History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 115

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

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member of the Congregational church, and died in that faith in 1889, in the nine- tieth year of his age. Throughout the greater portion of his residence in Knoxville, Colonel Freeborn was one of its prominent and influential citizens, and his name is closely interwoven with the history of the town.

LEVI B. REYNOLDS was a native of Rhode Island, and a son of William and Lydia (Church) Reynolds, of that State. When Levi B. was about seven years old his parents removed to Spring Mills, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and learned the mercantile business with Judge Gaylord Colvin. He later became a merchant at Burus, New York, in partnership with Ira Daven- port, of Bath, who furnished the capital against young Reynolds' business experi- ence. In 1847 the firm located in Knoxville, Tioga county, where the business was continued, under the firm name of Levi B. Reynolds, in a store building owned by his father-in-law, Col. Hiram Freeborn. After his marriage to Levantia W. Freeborn, Mr. Reynolds bought his partner's interest and continued the business up to 1870. In that year he removed to Wellsboro, where he followed merchan- dising until 1874, when his store was destroyed by fire. Returning to Knoxville he again embarked in merchandising, which he carried on until he was succeeded by his son, William D., and his son-in-law, H. T. Gilbert. He then devoted his attention to his real estate interests until his death, October 31, 1891, aged seventy- two years. Mr. Reynolds was a careful and honest business man, and highly respected for his many sterling qualities. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and also of the I. O. O. F. and E. A. U. societies. He filled the office of postmaster at Knoxville, as well as other local positions. His widow and three children survive him, viz: Mrs. Ella C. Gilbert and William D., both residents of Elmira, New York, and Mrs. Effie L. Beach, of Knoxville.

HIRAM GILBERT was born in New England, March 6, 1796, and came to Deer- field township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1824, where he worked at the car- penter's trade. He later engaged in the boot and shoe business at Knoxville, which he carried on there upwards of thirty years. He then purchased a couple of farms in Deerfield township, now owned and occupied by his sons, Wallace and George, and died on that occupied by the former, June 10, 1871, in his seventy-sixth year. His wife was Eunice Powers, of Cuba, New York, who bore him six children, as follows: Wallace, Mortimer, George, Eleanor, Truman and Emmett.

GEORGE GILBERT, third son of Hiram Gilbert, was born in Knoxville, Tioga county, June 27, 1829, there grew to manhood, and was educated in the public schools and at Union Academy. Soon after attaining his majority, he engaged in farming in Deerfield township, which vocation he has since continued, and for twenty-five years he also followed cattle droving. During the Rebellion, he en- listed in Company G, Thirty-fifth Pennsylvania Militia, known as Emergency Men, who were called out for the purpose of repelling Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania. On October 3, 1854, Mr. Gilbert married Emeline Butler, a daughter of John and Anna (Guy) Butler, of Otsego county, New York, and has three sons living: Frank L., Eugene and Jerome. Mr. Gilbert is a member of the E, A. U., and in politics, is an adherent of the Republican party.

FRANK L. GILBERT, eldest son of George Gilbert, was born in Deerfield town- ship, Tioga county, September 9, 1856. He was educated in the public schools

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of Knoxville and at the State Normal School, Mansfield, after which he taught for two terms. In 1877 he embarked in the drug business at Knoxville, in which he has continued up to the present, being recognized to-day as the leading druggist of the borough. Mr. Gilbert was married March 14, 1879, to Eva M. Buckbee, a daughter of Daniel H. and Emeline (Hammond) Buckbee, of Knoxville. They are the parents of three children: Maud, Dora and Arthur B. In politics, Mr. Gilbert is a stanch Republican, and was postmaster of Knoxville for four years during Harrison's administration. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and the I. O. R. M.

