History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 107

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

burg, April 2, 1865, and died at City Point Hospital seven days later. John C. Robb remained on the homestead in Farmington until 1868, when he sold it to his son, James L., and removed to Tioga, where he died October 7, 1877. His wife sur- vived until April 6, 1890, dying at the age of seventy-two years. In politics, he was a Democrat until 1860, when he became a Republican and voted for Abraham Lincoln. He served as a justice of the peace from 1840 to 1845, and as a county auditor from 1851 to 1854. In religion, he was a Presbyterian, and one of the organizers and leading members of the Presbyterian church of Farmington, in which body he served as an elder for many years.

WALTER VAN DUSEN, a native of Schoharie county, New York, settled in Farmington township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1835, where he cleared and improved a farm of 120 acres. In 1870 he removed to Wellsboro, and died there in April, 1879, at the age of eighty-six years. He married Betsey Thorne, and they were the parents of eleven children, viz: Hannah, who married Jonas Seely; John, Maria, who married Ansel Wright; Catherine, who married Franklin Rus- sell; William, Polly, who married E. D. Fish; Milo, Ann, who married Robert Potter; Stephen, Andrew, and James, who was killed April 2, 1865, in front of Petersburg, Virginia, while serving in the Union army.

WILLIAM VAN DUSEN was born in Schoharie county, New York, January 8, 1822, and came with his parents, Walter and Betsey Van Dusen, to Farmington township, Tioga county, in 1835. On attaining his majority he purchased a tract of fifty acres in Farmington, for which he went in debt $200, and before the principal was all paid, the interest amounted to $108. He subsequently added to his original purchase until he owned ninety acres, which he sold. In 1863 he bought the Lemuel Cady homestead of 100 acres, and subsequently added thereto 100 acres more. A good share of the last tract he cleared and improved, and resided upon this farm until his death. Mr. Van Dusen married Emily Cady, a daughter of Lemuel and Ruth (Gleason) Cady, to which union were born four children, viz: Oscar A., Josephine, deceased; Frank and Fred, the last two being twins. In politics, he was a stanch Republican, and in religious belief, a Methodist. He held many of the local offices in Farmington, was highly respected in the community, where he spent nearly sixty years of his life, and always took an active part in public affairs.

FRANK VAN DUSEN, son of William Van Dusen, and grandson of Walter Van Dusen, was born in Farmington township, September 29, 1863. He was reared upon the old homestead, and obtained a good education in the public schools, and the State Normal School at Mansfield, and graduated at Allen's Business College, Elmira, New York, in 1884. He then entered the employ of the Fall Brook Rail- road Company, as station agent at Harrison Valley, Potter county, remaining there one year. He was afterwards one of the keepers in the New York State Reforma- tory, at Elmira, which position he held nine months. In the autumn of 1887 he returned home, and taught one term of school. In 1888-89 he was constable of Farmington township, since which time lie has been engaged in farming on the old homestead. It comprises 100 acres, and he also owns 107 acres known as the John Van Dusen farm. He is an ardent Republican, and during the session of 1892, he was door-keeper of the House at Harrisburg, and was a delegate to the state con- vention in the same city in 1894. On June 30, 1887, Mr. Van Dusen married Dell

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Hall, a daughter of George M. and Sarah (Green) Hall, of Farmington, and has had two children, Gusta and Ruth, both deceased. Mr. Van Dusen is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and also of the I. O. O. F. He is one of the enterpris- ing citizens of his township.

ROBERT CASBEER, a son of William and Catherine (Jay) Casbeer, was born at Owego, Tioga county, New York, September 4, 1811, and was reared in Osceola, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, from the age of five years, in the family of Deacon Elihu Hill. On attaining manhood he worked Mr. Hill's farm five years, and for five years afterwards was engaged in farming in Woodhull, New York. In 1841 he settled in Farmington township, Tioga county, where he cleared and improved upwards of 300 acres of land, upon which he lived for many years, removing late in life to Osceola, and dying in 1892. His first wife was Susan House, and they were the parents of the following children: Ann, wife of Aaron E. Baker; Benja- min, deceased; Catherine J., wife of John R. Smith; Daniel E., Emily, wife of Jerome Spencer; Flora, wife of Benjamin Adams, and Gratia, wife of Fred Gaig. Mr. Casbeer was a man of positive character and decided views, and possessed a vig- orous and energetic nature. He was ever ready to help the needy, often refusing to sell his farm produce for money, saying to the would-be purchaser, "You have money and can buy of others, while I have poor neighbors to whom I must sell and wait for my pay." His wife, Susan, was, in every sense of the word, a helpmeet. Brought up in an atmosphere of refinement, a school teacher before her marriage, and possessing a naturally self-reliant disposition, she was in every way qualified to help make a Christian home. She was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church. About two years after Mrs. Casbeer's death, Mr. Casbeer married for his second wife, Mrs. Maria Barker Fish, an estimable Christian woman, kind and efficient in all her ways. She survived him nearly two years. Mr. Casbeer was a member of the Presbyterian church, a sincere and consistent Christian, and did much to shape and mould the moral sentiment of the community in which he lived. He always took a prominent part in public affairs, and served as assessor of Farming- ton township seventeen successive terms. In politics, he was a Republican.

