History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 106

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Tioga County > History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania > Part 106

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

814

HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

farm in Middlebury township, where he devotes his attention to inventing, a business that has received a large portion of his time from early manhood. Among his principal inventions are the Rowley Car Coupler, the Rowley Power Mortising Chisel, which removes its own chips, the Rowley Bosom Board, the Rowley Weight Power, and the Rowley Rotating Churn Dash, all of which have been fairly success- ful. In 1844 he was married at Waterville, New York, to Ellen Tower, who bore him seven children, four of whom are living, viz: Alice, wife of Rev. Bain, of Edmes- ton, New York; Frank, a Methodist Episcopal minister, of Troupsburg, New York; Charles, a pattern maker of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Rose, wife of James Shaff, of Middlebury township. Mr. Rowley's second wife was Mrs. Mills, and his present wife, Mrs. Mary Brown, nee Shaff. In politics, he is an ardent Republican.

SYLVESTER E. ADAMY, a son of Daniel and Catherine (Brink) Adamy, was born in Schuyler county, New York, and came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, about 1853. He located near Tioga, where he worked in a saw-mill three years, and then removed to Wisconsin. Five years later he returned to Tioga county and purchased a farm near Keeneyville, but continued working in saw-mills until his death, in 1873. He married Roxina Brown, a daugliter of Nathaniel Brown. Eight children were the fruits of this union, viz: George R., a merchant of Niles Valley; Almira, wife of Abram Lyon; Daniel, a train dispatcher at St. Paul, Minnesota; Dewitt, deceased; Clara B., wife of Henry Sweet, of Middlebury; Catherine A., wife of Versal Ives, of the same township; Minnie A., wife of William Ellison, also a resi- dent of Middlebury, and Abram L., a resident of Galeton, Potter county.

GEORGE R. ADAMY, merchant and proprietor of saw-mills at Niles Valley, is a native of New York state, born September 21, 1851. When twenty-one years old he went to Norfolk, Virginia, but returned to Tioga county one year later and found employment as an engineer in a saw-mill for three years. For the succeeding nine years he was engineer at the Niles Valley tannery, and later carried on the livery business in Elmira, New York. Returning to Niles Valley, he was foreman in the tannery four years. He then purchased his present home and mercantile business, which he has since successfully carried on, also operating a saw and shingle- mill. Besides his property at Niles Valley, he is the owner of a farm in Chatham township. Mr. Adamy was married July 25, 1875, to Mary A. Wedge, daughter of Samuel Wedge, of Niles Valley, and has six children, viz: May, Burt, Henry S., Georgianna, Louisa and Laura R. The family is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics, Mr. Adamy is a Republican, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F.

JACOB B. CONLEY was born at Lock, Cayuga county, New York, November 23, { 1827. His father, Jacob Conley, was born in the same county about 1788, and died in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1984, while on a visit to his son. He was twice married and the father of fourteen children. His first wife, a Miss Howard, bore him twelve children, of whom Jacob B. was the fifth. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, whence he removed to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1854. He bought a farm in Chatham township, lived there up to 1860, then sold out and returned to New York. In 1865 he came back to this county and purchased a farm in Middlebury township, on the Chatham line, which he sold two years later and bought the present Conley farm of forty-one acres

815

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

in the spring of 1867. While working in the lumber woods, he was killed by a rolling log, December 22, 1867. His wife, Martha J., whom he married January 1, 1850, was a daughter of Jefferson and Sophronia (Henderson) Bowker. She was born January 29, 1832, and bore him four children, viz: Amelia, wife of Charles Corkins, of Colorado; Ermina M., who married Ira Briggs; Jefferson B., a farmer in Middlebury, and Sophronia, wife of Alvin Rice, of Charleston township. Mrs. Con- ley was again married in 1870, to Silas Staples, who died June 3, 1888. His widow now resides with her son, Jefferson B., in Middlebury township.

JEFFERSON B. CONLEY, only son of Jacob B. and Martha J. Conley, was born in Chatham township, Tioga county, September 1, 1865. When fifteen years of age he commenced working out as a farm hand, at which he continued for three years. He then returned to the homestead farm, and bought the property, on which he has since resided. For five years he farmed on a small scale and engaged in sell- ing wagons and farming implements and running a threshing machine. In 1888 he bought what is known as the Ralph Button property. Six years later he also purchased the George Weller place, and commenced farming on a larger scale, keeping quite a large dairy. In 1894 he was burned out, sustaining a heavy loss, but the same year he rebuilt. Mr. Conley was married April 12, 1879, to Alice West, a daughter of Philander West, who has borne him four children, viz: Lola E., de- ceased; Martha J., Nina E., and Wand V. Mr. and Mrs. Conley are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and also of the Patrons of Husbandry. Politically, he is an independent voter, and is connected with the K. O. T. M. society.

