History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 116

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

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CHARLES A. REESE, M. D., was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1841, and is a son of Rev. Charles and Catherine (Gephart) Reese, natives of Lebanon and Lancaster counties, Pennsylvania, respectively, who were of Welslı and German descent. His father was a minister of the Lutheran church, and was widely known throughout the State. Charles A. was reared in Pennsylvania, and was educated in the public schools and Bernville Academy, Berks county, Penn- sylvania. From the age of eleven to nineteen he clerked in a general store, and during the Rebellion recruited thirty-four men for the Union army, which under the ruling of Governor Curtin entitled him to a captaincy, but he never applied for the commission. In 1860 he began the study of medicine in the office of his brother, Dr. D. J. Reese, now of Renovo, Pennsylvania, and attended one partial and one full course of lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. In 1862 he commenced practice at Sinnamahoning, Cameron county, where he con- tinned for twelve years. In the fall of 1872 he attended another course of lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated in the class of 1873. In 1875 he located at Knoxville, Tioga county, where for more than twenty-one years he was engaged in the active duties of his profession. Dr. Reese was married August 31, 1864, to Alice M. Stamp, a daughter of Joseph and Maria (Fish) Stamp, of Clinton county, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity. Their names are as follows: Libbie, wife of Eugene Wortman; Francis Gurney Smith, who graduated at the University of Pennsyl- vania in the class of 1895, and is now practicing medicine in Coudersport; Imogene, wife of Norman F. Madison; Bertie, deceased; Allie M. and Eva M. In politics, Dr. Reese is a stanch Democrat, and was a member of the school board of Knox- ville for seven years. During his residence in Cameron county, which is strongly Republican, he was elected coroner by the largest majority ever given to a candi- date for a county office up to that time. Against his earnest protest he was re- nominated for a second term, but used his influence for his opponent, and even then was defeated by only a small majority. While a resident of Knoxville, he enjoyed a good practice, and was recognized by his medical brethren as one of the able physicians of the county. In the spring of 1897 Dr. Reese removed to Coudersport, where he has since continued to pursue his profession.

JOHN W. FITCH, a native of New York state, and a son of Samuel and Sally (Woodcock) Fitch, came in early manhood to Nelson township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, removing at a later day to Brookfield township, where he purchased

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

a tract of land and cleared and improved a farm, now owned by Fred. Bush, which he afterwards exchanged for a farm in the same township. He resided in Brook- field upwards of forty years, and at one time owned over 400 acres of land in that part of the county. During this period he was extensively engaged in lumbering, and was an energetic, enterprising citizen. About 1878 he located at Knoxville, where he later embarked in general merchandising, which business he conducted until his death, September 26, 1889, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. Mr. Fitch was twice married. His first wife was Minerva Seeley, a daughter of Barney Seeley, of Brookfield township, who bore him five children, viz: Sally A., who married Henry Holt; Charles, William G., John E., and Ella, wife of Chauncey Reynolds. His second wife was Sally Seeley, a sister of his first wife. At one time Mr. Fitch was a member of the I. O. O. F. He was a Republican, in politics, and served as a member of the Knoxville council.

JOHN E. FITCH, son of John W. and Minerva Fitch, was born in Brookfield township, Tioga county, June 12, 1850. He was reared in his native township, and obtained his education in the public schools and Woodhull Academy. After attaining his majority, he was engaged in farming for twelve years in Brookfield, and also as a drover, buying and selling cattle for the New York and Philadelphia markets. He lived in Brookfield until 1888, when he removed to Knoxville, where he has since been successfully engaged in general merchandising. Mr. Fitch was married October 18, 1875, to Orcelia Beagle, a daughter of James and Malvina (Nevins) Beagle, of Steuben county, New York, and has one son, David B., born March 13, 1880, also an adopted daughter, Myrtle. In politics, Mr. Fitch is a Republican, has served five years in the borough council, and is one of the leading business men of Knoxville.