DANIEL E. CASBEER was born in Farmington township, Tioga county, Feb- ruary 23, 1852, and is the only surviving son of Robert and Susan Casbeer. He grew to manhood upon the old homestead, and was educated in the common schools and at the Osceola High School. Farming has been his life vocation, and he has lived on his present farm of 140 acres since 1877. Mr. Casbeer was married No- vember 8, 1876, to Sarah Peters, a daughter of James E. and Priscilla (Smith) Peters, of Farmington township. Four children are the fruits of this union, viz: Bennie L., Fred D., Grace E. and Charlie R. Mr. Casbeer has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for twenty years, and is a trustee in the Pleasant Valley society. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F., the P. of H., and K. S. F. I.

CARLOS HOUSE was born in Connecticut, November 8, 1812, son of Ansel and Nancy (Beel) House, early settlers of Farmington township. They located on the farm now occupied by W. C. House about 1830, and there spent the remaining years of their lives. Their children were as follows: Rockwell, Andrew, Carlos, and Eliza who married Daniel Mourey. Carlos assisted in clearing the old homestead, where

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

he resided until his death. He was instrumental in having a postoffice established at Farmington Center, of which he was the first incumbent, holding the office eight years. He was married October 3, 1853, to Adelia Lee-born July 28, 1824, in Milford, Otsego county, New York-a daughter of Barnes and Azubah (Sergrents) Lee, who bore him two sons, Willie C., and Clarence M., born May 8, 1855, and died in November, 1855. Mr. House died December 11, 1887.

WILLIE C. HOUSE, only living child of Carlos House, was born on the old homestead in Farmington township, Tioga county, December 15, 1857, and has spent his entire life upon the farm. He obtained a common school education, and has made farming his life vocation. On June 10, 1893, he married Bertha Dodge, born June 9, 1873, a daughter of Alpha W. and Mahala (Smith) Dodge, of Chatham township, and has two daughters, Helen L., born March 3, 1894, and Julia Zella, born September 24, 1895. Mr. House is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and in politics, an adherent of the Democratic party.

ELISHA SOULE was born in Massachusetts, May 15, 1806, a son of Rowland and Mary (Phelps) Soule. In early life he removed to Truxton, Cortland county, New York, where he was married May 10, 1826, to Polly Colgrove, a daughter of William and Susannah (Brightman) Colgrove. She was born in Rhode Island, whence the family removed to New York state. Eleven children were the fruits of this union, viz: Cornelia S., wife of William P. Abbott, of Monroe county, Wis- consin; Sarah F., wife of James D. Abbott, of the same county; William L., who entered the United States service in March, 1863, and contracted typhoid fever, from which he died at his father's home in Farmington, October 2, following; Wesley V., a resident of Monroe county, Wisconsin; James R., who enlisted in Company H, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, in September, 1861, and served with his regiment until the battle of Spottsylvania, May 10, 1864, where he was killed; Catherine E., widow of J. D. Greenfield; Perry R., who enlisted in Com- pany L, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, in March, 1862, served with his regiment until 1864, when he was taken prisoner and confined at Andersonville until De- cember of the same year, when he was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Maryland, where he died, December 31, 1864; Amanda M., wife of George W. Bowen, of Farmington; Omar H., who enlisted in Company L, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, in February, 1864, and served until the close of the war, and is now a resident of Steuben county, New York; Julia A., deceased wife of Charles Baker, of Law- rence township, and Lelia L., wife of Henry J. Weltroth, of Williamsport. In 1830 Mr. Soule settled in Farmington township, Tioga county, removing a few years later into Middlebury township. About 1839 he located near Keeneyville, on the Griffin farm. After living there seven years he sold it and returned to Farm- ington. In 1849 he purchased the farm where his son-in-law, George W. Bowen, now lives, upon which he resided until his death. By sturdy industry he cleared and improved this property, erecting substantial buildings, and bringing the land to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Soule was a stanch Republican, and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist church. He died April 5, 1871, and his wife, November 21, 1885.

