNSHIPS-NELSON, ELKLAND AND OSCEOLA BOROUGHS.

RICHARD GOODWIN was born in New Hampshire, in 1760, and came to Tioga county with his family in 1807. He purchased a tract of land in Middlebury town- ship, a portion of which is owned by his grandsons, George H. and Calvin A. Good- win. Here he resided and cultivated his farm until old age prevented him from further work. He died December 10, 1858, at the remarkable age of ninety-eight years. He married Lauranie Carpenter, who bore him six children, viz: Benjamin, Calvin, Charles, Lucy, Sally and Susan. The mother died soon after the family came to Tioga county.

CALVIN GOODWIN was born in Vermont, January 9, 1799, and was about nine years old when his parents, Richard and Lauranie Goodwin, settled in the primitive forest of Middlebury township. Here he grew to manhood, surrounded by the trials and hardships of pioneer days, attending school in the little log building of the

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neighborhood, and assisting his parents to clear and improve the homestead. He was an honest, hard-working man, and accumulated a good property. He spent his entire life in this county upon the old homestead settled by his father. In 1825 Mr. Goodwin married Anna Sloat, a daughter of David Sloat. She was born in 1809, and bore him a family of eight children, named as follows: Albert, who died in the South, while a soldier in the Union army; Milo, a resident of Middle- bury; Matilda, wife of Edie Handy, of Deerfield; James W., a resident of Charles- ton; Charles, who died at the age of fifty-nine; Charity, wife of Mason Bennett, of Wellsboro; Susan, who died at the age of forty-seven, and Calvin A., who lives on a portion of the old homestead and with whom Mrs. Goodwin resides.

MILO GOODWIN, second son of Calvin Goodwin, was born in Middlebury town- ship, Tioga county, September 8, 1827, received a common school education, and lived with his parents until his majority. He then bought forty acres of land in Charleston township, lived there two years, then sold it and purchased his present farm west of Keeneyville. August 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, One Hun- dred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Captain Hammond, and later Capt. John I. Mitchell, the present president judge of Tioga county, and was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, in June, 1863. Mr. Goodwin was married in 1847, to Fannie Spaulding, a daughter of William Spaulding, to which union have been born five children, viz: William, a resident of Chatham; Ettie, wife of Salem Butler, of Deerfield; Frank, a farmer of Middlebury; Angie, wife of Gardner Andrews, of Wellsboro, and Callie S., who lives on the homestead. In politics, Mr. Goodwin is a Republican, and has served as a school director three years. He is also a member of the G. A. R. and the P. of H. societies.

CALVIN A. GOODWIN, youngest child of Calvin Goodwin, was born in Middle- bury township, Tioga county, February 20, 1848. He attended the district schools in boyhood, and has always lived on the old homestead, engaged in farming and lum- bering. He married Marian West, a daughter of Thomas M. West, of Middlebury township, May 12, 1867. She was born May 7, 1847, and is the mother of nine children, viz: William, who died in infancy; Ida, wife of Eli Peck, of Middlebury; Addie, wife of Leon West, of the same township; Orrin, Charles, James and Matie A., all residents of Middlebury; Albert and Susan, both deceased. Mrs. Goodwin is a member of the Free Will Baptist church. In politics, Mr. Goodwin is a Re- publican, has served as a school director one term, and is also a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.

CHARLES GOODWIN was born in New Hampshire, October 5, 1807, a few weeks before the family removed to this county. He was the youngest son of Richard Goodwin, and was reared upon the homestead farm in Middlebury, which became his property after his father's death. He married Esther Sloat, to which union were born seven children, viz: Roanna K., widow of Walter Briggs, of Richmond township; Adaline, deceased; George H., of Middlebury; Clarissa, Howard and Alfred, all of whom are dead, and Eveline, wife of Henry Hayes, of Middlebury. Mrs. Goodwin died on July 11, 1867, aged fifty-six years, and her husband, February 4, 1880, in his seventy-third year.

GEORGE H. GOODWIN, only living son of Charles Goodwin, was born on his present farm in Middlebury township, Tioga county, August 18, 1836, was

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educated in the district schools, and has made agriculture his life vocation. July 24, 1864, he married Beatrice K. Keeney, a daughter of Ransom Keeney, of Middle- bury. She was born April 9, 1844, and has had three children, viz: Floyd H., who died at the age of five years; Fred. A., who died at fourteen years of age, and Roy, who died in infancy. In politics, Mr. Goodwin is a stanch Democrat.

THOMAS KEENEY was born in Hartford, Connecticut, September 28, 1776, the eldest of two sons born to Thomas Keeney, Sr., the younger one being Jesse. His father was a native of Scotland, born May 21, 1751, and came to America prior to the Revolution, serving under Washington during that struggle for liberty. Thomas spent his early life in his native place, whence he removed to Onondaga county, New York, and in the autumn of 1815 came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and purchased a large farm on Crooked creek, in Middlebury township. Here he spent the remaining years of his life, dying September 1, 1853. He married Anna Parshall, who bore him nine children, viz: Mercy, Israel P., Elijah, Elisha, Jesse, and Alvira, all of whom are dead; Ransom, of Middlebury township; Anna, de- ceased, and Thomas, a resident of Middlebury. Mrs. Keeney died February 28, 1827, aged forty-nine years. Mr. Keeney was a deacon in the Baptist church.