CHARLES LUGG was born in Gloucestershire, England, October 11, 1791, a son of Robert and Phoebe (Haley) Lugg, the latter a cousin of Gen. Anthony Wayne. He was reared on a farm, and followed that business as a vocation all his life. He first came to the United States with his family, consisting of his wife and five chil- dren, in 1830, and located in Elkland, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He later rented a farm on Thorn Bottom creek, one mile and a half west of Nelson, on Beecher's Island. But being disappointed with the country, he returned with his family to England in May, 1831. In the autumn of 1833 he again came to Tioga county, settling on what is known as Sober's Hill, in Farmington township, where he pur- chased 100 acres of land, containing a log house and barn, and about four acres cleared. He subsequently added 150 acres to his first purchase, cleared up 200 acres of the tract, and spent the remaining years of his life on this farm. Mr. Lugg was married in England, by Rev. Edward Mansfield, August 18, 1818, to Mary Ann Chandler, born June 20, 1797, a daughter of James Chandler, of Gloucestershire, England, to which union were born eight children, viz: Sarah, who married Isaac C. Whitehead, and for her second husband, David Hoyt; Mary A., who married Alanson Hoyt; Eliza, who became the wife of Lewis Beiver; Anthony W., Robert S., who married Rebecca Bottum; Caroline, who married Enoch Blackwell; Eliza- beth and Charles. Mr. Lugg died January 13, 1874, aged eighty-three years, and his wife, March 12, 1873, aged seventy-five years. Both were members of the Pres- byterian church for sixty years.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ANTHONY W. LUGG, eldest son of Charles and Mary A. Lugg, was born in Gloucestershire, England, August 25, 1825, and came to Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, with his parents in 1830, and again in 1833. In early manhood he en- gaged in farming, which he followed until thirty years of age. In October, 1855, he embarked in merchandising at Nelson, Tioga county, which he successfully continued there up to 1881. In 1877-78 he spent seven months in California for the benefit of his health, and in 1881-82 six months in that State for the same purpose. From 1882 to 1886 he was engaged in farming on the old homestead in Farmington township, and in the spring of the latter year located at Knox- ville, where he resided until his death, January 29, 1897. As senior member of the firm of A. W. Lugg & Sons, he followed general merchandising in that borough for more than ten years. On February 6, 1851, Mr. Lugg married Ann K. Seely, a daughter of Nathaniel and Lucy (Kelsey) Seely, of Osceola. Six children were the fruits of this union, four of whom survive, viz: Wayne, Charles H., Cora, wife of L. J. Johnson, and A. Waldo. In politics, Mr. Lugg was an advocate of pro- hibition. While a resident of Nelson township, he served twenty-two years as a justice of the peace, being elected five successive terms. For more than forty years Mr. Lugg was a member of the Presbyterian church. He was one of the sub- stantial and respected citizens of Knoxville, a kind husband and a good father.

ANDREW B. HITCHCOCK was born in Caton, Steuben county, New York, May 15, 1863, a son of Ezekiel and Martha (Silsbee) Hitchcock. His parents came to Covington, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1865, and later removed to Morris Run, and thence to Lawrence township, where his mother died in 1887. They had eight children, six boys and two girls. Our subject was reared in Tioga county from the age of two years, and was educated in the district schools and the State Normal School at Mansfield, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the latter institution in 1884, and commenced teaching in the fall of that year in the schools of Union township, and the next year was principal of the schools at Morris Run. In 1886 he became principal of the Knoxville graded schools and attained a front rank among the educators of the county. In 1895 he resigned his position as principal and purchased a general insurance business. Mr. Hitch- cock was married August 5, 1891, to Ola Woodbury, the daughter of Frederick and Sarah (Kelly) Woodbury, of Knoxville. They have had two children, Reed W. and Howard F. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, also of the F. & A. M. In politics, he is a supporter of the Republican party, and was elected justice of the peace in February, 1897, which office he is now filling.

PHILIP ERWAY was born in Chemung county, New York, September 14, 1823, a son of Philip and Anna (Fogel) Erway, and is of Irish and Dutch extraction. He remained in New York state until seventeen years of age, and his education was limited to less than three months' attendance at the common schools. In 1840 he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and found employment on a farm in Delmar township for three years. In 1843 he purchased a tract of seventy-five acres in Chatham township, which, as time would permit, he cleared and improved, work- ing in the lumber camps during the winter seasons. In the meantime he built a log cabin on his farm, in which he kept "bachelor's hall" for about two years, and lived there until 1863, when he exchanged that farm for another of eighty

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

acres, to which he subsequently added fifty acres more, making a total of 130 acres. In 1869 he purchased another sixty-acre tract, cleared and improved it, and sold it in 1882. He lived in Chatham township until 1886, when he re- moved to Knoxville, where he has since resided. Mr. Erway has been twice mar- ried. His first wife was Mary King, a daughter of Samuel P. and Eleanor (Spring- steel) King, of Chatham township, who bore him eight children, viz: Rutsor P., Oscar, Floyd, Amos, Ruth, wife of Hiram Close; Edgar, Otis H. and Andrew G. His second wife was Amy W. Marlatt, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Pease) Marlatt, of Steuben county, New York. In politics, Mr. Erway is a Republican, and is one of the prosperous, well known and respected citizens of the community.