GEORGE W. BOWEN was born in Farmington township, Tioga county, March 4, 1839, a son of David and Matilda (Winser) Bowen, formerly of Rhode Island.

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From the age of two years he was reared in the family of Peter Mourey, of Farm- ington, with whom he remained working on the farm until his majority. On June 30, 1861, he married Amanda M. Soule, a daughter of Elisha and Polly Soule, to which union have been born seven children, viz: Stella F., Grant and Daisy, all of whom are dead; James R., a resident of Philadelphia; Wesley G., a resident of Corning; Votcott E. and Alfred. On September 2, 1864, Mr. Bowen enlisted in Company H, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served with his regiment until the close of the war. In August, 1865, he bought the Preston farm in Farmington township, where he lived until 1873, in which year he located upon his father-in-law's homestead, which has since been his place of residence. He also owns a home in Tioga. Mr. Bowen is a member of Tioga River Lodge, No. 797, I. O. O. F., of Tioga, and both he and his wife are charter members of Fair View Grange, No. 817, of Farmington. In politics, he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen are members of Farmington Hill Presbyterian church.

HENRY SMITH, a native of Jasper, Steuben county, New York, was born Jan- uary 29, 1812, and came to Nelson, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, before attaining his majority, where he worked by the month. After his marriage he settled in Nelson township permanently. In early manhood he engaged in lumbering, in which business he continued several years, and later followed agriculture, clearing and improving the farm now occupied by his son-in-law, Jerome L. Bosard, upon which he resided until his death, in January, 1894. He married Phoebe M. Cook, a daughter of John Cook, of Nelson, to which union were born seven children, viz: Willard, Priscilla, widow of James E. Peters; Elizabeth, wife of Charles R. Howland; Maria, wife of Harry Baxter; John R., Alice, wife of Jerome L. Bosard, and Frances, wife of Walter Pease. Mr. Smith was an ardent Republican, and in religion, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

JOHN R. SMITH was born in Nelson township, Tioga county, January 8, 1848, and is a son of Henry Smith. He was reared in his native township, and was educated in the public schools and Union Academy. Since 1870 he has been engaged in farming in Farmington township. On December 23, 1868, he married Catherine, a daughter of Robert and Susan (House) Casbeer, of Farmington, and has four children, viz: Henry B., Lena E., Susan H., and Phoebe M. Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican, and has served three years as constable and collector of his township. He is a member of the F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., and the P. of H. so- cieties, and is one of the prominent farmers of this vicinity.

WILLIAM BAXTER, a native of Delaware county, New York, born in 1803, was a son of Nathan Baxter, a Revolutionary soldier, and came to Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, about 1836. He settled in Nelson, where he engaged in the manufacture of furniture for several years, but later located on a farm in Farmington township, where he resided until his death. His wife, Rachel, was a daughter of James Paul, of Delaware county, New York, and bore him four children, viz: Sarah A., who married Myron A. Johnson; Alva, William H., and Adeline, who married Henry Mourey. Mr. Baxter was a Democrat, and though not a member of any church, was a regular attendant at the services of the Methodist Episcopal society.

ALVA BAXTER, eldest son of William Baxter, was born in Delaware county, New York, July 6, 1829, and came to Tioga county with his parents when about

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

seven years old. He attended the common schools of Nelson, and later learned the carpenter's trade, which he has followed more or less ever since. About 1862 he settled on the farm he now occupies in Farmington township, embracing 180 acres of land, the greater part of which he has cleared and improved. In 1855 he mar- ried Lorency Gleason, a daughter of Warren and Sarah A. (Treat) Gleason, of Farmington. Three children have been born to them, viz: Sarah A., Rachel, wife of Charles Davenport, and Edwin. Mr. Baxter is a Democrat, in politics, and has been assessor of Farmington several times. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the P. of H., and is one of the leading farmers of his township.

