History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 111

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Tioga County > History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania > Part 111

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).

849

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1834, and was reared in Tioga county. In early life he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Indiana, but dur- ing the war, he returned east and located at Montrose, Susquehanna county, where he was engaged in the manufacture of toys and novelties from 1861 to 1883. In the latter year he removed to Waverly, New York, where he has since carried on the sanie business. Mr. Crandall has been twice married. His first wife was Susan, a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Wilcox) Kress, of Bradford county. Her grandfather was an expert silversmith, and stole his passage to America because of an English law prohibiting silversmiths leaving that country. Four children were born to this union, viz: Fred W., Benjamin J., Jesse M. and Fannie. His second wife was Annie F. Austin, a daughter of Dana Austin, of Montrose, Penn- sylvania, who bore him five children, viz: Bessie, Charlie, Florence, Mable and Dorothea. Mr. Crandall is an adherent of the Republican party, and in religion, a member of the Presbyterian church.

FRED W. CRANDALL, eldest child of Charles M. and Susan (Kress) Crandall, was born at Laporte, Indiana, March 29, 1855. When six years old he removed with his parents to Montrose, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools, and at the State Normal School, Millersville, and when fifteen years of age he entered his father's factory at Montrose. He served as manager for two years, and on attaining bis majority he took entire charge of the factory under contract, occupying that position until 1880. A stock company was then organized, with a capital stock of $100,000, our subject taking one-fourth of the amount. He con- tinned as manager of the manufacturing branch of the business up to 1883, when the stock company was wound up, Mr. Crandall purchasing the business and con- tinuing it under the firm name of F. W. Crandall & Company, until August 26, 1886. On that date the plant was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $40,000. Two weeks later he resumed business in rented rooms, using power from the agri- cultural works at that place, and in January, 1887, he removed to Elkland, Tioga county, purchasing the plant of the Elkland Chair Company. He has since added substantial buildings to accommodate his increasing business in the manufacture of toys and novelties, and gives employment to from fifty to seventy-five hands, doing an annual business of $30,000. He has also been engaged in lumbering since 1894, and is one of the enterprising and substantial citizens of the borough. Mr. Crandall was married at Montrose, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1876, to Augusta A. Seymour, a daughter of James and Ann E. (Howell) Seymour. They are the par- ents of four children, viz: Susie K., Mary H., Fannie M. and Helen A. Mrs. Crandall died March 14, 1893. Politically, he is a Republican, has served on the school board and common council of Elkland, and is a member and trustee of the Presbyterian church.

CLARK B. BAILEY, a son of Clark W. and Vesta (Judd) Bailey, and grandson of Roswell Bailey, a pioneer of Charleston township, Tioga county, was born in Richmond township, Tioga county, September 30, 1851. When he was five years of age his parents removed to Mansfield, where he obtained his education at the State Normal School. In 1884 he purchased a foundry plant at Knoxville, which was burned in 1888, and in January, 1890, he erected a plant at Elkland. This was burned in. December following, and he immediately rebuilt in 1891, which he

850

HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

still owns, but leases. From August, 1893, up to March, 1896, he operated the Elkland Basket Works, of which he was four-fifths owner, and gave employment to seventy-five hands. On the latter date he sold to the Davidge Manufacturing Company, in which he is a stockholder, and the works were removed to Coudersport, Potter county. Mr. Bailey is general agent for the McCormick Manufacturing Company, of Chicago, for the sale of their machines in Tioga and adjoining coun- ties, which position he has held since 1888. He has built up an extensive business, increasing his sales from twelve machines the first year to 300 in 1895. On March 15, 1882, Mr. Bailey married Nettie Bixby, a daughter of Gilbert H. and Louisa Bixby, of Waverly, New York. They are the parents of four children: Roy J., Clara V., Gertrude B. and Harold C. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, is a Republican.

PROF. MARION F. CASS, principal of the Elkland public schools, was born in Farmington township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1850, a son of Willard and Esther (Cass) Cass, both natives of New Hampshire, and of Scotclı extraction. His parents settled in Farmington township about 1847, where his father resided until his death in 1894. Marion F. was reared on the old homestead until thirteen years of age, when he went to Elkland and entered the employ of Joel Parkhurst, with whom he remained three years. He then returned to Farmington, and worked on a farm in summer, while he taught school during the winter seasons, for several years. He graduated at the State Normal School, Mansfield, in 1872, and subsequently taught six years at Nelson anl three years at Lawrenceville. He was county superintendent of schools for nine successive years, and filled the office with credit and ability. In 1890 he was principal of the Elkland public schools, and since 1891 he has filled the same position, being to-day one of the most popular teachers in the county. Professor Cass was married May 17, 1876, to Susan M. Baxter, a daughter of G. Henry and Clara (Manley) Baxter, of Nelson township, and has two children, George W. and Eva E. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a member of the Presbyterian church, also of the F. & A. M., and the I. O. O. F.