JOHN E. WHITE was born in Wyndham county, Connecticut, May 26, 1809, a son of Jeremiah and Sarah (Bottum) White. His father was born in Connecticut, June 8, 1780, and died December 18, 1866. He was married four times. His first wife was Sarah Bottum, whom he married October 1, 1801. She was born November 18, 1776, and died August 21, 1813. Their children were Malinda, Joseph M., John E., Mary Ann and Sarah. His second wife was Elizabeth Bottum, who bore him two children, Sumner P. and Sophronia. His third wife was Alice Hartson, who became the mother of seven children, named as follows: George A., Freeman, Earl A., Angeline, Sophronia, Charles and Henry. His fourth wife was Anna Parkhurst, to which union were born four children, viz: Lester, Eliza Ann, Sarah A., and Lucian. John E. White came with his brother, Joseph M., to Nelson, Tioga county, in 1831, where they worked at blacksmithing, which business they had learned in Connecticut. In 1833 John E. removed to Knoxville, where he continued working at his trade. His brother remained at Nelson, where he afterwards filled the office of postmaster for many years. The subject of this sketch was twice married. His first wife was Minerva C. Baker, a daughter of Abisha and Martha (Lytle) Baker, of Nelson, Tioga county, whom he married September 23, 1832. She became the mother of three children, viz: Sumner P., Susan B. and Malvina D., who married Enos Nichols. Mrs. Minerva C. White died June 18, 1849. On September 16, 1850, he married Dolly Knox, a daughter of William Knox, who settled in Deerfield township, Tioga county, in 1798, and a sister of John C. Knox, a distinguished jurist, at one time a judge of the supreme court of Pennsylvania. She died April 19, 1875. Four children were born to this marriage, viz: John C., James B., Newell R., and Emily K., wife of Richard Hill. Mr. White was an ardent Republican, and filled the office of justice of the peace in Knoxville for thirty-three years. He was a member of the Baptist church, also of the I. O. O. F., and is one of the well-remembered pioneers of the borough, where the greater por- tion of his life was passed. He died in Knoxville, January 31, 1884.

JOHN C. WHITE, son of John E. and Dolly (Knox) White, was born in Knoxville, Tioga county, October 11, 1851. He was reared in his native village, and obtained his education in the public schools and Union Academy. On attaining his majority, he followed the vocation of a painter and paper-hanger several years, and for nine years was constable and collector of Knoxville. Since 1885 he has been the clerk of the Adams House at Knoxville, and has been manager of the same since the fall of 1893. Mr. White was married June 23, 1878, to Laura M. Knox, a daughter of Archibald and Julia A. (White) Knox, of Deerfield township. Mrs. White was born in that township June 20, 1853, and has one son, J. Archie, born September 3, 1887. Mr. White is a member of the F. & A. M., the K. of H., the K. & L. of H.,

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and the I. F.A. In politics, he is a Republican, has been a member of the borough council six years, and president of the board for two years.

NEWELL R. WHITE, son of John E. and Dolly White, was born in Knoxville, Tioga county, May 30, 1860. His education was acquired in the common schools of his native town. From 1880 to 1884 he was in the employ of the Standard Oil Company as a member of the pipe-line force. During the next three years he was in the employ of the American House at Westfield. In 1890 he leased the Park Hotel at Tioga and conducted that house for a year and a half. He then located in Wellsboro and for four years was engaged in the manufacture of cider and vinegar. Since September, 1895, he has been employed in the Coles House. Mr. White was married March 2, 1889, to Margaret E. Lane, a daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth Lane, of Westfield, and has three children, viz: William Francis, John C., deceased, and Marguerite. In politics, Mr. White is a Democrat, and was elected an inspector of election in Wellsboro in February, 1896. He is a member of Tioga Lodge, No. 374, F. & A. M., Tioga, and of Wellsboro Lodge, No. 273, K. of P.

DANIEL ANGELL was born in the town of New Berlin, Chenango county, New York, March 24, 1809, a son of Daniel and Cynthia (Burlingame) Angell. He was reared in his native county, and learned the tanner's and shoemaker's trades. In 1842 he located in Nelson township, Tioga county, where he worked for Joel Campbell two years. In 1844 he came to Knoxville, and the same year erected a tannery, with which he was actively connected up to 1859, manufacturing mostly finished leather in calf, kipp, upper and some sole leather. During this time he also ran a shoe shop, and nearly all the leather made in the tannery was made up into boots and shoes for the surrounding country, thus giving employment to a large number of men. In 1859 he sold the tannery to A. D. Knox in exchange for a farm about two miles west of Knoxville, where for the next twelve years, or until about 1871, he was actively engaged in farming and clearing land. In this line of work he also gave employment to a number of men. In 1868 he again became the owner of the tannery, which he thoroughly repaired, putting in steam power and many modern improvements, and in addition to his farm business, he, in connection with his sons, Delos D. and William Darius, carried on the tanning business until the spring of 1872, when he sold the tannery to his son William Darius and the balance of his property to other parties, and moved to Grafton, Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he worked at farming until the spring of 1896, when he sold out and returned to Knoxville, where he now resides. He was always one of the leading business men of the community in which he lived. He married Mary A. Tiffany, a daughter of Humphrey and Hannah (Mathewson) Tiffany, of Norwich, New York. She bore him six children, viz: Daniel Delos, born March 15, 1839; William D., September 14, 1844; Adelbert L., August 27, 1846; Orrin, October 20, 1848; Edward, May 18, 1854, who died December 4, 1890, and Albert, May 18, 1854, who died in childhood. Mrs. Angell died July 20, 1890. Mr. Angell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, a Republican.