JULIUS A. PHELPS was born in New England, April 19, 1802. His parents, Oliver and Roxanna Phelps, natives of New England, were pioneers of Nelson town- ship, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where both resided until their death. They had six children, viz: Lydia, who married Gershom Clark; Julius A., Gilbert, Oliver, George W., and Fidelia, who married Joseph White. The subject of this sketch settled in Mansfield, Tioga county, in early manhood, and was engaged in farming in that locality up to 1842, when he removed to Farmington township, to the farm now owned by his son, Warren. He cleared and improved this property, and resided on it until his death, January 2, 1883. His wife, Clarissa, was a daugh- ter of Benjamin Worden, of Potter county, Pennsylvania, and bore him five chil- dren, as follows: Maria, who married Charles Webster; Caroline, who became the wife of Benjamin Powers; Wesley, Orilla, wife of Ambrose Place, and Warren.

WARREN PHELPS, youngest child of Julius A. Phelps, was born in Mansfield, Tioga county, October 9, 1838, and was reared on the old homestead in Farmington township. He attended the common schools of his district, and has lived upon his present farm, which was settled by his father, since he was three years old. February 24, 1858, he married Maria Teachman, a daughter of Abram and Louisa (Brimmer) Teachman, of Osceola. In politics, he is a Democrat, is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is one of the substantial farmers of his township.

REUBEN H. CLOSE was born at Locke, Cayuga county, New York, November 20, 1832, a son of Peter M. and Lucretia (Holmes) Close. He came with his parents to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and settled in the southeastern part of Farmington township, on the farm now occupied by E. W. Close. He remained at home until his majority, and for a few years after he was engaged in the nursery business at Elmira, New York. On September 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Forty- fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and soon after entering the service he was commis- sioned second lieutenant of that company. He was, however, taken sick and was honorably discharged for disability about a year later. Mr. Close was married February 16, 1864, to Esther O. Hurlbut, a daughter of Lyman and Caroline (Sco- ville) Hurlbut, of Lawrence township, to which union have been born the following children: Carrie H., wife of Frank M. Leonard, a lawyer of Wellsville, New York; Mary A., Randolph R., who died at the age of twenty-four; William E., Mead P., Fred, deceased, and one that died in infancy. Mr. Close was engaged in merchan- dising at Farmington Hill for a few years after the war, and later purchased a farm of 110 acres, where he has since resided, owning one of the best improved farms in the township. He devotes his whole attention to the cultivation and improvement of his land, and makes a specialty of fruit growing. He has served as a school

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director for twenty-five years, being either secretary or treasurer of the board during this period, with the exception of one year, and has also filled the offices of assessor or assistant assessor for fifteen years and those of township clerk or treasurer for ten consecutive years. Mrs. Close is a member of Farmington Hill Presbyterian church. He is connected with the Masonic order, and is also a charter member of Wallace Bogart Post, No. 362, G. A. R., of Nelson.

JACOB B. DOAN was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1813, and was a son of Joshua Doan. He came from Scipio, New York, to Tioga county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1841, and after drifting about the county for some years, finally settled in Chatham township, where he cleared and improved a farm, in the meantime work- ing at the carpenter's trade. He died upon the homestead in 1887. His wife was Sally Churchill, and bore him seven children, viz: Andrew J., Elizabeth, who mar- ried Charles Lines; Eliza, wife of Nathan Bard; Sylvester, who married Polly Butler; Mary, wife of Albert Baker; Sally, wife of George Baker, and Jacob, who married Mary Owlett. Mr. Doan was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was originally an adherent of the Whig party, later a Republican, and finally an advocate of the Greenback doctrines.

ANDREW JACKSON DOAN was born in Scipio, New York, July 8, 1833, and came to Tioga county with his parents in 1841, where he has since lived. He learned the carpenter's trade, and followed that business for fifteen years. In 1868 he located in Farmington township, and since 1872 he has resided on the farm he now occupies, comprising 100 acres, the greater part of which he has cleared and im- proved. In 1857 he married Melissa E. Rowley, a daughter of Orlando and Jane Rowley, of Farmington, and has one daughter, Nellie R. Politically, he is a Pro- hibitionist; has been mercantile appraiser of Tioga county, and has served as justice of the peace four years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is one of Farming- ton's progressive citizens.

CHARLES BLANCHARD, SR., a native of New England, settled in Lawrence town- ship, Tioga county, about 1802, a few years later removing to Lancaster county, and thence to Harrisburg, where he died. He was widely known as a contractor on public works, and in the construction of public roads, canals, etc., during the early years of the century. His wife was a Miss Bigelow, and they were the parents of the following children: Ebenezer, Duodatus, Sylvanus, Charles, Hopestill, Han- nah, who married Samuel Snow; Abigail, who married Hosea Ballou; Esther, Aurilla, Ira and Lodema.