ISRAEL P. KEENEY, eldest son of Thomas and Anna Keeney, was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1802, and was thirteen years old when the family came to Tioga county. Here he grew to manhood, and made farming his life voca- tion. His wife, Clarinda, was a daughter of Aaron Niles, and bore him a family of eleven children, as follows: Henry S., of Middlebury; Ruth, who died in infancy; Ruth A., wife of Daniel Holiday; Mercy, deceased wife of Benjamin Starkey; Alvira and Clarinda, both deceased; Deborah, deceased wife of Samuel Hayes; Mary, wife of Joseph Brown, of Lawrence township; Henrietta, wife of O. D. Whitcomb; Delia, deceased wife of Orrin West, and Lafayette, deceased. Mr. Keeney and wife were members of the Baptist church, in which he filled the office of deacon. He died at Middlebury Center, March 11, 1886, and his wife, August 12, 1885, aged eighty- seven years.

HENRY S. KEENEY, eldest child of Israel P. Keeney, and grandson of Thomas Keeney, was born in Middlebury township, Tioga county, January 1, 1824. He was reared upon the homestead, and assisted his parents on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he began working out as a farm hand and mill man. May 11, 1845, he married Zunilda Whitney, a daughter of Jeremiah Whitney. She was born August 7, 1826, and is the mother of six children, as follows: Loren D., who died at the age of eleven; Calista S., wife of Ephraim Thomas, of Mansfield; Van Buren, of Chatham township, who married Sarah Short, who has had five children: Frankie, deceased, Hattie, Vola, Olen and Stella; Ruth A., wife of Clark Sweet, of Middlebury; Henry S., a carpenter of Middlebury Center, who married Katie Badman, and has three children, Leah, Eva and Seymour B .; and Flora A., wife of Thomas B. Bolton, a resident of Middlebury Center. In September, 1864, Mr. Keeney enlisted in Company G, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Vol- unteers. He was soon afterwards taken sick, and in May, 1865, was discharged at Philadelphia because of disability. Politically, he is a Republican, and both he and wife are members of the Free Will Baptist church.

JESSE KEENEY, youngest son of Thomas Keeney Sr., was born in Hartford,

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Connecticut, September 28, 1778, being exactly two years younger than his brother Thomas. His father was a native of Scotland, born May 21, 1751, and came to America prior to the Revolution, serving under Washington during that struggle for liberty. Jesse spent his early life in his native place, and married Catharine Middaugh December 29, 1799, subsequently removing to New York state. His wife was born September 13, 1781, and bore him the following children: Elias, Sarah, Thomas, Permelia, Jesse, Abram S. and Jesse M., all of whom are dead; Caty, wife of Delinas Walker; Mercy, deceased; Richard M., a resident of Farmington town- ship; Ruby and George D., both deceased. Mr. Keeney came to Tioga county in 1831, and located on a farm at Mill Creek, where he died on June 18, 1834. His wife survived him fourteen years, dying August 13, 1848.

GEORGE DANIEL KEENEY, youngest child of Jesse Keeney, was born at Cortland, New York, December 5, 1825, and was six years old when his parents settled in this county. Here he grew to maturity, and in the fall of 1848 located at Keeneyville, where he engaged extensively in lumbering, and purchasd several tracts of land. In 1859 he was commissioned first lieutenant of the Northern Artillery. In 1861 he was appointed postmaster at Keeneyville, and in 1866 was elected a justice of the peace, an office he filled continuously for thirty years. He also served as a school director several terms, and filled other minor offices of his township. He was an ardent Republican, and always gave his support to that party. Mr. Keeney was married August 27, 1848, to Jane A. Drew, a daughter of Deacon John Drew. She was born March 2, 1830, and became the mother of nine chil- dren, as follows: Florence A., wife of Prof. F. M. Smith, of Arcade, New York; Agnes E., of Keeneyville; Ernest H., who died at the age of seven; Ida E., wife of Leroy Costley, of Middlebury township; Arthur M., of Keeneyville; Helen J., de- ceased; Eva G., wife of Elmer E. Guernsey, of St. Paul, Minnesota; Burton L., of Keeneyville, and Myrtle L., who died at the age of twenty-three years. Mrs. Keeney died January 1, 1893. She was for many years a member of the First Baptist church. February 27, 1895, he married, for his second wife, Rachel L. Morse, of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Mr. Keeney died February 11, 1896. He was a consistent member of the First Baptist church; was also connected with the K. of H., and was one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the community.