CARL E. BAILEY was born in Richmond township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1865, and is a son of Robert B. and Julia (Hager) Bailey, a sketch of whom appears in this work. He was educated in the public schools of his native township and at Charleston High School. In 1882 he went to Herkimer county, New York, continuing there for nearly seven years, during which period he learned his present business. In 1889 he located at Elkland, Tioga county, where he pur- chased a meat market, and has since successfully carried on a wholesale and retail business, the leading business of the kind in this vicinity. He also owns and oper- ates the largest cold storage plant in Tioga county, and is the proprietor of the only ice business in Elkland. Mr. Bailey was married April 22, 1891, to Viola Cross, a daughter of Nathan and Adelia (Smith) Cross, of Little Falls, New York. In politics, he is a Republican, and in religion, both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He is also connected with Elkland Lodge, No. 800, I. O. O. F., and is one of the progressive young business men of that borough.

JOHN WAKELY (originally spelled "Waklee"), born in Otsego county, New York, in 1796, was a son of John and Elizabeth (Cummings) Wakely, pioneers of Deerfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. In 1827 he removed to Brookfield town-

851

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ship, where he cleared and improved a farm of 136 acres. In the spring of 1864 he sold out and removed to Troupsburg, New York, where he died March 28, of that year, aged sixty-eight. He was twice married. His first wife, Dinah, was a daughter of Rufus and Mary Cook, of Otsego county, New York, and became the mother of six children. His second wife was Mary A. Murdock. During his resi- dence in Deerfield township, Mr. Wakely served as constable for several years, and for twelve years he was a justice of the peace in Brookfield township. In 1837 he was elected sheriff of Tioga county, which office he filled for three years. In 1841 he was elected to the legislature and served in that body with marked ability. Mr. Wakely was a member of the Masonic order, and also of the I. O. O. F.

WILLIAM O. WAKELY, son of John and Mary A. (Murdock) Wakely, was born in Wellsboro, Tioga county, June 5, 1840, and was educated in the common schools and Union Academy. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty- sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was slightly wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, and after nine months' service was honorably discharged. In 1864 he re-enlisted in Company D, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. For twelve years afterwards he dealt in horses, during which time he resided in Westfield, and from 1882 to 1884, he followed the same business in Wisconsin. Since that time he has been employed as a salesman of agricultural implements in Tioga county and vicinity, his residence being at Elk- land since April, 1894. Mr. Wakely has been twice married. His first wife, Mrs. Kate Secord, was a daughter of John Losey, of West Pike, Potter county, Pennsylvania, who left one son by her former husband, Sheridan J. Secord. His second wife was Cassie Sherwood, a daughter of Orrin and Lucy A. (Seely) Sherwood, of Brook- field township. Mr Wakely is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics, an ad- herent of the Republican party.

CHARLES SANDBACH, son of William and Catherine Sandbach, was born in Prussia, Germany, April 13, 1842, and immigrated to New York City in 1850. He there learned and followed the occupation of a feeder of cylinder presses. In 1864 he married Maria Wiesner, of that city, and the same year located in Germania, Pot- ter county, Pennsylvania, where he became the proprietor of the Germania Hotel, which he conducted until 1880. In 1881 he purchased the Baldwin House, at Wellsboro, Tioga county, changed the name to the Sandbach House, thoroughly refitted and refurnished it, and has since successfully carried it on. Mr. Sandbach and wife are the parents of five children, viz: Robert W., Richard E., Emily M., wife of Dr. F. L. Dolbeare, of Brooklyn, New York; Martha and Elsa. In politics, Mr. Sandbach is a Democrat, and is a member of the Masonic order.