THOMAS COLEGROVE, a native of Rhode Island, born February 22, 1785, was a son of Oliver Colegrove, a grandson of Eli Colgrove, and a great-grandson of Francis Colegrove, who came from England about 1667, and located at Warwick, Rhode Island. Thomas came to Tioga county in 1841, and settled in Lawrence township, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, February 3, 1854. He was married in Rhode Island, to Polly Brightman, who bore him ten children, viz: Taber, Zachariah P., John N., Charlotte and Marilda, all of whom are dead; Willet S., a resident of Knoxville; Andrew J., who lives in Farmington; George T., of Middlebury; Henry B., a farmer in Lawrence township, and Aurilla, wife of Robert Babcock, of Lawrence. Mrs. Colegrove died in December, 1864, surviving her husband over ten years.

GEORGE THOMAS COLEGROVE was born in Troupsburg, New York, August 19, 1830, a son of Thomas and Polly Colegrove. He was eleven years old when his parents came to Tioga county, and he grew to manhood in Lawrence township. When twenty-three years of age he purchased land in Farmington township, lived there until 1865, and then bought a farm near Holiday, in Middlebury township, which he soon afterwards sold. In 1873 he bought his present farm of 145 acres, a part of which lies in Farmington township, and has since been engaged in cultivat- ing it. In 1853 he married Clarissa E. Bradley, a daughter of Henry Bradley, of Farmington township. She was born July 27, 1837, and has borne him six chil- dren, viz: Eugene T., a farmer in Tioga township; Martha J., wife of Frank Lutz, of Middlebury; James E., who died September 18, 1887, aged twenty-seven years; Warren W., who lives in Steuben county, New York; Alına A., wife of Byron D. Paris, of Lawrence township, and Cora L., wife of Abram Ballman, of Middlebury.

816

HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

Mrs. Colegrove is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, Mr. Colegrove is a Republican, and a well-known, successful farmer.

GEORGE RUDE was born in Connecticut, in 1827, removed with his parents to Cayuga county, New York, when about two years of age, and there received a good education. He came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1853; remained eight years, and then returned to Cayuga county, New York. A few years later he returned to Tioga and purchased the present Rude farm in Middlebury township. Here he devoted his time and attention to agriculture for the succeeding thirty years, dying on the old homestead, April 17, 1893. He married Lucy A. Saxbury, a daughter of Adam Saxbury, of Chatham township, to which union were born four children, as follows: Abigail, wife of George Brimmer, of Osceola; Jonas, deceased; Orson, born July 7, 1859, and George, born May 7, 1869. Orson and George live upon the old homestead, which is owned by the latter. Their mother makes her home with them. They are engaged in the business of hay pressing, threshing, shingle sawing, wood cutting, and feed grinding, by steam power, own two large engines, and carry on a profitable trade. Both are adherents of the Re- publican party, and George is also a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.

JOHN T. PURVIS, county surveyor, was born in Cumberland, Maine, June 10, 1822, a son of Adam and Ruth (Tibbets) Purvis, natives of Maine, and grandson of Adam Purvis, a native of Scotland. His father was a clothier, and died at Yar- mouth, Maine, January 15, 1878, aged seventy-eight years. His mother died August 9, 1876, aged seventy-six years. 'They were the parents of eight children, viz: Andrew, deceased; John 'T., of Niles Valley; Julia, wife of Mr. Cobb, of Yar- mouth, Maine; Susan, deceased; Ruthetta, wife of Andrew Leighton, of Yarmouth; and Anna, Jane and Mary, all of whom are dead. John T. received an academic education, graduating from Lewiston Falls Academy. He learned the cabinet maker's trade, and in 1842 went to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in lumbering two years. He then located on Pine creek, near the site of Ansonia, Tioga county, and carried on a large lumber business for nine years. He next removed to Sinnamahoning, Cameron county, as superintendent for Phelps, Dodge & Company, extensive lumber operators, which position he filled seven years. In the meantime he had studied the art of surveying, and the last year he spent with Phelps, Dodge & Company he was employed in that capacity. Removing to Wellsboro, Tioga county, Mr. Purvis formed a partnership with Calvin Kelly and opened a general store, which they carried on two years. In 1867 he located at Niles Valley, in Middlebury township, purchased his present residence, and erected a store building, in which he conducted the mercantile business up to 1885. He has been station agent at Niles Valley since the Fall Brook railroad was built, but has devoted a great deal of his time to surveying, and is at present filling the office of county surveyor. Mr. Purvis was married February 11, 1855, to Harriet E. Herrington, a daughter of Reuben Herrington, one of the early settlers on Pine creek, where Mrs. Purvis was born April 17, 1830. She is a member of the Presby- terian church. Politically, Mr. Purvis is a Democrat, is also a member of the F. & A. M., and is one of the prominent citizens of Middlebury.