ARTHUR M. KEENEY was born at Keeneyville, June 21, 1859, and is the oldest. living son of George D. Keeney. He was educated in the Keeneyville graded school, and is now engaged in the retail meat business. On October 3, 1879, he married Laura Wedge, a daughter of Samuel Wedge, of Middlebury township, and has three children: Maude, Harry and Ethel. The last mentioned was given to her uncle, Henry Wedge, at her mother's death, which occurred March 31, 1893. Mr. Keeney is a member of the First Baptist church, also of the I. O. O. F., the K. O. T. M., and the P. of H. societies. In politics, he is a Republican, and one of the well-known business men of Keeneyville.

BURTON L. KEENEY, youngest son of George D. Keeney, was born at Keeney- ville, Tioga county, October 20, 1866, and received his education at the Keeneyville High School and the State Normal School, Mansfield. He also graduated in stenography from Barnes' Shorthand College, St. Louis, Missouri, and practiced as a professional stenographer for five years in Keokuk, Iowa, and St. Paul, Minne- sota, and also in the courts of Tioga county. April 3, 1895, he married Luella P.

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Cloos, youngest daughter of Philip T. Cloos. Their daughter, Edytha Luella, was born April 17, 1896. Mr. Keeney is a member of the Baptist church, a charter member of the K. O. T. M., and in politics, a Republican. He devotes his atten- tion to farming.

EDSELL MITCHELL was born at the mouth of Mitchell's creek, in Tioga town- ship, Tioga county, August 27, 1793, eldest child of Richard and Ruby (Keeney) Mitchell, and is claimed by his descendants to have been the first white child born in this county. In 1816 he came to Middlebury township and located on the present Mitchell farm, where the remainder of his life was passed. He served in the War of 1812, and is one of the well-remembered pioneers. He resided in Middlebury up to his death, August 15, 1870. Mr. Mitchell was thrice married. His first marriage occurred March 26, 1818, to Nancy Hill, born December 27, 1793. She became the mother of seven children, viz: Melissa, deceased; Alonzo and Thomas E., both residents of Middlebury township; Margaret A., deceased; Lorenzo D., a farmer of Charleston; Mercy, wife of G. L. Stevens, of Chicago, and Edsell, deceased. Mrs. Mitchell died August 25, 1829. He was again married in December, 1829, to Nancy Ottison, who bore him five children, viz: Richard, Nancy and Jane, all deceased; William A., of Middlebury, and Harriet, wife of Albert Longbothum, of Mansfield. The mother died September 15, 1844, and he subsequently married Mrs. Margaret Bates, a native of Ireland.

THOMAS E. MITCHELL, son of Edsell Mitchell, and grandson of Richard Mitchell, was born on his present farm in Middlebury township, Tioga county, April 10, 1822, and attended school in the little log building near his father's home. When twenty-seven years old he rented an adjoining farm, and one year later went five miles into the forest of Charleston township, cut the first tree on a 100-acre tract, cleared it up, and resided thereon for twenty-three years. In 1873 he sold this property and located on his present farm, a part of the old homestead, where he has since lived. Mr. Mitchell was married February 13, 1848, to Zelina Z. Stebbins, a daughter of Orrin and Lydia (Treat) Stebbins. She was born in Eaton, Madison county, New York, March 11, 1829, and came to this county with her mother in 1835. Five children have been born to this marriage, viz: Frances E., who died in childhood; Edgar A., a resident of Montgomery county; Thomas J., and Walter B., residents of Middlebury township, and Lettie Z., who died in early youth. Mr. Mitchell and wife have been life-long members of the Baptist church, and in politics, adherents of the Republican party. While a resident of Charleston town- ship, he served as collector and supervisor, has filled the office of constable in Mid- dlebury, and has always taken quite an active interest in public affairs.

WILLIAM A. MITCHELL, eldest living child of Edsell and Nancy (Ottison) Mitchell, was born where he now resides, in Middlebury township, July 29, 1837. He attended the common schools in boyhood, and was reared upon the homestead farm, where he has spent his entire life, with the exception of five years, from 1870 to 1875, when he was operating a grist-mill at Tioga. He has also operated the McClure mill, near his home, but has devoted his principal attention to farming. Mr. Mitchell has been twice married. On March 16, 1861, he married Helen R. Leete, a daughter of Thomas Leete, who bore him three children, viz: Cora C., who died in childhood; Winfield, a tinsmith in Wellsboro, and Willie E., at home. Mrs. Mitchell died February 3, 1886, and he was again married on September 20,

Jeme. DeSpaulding

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

1887, to Anna Prutsman, a daughter of Jacob Prutsman, of Middlebury township. She was born July 5, 1851. Mr. Mitchell and wife are members of the Baptist church. Politically, a Republican, he has filled the offices of school director, con- stable and township clerk.

WALTER B. MITCHELL was born in Charleston township, Tioga county, Feb- ruary 18, 1857, a son of Thomas E. and Zelina Z. Mitchell, and grandson of Edsell Mitchell. When twenty-one years old he began for himself by cultivating rented farms, but at the end of four years bought his present property from Charles J. Humphrey, which embraces 153 acres, located on Hill's creek. Mr. Mitchell was married November 13, 1878, to Helen White, a daughter of Waldo White, of Mid- dlebury township, and has two children, Nellie E. and Ava I. In politics, he is an adherent of the Republican party.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 101

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