CHARLES BLANCHARD was born in Whitehall, New York, April 11, 1795, a son of Charles Blanchard, Sr., and came to Tioga county with his parents when about seven years of age. Before attaining his majority he assisted in clearing and improving the farm in Lawrence township upon which his father settled, and there lived the remaining years of his life, dying July 11, 1878. He married Lovina Ham- mond, a daughter of Josiah Hammond, of Elkland, who became the mother of nine children, viz: Oliver H., Hopestill, Rebecca A., wife of Chester B. Hoyt; Cal- phurnia, wife of William Phelps; Jane E., wife of J. L. Hurlbut; Charles, Emily, wife of M. Randolph; Myra and Lewis. Mr. Blanchard was one of the organizers of the Presbyterian church of Nelson, of which he was a deacon many years. In

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

politics, he supported the Republican party. He was a man of strict temperance habits, and a member of the first temperance society organized in Tioga county.

OLIVER H. BLANCHARD, eldest child of Charles and Lovina Blanchard, was born in Lawrence township, Tioga county, March 4, 1822, and was reared to manhood on the old homestead. In 1850 he settled in Farmington township, and cut the first stick of timber on the farm he now occupies, and upon which he has lived for nearly half a century. Mr. Blanchard has been twice married. January 13, 1852, he married Emily J., daughter of Hopestill and Myra (Kirk) Blanchard, of Tioga county, who bore him five children, viz: Charles, deceased; Mary, wife of Dr. A. H. Forsythe; William P., Chester H. and Frank R. His second marriage occurred September 26, 1866, to Mary J. Mulford, a daughter of Benjamin S. and Rachel (Locke) Mulford, of Farmington, to which union have been born two children, Oliver B. and Charles R. Mr. Blanchard is a member of the Presbyterian church, and also of the I. O. O. F. In politics, a Republican, he was the first nominee of that party for the office of county treasurer of Tioga county, to which he was elected, and served a full term of two years.

CHARLES OUDERKIRK was born in Onondaga county, New York, September 10, 1816, a son of Nicholas and Catharine Ouderkirk, and came of Dutch ancestry. In 1844 he located in Elkland, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Farmington township in 1851, locating on the farm now occupied by his son, Linsford. This he cleared and improved, and erected all of the buildings. His wife, Ruby, was a daughter of Linsford and Mary (Taylor) Coates, pioneers of Elk- land, who bore him four children, viz: Linsford, Kate, wife of Frank Tubbs; Mor- gan, and Diantha, wife of Frank L. Hood. Mr. Ouderkirk was a Republican, but took no active interest in public affairs. He died March 20, 1893, and his wife, Ruby, May 26, 1895. Both are buried in Highland cemetery, at Elkland.

LINSFORD OUDERKIRK, eldest son of Charles Ouderkirk, was born in Hector, Potter county, Pennsylvania, July 23, 1843, and was an infant when his parents came to Tioga county. He grew to manhood in this county, and obtained a good education in the Osceola High School and the State Normal School, at Mansfield. He has followed farming and teaching as his principal vocation, and has taught fall and winter terms for the past twenty years. Since 1851 he has lived upon the old homestead, which he now owns. In 1882 he was postal clerk on the Cowanesque division of the Fall Brook railroad. Politically, Mr. Ouderkirk is a Republican, and in religious belief, a close communion Baptist.

RHODES W. HALL was born in Hancock, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, May 8, 1823, a son of Reuben Hall. On August 22, 1851, he married Jane A. Knight, and in the spring of 1852 settled in Farmington township, Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, and became a partner with his cousin, G. M. Hall, who still resides in that township. He purchased 100 acres of land of Hiram Merritt, which he cleared up. He then bought 100 acres of the Bingham estate. In 1872 he purchased from A. J. Fisk 186 acres and cleared 160 acres in one fallow. He died April 4, 1883. His wife, Jane A., was a daughter of Caleb Knight, of Rensselaer county, New York. She bore him six children, who grew to maturity, viz: Alpha, who died in 1874; Lyman, Emma, wife of Charles L. Beiver; Nettie, Anna, wife of G. L. Ashdown, and Jennie, wife of William Butler. Mrs. Hall died in September, 1894.

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Mr. and Mrs. Hall were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Hall was an adherent of the Republican party.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 107

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