RICHARD E. SANDBACH, second son of Charles Sandbach, was born in Ger- mania, Potter county, October 29, 1866, and was reared in Potter and Tioga coun- ties. In 1884 he went to New York City, where he was employed as entry clerk and assistant book-keeper in a wholesale house until 1887, during which period he passed a civil service examination for a clerkship in the appraisers' department of the United States Custom House, which position he filled from January 18, 1887, until March 6, 1890. On April 1, 1890, he returned to Wellsboro, Tioga county, where he clerked in his father's hotel three months, and then assumed management of the same until January 1, 1891. In October of the latter year, he went to Ocosta,

852

HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

Washington, where he was engaged in the brewing business for two years and a half. In May, 1894, he removed his brewery to Reno, Nevada, but sold out in October and returned to Tioga county. His mother having purchased the Coles Hotel, at Elkland, he became proprietor of the same, and since November 1, 1894, he has since conducted it under the name of the Sandbach House. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and K. of P., and in politics, an ardent Democrat.

WILLARD C. GRIFFITHS was born in Elmira, New York, February 28, 1867, a son of William E. and Mary C. (Gould) Griffiths, and is of Welsh descent. He was reared in New York state, and was educated in the Addison Union school and acad- emy. On August 14, 1881, he entered the office of the Addison Advertiser, to serve an apprenticeship at the printer's trade, and remained there six years. In Novem- ber, 1887, he went to New Haven, Connecticut, where he worked on different papers, and finally held an important position in a large job printing and book publishing house of that city four years In 1891 he located at Elkland, Tioga county, pur- chasing the plant of the Elkland Journal, which paper he conducted until Septem- ber, 189, when it suspended publication. Mr. Griffiths was married February 25, 1892, to Jennie M. Hammond, a daughter of John W. and Addie (Delamater) Ham- mond, of Osceola, and has two daughters, Helen M. and Florence A. Politically. Mr. Griffiths is a Republican.

OSCEOLA BOROUGH.

ISRAEL BULKLEY was one of the first settlers in the Cowanesque valley, locating in Osceola, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1800. The Bulkley family is of ancient English lineage. Ten generations can be traced on English soil down to Rev. Peter Bulkley, of Odell, a graduate of St. John's College, Cambridge, who immi- grated to America in 1634, and settled at Concord, Massachusetts. From the Rev. Peter Bulkley, the line of descent runs through the Rev. Gershom and Rev. John Bulkley, to Peter Bulkley, of Colchester, Connecticut, who married Susannah Newton, and was the father of Israel Bulkley, the pioneer of the family in Tioga county. Israel was born January 22, 1762, and served a brief time in Capt. N. Waterman's company, in the Revolution, when the British burned New London. He married Lucy Chapin, born November 22, 1767. Their children were as fol- lows: Ralph, born December 19, 1794; George, November 27, 1796, who died young; Lucy, March 29, 1799, who married Col. Lemuel Davenport; George (2nd), October 2, 1801, the first of the family born in Tioga county; Ira, March 3, 1804; Hiram, Sep- tember 17, 1806; Newton, April 24, 1809, and Charles, September 18, 1812, who died in carly youth. At the time of his removal to this county, Mr. Bulkley pos- sessed considerable property, and was recognized as one of the leading spirits in the Cowanesque valley. He brought with him an improved breed of cattle and other live stock, cleared the farm upon which his grandson, Charles Bulkley, now resides, established a blacksmith shop, dealt in merchandise, built a grist-mill, carding-mill and distillery, and was a land surveyor and agent for the Strawbridge estate. He planted a nursery of fruit trees upon his farm, from which was raised the first orchards in Tioga county. His plantation was a central point in the pioneer set- tlements, and meetings, elections and general training-days were held at his place for several years. He died January 18, 1828, and was succeeded by his son, Ira, who then took charge of the homestead farm.

853

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

IRA BULKLEY was born in Osceola, Tioga county, March 3, 1804, grew to man- hood on the homestead, and limited his business operations almost entirely to farm- ing. He brought his farm under a high state of cultivation, and was awarded the prize of the Tioga County Agricultural Society several times for possessing the best improved farm in the county. One of the attractions of the place for many years was a well-stocked deer park. Mr. Bulkley was twice married. On October 4, 1826, he married Harriet Belding, a daughter of Cyprian and Harriet (Belding) Wright, to whom were born three children, viz: Charles, born November 25, 1827; Esther, June 13, 1829, and Harriet, December 13, 1831, the last two of whom died young. He was again married November 24, 1833, to Esther Maria Wright, born in 1812, who died September 18, 1895. Mr. Bulkley died November 19, 1876.