AARON VANDERHOOF, a native of New Jersey, was born September 27, 1814, and grew to maturity in that State. He followed farming there up to 1867, when

817

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and purchased 103 acres of land in the western part of Middlebury township. Here he continued in agricultural pursuits until 1886, in which year he sold out to his son, George, and returned to New Jer- sey, where he died, February 25, 1893. His wife, Delila Wagner, was born in New Jersey, June 22, 1817, and reared five children, viz: Lydia A., wife of Theodore Paullison, of New Jersey; Susie, wife of John P. Lantz, of the same State; Ophelia, who died at the age of forty-three; Aaron, a farmer of Tioga township, and George, of Middlebury. Mrs. Vanderhoof is a resident of New Jersey.

GEORGE VANDERHOOF was born in Passaic county, New Jersey, October 25, 1852, youngest child of Aaron Vanderhoof. He came to this county with his parents in 1867, and worked on the home farm up to 1881. He then moved to Hammond, where he first rented and afterwards purchased a farm. Five years later he bought the old homestead, and soon after sold his farm at Hammond. In 1891 he pur- chased fifty-three acres adjoining the home farm, upon which he has lived for the past ten years, devoting his attention to agriculture. Mr. Vanderhoof married Mary D. Spaulding, a daughter of Sem P. Spaulding, in 1876. She was born June 17, 1851, and is the mother of the following children: Sem P., a resident of New Jersey; Mary E., John, Monroe H., Susie L., Clyde, Jennie M., who died in childhood; Dorothy, and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Vanderhoof is a member of the L. O .T. M., while her husband is connected with the K. O. T. M., and the P. of H. In politics, the family are adherents of the Republican party.

JOHN B. FARR, SR., a native of England, came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, about 1800, and finally settled on a farm in Sullivan township. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His wife, Lydia, was a native of Germany, and bore him the following children, viz: John B., William, Jacob, Josiah, Seely, a resident of Chemung county, New York; Czar, a resident of Jackson township; Polly, Lucy, Betsey and Lydia. Mr. Farr and wife died at the age of ninety-four and eighty- six years, respectively.

JOHN B. FARR, eldest child of John B. Farr, Sr., was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1804. In early life he was a mail carrier and stage driver, and later engaged in the saw-mill business. He married Caroline Ives, who bore him the fol- lowing children, viz: Adelaide, Jacob, Isaac and Sarah J., all of whom are dead; Lydia A., wife of Charles Dimmick, of Tioga; Lafayette, of Middlebury; Juliette and Samuel, both deceased; Barney and Albert, residents of Elkland, and Allen, deceased. Mr. Farr died in 1860, and his wife in 1891, aged eighty years.

LAFAYETTE FARR was born at Seely Creek, New York, June 15, 1845, a son of John B. and Caroline Farr, and grandson of John B. Farr, Sr. In the autumn of 1863, when but eighteen years old, he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Peach Bottom, Black Water, City Point, Johnson Farm, Ream's Station, Darbytown, Five Forks, Berksville Station, and was present at the surrender of Lee. He was discharged in September, 1865, at Philadelphia, and returned to his home in this county. He followed lumbering for a time, then learned the carpenter's trade, and finally engaged in farming, whichi has since been his occupation. He owns a farm of 115 acres near Hammond, which he has rented, and lives on the farm of A. C. Cole. Mr. Farr was married September 6, 1874, to Mary A. Reiger, and has two children, Jennie D. and Nida M. In poli-

818

HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

tics, a Republican, he has served two terms as supervisor and one term as assistant assessor of his township. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the G. A. R. societies.