JOHN S. ADAMS was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1843, a son of Elijah and Ann Eliza (Cressman) Adams, and was of English and Ger- man descent. In early manhood he went to Pike county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in lumbering, and in the fall of 1881 he located in Galeton, Potter county, where he remained one year. In October, 1882, he removed to Gaines, Tioga county, and in partnership with Michael Maloney embarked in the hotel business. They greatly improved the moral surroundings of the house, and proved that a hotel on Pine creek could be conducted decently and in order. He remained there three years and a half in the hotel business, and after one year's retirement he, in April, 1887, purchased the brick hotel property at Knoxville since known as the Adams House. He soon built up the reputation of the house, and carried it on successfully to the time of his death, which occurred October 31, 1893. Dur- ing this period he had won the confidence and esteem of the leading business men of the borough. Mr. Adams was married August 11, 1870, to Celestia Armstrong, a daughter of Caleb and Louisa (Gardner) Armstrong, of Otsego county, New York, who became the mother of three children, viz: Mary E., Charles, deceased, and Floyd. He was a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow; was also connected with the K. of H., and in politics, was a stanch Democrat. Mr. Adams' word was re- garded as good as his bond, and he was one of the best, if not the best, landlords in the history of Knoxville. He was kind and hospitable, and no needy person ever went hungry from his door.

CHARLES E. BRUGLER, editor and publisher of the Knoxville Courier. was born in Blairstown township, Warren county New Jersey, March 7, 1855, a son of James and Susannah (Konkle) Brugler. He was reared in his native county, and obtained his education in the public schools and Honeywell Academy. He served six years' apprenticeship at the printer's trade in the office of the Blairs- town Press, and later was assistant foreman of the New Jersey Herald, published at Newton, New Jersey, for nearly four years. On November 1, 1889, he purchased the plant of the Knoxville Courier, at Knoxville, Tioga county, which under his management has become one of the leading papers in the Cowanesque valley. Mr. Brugler was married April 25, 1877, to Rosa A. Bunnell, a daughter, of Henry and Mary (Lanterman) Bunnell, of Blairstown, New Jersey .. They are the parents of four children, as follows: C. Harry, Lewis J., Milton A. and R. Bunnell. In politics, Mr. Brugler is a Republican, and in religion, a member of the Presby- terian church. He has always taken an active interest in social affairs, and is con- nected with the K. of H., and the P. of H. societies.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ALONZO KIBBE, physician and surgeon, was born in Harrison township, Pot- ter county, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1856, a son of Thomas J. and Dorcas (Cotton) Kibbe. He was reared on a farm, and obtained his education in the public schools and Ulysses Academy. In 1882 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. M. R. Pritchard, of Harrison Valley, and was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Maryland, March 13, 1885. The same year he began the practice of his profession at Galeton, Potter county, removing one year later to Troupsburg, where he continued in practice for five years. In April, 1891, Dr. Kibbe located at Knoxville, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He has been twice married. His first wife was Ida L. Hurlbut, of Harrison township, Potter county. His second wife was Anna G. Merrick, a daughter of Charles and Hannah (Sears) Merrick, of Wellsboro, Tioga county, who has borne him four children: Russell L., Rose Geraldine, Sarah Ione and Stewart R. Dr. Kibbe is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is connected with the F. & A. M., the K. O. T. M., the K. of H., the I. 0. O. F. and I. O. R. M. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a member of the board . of health of Knoxville. Since locating in Tioga county, he has built up a lucrative practice and attained a front rank among the medical fraternity of this portion of the State.

WILLIAM WASS was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, March 27, 1794, and was a son of Adam Wass, a native of Germany. He served through the War of 1812, and drew a pension from the government for his services in that war. Soon after its close, he removed to Elmira, New York, where he was married, and in 1817 came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, settling in Deerfield township, but in 1818 he removed to Chatham township. Here he cleared two large farms, and also en- gaged in the lumber business, and for forty years, during the rafting season, was a pilot on the Susquehanna river. At the end of each season he walked home from Columbia, Pennsylvania, a distance of 200 miles, making the trip in four days. He died upon his farm in Chatham township, May 19, 1889, where he had lived for more than seventy years, and is buried in Riverside Cemetery, at Knox- ville. His wife was Polly Humphrey, a daughter of Isaac Humphrey, of Ohio, who bore him a family of ten children, viz: George, Eleanor, widow of Joseph Falk- ner; John, Sally A., who married Abram Humphrey; Harriet, who married A. D. White; Mary, wife of John Faulkner; William, Alexander, David and Robert. In politics, Mr. Wass was a Republican, and is remembered as one of the oldest citi- zens in the county at the time of his death, attaining the ripe old age of over ninety- five years.