WILLIAM DARIUS ANGELL, second son of Daniel Angell, was born in Knox- ville, Tioga county, Pa., September 14, 1844, and has spent his entire life in his native place. He was educated in the common schools and at Union Academy, and began his business career on a farm. He engaged in the tanning business in

Philip Ezway

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1868, followed it for ten years, and then embarked in general merchandising, which he still continues. Mr. Angell was married December 24, 1865, to Jennie E. How- land, a daughter of Willard and Minerva (Luce) Howland, of Deerfield township, and has three living children, viz: Bertha M., born February 3, 1868, wife of George H. Fowler; Ellen I., born February 6, 1870, and Ruth M., June 18, 1878. Melvin' D., born October 8, 1874, died August 15, 1876. Mr. Angell is a member of the E. A. U. and K. of H., and is an ardent supporter of the Democratic Free Silver party.

WILLARD HOWLAND was born in Exeter, New York, March 15, 1806, a son of Willard and Polly (Munyan) Howland, and grandson of John Howland. His father was an operator in the cotton mills of Webster, Massachusetts; a deacon in the Bap- tist church, and reared a family of twenty children. The subject of this sketch married Minerva Luce, a daughter of Jonathan and Mahetabel (Bates) Luce, and in 1836 came to Tioga county and found employment in the woolen factory in Deerfield township. He returned to Massachusetts twice, coming to this county the last time in 1861, and dying September 18, 1889. His widow is still living at the age of eighty-nine years. She is the mother of five children, named as follows: Henry W., born June 21, 1831; Erastus J., May 23, 1833; Mary M., May 8, 1835, who died January 11, 1894; Melvin, February 9, 1838, and Jennie E., June 24, 1842, now the wife of W. D. Angell. Erastus J. went to Kansas in 1867, when the free soil and pro-slavery trouble was the issue there, and was actively engaged in it. His friends in the east had letters from him for some time afterward, when they ceased, since which the most earnest efforts have failed to find any trace of him. Melvin enlisted in the Fifteenth Volunteer Cavalry, July 12, 1861, in the War of the Rebellion, and died in the hospital at Poolsville, Maryland, August 27, 1861, having been in the United States service only a little over a month. Henry W. is now living in Camden, New Jersey, and is engaged in the mercantile business.

GEORGE H. FOWLER, son of Charles W. and Lucy A. (Harney) Fowler, was born in Jacksonville, Tompkins county, New York, September 18, 1867. He re- ceived a common school education; afterward studied pharmacy, and has since followed the business of a druggist. He was married June 25, 1890, to Bertha M., eldest daughter of W. D. and Jennie E. Angell. They are the parents of one daughter, Irma, born June 30, 1892. Mr. Fowler is a resident of Knoxville.

ALBERT AND JUSTUS DEARMAN, sons of George and Olive (Beach) Dearman, were born in Groton, Tomkins county, New York, the former October 12, 1824, and the latter September 8, 1829. Their father was a son of George and Sally Dearman, and was a skillful mechanic and an artist of considerable ability. He died in Knoxville, December 7, 1867, aged sixty-nine years. He was a member of the Baptist church, and a temperate, industrious, good citizen. His wife died August 12, 1833. They were the parents of four children, viz: Albert, Sarah A., Justus and Jane, the last two of whom are dead. In early manhood Albert worked with his father at the house-painter's trade. In 1844 he came to Knoxville, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and entered the employ of his uncle, O. P. Beach, in whose store he clerked for one-half year, when his uncle took him into partnership under the firm name of Beach & Dearman. In 1849 the firm dissolved, and Justus Dearman then came to Knoxville and formed a partnership with his brother, for the

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sale of merchandise, the combined capital not exceeding $1,000. The firm of A. & J. Dearman existed for fifteen years, and by fair dealing and strict attention to business prospered beyond their expectations. At the end of that period the firm dissolved by mutual consent, Justus continuing the business at the old stand. In 1871 his store was destroyed by fire, and in 1873 he erected the substantial busi- ness house which he occupied until his death, December 14, 1880. Justus Dearman never married. He possessed great taste and pride in his home and surroundings, and his store and grounds were arranged and ornamented under his personal super- vision. He was a liberal contributor towards any project for the benefit of his adopted town, while he was known as one of the most lenient creditors. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery, at Osceola, in a lot which has been beautifully fitted up with. all the attention brotherly affection could suggest. Albert Dearman remains as he has been for many years, one of the leading merchants of Knoxville, and is probably the oldest merchant in Tioga county in continuous business. He married October 1, 1861, Jennie Sutliff, a daughter of Case and Jane (Dearman) Sutliff, of Dryden, Tompkins county, New York, and has two children living: Charlie G. and Everett J. Mr. Dearman is a Republican, and has been burgess of Knoxville fifteen years, being last re-elected in 1894 for a term of three years. He has also served several terms as a school director. In religious belief, he is a Free-Thinker.