GEORGE W. PECKHAM was born in Middletown, Rhode Island, May.14, 1829, a son of Timothy and Zoa (Maxen) Peckham, natives of Rhode Island. His father, who died February 3, 1834, was a son of Philip Peckham, a soldier in the War of 1812, who owned and sold to the government the land on which Fort Adams stands, at Newport, Rhode Island. George W. is the fourth in a family of six children, viz: Cyrus, Sarah, Phoebe, George W., James, deceased, and Annie W. The mother died in 1879. The subject of this sketch received a common school educa- tion in his native town, and when nineteen years old went to Providence, where he learned the machinist's trade. He worked there up to 1859, and then went to Philadelphia and embarked in the printing business, but returned to Rhode Island two years later and engaged in farming. In 1881 he came to Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, and located on his present farm of 100 acres, then the property of Ezra Potter. Mr. Peckham married Matilda Potter, a daughter of Ezra and Eunice (Sweet) Potter, June 30, 1851. Nine children have been born to this marriage, as follows: Ida E., deceased wife of Charles Monroe, of Warren, Rhode Island; Zoa A., wife of R. A. Newman, of Bristol, same State; George E., proprietor of a book store in New York City; Albert S., mercantile agent of Brooklyn, New York; Josephine L., a trained nurse of New York City; Frank O., cashier and book-keeper in a whole- sale grocery of New York; James S., deceased; William E., who lives at home, and Royal D., a merchant tailor of Wellsboro. Mr. and Mrs. Peckham are members of the First Baptist church, and the P. of H., and in politics, adherents of the Re- publican party.

LOUIS ALBERT POTTER was born at Albion, Orleans county, New York, October 11, 1837, a son of Dr. Stephen M. and Ann (Harding) Potter. Dr. Potter was born in Washington county, New York, in 1794, a son of Benjamin Potter, a sea captain. He studied medicine under Dr. H. P. Moore, of Manlius, New York, and com- menced practice at Albion, whence he removed to Cazenovia, where he practiced his profession the greater part of his life. He served in the War of 1812, represented his county in the General Assembly in 1845, and was sheriff of Madison county, New York, three years. He was an ardent Democrat, a prominent physician, and a respected citizen. He died at Manlius, New York, October 4, 1885, aged ninety- one years. Dr. Potter was thrice married. His first wife, Polly Moore, bore him one daughter, Maria, deceased wife of John C. Remon, of Syracuse. His second wife, Hulda Collins, died without issue. His third wife, Ann Harding, was born at East Hampton, Connecticut, in August, 1810, a daughter of Daniel and Betsey Harding, and became the mother of eight children, six of whom died in infancy. The two surviving children are Louis A., of Middlebury township, and Charles L., who lives in Syracuse. Mrs. Dr. Potter died in 1892. Louis A. obtained a common school education, and adopted farming as his vocation. He first came to Tioga county in 1859, where he found employment with a lumber firm to scale logs and measure lumber. He settled permanently in this county in 1879, purchasing his present farm near Middlebury Center, to which he has since devoted his attention. In 1861 he married Julia A. Potter, a daughter of Henry H. and Malinda G. (Ste-

819

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

vens) Potter. She was born in Tioga in 1840, and has two sons, L. Clarence, a pattern maker, residing at Syracuse, and Jerome V., who lives with his parents. Politi- cally, Mr. Potter is a stanch Democrat.

JAMES LEWIS BEERS, physician and surgeon, Holiday, was born at Danby, Tompkins county, New York, November 18, 1859. His parents, Andrew J. and Jemima (Rightmyer) Beers, were natives of New York state. His father was a wagonmaker, and died at Danby, February 23, 1891, aged sixty-six years. His mother died May 17, 1885, aged forty-five years. James L. was the eldest in a family of four children, the others being Fred. E., a resident of Ithaca, New York; Anna, wife of Elbert Hill, of Danby, and George A., of Holiday, Middlebury town- ship. After graduating from the Danby High School, the subject of this sketch commenced the study of medicine under Dr. W. H. Fisher, of Spencer, New York, later attended lectures at University Medical College, New York, and graduated from that institution in March, 1882. He began practice at Freeville, Tompkins county, New York, removed one year later to Sayre, Bradford county, Pennsyl- vania, practiced there one year, and then located at Willseyville, New York, where he remained eighteen months. At the end of this time he went to Colorado, fol- lowed his profession there for a year and a half, and then returned to Pennsylvania. He located at Holidaytown, Tioga county, where he has since built up a lucrative practice. Dr. Beers has been twice married. His first marriage occurred April 6, 1882, to Allie Shepard, a daughter of Salonious Shepard, of Spencer, New York, who bore him one daughter, Luella. His second marriage took place September 6, 1888, to Cora B. White, a daughter of M. G. White, of Holiday, Tioga county. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics, a Republican.