DAVID WASS, son of William Wass, was born in Chatham township, Tioga county, May 12, 1837, and was reared on the old homestead upon which he lived until 1890, when he removed to Knoxville, where he has since resided. He is still the owner of the old farm, settled by his father nearly three-quarters of a century ago. He has been engaged in farming and lumbering since early manhood, and has been quite successful. On May 3, 1874, he married Lucinda Perry, a daughter of Wooster and Maria (Lucas) Perry, of Woodhull, Steuben county, New York. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife is a Presbyter- ian. In politics, he is an adherent of the Democratic party.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

MOSES INSCHO, second son of Obadiah and Judith Inscho, was born April 28, 1792, and was six years old when his parents settled in Tioga county. He was reared upon the homestead farm in Lawrence township, and in 1825 located in Deerfield township, where he partially cleared and improved a farm. He did considerable business as a teamster, owned a saw mill and dealt in lumber to some extent. About fifty years ago he built the wooden bridge yet standing south of Knoxville. On January 1, 1818, he married Mary Seelye, a daughter of Capt. John and Elizabeth (Lindsley) Seelye, pioneers of Steuben county, New York. She was born January 21, 1793, and became the mother of ten children, as follows: William Edwin, born October 11,1818, and died May 10, 1881; Eliza Lindsley, born January 15, 1820, widow of John O. Ward; Hiram, born February 24, 1821, and died March 25, 1896; Mary Ann, born November 6, 1822, who married Benoni Madison, and died August 10, 1871; Charlotte A., born July 5, 1825, who lives upon the old home- stead; Rachel, born February 16, 1827; James Byron, born November 25, 1828, and died September 16, 1854; Micajah Seelye, born November 12, 1830; Emily J., born May 22, 1832, and Lucius C., born December 6, 1834, and died January 8, 1896. Mr. Inscho died October 1, 1848, in his fifty-seventh year, and his wife, January 11, 1872, in her seventy-ninth year. Their daughter, Charlotte A., who has remained unmarried, occupies the old homestead, and is the owner of 265 acres of land. Her history from early girlhood is full of interest, and illustrates what persistent industry can accomplish. She started in life with an earned capital of $16, and is to-day one of the substantial farmers of Deerfield. She carried on mer- chandising in Knoxville for many years, and is noted for her sound, progressive business qualifications and sterling integrity.

HIRAM INSCHO, second son of Moses Inscho, and grandson of Obadiah Inscho, was born in Tioga township, Tioga county, February 24, 1821, and spent his entire life in his native county engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was twice married. His first wife was Lucretia George, and his second, Mrs. Betsy Glover, but he left no children by either marriage. He died March 25, 1896. He was a quiet, retir- ing, honest man, and a good citizen, but never accumulated much of this world's goods. In politics, he was a Republican.

MICAJAH SEELYE INSCHO, son of Moses and Mary Inscho, and grandson of Obadiah Inscho, was born in Deerfield township, Tioga county, November 12, 1830, He was reared on the Inscho homestead, and attended the common schools and Union Academy in boyhood. At the age of fourteen he began working as a lumber pilot on the Cowanesque river, and followed the lumber business upwards of thirty years. He also bought cattle and sheep for the New York and Williamsport markets for several years, and has devoted his principal attention to farming, having re- sided in Westfield township since 1878. In 1858 Mr. Inscho married Charlotte Howland, a daughter of Joseph and Lucy (Rexford) Howland, of Steuben county, New York, and has three children, viz: Merrit F., Lucy, wife of Ralph Skinner, and Mary, wife of Fred Preston. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorably dis- charged after a service of ten months. In politics, Mr. Inscho is a Republican.

CAPT. JOHN SEELYE, though never a resident of this county, has numerous descendants in the Cowanesque valley. He was born in Litchfield, Connecticut,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

April 22, 1757, and died in Lindley, Steuben county, New York, January 17, 1813. He married Elizabeth Lindsley, March 9, 1783. She was born July 17, 1764, and died January 25, 1852. She was a daughter of Col. Eleazer Lindsley, a soldier of the Revolution and a pioneer of Steuben county, where the town of Lindley was named in his honor, though a mistake was made in the official spelling of the word, which was intended to be "Lindsley." Captain Seelye and wife were among the honored pioneers of that locality, and reared the following children: Mahlon, Samuel, Daniel, Micajah, Mary, Phoebe, Louise, William, Eleazer and Eliza. Cap- tain Seelye was a prominent Mason, and his grand-daughter, Miss Charlotte A. Inscho, has in her possession a gold locket containing his portrait, on the back of which is carved the mystic symbols of the Masonic order. It is an heirloom highly prized by its owner.