WILLIAM MARKHAM was born in England, July 6, 1817, a son of John Mark- ham, who came to the United States in 1823 and located near Ithaca, New York, whence the family removed to Deerfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. John Markham was one of the early settlers of Deerfield, where he cleared a farm of over 200 acres. Towards the close of his life he removed to Knoxville and died at the age of eighty-five years. He was twice married. His second wife was Mrs. Catharine Cornell, nee Quick. He reared five children: Samuel, William, George, Thomas, and Ann, who married Thomas Kymes. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Deerfield township, where he was engaged in farming, and also worked at the carpenter's trade for many years. During the Civil War he carried on a hardware store in Knoxville, in company with Giles Roberts. His wife, Betsey, was a daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Baker) Giles, of Deerfield, and bore him four children, viz: Mary A., wife of William Morse; Albert, Charles D., and Sophronia, wife of Guy R. Kelts. Mr. Markham died on July 12, 1883, from injuries received by falling from a scaffold. He was a member of the Christian church, and in politics, a Republican.

ALBERT MARKHAM, eldest son of William Markham, and grandson of John Markham, was born in Knoxville, Tioga county, December 27, 1850, and has always lived in his native place. He obtained a common school education and also attended Union Academy. After spending two years at the harness maker's trade, he em- barked in business for himself in 1873, and, with the exception of five years, has continued in that business up to the present. Mr. Markham married Mary Fisk, a daughter of Orlando and Catharine (Loomis) Fisk, of Knoxville, February 13, 1876, and has two children, Walter and Mabel. In politics, Mr. Markham is a Re- publican, and has filled various local offices. He is a member of the F. & A. M.,

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the I. O. O. F., the K. O. T. M., and the I. O. R. M. societies, in all of which he takes an active interest.

GILES ROBERTS, a prominent merchant of Knoxville, was born in Cincinnatus, Cortland county, New York, March 10, 1832, and is a son of Samuel and Eliza (Green) Roberts. The Roberts family came from Connecticut, and the Green family from Rhode Island. Mr. Roberts was reared in his native county until six- teen years of age, and obtained a common school education. In 1848 he went to Rhode Island, where he served an apprenticeship of three years at the tinner's trade, and later worked as a journeyman in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In 1853 he settled at Knoxville, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and the same year em- barked in the tin and stove business, as a member of the firm of Markham & Roberts, which partnership existed for ten years. He then purchased his partner's interest, and has since carried on a general hardware business. During this period he was also a member of the firm of Markham & Roberts, lumber dealers, and did quite an extensive business in that line. In January, 1855, Mr. Roberts married Helen Dunham, a daughter of William and Ruby (Mattison) Dunham, of Knoxville, and has one daughter living, Mrs. Alfred Edgcomb. He is now serving his third term as justice of the peace of Knoxville; was coroner of Tioga county one term, and has always given an earnest support to the principles and measures of the Repub- lican party.

HENRY G. SHORT was born in De Ruyter, Madison county, New York, Feb- ruary 14, 1821, a son of Zadock and Hannah (Van Horn) Short. He was reared in Cortland county, New York, but never attended school except six weeks, and whatever education he possesses was self-acquired. In 1852 he settled at Knox- ville, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and for fifteen years was a traveling salesman for a New York hat, cap and fur house, and for an additional fifteen years filled a similar position for a wholesale grocery house of the same city. He still lives in the suburbs of Knoxville, on a farm of thirty acres, upon which he settled more than forty years ago, clearing and improving the land through the passing years. Mr. Short was married July 2, 1845, to Mercy Barker, a daughter of Albert and Sophronia (Eastman) Barker, of Homer, Cortland county, New York. They are the parents of two children: Helen A., wife of E. H. Bowen, and John G. In early life Mr. Short served a four years' apprenticeship at the harness-maker's trade, but not liking the business, he never followed it afterwards. He is a member of the E. A. U., and the P. of H. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has held every local office in Knoxville from burgess down.