WILLIAM T. COMPTON, a native of Ithaca, New York, and a son of John Comp- ton, was born June 21, 1829, and learned the miller's and millwright's trades in his native State, which he followed there up to 1885. In that year he came to Tioga county, and with his son, Jesse, took charge of the Central Mills, at Holiday, at the mouth of Hill's creek, which he continued to operate until his death, July 6, 1890. Mr. Compton was a well-known and successful miller, and did a good business. On July 4, 1855, he married Jane Butcher, of Post Creek, New York, born Decem- ber 30, 1832, to which union were born three children, viz: Robert A., who lives in Michigan; Luanna, wife of W. H. Hamilton, of Corning, and Jesse, of Holiday, Middlebury township Mrs. Compton died June 30, 1880.

JESSE COMPTON, manager of the Central Mills, Holiday, Middlebury township, Tioga county, was born at Cuba, Allegany county, New York, August 9, 1860. When sixteen years of age he went to work with his father to learn the millwright and miller's trade, and has followed that business up to the present, having been connected with the Central Mills since coming to Tioga county, in 1885. Mr. Compton was married December 18, 1887, to Cora E. Lyon, a daughter of Henry Lyon, of Charleston township. to which union have been born five children, viz: Jane L., Alta M., Pearl I .. , William T., and Henry L. In politics, Mr. Compton is a Republican. Since taking charge of the Central Mills, he has built up a good trade and increased their reputation among the people of Tioga county.

LEMUEL JACKSON was a native of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, born in 1797, there grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in his

820

HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

native county until the forties. He then came to Tioga county and settled on a farm near Osceola, removing a few years later into Middlebury township, and finally to Chatham, where he died in 1891. He was twice married. By his first wife there were seven children born to him, viz: Smith and Isaiah, both residents of Bradford county; Miner, who lives in Chatham township; George H., of Nelson, Pennsylvania; Nancy, wife of Abisha Woodward, of Iowa; Paulina, wife of Edward Shepard, of Bradford county, and Jane Ann., wife of Mordecai Schoonover, of Brad- ford county. His second wife was Sarah Jane Clark, a native of Bradford county, who bore him nine children, as follows: Esther, wife of Joseph Crippen, of Ne- braska; Isabella, wife of Albert Saxbury, of Chatham township; Lemuel W., a resident of Clymer; James and Jerry, both of whom live in Middlebury; Martin V., of Charleston; General H., of Chatham; Amos, who lives at Academy Corners, and Flora, wife of Jefferson Chappel, of Deerfield. Mrs. Jackson resides with her daughter, Mrs. Saxbury, in Chatham township.

JERRY JACKSON was born in Deerfield township, Tioga county, June 10, 1852, a son of Lemuel and Sarah Jane Jackson. He obtained a common school education, and on attaining his majority commenced learning the blacksmith's trade with M. L. Wilson, of Keeneyville, and has since worked at Mansfield, Holiday and Chatham Valley. In the spring of 1886 he removed from Chatham Valley to West Valley, where he has since built up a good business, making a specialty of horse- shoeing. In 1880 he married Kittie Niles, a daughter of Wallace Niles, and has three children, viz: Cleve Merton, Nellie Myrtle and Fahy Homer. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are members of the Free Baptist church, in which he has filled the office of deacon, and is at present one of the trustees. He is also a member of the K. O. T. M., and in politics, a Prohibitionist.

FARMINGTON TOWNSHIP.

JOHN C. ROBB, a son of John Robb, was born in Muncy township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, November 2, 1809. His grandfather, Robert Robb, was an ensign in the French and Indian war, in 1758, and one of the first settlers of Muncy township. When about eleven years of age John C. came to Tioga county and lived for a time with Aaron Niles, at Niles Valley. He afterwards went to Law- renceville and worked several years for Charles Ford. About 1831 he came into Farmington township, and soon after bought a farm, a part of the Bingham estate, in the Peter Mourcy neighborhood, which had previously been occupied by a man named Compton, one of the first settlers of the township. Mr. Robb married Susan Locke, who became the mother of four children, viz: Rachel, deceased wife of Rev. Francis Rand, of West Berlin, Massachusetts; Levi R., deceased; Minerva, wife of Jeremiah E. Green, of Tioga, and James L., a resident of Wellsboro. Levi R. enlisted September 18, 1861, and was mustered in as sergeant of Company H, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers; re-enlisted January 1, 1864, and was pro- moted to second lieutenant January 24, 1865, and later to the rank of captain. He participated in many battles and engagements. In the Wilderness a part of his brigade was captured and marched off southward, but Lieutenant Robb determined to escape and broke for liberty. The guard fired on him and his clothes were pierced by thirty-two bullets, but he escaped safely and comparatively uninjured. Rejoining his regiment, he was mortally wounded at Fort Hell, in front of Peters-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 106

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