NATHAN BAKER, of Otsego county, New York, came to Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, in 1827, and in the following year settled in what is now Deerfield town- ship, on the farm owned and occupied by his grandson, Allen Baker. With the as- sistance of his sons, he cleared and improved this farm, and resided there until his death. He died April 17, 1846, and was interred upon the homestead. His wife was Hannah Wood, and their children were as follows: Sally, who married Marvel Handy; Daniel, Charlotte, who married Jarvis Freeman; Ira, Esther, who married Hiram Bostwick; Nathan, Hannah, who married Hiram Swimley; Perry and Elisha.

IRA BAKER, son of Nathan and Hannah Baker, was born in Otsego county, New York, February 26, 1815, and removed with his parents to Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, in 1827. Soon after arriving at manhood he took up and cleared a farm in Chatham township, about a mile south of the old homestead. Here he remained until 1852, when he returned to the old homestead in Deerfield, settled by his father in 1828, and there died September 23, 1894. He married Lydia Philley, a daughter of Luman and Eunice ( Coburn) Philley, pioneers of Deerfield township. Three children were born to this union, viz: Laura, wife of Timothy Hastings; Allen, and Alta M., wife of Welch Reynolds. Mr. Baker was a member of the Christian church, and in politics, a Republican.

ALLEN BAKER, only son of Ira and Lydia Baker, was born in Chatham town- ship, Tioga county, January 15, 1843, and from nine years of age was reared on what is known as the Baker homestead in Deerfield township, which he now owns and occupies. He received a common school education, and has made farming his life vocation. On December 24, 1875, he married Hattie Guile, a daughter of Alonzo and Mary J. (Watkins) Guile, of Deerfield township, who is the mother of the fol- lowing children: Edith, deceased; Ernest G., Blanche O. and Everitt A. In poli- tics, Mr. Baker is a Republican; has served as school director of his township four- teen years; is a member of the P. of H., and is one of the prominent and influential farmers of the community.

HENRY F. DANIELS, SR., was born in Broome county, New York, July 16, 1817, a son of George and Lydia (Hoskins) Daniels, who settled in Jasper, Steuben county, New York, in 1828. Their children were as follows: Hannah, who mar- ried Edmund Porter; Nathan, Barney, George W., William, Leonard, Lurania, who married Abram Freeland; Rhoda, who became the wife of Amos Raymond;

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

Henry F., and Lydia J., who married Truman Kibbe. In 1832 Henry F. came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, locating in what is now Deerfield township, and in 1838 he settled on his present farm, most of which he has cleared, and has erected. all the buildings now thereon. It embraces 186 acres. Mr. Daniels married Esther Cloos, September 27, 1838. She is a daughter of Newbury and Esther (Short) Cloos, and a grand-daughter of Reuben Cloos, pioneers of Tioga county. Five children have been born to this union, viz: Melissa, Henry F., Mary J., wife of Lucian A. Mattison; Emma, wife of Willard S. Carpenter, and Jeannette, wife of Frank H. Smith. Mr. Daniels is a member of the Christian church, and an ad- herent of the Republican party.

HENRY F. DANIELS, JR., was born in what is now Deerfield township, Tioga county, February 26, 1841, and is a son of Henry F. Daniels, Sr. He lived upon the old homestead until he was thirty-two years of age, when he located upon the farm of his uncle, Reuben Cloos, which has since been his home. He was educated in the Osceola High school, and the Union and Troupsburg academies, and has always followed farming as an occupation. On July 14, 1866, he married Jerusha L. Van Dusen, a daughter of Benjamin and Jerusha (Lee) Van Dusen, of Chatham township. They have five children, viz: Ned J., and Fred F., twins, the latter de- ceased; Bertha E., Ben. B. and George H. On Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, in 1863, Mr. Daniels joined Company G, Thirty-fifth Pennsylvania Militia, and served two months. In politics, he is a Republican, and has filled various local offices in Deerfield, including clerk and treasurer, and was elected justice of the peace in Febru- ary, 1896. He is a member of the G. A. R., the Grange and the K. of H.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 116

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