JOEL JOHNSON was born in Triangle, Broome county, New York, August 28, 1818, a son of Edward and Roxanna (Cook) Johnson. On attaining his majority he engaged in farming until 1852, when he located at Jasper, Steuben county, New York, where he operated a steam saw-mill and grist-mill for three years. He then returned to Triangle, Broome county, whence he removd in 1863 to Knoxville, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and purchased the grist and saw-mill property later operated by his son, Laverne J. He continued in this business until his death, which occurred November 9, 1893, at the age of seventy-five years. In 1888 he tore down the old mill, erected in 1825 by Silas Billings, and built the present one, which is equipped with all the modern improvements of mill machinery. His

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wife was Caroline Ives, of Guilford, New York, who bore him six children, five of whom are living, viz: Frances, wife of O. H. Wood; Leverett A., Alice, wife of F. L. Scoville; Ida, wife of J. F. Goodspeed, and Laverne J. Mr. Johnson was an adherent of the Republican party, and in religious faith, a member of the Pres- byterian church.

LAVERNE J. JOHNSON, youngest son of Joel and Caroline Johnson, was born in Triangle, Broome county, New York, February 12, 1861, and was two years old when his parents came to Knoxville, Tioga county. He attended the public schools of that borough, and later Starkey Seminary, Yates county, New York, and Elmira Business College. Before attaining his majority, he took charge of the grist-mill, purchasing and selling supplies, and in. 1882 entered into partnership with his father and brother, which continued until January, 1894, when he became sole proprietor of the mill, and managed it until August, 1895. Mr. Johnson was mar- ried February 27, 1889, to Cora J. Lugg, a daughter of Anthony W. and Ann (Seely) Lugg, of Knoxville, and has two children, Glenna A. and Reed Laverne. In politics, he is a Republican, and also a member of the F. & A. M. He is one of the well known young business men of Knoxville, where he now carries on a flour and feed store.

NOAH EVERITT was born in Wantage, Sussex county, New Jersey, May 4, 1837, and is a son of Jesse and Phoebe (Tuttle) Everitt, who came to Deerfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, about 1870, where his father engaged in farming, and died in 1874. Jesse and Phoebe Everitt were the parents of four children who grew to maturity, viz: Isaac, Noah, Jesse and Josiah. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, there received a good common school education, and later taught school for several years, but has spent most of his life in agricultural pursuits. He settled in Deerfield township, Tioga county, in 1866, purchasing 150 acres of land, which he partially cleared and improved, and for a number of years he operated a dairy of thirty cows. In 1890 he removed to Knoxville, where he has since carried on a grocery, flour, feed and general mercantile business. In 1858 Mr. Everitt married Kate Winfield, a daughter of Isaiah and Kate Winfield, of Sussex county, New Jersey, and has three children: Henry, Carrie, wife of Her- man Knox, and Florence, wife of J. N. Losey. Mr. Everitt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a stanch adherent of the Democratic party. He has filled various local offices in Deerfield township, and is now recognized as one of the substantial business men of Knoxville.

CHESTER WELLS was born in Binghamton, New York, April 23, 1825, a son of Chester and Polly (Sleiter) Wells. His father was a native of Connecticut, of Scotch ancestry, and his mother of Binghamton, New York, where she was born in 1796, when that place contained but two log cabins. She was of French descent. Mr. Wells was reared in Binghamton, and there learned the carpenter's trade with B. F. Scisson, with whom he remained seven years. In 1851 he removed to Towanda, Pennsylvania, where he went into the furniture and undertaking business, and carried on the same until January 1, 1865, when he removed to Waverly, New York, and later to Addison. He followed the lumber business and also con- ducted a general store at Addison, remaining there between four and five years. In October, 1869, he located at Knoxville, Tioga county, where he carried on the

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furniture and undertaking business for twenty-six years. Mr. Wells was married October 4, 1849, to Margaret A. Chambers, a daughter of George W. and Hannah (Simonson) Chambers, of Staten Island, who died on January 14, 1894. Seven children were the fruits of this union, named as follows: George, deceased; Ches- ter F., a resident of Binghamton; J. Stewart, an attorney of West Superior, Wis- consin; William P., Edmund L., Helen C. and Mrs. Grace Howland. Mr. Wells died in Knoxville, October 3, 1895, and the business has since been conducted by his daughter, Helen C. He was a member of, the I. O. O. F. ,and in politics, a stanch Democrat. Upright and straightforward in all his dealings, he enjoyed the confidence and respect of the community, and was one of the popular business men of Knoxville.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 115

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