CHARLES BULKLEY, only living child of Ira Bulkley, was born on the homestead, November 25, 1827. He was educated in the common schools and at Union Academy. He succeeded to the home farm, and has acquired by successive purchase the larger part of his grandfather's real estate, until to-day he is the owner of over 500 acres of highly improved farming land. He has held many local offices with much acceptance to those he served. He has been twice married. On November 26, 1856, he married Marietta, a daughter of Lloyd and Maria (Reynolds) Perry. Their children were: Perry, born August 29, 1857, who died young; Myra, Novem- ber 15, 1858, wife of Henry Tubbs, and Carrie, September 24, 1867, wife of George Gershom Dorrance. He was again married August 26, 1885, to Mrs. Clarissa Mannigan, who died November 10, 1896.

GEORGE NEWTON BULKLEY was born in Osceola, Tioga county, October 8, 1845, and resided on the Newton Bulkley homestead in Osceola borough until his death, January 7, 1885. He was a son of Newton and Phoebe Ann (Barker) Bulkley, and a grandson of Israel and Lucy (Chapin) Bulkley. His father was born in Osceola, April 24, 1809, married Phoebe Ann Barker, and lived and died upon the farm now occupied by his grand-daughter, Mrs. Robert C. Baker. The subject of this sketch was married March 19, 1867, to Hannah Eudora Brader, a daughter of George and Mary (Chapin) Brader, of Kingston, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, who bore him two children: Thomas B., deceased, and Phoebe Frances, wife of Robert C. Baker. Mr. Bulkley was a florist and market gardner, took a deep interest in horticulture, and won many prizes at county fairs and exhibits. He owned 235 acres of land, of which 160 acres is in the old homestead. In politics, he was an ardent Republican, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian church.

ABNER GLEASON was born in Oxford, Massachusetts, December 6, 1745, a son of Joseph and Lydia (Tarbox) Gleason. He came from Charlton, Massachusetts, to what is now Osceola, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and worked at the cooper's trade. He was twice married. His first wife, Abigail Rich, bore him six children, viz: David, Rachel, Paul, Abigail, Abner and William. His second wife, Deborah Baker, was the mother of two children: Ruth, who married Lemuel Cady, and Polly, who married Simon Nicholas. Mr. Gleason died in 1816, and his remains were the first interred in Osceola cemetery.

PAUL GLEASON, son of Abner and Abigail Gleason, was born in Charlton, Massachusetts, January 12, 1778, and came with his parents to Osceola, Tioga county, in 1809, where he worked at the shoemaker's trade and also engaged in

854

HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

farming. On February 16, 1802, he married Judith, a daughter of John and Cathe- rine Warren. Seven children were the fruits of this union, viz: Nelson, Julia, who married Armon Cloos; Warren, John W., George R., Anna, who married James Tubbs, and Mancir. Mr. Gleason was the first constable of Elkland, and held several other local offices at different periods. He died June 28, 1842.

MANCIR GLEASON, youngest child of Paul and Judith Gleason, was born in Osceola, Tioga county, July 14, 1824, and in early manhood began working in the lumber woods, and also on a farm. He later spent two years as a jobber in clearing land in Chatham township. In 1844 he purchased the farm in Osceola upon which he now resides, where he has lived for more than half a century. Mr. Gleason was married November 9, 1851, to Mary Van Zile, a daughter of Isaac and Hannah (Mills) Van Zile, of Osceola, and has three children: Ezra, James and Metta. Mrs. Gleason died November 6, 1896. In politics, he is a Republican, and a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.

EZRA GLEASON, eldest child of Mancir Gleason, was born in Osceola, Tioga county, September 22, 1852, grew to manhood upon the old homestead, and was educated in the public schools of Elkland and Osceola. In 1877 he purchased ninety acres of the old farm, most of which he has cleared and improved, and has since added sixty-six acres to his original purchase. On March 22, 1877, he mar- ried Sarah S. Perkins, a daughter of Samuel and Marietta (Brown) Perkins, of Steuben county, New York. They are the parents of four children: Judd, Bertha, Samuel and Harry. Mr. Gleason is a member of the P. of H., and the K. & L. of H. He is a Republican, in politics, and is one of the school directors of Osceola.

EBENEZER TAYLOR was born on the Delaware river, in either Pennsylvania or New Jersey, November 15, 1767, a son of Ebenezer and Permelia Taylor. He settled in what is now Elkland, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1803, removing to what is now Osceola in 1811. He was a hunter of considerable note, and when not out on the chase, devoted his attention to farming. He married Polly Cook, a daughter of Reuben Cook, the pioneer, who died at Osceola, June 25, 1829. Their children were as follows: Sally, who married John Mascho; Samuel, Per- melia, who married Samuel Tubbs; Philip, Polly, who married Benjamin Tubbs; Margaret, who married Abel Cloos; Esther, who became the wife of Nelson Gleason; Catherine, who married Asahel Morey; Lavina, who married William Weeks; Lucinda, who married John W. Gleason, and Elvira C., who became the wife of David M. Van Zile. Mr. Taylor died November 14, 1850.

COL. PHILIP TAYLOR, son of Ebenezer and Polly Taylor, is a well-remembered farmer of Osceola, where he cleared and improved the farm now owned by Charles B. Hoyt. He was married by Nathaniel Seely, Esq., June 2, 1825, to Sally Ryon, a daughter of Judge John and Susannah Ryon, who settled on the site of Elkland in the spring of 1811. She was born in Newtown, now a part of Elmira, New York, December 28, 1808, the eldest in a family of twelve children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Taylor became the mother of eight children, seven of whom survive, as follows: Polly, who married Jeremiah Stoddard; Charlotte R., widow of Prof. I. G. Hoyt; Hiram, Susan, who married J. B. Payne; Helen M., who married Au- gustus Smith; Charles R., and Permelia, who married P. G. Wass. Mr. Taylor was a colonel in the militia prior to the Rebellion, hence his title. He filled several

855

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

local offices in the township at different periods, and took an active interest in pub- lic affairs. Colonel Taylor and wife united with the Presbyterian church of Elk- land, March 12, 1859, and remained consistent members until their death. He died in 1866. His wife survived him thirty years, dying in Osceola, Sunday morn- ing, March 1, 1896, in the eighty-eighth year of her age, one of the last links that bound the historic past to the eventful and changing present.

CAPT. CHARLES RYON TAYLOR was born in what is now Osceola borough, Tioga county, August 9, 1840, a son of Col. Philip and Sally Taylor. He was reared in his native town, and was educated in the public schools and Union Academy. He commenced his business life as a clerk in a general store at Academy Corners. October 8, 1861, he entered Company L, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, as first lieutenant, and was promoted to captain November 1, 1862. He partici- pated with the Army of the Potomac in the battles of Wolfton, Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, New Baltimore, Little Washington, Berryville, Occoquan, Glou- cester Point, Frying Pan, Gettysburg, Culpepper, Bristoe Station, Brentsville, Bev- erly Ford, Brandy Station, Mine Run, Beaver Dam, Meadow Bridge, Hawe's Shop, Trevillian Station, White House Landing, St. Mary's Church, Jerusalem Plank Road, Deep Bottom, Lee's Mills and Ream's Station, where he received a gun-shot wound in the right hand, August 23, 1864, and was mustered out of the service November 5, of that year. Captain Taylor returned to Osceola, and in 1871 em- barked in the mercantile business in that borough, which he continued three years. He was constable of Osceola for thirteen years, and has held the office of justice of the peace since 1886. On February 17, 1870, he married Stella A. Seely, a daughter of Morgan and Harriet (Beebe) Seely, of Osceola. In politics, Captain Taylor is a stanch Republican, and is also a member of the F. & A. M., and the G. A. R. .

SAMUEL TUBBS, SR., a son of Lebbeus and Bathsheba (Hamilton) Tubbs, was born in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1755. In 1773 he came with his parents from New London, Connecticut, to Pennsylvania, and settled at Wyoming. August 26, 1776, he enlisted in Capt. Robert Durkee's Independent Company, which was attached to Col. John Durkee's regiment of the Connecticut Line. He remained in the service until the close of the Revolution, participating in the battles of Bound Brook, Mill Stone River, Mud Creek, Brandywine and Germantown. He wintered with the army at Valley Forge, and served in Sullivan's Expedition against the Indians of the Genesee valley in 1779. His father and the other members of the family were in the fort at Wyoming during the massacre, but escaped unhurt. His command was on its way to the valley at the time and stopped the night before at Shoup's Tavern, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. In 1787 he removed to Newtown, now Elmira, New York, where he remained until March, 1811, when he came to Tioga county and settled at Elkland, on a tract of land the original warrant for which was issued to Dr. Henry Lattimer, of Wilmington, Delaware. Here he remained until his death, September 7, 1841. Mr. Tubbs married Sarah Susannah Dorrance, eldest child of Lieut. Col. George and Mary (Wilson) Dorrance. Colonel Dorrance was killed in the Wyoming Massacre. Mrs. Tubbs was born in 1760, and died Au- gust 16, 1838. She was the mother of eleven children, as follows: A son born in 1778, who died in childhood; Robert, born March 24, 1780, married Clara Hoyt, and died August 9, 1865; Cynthia, born May 11, 1782, married Samuel Jenkins, and

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 111

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